"Well...it took a while but we've finally made it. Port Ferox." Jexi said.
"This is where Valm will begin their invasion." Hope said before looking to Reflet. "You okay, Reflet?"
"I'm fine." Reflet said.
"Hope, you gotta work on your tact. She's not the only one going through this. We've all been through this. And I do mean all of us." Pit said pointing to the Royal Knights.
"I know… I'm just a little nervous. There's so much on the line, and I don't want to risk losing the knights again. Chrono's counting on us to do this, and I feel pressured that we might let him down." Hope said.
"We still haven't found Lucemon or what's his face. You think they could be in hiding?" Kagura said.
"Most likely. We didn't fight them until very late into our adventures here." Dan said.
"If I remember correctly, this is where Walhart's troops arrive." Reflet said.
"And that must be them right now." Shoji said seeing a ship with Valmese troops disembarking. The commander had a villager at his mercy.
"You dare board our ship, worm? I will not discuss terms with a peasant; I will issue demands to all! Citizens! Soldiers! Hear my words! The Conqueror himself, Emperor Walhart, claims dominion over these lands! You will grant your new emperor your ships! You will grant him all your provender! You will grant him your loyalty and your every possession! And you will surrender this land's greatest treasure, the Fire Emblem! Do this, and your lives will be spared. Resist, and your lives are forfeit! Now, kneel! And swear fealty to the mighty Valmese Empire!" the commander demanded.
"Just as ruthless as ever…" Hope said as the Shepherds arrived.
"It seems these savages won't listen to reason. Prepare to engage, everyone!" Chrom said.
"Milord, are you certain? Another war…" Frederick started.
"I've had time to ponder Ylisse's place in the world, Frederick. ...And my own. We must stand against evil, in all its forms, or there can be no peace!" Chrom realized.
It was then a white armored woman on a wyvern appeared.
"Mind if my dear Minerva and I join you all? It's been awhile since we've seen action." she said.
"Who's this?" Ochako asked.
"Why, its my dear servant Cherche of course. Did I not mention I was Roseanne's former duke? Roseanne just so happens to be in Valm." Virion said.
"I'd say you got a pretty handy one if she's a Wyvern Rider." Ramona said.
"Though, isn't it tough going back to your home country like this?" David asked. "These are your people, after all."
"True but...these savages are beyond human comprehension." Virion said.
"No argument there." Hope said.
"So come on. We've got some bandits to wipe out." David said. "No mercy for those who torment the innocent!"
"Eliminate those pests! Not a single one is to live. For the kingdom of Valm!" the commander ordered as several soldiers ran off the ship only to step into a dark black mass. "What?"
"I was just here on a peaceful trip. And you went...and tried to kill my younger brother." a voice said as a figure stepped out from the shadows.
"Umbra." Jexi said.
"Oh yeah. He was here at the port as well." Hope said.
"So that's Umbra…" Flamberge said.
"You all need time to reflect on your actions." Umbra said as the soldiers sank into the large black shadow he cast.
"Whoa…." Mina said.
"As fierce as I remember him." David said.
"You met him before?" Ace asked.
"Yeah. While UA High was going through the Hero Internships, I've trained with him for a little bit." David said.
"He uses the Darkness Style meaning he has the power of darkness and the shadows on his side." Nami said.
"Look...begone you. We are to kill these people." the commander said.
"You murdered a villager just because they were looking for shelter. You care not for the people or my family so tell me...why should I care for your life?" Umbra asked as something began to rise from his shadow. "I forfeit one month of my life to call upon a fighter from my shadow. Forbidden Art: Shadow Knight." he said.
"Oh boy. Now they're in for it." Hope said.
"Why?" Hagakure asked.
"Umbra's using one of his forbidden arts. By giving up some of his lifespan, he can call on a bunch of avatars from his shadow." Riku said.
"It's just a trick. Kill the knight!" the commander ordered as the soldiers tried to slay the knight only for their weapons to just pass through its body. "What?"
"How funny. You think you can kill a shadow." Umbra said as the knight slayed the two soldiers.
"You...you won't kill me. You won't…" the commander said before the knight finished him.
"You're right. I didn't. But the shadows...they don't follow the rules of man." Umbra said as the knight vanished back into his shadow. "Apologies, dear brother and his friends. I hope I didn't steal too much of your thunder."
"No worries. We just got here ourselves." David said.
"I was just passing through when I saw these men threaten you. And of course an older brother must put his life on the line to protect his younger siblings." Umbra said.
"Older brother, huh?" Hope said looking to Jack.
"Don't even think about it." Jack said.
"So...those soldiers who sank in. Are they…" Linde asked.
"Dead? No. Just trapped within my shadow. I'll release them once the time is right." Umbra said.
"Do you need healing?" Kohaku asked.
"I appreciate the sentiment but...using a lifespan is not the same as being injured. You can heal wounds but cannot regain life." Umbra said. "But...it matters not. I made this choice. I would risk everything to protect my family."
"I know it looks like it seems Umbra has a hard path, Kohaku. But this is one that he takes to protect his family. He chose to use the Darkness Style to protect his family, all Color fighters choose their paths." Hope said.
"Just like with Spade." Ace said to himself.
"Now...I really should be going. I've finished what I've come to do." Umbra said as he headed off.
"Umbra...I want you to know…" Jexi said.
"The answer is no. I will not fight you here." Umbra said. "But...from what I sense...you're close to our level. But...power doesn't always win the day."
"Power doesn't always win…" Hope said.
David looks to his hand. "Power is meaningless if it's not used properly… Is that what you're saying?"
"That's right. Any idiot can wield a sword or use a power but...not knowing how to use it leads to an instant failure." Umbra said.
"Right." Simon said. "As long as there is light, the shadows remain cast."
"Farewell." Umbra said vanishing into the darkness.
"That guy has always been so mysterious." David said.
"Though we've got problems of our own." Sectonia said. "We still need to get to Valm."
"So we'll need a ship then." Ace said.
"We could try Plegia, but… I doubt they would help us willingly, considering everything that's happened." Scott said.
"Not true." Frederick said. "Ever since a new face assumed command of the kingdom, Plegia has made peace. I'm sure they will be willing to lend us some ships."
"Well, nonetheless, it's the only choice we have." David said.
"You're right… no other option. Let's arrange to meet with them." Hope said.