Chapter 4c: Wanderer's Whereabouts Part 1.
"Master... It's done..." The blue haired girl said, her voice low, almost depressed, with a tinge of pain. She stood there, holding a sword loosely with her left arm. That wasn't her sword arm, instead it was off-hand as she kept her right arm held tightly to her chest. Inky darkness darkened her already dark sleeves. Something was wrong with her right arm- she had gotten injured.
"I can tell. That foul wench will no more interfere in this world." Robin's voice was unnatural, and dark. "However, about your arm."
"I... got hurt." The girl shook her head. "I still have mother's sword, but... I don't think I can use it any more."
"Forget your mother, girl. She was the one who betrayed us. Tried to kill me. Tried to kill you and your brother." He said, coldly. "The blade has served its final purpose. Now, as a reward for your unwavering service, come here."
"Yes, Master." The girl nodded and walked forward, biting her lip.
"Let me see your arm." Robin said, prompting the girl to hold out her right arm. It was dripping with blood, and showed signs of severe damage. Her fingers trembled and her wrist shook. "Hm. What did this to you?"
"I did..." She said, looking away and down, "I'm sorry master. After I turned the blade on her, I couldn't stop myself and I cut my arm..."
"You'll heal, but never again, will you wield a sword." He said, holding her arm in his hands. A dark blood red glow emitted from his palm and immediately she reacted, convulsing in agony as tears welled up in her brown eyes. However in nary an instant, it was over. The wound was gone.
"Master, I..." the girl said, shaking her head as he released her arm. "I... don't know what I really did. Was it the right thing to do?"
"OF COURSE!" he yelled, slamming a fist on the wall behind them, "She'd ruin everything!" A wicked smirk formed on his face as he looked again at her and the sword she held in her left arm. "Very soon, we will see to it then..." He said with a wicked laugh.
Ferox Arena
Robin gasped, as he sprung awake. "What was that about!?" He looked around, his eyes unadjusted to the lack of light. It was dark, his head hurt and he could still smell the stench of alcohol from the night before. Basilio wasn't kidding when he said that Flavia would jump on any excuse for a party. It had been a curious turn of events that had left him wondering the necessity of the tournament- not that he didn't already know how pointless of an endeavor it was.
Ultimately, regardless of who had won the tournament, Ylisse would've had its alliance. Basilio was eager to make that known, be it that it was a request from "Marth" or the mere fact that he was jumping at the idea to get back at Plegia. Lon'qu was to travel with the Shepherds, and Marth had disappeared, and on the morning, they'd begin the march back to Ylisstol, missing the Winter Festival by a few days.
However, something wasn't right. His eyes scanned the dark room, and he swore he saw something move in the darkness, and it sent a shiver down his spine. He stopped any motion, silencing himself as he reached over, grabbing one of the spell tomes that was amongst the prizes awarded for victory in the tournament. If there was an intruder, or a rat for that matter, it may get a shocking realization of how awake Robin was.
His eyes widened, he wasn't alone.
"Fulmi-" Robin started to say, magic forming in his right hand and immediately a blade was at his throat.
"Complete that cast and we'll both die." A harsh voice responded.
"A fool's to believe that, Marth." Robin said, stopping his cast. "I'd lose my head, you'd lose a leg, and suffer heart problems for the rest of your life. And you'd have thrown away your soul for attacking a man you have no desire to kill."
"How'd...?" Lucina responded lowering Falchion. "Never mind."
"I assume you have something you need of me if you were lurking in my room," Robin said, turning and lighting a small oil lamp. "You can't just be plotting revenge for setting you on fire. I didn't want to give you any severe injuries," He turned to face her. She didn't have her mask, for one reason or the other, she had chose to not wear it. Perhaps it was merely the darkness partially concealing her, but that was gone now.
"You're correct. It's not over the tournament." Lucina said, her tone ever serious. "I heard you. Before it began. And I want to you to tell me something."
"Very well." Robin said, shrugging his shoulders.
"How did you know my name? How did you know I was a woman? And just who are you?" Lucina asked sternly.
Robin knew he was on the spot here. "Because you just told me it. I didn't know you to be another Lucina." It was a bold faced lie, but he knew there was a time for a bluff, and if he could out play everyone at cards, he could certainly keep his face in check in the dim light of his dark room in the middle of the night. Lucina swallowed and took a step back, her hand resting on Falchion's hilt.
"As far as you being a woman? I'm surprised you heard my banter with Chrom out there. Your voice, you posture, and your form. It's feminine. That gives you away, Lucina." Robin continued with a shrug. "Who I am? I'm Robin, a tactician with the Shepherds, a tactician that can't remember his past, but is having one massive case of deja vu."
"Deja vu? I'm afraid I don't follow." Lucina tapped on her cheek.
"I feel... like I'm living my life on repeat." Robin said, "Like everything I know, everything I knew, has started over from the start. I just know a simple thing. ...Chrom."
"What of the Prince of Ylisse?" Lucina narrowed her expression, almost to a glare.
"Chrom is the key. He's the most important one. His survival is absolutely paramount. Everyone is dead if he falls." Robin said, sliding something over to her.
"How would you know...?" Lucina's voice was almost irratated by Robin's words.
"To be honest, I don't." Robin said motioning to the small sack on the ground by her feet. "I just... feel it. My memory is shot. I can hardly make heads or tails of some the situations, and I just feel like I'm living my life over. I think something terrible must have happened in the not too distant future, and that I'm needed to stop it. But something draws me to Chrom, and... to be honest, Lucina, you. I know both of you have important goals, that while I don't know what they are, I need to do my best to ensure their success."
Lucina picked up the sack, "Gold?"
"Enough to keep you fed and something to live off of for a while. There's also small blanket, so you don't freeze to death here. I figured it make up for me setting you on fire." Robin said, with a shrug.
"I kicked you in the face." Lucina's face slightly flushed but appreciative.
"You did, but..." Robin stopped when he realized where that was headed, and then laughed.
"What's funny about it?" she asked with a tone of force.
"Oh nothing, just... take the gift. It'll help you more than it will me. Might even help me by helping you." Robin nodded.
"Th-thank you." Lucina nodded and turned back towards the door.
"I shall see you again." Robin said with a mild smile, before returning to his bed.
"That man, he knows far too much." Lucina thought as she closed the door behind her. "I don't recognize him, and I just can't place it. I must... watch him. Carefully."
Road Leading to the Longfort
"Trouble on the wind, Captain!" Sumia said as she landed her pegasus next to Chrom.
"What could that be?" Chrom asked, looking over at Sumia. Robin stood behind him, with Lissa to his right.
"It seems there's a pack of Risen harassing a merchant convoy at the Longfort." Sumia explained, her eyes concerned with the situation.
"Gods!" Chrom swung his right arm outwards. "Shepherds, prepare for battle!"
"Right." Robin said, ducking into the cart to grab a few things. "Can I even get a couple days worth of rest without fighting?"
Author's Note: I did say this would be a shorter chapter, as it mainly exists just to wrap up the tournament. Not entirely sure if I'm going to include the skirmish sequence in its entirety. Certainly not writing up Skirmish number 3.
