Chapter XI

Countless battles followed the conversation with the Voice of Naga and though everyone was extremely tired and exhausted from the constant fighting, Vivianne felt all right and not exhausted in the least. On the other hand, she felt great and it boosted her fighting prowess which surprised her.

During the Plegian-Ylissean War she did not feel like that and somehow her body started to act like this after she met Plegia's hierophant and it reminded her of the words she said; that her power was different. Though she was a bit hesitant about those powers, she did not fear them as they were very useful during long battles like the ones Chrom lead them into.

Eventually, they faced Say'ri's brother Yen'fay who was defeated by the former with the help of Vivianne. Say'ri shivered as she watched her brother's body disappear in the magma of the volcano, her fingers gripping the sword he left behind.

Feeling pity for Say'ri, Vivianne searched for words to console her but the princess of Chon'sin shook her head.

"Our victory is secured… Yen'fay has fallen." She whispered. "I will never understand why he joined Walhart… His reasons die with him."

Suddenly a big man with purple hair appeared, sneering at them. His eyes went from Say'ri to Vivianne and back as he started talking.

"What a death it was! Did you see the grief on his face?! The mi of longing and pain in his eyes! He had become such an accomplished actor, but that was all too real."

"Excellus." Say'ri hissed, gritting her teeth. "What would you know of my brother, you loathsome toad!"

"More than you, princess. And I would watch that mouth of yours. I would kill you, but I am honoring his sacrifice. Even I do have my limits."

"What?! What do you mean with sacrifice?!"

"Ooh! Did I just spill the beans?" He laughed with a high-pitched cry. "I'm so sorry, but I promised your dear brother I'd never tell…"

"Explain yourself, snake! Or DIE!" Say'ri shouted, unsheathing her sword and pointed the tip at him which made Excellus wince back.

"Bah, as if you could harm me! You only live by my grace, you ungrateful Wretch! I could have had you killed countless times!" He gripped his tome in an excited expression, ready to attack Say'ri but Vivianne who started to feel anger at the arrogant tactician's behavior created a shield in front of Say'ri which apparently startled Excellus.

"Don't you dare make a step closer. Just talk or I will loosen your tongue." She startled coldly at him, having no expression on her face which made Excellus whimper.

"Heh, did Yen'fay not tell him about it as you cut him to bloody pieces? I guess not, he was more of the quiet type. He swallowed his pride to protect you, his little sister!"

"What? Those are lies!"

"No, no. Before you met the Ylissean Forces, we could have had your head in Chon'sin or at Valm Harbor. Did you really think yourself so elusive? You were my leverage for Yen'fay - a hostage! I let you live; he fought for us. That was our deal. And he kept his end, right to his end."

"No…" Say'ri gasped, gripping her chest and looked like she would collapse any time.

"Phew, I feel much better having that off my chest. Maybe I should try that truth telling more often!" He laughed gleefully and full with spite while Say'ri fell to her knees. "And because he is dead now I don't have to keep my promise. Come!"

He raised his hand in the air and more Valmese forces appeared, surrounding the Shepherds as well as Say'ri and Vivianne. It seemed like Excellus has planned that beforehand and now they were all outnumbered.

Even though Vivianne could think of a strategy right away, the location would make it extremely difficult to move around to defeat them all.

"You will all die here, just as Yen'fay did! Maybe your body will join his in this hot fire!" Excellus laughed and stepped back. Say'ri next to Vivianne was sobbing loudly at his words and Vivianne felt how her blood was up, anger filling her chest. She has never saw such a disgusting person and as she blocked off the Valmese forces by creating a shield around her and Say'ri she felt something underneath her feet. It felt like veins running through the ground, though it was very weak and gathered at several points stretched across the entire place in a green color. It surprised her, but she knew right away what it was.

Dragon Veins her mind said and she moved her hand towards the one under Excellus and concentrated on it. A stream of power left her and activated it, the rocks underneath Excellus disappeared into nothingness and he fell towards the magma with a loud shriek, his robes caught fire and wandered up his left foot. He only barely managed to escape onto another rock and screamed in pain as the fire was burning into his flesh. This showed to be a great diversion for the Valmese troops and Vivianne grabbed Say'ri's arm to pull her up to her feet.

"It's our time to escape!" She said and activated all the other Dragon Veins at the same time which proved to be an advantage for the Ylisseans and so they fled the battlefield, the pained screams of the soldiers behind them.

However, Say'ri seemed to be reluctant to run and so Vivianne gathered her in her arms and put her over her shoulders, dashing to the Shepherd's camp where the soldiers were ordered to gather after the battle. Once she reached the first tent Vivianne let Say'ri down but she kept sitting there, her head sunken.

"This can't be… Y-Yen'fay… no…"

"Say'ri…" Vivianne crouched next to her and stroked over her shoulders, rubbing them soothingly.

"Gods… the things I said to him… The things I did… I have wronged him beyond imagining…" She sobbed, her hands cupping her face. "If he had only spoken! Told me! I could have joined the ruse, I…"

"Milady, I know well the grief of losing family with so much yet unsaid." Lucina tried to comfort Say'ri as she joined them.

"I am wretched! I've repaid my brother's kindness with death! Oh, Yen'fay, forgive me… please, oh please… please…"

"Say'ri… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Lissa was also with them, having a sorrowful expression on her face.

"Say'ri you did all you could. Your brother knew that… You are blameless in this. Excellus and the empire are at fault here. And they will be made to answer for it, I promise you." Chrom spoke up, standing behind Vivianne.

"Sir Chrom… I… Pray, forgive me. You have done so much for this land while I can give nothing in return. Or worse… What help I offered turned against us…" Say'ri muttered as she looked up, wiping the tears on her cheeks away.

"We're the Resistance now, and we've yet to lose a battle! Yen'fay would be proud. And he'd also want us to fight on… to make sure his sacrifice has meaning. And fight we will, Say'ri. Until this land is free." Vivianne reassured her and Say'ri had a small smile on her lips.

"Aye, my lady. And thank you. I owe my life to you all and to my brother. I swear to you, and to him… I will make the most of it." She stood up, a new resolution in her face which made the Shepherds cheer in agreement.

Following the end of the battle, the Shepherds gathered together and started to patch up their wounds and scratches as well as taking care of their weapons.

Vivianne had walked a bit away from the group and spotted another Dragon Vein not far away; there weren't as many as in the mountain but she was curious about it and activated it which created a small pond with a loud rumbling sound. Looking down at her hands she wondered why she suddenly recalled this mysterious power she had. She had knew right away that those veins were called Dragon Veins and how to use the powers - it was almost like an intuition and it felt like she was born with that ability.

"Here you are." Chrom's voice brought her back to reality and she turned to look at her husband.

"Oh, Chrom…"

"Thanks to you, we were able to escape Excellus's trap but what was this trick you used?"

"I don't know. I just suddenly knew what to do and how to activate special Dragon Veins in the ground which enables to change the terrain. I have felt these weird Dragon Veins before in the ground, but did not know what it was until now. It feels like I was born with that ability." She had a confused expression on her face and looked down on her hands which Chrom gripped.

"It is an astonishing power and very useful. It just makes you more special."

"I-I'm not…" Vivianne looked bashfully at him, flustered by his comment but Chrom only chuckled.

"You are. Especially for me." He answered with a gentle expression, pulling her into his arms. Vivianne let out a content sigh and rested her head against his chest.

The war was taking its toll on everyone and yet Vivianne was happy to be with her husband, though her thoughts wandered more than often to her baby daughter left in the castle. She missed her terribly and wished she could hold her in her arms, even though it was impossible right now.

"What are you thinking about?" Chrom asked, his lips pressed to her head.

"About our baby." She replied. "I mean, practically she's here with us but I still miss her."

"I know you feel this way and I feel the same, but she's safe over there in the castle. I made sure she will be well guarded before we left. Once this war will be over, we can return to her." He stroked over Vivianne's head and she looked up to her husband with a nod. "I have to admit, even now I'm not entirely content with the fact you are accompanying us during those battles. I'd rather have you safe in the palace but not knowing what was happening to you would be a far worse feeling."

"That was the reason I insisted on coming along. My worry for you would make it impossible for me to rest. Besides, I don't want to leave your side."

"I feel the same." Chrom raised one hand and cupped her cheek with a loving look on his face. Seeing his face drawing closer, Vivianne closed her eyes and tilted her head up as their lips met. It was a faint kiss at first, their lips just slightly brushing against each other's and then it deepened into a more passionate one which took Vivianne's breath away. She gripped the fabric of Chrom's shirt and was happy he supported her with his arms, her legs felt like pudding. It was a long time ago since she had felt the passion between them flaming up and her husband seemed to have felt exactly the same.

Pulling away, Chrom leaned his forehead against hers and his nose touched hers gently.

"Let's continue this later, my love. When we are truly alone."

They smiled at each other and Vivianne had a blush across her cheeks, looking forwards to a night with her husband and returned back to the camp hand-in-hand and were joined by Lucina who was asking Vivianne excitedly about the mysterious power she has used.

As soon as the royal couple returned to the camp, an agitated soldier came running towards them.

"Milord! K-Khan Basilio… he… he has been killed in battle!"

"No!" Lucina shouted, hitting her hand before her mouth.

"Damn it!" Chrom shouted, his hand squeezing Vivianne's. "You're certain?"

"I am." Flavia soon joined them, a sorrowful expression on her face. "He's gone. Chrom, I saw him fall myself… He's gone…"

"What happened? Wait, you're hurt!" Chrom turned to Lucina who stared shocked at Flavia. "Lucina, fetch a healer at once!"

"That's twice now I have failed…" Lucina did not budge, her face twisted in horror.

"I'll be fine, gods damn me. Gods damn me for outliving that one-eyed clod! That big, bald oaf! That… that...arghh!" Flavia put her hand to her forehead and frowned, tears in her eyes. "I'll kill him! I'll cut that dastard Walhart down myself! I swear it before the gods!"

"No, Flavia… for now, you need to rest and heal. When the time is right, we will avenge Basilio. You have my word." Chrom shook his head and looked at her with a solemn expression.

"Then know what will hold you to it…" Flavia muttered, biting her bottom lip.

"Why did I let him go…" Lucina whispered to herself, looking to the side with a grave look on her face. Vivianne let go of Chrom's hand and walked over to her daughter, putting her arm around her shoulder to soothe her sorrow.

"Chrom, there's something else. Something important. Basilio asked I give you this." She rummaged through her pockets and held out a gem to Chrom who took it in his hand.

"Is that… I can feel its power resonating through my whole body."

"It's Gules, one of the Gemstones you need. Don't ask me why in hell's name the oaf hid it from you. He always did love his surprises, damn him."

"Whatever his reasons, I accept his gift now, and gladly." Chrom nodded and placed the gem into its setting in the Fire Emblem on his arm.

"It's hard to believe he's truly gone… The larger the man, the larger the void left in his wake." Flavia sighed heavily.

"And Khan Basilio was a titan. There is no replacing him." Lucina added, looking down on her feet. "I should have tried harder to convince him…"

"The scouts have reported back." Say'ri approached the small group. "Walhart's army… has retreated to the imperial capital."

"Retreated?!" Vivianne shouted in surprise, her eyes growing bigger.

"It seems the dynast turncloaks are withdrawing their soldiers as well."

"I don't believe it."

"Steiger and Yen'fay have fallen; it's no shock Walhart might pull back to regroup. And of course the dynasts now see cracks forming in the empire…" Say'ri muttered.

"Maybe they'll reconsider which side they will fight for?" Chrom asked, his hand cupping his chin.

"Possibly, if they can see an advantage in it for themselves. With them or not, it seems a decisive battle is upon us." Lucina shook her head, her hand on the hilt of Parallel Falchion.

"To think, how quickly our fortunes have shifted…"

"We have Basilio to thank for it." Vivianne added. "For all of it. His sacrifice made it all possible… If only there had been some other way…"

"No second guessing! Basilio would have hated that. You did your duty as best you were able, same as he. Now clear the doubts out of that clever head of yours - we're going to need it. The fate of Valm - and all our homelands - hangs on this next battle. For the sake of all our fallen comrades… We will bring this entire empire crashing down!" Flavia shouted, hitting her fist to her chest.

Chrom nodded and turned to the Shepherds around them who had stopped whatever they were doing and looked at them.

"Shepherds! Comrades! Soldiers! We make for the capital! This Conqueror's regin ends now!"

The morning three days later, the Shepherds reached the empire's capital and on their way there Tiki joined them who showed a great interest in Vivianne due to her connection to Aria, but as the tactician had her hands full with thinking of strategies, she had no time to talk with her.

Soon, they reached the throne room after forcing Walhart to retreat back into the castle.

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

"And his soldiers… They look ready to die before they surrender. One must admire their loyalty, at least." Vivianne replied standing next to him.

"He does inspire that in people. It's part of what makes him so dangerous."

"He inspires that in some people." Vivianne corrected him and Chrom looked lost in thoughts for a moment, but then nodded.

"Yes, in some. But not me."

He gave the Shepherds a sign and they invaded the throne room. Vivianne did her best in taking out the soldiers when suddenly Excellus stepped in her path to Walhart.

"You! You damned Ylissean tactician!" He was looking the same as when Vivianne saw him few days ago though his arm as well as a part of his face was burned from when he fell in the magma. "You have scarred my brilliant appearance with that gods damned ability of yours! And I was looked down on because of it! Damn you, I will kill you for that!"

Vivianne had no time to respond as he attacked her ferociously and she had just a moment time to erect a shield to block. She took a quick glance at Excellus's tome and noticed it was quite a powerful one but she knew no one could equal Orion. Gathering power in her hand she threw several light bolts at him which he could not dodge properly. The powerful attacks she used made him stumble backwards against a wall and Excellus tried to create a shield but Vivianne's magic broke through it, throwing him through the wall which crumbled under the force.

The Valmese tactician was now trapped under the debris of the fallen wall and shouted curses at Vivianne trying to get free, but she remained devot of emotion remembering how gleeful he was of Say'ri's grief. She raised her hand and created five swords of light which floated above Excellus, turning around so that the points were pointed at Excellus. Moving her hand downwards, the swords pierced through Excellus's body who screamed in pain. Vivianne watched Excellus's body twitch as he died, the blood splashing across the spot where he was lying and had a surprising sadistic emotion in her heart which shocked her.

Valmese soldiers attacked her but Vivianne overwhelmed them and felt a monstrous aura behind her which startled her. Turning around, she found herself facing Walhart who had an unreadable expression on his face.

"So you are the Ylissean tactician." He said. "You did a good job taking out Excellus, I was getting tired of him."

"Wha…" Vivianne was unable to answer and scrambled backwards, gripping her tome. Walhart did not use many words and he swung his huge axe at her and she jumped up, his axe tore through the column behind her and brought it to fall. She was surprised how easily he cut through stone and tried to block and counterattack, yet her attacks seemed not to work properly on him. Backed into a corner, Vivianne searched for a way out when he suddenly gripped her neck and pushed her high against a wall, his axe looming above her.

"You will fall here, just like your comrades and family…" He was about to continue but his words made Vivianne's stomach and heart clench. Anger started to rise in her.

He had threatened to murder her friends - her family. In her mind she saw the bloody corpses of her husband and children which made her body tremble in rage. It set something off in her and she heard the roar of a dragon; but it was neither Tiki's nor Nowi's or Nah's. It sounded way different than theirs and Vivianne started to see red.

She kicked out and it landed on Walhart's chest, throwing him backwards as he had looked at her in shock, almost as if he had seen a horrible demon right in front of him.

Vivianne landed back on her feet, kneeling down right away and she gripped her neck trying to gasp for air.

But Walhart was back on his feet and about to attack her when a loud clashing sound echoed through the room, sparks went flying and Chrom was standing right in front of his wife.

"Walhart!"

"Prince…" Walhart did not seem surprised and only frowned slightly.

"Will you surrender?"

"Don't waste my time with questions you know the answers to, boy."

"It did not have to be this way… You believed in mankind's strength… So did my sister. You believe of our destinies… So do I. You could have joined us." Chrom tried to reason with the Conqueror who had an angered expression on his face.

"Me, join you?! Does a pegasus join with the flea on its back? A dragon, with a cow it eats? You forget your place, boy! I am the Conqueror! I will untie the world!"

"No… I will. And not by forcing all the people to choose the sword or the knee. Peace will only come by stoking people's hearts… not their fear." Chrom had a similar expression to Walhart on his face.

"You think that's what you've done? What your sister did before you? No, she shouted some nonsense and leapt off a rock! Such weakness!"

"Wrong! Not weakness - strength. That one act lives on, and will live on, longer than all your conquests."

"And longer than you will… Come then, flea, and die for your peace!"

"Emm, I tried." Chrom sighed and then looked back to Vivianne who had scrambled to her feet. "Vivi, lend me your hand. Let us fight together for the world's peace."

"Yes!"

With their conjoined sword and magic, the two of them eventually managed to defeat Walhart who fell to the ground with a gurgle, his axe crashing in the floor with the blade.

"We defeated him." Vivianne puffed, heavily depleted of her magical energy.

"Yes…" Chrom sighed heavily. "I wish we could have solved it differently, but he hed to his faith stubbornly and it brought his downfall."

He turned around to Vivianne and reached out his hand, touching the marks on her neck which were left there by Walhart.

"He has hurt you… thinking about it I just couldn't go more easy on him." Chrom shook his head, but Vivianne smiling gripping his hand.

"It's all right. Please don't worry."

"Milord!" Frederick came running up to them alongside Lucina and Say'ri. "Walhart's soldiers have agreed to cease hostilities."

"Finally…" Chrom frowned. "Then pull our men back immediately. It's strange, Frederick. Walhart and my sister were complete opposites. One gave her life to stop a war. The other took lives to create one. And yet they both inspired those around them; both walked a path to end all war. Both lived, and died, trying to unite the people."

"Yes, Father. But as they say, the method is the message. Your father suffered from beliefs similar to Walhart, and his legacy is plain to see…"

"Hm… these are matters too weighty for this moment. There will be plenty of time for reflection now that the war is gone."

"Sir Chrom." Say'ri spoke up. "A thousand thanks from every Valmese couldn't repay what you did for us. But I recovered Vert, the Gemstones that was stolen from Chon'sin as a trophy." She held out a green gemstone.

"You're giving it to me?"

"Of course, sir. It seems the fell dragon will soon threaten us all. I would feel safer knowing the Gemstone was in your hands."

"Then so will be. Thank you, Say'ri." Chrom put the gemstone into the Fire Emblem; only one was missing now.

Later, the Shepherds gathered in their camp and celebrated their victory as the sun was setting behind the trees. Sitting on a log near the campfire with a mug in her hands, Vivianne watched her friends talking excitedly about their deed in the battles. Virion was bragging how his arrows took down ten Valmese soldiers at once and Kjelle told her mother how her armor withstood everything without even a single scratch. Not far away from her, the twins were standing in a little group with Cynthia, Owain, Inigo and Noire talking how they were the heroes of the war. Cynthia got especially ecstatic at the word heroes.

It had something calming to hear her friends chat like that and she took a sip of the medicine-filled tea she had been given to heal the choking marks on her neck, but it was incredibly disgusting so that she almost spit it out again.

"Here, put that inside." A hand suddenly reached her a small jar with a viscous golden liquid and Vivianne looked up to see Cherche smiling at her. "This honey going to sweeten the medicine a bit so it wouldn't taste that disgusting."

"Oh thank you." Vivianne placed the mug between her thighs and reached for the jar of honey. Cherche sat down next to her and chuckled.

"Everyone is so happy the war is finally over. It's great to see everyone having a smile on their faces. Even Minerva is smiling." Cherche looked over to her Wyvern which seemed to converse with her future self in a joyous way.

"Yes, now everyone can let down their hair a little and relax." Vivianne kept pouring honey into the tea until she found it bearable enough to drink. The two of them kept chatting and soon others joined them and Vaike pushed a mug filled with liquor in Vivianne's hands so that she could join the celebrations. She was not used to alcohol as she hadn't that many chances to drink it - the last time during her wedding with Chrom where she had drank a few glasses of wine - and as such she did not have much resistance against it so that after only a mug of booze, she was already tipsy.

Feeling a bit light-headed she returned to her tent, her hand on her forehead, there she took off her battlecloak which was full with dirt and blood and put it on her bag.

Vivianne plopped down on the camping bed with a heavy sigh and stretched her limbs. Of course they had a difficult battle ahead of them against the Grimleal to stop them from resurrecting Grima - especially if she would have to face Validar again, or even Plegia's hierophant.

"Sleeping already?" Hearing Chrom's voice Vivianne turned around to the entrance and her husband walked into the tent, his face slightly flushed.

"No, I was just relaxing." She shook her head and sat up as he walked over to her. "Are you drunk, Chrom?"

"No, I'm not." He replied with a smile and sat down next to his wife, grabbing her hand and put his arm around her shoulder."The war is finally over and now we are alone. I won't let anything stop us."

"Uh… C-Chrom?" Not used to Chrom behaving like that, Vivianne was about to slide away but he tightened his grip on her. She figured out he must be a little bit drunk and it was a new side she saw of him which surprised her.

"Don't run away. I wasn't able to touch you for such a long time and I just want to feel you." He said, making puppy dog eyes which made Vivianne's heart jump. It made her happy to see a more vulnerable side of him and to see how he acted when he was drunk and so she played along.

"I'm not running away. I was just a little bit surprised." She answered and cupped his cheeks, moving closer. The two of them closed their eyes as she pressed her lips against his. Chrom's arms moved around her and pulled her closer against him so that she was held tightly in his arms. Their kisses grew deeper and more passionate and Chrom pushed Vivianne back so that she was on her back with him hovering above her.

"B-but Chrom, the others could hear us." She said shyly, but Chrom only showed her an encouraging grin.

"Don't worry, they are occupied with the party and won't notice us if you keep your voice down. Let us celebrate alone together, dear." With that, Chrom moved to kiss her whispering that he loved her.

Following the conclusion of the war, the royal couple spent a passionate night together as their way of celebrating their victory.