Many a battle had the Ylisseans fought and won under Chrom's command and Rufure's strategy. They had defeated Yen'fay, ruler of the Chon'sin dynast, and learned of his sacrifice to save his sister Say'ri while the Valmese tactician, Excellus, had toyed with them at every turn. Basilio had agreed to lead a small distraction force against Walhart himself, even after Lucina had warned him that he would be killed in battle. True to her words, they had received the news that Basilio had fallen against the Conqueror and trusted Flavia with one of the Gemstones needed to restore the Fire Emblem.

Lucina had been beside herself with sorrow, regretting that she had ever let him go in the first place, and Pit had no idea of how to console her. Basilio was a man that had all but convinced him that the humans had grown strong, a far cry from the flimsy creatures that he'd known so long ago. But even the strongest man could find his match in another, it seemed, and he scolded himself for letting his guard down.

"I should have gone," he mumbled as they marched for the Valmese capital after felling Walhart's forces that met them at the gate. Seeing the red-clad Conqueror fall, only to retreat, turned his stomach as Basilio's hearty laugh echoed in his memory.

"What do you mean?" Lucina asked as she marched at his side, and he turned his head to face her.

"When Chrom and Rufure decided to divide the army, I should have gone with Basilio. Or even taken his place." He clenched his fists. "I could have taken Walhart. And even if I didn't, I could have bought time." He snorted. "I've got all the time in the world. And I'm being selfish with it."

"Pit…" Lucina sighed. "Speaking tactically, Father wouldn't have let you lead the force. He doesn't know what you're capable of- and neither do I, now that I think about it. But, to them, you're just another soldier, albeit being from the future. He wouldn't have sent me or Inigo or Morgan either. Basilio was a strong man. There's a reason he was a Khan of Ferox. I wish he were still here. I believe we need him. But…" she shook her head. "There's no way now to alter the past. We'll have to make due without him. And that starts with defeating Walhart."

"Lucina… can I… ask you a weird question?" he wondered hesitantly, and she nodded. "I've been wondering this for as long as I can remember. Why do you humans start all these wars? Gangrel, Walhart, and whatever tie Validar has to the Risen… what's the point in taking so many lives?" He felt hot water sting his eyes. "This isn't what I signed up for! I took a vow to defend the humans! I came to save you from Grima, not help kill and drive another stupid war!"

"Pit, please, forgive us," she pleaded and touched his arm gently. "I've been wondering the same thing. I hate war. I hate killing. But it never seems to stop. I want to see a world of peace, but there are always men who would change that for the most foolish reasons- Walhart Gangrel, even my own grandfather, from the stories I've heard. Even the Hero-King, in the name of justice and light, killed those who opposed him."

"Maybe I'm not much better," Pit mumbled. "Medusa, Hades, Mastema, even Nemo… I've had to fight them all to attain peace. It can never come without bloodshed- and I've shed enough of my own over the years."

"I… there's no true justifiable reason in killing," Lucina thought aloud. "But I believe the best we can do is do so in the name of a just cause. We do this to allow for peace to come."

"Kill…" he repeated. "You know what? Now that I think about it, all four of them… I've never killed any of them. Not permanently. But then again, it's a lot easier for gods to come back than humans." He sighed heavily. "Killing never works, even in the realm of the gods. They'll still find a way to come back. At least you only have to finish off a .human once." He blinked. "Well, that was dark."

"But true," Lucina agreed. "When a man falls at your feet with his blood on your weapon, he won't rise again- not naturally. And at that point, he is only suffering. Death is a gift. That is why we believed in striking down as many of the Risen as possible, beyond the kill or be killed mentality of our world."

"Promise me something," he said, and she watched him curiously. "When all this is over, if we can either prevent Grima's resurrection or find a way to stop him, you'll lead this world to peace. You'll find a way to keep light in the world. Because I don't know if I can do it alone."

"You have my word, Pit. I'll do everything I can to see the peace we've suffered for survive."

"Thank you," he smiled a bit just as Chrom raised his voice at the head of the army.

"Listen up!" he called out, silencing the force. "This ends here, now, today. Walhart's reign ends or we fight until the last man falls. Say'ri is right- we will be the ones who conquer the Conqueror!" Cheers erupted from the soldiers as Chrom drew Falchion. "Now, we fight! Come on!" With Rufure at his side, he hurried into the castle, and his followers joined him within heartbeats.

"This needs to end today," Pit muttered. "I'm not going to deal with another day of this stupid war."

"Hear, hear," someone called behind him, and he sighed as he readied his bow.

"I see Walhart, still seated in his throne room," Chrom noticed. "It doesn't seem like he's thinking about escape."

"And his soldiers," Rufure said as she scanned them. "They look ready to die before they'd surrender. One must admire their loyalty, at least."

"Loyalty…" Pit mumbled. How fragile a word it was. He couldn't help recall Medusa's words so long ago, that the humans turn to the gods in times of hardship and wave them off in times of prosperity. He thought of the Centurions attacking him- their captain- without question when the Chaos Kin had taken control of Palutena. His mind strayed to Nemo and his precarious peace in the Underworld, where he struggled to gain loyalty from its inhabitants even a thousand years after he became its ruler. Pit shook his head. "I've been hanging around these humans too long. They're messing with my head."

"He does inspire that in people," Chrom agreed with his wife. "It's part of what makes him so dangerous."

"He inspires that in SOME people," Rufure pointed out.

"Yes, in some," Chrom nodded. "But not me." With that, he gave the order to begin the battle, and the Ylisseans charged deeper into the castle. Among the Valmese appeared the man who had led their soldiers at the Mila Tree, one with a large mustache named Cervantes, and Excellus stood some distance behind him. Though Cervantes appeared ready to die for his Conqueror, Excellus looked about as comfortable as a hawk in a birdcage.

Pit nocked an arrow and thought back to what Flavia had told everyone about Walhart. Yes, Chrom had been successful defeating him at the gate, but it had almost seemed too easy of a victory. The archer could only wonder if Walhart himself had been toying with them. This was not a man who would retreat. Only death would stop him. He took a deep breath and scanned his opponents, trying to recall everything he'd learned about the humans, their weapons, and their fighting styles since he'd arrived with Lucina two years ago. Walhart favored an axe this time, and that was weak against a sword but strong against a lance. Weapons were often made out of iron, steel like his bow, or silver as the strongest. Walhart had fortified himself and his mount against any attacks designed to fell armored or horseback soldiers with ease, so it would be pointless to try to use one against him. Magic likely would have been their best bet, but the only thing he was decent with was Light and he didn't want to spark suspicion.

He shut out the distractions of the battle around him and aimed at a Swordmaster brandishing a silver sword, deciding it was his best bet. The feathers of the arrow brushed against his fingertips as it left them and slipped silently through the air before piercing the Swordmaster's chest. He stumbled, releasing his blade, and fell to the ground a moment later.

"What am I becoming?" Pit asked of himself as he hurried over. "Sniping humans and stealing their possessions when they're dead… Lady Palutena would be appalled." He could only wonder if she was, somewhere within his spirit, unable to believe what her former servant and successor was doing. He shook his head and ignored the thoughts as he retrieved the silver sword.

"Hey, Pit!" he heard someone call, and traced the voice to be Sully's from across the room. "What the hell are you doing? If you're so good with a damn sword, why didn't you say anything?!" He ignored her and trained his focus to the Conqueror in his throne room as a blast of magic courtesy of a mage by the name of Miriel and another from Henry took down his guards.

Walhart smiled as much as he was capable of when Pit approached him, the sword gripped tight in his right hand. He pulled his axe up accordingly and met his challenger's unwavering gaze.

"You would challenge the Conqueror himself?!" he demanded. "You would choose to meet your death? Ha!" Pit's gaze remained straight and serious. "You are no warrior, boy. You are an archer belonging behind the front lines as you attempt to weaken your foes for your allies to finish off. You are weak!"

"Weak," he repeated. "Walhart," the Conqueror seemed appalled that his lowly opponent would address him only by name, "You are weak. Weakness has driven you to believe you have to hide behind a mountain of strength and bloodshed to achieve anything. Men like you are the reason war continues." His brow furrowed. "Men like you are the reason I'm even here! You drive yourselves to the point of destruction over what- land? Telling people what to do? Respect? Wealth? WHAT'S THE POINT?!" Walhart stared at him before he started laughing.

"You answered your own question, boy! Respect! Land! Loyalty! Man must conquer itself to achieve anything. There are always others standing in your way, and you will crush them under your boot! That is the only way they'll learn their place. It's the sword or the knee! Now, take your pick. Die, or choose to serve me as your new god!" At that point, something in Pit's system snapped and hot anger consumed his body like wildfire. His hand clenched around the sword's handle and he directed a part of his power into its blade, and immediately lunged forward with a wordless shout, and the blade cracked the Conqueror's breastplate and drove into his chest. It wasn't a deep wound, but enough to hinder him as he swung his axe up and Pit nimbly dodged back as Walhart huffed and removed the sword.

"You are strong…" he panted as Pit retrieved his bow and an arrow from his quiver.

"Trust me on this, Walhart. Your land and loyalty will mean nothing to Nemo. You'll be a drifting soul in the Underworld just like everybody else." With that, he released the arrow and it made contact in the hole left by the sword. Walhart grunted and nearly fell off his mount as he gripped at his wound.

"Nngh…" he groaned. "Do you see? Often the sword… is the only way… My conquest… ends here…" He slid off the horse's back and landed hard on the ground. Pit let out a heavy sigh and lowered his head.

"The sword is the only way because that's the only path you give." He shook his head. "It's always been that way. But I won't rest until that path isn't taken anymore."

"Walhart has fallen!" some soldier- he couldn't tell if it was friend or foe- shouted, and the fighting ceased a moment later. Frederick stepped forward and mumbled something to Chrom, and the Ylissean ruler nodded. The Shepherds' second in command left a moment later, and Pit found himself lost in his thoughts. Walhart's words, his concerns for Nemo and Kuro, and his memories of Palutena all began to blur together and took the world around him with it, and he didn't resist as Inigo and Morgan began leading him away.

Frederick soon reported that the remaining Valmese soldiers had agreed to cease hostilities, and Say'ri had recovered Vert, one of the five Gemstones of the Fire Emblem, and presented it to Chrom as thanks for his aid. He announced that they would be heading immediately for Ylisstol, and they departed as soon as they were able.

While on the ship and with the sea breeze ruffling his hair, Pit sighed as he leaned against the side with his arms folded gently. His eyes watched the endless water absentmindedly until he heard footsteps approaching him, and Lucina came to stand at his side.

"I'm sorry I haven't gotten a chance to spend any time with you," she said as her hair blew gently to the side. "Father, Mother, and I have been discussing Grima's resurrection, and Father thinks we should do everything in our power to find the last Gemstone."

"I understand, Lucina," he replied dully. "You don't have to explain yourself to me." They remained there in silence for several moments.

"Pit," she beckoned, and he turned his head toward her. "You wouldn't hide anything from me, would you?" He didn't know how to reply. "I mean… you would tell me if something is bothering you?"

"I appreciate your concern for me," he told her. "I… have a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Care to talk about it?" she smiled a bit. "Sometimes it helps me if I can tell someone about my concerns, even if they can't really do anything to help me."

"Heh…" he shook his head and returned his gaze to the ocean. "It's been a long time since I've faced a conflict like this without my brother. I never realized how much his company means to me." He paused. "Lucina… do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

"I'm not sure I understand," she fretted, and he sighed.

"I… there was a woman I served before I came to be what I am today," he began. "She taught me everything I knew before she… died. She always wanted to protect the people, do things honorably, told me to do what I believe is right to defend the peace and the Celestial Balance." He lowered his head. "But… I shot down a man and stole his weapon so I could defeat his leader. What's the honor in that? How is that justice?" She didn't immediately reply.

"Walhart would have only brought more bloodshed," she reminded him. "War brings sacrifice on all sides. Even the winner doesn't escape unscathed. But… I believe in doing whatever it takes for the greater good. You simply have to judge between what's right and what's wrong."

"Judge between…" his mind blanked, and he dropped his forehead against the wood. "DUH! Oh, I'm such a moron!"

"Pit?!" She rested her hand on his shoulder as he looked back up with a smile on his face.

"That's why I was created! That's what I'm supposed to be. I was given the heart and mind to judge between right and wrong and follow my convictions no matter what the cost was. That's how I could face the Underworld and the Forces of Nature. That's why I saved Kuro. That's why I fought Lady Palutena. That's why Nemo is one of my closest allies!" He laughed, suddenly giddy, and he could barely contain himself as he turned to his companion. "I guess I lost sight of that in the hundreds of years I've been around. Thanks for reminding me." She returned his smile and nodded.

"Um, I'm glad I could help," she chuckled, though a soft "meep" escaped her lips as he pulled her into his arms again and held her close.

"I mean it, Lucina. I can't thank you enough. You're a sharp reminder of why I'm here." When he finally released her, she smiled again and took his hand.

"And your guidance gives me the strength to keep fighting," she replied. "You have my gratitude."

"Lucina?"

"Yes, Pit?"

"You're blushing a bit," he informed her, and her cheeks turned a shade pinker.

"A-am I?" She laughed uneasily. "I… I just… Pit, I…" she sighed. "Don't go anywhere, okay? We need you to save our future. …I need you." He squeezed her hand before releasing it.

"I'm not going anywhere until that blasted dragon is no more," he vowed. "So keep fighting, Lucina. I'll help where I can, but victory has to belong to you and your father. That way, I'll know you humans have grown strong." He turned back to the ocean once again. "And it wouldn't hurt if Poseidon would give us a little boost back to Ylisse."

"Poseidon?" she echoed with a laugh, and he grinned at her.

"Just the god of the Sea, if you will," he explained. "Cranky if you don't catch him in the right mood. And kind of judgmental. But I doubt you have anything to worry about. Though I wonder what he thinks of Rufure setting those ships on fire!"

"I hope you'll put in a good word for us," she said, and shivered a bit as the breeze picked up. "Maybe we should head below decks. It's getting chilly."

"Wimp," he teased and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "This is nothing. You should see the Seafloor Palace. Parts of it are covered in ice. And I went running around in there with shorts and a sleeveless tunic on!"

"Okay, okay, so I'm not a Feroxi," she laughed. "But you're awfully warm. Would you mind if I stayed with you for a bit?"

"Not at all, Lucina. I'm glad to have you here."