Author's Notes:
Hey everyone! Welcome to the ninth installment of Altered Fates!
Big chapter here story wise. It's a little shorter than the others, but I wanted to let the Dragon's Table scene have its own chapter.
I changed up things quite a bit in this scene, so if you are curious or disapprove of what I wrote, that's totally cool! But make sure to read the A/N down below, I'll go into more detail down there.
Shout out to JumperthreeDS for helping out on a dilemma I was having regarding this chapter!
And without further ado, here is Chapter 9, Demons!
Disclaimer: I do not own the cover art for my story nor do I own Fire Emblem.
Chapter 9 - Demons
Validar hunched over the Dragon's Table, pooling the energies of the sacrificed Grimleal into a singular, solid mass that would be consumed by his master after his awakening with the Fire Emblem. The altar itself glowed a dark purple, the energy from the sacrifices encasing it. Slowly but surely, the little specks that represented each singular sacrifice left the table and went for the giant ball of energy overhead.
An unbidden smile formed on Validar's face. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, he could taste the dark energy that was emanating from the altar. Soon destiny would be realized and his master would rise once again. It was inevitable, nothing could stop his rise now.
A hooded girl stood not far off, leaning against the wall and watching the man warily. She wasn't particularly fond of her grandfather. He had always rubbed her the wrong way, and with the way he had been staring at that altar for the past hour her opinion of the man had only dropped. He was acting as if owned the damned place. It wasn't his tower, his altar, or his energy, it all belonged to her master. If it weren't for him she doubted she'd even be here with this despicable man in the first place.
"They're here."
Validar turned from the altar to face his new guest, however in this case host would be the proper term.
The girl straightened, showing the proper respect for her master by bowing her head and avoiding looking at him directly in the eyes.
"Ah, Lord Grima. The Awakening ritual is underway. It's going... a little slower than expected but the energy from the Grimleal will soon be ready for you to feast on."
"It won't be me feasting on their souls Validar."
That piqued the girl's interest. Master isn't performing the ritual?
"You still think Robin will bow? After all that's happened?
"I don't think Validar, I know," Grima grinned. "Because it's already happened before. We are one and the same."
"Yes, of course master. I'll make sure everything goes as planned."
"If by chance something DOES happen, take this," Grima reached into his robes and pulled at a tome and threw it at Validar.
"Grima's Truth..."
Validar's eyes widened, realizing exactly what his master had bestowed on to him. Grima smirked at his astonishment.
"With that tome you'll be able to channel my power directly. The power of a god now rests in your hands Validar, do not make me regret it."
"O-of course Lord Grima. With this tome I'll ensure that the you of this time rises to power."
"Good. Because if you don't you better hope that the Shepherds kill you. Again. I don't give second chances often Validar and I sure as hell won't give you a third. "
Validar blanched. He knew what happened to those who had gotten on his master's bad side. He could still remember what happened to the last man that had failed him. It took weeks to clean the blood from the Plegian throne room.
"Come Morgan, let's go." Grima beckoned the young girl to his side.
"R-really?" Morgan cleared her throat and walked up to the man. "I mean yes, of course master."
"Master?" Grima's eyes glinted underneath his hood, a smile slowly growing on his face. "You can call me father Morgan, you should know this. I mean I am your father after all, aren't I?"
"O-oh! O-of course Father, I apologize."
"Think nothing of it child," Grima laid a hand on her shoulder and turned back to Validar. "You WILL be hearing from me Validar. Do not fail me."
With that the two disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Validar to greet the Shepherds alone.
Validar grinned looking at his new tome.
"Heh, I have a little surprise for you Robin. You best hurry boy, I thought I taught you not to keep your hosts waiting."
Robin and the others walked through the door to the tower, entering the sanctum of Grima. The outer chamber was surprisingly bare. Other than a few statues there was nothing but black walls staring back at them. The floor of the room was colored pitch black as well, with a giant red Mark of Grima stretching across it.
The chamber only led to one oaken door, and Robin could only guess what was waiting on the other side. On either side of the door stood identical statues, both depicting a dragon's head that had six eyes and tusks on the sides of its maw.
Robin felt his heart flutter, immediately recognizing where he had seen that same dragon before, only now realizing it's disheartening familiarity.
That's the second appearance from my nightmares...
Robin stepped forwards, leading the Shepherds towards the door. Placing his hand on the door to push it open, only to stop mid-push.
He could feel the energy that was radiating from behind the door. It felt so powerful, so boundless. Even when he was casting the strongest spells magic had to offer, he never felt this close to such power. He was almost salivating at the thought to see it with his own eyes, to feel it course throughout his body. His heart was beating rapidly at the thought of it. His blood felt like it was boiling, begging to be relieved.
Robin closed his eyes and placed his hand over his chest, praying that it would stop its rapid beating.
Why am I so excited?
"Is everything alright Robin?"
Robin flinched, turning to see a worried looking Lucina and a suspicious looking Frederick eyeing the tactician closely.
"Yeah, sorry. I just... needed a second."
Lucina nodded but Frederick only narrowed his eyes further. Robin nodded discreetly to the knight and turned back to the wooden door in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the strange feelings to the back of his mind and focused on the task at hand. With the help of Frederick, he slowly pushed the door open, revealing the inner sanctum.
The chamber was dome shaped, easily large enough to fit hundreds of men inside of it. Ornate pillars with carvings depicting Grima led up to the altar in the back of the room, where a lanky figure stood watching them with his arms crossed.
Lucina jumped forwards, unsheathing her blade.
"Validar!"
"Ah, if it isn't the time travelling princess my son is so fond of. Come to witness the glorious culmination of your future? How poetic. I have the Fire Emblem and the Dragon's Table is set for a feast! I will return Grima to this world!"
"You mad dastard! You'll DESTROY this world! I've seen it!"
"Then I pray today's spectacle lives up to your nightmares!" Validar laughed. "Stupid girl, the Awakening ritual isn't only for exalts and Naga. With it, I'll arouse Grima!" Validar looked pointedly at Robin. "The fell dragon only needs a mortal vessel, which you so kindly brought to me."
In that moment it all clicked for Robin, the mark on his hand, the familiarity with Plegia, the way he felt when he first entered the sanctum, the nightmares...
"Oh gods... he means me! I'm the vessel!?"
"Bright as ever. That's my boy."
"No, no, no!" Robin shook his head desperately and took several shaky steps backwards. "That can't be! I'll never be Grima! I'd die first!"
"You carry my blood son," Validar smirked. "The blood of the fell dragon, of a god! His soul slumbers within you, and now the time has come to awaken you both!"
"W-what!?"
"T-that can't be..." Lucina stared at Robin wide eyed, unconsciously taking a few steps away from him.
"I-I'M Grima!? I'M the FELL DRAGON!?"
"Oh yes son," Validar began. "The Grimleal have worked for generations to create someone like you... a vessel worthy of our master. Simply having Grima's blood in your veins is not enough. My father was not worthy, nor was his father before him. Even I was not able to accept Grima's most sacred gift," Validar's evil grin turned to one of fatherly pride. "But you? You had all the makings. You were perfection!"
"N-no..."
"If your damnable mother hadn't been seized by weakness and fear... she betrayed us, stole you from your crib, and fled with you in the night! I searched for you two for years! I know naught of your life thereafter; but all that matters is your return. That you are here is PROOF of your purpose! It is why you still draw breath!" Validar outstretched a hand, his palm facing up. "Join me son, join me and we can usher in a new world, together! As father and son. Isn't that all you've ever wanted? A family?"
Mark stepped forwards, pointing an accusing finger at Validar. "You are no family of ours! You've proven nothing but your own madness! This can be stopped, YOU can be stopped!"
Validar briefly looked surprised by the outburst but quickly reeled himself in. "Well if it isn't my other grandchild, also tainted by the blood of Naga."
Lucina perked her head up. "Other grandchild...?"
"Your parents may have killed me in some future past, but I am stronger now. With the power of the Dragon's Table and my master's blessing I am unstoppable!"
"You're not the only one stronger this time! Don't underestimate us!" Mark turned to Robin. "Right Father? ...Father?"
Robin had tuned out the entire conversation, completely lost in the confines of his own mind.
I'm Grima? I'm the fell dragon? Oh gods... it was me... I was the one that ravaged Lucina's future... I killed the Shepherds... my friends... my family... everyone! It should have been me that was killed, not Chrom! I'm nothing but a monster!
"Come on Robin!" Lissa shoved Robin's shoulder. "He's wrong! You know he is! You're not some monster, we all know that! We know how strong you are, we've seen who you really are Robin! Right guys? Lucina? Mark?"
"Aunt Lissa's right Father!"
The rest of the Shepherds nodded in agreement, but still watched Robin cautiously.
Lucina didn't respond.
"I-I don't know..." Robin lowered his head.
"Enough!" Validar bellowed. "This sorry display ill befits the heir to our master's power, a god's power. And you, you naive little princess, your sad speech sounds lovely, but it will not alter fate."
"No!" Robin snapped his head up. "They're more than just words!"
"Now, now Robin, be still my son."
"My life did not begin with you, nor did you make me who I am!" Robin stepped forwards, his confidence returning. "It began the day Chrom found me in that field. I've been all over this world, and I have helped change it, for the better! I have fought and laughed and bled with my friends, I've found a real home, made a real family... And that is what matters!" Robin met Lucina's eyes. "The ties we forged, the bonds we share... they are of a power greater than Grima!"
Robin turned back to Validar. "I am not Grima. I am Robin, tactician of the Shepherds, Grandmaster of Ylisse, a father and someday a husband."
"That's right!" Lucina shouted, Robin's speech giving her new-found confidence. "I know Robin and he is no Grima!"
"A ludicrous idea," Validar narrowed his eyes at the two. "You shall see that soon enough."
"You're wrong Validar. The only thing you've been right about so far is that my whole life has been in preparation for this day, the day when I kill you and stop this madness!"
"You have your father's courage, but your mother's judgment. Very well, pup. Come! Do your worst! Come at me with all you have!" Validar reached into his robes and pulled out a tome. "There is no damage I can do to your body that the fell dragon cannot repair!"
"We'll see about that!" Robin unsheathed his sword and pulled out his own tome. "Alright everyone! We make for Validar, but stay vigilant. I'm sure he has something lying in wait for us."
The Shepherds nodded collectively and began to slowly make their way towards the altar, Robin and Lucina leading the way.
"Ah, ah, ah," Validar wagged a finger. "This doesn't seem like very fair odds now does it?"
At the snap of his fingers a giant barrier rose from the ground, cutting Robin and Lucina off from the rest of the Shepherds. Frederick's eyes widened and he ran forwards, hammering at the barrier with his fists. The barrier stood firm, separating the two from the others.
"Damn it!" Robin kicked himself mentally. "I should have known."
"Yes, you should have," Validar smiled. "You've seen all of this after all. You know how this story ends Robin."
Robin grit his teeth. How could he have known?
"It matters not," Lucina said. "Come Robin. This is it, this is where we rewrite history."
"Yes come Robin," Validar goaded. "Realize your destiny!"
Robin paled. He's heard all of this before, but he followed Lucina regardless. If this was like his nightmares at least he knew how to prevent the outcome.
Validar made the first move and fired a massive dark orb at Lucina. Robin reacted equally quickly, firing his Thoron to catch Validar's spell before it reached Lucina, resulting in a large explosion. Robin lifted his arm to shield his eyes from the dust and smoke while Lucina used the distraction to charge through the smoke veil and at Validar. With a vicious slash, Lucina swung downwards at Validar, who parried Lucina's strike with his dark magic. With his offhand coated in purple flames, Validar swung at Lucina. Lucina lept away before the strike could do serious damage, but it still grazed her ribs and sent her flying backwards and into one of the stone pillars.
"Gah!"
"Lucina!"
"Fools!" Validar pointed his hand towards the fallen Lucina. "Struggle all you want, but you cannot change what is already written!"
Robin fired multiple blasts of Thoron at Validar, forcing him to redirect his attention from Lucina back to Robin. Validar nimbly dodged Robin's first attack and blocked the rest of his spells with magic of his own.
"Ha! You are weak boy! You humans are such weak, pathetic creatures... Your bonds with them will bind you, keeping you from your true strength. You are destined for a greater purpose! The GREATEST purpose! You are to be a GOD!"
"Not your god, not today!" Robin snarled.
"We'll see!"
Lucina stayed back and watched, waiting for the chance to charge in. In a battle of magic such as this, she'd only be getting in the way.
Robin reached into his coat and pulled out a vibrant green tome. Validar matched his movements, pulling out a pure black tome of his own.
Please Naga, I know I'm probably not in your good graces right now, just please grant me the strength to protect everyone!
Robin opened the Book of Naga to the correct page and recited the words to the spell, focusing only on the book in front of him.
"What's this!?" Validar's eyes widened. "Where did you get that!?"
Robin focused on reciting the spell, ignoring his father's questions.
Why is this taking so long!?
Validar laughed and shook his head. "No matter. Do you really think that wretched Naga would grant you her strength? You? The vessel of Grima? You're even more foolish than I thought!"
Validar raised his hand in front of him and clenched it into a fist. As if answering his call, the shadows in the sanctum pooled underneath Lucina, grabbing at her legs and locking her in place.
"Now watch as I kill you're precious princess!"
"Hngh!"
"What!?"
This isn't supposed to happen!
Lucina swung her sword at the shadowy hands grabbing on to her, only to have her arms locked in place as well.
"Robin!"
Validar laughed maniacally. "Surprised? You're not the only one with tricks up their sleeves." Validar outstretched his hand. "Now die!"
Lucina shrieked as the shadows pulled her downward and forced her to her knees, pulling her ever closer to the shadowy pool threatening to swallow her whole.
"No!"
Robin raised his own hand and pointed it at Validar, pooling all of his energy in the palm of his hand.
Nothing happened.
Naga please! I need your strength! Please!
...
And you shall have it fell blood.
Robin felt limitless amounts of energy course through his system, power that he couldn't even imagine possible. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he could feel this way. The energy from the altar didn't even feel like this. This energy felt so pure, so refined.
Robin could feel the energy pool in his chest then race through his arm and out through the path of least resistance. A bright light flashed throughout the sanctum, blinding everyone inside. With a thunderous crack, a stream of green light burst from Robin's hand and raced towards Validar.
"What!? How can this-ARGH!"
Validar screamed as the light blasted through his chest leaving a smoking hole in its wake.
Robin fell to the ground, his energy spent.
"Robin!"
Lucina was freed from the shadows that bound her and rushed to Robin's fallen form, kneeling beside him.
"Are you alright!?"
"Hah... hah..." Robin took several deep breaths. "I'm alright..."
"Oh thank Naga," Lucina fell on her rear beside him. "What was that? It was so... unbelievable!"
"Thank Naga is right..." Robin moved into a seated position with his arms supporting him. "That was a miracle."
"I-I can't believe it," Lucina smiled tiredly. "We did it Robin... We actually did it!"
"Of course we did," Robin reached his arm around Lucina's shoulder and pulled her closer. "Now we can spend the rest of our lives together in peace."
Lucina smiled a little brighter and rested her head on Robin's shoulder.
Robin couldn't help but bask in their victory and in the fact that his nightmares didn't come to fruition. He wasn't forced to kill Lucina, they stopped Grima from awakening, and he didn't even have to resort to his contingency plans. Basilio didn't even have to make his appearance!
"It was almost too-"
"Easy?"
Robin jumped at the sound, springing from the ground turning to face the two shadowy figures that separated him and Lucina from the rest of the Shepherds.
"You!"
"You're right Robin," The taller hooded figure strode forwards, taking off his hood to reveal Robin's face. "It was too easy. In the end you only altered the course of history, but its destination still holds true."
"What do you mean!?"
"It was written that Chrom died here at your hands," Robin's doppelganger smirked. "And he did didn't he?"
"That's not... but he was already..."
"Dead? You and I both know that wasn't the case. I'm pretty sure corpses don't have last wishes."
"Enough!" Lucina shouted. "Who are you really!?"
"Isn't it obvious?" The man gave a mock bow. "I'm Robin. The Robin that murdered your father and the rest of the Shepherds and became the fell dragon."
Lucina's eyes widened. "S-so that means..."
"That's right Lucina," The man smiled wider. "I'm the one that plagues your dreams, I'm the one that killed your precious family. I am the wings of despair. I am the fell dragon Grima."
"Wait. Another version of me?" Robin asked skeptically. "But how?"
"I can be so daft sometimes," Grima sighed. "It's all really quite simple you see. I am you Robin. I followed Lucina to this timeline to assure your rise to power. The only difference is the decisions we've made. Those vivid dreams? For the most part those are all my memories. Memories we share because we have the same heart," Grima paused and chuckled. "Except for the one involving Lucina. That one was just for fun."
"Th-the headaches... the voices..." Robin paled. "It was you! It was all you!"
"That's right. Your memory begins the day I entered this world. I intended for us to unite the moment I found you, but your heart was still too weak, hence the memory loss."
"I knew if Lucina managed to rewrite history, Grima would never be resurrected," Grima continued. "And I would cease to exist. So I had to step in every now and again, as I am now, to assure my future is secured."
"So I'll tell you one final time Robin," Grima narrowed his eyes. "Awaken the beast in your soul. Join me and become the fell dragon. It is your destiny."
"You're insane if you really think I'd do that!"
"No Robin, it is you who is insane!" Grima shouted. "Do you really think you'd have a better life with these worms! These... these maggots! They just use you Robin, that's all they ever did."
"That's not true!"
"Oh isn't it?" A dark aura began to engulf Grima as his anger grew. "Did you ever stop and think why they trusted you so? Don't you see Robin, they were using you. The man who led the forces of Ylisse through not one, but TWO unwinnable wars with minimal casualties? If you were anyone else you wouldn't have been given the time of day!"
"And do you know what will happen now?" Grima continued. "You'll be kicked to the curb like the dog you are. Face it Robin, you're a monster and you always will be. Do you really think your precious family will love you now, after everything that has happened?" Grima snarled. "No, they'll leave you Robin. They always do."
"You're wrong!" Lucina stepped forwards. "Robin is still Robin, nothing has changed!"
"Silence!" Grima shouted and turned back to Robin. "Where were they when you needed them most Robin? Nowhere. No one asked how you were. No one came checking up on you. You know why? Because they were all so engrossed in their own lives. Didn't you see the way they looked at you when they found out your true origins? And you," Grima pointed a finger at Lucina. "You're the worst of them all. Don't act so high and mighty. You're nothing but a hypocrite, and soon you'll be a failure. Now Rob-Ngh!"
Grima stumbled forwards, grasping at his head in pain.
"Father!" The other figure rushed forwards to check on him. Grima pushed her away and straightened, shaking his head.
"It seems that my vessel still influences some parts of me," Grima said, his voice void of any and all emotion. "No matter, he will be snuffed out all the same," Grima looked at Robin and back to the girl, smiling slowly. "Oh how rude of me, I never introduced my guest!"
Grima patted the girl on the shoulder. "Go ahead dear, it's rude to leave your hood up in front of our guests."
The girl nodded hesitantly and removed the hood the hid her features. The girl had unkempt blue hair that went down to her neck. Her face was still young and cute but it was beginning to show the subtle signs of puberty. She had high cheekbones and a small nose, but her cheeks were still a little puffy. Her eyes matched her hair color, a deep blue, and in her left eye she bore the Mark of Naga, and in her right the Mark of Grima.
"Oh gods..."
"What are you doing with my daughter!?" Lucina shouted.
"Your daughter?" Grima frowned. "She's as much my daughter as either of yours. Isn't that right Morgan?"
"Right!" Morgan nodded. "Father here found me lost and alone, nearly dying of starvation and saved me!"
"Morgan he's just using you! Once he gets what he wants he'll toss you aside!"
"You're lying! Father would never do that!"
"That's right," Grima smiled. "I would never do such a thing."
"You... You're a monster!" Robin shouted.
"I care not what you think," Grima stalked to the altar and examined the pooling energy above it. "You were supposed to choose godhood over your pathetic band of servants. But if you'll not claim the sacrifice laid at the Dragon's Table... I will claim it in your place!"
"What!?"
"I've already been awakened fool, I do not need some ritual," Grima rose his hands in the air, siphoning the energy from the altar and into himself. "The fell dragon and I are one! I. Am. Grima!"
The aura around Grima grew darker, and one by one the torches that illuminated the sanctum were all but snuffed out.
Grima turned back to Robin, his glowing red eyes boring holes into his.
"If you are not with me... then you are against me!"
Grima outstretched his hand towards Robin and closed it into a fist.
"GAH!"
Thousands of shadowy needles erupted from the floor, piercing Robin in everywhere imaginable. Robin fell to the ground, immense pain reverberating throughout his entire body making it impossible to do anything but die slowly.
"ROBIN!"
Before Robin lost consciousness, a familiar gentle voice echoed throughout his mind.
You will not die today fell blood. You're role in this story does not end here.
Author's Notes:
And there you have it!
As many of you have guessed, the mysterious girl was in fact Morgan! But I guess that much was pretty obvious heh.
The big dilemma I had with this chapter was actually at the very end. Would Grima really try to kill Robin? I mean he has no problems with it in the game, but if he did try and kill Robin would he die as well since their hearts are linked? A tough one.
I also brought the Book of Naga back into play. I know in Genealogy of the Holy War the Book of Naga could only be used by those that carried Naga's blood, but I decided to stick with Awakening's mechanics and allow anyone to use it, even Robin. Which leads... to some things... important things...
So I decided to humanize Grima a tiny bit in my story, and may have went a little out of character but oh well. In Future's Past it's clear that Robin still has some influence over Grima, so I thought that the Robin of Lucina's original timeline might have a little more pent up anger than the other Robin.
I mean he would know all along about his origins, so I thought once the Shepherds of that timeline inevitably found out about Robin's troubled past they would all but shun him, except for Chrom that is. Loneliness and helplessness can transform into anger really quickly. Plus, it's said a lot in the game that the bonds in the other timeline are a lot stronger than Lucina's original one.
Now I'm not saying Robin would purposefully choose to become the fell dragon because of his subconscious anger, I'm just saying that it would make it easier for Grima to assume direct control of his body, hence him killing Chrom who would probably be his one true friend in Lucina's original timeline. The fact that the Robin of that time would have ALL of his memories completely changes his character and personality.
I don't know, just a little food for thought. I really wanted to change up the original story and try and branch out and that's what I went for here.
Thanks for reading everyone!