Two weeks earlier before the attack at the Plegian army…
In order to stop Grima's awakening the last forces of Ylisse gathered resources in preparation to advance to Plegian territory, it was only a matter of time before the dark ritual was performed and the world would then be doomed.
Regna Ferox and Ylisse joined their forces to counter the attack from the warships of the Valmese Empire coming from the sea; lord Chrom and Flavia, the Khan of Regna Ferox, along with their master tactician, Robin, planed a counter measure to stop the attacks from Plegia along with the attacking forces of Valm.
000
That morning the sound of an alarm set the camp of the Shepherds in a commotion, between the preparations for battle; in a particular tent, a pair of lovers awoke at the sound of the siren.
"My love… C'mon, wake up!" a young woman, with a fiery red hair moved her partner at her side, "Wake up Robin! They need us for battle!" she said.
Robin rubbed his sleep filled eyes, trying to stay awake, "Mm, what?" he said. Cordelia reached out and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, while giggling at her, now red faced, lover.
Robin approached her and returned her kiss, sliding his hands along her back while caressing her long red hair. The kiss grew in heat as they fought for dominance. After a while, they just stood looking at each other's eyes, smiles on their faces.
"I never get tired of waking up at your side, Cordy. You make my days lovely, more so if I have this sensual body at my side!" he said, looking at her well-toned body.
Cordelia blushed a deep red and got up from the bed, naked, to get dressed. "I suspect you want to get lovey dovey this early in the morning, but we have to hurry!" she said. Robin just sighed as he got up too, and walked around, not knowing that Cordelia's eyes followed his bare ass around the room, 'Well, at least he's still a piece of a man… I need to put on that set of lingerie he likes so much tonight!' the red-haired woman thought, a small smile on her face.
000
Later that morning, at the war council room, Chrom and Robin were discussing some tactics on how to approach the incoming troops from the sea. Chrom had an idea he wanted to test, but the tactician wasn't convinced at all.
"Cordelia, we need you to command the attack forces on the beach. Be warned though, the incoming force will be relentless with their attacks, so don't falter and secure that beach". Chrom said while looking at his wife, Sumia, who watched with concern and whispered to Chrom.
"My love… don't you think it's a bit risky to send a small force of Pegasus knights against full armored ships? The last time we lost Vaike and Maribelle in their attacks… I –I don't want to lose her…" Sumia said while gripping tightly the hand of the lord.
Chrom smiled and kissed her on the temples, "Do not worry my love, she is an expert fighter and I trust her to avoid danger. Plus, she's a valuable asset to all the Shepherds and I will never let her get harmed. It's a hunch I have, all will be alright".
Cordelia blushed at this statement and nodded, "I will do my best, my lord. I have to fight to protect what is important to me". After the plan was made, Cordelia went outside and started to pack her items to join the rest of the army.
A young girl stood behind Cordelia and with anger in her voice she said, "So, why do you do this, mother?! Another pointless errant from Chrom I'm sure!" she asked her mother in a demanding tone, but Cordelia looked in her eyes and answered, "I have to do this darling, Chrom depends on me to ensure this army survives another day. I have to protect what is important to me. Severa, we all have to…"
Severa exploded in anger, 'How could she do that to me?! How can she do this to daddy?! What is she thinking?' but remained silent and replied, "Ugh! Chrom this! Chrom that! Why didn't you just marry him instead of dad?! Even he notices your unrequited affections towards him!" but Cordelia didn't answer, she just stared at the grass, a sad expression in her already misty eyes and said "… I have to go darling… I- I owe him this much, even if I have to give my life while doing so…" Severa stood there, stunned at her mother's response and went away to find her father.
000
A few hours later, at the beach, the small battalion gathered waiting orders from Cordelia. A rider watched as she landed her Pegasi beside him, waiting to inform her of the situation.
"My lady Cordelia, the forces are gathering on the beach. We need to think a way to ensure the battle is not lost before it began" the rider told her.
She stared at the ocean and saw the countless warships heading their way, but she remained calm and replied, "Thank you, Frederick. Now go back to the backlines and evacuate the people to safety".
"Are you sure my lady? I might help you defend this for a long time" Frederick said, considering the options they had in the incoming battle. Cordelia smiled at him, "Yes, don't worry about me. The people need to get away from here as fast as they can, I will remain here until that task is completed", she said.
Frederick saluted and rode back to town, meanwhile Cordelia was looking the waves coming and going. "It sure is a beautiful scene… I wish I could see this with him", but the sound of a distant horn brought her back to reality, the warships arrived and started to spill soldiers in all directions.
Cordelia saw the only chance they got and signaled her battalion to march forward. The clash was brutal, the enemy overwhelmed them, ten to one; Cordelia was cornered with a platoon of archers shadowing the horizon cutting her ways to escape, as the horn was blown again she saw the archer preparing to fire and then she was gone. A rain of arrows pierced through her armor, the beautiful red-haired woman fell from her horse, a pool of blood staining the white sand of the beach, lines of dirt and tears framed her face.
Cordelia coughed blood, as she tried to reach with her hand at the sun setting on the horizon, "… I- I'm s-sorry everyone… this is where I-I… R- Robin, forgive m… me… my l-l…" and then, the light of her red eyes was gone; one of the last Pegasus Knights died along with the rest of her soldiers, the ocean stained with the blood of the innocent.
000
Frederick returned, after escorting to safety all the people in the port. The scene he saw was devastating; the red blood stained the once white sand, as crows were eating piles of corpses, but the most terrifying sight was a young commander hanging, naked and tortured, tied in a mast on the beach.
Frederick approached the young lady and saw with horror that the corpse was Cordelia; in her belly the words 'The purifying flames of lord Walhart will come for you all' were carved with her own spear.
Frederick cut the ropes of Cordelia's hands and feet, covering her with a mantle, kneeling at her side, a solid tear let Frederick's eyes as he thought about her family. Frederick then galloped towards Ylisse, not wanting to face the sorrow this would carry.
000
After returning, Chrom saw as Frederick carried in his arms a body; removing the mantle he saw with shock the face of Cordelia. Sumia let out a shriek of pain and horror, as she fainted in Chrom's arms.
Chrom held Sumia, as he gazed stupefy at the corpse of the beautiful woman. "We need to break the news to Robin, my lord. I don't like this, but we need to do this as soon as possible!" Frederick said, still holding Cordelia.
Chrom rested on the ground the body of Sumia and called at a passing soldier to watch over her. "I'll go search for Robin. Frederick… Get Cordelia inside my tent and put her on a bed, we'll bury her at nightfall", Chrom said as he started his way towards the tent of his tactician, knowing that this news would break him.
As he approached Robin's tent, Chrom saw Severa sitting on her parent's bed, looking at a family album with a smile on her face but tears in her eyes.
"Severa, can I talk with you for a second?" Chrom said looking at the ground. Severa watched him and replied, "What do you need Chrom? Don't you see I'm still waiting for my mother to return? … I need to say something to her".
The expression in Chrom's face didn't change, instead he walked towards her and sat beside Severa, taking her hands and putting a ring on her palm. "I'm so sorry Severa, your mother… she was killed in combat defending the people of the harbor… she died with honor and she will be remembered for all she did and…"
A slap on the face of Chrom interrupted his speech; as he returned his gaze towards Severa, he saw she was furious and clenching her fists, "… She will be remembered! … She will be remembered! Who the fuck do you think you are? You knew nothing about her and you want to remember her? You knew this would happen and still you sent her to her death… I don't understand how you can be a leader if you can't predict the risks of a war… I- I just…" she said while unsheathing her sword.
"Stop Severa! I know how you feel about this, but blaming someone else isn't going to bring her back!" a voice cut short the angry Severa, while Chrom looked towards the male figure at the doorsteps.
Severa turned to face the voice, but was shocked when she saw who it was. "D- Daddy, how can you say that?! She was your wife, for Naga's sake! … Don't tell me you don't feel anger because I won't believe you're…" but Chrom spoke first, before the man at the door answered his daughter's questions, "Robin… I won't blame you if you decide to punch me, but understand that my motivations were…"
The tactician raised his hand, stopping Chrom from talking and said, "Chrom, please… just leave me and my daughter alone. I need to discuss some things with her, we'll join you later, so…" Chrom nodded and excused himself to find Sumia and comfort her.
After Chrom left the tent, Robin and Severa stood watching at each other for a minute, before she threw herself into her father's arms, crying inconsolably for the death of her mother, while Robin hugged her back and whispered to her that all was going to be alright.
After a while, Robin rubbed her back and whispered to her, "Honey, your mother was so proud of you, right until the very end… never doubt that sweetheart. Morgan and you are our treasures. Now clean those tears and smile, I'm at your side and I'll never leave you", Robin said to her daughter, hugging her and patting her head to comfort her.
Severa sobbed and looked in her father's misted eyed for a second before regaining her haughty attitude and answering, "Don't worry about me daddy, I know my mother is watching over us. We need to find Morgan and tell her about this, I´m worried on how she's going to take this notice".
Robin nodded and touched Severa's elbow, smiling he said "Now that's my girl! I'll find her, so you can rest for the evening. I'll drop by later, alright honey?"
Once Robin left the tent Severa sat in her bed and started to cry, the only memory of her mother was now a single ring,
'I need to rest, but I can get her image out of my mind… my mother… my best friend', the silver-blonde thought and closed her eyes, falling into a deep slumber, remembering the last days with her mother and the last words she said to her… 'Why didn't you marry him instead of dad?'
000
Outside the tent Robin stood still, lingering memories of his dead wife coursed through him, the sensation of her lips against his still present like the fresh scent of the morning. The tactician walked aimlessly in the camp until he found himself in his tent, the last place where he and Cordelia spent a tender moment that morning, where they had moments of joy and sadness, where they had some beautiful years… now those were mere memories.
Going inside his tent, Robin sat in his bed and tried to cover his face with his hands, sobs of sorrow and anger ran through, 'Cordy… Cordy… I-I should have never let you go alone! I-I wish I had a way to save you… I-I wish this war didn't even started!'
As she passed by outside the tent, the second daughter of Robin and Cordelia, Morgan, heard the commotion and lifted the cover of her parents' tent she saw her father in tears; she knew something was wrong.
"Father? What's wrong?! Where's mother?!" the red headed girl asked with concern in her voice. Robin sniffed and raised his head to look his eyes with hers, tears still sliding on his cheeks, "I-I… Morgan, come and sit with me… I need to tell you something…"
The young girl sat at her father's side; suddenly Robin hugged her; she stiffened a littles and then relaxed, "What's wrong father? You seem distraught?" the little red hair asked.
"I… I, well" Robin started to say, but cleared his throat and started again, "Morgan, this morning we lost Cordelia… we lost your mother in the battle… I-I'm sorry, dear".
Morgan was speechless, she never truly knew her mother and this made her heart ache; she felt a void inside her. Then the dam broke, she hugged her father tighter and released her pain, wetting his shirt.
The tactician stood there hugging his daughter, patting her head and reassuring her that everything was going to be all right, but deep inside he knew this would be a difficult time for him and his family.
At night, all the Shepherds gathered at the camp to honor Cordelia; the last Pegasus Knight of the Halidom now rested in peace. As they set up the pyre to give Cordelia pass to the other world, the Shepherds gave Robin and his daughters their condolences as they passed around, staying with them to offer comfort and solace in that painful moment.
As Robin contemplated the flames, a vision flashed in front of him; a voice similar to Cordelia started to fill his ears as a beautiful woman appeared in front of him, but he could not tell who it was because his vision was blurred.
'Our love is eternal; somehow I just know it. If we cross paths again in a distant future, dear love… promise me you'll remember me. Promise me!' the voice said, before Robin shook his head to clear his mind, "What was that?!" he said trying to remember that vision, but he couldn't.
That night, the skies were darker and starless; all Shepherds knew that Robin would never forgive Chrom for the order he gave to Cordelia. However, they knew Robin would give his life to protect the last remnant of his beloved wife: his daughters.
000
A week passed, but the efforts of pushing back the armies of Valm and Plegia seemed more futile. Since then, Severa protected her baby sister, Morgan, and paired with her in every combat she fought with her.
The last forces of Ylisse marched towards Regna Ferox, trying to take Plegia by surprise and destroy the black wizard Validar. Until now, all efforts to end the war with Valm were in vain; Khan Basilio died trying to defeat Walhart along with Lon' qu and Lissa a couple of days ago.
"My lord, tomorrow we will arrive at Regna Ferox. Khan Flavia sent a message warning us that the Risen are plaguing the zone", Frederick said while Chrom and Robin devised a strategy to attack Validar.
Chrom nodded and thanked Frederick, before the rider left he said "I'm sorry about Lissa, my lord. She was the living image of the late Queen Emmeryn; she will be missed", Chrom sighed and put a sad smile before replying, "I know you miss her too, Frederick… After all, she was your wife as well as my sister". Frederick just nodded and left the barracks.
"You know Chrom. This war is devastating us all: our families and the Shepherds' numbers are decreasing… we're losing valuable assets and we are nowhere ready to face Validar, lest Walhart!" Robin said, never meeting the lord's eyes, as he was analyzing some maps, hoping to devise a surprise attack.
Chrom nodded, but replied with a serene smile, "Maybe, but we have the advantage; our bonds are strong, they tie us and guide us in this fight! Even if we perish, we will fight from the afterlife… that way we can honor all our fallen brothers!"
Robin nodded as Chrom continued his speech, "Another thing that troubles me is that we may need to leave the children here… they don't need to be there when we strike the castle, in case the situation goes dire and we need to retreat to…"
A sound of a door opening interrupted the lord; a young blue haired girl walked towards Chrom and stopped in front of him, her arms on her hips and a frown on her face, "I don't think so, father, you won't be going away without me, and you know it!, she said".
Chrom was taken aback by that as a drop of sweat crossed his face before replying, "I knew you were listening Lucina! … However, I can't bring you with me. This is the last attempt to destroy the center of the dark ritual and stop once and for all the return of Grima!"
Lucina attempted reply, but Robin put his hands on her shoulders and told her, "Lucina, please. I know you are worried about your father. But know this, we will return victorious and the doomed future won't be happening… or we won't return at all. The bonds we have created will prevent our failure; I don't want to see anyone else suffer because of this war".
Lucina sniffed and accepted her defeat, but before she left the barracks she turned towards the tactician, "This isn't over tactician! I will prove to you that I can match your intelligence and that I can beat you… just you wait! You won't be our only tactician for long enough!" she said.
Chrom looked towards the blonde mage and said, "You know Robin, for a tactician, you won a battle with my daughter… she's a hard nut to crack. I expected you could only win a debate with Cynthia, but it seems you can battle equal terms with my older daughter too!"
Robin chuckled before saying, "With Severa, these things are on a daily basis. If I could not win those, then I couldn't be a good tactician." Chrom just laughed and shook his head.
Outside her father's tent, Lucina smiled as she heard those words, 'I need to prove Robin that I can be of use to him… I want him to recognize me… ', she thought, walking away to her tent.
000
Meanwhile, at the border of the base camp Severa was contemplating the sunset, thinking of her mother and all the time she spent with her, the memories of happier days coursing through her mind… before her baby sister interrupted her thoughts.
"Err, Severa?! It's me, Morgan. Are you ok? You have been zoned out for a while and I'm worried!" The little red-haired girl said while touching Severa's shoulder.
The silver-blonde sniffed and smiled, holding Morgan's hand and with a fake smile she said, "I-I'm alright sis, I-I'm just-…" but she could take no more; her tears ran free from the corner of her eyes, the sorrow of losing her mother still present.
Morgan silently hugged her and whispered, "I know how you feel, it's okay big sis! We miss her too… I- I miss her too! Father is a mess right now, but the only thing he wants is us to… to smile again!"
Severa nodded and wiped out the tears on her cheeks with her hands. "Don't worry sis, I'll be alright", she said, holding her sister's hand.
"We just need to finish Validar to achieve peace! No matter what! I swear we'll be a family again!" Robin's voice echoed across the valley as his daughters turned to watch him, smiling.
"C'mon daddy, it's not fair. You will be the one doing it while we stay here" Severa said, looking happy to see her father smile for the first time in days.
"I have to! You two are our most sacred treasure, you know!" Robin said while looking at the sky, "Your mother is watching over us. I know she would be mad if her favorite ladies got bruised. We are going to give her the peace she wanted!"
Severa and Morgan approached their father and embraced him, strengthening the bonds of family they shared. 'My love! I promise you, I will protect our daughters', Robin thought as he smiled, holding his beloved daughters.
000
The next morning an alarm echoed across the Shepherds' camp, waking them from their sleep. Morgan disappeared and no one saw where she went. Robin was desperate trying to find her daughter, but all was in vain; there were no traces of her.
The last thing the tactician wanted was giving Severa the notice; he knew she couldn't bear with the message, less so because the night before they slept next to each other. Robin was in the barracks planning how to give the notice away, but he was at the brink of tears.
Morgan took the factions of Cordelia's face – a fact Robin thanked, because she was her living image – however, she preferred to become a tactician rather than a pegasus knight; a fact Cordelia didn't like that much.
As Robin thought about that, he noticed Chrom entering the room alongside Lucina and Sumia, the lord put his hands on Robin's shoulder and said, "My friend, I don't know what to say… I- I'm so sorry. I came to notice you: we'll be marching towards Validar's palace soon and we need your strength and tactics, we need you! When we end this I will personally help you look for Morgan, I promise you!"
But Robin didn't listen to him. In his mind those words echoed into a void as his rage made him go berserk as the tactician started to destroy all the things in the war room with his magic; all the maps and books started to rain as chunks of burned paper. Chrom tried to hold Robin, but the tactician was enraged by his loss as magic flew uncontrolled the room.
Lucina ran into the room and pushed her mother away as she flew herself into Robin's chest, holding him tight. "Wait, Lucina! Stay away from him! He's in a dangerous state of mind right now!" Sumia said concerned, but Chrom shook his head and let his daughter calm Robin down.
"C'mon Robin, this is not the place to release all your anger. Save it when you reach Validar and finish him. Do this for Severa! Do this for the memory of your wife! Don't give up too soon, we'll find Morgan!" Lucina whispered to Robin calming the irate tactician, leaving only the trail of tears in the face of Robin while he hugged Lucina back.
"Don't worry, I'll accompany you when you give Severa the notice" Lucina said as Robin sniffed and thanked her.
Robin walked towards apologized to him, walking away alongside Lucina to Severa's tent.
"Do you think he will be alright my love?" Sumia asked Chrom, the prince smiled and said, "I know Robin is suffering. I know how much he loves her daughters. I knew how much he loved Cordelia since the very beginning" he then looked at Sumia and continued, "I know this is going to be solved one way or another".
Sumia smiled and nodded at Chrom's words, "I really hope Severa is going to be okay", she said.
000
In the path across the camp the Shepherds stayed to rest, until the last march toward Validar's palace, Robin walked aimlessly, thinking in a way to tell her beloved daughter that her baby sister disappeared, but all his thoughts rounded a single subject… Cordelia, he felt miserable as he thought how he failed to protect his daughters.
The tactician was pulled out of his thoughts by the voice of Lucina, who was looking at him expectantly, at which Robin asked, "Sorry, what? I wasn't paying attention".
Lucina sighed and started to speak, "I know you are nervous about this, but trust me, you can do this Robin. Severa needs you now, and you're the only one who can help her with this!"
Suddenly Lucina took Robin's hand in hers and smiled. Robin was confused by that action, but discarded it and nodded, "You're right. Thank you, Lucina".
Continuing along the path they arrived at Severa's tent. Robin exhaled and said, "Lucina, it is best if you leave us. I need to be there and comfort my daughter. Just… wait until tomorrow to talk with her… she will need her friend too".
Lucina understood and walked away. Robin sighed and went inside the tent, hoping that Severa would be alright after this.
After Lucina left, she wandered the camp, lost in thoughts, 'Why I can't take him out of my mind. He's the father of my best friend and my father's best friend… I can't be in love with him… I can't tell him either… I-',but she stopped and shook her head, 'don't be fool Lucina… he can't love anyone right now, maybe in the past he could… but not now'.Lucina sighed and retired to her tent, she felt that the next days were going to be a chaos.
000
"Honey, are you awake?" Robin asked as he searched the tent for Severa, but received no answer. At the same time he could hear sobbing coming from the deepest part of her tent, lit only by a dim candlelight.
"Why? … WHYYYYYYY? What have I done to anger Naga?! Why did they take away Morgan from me?!" Severa cried while she kneeled, battering the floor with her fists, leaving bloody marks on it.
Robin hurried and took Severa in his arms, preventing his daughter from doing more damage to herself. The young girl pounded her father's chest and cried the name of her sister, "Why daddy?! Do the gods hate me?! They're leaving me without my family… I only have you left!"
Robin hugged her daughter tight and whispered, "My darling, you don't have to fear… I won't leave you alone! You have my word. Once we finish this damn war… we'll be a family once again".
Severa looked at his father's eyes and cried until she fell asleep, hoping all that have happened would be a nightmare. Robin waited until his daughter stopped crying and carried her onto her bed, leaving the last of his lineage to rest. He then began to heal her hands and wrap them with bandages, hoping that those were the last scars she would carry.
"… This is worse than I imagined it would be. Something needs to be done in order to prevent Grima's resurrection… If all fails, then… this a late goodbye, my dearest daughter! …I love you…" the tactician said like a whisper and kissed his daughter's cheek, leaving Severa alone and preparing himself to the last march towards Validar's palace.
000
The morning of the next day, the remaining army of the Shepherds began the last march. Chrom was leading them forward, reminding them of those who died hoping to gain strength from their memories; Robin couldn't do it, the memory of his dead wife was fresh on his mind as pain and sorrow gripped his heart every time he thought about her.
Suddenly, the tactician saw a blue haired female marching with them trying to cover herself with a cloak, her hair combed in a way resembling a male.
"I assume you have a good explanation about this, Lucina", Robin said once he was behind the princess of Ylisse.
Lucina jumped in surprise and gave away a nervous little smile, "Err… Robin, how did you-?!" She stuttered before the tactician cut her short. "Now, now Lucina. You can't fool a master tactician, can you? But why did you come with us? I recall your father telling you that you were forbidden to do so".
Lucina tried to think a good reason, but she found was clueless; she has an idea, she searched in her bag until she found a butterfly shaped blue mask, "With this no one can tell it's me, right? Basilio told me once that if I wanted to participate in the Arena Ferox someday, with this no one could tell I was royalty… or myself, whatever".
Robin sighed and answered, amazed by Lucina's answer, "… If it gets dangerous I want you to run, understand?" Lucina nodded and put her mask and tied her hair into her robes, making her pass as a male.
Once Robin saw Lucina cloak herself, he went away to the frontlines. Once there he saw the real extension of Validar's army, Risen covered the hills and valleys of the Plegian landscape. People were gathering towards the castle, hypnotized by the Grimleals to sacrifice themselves for the fell Dragon awakening.
At the very base of the castle Validar was reciting some spell to perform the dark ritual, shaking the ground at their feet. Black mist coming from the ground gave Chrom the idea to charge towards the undead army and defeat Validar before it was too late.
As they started to march, Chrom signaled them to stop and form a diamond formation; covering the healers in the center from the attacks, while the fighters stood their ground attacking the Risen.
"Listen to me Shepherds! We have come here to fulfill the destiny given to us by Naga! Today, the evil mage will fall and we will avenge those who had fallen! Today we fight!" Chrom called to all his army, unsheathing his sword and pointing it towards the castle, then he yelled "Chaaaarge!"
The Exalted army flowed into battle, slashing and bashing enemies along the way. The army covered a long distance in a small time, approaching faster to the castle entrance. However, the black mage grinned and raised his hand.
The Shepherds stopped their march, watching as Validar pointed at them. At the same time, something unexpected happened; archers appeared alongside the cliffs surrounding the landscape, as a rain of arrows covered darkened the sky.
The tactician casted a flame spell in hopes it would burn the arrows coming their way, but it was pointless; the arrow storm pierced through the ranks of the Shepherds, killing a great number of soldiers and a great number of the Shepherds.
Robin casted a magic shield to stop the remaining arrows, but as he turned to see the damage from the attack he saw Nowi, not in her dragon form, but as the Manakete she was as Gregor was holding her body, trying to keep her alive in vain. The chevalier Sully died protecting Olivia while Ricken was pierced in the heart.
Desperate, Robin looked around trying to find Chrom, but he found him holding Sumia's corpse; an arrow pierced through her armor and left her defenseless to the consecutive attacks of the archers. "NOOOOOO! Sumia, my love! Wake up, please! I need you, you can't leave me alone! Please wake up…"
Chrom started to sob over is dead wife's body, Robin sensed Lucina was approaching nearby her father and hold her up, "Wait Lucina, you can't be with Chrom right now… he can't know you are here, he would be terrified his daughter came with us", but Lucina fought the tactician to release her.
Robin sighed as Lucina fought to get free, "I'm sorry then…", and with a spell, Lucina fell asleep.
The tactician held her in his arms and whispered, "Lucina, yours will be a bright future, don't throw it away…" lowering her to the ground.
After Robin covered Lucina, he saw Chrom looking at him, "Who was he?" he asked. The tactician shook his head and said, "Just a soldier". Chrom nodded, letting it pass.
"Robin, let's end this once and for all", Chrom said as Say'ri and Stahl came forward, "My lord, we and the rest of the surviving Shepherds will cover you! It's been an honor to serve you, may we meet again in the afterlife".
Chrom nodded and said, "We will come back, just wait a little longer and we'll go home together", then Chrom and Robin started to march towards the castle, knowing that there was no turning back now. Stahl turned around and saw the Shepherds unsheathing their weapons, "My brothers, let's face the end together! Naga give us victory"
The rest of the Shepherds stood up and prepared their weapons facing the incoming army of Risen… one last time.
000
Several hours later Lucina woke up, and looking around she saw the remains of the army of his father; Risen, Shepherds and soldiers from Ylisse were scattered on the ground, the Exalted army was completely obliterated. The young princess then saw her mother's Pegasi, and with it the corpse of Sumia.
Lucina ran and hold the body of her mother, cursing herself for being too weak. A soldier approached her and said, "Young man, we need to leave this place, it's not safe now! The Fell Dragon awakened and annihilated all inside the palace. All our fears came true, Naga can't help us now!" Lucina faced him and remembered she still had on the mask, she nodded and saw a small group of soldiers heading towards them.
At that same moment a growl echoed across as the Fell Dragon Grima raised from the castle, and a voice like Robin could be heard across the devastated landscape. "Shepherds, surrender now and you will be spared!" But Lucina waited her father to come out, and signaled the men to retreat while she waited.
The Fell Dragon let out an ominous laugh and said, "Young man, you're waiting for Chrom, are you? Let me help you!", as soon as the dragon said this, Lucina saw the corpse of Chrom crashing at her feet with his sword, Falchion, still gripped in his hand, making her blood run cold. She ran away after taking back Falchion, horrified at the last destiny of her father, wishing she never came with them.
On her way out, the wicked voice of Grima could be heard one last time saying, "This is only the beginning, children of Naga. I will obliterate this world once and for all, the rule of Naga won't exist much longer".
Lucina saw the bloody battlefield one last time before returning to the camp, to tell the devastating news… the news of the incoming oblivion.
000
Almost six years later since that battle transpired the children of the Shepherds were on their way to the Dragon's table after taking refuge in the mountains, training and defending the people from the attacks of the Risen. The news of their family's demise brought sorrow among them, but Lucina cheered on the precious moments they had before and encouraged them to remember them at least that way.
At night they camped outside the wasteland of Dragon's Table, waiting for sunrise before marching towards the temple at the hill. The young Shepherds prepared shared stories about the past around the campfire; the twelve children of the Shepherds gathered their courage to challenge their fates.
Later that night, Severa was stargazing, thinking about her parents, but Lucina broke her thoughts, saying, "So, tell me Severa, if we could go back in time do you think we could be capable of saving our fathers?"
Severa flinched at the question, but answered calmly while looking at the sky, "If we could… I would protect mother at any cost. I would be with Morgan all the time… and I - I would tell daddy that I loved him so much…" Lucina smiled, knowing the meaning of the young blonde's words, and told Severa that supper was ready.
At sunrise the small army got together before marching to the Dragon's Table, "Remember my friends, this is for the future our fathers wanted to give us! … This is for all the lives that were taken away from us! … Remember our objective! … REMEMBER THEM! …" Lucina said, looking at her comrades.
Severa drew her sword and pointed it to the sky, yelling 'Victory' as Inigo and Brady readied their weapons and charged forward to the temple, followed by the rest.
000
Inside the temple the scene of bloody battles showed on every corner. Corpses lined across the hall of the temple and a musty - blooded odor raised from the main room. A diabolic growl could be heard from the walls and the marks of Grima were carved with human parts in the walls.
Human sacrifices and the Grimleals were obliterated in order to resurrect the Fell Dragon, those who wanted to bring the end of the world and the innocents that were hypnotized by the late black wizard Validar, but the later was nowhere to be seen.
Once the army entered the halls of the temple, the ominous voice of Grima was heard, the temple began to crumble and a purple mist raised from the floor, concealing their moves.
"Ahhh! Young sacrifices from the divine blood… You are fools if you think you can stop me now! Your parents died in vain in order to prevent this from happening!" The Fell Dragon began to raise, preparing to feast upon the flesh of the youngsters.
Suddenly, a ray of light shone across the temple and hit Grima, wounding the beast and making it to recoil. The children were enveloped in a holy aura, and the voice of the divine Dragon was heard for the first time in years.
"Grima! You broke the pact of the old divine dragons; we will cast you into oblivion once and for all" the voice said to Grima, while the beast panted on the ground.
"Children of the Shepherds, do not falter, your true path lies ahead. I will show you the way you must follow, but you need to go now… I can hold the Fell Dragon only for a short time" the dragon goddess said.
Lucina looked around confused, "But how? Divine Naga, can you send us back in time? Is that possible?" she said, watching as the goddess took a human form and held Grima with a spell.
Naga's voice echoed again, "Yes, but this journey is dangerous. You will travel across time and space into a parallel dimension, where Grima is not awake, yet. I will open the portal, you just need to cross it to go".
The children waited for the portal to open, but the voice of Grima was heard again, laughing with madness, "Bitch of a Goddess! You think I didn't think of that? My past self is now fighting with the Shepherds against the Risen, as I have predicted. Your future will be doomed again" Grima said, but the Shepherds paid him no attention.
"He's right, you need to go now. Don't look back… and forget this future… don't try to get back here!" Naga said.
The young princess asked "But, why not divine Naga?" Naga said no more.
Severa touched Lucina's shoulder and smiled, "Don't worry Lucina, if we can't come back at least we will have our families back… I – I want this to end, I will push myself to the limit to ensure we'll stop this from happening again!"
A blue light resembling a closed eye appeared before them; the portal opened and the children started to cross it. Severa saw Lucina standing still before asking, "Are you coming with us? We need you to find our parents and prevent this ruined future" the blonde girl said, but Lucina just said, "I'll catch up with you in a minute".
Lucina looked back and saw the Fell Dragon struggling with the powers of Naga. "We will beat you, Grima. I will end you personally!" she said, but the fell Dragon laughed.
"The future where you are going is already doomed. I have changed it to occur earlier", Grima said, struggling against the grip from the goddess.
Lucina looked at the portal and saw a frightened Lissa cornered by a Risen, her father fighting and holding back another group of undead, along with a cloaked man who was casting magic to repel the rest of the undead soldiers, barely making any progress.
Lucina grabbed Severa's hand and said, "You go on first! I need to put on my mask". The blonde girl ran through the portal and disappeared, then the Ylissean princess went into the portal, hoping she could stop the doomed future to happen again.
"Listen, descendant of the divine blood, beware of the closest allies of your father… watch over him, but don't let them discover who you are! This timeline is already doomed, this world will succumb and disappear any minute now… hurry", the voice of Naga spoke a last time before Lucina crossed the portal to Ylisse, in a time where Grima was asleep.
Naga then closed the portal and released Grima, as he flew off into the distance. The goddess watched as the skies grew darker and cracks on the space-time fabric started to appear; the world fading from existence.
"Now, let's hope I did this right… I have watched them die so many times, I just don't want that to happen again!" the goddess said as she disappeared as the world ceased to exist.
000
"Chrom? We have to do something", a woman's voice could be heard with concern.
"What do you propose we do?" A man's voice sounded, it was rough and full of confidence.
"I-I don't know" the woman answered as the man watched a male cloaked with a purple robe on the floor moving and opening his eyes, he then chuckled to the woman and said to the stranger, "There are better places to take a nap than in the ground, you know?"
Then Chrom gave his hand and helped him get on his feet; the stranger looking perplexed at the duo before him.
000
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