Hello again, already! Since the prologue is so short and I have chapter one already done, I'll give you all this too. Enjoy~


My first solid memory is waking up alone in a field with no memory. Not even my own name. It was a cliche bright sunny day out, and was quite hot. I would say middle of summer but the barley was browning as if ready to harvest, so it was more like late summer. Seems odd that barley was the first thing I remember, but when that and blue sky is all you can see, it makes sense. I remember just laying there for the longest time, trying to think of why I was out laying in a field, which led me to what in my life would cause me to go to such a place, which led me to what sort of life I even had. It didn't take long to realize I couldn't even remember my name. I admit, I likely was there for hours, just laying there in the sun, trying to figure out anything about myself. I actually had quite the sunburn after that.

What finally got me moving was probably what you would expect. One of our current problems. I had sat up to take inventory of myself, see if my pants or something could give me an inkling of what I did or where I should go, when I hear this ungodly moaning. No amount of sun could warm the chill that went up my spine from that. It was quickly accompanied by grunts, footsteps, and the sound of the barley giving way underfoot. They were coming through the field, and at the time, I feared they were coming for me. Now I know that they are coined "The Risen", but back then, they were just walking Armageddon to me. In all honestly, I'm willing to admit I ran like a small child. Tripping over my own feet included, even without the tall barley slowing me down, which it did. I ran for my life, but the Risen are actually quite fast when they want to be. As soon as I started running, they took off after me.

My panic kept me ahead of them for a good while. I had no weapons, no knowledge, nothing but my legs to save me. I don't know how long I ran, but eventually, I started to tire. That was when I got about as lucky as one can get. The pounding footsteps behind me turned into the clashing of weapons. I am not entirely sure, but I believe someone stepped in and started fighting the small hoard behind me. I am ashamed to say I did not even slow down to see if it was true, let alone thank whoever saved me. To this day, I am grateful to whoever that was, and hope someday I can repay them.

My memory for the first few days is foggy. I felt like I hadn't eaten in a week, and of course, finding a town when I didn't know where I was was not easy. My body remembered some old habits apparently during that time, and that's when I began to wonder. It wasn't too hard for me to find food, or make a fire, or find a half decent place to spend the night. It was like I had spend a great deal of time out on my own in the wilderness before, and if I didn't think too hard about it, I was able to do things like craft a makeshift fishing pole and the like. It was quite irksome, knowing techniques but not where I got them from.

Jump a few weeks later and I did finally find a town. It was small, but the church's Bishop was willing to help me out. He gave me little bits of food, allowed me to stay overnight in the church, and tried to help me recall some memory. In talking to him, he asked for my name, and in return I was suddenly able to recall that one detail. Zherva. My name is Zherva. Unfortunately, that was all I was able to recall under his guidance. There was another man though, and he was one who was outdoors often, as I had found I had been as well. He offered to take me out with him and see if anything else would come to mind with a little pushing. Long story short and many actions I do not want to admit to, through him pushing a little too hard and attempting to take advantage of me, I discovered I am quite adept with a sword. That, coupled with my knowledge of long time frames without civilization, and some very specific moments and thoughts about how I was – examining for information, trajectories, best routes – I realized I had likely been something akin to a soldier. Yet, that didn't feel quite right. So, a year passed. I had long since left that town and I rarely returned to any town. Through my actions, I found out I have merits in many strengths. I came to obtain the sword you see me with now, a few well-worn tomes, and a staff I made myself. Lost that one a few fights ago, as well as my favorite bow, but all in all back then I was happy enough. Still had very little clue as to who I was other than my mindset and muscle memory, and a few... disturbing visions.

However, aside from all that, there was one thing that always stayed the same. The Risen. I thought for a good while that they were following me, and then when they were often ahead of me, I found that they were simply everywhere. Often I saw men fighting them but I never joined, although I did step up for a few who could not fight. I bantered between being followed and simply happening upon them, and of course got into several scrapes with them. Some worse than others. I found over time many small tricks to fighting them and noticed inconsistencies in their style that seemed... specific. I won't bore you with my figuring out these small changes. I've learned that from here, it's more fun to jump right into the fray. Here is where is starts getting good. Are you ready?

May I tell this part? It is my favorite, after all.

You say that about nearly every part, Chrom.

Every part that includes you. And when we first met is one of my fondest memories.

Quit being cute, Chrom. You know what that-

You're blushing.

. . . Fine, you can tell this part.

Success!

But I get to tell them about what you do in the castle when you think nobody's looking.

You said you wouldn't tell anyone!

It's relevant to the story. Deal with it, if you want to tell of our meeting.

Sometimes, I love that smirk of yours, and sometimes I despise it.

I know.

. . . Fine, I accede.

Love you too.

And now I'm blushing. Gods, woman.

Alright Chrom, you fought hard and well for this. Go ahead. Start before we die of your pink bubble background.

That was a one-time thing!

Sure, sure. Keep believing that.

Ugh, woman. Alright. Frederick, Lissa, a few soldiers and I were heading to a town that had asked us for assistance in a problem of Risen. Along the way. . .

"Sorry" sin count: 0

(Whoo! Kept on topic, AND didn't apologize for it!)