Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem Awakening or any of its characters. I only own my own character, Chris, and this story
A/N: Alright, let's get started with Chapter 2! So, I believe I have taken care of the problem mentioned about the prologue with the last chapter, so hopefully everything goes well from here on. Also, as for the most recent review: If you don't like what I do, don't read it, buddy. So, let's get this started!
Chapter 2: The Capital of Yilsse
"So, Chris, I heard that the fight in the town was your first time killing someone. Are you alright, considering that not even a full day later we fought those creatures?" Robin asks, and I sigh before smiling.
"Yeah, that was my first time actually taking a human life. I really don't want to get used to it, but I will have to try to ignore my emotions in combat, I guess. However, I didn't have any problem with those creatures. I guess, since they were not actually people, it was far more easier to handle." I say, and Robin nods in understanding.
"I see. I felt the same, considering how I woke up with no memories. So when I struck down one of the bandits, I was horrified, since it was the first time that I remember that I killed someone. But those creatures… they were something else. They were not human, but they fought like they were, and were stronger than most people. But, somehow, it was easier to take them out than it was the bandits. So I guess I know where you're coming from." He says, and I smile again.
"Well, hopefully we can manage to settle things peacefully from now on." I say, and Robin nods in agreement.
"Indeed, and if not, I will do my best to keep everyone on our side alive. I'm not quite sure if I'd be able to handle it if someone died under my command." He says, a sad look forming on his face.
"Don't worry, we won't let that happen, Robin. We'll work together, and we'll succeed in keeping everyone alive." I say, and Robin laughs in response.
"Well, at least I know I have your support. Thanks, Chris." He says, then moves up ahead to talk with Chrom.
"Heh, no problem, Robin." I say.
*Chris and Robin have received Support Level C*
After a long amount of walking, we eventually arrive at the capital. The entire place is breathtaking.
"So this is Ylisstol, capital of Ylisse… I've never seen so many people!" Robin says, sounding rather excited.
"It is indeed a very beautiful place." I say, looking around.
"It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods. I see no evidence of the great quake. It must've been limited to the forest." Frederick says, and Lissa sighs.
"Well, that's a relief." She says. Suddenly, we hear an older voice yell out.
"Look! The exalt has come to see us!" It shouts, and the group turns to look. What we see is a beautiful woman wearing green robes, followed by a group of… 'Are those people riding on pegasi?' I question myself as we watch. The woman seems to radiate a calm peacefulness as she walks.
"The exalt is your ruler, yes?" Robin asks.
"Yes. Her name is Lady Emmeryn." Frederick responds.
"Is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?" Robin asks, and Frederick sighs a little.
"The exalt is a symbol of peace- Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world. But the first exalt joined forces with the divine dragon and laid the beast low. Exalt Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then." Frederick explains.
"With Plegia poking at our borders, the people need her. She's a calming presence, when some might otherwise call for war." Chrom continues the explanation.
"Wow… That's pretty amazing." I say.
"Indeed it is." Thorin says, nodding in approval.
"Then the Ylissean people are indeed lucky to have her." Robin says.
"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa says, causing me to look at her in surprise.
"Yes, I imagine she…" He stops for a moment as he processes this information. "Wait, what? She's your… But wouldn't that make you and Chrom…" He stutters, to Frederick's amusement.
"The prince and princess of the realm, yes. You remember Chrom's name and not this?" He asks, causing Robin to freak out.
"You said you were "shepherds"!" He shouts.
"And so we are… in a manner of speaking. We just have a LOT of sheep." Chrom explains.
"Well, I didn't expect that. Forgive any rudeness I may have shown, sire." I say, bowing.
"C-Chrom… I mean, Prince Chrom! Sire! Forgive my dreadful manners!" Robin says, quickly bowing as well.
"Just Chrom is fine. I've never been much for formalities." Chrom responds, as both of us stand up again.
"The prince and princess… That explains why Frederick tolerates all the teasing, eh?" Robin asks.
"Indeed. Oh, the sacrifices I make for the good of the realm…" He says sarcasticly.
"It looks like Emm is returning to the palace. Would you three like to meet her?" Chrom asks me, Robin, and Thorin. The three of us all nod, then we head up to the palace with Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick.
We soon arrive in the palace and, following Chrom from a slight distance, we approach where the Exalt is. She notices the group approach.
"Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fared you all?" She asks them.
"Well- we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while." Chrom responds.
"Wonderful. And our people?" Emmeryn asks, earning a sigh from Chrom.
"Safe as they can be, Emm. But we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over from Plegia." Chrom explains, and the knight next to Emmeryn bows quickly.
"Forgive me, milord. My Pegasus knights should have intercepted them." She says, but Chrom waves her off.
"No, Phila. Your duty was here, with the exalt." Chrom says.
"And besides, we had plenty of help!" Lissa says, looking at me and the other two.
"Ah, you speak of your new companions here?" Emmeryn asks.
"Right, their names are Chris, Robin, and Thorin. Chris and Robin both fought bravely with us against the brigans, and Thorin joined us when we encountered those creatures. I've decided to make them all Shepherds." Chrom explains.
"It sounds as though Ylisse owes you three a debt of gratitude." She says, looking at us with a smile.
"Not at all, milady!" Robin says, bowing slightly.
"If anyone owes someone anything, it's me and Robin. Who knows what would have happened if Chrom hadn't found us." I say.
"I just did what I thought was the right thing, and helped." Thorin replies.
"Forgive me, Your Grace, but I must speak. Robin claims to have lost his memory, but it is only that: a claim. And Chris here claims to have no clue how he ended up in the field where we found him. We cannot rule out the possibility that they are brigands themselves or even Plegian spys." Frederick says, causing Chrom to look at him in surprise.
"Frederick!" He shouts.
"Yet you allowed them into the castle, Chrom. Do these men have your trust?" Emmeryn asks him.
"Yes. They risked their lives for our people. That's good enough for me." He replies. Emmeryn nods, then looks at both me and Robin.
"Well then, Robin, Chris… It seems you've earned Chrom's faith, and as such you have mine as well." She says, earning a sigh of relief from me as I give a short bow.
"Thank you, milady." I say.
"Milady." Robin says, giving a short bow as well.
"But thank you, Frederick, for your prudence, as always. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have so tireless a guardian. I do hope the remember to mention that from time to time…" Emmeryn says.
"They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace. Phila, I assume you've heard about the deathly creatures we encountered, yes?" Frederick asks.
"Yes, milord. They've been sighted all across Ylisse." She responds.
"Chrom, we are about to hold council. I was hoping you could join us." Emmeryn says, and Chrom agrees easily.
"I think that's our cue, you three! C'mon, there's a place I want to show you." Lissa says to us, then proceeds to have us follow her.
'Well, this will be interesting…' I think to myself as we follow Lissa.
Lissa guides me, Robin, and Thorin to a room in the palace. The room itself is rather messy, but we soon notice a girl with brownish hair wearing pink armor, along with a shirtless blond man with a brown shoulderpad.
"Here we are! The Shepherds' garrison. Go on, make yourself at home." Lissa says as the others watch as we enter. Taking her advice, I grab a chair and sit down.
"Lissa, my treasure! Are you alright? I've been on pins and needles!" A woman's voice calls, and a blond, noble looking girl runs up to Lissa and hugs her. 'Huh. Guess they're good friends.' I think to myself.
"Oh, hey, Maribelle!" Lissa says somewhat casually.
""Oh, hey" yourself! I've sprouted 14 gray hairs fretting over you!" Maribelle says, earning a laugh from Lissa.
'Huh, seems like they are good friends...' I think to myself.
"Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two! …Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue…" Lissa says.
"Hey, squirt! Where's Chrom? I bet he had a rough time out there without ol' Teach and his trusty axe!" The shirtless man says.
"Oh, so you're "Teach" now, Vaike, is that it? Hee hee! And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?" Lissa responds, earning a laugh from me, Robin, and Thorin.
"Ha! Never doubt the Vaike! …Wait, was that an insult?" Vaike asks, earning another laugh from us.
"Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?" The other girl asks.
"Poor Sumia. She's simply been beside herself with concern… Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training… She might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded." Maribelle explains.
"Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom." Lissa says teasingly.
"Worry? Well, I… He's our captain and our prince- of course I'd worry!" Sumia says, sounding defensive.
"So, who are the strangers?" Vaike asks, looking at the three of us.
"No one is stranger than you, Vaike… But allow me to introduce Chris, Robin, and Thorin! They just joined the Shepherds. Chrom's made Robin our new tactician. You should see all the tricks he's got up his sleeve!" Lissa says cheerfully.
"Oh yeah? Can he do this?" Vaike asks, then lets out a large belch, earning a laugh from almost everyone.
"I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts, "Teach." In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." Robin says.
"It's nice to meet all of you. I hope we can all get along well." I say.
"Good to meet you all." Thorin says.
"Ugh, Vaike! That was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery? And you, Robin! Don't encourage him! I'd hoped you were cut from finer cloth. Hmph!" She says, then walks away.
"Well, that could have gone better…" I say.
"Don't take it to heart, Robin. Maribelle warms to people slowly." Sumia explains.
"Or burns too quickly! Hee hee! But yeah, just give her time." Lissa says. We then hear footsteps, and turn to see Chrom enter the room.
"Ah! Captain! You've returned! I was- I mean, we were so-" Sumia is cut off as she slips on a few pieces of paper and falls face first onto the ground. She quickly stands up and dusts herself off.
"Sumia! Are you alright?... Those boots of yours again?" Chrom asks.
"No! I mean, yes! I mean…" She just gives up and sighs.
"All right, listen, everyone: in the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox." Chrom announces.
"Regna Ferox?" Robin asks.
"A unified kingdom to Ylisse's north. Inhabited by barbarians, or so it's said." Sumia explains.
"Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace. Typically, the exalt would request such aid in person. But given recent events… Well, the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital. So the task has been passed to us. Now, this mission is strictly voluntary. So if, for any-" Chrom is quickly cut off by Lissa.
"I volunteer!" She shouts.
"Me too! You'll be needin' ol' Teach along for such a delicate mission!" He says.
"I'll go as well." A man in the back in a huge set of armor says. "…What? I've been here the whole time!" He says. 'How did we not notice him?!' I question myself.
"I'll go as well. Beats the hell out of staying here and doing nothing." Thorin says.
"Yeah, I'll go as well. It'll help me learn more about the area." I say.
"I… I, um…" Sumia stutters.
"Yes, Sumia?" Chrom asks.
"It's just that… I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a proper mission just yet. I'd probably just get in the way." She says, sounding disappointed.
"Well, you could stay behind the main group, and if a battle is met, just watch and learn? Your choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield." Chrom suggests.
"W-well, if you think it wise, Captain." She says.
"Just stay by me and you'll be fine." Chrom says, and Sumia nods.
"Oh, yes! I mean- Yes, sir, I'll do that!" She says.
'Well someone obviously has a crush.' I think while laughing to myself.
"All right, everyone. Do whatever you need to do to prepare for the mission, and we'll head out tomorrow." Chrom says, and we all go in different directions.
After a nice long rest, we all gather together just outside of Ylisstol.
"Is everyone ready? We've a long march ahead." Chrom says. Everyone nods, but then we hear a panicked voice.
"W-wait for me!" Someone yells. We turn to see a man in green armor running towards us.
"Stahl?" Chrom asks, sounding semi confused.
"Why am I the last to hear about this expedition to Ferox?" Stahl asks, causing Lissa to get confused.
"Huh? Vaike was supposed to… Vaike! Did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?" She asks him.
"The Vaike never forgets! …I just don't always remember, is all…" He says.
"Ugh… I swear, you'd forget your own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself! Speaking of which, are you SURE you remembered your axe this time?" Lissa asks.
"Hey! That was one time! … Okay, twice, but training sessions don't count." He says, grumbling. "Anyway, I got it right here. Teach is loaded and ready for action! Glad to have you along, Stahl, ol' buddy." He says, earning a sigh from Stahl.
"That makes one of us. I was in such a hurry, I had to miss breakfast! There were muffins, and cakes, and… Well, I can tell you all about it while we march." He says.
"Your name is Stahl, right?" Robin asks him. "Oh, I'm sorry, you three. This is Stahl, one of our finest." Chrom says, introducing him.
"Hello, Robin. Chris. Thorin. Miriel told me we had some new Shepherds. Er, Miriel's one of our mages. She should catch up soon." Stahl explains.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Stahl." I say.
"Yes, it's a pleasure." Thorin says as well.
Not long after we start our march, we encounter a large pack of the creatures from the forest, covering both sides of the nearby bridge.
"Gods, have the Risen spread this far?" Chrom asks, causing me, Thorin, and Robin to look at him, confused.
"Risen?" Robin asks.
"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one." Frederick explains.
"Everyone, remember what we're up against!" Chrom shouts.
"Mya ha! They'll remember ME once I drive my axe into their…" Vaike pauses and looks around. "Wait… My axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!" He shouts in confusion.
"Vaike, this is no time for jokes…" Chrom says.
"I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it! It's got to be around here somewhere…" Vaike says, looking around still.
"Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!" Chrom says, and Vaike does as instructed.
"Alright, Lissa, you stay with Frederick, as usual. Virion, stick with Sully! Stahl, keep Vaike protected. Chrom, you and Thorin stay together as well. Chris, you're with me!" Robin says, and we all move towards our assigned partners. Robin and I move towards the nearest enemy, an axe wielding Risen, and he casts his Thunder magic at the creature, injuring it badly.
"I'm on it!" I shout, then lunge and slash through the creature. It soon vanishes into purple smoke. A gut wrenching roar comes from the right, and I notice a lance wielding Risen charging at the two of us. Robin dodges out of the way, but the creature manages to stab me with the lance. "Gah!"
"Checkmate!" Robin yells, then blasts the head off of the creature, only for it to leave the lance behind as it fades away. "Mine now, I guess…" He says, picking it up. He then rushes towards me. "You alright?"
"Yeah… I could use healing though. Mind helping me back towards Lissa?" I ask him.
"No problem." He replies, then helps me to my feet and guides me back towards Lissa.
"Oh no! Are you alright, Chris?" She asks me.
"I'll be fine… Would you mind healing me, though?" I ask her.
"Oh, right! I'm on it!" She says, then raises her staff to the wound. It slowly closes up, but the clothing remains torn.
"Well, it looks like the others are doing just fine." Robin says, watching as they cross the bridge, having cleared this side out.
"There! You should be good to go, Chris. Just try not to get hurt again." She says, and I nod. Robin and I then head towards the rest of the Shepherds are battling the Risen. With the help of everyone else, we quickly take out all of the Risen except for the big one that seems to be in charge.
"So… Any takers?" I ask jokingly, and then Thorin moves in.
"What a waste of time!" He shouts, then stabs the Risen right in between the eyes with his sword. It pauses for a moment, before bursting into purple smoke.
"Finally, and good riddance! But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad…" Chrom trails off.
"Then no path is safe. We'll need to stay wary." Frederick says, then we get back to moving towards Regna Ferox.
"Hey Chris, how are you feeling?" Thorin asks, approaching me.
"Well, I feel a lot better than I did when that damn lance hit me." I say, earning a small laugh.
"Yeah, luckily that wasn't fatal. Anyways, what would you say about having a little sparring match?" He asks.
"A sparring match, huh? Sounds like fun. Alright, let's do this!" I say.
*Later…*
"You're really fast. I'm surprised that you even got hit by that lance." He says, sounding impressed.
"Yeah, well, you're like a freaking wall. I mean, it seemed like my strikes were doing nothing." I say.
"Well, we both have our strengths and weaknesses. But anyways, it was a good match. Thanks for accepting my challenge." He says with a small smile.
"Hey, no problem. It was fun." I say.
*Chris and Thorin have received Support Level C*
A/N: And there you have it! That's the end of chapter 2. I just have to say, I despise this chapter in game due to Lunatic+. But man, do those healing staves work wonders. Anyways, so Chris and Thorin have bonded over a match, and Chris shares some ideals with Robin. Seems like his adventure is going well! Though, he's gonna need to learn how to sew to patch his shirt up. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed everything so far, feel free to give suggestions or even guess on the pairings. Anyways, thank you so much for reading, and I will see you all in the next chapter.
