Whew! That last chapter was actually the longest one I've ever written! I like to make each one at least 1,000 words long. Did you guys really want to know that? I dunno. With that little tidbit, here's chapter four.
/
It took a week of marching, well, walking, to get to the border between Ylisse and Plegia. Swarm upon swarm of Risen plagued them, making it hard to get any rest. Still, Lucina pushed onwards, knowing that if she showed any weakness, then the others would give up as well.
They finally went for some hours unbothered, so it was decided it was time to set up camp for the night. When the two large tents were put up using burnt out trees as supports, the issue of food had to be settled.
"We're out of meat." Noire reported as she came back from their cart. "And we only have a few carrots and potatoes left."
"WHAT?" Brady moaned. Everyone knew that Brady was a picky eater – he only liked meat and a select few vegetables.
"You're just going to have to deal with it." Inigo rolled his eyes. "It's hard to come by meat anyways."
"At least we have carrots." Yarne said to himself.
Lucina rose from the scorched log she had been using as a seat. "I'll go hunting."
Gerome was quick to protest. "It's too dangerous. Anyway, your chances of finding an animal alive is slim to none."
"Normally, I would correct such a preposterous estimation at statistics, but I am afraid I must concur with Gerome." Laurent wiped his glasses absently, as if doing calculations in his head.
"We're running out of food! If you guys are gonna shoot down every option we have, then you'll make us starve!" Severa snapped viciously. Lucina suddenly remembered that despite her more slender build, Severa had her father's appetite. It was a random thought, but it brought back memories of a fonder time.
"Enough!" Lucina asserted. "I'm going hunting and that's that. If anyone would care to join me, then come."
"Minerva and I will take you." Gerome patted his wyvern's neck. "You will be able to see any living creature below."
"Good idea."
/
Indeed, the hunt for food was near impossible. Yet, with the altitude at which Minerva flew, it was easy to spot a bear trudging onwards, probably looking for a meal. The barren landscape made their adventure even easier. Minerva merely swooped down as Lucina struck out with Falchion. She felt terrible for killing the hungry beast, but she supposed a quick death was more merciful than being eaten alive by Risen. That's what she repeated in her head in any case.
Fortunately, though, the malnourished bear made it easier for Minerva to carry the two of them back with the added weight of Lucina's kill.
"It's so wrong, Gerome," Lucina said absently, "I've never killed a living creature before. We've only been battling Risen."
Gerome was silent for a time. "This is our reality now.""
"I know, but I wish it wasn't."
"You cannot change what has already been done." Gerome said in his usual hard monotone. "We cannot escape the destiny that fate has dealt us."
Lucina was hurt by her friend's words. The whole reason they were on this mission was to save the world! "Then why did you come along?"
"You all are my childhood companions. If we die, at least we all die together."
"Don't say that!" Lucina blurted out. "You cannot forfeit the time our parents bought us! It is an insult to the sacrifice they made for all of us!" The flash of hot anger burnt out quickly. "I'm sorry for shouting at you."
Gerome shook his head. Lucina couldn't see his expression from the back, not that she would be able to see his face with his mask on under normal circumstances. "No, I should apologize. You're right. I would never want to dishonor my parents' memories."
The rest of the ride was rigidly wordless. Lucina shut her eyes and tried to think of happier things. Horror struck her when she couldn't remember everything as clearly from previous years. Memories of her parents seemed so far away, like her happy past had only been a good dream. She envisioned Mother and Father's faces, smiling at her, laughing with her and Morgan. Although the images were foggy in her despair-clouded mind, she found some strength and comfort in the better times.
/
When they touched down, Morgan rushed to meet them, a big smile on his dust-covered face. Lucina and her brother did enjoy bear meat, and when it was plentiful, consumed it often. On the other end of the spectrum, when Owain emerged from the boys' tent, his face went pale. Her cousin, much like his parents, detested the flesh of bears for some odd reason.
"Yeah! Bear tonight!" Morgan cheered while a map trailed at his side.
"You managed to secure nourishment," Laurent seemed as shocked as someone as reserved as him could be. "Impressive, stupendous! Exemplary, if I do say so myself."
Nah seemed saddened, but said, "I'll pray for the poor thing's soul."
Yarne patted the bear's matted fur. "I hope you weren't the last of your kind. Survival to the fittest, pal." The last taguel sighed heavily, but the hunger in his eyes was clearly winning the fight between sympathy and the drive to live.
"Quit your whining!" Kjelle barked. "Lucina went through the trouble of getting food, so we can't be cravens and be ungrateful for this bounty."
"You stole my line." Severa muttered huffily. "But yeah."
"I ain't complainin' no-sir!" Brady licked his lips eagerly.
Owain gripped his belly. "The stomach of the scion of epochs does not crave the meat from this wretched creature!" he proclaimed.
"I'm very sorry, Owain, but this was the best I could do this time. I hope you will get over your abhorrence for bear meat." Lucina offered apologetically.
Severa slapped Owain on the back of his head. "You're going to starve you dunderhead! Gawds, how can boys be so stupid?"
"That kinda hurt, Severa." Owain kicked the dirt dejectedly. "You don't have to go right for the intellect."
Eventually, things settled down and Lucina was able to gut and clean her prey, recalling the instructions Father repeated every time he brought a catch home (much to the horror of the maids).
Owain took especial joy in starting the campfire, creating a neat circle of rocks to contain it and keeping a nice level of wood on the flames.
When the bear was served, all was quiet as they filled their empty stomachs. The meat itself was tough, with very scant amounts of fat. Lucina took little pleasure in consuming her meal. It was the hard truth that she would have to slaughter what could be the last game animals alive, but that did not mean she had to like it.
"Owain, I swear if you waste that poor bear's meat, I won't forgive you!" Nah glared at him. "The gods look down upon those who disgrace a life taken for sustenance."
"N-nah, you shouldn't be so harsh on him." Noire fidgeted with her earthen bowl.
Morgan reached for Owain's portion. "I'll eat it for him – then it won't be a waste!"
"Wait!" Cynthia jumped from her seat on the dirt. "Don't you think it's kinda weak of you to not eat it? I mean, heroes should be able to eat anything to give them energy, right? I think all the members of the Justice Cabal should be heroic in all aspects." She grinned, a facial expression Lucina hadn't seen from anyone in some time.
Owain gulped, eyeing his dish with apprehension. "R-right. A hero never complains. I can do this." He took the rack of ribs he was given, and held it near his mouth. His face was pale and clammy-looking. He opened his mouth and tore a piece off the bone.
Severa made a face. "He looks like he's going to be sick! Stay away from me!"
There was a tense silence while Owain chewed with a grimace on his face. Finally, he swallowed, his face coated in sweat and slightly green in color.
"How was it?" Morgan asked. "Pretty darn good, huh?"
"I feel… I feel," Owain stood, hands trembling. "Blood surging! Power fluctuating uncontrollably! I feel the might of the beast whose meat we rendered from its body!"
A pause, and then everyone started laughing. Lucina's ribs and chest hurt from her heaving lungs. It felt so good to laugh for once! She could not recall the last time they had a respite from the burden of the task at hand. This was a moment that Lucina knew to savor, for there was no telling when another would come along.
/
Lucina awoke to an intense heat that seemed to come from within. It felt like someone was coming closer with a large burning torch. She briefly remembered this feeling from when Grima attacked the palace. Jumping from her bedroll, surely disturbing the other girls, she dashed outside.
Morgan was already standing near the girls' tent, much to Lucina's surprise. She had a feeling her brother had been debating to venture inside to talk with her.
"Morgan, are you,"
"Having a burning feeling? Yeah. This is just like back at home, when Grima came." Morgan's blue hair was messy, like he'd been tossing in his sleep.
Lucina heard the others waking up. That was good, because they were in danger. She deduced that the burning sensation signaled a horde of Risen, or worse, the fell dragon.
In minutes, Risen could be heard trudging towards their campsite. Everyone snapped the sleep from their heads and was ready for battle.
"Morgan, did you have something in mind?" Lucina asked her little brother. His strategies were based off of Mother's own battle plans, which were quite successful.
After thinking for a moment, Morgan grinned. "I do. Cynthia, Gerome, and Nah – fly ahead and scatter their ranks. Noire and Laurent, go with them to aid with long-range attacks and counter archers and mages. The rest of us will follow." With a flourish, Morgan brought out his Fire tome, muttered arcane words, and a flame lit in his palm, offering some illumination.
With orders given, they jumped into action.
/
Fortunately, there hadn't been as many Risen as Lucina had anticipated - maybe around thirty or so. Even Noire's novice skills had proven useful, which earned her praise from almost everyone in the group. Nonetheless, Lucina deemed it too dangerous to stay for much longer, so they packed up and plodded on.
They had to go to the Dragon's Table, further south in Plegia. Honestly, she had been expecting waves of Risen as they got closer, and there were certainly more, but not in the numbers she expected. This was worrying; if they weren't in Plegia, they were likely attacking towns and villages and killing innocent people. Lucina reminded herself that the reason they left home was to save everyone, and that it wasn't possible to save every single person. That was a fact Mother had solemnly taught her and one that Father fiercely challenged.
"Lucina." Gerome appeared at her side as they walked.
"Yes?"
"I think you should have this." He produced a metal mask from behind his back. It was a royal blue with gold trim, in the shape of a butterfly. There were rows of slits for eyes, which Lucina found odd.
She accepted the mask quizzically. "Thank you. But why do I need this?"
"Your emotions can compromise your ability as our leader. Sometimes you need a barrier to separate soldiers from friends."
"I don't want to. I see all of you as my equals."
"Keep the mask anyway. You might need it one day." He said before falling back.
Looking at the ornate accessory, Lucina saw her reflection warped in the slight face-fitting curve.
/
After countless run-ins with Risen, the ruins of the Dragon's Table loomed in the distance. Lucina's head pounded with pain. It was not an overwhelming pain, but it was very present. Morgan seemed to be suffering the same thing, yet Owain was his usual dramatic self. She knew their exalted blood might react to Grima's presence, but if Owain was not affected, then why was it just Morgan and herself? Brady could find no problem with either of them.
As they explored their parents' final battleground, Lucina noticed how hushed the others became. She picked through the rubble, and she could not shake the thought that she may find her parents' bodies. There were loads of broken weapons littered all over the place, which would indicate that there was a fight. Instead, Lucina focused on the image Grima must have mistakenly given her. After all, why would the fell dragon hint at its own weakness?
"Lucina!" Inigo called, "I think I found something!"
Lucina rushed over to him, her alertness blocking out the headache. Inigo was holding a silvery bit of armor. It had some curly pattern on it, very similar to the shoulder cuff Father wore…and it was! "Oh, gods." She took the metal from her companion, her hands shaking.
A closer examination led to digging, which led to her finding a skeleton, the bones bleached by the harsh Plegian sun and picked clean. However, the tattered clothes and armor were still lying about.
There was no doubt in her mind. It was Father.
Burn marks dotted the blue tunic he always wore. Lucina bit her lower lip, barely able to keep standing. All at once, everyone else seemed to find his or her parents buried beneath the wreckage. Brady began weeping uncontrollably, Noire switched between bouts of righteous fury and crippling sorrow, and Severa looked conflicted as to what emotion she wanted to show.
Morgan was crying quietly, and Lucina remembered when she used to chastise him for doing so. Now, she knew he needed to let his grief out. "Morgan, you should look away. This will hurt too much."
"N-no. I'm fine. We k-knew about their deaths a long time ago. Where's Mother?" he looked around blearily, like a lost lamb. There was nothing she wanted to do more than shelter her brother from the cruel reality of things.
"Surely she would be next to Father." Lucina stated, trying to keep her voice steady. It was true – Mother and Father were an unbeatable team. They would have died protecting each other, and the Shepherds. They always said they would give their own lives before anyone else's. However, her investigation of the area bore no fruit.
Mother's body was missing.
Lucina wanted to shout and curse the fell dragon for causing all this pain and wretchedness, but she knew it was futile. She wanted to cry and sob at the reopening of wounds in her heart, but again it was useless – the tears would not come. She felt guilty for not crying; what kind of ungrateful, uncaring child did not shed tears at the sight of his or her parents' decayed bodies? She silently honored her parents for their sacrifice, but forced herself to look for the Fire Emblem.
True to the vision, the artifact lay a short distance from Father's body, partially concealed by some stones. Lucina bent to pick it up, and it hummed with power at her touch. So this was the Fire Emblem that had the power to resurrect or seal Grima. Lucina knew that one of the five gemstones was lost forever, thus the Awakening ceremony was not an option. The question was: what was she supposed to do with the Fire Emblem and only four gemstones?
"Whoa," Morgan wiped the tears from his eyes as he gazed at the shield. It was clear that he was trying to stuff his sorrow down and distract himself.
Nah was the first to suggest a plan of action. "It is only right that we give them proper burials. Then, their souls may rest in peace." The half-manakete was very much like her father, especially when her hands were folded in prayer.
"While I agree profusely, I must emphasize that time is of the essence." Laurent's voice was not his normal matter-of-fact tone. His mage's hat was in his hands as a sign of respect for their deceased loved ones.
"Y-yeah, what if Risen appear? Then we'll see our folks sooner than we thought!" Yarne paced hither and thither nervously. "But Mother wanted a taguel funeral…what the heck does that mean?"
"Mother always said she wanted to die in battle," Kjelle's fists were balled tightly at her side. She was trying to force back any tears, just how Lady Sully would have done.
Lucina came to a decision quickly. They could not leave their parents' bodies unburied. "Enough. We must at least pay tribute to their lives. I say we dig graves for them."
It took hours of painstaking work to dig enough graves in the hard Plegian earth, and gathering everyone's bones was even more delicate work. Cynthia could not bring herself to pick up her mother's remains, so Morgan did it for her. Lucina disliked the idea of having to leave the original Shepherds in Plegia, but they definitely could not afford to backtrack to Ylisse.
As Nah finished the funeral rites for their loved ones, they set up camp amongst the ruins of the Dragon's Table, as a final act of solidarity with their parents. Lucina volunteered to take the first watch, but she really wanted some time alone.
"Sis?" Morgan had also taken the first shift, but his post was supposed to be twenty paces away. His eyes were puffy and red, much like everyone else's. He looked so lost and wounded.
Without saying anything, she took her brother into her arms. "It's going to be okay, Morgan."
After she released him, he sniffed and took a seat next to her. "I was thinking earlier, about Mother. What if she isn't dead?" The thought was shocking – no, it was ridiculous!
"But Morgan, that's impossible. Aunt Lissa was the only survivor of Grima's initial attack." She wondered if she shunned the idea because it would get her hopes up too much. "Besides, she would have come back to us. Mother would never have left us alone."
Morgan met her gaze, his eyes full of determination. She could make out the Brand in his right eye, opposite her own. "There was no body – that has to count for something!" Lucina was saddened at his display of desperate hopefulness. Morgan was usually rational, yet optimistic. This, on the other hand, was a gross development to see.
She took a deep breath, not wanting to crush his little thread of faith in their supposedly omnipotent mother, but it was something she had to do as a leader. "Mother is gone – likely long digested in the dragon's belly! We have no time for baseless assumptions, and you know that." As she said each word, it felt like a double-edged blade was cutting into her own heart.
Her brother's face fell, his increasingly shaggy blue bangs covering his eyes. Small sniffs and sobs rose from his throat. "You're right, sorry."
"Come, let's get some sleep." Lucina helped him up and led him back to the girls' tent after Morgan grabbed his bedroll from the boys' tent. She gently prodded Noire and Kjelle awake, both of whom paid no mind to Morgan's presence – after all, the only reason there were two tents was because of Inigo and his lusty (yet Lucina had a feeling he was harmless) nature.
Morgan put his bedding next to her own, and they stared at the pointed ceiling for a moment.
"Morgan, have you been washing behind your ears?" Lucina asked in a whisper, fondly remembering how Mother used to inspect them during bath time. While she had found it annoying when she was younger, Lucina had to admit that it led to her having good hygiene, especially when sickness plagued Ylisstol and the infected flocked to the palace to see Aunt Lissa and Lady Maribelle.
"Huh? Oh, sure. When we get the chance to bathe." Morgan replied tiredly.
"Good. She would be proud of that."
"You think?"
"Yes." Finally, Lucina felt hot tears prick and sting her eyes. When was the last time she had cried? She let the tears trickle down her cheeks silently, finding solace in the freedom to grieve somewhat privately.
/
When morning broke without incident, Lucina took advantage of the precious time to scrutinize the Fire Emblem. It still thrummed with energy at her touch, but she had no idea how to unleash said power. Everything she knew was based on the Awakening rite. Now, she had nothing to go by.
Morgan had been racking his mind for something, anything. He'd stayed by her all morning, spouting unrealistic plans until a memory must have dawned on him. "Lucina! Remember when Mother and Father taught us about the Emblem? We may not be able to perform the Awakening, but we can at least summon Naga herself as long as we have four gemstones!"
His epiphany clicked into her mind as well. "By the gods, Morgan, I think you're right! Then how are we going to summon the divine dragon? We haven't the knowledge to do that."
"Maybe we don't, but I bet Nah does. Sir Libra was well versed in everything that had to do with Naga."
Lucina nodded her agreement. "Let us pray this works."
/
Fortunately, Nah did know something about summoning the divine dragon. She seemed extremely excited about possibly meeting Naga, and often got sidetracked and went off on tangents about what questions she would ask. Still, through the anxious chatter, Lucina gathered she would need some time to release the power in the Emblem, since a pilgrimage to Mount Prism was much too dangerous – Mount Prism was across the continent.
So, Lucina picked a spot in the open air and sat with Fire Emblem in her lap. The others formed a protective circle around her in case any Risen decided to attack. With everything quiet, Lucina stared at the Emblem. The four gemstones glowed faintly without their fifth sibling. Still, she could feel the beat of power within the ancient shield. With a cleansing breath, Lucina closed her eyes and reached with her mind, imagining a flow of energy from herself into the Emblem, just as Nah had instructed.
She felt nothing.
One more time, Lucina thought to herself. It was only natural that she would not comprehend the steps to such a ritual. Again, Lucina did her best to clear her mind and focus. This time, she felt a connection take hold, and it was exhilarating.
Energy coursed through her and rebounded back into the Fire Emblem, a current of power going back and forth. Lucina's body felt enormously sensitive – she could sense her twelve comrades around her…and something off in the distance; she could not tell what because there were too many sensations. Lights of all colors danced behind her eyelids and her head spun with the magnitude of the intense raw power. It was too much!
A little nudge in her mind told her it was time to summon Naga. As Lucina prepared to invoke the divine's dragon's name, the Emblem was ripped from her hands, and the link was shattered. Lucina was sent reeling onto her back, disoriented. She rolled over to get her bearings and saw a Risen wyvern rider flying off with the Fire Emblem. All around her, Risen were charging forward. Those must have been the other masses she sensed!
"BLOOD AND THUNDER!" Noire took aim at the retreating rider, and fired an arrow into the mount's wing, which sent it into a spiral.
"Hah!" Laurent casted a blast of his wind magic to finish the job. The undead rider was over a hundred paces away at that point.
Gerome turned his head a fraction to address her. "Get the Emblem! We'll hold them off!"
With a nod, Lucina got to her feet and drew Falchion. She ducked, dodged, and slashed, trying to make some headway through the plethora of Risen. Their decaying bodies made it hard for Lucina to find her way. She was stuck parrying and dispatching in a throng of Risen. Lucina could not see past the dark masses of smoke and rotting meat.
A guttural roar shook the heavens and earth.
Grima.
Upon hearing the fell dragon's cry, Lucina's stomach dropped. She was certain Grima would not return to Plegia because there were no humans to eat. That meant that Grima was after the Emblem! With renewed vigor, Lucina fought harder and faster. At some point, Morgan had found her and had his sword in his right hand and his tome in his left.
The familiar gusts of wind began battering Risen and humans alike. Lucina was running out of time. The silhouette of the fell dragon was a mountain of bulk in the polluted sky. In a despondent attempt to break through, Lucina burst from a wall of Risen and her prize lay on the rubble just ahead of her. She sheathed Falchion and leapt forward, snatching the Emblem into her arms just as Grima lunged from the shadows.
Time seemed to slow down for Lucina. Once again she was about to face the dragon's maw. She frantically reached out with her mind, beseeching the Emblem to take hold.
It did.
This time, the connection was instant. A surge of strength, and only one word came to mind. "NAGA!" Lucina shouted, her fright fueling the volume of her voice.
Grima was repelled as a column of white light slammed down from the heavens above, shrouding Lucina in unearthly radiance. The column expanded, reaching outwards to cloak her comrades in its protection. All the Risen in the area of the circle were annihilated, reduced to sulfurous smoke. The Fire Emblem dissolved in her hands, the incomplete circuit proving to be too much.
The divine dragon descended from the top of the pillar of light, choosing the appearance of a manakete woman, dressed in gossamer green and white robes. She (as Lucina chose to refer to her as) was the epitome of grace.
"Naga, I implore you, what can be done to save this world?" Lucina pleaded, recalling her more formal speech.
Naga was silent for a while, looking at each one of them in turn, and then at Grima, who was ramming itself against the barrier, shrieking and snarling fiercely. "Nothing can be done to save this realm without the fifth gemstone."
There was a collective gasp as they despaired at the news.
"Surely there must be some way!" Lucina pushed, suddenly furious that their quest might be in vain. She could not afford to let her people down - her friends down.
The divine dragon seemed to contemplate possible options before speaking once more. "The fate of this world was sealed once your father's closest friend turned on him. However, it is possible for you to save another world, almost parallel to this one, whose destiny is to be the very same." His closest friend? Who could that be? Father had many close friends – who would dare betray him? No, that was impossible.
Beside her, Lucina heard her companions murmuring about seeing their parents again. The choice was tempting, but could she truly leave her reality, abandon her own people, for a chance to possibly prevent the same events from happening? Looking back at the destruction around her, Lucina knew in her heart that their future was to die at the mercy of the fell dragon. Their parents' efforts were wasted the second Father died.
If she wanted to do the Shepherds before them any honor, there was only one option left.
"We will go to the imperiled world, Lady Naga." Lucina said heavily. She knew there would be a great deal of pain in her heart if she saw her parents, even if they were from another time and space. If what the divine dragon said was true, then it would be as if nothing changed save for their ages and time period.
Naga's expression was impassive. "A selfless act, no doubt at a great price. Very well, I shall take you back, to an unwelcome change in the times. I must warn you: this type of magic is unpredictable. It is uncertain if all of you will make it to the same point, and it is not certain if you will be able to return to this place."
Lucina knew everyone was willing to take the risk, whether it be for heroic or selfish reasons. As a last thought, Lucina put on the mask Gerome had given her and hastily tucked her long hair up into the band of the face piece, giving her the appearance of short hair, like her ancestor, King Marth. She promised herself then and there that she would interfere as little as possible with her parents' lives. If that world was closely parallel, then they would have another Lucina and Morgan – there was no place for any of them there.
"We are ready."
"Then prepare yourselves." Naga began shining brightly, so brightly that Lucina's mask was not enough protection and she looked away. A great pull began tugging at all of them, the light barrier began to crack.
Morgan jumped. "Sis! Did you hear that?"
"I don't follow." She answered, her heart beating uncontrollably. Was Grima going to get to them first?
"I hear Mother! She came for us!" Morgan stowed his tome and sheathed his blade. "Come on! We have to meet her!" he started fighting the pulling from the time spell, running at the weakened blockade.
What was he talking about?
"Morgan! Come back here!" Lucina called out, unable to move, not because of the magic, but because of indecision. Cynthia and Laurent had already been warped away, and Lucina did not want to lose the opportunity to protect a world that was salvageable. Yet, she was supposed to keep Morgan, her own dear brother, safe. Mother's tactician's caveat rang in her mind: "what is the life of one weighed against millions?" Those words never sounded more hurtful.
It was too late. Yarne, Nah, and Inigo disappeared, then Kjelle, Noire, Severa, Owain, and Gerome followed, as they were closer to the vortex, closer than Lucina and her little brother.
Morgan reached the edge and passed through, just as it fell away to Grima's force. He went flying off to the side, but Lucina could not see through the dust. The fell dragon lunged forward, but its target wasn't Lucina.
It was the portal.
As Grima moved onwards, it began to shrink, but what the fell dragon's final form was, Lucina could not tell as it entered the doorway to another place. It was too late to stop Grima from travelling back with them.
"MOOOORRRRGGAAAAAAN!" Lucina screamed, trying to move forward, but with a final wrench, the magic of the portal reached her and she was yanked into a tunnel of arcane symbols, and sent tumbling through unknown universes.
/
Gosh this is long for me. This is how Morgan gets separated in my head cannon, so sorry if it doesn't quite make sense. Also, I sort of hinted at the fathers of some of the children, so it should be easy to guess who fathered whom. Just a note: the pairings in the first generation are not necessarily pairings I ship; I paired the parents off mostly by personality…and maybe some of my preferences. In any case, please, for the love of Naga leave a review, and if you don't understand what's going on in the story, feel free to PM me!