Chapter 13

Robin stepped out of his tent. He flexed his right arm and removed the last strip of bandages around his waist.

"Phew," Robin sighed. "Glad I seem to heal fast." Healing magic does wonders. Robin thought. Robin flicked his fingers and the lightning he summoned was slight purple hue. Robin rubbed his chin.

"Hey!" Lissa ran up to Robin. She stopped in front of him. She paused as she huffed. Robin tilted his head at her.

"I don't think I've ever seen you so out of breath before." Robin grinned. Lissa looked up at Robin. He froze. Her eyes were red and puffy. "What happened?" Robin asked calmly..

"Emm…" Lissa's lip quivered. "She's gone…she' s gone!"

Robin rushed into Emm's tent. Miriel stood next to Chrom.

"So what happened!" Chrom shouted. "I thought you said those runes would be impossible to break! That no one could break them!" Miriel looked calm as ever.

"Are you done spouting your grievances at me?" she asked. "Ah Robin," Miriel pushed up her glasses. "Perhaps you could be easier to illuminate about the status of Emmeryn."

Robin nodded.

"Yes," Robin spoke slowly, "What is happening?" Robin took a deep breath. "What do we know?"

"The runes I implemented to protect Emmeryn and the transmutation still remain." Miriel snapped her fingers. The runes began to glow around them. They were stuck to the tent's wall. "They simply have been redirected." Miriel grinned. "I do declare it is most impressive an individual was able to rebound the spells to inanimate objects."

"So our plans still are in place?" Robin closed his eyes. Chrom flinched.

"What!" Chrom grabbed Robin's shoulders. "How are our plans still in place?" He turned to Miriel "Remove the runes and the spell."

"But what if Philia is under Gangrel's grasp? She would be executed on the spot and they would start looking for Emmeryn again." Robin stated. Chrom gritted his teeth with clenched fists.

"We have no choice…" Chrom growled. Robin glanced down and frowned.

"If we want a chance of this working…even if it really is all for naught…." Robin held his breath. "It's better to risk not knowing than to show all our cards."

"Milord!" Chrom turned to see a falcon knight approach him. "I have brought an elite group of Falcon Knights to lead the charge. After all," She grimaced, "It is our fault the Exalt was captured in the first place." She sighed, "I should have forced the Exalt to leave…"

Robin smiled at this and nodded. I guess Philia didn't tell all the Pegasus knights the plan.

"Just be careful…" Robin started. "I don't think Emmeryn or Philia would want you to throw your life away for no reason."

They left the tent. The sound of moving metal, feet marching, and hooves hitting the ground roared in the camp as they prepared for battle.

Robin saddled himself behind Cordelia. Cordelia grabbed Robin's arm.

"Are your wounds better?" Robin nodded and started to get on the Pegasus but he felt Cordelia's grasp tighten. "Truly?" Robin hesitated and smiled.

"I promise." Cordelia released her grip on Robin's arm. Robin grabbed her hand and held it with both hands. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm tougher than I look." Robin nodded at her.

The Shepherds readied themselves as two Pegasus knights flew into the air. Pure white feathers and whitish-gray feathers danced in the gust of their wings. Chrom drew Falchion from its scabbard and jumped behind Sumia on her Pegasus.

"Ready everyone! Let's get our Exalt back!" Chrom ordered.

Everyone shouted and cheered for the prince but Robin glanced around. The army was prepared and began to march into a sandstorm.

So, it begins. Robin thought.

The army marched through the hot sand until the sandstorm broke and the air cleared up. A large fortress broke the empty horizon.

"Let's hope I am right…" Robin watched as the Shepherds split into three forces. Reflet led her forces to the eastern side of the fortress.

"Hold this position!" Reflet shouted. Her pointed ears twitched as the wind nipped at them.

Daraen pointed her spear in the opposite direction. Leading some of the army to guard the western border of the fortress. "No one gets in or out…This has to count!" Daraen barked.

Robin waved towards Chrom. The two Pegasi flew into the air as the Shepherds followed behind to enter the fort. The desert sand picked up as they entered the large but broken walls of the fort. Robin noticed archers posted around a circular stone structure at the top, a single figure. Chrom took a deep breath.

I don't know if Robin's plan is in action or if Emm may be in danger… Chrom looked at the figure that looked like Emmeryn. Is that you, sister? Is that you? I must play my part…just in case.

"Sister!" Chrom shouted. A loud cackle could be heard.

"That's right prince! Just in time to watch your beloved Exalt become mush on the ground! Oh, this couldn't be any better…" Gangrel wiped his face with his long fingers. "Unless of course I can add two more buckets of royal blood to the soil!" Gangrel cheered. Chrom sneered.

"That's not how this is going to end Gangrel!" Chrom drew his blade. "In the end, the righteous will be left standing." Gangrel laughed loudly.

"Of course," he grinned. "The righteous! The righteous will finally have obtained his blood price! The righteous will finally cleanse the stain of your sin from this world!"

"Enough taunting, we have to move." Robin shouted.

Chrom readjusted himself. He called out to move. The Shepherds rushed forward.

Sully led the first charge as she pierced a few axe men that blocked the path.

Frederick followed behind cut through the enemy line.

A barrage of arrows soon followed and flew above Robin's and Chrom's heads towards the main body of the army.

Ricken rushed forward and surrounded the area with wind. The arrows cracked and shattered to the wind's current. Ricken grinned and hit the earth with wind. The area became covered with sand.

The enemies walked away from the sandstorm. Stray arrows hit the throats of a few soldiers outside of Ricken's sudden gust. They fell over as they choked on their own blood.

A swordsman rushed forward but smashed into a steel wall as Kellam threw himself out of the sand. Kellam quickly stabbed the man on the ground and blocked incoming attacks from the archers that cover the circular inner wall.

Lightning bolts and fire tore through the enemy archers.

Cordelia and Robin peeked out from the sand cloud. The remaining archers focused their fire on Cordelia. The Pegasus danced through the arrow fire. But slowly the number of arrows dropped as each archer soon found an arrow stuck in their neck.

The sandstorm lifted as Virion notched another arrow and fired it forward. The arrow flew over his allies and landed directly in the chest of an enemy. With a smile and a flare, he notched another.

Sumia and Chrom rushed down at a large group of swordsmen. Sumia speared one as Chrom sliced at those close by. The others tried to attack the Pegasus's legs. Lon'qu rushed them and parried their blades. He slit their throats with a single swift stroke. The sound of beating wings echoed. "Chrom, we have company!" Robin shouted as Wyvern Riders appeared where they entered.

"See fools! You are trapped! It is your fate to seed the earth with your blood!" Gangrel shouted. A woman with white hair and tanned skin appeared next to Gangrel.

Frederick turned his horse around and charged towards the Wyvern Riders. Stahl and Sully followed behind him as above Cherche flew with Minerva.

"Don't worry milord! They shall not pass!" Frederick stopped before the Wyvern Riders. "Tell me, Plegians are you bodies ready for battle." Frederick signaled for his horse to rush. The horse jumped into the air allowing Frederick to spear the front Wyvern and its rider in a single go.

The great beast fell and bled out on the ground. The other Wyvern Riders turned to attack Fredrick were soon met by the tooth and claw of Minerva along with the axe of Cherche. Minerva bit the neck of her enemy wyvern and pulled them towards the ground.

Sully rushed at it and pocketed her spear for a sword. She used the flat of the blade to push away the rider's axe and stabbed him in the gut. Slicing outwards as she crossed. Stahl followed suit. Minerva dropped another to the ground as Cherche frightened away another rider as Frederick tried to spear it.

Stahl pushed his horse to go underneath the falling wyvern and sliced open the wyvern's back. The wyvern flailed in the air and landed on top of its rider.

The last rider avoided Frederick's spear and Cherche's axe and began to retreat from the battlefield. Cherche pulled back her air and tossed her axe through the air. The heavy blade embedded itself into the back of the rider.

The rider fell to the earth as its wyvern flew away. Cherche petted Minerva and told her to drop closer to the ground. She turned to see Frederick handing her a spear. The blade was a fine silver. He drew an axe from one of his horse's many pouches. The two nodded and rushed back towards the main battle.

Robin shot out another lightning bolt at another faceless enemy. He felt an odd pull on his body as dark tendrils reached for him. Cordelia noticed Robin's face.

"Ro-" she started when Robin was pulled by the force to the ground. Robin rolled on the ground. He winced as he got up. He saw a dark-haired woman approach him. Her curvy form was barely covered by black sheer fabric. Robin readied himself but was stunned by the woman's actions.

Other soldiers rushed at Robin were soon torn asunder by the woman's black magic. She stopped in front of Robin. Her expression was blank but then her pale cheeks became flushed. Her entire face became flush and she giggled.

"Um," She ran behind Robin and hugged. He could feel her hands rubbing all over his torso. "Umm, miss?" Robin wondered why this woman was snuggling up to him.

"I have found you…my love." Robin flinched.

"My love?" Robin flinched.

I don't have time for this. He thought.

"May I ask what is your name." Robin asked.

"You want to know my name." she giggled. "My name's Tharja…heheh." Robin felt an odd sensation in his gut and it wasn't from the woman fondling his chest and stomach. Just then Cordelia approached.

"Robin?" Cordelia hesitated at Tharja's wandering hands. She blushed slightly. "Who is this?" Cordelia asked. She found her chest tighten as Tharja continued to touch Robin. If she says I'm her soulmate, by Medeus's flaming ass I don't know what I'm going to do. Robin sighed.

"She's Tharja. She saved me when I fell." She might have caused it in the first place. Robin thought. She tightened her grip on Robin and pulled him closer to her. "And she's rather affectionate."

"Could you let me go, Tharja? I need to return to battle." Robin asked. Tharja looked to the side of Robin's back.

"You're planning to run away from me. Aren't you." Tharja cursed.

"What if you come along? Can't run away if you come with us." Robin stated. Cordelia flinched.

Did he want her around? Cordelia thought. Tharja smiled and giggled again.

"So, I'll always be near you…" Tharja mused. Robin weakly laughed.

"In a way…though-" before Robin could finish she released him.

"I'll see you later…and later…and later." Tharja giggled. Robin watched as the odd woman ran towards her once allies. Her eyes filled with spite and bile to fuel her dark spells.

"Why do I feel like I made a terrible mistake…?" Robin whispered. Robin frowned slightly.

Damn it…I enjoyed that attention, too. Robin got back on Cordelia's Pegasus and they flew back towards the front-lines. Robin scanned the area. The area had mostly been cleared. The entrance was still blocked by a small force with a heavy knight in front.

"I don't think my spear can pierce such thick armor." Cordelia remarked. Robin nodded but point towards the man's feet.

"But he may be slow." Robin stated. Cordelia raised her eyebrow at Robin.

"I still can't pierce his armor." Her eyes grew wide when she realized what he wanted to do. "I see. I'll dive in." Robin focused lightning in his right hand. Cordelia swiped at the man. The knight attacked with his heavy spear but missed. Robin fired his lightning bolt at the man. The man stuck his spear into the earth; the lightning did not faze him. "What?"

"Damn," Robin bit his lip. "Once more." Cordelia nodded.

She dived and swiped again this time the man just let her pass. His heavy spear still in the ground.

Let's see. Robin took a deep breath.

Robin focused a sphere of dark purple energy in his right hand. He fired the black haze at the heavy armored knight. The man took it straight in the chest. He laughed and raised his spear from the ground but his knees buckled and he collapsed to the earth. The other soldiers around him backed away and ran forward.

Two bright lights arose from different broken walls. Panne slashed at those closest to her as the others were baked in fire as Nowi scorched the very earth with divine fire.

Sumia stopped next to Cordelia and Chrom signaled Frederick. Frederick pulled from his satchel a war horn and summoned the Falcon knights to appear. They approached the Emmeryn-like figure but Robin felt a pain in his hand and it crawled up his arm. Robin noticed the earth encircled begin to vibrate.

"Wait! Stop!" Robin shouted as arrows flew out of the ground. The arrows tore through the falcon Knights. From the ground, Risen popped out from the earth. They were carried bows and arrows. Their bodies were alight with a purple haze. Gangrel laughed.

"See you'll all die! Die!" Gangrel laughed as from the shadows a figure dressed in black laughed. Her hair was a stark white that contrasted with her sun-kissed skin. "But I'm no fool, if you give me the Fire Emblem…I'll give you your beloved sister back."

Play along Chrom, we can't let them figure it out. Robin thought. Even if…even if it is real.

"Chrom, we can't give him that!" Robin shouted.

"What is an artifact for a life?" Chrom shouted. Robin flinched.

"Please there is no need to fight." The Emmeryn-like figure finally spoke. "The choice is clear…" Robin and Chrom wondered what she meant. "Chrom…Lissa…know that I always loved you."

It's…it's Emm. Chrom thought as his eyes shook.

Emmeryn took a step forward and fell forward.

Chrom's heart slowed as he jumped off Sumia's Pegasus and rushed towards her. The very air stalled and the world seemed to slow. All Chrom could hear was his heart's beat. The thump and a thump of his heart, he rushed forward.

"Sister!" Chrom collapsed to the ground as she fell out of sight. Chrom ran up to see the body lying in front of him.

Why isn't it changing! Gods! No! Chrom screamed in his head.

"Ha!" Gangrel chortled. "She did the work for us! Now we just need to scrap her rotten body of the desert floor or perhaps leave her there for buzzards!" Gangrel taunted. Chrom couldn't speak. Robin rushed up to Chrom and shook him.

"We have to go," Robin tightened his grip on Chrom's shoulder. "Now!" Chrom just remembered Gangrel's laughter as Robin pulled him away from the field.

"I failed…" He muttered as the world itself seemed to spin. The very sky dropped its tears to the earth. It soaked the soil with its tears. Robin gripped Chrom's shoulder.

"Please Chrom." Robin pleaded. "We can't dawdle on the past." Chrom pushed Robin back.

"Emmeryn is dead! How can I be calm?" He shouted. Basilio pushed them aside.

"That's enough." He shook his head. "We can't have you two fighting it out now." The sound of soldiers could be heard in the distance. The sound echoed across the many canyons. Robin tightened his fist. He glanced around in the sky. A voice could be heard from the last canyon.

"Ylisseans, you are surrounded. Surrender and I, Mustafa, shall show you mercy," stated the Mustafa, his chest completely exposed. Two large skulls covered his shoulders and were held in place by thick black leather straps.

"Surrender? Mercy?" Frederick retorted. "Like the mercy we saw at the fortress."

"I understand your hesitation but I'm certain Lady Emmeryn would not want more bloodshed." Mustafa stated. Chrom flared up.

"Don't you dare say her name!" Chrom drew his blade.

"We'd rather take our chances in battle." Frederick intervened.

"I see. Then I shall grant you an honorable battle." Mustafa drew his axe. "Let us end this."

"Sir!" one of his soldiers approached him. "I don't think I can fight them."

"Why is that son?" Mustafa stated. "You know if you don't Gangrel will have our heads…but if you truly cannot fight then leave." Mustafa grinned at them. "I'll take all the blame for this loss. I must fight for I cannot risk Gangrel's wrath."

The soldier hesitated.

"Sir!" the soldier saluted Mustafa.

"Why are you still here son?" Mustafa stated.

"Because we wish to fight for you!" the soldier stated. "You remind us of the time when Plegia stood for honor and Lord Grima! Like it was before…"

Mustafa grinned.

"Ah yes…" Mustafa sighed. He readied his axe.

"Everyone wait!" Robin shouted as he walked to the front of the army. "If you truly miss the days of old maybe we end this without blows."

"Robin!" Chrom stated. "They killed Emmeryn!" Robin glared at Chrom.

"Did they?" Robin stated. "It was Gangrel not these men. Or do you wish to say the sins of one man defines a people?" Chrom clenched his fists.

"T-," Chrom paused. He took a deep breath. "No…you are right." Chrom sheathed Falchion. "I don't want this to end in more bloodshed but I will not surrender. Justice must be done. Gangrel has killed too many people, both Ylissean and Plegian alike."

Mustafa frowned.

"I don't see a way to end this…" Mustafa paused. He pointed to Robin. "Y-you". Mustafa hesitated. "You look like her." Mustafa froze. "Men!" He turned to them. "Bow you fools!" They stopped and bowed before Robin. Chrom glanced towards Robin.

"What's going on?" Chrom muttered. Robin smirked weakly.

"Lord Grima has blessed us with your return, the Exiled Prince." Mustafa chanted.

"Apparently, I'm blue-blooded too." Robin sighed.

"We will wait in the shadows until you attack the pretender." Mustafa stated. "May Grima's truth bless you my liege." The Plegian soldiers marched off.

"We," Robin glanced to the ground, "We can talk about this later." Robin said to Chrom.

Robin and Chrom heard light footsteps approach. A small woman appeared. Her hair an odd color of pink, her eyes dotted around and she twiddled her fingers.

"Um." She hesitated. "I'm Olivia. Basilio sent me to-"

"Ha" interrupted Basilio. "There she is. Our way out," Basilio chuckled, "I told her to wait until the cost was clear." Basilio looked at Robin. "But it seems we have another ace up our hand against Gangrel." Basilio slammed his hand against Robin's back.

The army marched further. The rain slowly turned to snow. The snow landed on the stone walls of the Longfort in Regna Ferox. Chrom paced back and forth as Robin remained quiet. Lissa wiped her eyes. Maribelle held Lissa close.

The rest of the shepherds stood in silence near them.

"Oh Emm…" Lissa cried.

"It should've been me. I've failed as a knight." Frederick glanced to the ground. Flavia hit Basilio's back.

"What should we do now, oaf!" Flavia stated.

"What I'm not in charge anymore" Basilio retorted.

"Bah!" Flavia cursed. Chrom clenched his fists.

"I've failed her…Emm." Chrom fell to his knees. Robin closed his eyes. The large door opened as Daraen held someone by his collar. A white-haired man dressed in odd clothing. His shirt was grey with white stripes and a deep black cape.

"I found this guy asking for you, Robin." Daraen tossed him. The man laughed.

"It's a fine thing to finally meet you milord." The main laughed. Cordelia approached them from the crowd.

"You're the talking crow." Cordelia muttered. Robin glanced to her.

"Transmutation?" Robin grinned. "So you're the one who reflected the runes." Robin stated. He grinned. "So how's Emmeryn?" Robin asked.

"She's fine." The man laughed. " I was hoping she do something stupid like attack me or try to save that doppelgänger." The man sighed. "She just wanted to say hidden until today."

"What!" Chrom stated. His eyes welled up. "Emm is...alive?" Chrom stated.

"I am." Emmeryn entered through the front door. The shepherds rushed around her. They chatted and cried at her. Tharja stood away from the commotion and scoffed. The white haired man laughed.

"Too bad, I was enjoying those dark emotions." The man's dark purple eyes seemed to glow red. "I could make a nice bloody mess with them."

"So what's your name?" Robin asked. The man grinned.

"It's Henry pea-sure to meat you." Henry muttered.

He still speaks in puns. Cordelia thought.

"Sister…" Chrom hugged Emmeryn. "Sister!" Emmeryn comforted Chrom as he stained her robe with tears.

"It's fine Chrom." She chuckled. Chrom turned to Robin.

"Robin, I-" Chrom started. Robin waved at him away.

"I understand my friend." Robin smiled. Chrom hugged his friend. Robin laughed as the prince walked away with a smile on his face. Robin flinched when he saw Emmeryn approach him. "Ah, your highness."

"Robin," she grabbed his hands. "Please, I insist you call me Emmeryn." She said. She glanced down at the ground.

"As you wish, Emmeryn." Robin stated.

"Thank you." Emmeryn smiled at him. Robin paused. The heaviness was not there.

Emmeryn smiled. She held Robin's hands.

"I know Philia would be thanking you for helping her protect me," She closed her eyes. She muttered very softly in a tone too low for Robin to hear "Thank you for ending this burden."

Cordelia glanced away from them. She placed her hand on her chest.

Henry and Tharja grinned as their eyes both glowed an unearthly purple hue.

Enjoy