To Change the Past, To Save the Future

by beefandrice

Having gone back to the past in order to save the future, Lucina has decided that the tactician Robin is somehow connected to her father's murder and decides to keep him under constant surveillance. Meanwhile, Robin does everything in his power to ensure victory for the Shepherds, even if it means sacrificing everything to ensure that Chrom and the others stay alive. RobinxLucina

21. Chapter 21

In a remote Plegian port

"Mmmmnh," a young woman with sleek bone white hair and tanned skin slowly opened her eyes and streching her back until she heard it crack into place. The sun was slowly creeping through the window curtains, lighting up the room slightly and annoying her greatly. With a lazy flick of her wrist the curtain moved enough to block the ray of light that dared to disturb her.

Much better.

She tried to get up only to find herself slightly constricted; a large sweaty arm was sprawled across her chest holding her down, the owner snoring loudly next to her. She pulled his arm off of her and dropped it next to her, causing the fat man to stir in his sleep before rolling the mountain of blubber he called a body to the side.

"Disgusting," she spat wiping the sweat off her chest, "and here I thought it would be impossible to find something as revolting as that toad Excellus. I stand corrected. I am going to need some serious magic to forget last night's events; even though I did most of the work will he could barely manage to perform. But that will have to wait. Now it's time to report to master Validar."

Getting out of bed che cracked her neck and then snapped her fingers, causing her usual dark attire to materialize around her boy and her hair to straighten itself out. Once she was presentable she walked over to the washroom and stood before the mirror. Reaching out her and pressing her nail against the smooth surface she muttered an incarnation transfering a small spark of magic into it; soon it began rippling as if it were made of water, until it no longer reflected her own image but instead the face of her lord, Validar.

"Master," Aversa bowed slightly.

"Aversa. I take it that your mission has been successful?"

The sorceress smiled, "of course. He signed the transfer of ownership as soon as I gave him the document; his merchant ships as well as his textile factories and shops now belong to the crown, and therefore to you."

"Good. I shall have them then seized and stripped of anything that may be of value or use to use. You have done well my student; you can expect a proper reward once you return."

"Thank you master."

"Howerver, before you return I have another mission that I wish for you to undertake. It involves the boy."

"Oh?" The women raised her eyebrow, her interest piqued.

"There appear to be some...delays with his progress; and certain parties wish to ratify this issue. I believe that you posses the necessary talents, so to speak, that will help us ensure that he reaches his goal in a timely manner."

"And by talents you mean—"

"Bring out his most basic desires, have his mind tainted by unadulterated lust. After all, we can't have him believing in such trivial notions as love and compassion."

"What a shame; here I was hoping you were referring to my talents in slaughtering everyone in sight," Aversa clicked her tongue.

Validar narrowed his eyes at her, "you are not to kill any of them. There deaths have already been foretold, and my master does not want any more unnecessary shifts in this timeline. It has already become tainted and corrupted, too much for his liking. Understand this Aversa: if you kill any of the children of Naga, then not even I will be able to save you from what will happen next. Am I clear?"

"Crystal. So, just the lust then?"

"Tempt him, perhaps even have him embrace it."

"And I'm allowed to use any method I wish?" She smiled cruelly.

"As long as you do not permanently damage his mind or soul I care not how you do it; just do not push him too far."

"Very well, I'll see what I can do," Aversa purred.

"Good. You may return after you carry out your assignment; I shall see you then," with that the mirror began to shimmer and fade until Validar's image was gone and only Aversa's reflection remained.

Hmmm now how should I approach this? The sorceress though to herself, though it shoudn't really be that hard. A little alone time between I could easily have him on his knees begging for more; perhaps even literally. Although that might be a bit tricky seeing how he is constantly surrounded by those friends of his. Magic would be the quickest solution, but what spell should I use.

Well...there's always THAT one.

Aversa giggled to herself, tapping on her reflection playfully, "oh this is going to be fun."

"Who are you talking to?"

She turned around and saw the fat man standing in the doorway tieing the front of a purple silk robe close, though with great difficulty.

"Can I help you?"

"You weren't in bed an I—"

"Actually don't bother, I really don't care," Aversa waved him off, "I have other matters I need to attend to."

"Oh, well when you come back—"

"No."

"W-what?"

"My job here is done, and you are of no use to me anymore; therefore there is no reason for me to come back here, much less continue to associate with you."

"B-but you can't do that! I gave you money, servants, my entire business; I even left my wife and children for you! You can't just walk out on me, I'll be ruined!"

"Not my problem. Now if you will excuse me I have more important matters to attend to," Aversa responded coldly as she walked past him. However she barely made it past him when her angrily grabbed her by the arm and pulled her roughly.

"You're not going anywhere," he snarled.

"...it would be in your best interest to let go of me," Aversa said calmly.

"The way I see it I have nothing left to loose," the man growled grabbing her other arm and pulling her even closer until their faces where only inches apart, "and since I basically gave you everything I have, I believe I'm entitled to some compensation. So you're not leaving until I've been fully satisfied."

"If last night is any indication I don't think I'll be able to provide you with the "satisfaction" you're looking for."

"Q-quiet!"

"Why not simply go for one of those rent boys you think no one knows you—"

Aversa was cut off when the man forced his mouth onto hers in a sloppy kiss while her grip on her tightened.

I'll show you, you wench! He thought to himself angrily as he continued, by the time I'm done with you you won't be so high and mighty, and you'll be lucky if you can talk at all, let alone back talk.

Is that so?

"Mmmhn?!" The man opened his eyes and saw Aversa staring back at him, her eyes turning a deep shade of crimson; he tried to pull away, only to find himself rooted to his spot and unable to move.

What's wrong darling? Aversa's voice laughed inside his head as she broke his grip over her but didn't pull away, what happened to all that bravado you had a minute ago? Don't tell me you can't take a little roughness?

Grabbing on to the man's chin roughly Aversa pulled him deeper into the kiss as magic began flowing through her body and drawing out the man's life-force. His eyes went wide as he felt his arms and legs grow heavy and limp, his muscles and fat slowly begin to shrink and contract within his body and his skin get tighter and tighter. He tried to get away or at least scream for help, but he barely muster up a weak spasm and a low gurgle. Eventually his eyes rolled back into his head before sinking into his skull and disappearing as his body finally went limp. Aversa let go of the now dead man, his body nothing more than a dried out husk slowly withering and curling in the ground.

"Disgusting," Aversa licked her lips before spitting on the body, "the things I do for Master Validar."

"Honey? Honey are you in there? I want to talk."

Aversa turned around just in time to see the door open slowly, revealing a middle age woman and two kids behind her.

"Honey I don't know what has gotten into you these past few days but we need to ta—" she froze when she saw the sorceress standing before her husband's dead body. She took a step back, her arms outstreched in front of her children who were staring in horror at the scene before them.

"F-Father?"

Tsk, I really despise brats, Aversa sighed internally, pooling dark magic in her hand.

---

Somewhere in Valm

"We've managed to put a considirable amount of distance between us and the Resistance forces. Any ideas on how we should proceed next?" Chrom asked.

"If our information is correct, then said forces have not made a move from Fort Seigner my dear commander," Virion said analyzing the map laid out in front of them. After days of marching the exhalt felt that the troops deserved a much needed rest while they planned their next move against the Valmese army. Currently they were currently holding a war council alongside Robin, Lucina, and Say'ri, with the latter three standing back while Virion and Chrom studied the situation.

"Our scouts have reported that the Conqueror and his troops have yet to reach Fort Seigner and meet up with the Resistance; if I had to venture I guess, I would say that the Khans have managed to stall him for the time being. However, I believe we both know that, realistically speaking, they will not be able to hold him down forever, "Virion said solemnly.

"Then we should make the best of the time they have managed to procure for us," Lucina stepped in, "the fate of both this campaign and the entire world is teethering on the edge. I believe that we are at a turning point, meaning that the next decision must not be made in haste."

"Quite right madamemoiselle," Virion nooded, "which is why we called for the three of you to this war council. With the two Khans gone we have lost two of the heads of this army, meaning we need each of your indivdual knowledge to help us. Lucina, you posses information about events that have yet to happen as well as more in depth knowledge of your comrade in arms from the future. Lady Say'ri, you know the Resistance and this land inside out. As for you Robin, well two tacticians are always better than one, no?"

Robin didn't answer.

"Anyway, Lucina what can you tell us about Basilio's encounter with Walhart?" Chrom asked wanting to move on from Robin's silence.

"Only the outcome," Lucina said grimly.

"Are you sure? Think very carefully, maybe there is something you're overlooking; even the smallest detail could be crucial here."

Lucina thought long and hard, "there was one thing...I think you once commended him for his ferocity in battle. I believe it was during a visit during Regna Ferox for the anniversary of his death. During the service you said...you said that his final sacrifice had been instrumental for your victory."

"Did I say anything about how?"

"I'm sorry, but you didn't go that much into details..."

Chrom sighed, "well it's better than nothing. Thank you Lucina."

"Indeed. From that we can infere one of two things: that our friend the Khan was able to land a devastating blow that gave our adversary a handicap to our favor, or that he simply stalled him enough for us to recover enough to properly fight back," Virion mused.

"Lord Virion before you start celebrating I must remind you, all of you, that the current timeline is not moving exactly as before. There is no way to know if things will turn out the same," Lucina pointed out.

"Your right, but you're forgetting one inportant thing Lucina," Chrom cut in, "this time Basilio knows about what happened in your timeline, and he has Flavia watching his back; theat might just tip the odds slightly to his favor."

"Hope for the best expect for the worst," Robin muttered.

"Quite. So with all that in mind, we should plan our next move carefully," Virion returned his attention to the map, "I believe that it goes without saying that we must now tread lightly and not make any decisions in haste."

"We can remove the fort hopping strategy out of the equation," Robin stood next to the archer eyeing the map, "with Fort Siegner recaptured by the enemy forces it would do nothing but waste our time and resources in order to try and take it back; not to mention if Walhart is indeed headed that way we would be rushing to our deaths. Without having Siegner as a stepping stone for us to regroup and recharge before moving up north, I don't think we should waste time in trying to capture the other forts."

"In that case we are left with two choices, both of which involve retreating: retreating to Chon'sin, or retreating to Rossanne," Virion pointed at the two mentioned areas, "we had originally set out south when we left Fort Seigner with the plan to confront the Imperials stationed there and I believe we should stick with that plan; after all, I can safely say that Chon'sin is the better of those two choices."

"Care to explain?" Chrom asked.

"Of course my dear commander. We know that a large number of our forces are being held in that area, and we require all the assistance we can obtain right now. However, the main reason I think we should avoid Rossanne for now is this," he pulled out a parchment from his pocket, "one of my many informants back home has brought to my attention that a large number of imperial troops have recently been deployed there. If we were to march there we would find ourselves swarmed by them and by a populace that, to put it lightly, might jump at the chance to present Walhart with my head in a silver platter. So not only do we have no allies in Rossanne, but there is a good chance we'll be confronted with some unexpected and unaccounted for enemies."

"Then we stick to the original plan: move to Chon'sin, subdue the enemy forces there, and free our comrades before slowly making out our way to Valm," Chrom nodded.

"There is still one problem."

Every turned to face Say'ri, who had finally decided to speak up.

"My brother...General Yen'fay still stands in our way."

"Indeed," Virion nodded, "I have heard of the man a few times back in Rosanne. His feats are...impressive to say the least. The question is, are they grounded in truth milady?"

"Yes. Yen'fay is, without any exaggeration, the best warrior of Chon'sin. His skills with a blade are second to none, and he can be just as ruthless as the Conqueror in the heat of battle. He was our trump card against Walhart, and when he deflected to his side...we knew that Chon'sin had fallen. We may not be going up against Walhart by heading south, but we shouldn't let our guard down; going up against Yen'fay will be no easy task, and if we are not cautious it may bring down our entire campaign."

"Not like he hasn't already put a massive dent in our plans," Robin sighed pinching the bridge between his nose, "managing to subdue our forces was not an easy task, and if anything it is a testament to his skills."

"Is there any chance you could give us some insight in his fighting style?" Lucina asked.

Say'ri nodded, "Yen'fay prowess, like most warriors of Chon'sin, lays not in his strength but rather in his skill and speed. In fact, in terms of brute strength I can safely say that our commander is above him; however strength is of little use when your opponent has already cut you seven times before you even hit the ground. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Yes and I am finding it a bit hard to grasp...forgive me for asking, but could it be that you are perhaps exaggerating slightly?"

"No," the swordmaster responded bluntly.

"I am inclined to believe her," Chrom cut in, "after all we had but a small taste of what the sword masters of Chon'sin were capable of when the Resistance turned on us in Fort Siegner. If Yen'fay truly is the best of the best, then we should take everything we have heard about him at full value. Which begs the question, how do we fight him?"

"If I may, I believe I have a solution," Say'ri responded.

"By all means, the floor is yours."

"I grew up with Yen'fay, trained in the art of the blade by his side for most our lives. I even sparred with him many times, and because of that I know his fighting style inside out. So even though my chances are slim, very slim, I could hold my own against him; and I believe I could help some of you do the same."

"How so?"

"I can train you, verse you in the fighting style of Chon'sin's greatest masters, including that of Yen'fay. It will be similar to the training I have been providing Robin which, as you may have noticed, has provided impressive results. However, due to our current time constraint I can only take a few of you, and only give you a quick abridged version of the training; I can't promise that you will be able to defeat Yen'fay if you confront him on your own after this training, but I can at least increase your odds of survival."

"Given our circumstances, I believe that is more than we can ask for. How many of us can you train?"

"...two, and that is pushing it," Say'ri responded after thinking for a while.

"Then I volunteer," Chom said with hesitation.

"So do I," Lucina stepped forward.

"I thought you two would say that," the princess gave them a small smile, "very well, we shall start immediately. Mark my words I shall do everything in my power to ensure that you can stand up to that traitor."

"I believe that settle that matter then; we continue south towards Chon'sin," Virion remarked.

"So we know where we are heading next, and we know what is awaiting for us once we get there. So I ask our two tacticians—"

"Assistant tactician..."

Chrom sighed, "fine, I ask the both of you what do you think our next move should be?"

Both Robin and Virion analyzed the map laid before them, neither one saying a word.

"Pardon me Say'ri, but could you please tell us what this may be here?" Robin asked the swordmaster pointing at an area on the map that showed elevated terrain.

"That is Demon's Ingle. It's a treacherous terrain where few dare to approach, mostly because of the still active volcano," Say'ri explained.

"Vol...cano?" Chrom asked tilting his head.

"Yes. The surface erupted in the beginning of Spring as it does every ten years, but fortunately the area was evacuated before hand and we suffered no major losses. I believe the molten magma has cooled down and hardened in the surrounding area while the sulfuric gas levels have lowered considerably."

Most of those present simply stared at the princess.

"Fie, have I said something strange?"

"Oh no, no, no my dear," Virion chuckled, "but you are describing a volcano to people who have never seen one before."

"What? Are there no volcanoes in Ylisse?"

"No?" Chrom responded unsure.

"I think I may have read about them somewhere," Robin muttered.

"Oh...well it's similar to a mountain, except that it's top has a large hole that leads to its core; and from that core comes what we call "lava". It's as if the earth itself was on fire, spewing flames everywhere and destroying everything in its wake. Hence why Demon's Ingle is surrounded y barren wasteland and terrain."

"It sounds like a living nightmare," Lucina said in disbelief.

"Fie milady, it sounds worse than it really is. Yes, it is a natural disaster but it is not as devastating as it was when it first erupted a thousand years ago. Ever since then it has erupted less and less, and causing less destruction around it. In fact, many areas where the molten magma has hardened will soon be fertile enough to sustain life."

"The question is, is it safe enough for us to march through?" Robin asked.

"Hmmm, unless I'm mistaken I believe so; am I correct my dear swordmaster?" Virion faced Say'ri.

"Aye, right now we are in the middle of a "safe" season. There shouldn't be an eruption any time soon and the sulfuric gases have leveled considerably. Why do you ask?"

"I believe our tactician has a plan formulating inside that head of his," Virion smiled.

Robin didn't answer, his attention focused on the map before him scratching it nervously. Eventually he cleared his throat, "it's just an idea...but perhaps we can use Demon's Ingle to our advantage."

"Care to explain?"

The tactician traced his finger through the area and towards Chon'sin, "we already know that we are going to face Yen'fay eventually, that much is a given; however, we mustn't forget that Walhart and the Resistance are probably still after us and on our heels. The fact that we are relatively small helps us move faster, but it's not enough. If we were to go through this terrain, we might be able to stall them, perhaps even cause them to stop in their tracks and pursuit another route. It might just buy us enough time to rescue our captured compatriots before we eventually have to face the Conqueror."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Chrom nodded, "what say you Virion?"

"There is merit to what our tactician—"

"Assistant tactician."

"Apologies, assistant tactician suggest. While I have nothing but good faith in the Khans, we must consider the very possible outcome that Walhart is able to go right through them and set his sights on us before we reach the capital of Chon'sin; however, despite what the rumors may say of him, he is still very much a man with his own limits. There is a good chance that a long march, a fight with the khans, AND crossing through Demon's Ingle might be too much even for him. It might just provide us with some extra time that we require."

"Well, sounds like we have our next course of action. Any objections?" Chrom asked around.

"No."

"No."

"Nay."

"Wait a minute, let's not be hasty," Robin interrupted, "we should consider other options before we make our decision. Let us not—NNNGH!"

The tactician was suddenly cut off by a sharp pain on his head, causing him to cringe and place a hand on his temple.

"Robin?"

"Sorry, just a minor headache. I'm sure it will son pas—AH!" The man suddenly felt like his skull was compressing his head, putting more and more pressure behind his eye causing him to grab the edge of the table tightly.

The exhalt wasted no time walking up to his friend, concern etched on his face, "enough, you are clearly in pain. You are excused from the rest of this meeting, we can finish up here."

"I'm...fine...just a...migraine," Robin managed to push through gritted teeth.

"I don't care if it's a migraine, a cold, or if you just hit your head when you came into the tent; we can't afford to overlook anything that may affect your health, especially not now. So I am ordering you to go and rest," Chrom said firmly.

"...fine," Robin left the tent before the exhalt could insist any further.

"Now then, let us wrap this meeting."

"If we are done here, I would ask if it possible for me to be excused," Lucina spoke up suddenly.

"Is something wrong?"

"To put it bluntly I have a lingering suspicion that our tactician will not go to rest as instructed. I simply wish to ensure he doesn't try to sneak away to his tent in order to work himself to death," the princess answered truthfully.

"You do have a point, Robin is very stubborn; and he did agree to what I said without much of a fight. Very well then, I would ask for you to go check up on him if it's not too much of a problem."

"But do not take too long milady," Say'ri cut in, "we need to start your training immediately, for every second counts."

Lucina nodded, "I promise this will only take a while. I shall be back before you know it," with that she left the tent and set out to find the white haired tactician. It didn't take long, however, for she soon saw him sitting on a crate not too far away with his hands folded over his legs and his eyes closed.

"Come on Robin...pull yourself together," the man muttered to himself, doing his best to ignore the throbbing sensation in his head.

"Is everything all right Robin?"

He looked up and saw Lucina standing over him, though the princess then knelt down so that she could talk to the tactician at eye level.

"Well that was a fast wrap up..."

"The meeting is still underway, I simply asked to be excused earlier to check on you."

"You really shouldn't have done that. It's just a minor headache, it will pass."

"Perhaps, but you tend to let these sort of things get out of hand due to neglect. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't hold yourself up in your tent with a mountain of strategy books until dawn."

"So I'm to be chaperoned by you now?" Robin asked slightly irritated, "I am a grown man Lucina, I can handle a small headache. I may be a miserable wreck, but I can still manage that much. You can go tell Chrom that I don't need you watching over me."

"My father has nothing to do with this," Lucina said calmly, "I am here out of my own accord, mostly because I am worried."

"It's just a headache Lucina; at most it's a slight migraine. It will pass."

"I would be inclined to believe you, if I hadn't seen you suffer from the same symptoms before these past few days."

"...how did you—"

"I've been watching you Robin; and I know that this isn't the first time this has happened. I haven't told my father, yet; and if you wish for it to remain that way they I ask that you be honest with me."

"...fine," the tactician sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly, "but trust me when I say that I can't tell you much because I don't really know that much myself."

"Fair enough."

Robin hesitated for a moment before continuing, "you are right: I have been suffering from these headaches for a while now. About a day after we left Fort Siegner they started flaring up, out of nowhere and without any prior warning. Somethings it's only for a few seconds, somethings it takes a while before they subside; but the pain is always the same. I feel like there is something putting an large amount of pressure in the inside of my head, especially behind my eyes."

"Robin that sounds serious! You need to have that looked by the clerics immediately!"

"I have, believe me. I talked to both Lissa and Libra, but they say they can't find anything medically wrong with me. They think it might just be due to the stress and being overworked. They gave me some herbs to boil and drink, which have helped ease the pain, but that's about it. They also suggest that it might be due to lack of sleep, though I hardly think that is the case."

"Be that as it may, perhaps there is some truth to what they are suggesting. Maybe you should go lie down for the rest of the day, try to relax."

Robin sighed and stood up, "how can I relax at a time like this Lucina? I've already made a mess out of everything, I can't afford to slack off now."

"But we can't afford having you overworking yourself to the point were you are becoming physically ill," Lucina retorted standing up, "despite what you may think, you are still very much needed for this campaign to succeed, as you clearly demonstrated back there in that tent. But you can't shoulder everything on your own. You have Sir Virion, Lady Say'ri, and my father; and you have me."

Robin chuckled.

"What?"

"Nothing it's just...you really are Chrom's daughter. After all, why else would someone like you be trying so hard to help a mess like me? I don't think I know a lot of people who would be as dedicated and patient as you."

"Really, you're making it out more than it is," Lucina could feel her face blushing slightly.

"Fine, I'll try to take it easy for the rest of the day. It's the least I can do after all the trouble you've gone for me."

"Thank you Robin. Now, if you will excuse me I have a training regimen with Lady Say'ri."

"Word of advice? You're going to feel an intense burning sensation in your arms for the first few days. Make sure to put some ice on them every night before you go to sleep, otherwise it will flare up and wake you up in the middle of the night."

"I...I will take that in mind," Lucina swallowed nervously, "try to get some rest Robin."

"I know, I know, " the tactician nodded. However once she was gone he let out a tired sigh and headed the opposite direction to his tent, "sorry Lucina. Just need to make sure of something first."

He made his wade through the camp grounds, doing his best to pass by as inconspicuous as possible; after all, the last time he met with Tharja things did not end well for him. He continued search for the dark mage until he finally found her standing before a cauldron in front of her tent. She was tossing in ingredients and muttering what he assumed to be incarnations, all while a large wooden spoon appeared to be magically stirring the contents by itself. Next to her stood Noire, nervously holding up a large tome that her mother would every now and then look at before returning her attention to her concoction.

Damn, I was hoping to catch her alone, Robin said hiding behind a nearby tent, it's bad enough that Gaius wants me nowhere near her, but I'm pretty sure he'll murder me if he thinks I'm also trying to get close to his daughter. I need a way to get Noire—

"I have a task for you child," Tharja said suddenly, causing the girl to stand up straight, "go down the creek and bring me three newts, preferable brown ones. I'm going to be needing them for the next part of this curse."

"S-Should I bring them alive or d-dead?"

"It matters not, though if they're dead it will make the process of removing their eyes much easier."

"Y-Yes mother!" The girl nodded putting down the tome and briskly heading off.

Well that was conveniently lucky. Now I can just walk up—

"Stay were you are Robin," Tharja spoke up, causing a chill to run down the man's spine. The dark mage pointed where he was hiding and muttered something under her breathe. Robin suddenly felt like an egg had been cracked over his head, it's contents slowly running down his entire body, "now you may come out."

Confused the tactician cautiously stepped out from behind the tent and made his way towards the mage, whose attention had gone back to the cauldron before her. Eventually he stood before her, still weary of what she might do.

"What was that all about?"

"Invisibility hex. No one can see you but me," Tharja responded without looking up from her cauldron, "Gaius went to search for that merchant woman about an hour ago so I do not know when he'll be back. I simply thought it would be in the best of interest for the both of us if we didn't take any chances."

"Oh. Thanks."

"It was nothing; and worry not, the curse will lift itself once you are one hundred steps away from me."

"But wait what about your daughter? She could be back any minute and if she suddenly sees you talking to yourself—"

"Then she'll think everything is normal. I communicate with spirits on a daily basis, and I am always practicing curses under my breath. Believe me, this is nothing out of the ordinary for me; plus, brown newts are hard to find in this area, so it may take her a while before she return," Tharja responded simply.

"Don't you think that may have been a bit much?"

"No; and even if it was I don't think she would be upset about spending more time away from me," the dark mage responded flatly.

"Tharja...is everything all right?" Robin asked.

"Peachy. Nothing but sunshine and puppies here."

"It's just...for someone who has been reunited with her daughter you don't seem all that happy."

The woman laughed bitterly, "right, because I should be absolutely gleeful about a child that Gaius and I haven't even discussed if we wanted or not. Or maybe I should be thankful for the fact that I have no experience in being a mother and now I suddenly have a teenage daughter to look after and take care of. A daughter who, for reasons I don't think I wish to know, lives in fear on me and flinches every time I so much as look at her general direction. So tell me Robin, out of all of the things I just listed which one do you think I should be overjoyed about?!"

"I...I'm sorry," the tactician said taken aback by her sudden outburst.

Tharja sighed and stopped working on her concoction, leaning her head on her hand, "no, I shouldn't have reacted like that. It's just...things have been getting too real too fast. I finally manage to get that thief to sit down and listen, to try and take...whatever we have more seriously, and then suddenly Noire shows up claiming she's our daughter. We barely got engaged and suddenly we have a daughter on the crisp of womanhood who switched from being scared of her own shadow to threatening to murder everyone in a mile radius at the drop of a hat. What does that say about us as parents? What does that say about me as a mother?"

Robin scratched the back of is head nervously, "I...I don't know. I know it may seem bad at first glance, but you need to remember the type of world those children come from. Perhaps that's part of the reason your daughter is the way she is. Or perhaps that was why the you in the future did...what ever it was she did."

Tharja didn't answer.

"Maybe you should have this conversation with Noire. It's the best thing you can do if you really want to know more about her. Just sitting her thinking the worst isn't going to help anyone, especially not you. You said you were able to talk to Gaius no? Try doing it again with your daughter, I think you may just be surprised with the result."

"...perhaps you're right," the dark mage sighed, returning her attention to her cauldron, "I appreciate the help Robin; I can't be easy pretending to care about my personal strife."

"Tharja I'm not "pretending" anything. You are my friend, and I do care about you the same as anyone else; I just can't stand by and watch you be miserable without trying to help."

The woman looked up to face him for the first time, almost as if looking deep into him to see if he was lying. After a while a small smile crept onto her face, "thank you Robin."

"Don't mention it."

"Now then, I believe you came to for a reason. How can I help you?"

"Right. Anyway lately I've been having these intense headaches, starting about a few days ago. They just come an go, but they are excruciating; just now I was barely able to think straight because of the pain. I know it sounds trivial, but I've talked to Lissa and Libra and they insist there is nothing medically wrong with me. They claim that it's probably just exhaustion, that I haven't been getting enough sleep. And that got me thinking..."

"Say no more, I see where this is going," the dark marge got up from her cauldron and walked up to the tactician. She grabbed his chin and leaned in closer, moving his head to side to side and squinting her eyes. Suddenly she let go of him, frowning deeply, "that can't be right..."

"What?"

"There seems to be an...unnatural build up of dark magic within you," Tharja responded grabbing her satchel and rummaging through its contents.

"What do you mean by that?"

"When I placed the curse on you I warned you that prolonged exposure to it would start affecting your health; that after a while it would begin shortening your lifespan."

"Wait, are you saying—"

"No it hasn't happened yet, calm down," Tharja assured him, "but it will soon, and much sooner than I had calculated in fact."

"What? How?"

"I genuinely don't know," she responded honestly, continuing to rummage through her bag, "it's natural for curses to build up dark magic when they remain in a host's body for too long. The dark arts are not to be trifled with, and they tend to have unwanted consequences more often than not, and this is especially true when one tries to go against nature. The point is, it was expected for your body to start accumulating the residual dark magic as the curse continued in place; but for some reason your body is doing it at an alarming rate. It's almost as if you're acting as a magnet for any dark magic around you. Therefore, we need to act immediately."

"Wait, you're not going to remove the curse are you?" Robin asked taking a step back, "you promised Tharja."

"No, but I am tempted to do so. I will, however, help you drain some of the excess," she pulled out what appeared to be a pitch black needle and turned her attention back to the tactician, "give me your hand."

Robin did so and the dark mage grabbed his finger, pricking it with the needle. She began muttering something under her breathe and then slowly began pulling the needle away, which was trailed by what appeared to be a long dark shadow sprouting from the tactician's finger. After she had pulled about a foot out she began slowly spinning the shadowy thread round and round like a ball of yarn. After a while she yanked it away from Robin, leaving her holding a small ball of vitriol the size of her fist.

"That should do for now," she carefully took the ball and placed it inside her satchel.

"That's it? It didn't seem like that much."

"It wasn't. I just took some off the top because that's all I can do with the tools at hand. Believe me when I say that there is much, much more. I need to look into it further before I continue," Tharja responded returning to her cauldron.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Not really. Just wait patiently and I'll come for you later. I should have the knowledge necessary to understand what is happening and perhaps be able to remove more of the cure."

"Understood. Thank you Tharja."

"Goodbye Robin," the mage waved, returning her attention to her cauldron.

Well that solves that, for now, the tactician thought to himself as he made his way through the camp grounds, now what to do for the rest of the day. I could just go back to studying and working on tactics.

But...I did promise Lucina.

He shook his head, what am I thinking? This is more important that promising someone I was going to take it easy. Now that I know my health is not at risk, at least not immediately, I can go back to work. A few extra hours of reading will not kill me.

"Maybe you should go lie down for the rest of the day, try to relax."

Robin pinched the bridge between his nose, "it's just...a little more work; and as long as I'm discreet about it nobody has to know."

"You can't shoulder everything on your own."

"Oh all right. One afternoon off will not lead this army off a cliff," Robin sighed, "now what to do for the rest of the day?"

"Howdy Robin!"

The tactician turned around and saw Donnel walking up to him with a hunting spear in one hand and some rope in the other.

"Donnel. I'm going to venture a guess and say that you're on your way to check your traps from yesterday, no?"

The young boy grinned, "yes sir, gonna go and git us some dinner for tonight. Cook says we're low on meat, so I set a bunch of traps in the woods. If I made the right moves, I'm looking to bag me about twenty kilos of meat."

"That sounds like a lot. Mind if I tag along?"

"Aw shucks, that's mighty kind of ya Robin but really there's no need; ol ' Donnel is used to hauling around large amounts dead critters."

"I don't doubt that, but really it's no problem. I got the afternoon off and I might as well help you," the man insisted.

"Well I reckon I can't really change yer mind now can I?" Donnel handed him the net, "all right then, lets head on out! I got the first trap set up near the edge of the woods. Reckon there's I deer caught in it since last night."

"Three copers says it's a boar."

"Yer on!"

---

"Man talk about a good haul," Robin grunted hoisting the dead boar on his shoulders while pulling another one behind him, "you weren't kidding when you said we'd snag 20 kilograms of meat."

"Told ya," the farm boy grinned carrying a large deer on his back, "though I believe someone owes ol' Donny boy three coppers."

"I call hoax. You checked the trap beforehand," the tactician stuck out his tongue.

"Nuh uh, I just know how animals think, which makes them much easier to hunt."

"Fine fine, I'll pay up once we drop these off at the kitchen. Maybe if we're lucky well get some jerky—" he stopped mid sentence, a chill running down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.

"Robin?"

The man looked around the forest, his brow furrowing more and more, "Donny do you hear that?"

"Huh?" The boy looked around confused, "I don't hear nothing."

"Exactly."

It took a while for Donnel to understand what Robin was talking about. The forest had suddenly gone eerily quite, all the sounds of birds chirping and crickets singing gone without a trace; even the wind seemed to stop blowing, making it seem like the entire forest ha suddenly frozen in its tracks.

"I don't like this," Robin muttered putting down the boars and drawing his sword strapped to his side, "be on your guard Donnel."

"No need to tell me twice," the farm boy nodded and pulled out his own sword.

"Fufufu, why am I not surprised that the first think you men do is grab your swords?" They heard a sultry female voice laugh, though it somehow seemed to be coming from everywhere around them.

"Show yourself!"

"Or better yet, git on out of here!"

"My, my, such rude boys I have before me. I think you two need to be taught a lesson; let's start with the hayseed."

Before either one of them could react a powerful gust of wind rushed towards Donnel, sending him flying straight into a tree with enough force to knock him out before he even hit the ground.

"Donnel!" Robin ran towards him but was suddenly cut off by a ring of fire circling around him. The flames bellowed several feet in the air, their heat searing his skin to the point where he had to step back making it impossible to reach his unconscious friend. Concentrating his magic he cast a wind spell in order to blow a path through the flames, but the winds didn't even faze the fire before him.

"Damnation, this is enchanted fire!"

"Well aren't you the quick one? It would appear that you are more than just a pretty face; you seem to have a brain behind it."

Robin turned in time to see a figure walk though the ring of fire without even hesitating, revealing a young woman in with white hair draping her shoulders and a revealing enchantress piece that allowed the tactician to see the shadow mark sigils coursing through her body.

"Wait...I know you! You were next to both Gangrel and Validar while they were Plegia's rulers. You're the sorcerers Aversa!"

"My my, that is quite the memory you have there. Color me impressed. I had thought that you wouldn't recognize me, seeing how our previous meetings were quite brief. Not that I can blame you; most men have a hard time forgetting me," Aversa smirked .

"What are you doing here? Is this a declaration of war from Plegia? Was that your master's plan from the beginning?" Robin redied his blade.

"Temper temper little man. Point that little toy somewhere else before you end up hurt," the sorceress snapped her fingers causing the hilt of Robin's blade to grow hot, forcing him to let go of it with a pained gasp, "as for why I'm here, Master Validar has nothing to do with it. I'm simply here because I was bored and needed some...entertainment. You just happen to be nearby."

"What are you—" the tactician was cut off when Aversa raised her hand at him and her eyes turned black.

"!serised deniartsernu ruoy htrof teL !traeh ruoy nihtiw sevlewd tahw taht laeveR"

A bright flash of light blinded Robin causing him to cry out in pain as he covered his face with his hands. He could feel hot white pain searing through his eyes and causing his head to feel like it was in a vice that was getting tighter and tighter. The pain was enough to cause him to fall to his knees, clutching his head and gritting his teeth in a vain attempt to make the pain go away. Knowing that he was completely open to an attack in his current position he readied his magic and forced himself to squint one of his eyes open...

Only to find that Aversa had disappeared. Slowly opening his eyes more Robin saw that the flames were slowly dying out. The tactician looked around confused—though always with his guard up—but there was no sigh of the sorceress.

"What in the world..." His thoughts where cut off when he spotted Donnel's unmoving figure on the ground.

"Donnel!" The tactician knelt down next to him and placed two of his fingers on the boys neck and his other hand over his mouth; eventually he found a small pulse and he could feel the faintest trace of breathing.

That impact could have easily given him a concussion, perhaps even broken some bones. I need to get help, but I can't risk moving him, Robin thought while taking of his cloak. He gently leaned the unconscious boy against a tree while dragging his cloak over the dirt and mud until it was filthy. Once it was done he placed it over Donnel, making sure that he was completely covered.

"Stay put Donny. I'll be back with Lissa before you know it," grabbing both his sword and the deer carcass from earlier Robin cut it open before tossing it within the forest as far away from where Donnel was hidden. After that he made his way back to the camp as fast as he could, knowing that time was of the essence. Once he arrived he frantically started looking everywhere for Lissa or anyone who was capable with a staff; he asked a few soldiers around, but they weren't much help.

Damn it, where are the healers when you need them?! He cursed mentally

"Robin?"

He turned around and saw Lissa standing a few feet away.

"Oh thank Naga," he let out a sigh of relief as he walked up to her, "Lissa listen, we don't have much time. Donny and I were attacked in the outskirts of camp and I need—"

The tactician was cut off when the young cleric's legs suddenly seemed to give out under her causing her to fall forward; letting out a surprised cry the tactician quickly closed the gap between them and caught her before she hit the ground. Once she was in his arms he noticed that she was shaking slightly.

"Lissa?! What's wrong? Are you hurt as well?" He asked, his voice masked with fear and concern,

The princess said something but it came out muffled against his arm.

"What?"

"Robin...I...I..I need you..."

"...pardon?

Lissa looked up at the tactician, causing his eyes to go wide. Her face was flustered, her eyes were slightly glazed, and she was panting heavily.

"Robin...please..." She groaned, reaching up for the collar of his shirt as her face inched closer to his.

"Lissa!" Robin grabbed her by the wrists, backing away slightly, "what has come over you!?"

"I...I just...please Robin," she whined pulling his hand towards and licking his index finger before he could stop her, causing him to freeze in shock. Taking advantage of his stunned expression she slowly moved his other hand down to her cheek, nuzzling her face against it.

"Nobody has to know..."

"Enough!" Robin pulled away brusquely, "I don't know what has gotten over you but I don't have time for this! I'm looking for Libra or Brady, and I suggest that you get ahold of yourself by the time I get back for the sack of your family!"

"Robin wait!" The cleric called out in vain as the tactician walked away hurriedly.

What the hell was that about?! Lissa just...but she is...and I...WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! Robin's thought's were at a loss, unable to make heads or tails of what just transpired, I never thought Lissa, dear Naga LISSA of all people...this has to be one of her pranks; a very unfunny and kind of sick one, but a prank nonetheless. It doesn't matter, I don't have time for this. I'll have a stern talking to her once I get Donny some help and—

"Ahhh...ah...ahhh!" he suddenly heard someone crying out near him. Someone that sounded like...

"Olivia!" Robin ran towards the cries, pooling magic in his hand, another attack? Danmnation, did Avesa follow me to the camp?!

Eventually he found Olivia in a clearing behind some tents. She was on her knees with her back turned to him, her hand bent over and shaking slightly. She had her arm on a knocked over chair, leaning on it for support as her body was hit with convulsion after convulsion.

The white haired man ran up to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, "Olivia, it's me Robin. Are you hurt? Were you attacked? I was on my way to look for a healer, I can take you with—"

Robin was cut off when the dancer suddenly clasped her hand over his own with a surprisingly tight grip.

"You're here..."

She turned her head to face him, revealing it to be deeply flushed and her eyes slightly glazed as she panted heavily.

"I knew...you'd come..."

"O-Olivia?"

The dancer slowly moved his hand down his shoulder towards the clasp of her dress, guiding his fingers around the fabric before helping him slid it off her arm.

"OLIVIA!" Robin jumped back, his face crimson red, "WHAT ARE YOU—"

"Robin please," the dancer turned and got on her hands and knees, crawling towards him as her breath grew more ragged, "don't go...my body...I need...please help me."

WHAT, WHAT, WHAT?! The tactician took a step back, his mind struggling to comprehend what was happening before him.

Olivia suddenly reached out for his legs, wrapping her arms around them before he could react; slowly she began sliding up until her hands clasped the buckled of his belt, her face breaking out into a wide smile as she slowly rose to its level.

"Yes..." She breathed beginning to unfasten it.

"STOP!" Robin pushed her off, causing her to fall back with a small cry. When she looked up at him she seemed unfazed, her face still flustered and her breath still ragged—perhaps even more than before. Before she could get up the tactician turned tail and ran the opposite direction as fast as he could.

What is going on?! First Lissa and now Olivia?! What...WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Before Robin could make it any farther a powerful gust of wind blew before him, raising the dust in front of him and causing him to stumble back and cry out in pain as it went into his eyes.

"Oh Rooobiiiin," he heard a voice purr behind him. Ignoring the irritation in his eyes he turned around to see Tharja sauntering her way towards him. The dark mage had a deep blush on her face, biting down on her thumb as her other hand fiddled with the straps of her cloak before it fell onto the ground.

"There you are; I've been looking all over for you," she breathed huskily running her finger across her lips, "I forgot to ask for your payment for my assistance earlier to day; and I believe I have an idea that will benefit the both of us...mutually."

"Tharja?! Wait...did you do this? Did you hex Lissa and Olivia? If you did I order you to cease this instant! This is not funny!"

The woman giggled, biting down her lower lip, her breath became more ragged "yes, order me around as much as you want. Tell me what you wish for, and I shall be more than happy to oblige. Don't hesitate, do as you wish with me," snapping her fingers Robin suddenly found himself rooted in his spot unable to move. Tharja slowly walked up to the immobilized tactician, swaying her hips with ever step and running her nail across her mesh suit, tearing at the fabric and revealing her trim abdomen. When she reached him she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his ear, "ravage m—"

"ELWIND!"

Focusing his magic Robin conjured up a wind barrier around him, causing Tharja to jump back before she was hit. Due to his lack of mobility Robin got caught in the middle of the incarnation and part of his shirt was shredded as a result. Fortunately whatever hold the dark mage had over him was broken and he wasted no time in running away as far as possible. Afraid that Tharja would be right behind him the tactician jumped inside a nearby tent and closed the flaps behind him, zipping them up just to be on the safe side.

All right, that should do it for now, he thought to himself while he struggled to catch his breath, I don't know what is going on, but it seems like I won't be getting any help here soon; and I can't keep wasting time avoiding Lissa, Olivia and Tharja. Whatever is wrong with them will have to wait, Donnel is the priority here. If I can just find the medical tent and grab and elixir—

"Finally."

Robin practically felt his heart jump out of his chest, letting out a surprised yelp as he turned to see Maribbelle sitting at the edge of a large porcelain bathtub, her cheeks tainted slightly red and wearing only a thin pink silk robe that hugged her figure closely.

"It's not polite to keep a lady waiting Robin," she coed reaching up and removed the pins holding up her tight curls, causing her hair to cascade past her shoulder, "I've been here for so long that the water has gotten cold already, and the bubbles are almost all gone. Although...maybe you prefer it that way," she giggled, her face becoming even more flushed as she pulled her slender leg from out of the water and setting it on the tub so that the tactician could get a good look, "now come, let me wash all that dirt and blood off of you; though I must admit I do find your rugged look to be so...so fierce."

"M-Maribelle!"

She simply smiled at him, slowly tracing her finger up her leg and slowly pushing the hem of her robe off her smooth thigh, "you know, I've heard quite the scandalous things about commoners every now and then. Things that they tend to do both in the streets...and in the sheets as they tend to say, " she pulled on the sash of her robe causing it to part down the middle, "perhaps you could give me some...private tutoring on said things."

Not wasting any time Robin turned back and tried to open the tent flaps and get out, only to find that the opening was stuck and would not budge.

"Now now Robin, one does not leave without being excuse first; especially not in the company of so many ladies in waiting."

Before he could even ask her what she meant, the sounds of footsteps behind him made his blood turn to ice. Slowly turning around he saw all three women from before standing around the tub with Maribelle, all of them wearing nothing but robes and all of them looking at him with the same lustful expression.

This isn't happening, this isn't happening, Robin thought while vainly trying to open the entrance to the tent.

"Why do you keep running from us?" Lissa asked in a hurt tone.

"Are we not enough for you?" Olivia whined.

Nope, nope, nope! The tactician was about to burn a hole through the tent with his magic only to suddenly find himself unable to conjure up any.

"Ah ah ah Robin. No magic to get away this time," he heard Tharja laugh behind him.

This...this can't be happening. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?! T-This has to be a dream. I must have been knocked out when Aversa attacked— Robin's train of thought was cut off when he suddenly remembered what the sorceress had done before disappearing wait...that's it!

He turned to face the woman behind him, who were slowly making their way towards him, "everyone, listen to me! You guys are under some sort off hex or curse. Donnel and I were attacked at the outskirts of the camp by an enemy sorceress, she must have placed a curse on you before she left!" Upon failing to get a response from any of them the tactician felt his frustration rise "Damn it, why won't you listen to me?! Tharja, snap out of it and break the curse! This could easily be some sort of distraction, we could all be in danger!"

*RIIIIIIIP*

Suddenly one of the sides of the tent was torn open, causing everyone to stop and face the source of the interruption. Lucina barged in, her sword in hand and seemingly out of breath.

"Robin! I heard you yelling outside and I couldn't open the—" she stopped mid sentence when she saw the other women in the tent with the tactician, "W-what?! What is...why are you...Aunt Lissa?!"

"Oh thank Naga you're here Lucina!" Robin jumped behind the shocked princess, "you have to help me! I don't know what is going on here but something is horribly wrong with them; I think they might be under some sort of curse that causing them to act...well like that!"

"A curse?" Squeaked the now red faced princess.

"Hey no fair! Why do you get Robin all to yourself Luci?!" Lissa barked in a surprisingly angry tone.

"We were here first, wait your turn!" Olivia hissed viciously.

"It would appear that a certain young lady needs to be taught a proper lesson," Maribelle snarled.

"What?!" Lucina raised Falchion shakily, "what are you—"

Tharja stepped forwarD and pointed at the confused princess, "trying to take Robin away from us? Then die."

"Lucina move!" The tactician grabbed her by the hand and pull her out of the way just as the dark mage sent a concentrated blast of magic towards her, missing only by a hair's length, "what the hell Tharja?! Have you lost your mind?!"

"She is trying to take you all for herself," she seethed as her face darkened and she pooled more magic in her hand, "and for that, she must pay."

"Run, run!" Robin dragged Lucina away before they were hit by another magical blast. He could hear the others calling out for him but he ignored them and simply kept on running with the princess in tow. They needed a place to hide, or at the very least put as much distance between them and their pursuers while he tried to figure out what was going on. The fact that Tharja had attempted to kill Lucina in cold blood meant that this was much serious that what he had originally thought.

I need to find Chrom and warn him what is going on; but I can't risk bringing Lucina with me. If they were willing to attack her in front of me in their current state there is no telling what else they'll do. If anything happens to her because of me I'll never forgive myself.

"Robin I think we lost them," he heard Lucina say behind him. Glancing back he saw that indeed they had lost their pursuers and that they were currently in the outskirts of camp.

Seeing how they were safe for the moment the tactician slowly came to a halt, only to soon be hit with a wave of exhaustion; with the adrenaline subsiding he was beginning to feel the fatigue due to having been running around and using tomeless magic for the better part of the day, causing him to feel light headed and dizzy.

"Robin?"

"Just...give me a minute," the tactician struggled to catch his breath. After while he cleared his throat and faced the princess, "Lucina listen to me. I don't know what is going on with the others, but we don't have time for that. Donnel is injured and he is requires medical assistance immediately. I'll go look for Libra or Brady, and I need you to go where I left him and wait for me. If you have a vulnerary or an elixir with you that would be...Lucina?"

The blue haired princess didn't seem to be paying attention to him; she wasn't even looking at him, her gaze fixed down where her hand was still being held by the tactician.

Suddenly feeling embarrassed Robin's face grew bright red, "oh right, sorry. I didn't mean to...I was just pulling you out of the way...I'll let go now," the tactician released her hand and moved to pull his away, only to suddenly find her grip tighten, "Lucina?"

"Robin..."

Before he could ask her what was wrong she moved forward quickly and jumped into him, causing him to fall back onto the ground with her on top. He groaned in pain and tried to get up, only to find himself pinned down by his shoulders and his legs being straddled. Looking up he saw Lucina breathing heavily with her face blushing deeply and her eyes half lidded.

"Robin..."

"Oh no...no please... not you too..." Robin whispered.

Lucina's grip on him tightened, making sure that he was held firmly against the ground unable to push her off. He could feel her whole body tense against his, except for her legs that were shaking slightly.

"Lucina listen to me," Robin said calmly trying his hardest to not let his nervousness show, "You are not you right now. Whatever happened to the others back there is happening to you too. This isn't you, I know this isn't you. You're being controlled by someone or something. You need to fight it! You need—"

"I'm...sorry..."

"Huh?"

"I...I'm sorry... for everything. You have done so much for me...even when I was horrible to you... all those times you tried to help me. All those times you risked your life for me. All those times...you were there; and all I did was push you away," tears began forming in her eyes, dripping onto the tactician's shocked face, "I know you must think that I hate you, or that at best I only see you as a comrade in arms; but nothing could be further from the truth..."

"L-Lucina..."

The princess slowly moved her hand up his shoulder and onto his cheek, stroking it softly. Seeing an opportunity Robin trying to get up but she simply moved her other hand onto his chest and held him in his place, "please..."

"Lucina listen to me—"

She moved her finger to his lips, silencing him, "please Robin...I want this. I know I'm not as charming like Lissa, beautiful like Olivia, alluring like Tharja, or refined like Maribelle. I can only be myself, and nothing more; and I can only hope that's good enough."

Robin could feel his heat beat pounding intensely as Lucina gently cupped his face and slowly leaned in.

"I...really like you...Robin," she breathed closing her eyes.

"I...I...I..."

Lucina leaned in closer.

Robin closed his eyes.

.

..

….

...WHAT AM I DOING?!

"NO!" His eyes shot open as he grabbed her by her arms before she closed in and pushed her away, "Lucina snapped out of it!"

"Well color me impressed; here I thought you were ready to break yet apparently you still have some fight in you," he heard someone chuckle over them. Looking up Robin saw Aversa standing over them with an amused smirk on her face, "I must say little man, you're definitely one of the more resilient subjects I've worked with. Most men would have taken the girl, no questions asked."

"You!" Robin tried to get up but the sorceress simply snapped her fingers and suddenly he fell on his back again completely immobilized, "damn it, let me go!"

"Now why would I do that?" The witch clicked her heels together, causing Lucina to sit up straight—though still on top of Robin—and for her face to go blank, "good girl."

"You miserable...I knew it was you!" Robin struggled in vain, his body feeling like it was being held by invisible bonds, "you've been controlling them this whole time! You made them act that way to torment me! Why?!"

Aversa clicked her tongue in annoyance, "it seems I may have given you more credit than was warranted earlier. I'll have you know that I wasn't "controlling" anyone. Not that I couldn't thought. Believe me, if I wanted I could have any woman in this camp literally throwing themselves at you against their will; but that wouldn't be much fun, at least not for me. This, however..."

Aversa snapped her fingers again, causing Lucina to suddenly shift and morph right before Robin's eyes. His eyes wide with shock he watched dumbfounded as the princes turned into Maribelle, then Tharja, the Olivia and finally Lissa, each one with a look more sultry than the last.

"Nifty little hex I came up with a few years ago. It basically brings out all of the latent, subconscious desires of the target and displays them in full. Not surprising most men have the same desires deep down, making it much easier for me to toy and manipulate them. You, of course, are no exception little man."

"No, you're lying! I would never—"

"Deny it all you want, but you can't lie to me or to your subconscious," Aversa smirked crouching low until she was at the same level as the doppelganger, "and really, you shouldn't be so embarrassed about it. It's perfectly natural for men to have such lurid desires towards women; you are no different. Granted these thoughts were deep into your subconscious—so much so that for a moment I almost did believe you didn't have them—but they are there never the less. You may try to deny it all you want, but in the end there is a part of you that is, in some way or another, drawn to those women; and while the idea of you yearning for four married women is already juicy enough, that was nothing compared to the real prize underneath it all."

Snapping her fingers again the sorceress watched with glee as the doppelganger morphed back into Lucina, her breath heavy and her face flustered.

"Robin..."

The sorceress couldn't help but laugh at the tacticians expression, "imagine my surprise when I found this little gem buried in the recess of your mind. I was hoping that you'd be hiding something deep down, but this is even better than I hoped; to think that you would have such thoughts about your best friend's daughter. Truly you are a shameless little man. Thought I can't blame you, she is quite the pretty little thing," putting her finger under Lucina's chin she tilter her head towards her before raising it slightly. Leaning down she nipped on the princess's neck playfully causing her to whimper slightly, "she may not be the most "gifted" girl so to say, but she certainly makes up for it in other aspects."

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!"

"Temper, temper. There is no need to get so testy. I have no intentions in taking her away from you; in fact," stepping back the witch snapped her fingers causing the princess's attire to change from her usual blue combat outfit to a short nightgown that left little to the imagination, "I want nothing for than for you to enjoy yourself to the fullest."

"Robin," the girl breathed heavily sliding her hands up the tactician's chest. However, before she could do anything else the man gathered his strength and bucked his body upward tossing her off of him and onto the ground with a cry of surprise.

"What?!"

Robin looked at Aversa dead in the eye, anger clearly visible in his face, "get that thing away from me."

The sorceress' returned his icy glare, refusing to stand down, "well aren't we high and mighty? That "thing" as you called it is nothing else than how you see the girl; and for all you know that may well be how she really is unde—"

"UTTER ONE MORE WORD AND NO AMOUNT OF DARK MAGIC IN THIS REALM WILL PROTECT YOU FROM WHAT I WILL DO!" Robin roared, his outburst shocking the enchantress and causing her to take a step back. Clenching his jaw and breathing hard through his nose, Robin growled at Aversa "I don't know what the hell that thing is, and I don't know where you pulled it out of, but I'm damn sure that is not Lucina in any shape or form! She is strong, kind, determined, and driven to help those around her. I have fought by her side several times, and I have seen her shoulder burdens that would break most people to the point where they wouldn't be able to continue forward, and yet she continues to persevere and move forward, risking everything to save those she cares about. She is...the most amazing woman I have ever met, and one whom I am proud to call my friend; and if you think I'm going to throw that away for some distorted image you've conjured up to break me then you might as well stop wasting your time!"

Aversa stood in stunned silence, unsure of what to do or say to the man before her. However it didn't last long and a devilish smile spread on her face, "well this is a first. To face someone this strong willed, I'd never thought I'd see the day. It would appear that I need to pull out all the stops for this one."

Snapping her fingers the caused the princess' doppelganger to disappear. She then pointed her finger at the still immobilized tactician, causing his body to be lifted up the ground and pulled towards her, "you're right in one aspect: a simple illusion won't be enough for you. After all, if you weren't even tempted by that last vision I doubt there is anything else I could muster from your subconscious that will be effective; but I have one last trick up my sleeve, one that I know no man could ever resist."

A brilliant flash exploded from her eyes, causing Robin to cry out in pain but unable to do much but close his own. When he managed to open them again he saw that he wasn't outside the campgrounds anymore; he was in a large bed in unfamiliar room, dimly lit by candles scattered around and with a strong smell of incense in the air. He tried to get up, only to find his wrist tied to the bedpost above him, and when he looked down he saw that he was down to his small cloths.

"What the?!" Robin tried to free his wrist to cover himself, but to no avail.

"Aw, is the little man shy?"he heard someone chuckle. Looking up he saw Aversa leaning on the doorway wearing nothing but a silk purple nightgown, "thought I can't say I'm surprised, seeing how apparently you are about as experienced as an alter boy; no worries thought, we'll soon fix that."

The sorceress began walking towards the bound tactician, slowly untying the strings holding the garment and causing it to slip off her body. Robin tried to look away, bet found that his gaze was fixed and he was unable to move his head.

Aversa pouted slightly as she climbed on the edge of the bed and slowly crawled up to him until she was right above him, "trying to look away? You going to hurt my wittle fweelings. Like I said, I just want to have a little fun with you. You should be grateful too; I know many who would give everything they had for a chance like this," she laid down on top of him, wrapping her legs around his, effectively straddling him down.

"Let. Me. Go," Robin said through clenched teeth, doing his best to ignore his face getting hotter and hotter.

Aversa smirked and placed her finger on his chest and slowly began drawing circles, "I must admit, you are quite the specimen. Must men put very little—if any—resistance to my charms. It usually takes me only a few minutes to have them eating out of the palm of my hand, both figuratively and sometimes even literally. You on the other hand," moving her hand up she grabbed his chin and ran her thumb across his lips, "you put up quite the resistance. Your mind, your sheer willpower, is unlike any I'm come across; I find myself...intrigued by you. Having you as just a subject isn't enough; I think I'll just keep you as my plaything."

"Like hell you will!" Robin struggled against her grip.

Aversa chuckled, "come now, such childish antics will do you no good. If this is about being embarrassed, there is no need to worry. We are all alone, with no chance of being interrupted. As for you being inexperienced, well, I am more than happy to take the lead. I can show you things that will leave you breathless, things that most men could only fantasize of doing. Like you said, illusions are nothing but mind games and a waste of time; you deserve the real thing. "

"Not. Interested," he seethed.

"Is that so? Call it woman's intuition, but something tells me that you aren't being entirely...honest," the sorceress let go of his chin and slowly began moving her hand down, tracing a path on his chest as she slowly went lower and lower until—

"Nnngh!" Robin could feel his whole body tense up.

"See? At least this part of you is honest," the sorceress purred before letting go. Moving up she placed her hand on his cheek and cupped it gently, "so how about it? Are you ready to become a man? I'll give you a hint: the correct answer is yes."

After a moment of silence the tactician relaxed his body and closed his eyes, murmuring something under his breath.

"Hmmm? I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that," Aversa breathed inching her face closer to his.

"I said...GET OFF ME!" The tactician suddenly smashed his head into the sorceress face, followed by a sickening crack and a loud shriek as Aversa jumped off him. Suddenly the world around Robin seemed to swirl into a dark vortex, disorienting and causing him to what was going on. Once it cleared Robin realized that he was back in the forest where he and Donnel had encountered Aversa, struggling on his hands and knees and with his clothes on. Looking up he saw the witch standing a few feet away, clutching her nose as blood poured between her fingers, her face a mask of pure fury.

"You miserable little nobody!" She shrieked hysterically, "how dare you do that to my beautiful face!?"

Wasting no time Robin pulled out the tome he had strapped within his cloak and flipped it open, getting up and aiming at Aversa, "arcthunder!"

A powerful blast of magic spaced his hand and flew towards the witch; however with a quick wave of her hand she deflected it into a nearby tree, causing it to burst into flames. She then followed that with a barrage of dark magic attacks at the tactician, who did his best to counter all of them but soon found himself struggling to keep up.

"What's the matter little man? Feeling tired?" Aversa cackled sending another blast that hit Robin square in the leg, causing it to go rigid and for him to fall down on it, "you may have been able to break through my hex, but that's as far as you'll get! You barely have any magic left to defend yourself, much less leave so much as a scratch on me!"

Ignoring her taunts Robin continued launching thunder magic at the sorceress, only to have her deflect them and counter with her own dark magic. Every time one of her attacks hit him he could feel his body grow stiffer and more rigid, making it hard to move. Eventually the witch crafted a spear from dark vitriol and launched it at the tactician; it tore through his shoulder and pinned him against a tree, causing him to scream in pain. He tried to reach out and remove the spear, only to find that he couldn't move his arms. Smirking in victory the sorceress strode up to the immobilized man, placing her foot on his chest hard, her stiletto heel prickling his skin slightly causing blood to trickle onto his shirt. Robin tried to push her off, only for his shoulder to throb in pain causing him to gasp and tense up.

"Stings doesn't it? But don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. What you see here is just an immobilization curse, courtesy of yours truly. The pain is just a little extra something that I added for fun. Once I remove the spell it will all be gone and your shoulder will be good as new. It won't even leave a mark on you; the same, however, can't be said about this!" Raising her foot she then proceeded to kick him across the face hard.

"Nnngh!" The tactician grunted, tasting blood in his mouth.

"That was for before," Aversa said coldly, "consider yourself lucky I'm simply not in the mood to put effort into killing you."

"...bite...me," Robin coughed, blood falling from his mouth.

"Cute; now the, let us finish what—GAH!" Aversa screamed as she suddenly felt searing pain shooting from her leg. Looking down she saw a hunting spear passing through her calf; searching for the culprit she soon saw Donnel standing a few feet away, struggling to stand up and with blood trickling from his forehead, but with fire in his eyes as he gripped his sword.

"I ain't going to miss the next one; so just git on out of here before I send ya hollering!" Donnel warned.

"Odious hayseed!" Aversa snarled, "to hell with this, it is not worth my time! I'll just have to do this the fast way," turning her attention to Robin she grabbed ahold of the spear embedded in his shoulder and pulled it out effortlessly, leaving no wound or mark of the tactician. Muttering something under her breath the spear began to melt and dissolve in her hand until it was completely covered. She then grabbed Robin by the throat and began squeezing, his eyes going wide as his breathing was cut off and he could feel the dark magic seeping into his skin.

"Robin!" Donnel charged at Aversa with his sword ready.

Robin tried to break free, but the witch had an iron grip on his throat. As the dark magic finished pouring into him, Aversa leaned forward until she was right next to his ear.

"Have fun."

With those final words she was soon engulfed in a blinding light and disappeared.

Feeling a rush of air coursing through his lungs, Robin started coughing violently and rubbing his sore throat. He winced slightly at the pain, but other than that he felt fine.

"Robin!" Donnel knelt down next to him, his face heavy with concern, "you all right?! You hurt anywhere?!"

"No, no I'm...I'm fine," Robin assured him the best he could given his current condition, "a bit battered and beaten, but I'll live."

"Who was that?! Why did she attack us?! Was she an enemy?! Did Walhart manage to catch up to us?! Was she trying to kill us?!"

"Donny calm down!" Robin grabbed the boys shoulders and held on to him firmly, "take a deep breathe and calm down."

"R-right, yes, sorry," his face getting red the farm boy looked down and began breathing heavily, though it was clear that he was still visibly shaken. Capable soldier as he may be, Donnel was still underneath a young man with only a few years of experience with these kinds of things. Robin didn't blame him though, he himself felt the same way (even if he did a better job of hiding it). It wasn't just the fact that Aversa had appeared out of nowhere and attacked them, but her mastery of dark magic was unlike eny he had seen before.

What was her goal here? To suddenly attack us without warning...has Plegia decided to align themselves with Walhart? No, that can't be it, otherwise she would have gone after Chrom first; and even if that was her plan, why did she just toy with me? With that level of arcane magic she could have killed me without much of an effort. Could this really have been nothing more than a ploy to taunt me? Is she really that sadistic? I wouldn't put it past her, but something doesn't feel right.

"Donnel listen to me. We need to get back to the camp immediately and tell Chrom about this; but you can't tell anyone else who attacked us, not even Lissa. Understood?"

"What? Why?"

With great strain Robin managed to push himself up, continuing to lean on the tree behind him for support, "if we tell anyone else the information we might spread like wildfire and send the army into panic. The last thing we need right now if for our troops to be running around in fear while the Conqueror's troops are closing down on us. Besides, we don't know what her goal was here, and speculating will do us no good. We'll tell Chrom and then see what he proposes we should do."

"Beg pardon Robin but we look like we were looked in a wine cellar with an angry sow for the night; how are we going to explain that?"

"You just leave that to me. Now let's go back to the camp and—ngh!" The tactician tried to walk only to have his legs suddenly buckle under him due to fatigue. Fortunately Donnel caught him before he fell to the ground.

"Easy there, I gotcha," the boy gently slung Robin's arm over his shoulder and helped him shift his weight onto him, "you just let ol' Donny help ya out. We'll get you to a healer lickity split."

"Donnel I couldn't; you were hit worse than I was."

The boy shrugged and started walking with Robin in tow, "ain't no problem. I think the only damage was to my head, and there ain't much to worry about there."

"You really are stubborn sometimes, you know that right?" Robin chuckled.

The farmboy grinned at him, "don't worry Robin, we'll find Lissa and you'll be as good as rain in no time."

"...Donnel, I need you to promise me something."

"What is it?"

"If at any time I do this," Robin squeezed his shoulder hard, "I need you to hit me with enough force to knock me out cold."

"What?! Why in tarnation would I do that?!"

Because there is a good chance I might have visions about your wife, and I would rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty hairpins than ever go through that experience again, Robin thought to himself, though he knew better than to say that to his friend. Instead he decided to tell him a half truth, "before she left, that sorceress put some sort of hex on me. I don't know what it does, but it could be dangerous; I can't risk putting anyone in danger, so I need you to promise me that if I think something might happen you will stop me. Understood?"

"I guess..."

"Thank you," Robin let out a sigh of relief, knowing that he could count on him.

A few minutes later they had reached the camp, where they were promptly found by some soldiers on patrol and immediately taken to the medical tent. Laying on a cot next to Donnel Robin couldn't do much but hope that whatever Aversa had done to him before disappearing didn't affect him the same way as it did before.

Please Naga, have whatever hex Aversa cast fail, Robin prayed with his eyes closed.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of tent flaps being pushed aside, "oh my Naga! Donnel!" He heard a familiar voice cry out. Bracing himself he slowly opened his eyes, only to see Lissa throw her arms around her husband and sob onto his shoulder, "you jerk! I'm out doing me rounds with Libra when suddenly two soldiers come up to me and tell me that you suddenly came crawling into the camp at death's door and I...I...you idiot!"

"Aw sorry darling, I didn't mean to scare you," the boy hugged his wife closely and kissed the top of her head, "it ain't so bad, I swear. I probably shoulda told those fellas to lay it on you gently. Trust me, it just a few scratched and bruises on the old nogging, nothing a little healing magic can't fix; especially from the best healer in all of Ylisse."

Lissa pulled back and wiped her nose, "if you think kissing up to me is going to make me less angry at you, well I got news for you—MMMMPH!" The princess was suddenly cut off when Donnel leaned in for kiss, which she soon returned. When he pulled back her face was beat red, "okay that...that might help; but I'm still mad at you!"

"I know, I know. Ol' Donny's gonna have to do more to make it up."

"Oh hey Chrom fancy seeing you here," Robin grinned as Donnel yelped at that statement and jumped out of his cot to hide, "oh wait, I meant Lissa. My bad."

"You jerk!" Lissa punched him in the arm.

"Well that's for ignoring me when you came in. I mean I know Donny is your husband but you could at least say hello," Robin stuck out his tongue, though inside his head he let out a massive sigh of relief. Lissa was her usual self—albeit the scowl currently aimed at the bed ridden tactician.

"Very funny Robin," Lissa said helping her husband out from under the cot, "if you're going to be that much of a baby then I'll check on you first."

"Nah it's fine, I was just messing with you two. It's mostly just fatigue in my case, so take care of Donny first. He was the one that did most of the fighting back there."

"Yeah about that, what happened to you two?"

"We were ambushed by a couple of mercenaries; not sure if they were hired by Valm or just some rogues looking for easy money but we didn't take out chances. If it weren't for Donnel I would have been in much worse shape."

"Aw shucks, you're giving me too much credit," Donnel said, following Robin's lead.

"Well then, let's take care of you first Mr. Big shot," Lissa said taking Donnel's arm, "first we need to make sure you don't have a concussion, then we'll wash and close those cuts on your head; no husband of mine is going to be taken out by a staff infection and leave me a grieving widow when I'm still young and pretty. Robin, you just stay here and rest, I'll check on you in a moment."

"No problem," Robin plopped his head back onto his pillow as the couple left the tent. Completely exhausted he closed his eyes, actually looking forward to some quiet time for himself.

"Robin?"

"Hmmm?" Robin open one eye and saw Lucina entering the tent, "Lucina? Is something wrong?"

"Forgive me for disturbing you. I was returning from my training with Lady Say'ri when I heard that you and Uncle Donnel had been attacked outside of the camp. I saw aunt Lissa tending to Donnel's wounds and he didn't seem to be in any danger, but I decided to check on you as well."

Robin smiled at her, "I appreciate the concern Lucina, but there is no need to worry. It's going to take more than a small ambush to take me out, much more so for Donnel. I can assure you I'm—"

"Ahhh Robin..."

Robin jerked up on his cot, his chest suddenly tightening.

"Robin? Is everything all right?"

The princess cooed softly as the tactician playfully nipped her neck, his hands working on the straps of her outfit. She reached up and pulled him in closer, running her fingers through his snow white hair, only for him to take a hold of her hand and kiss it gently.

No...no, no, no! Robin thought, desperately trying to push those images out of his head.

"Robin your face is turning red!" Lucina quickly went to his side, "are you feeling unwell? Do you have a fever?"

"I'm fine!" Robin responded a bit too loudly, edging away from the princess, "I just...I'm just tired!"

Stay away from me Lucina, please!

Holding her close to him he began to slowly pull down her tunic, his hands pressing down and caressing her sides as he made his way down to her hips and then her thighs. He began tracing butterfly kissing on her shoulder, then going up her neck before stopping next to her ear.

"Do you want me to stop?" He breathed softly.

She shuddered against him but didn't pull away, "no..."

"I need to go!"

"Hold Robin!" The princess grabbed his arm and pulled him back into the bed before he could leave, "you're hiding something from me again aren't you? You're trying to go back to work even though you're suppose to be resting, especially after being ambushed like you just were."

"No, Lucina you don't understand—"

"No excuses! I'm sorry but until aunt Lissa checks on you and says that you are good to go, you are staying right here!" Lucina said firmly grabbing ahold of his other arm and holding him down on the cot, "I don't want to have to restrain you physically but I will if I must!"

Pulling his shirt over his head, she then leaned back on the bed, her face beginning to fluster as she wrapped her legs around the tactician's waist. Grinning at her audacity he lowered himself down and began to kiss and nip at her trim stomach, gasping her to grip the sheets tightly and her breath to grow heavy as she closed her eyes.

"Let me go!" Robin struggled in vain against her.

"Not until I'm sure you're okay! Look, your face is turning redder by the second!" Lucina reached up and placed her hand on his forehead, "see? You're practically burning up!"

Making his way up Robin took Lucina's hands into his, his fingers intertwining with hers, and held them against the mattress. The tactician nuzzled her neck before resting his forehead on hers, "just tell me when your ready."

Smiling the princess freed her hands from his grasp and gently held his face so that his gaze met hers, "'I'm ready."

"STOP!" Robin grabbed Lucina's arms and made and effort to push her away, only for her to fall back on the mattress with a surprised yelp with the tactician on top of her holding her down on the cot. He looked down at the princess currently held down under him. Her hair was spread out behind her, with her face slightly flushed and looking up at him with a look that was equally shocked and confused.

"R-Robin?"

"Robin..."

The tactician was frozen in place, his body refusing to move as his heart pounded against his chest.

Take her—

NO!

Jumping off the cot he backed away towards the exit, his legs shaking and feeling like they would give out under him at any moment, "S-Sorry...I didn't...I wasn't..." he swallowed nervously, "I gotta go," with that he bolted out of the tent before Lucina could protest, much less stop him.

What...what just happened? The bewildered princess thought to herself as she sat up on the cot. She knew Robin could be stubborn, and she wasn't surprised at the fact that he protested so vehemently to get away from her when she tried to force him to stay. Yet when he did finally manage to pull her off of him and he inadvertedly pinned her down, he lingered over her when he could have immediately run out of the tent; and perhaps it was just her imagination, she could have sworn that for a brief moment there she had seen some sort of glint in his eye.

What is going on with Robin? Why was he so desperate to leave before aunt Lissa checked on him? Why did he seem so averse to me touching him? Is he avoiding me again? Is he hiding something and is afraid that I'll find out what it is? What is he hiding? Why is he still hiding things?

And why...why does it bother me so much if he is?

---

Robin was sitting in his desk alone with his head buried in his hands and pulling on fistfuls of hair in desperation; despite having gotten away from Lucina, the images that he had been seeing earlier were still vivid inside his head. He could see her clearly lying in his bed, hers arms tightly wrapped around him and mewling softly as—

Stop... he dug his fingers into the palms of his hands with enough force for blood to trickle out, please...just stop, he begged to no avail. No matter what he did, he couldn't make them go away, feeling like they were slowly and surely ingraining themselves in his mind; in a way it was even worse than Aversa's other tormenthad been.

Aversa, Robin growled, anger rising within him, I swear...you will pay for this.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of his tent flaps being pushed aside. Turning around he saw Tharja standing at the entrance.

"There you are."

Suddenly overcome with a feeling of dread Robin quickly got up from his desk and began stepping away from the sorceress, "no...no, no, no! I am not going through this again! Just stay away from me Tharja!"

"Be quiet and stay still!" Tharja snapped, causing the tactician to clamp up. Walking up to him she grabbed his chin hard and pulled him closer before he could react; she then began inspect his face closely, pushing his nose upwards in order to look inside and then checking his ears, "it's worse than I thought."

Before Robin could ask her what she meant by that she pulled out something from within her cape; it looked like a small wooden stake with several nails dug into it. Placing it over his chest she began chanting in the ancient tongue, which was followed by a piercing pain to shoot through Robin's chest as if she had actually driven the stake through. Pulling the artifact away, a large amount of dark miasma began spurting out of Robin as if he were a ruptured fountain. Muttering something else under her breath Tharja conjured up a large glass cylinder out of thin air and began to pour the dark vitriol within it. Right before the cylinder filled to the brim the miasma stopped pouring out of Robin, not even leaving a mark behind; as the sorceress sealed the cylinder, the white haired man suddenly realized that the images that had been persistently hounding him just a moment ago where suddenly gone. Relief spreading through his body he faced the spell caster, whose focus was currently fixed on the container in her hand.

"Tharja I can't—"

"What the hell where you thinking?!" She seethed snapping her attention back to him.

"E-excuse me?"

"Do you have a death wish?! Are you trying to reduce your lifespan in the most painful way possible?! Or are you really just that stupid?!"

Robin swallowed nervously, every fiber of his body screaming to cower in a corner in fear. He had seen Tharja angry before—once he even saw the dark mage chase Vaike while shooting fireballs at him when he tried to spy on her bathing—but this was the first time she directed her fury at him. Suddenly he understood why most people in Shepherds and even the rest of the army feared her.

"Imagine my surprise when I, minding my own business and working on a hex to cure the common cold, feel a massive amount of residual dark magic appear out of nowhere in the middle of the camp; and so when I go out and look for whatever is causing this large concentration of arcane magic to simply appear out of thin air, I find you. Now then, care to explain this?" She raised the container at his eye level.

"I...I don't..."

"Is there any particular reason why I found a SECOND hex within your body?"

"I...wait that's a hex?"

Tharja gave the tactician an icy glare, causing him to wince, "are you trying to play me a fool? You did not have this when we spoke this morning, and the only other person in the camp who could conjure up something this heavy in dark magic in such a short time period is that raven boy. So I'm going to ask you once more, and this time you're going to tell me the truth: why did you have a second curse inflicted on your body?"

"Wait Tharja I can explain!" Robin raised his hands in front of him desperately. He then proceeded to tell her what had happened with Aversa (while leaving out certain aspects that he would rather die before telling anyone).

"So that old hag is still around is she?" Tharja drummed her fingers on the side of the container, "and here I had hoped she had finally kicked the bucket in some dark alley."

"Wait, you know her?"

The dark mage snorted, "every user of arcane magic in the continent knows Lady Aversa. She is easily the second most powerful user of dark magic currently alive, with only the high priest Validar surpassing her in the realm of arcane magic; she even dwarves Henry's magical abilities. She is also one of the most dangerous and sadistic people you will ever meet. Consider yourself lucky that your little meeting with her didn't end with you loosing a limb."

"So what did she want with me?"

The sorceress shrugged, "I don't know. Like I said, she's just a pure sadist. If she said she was simply bored and you just happened to be in the wrong place and the wrong time, I'm inclined to believe her. Anyway, I apologize for my behavior earlier; I had thought you did something reckless and endangered your life in doing so. I'll leave you to yourself for the time being while I dispose of this so I can return and remove my previous curse."

"Thank you Tharja I—wait, what?! Hold it!" Robin moved in front of the dark mage before she could exit his tent, "what are you talking about?! We had a deal!"

"The deal is off," Tharja responded simply, "that curse is doing more harm than good on your body, and I will not be responsible for that."

"Look if this is about the headaches—"

"Oh no we are past that now; your situation is much worse. Here, take a look," lifting the cylinder up she inched it closer and closer to Robin until suddenly the miasma within began swirling out of control and hitting the glass repeatedly, "whatever that woman did to you has inadvertently caused you to become and even more powerful receptor of dark magic than before. Even as I'm talking to you right now I can feel my own magical reserves trying to latch on to you. In a few days you'll be overflowing with dark magic that will slowly start eating away at your lifespan; at this rate you'll be lucky if you are able to make it past thirty."

"Well can't you put some sort of dark magic barrier around me or something?" He asked desperately.

"Even I have my limits Robin. What you are asking is beyond even my scope of knowledge. All I can do is purge you from any and all traces of dark magic within you; and that is exactly what I intend to do. Once you are "clean" so to speak your body will no longer try to absorb arcane magic around you and your life will no longer be in danger."

"But...but I need this now more than ever! If you haven't noticed we aren't exactly in the best situation right now in our campaign against the Conqueror. I got us into this mess, and I need to try and get us out of it; and the only way that's going to happen is by using all the time at my disposal to prepare for everything."

"Did you not listen to what I just said? Your life is in danger! Are you really willing to cut your life short to keep this curse?"

"Yes!"

"...well I'm not. I'm removing the curse Robin, with or without your consent. I'll do it while you sleep if I have to. Now out of my way," she said moving past the tactician.

"Wait," Robin stopped her before she could leave, "give me...give me one more day."

"What?"

"Wait until tomorrow to remove the curse. Leave it on for one more night so that I can work until morning; you can remove it tomorrow and you won't find any resistance from me."

"Hmmmm I don't know..."

"Please, just one more day."

"...fine; but just one. Tomorrow I'm coming back and purging it out of you, are we clear?"

Robin nodded. With that the sorceress turned back and left him alone with his thoughts. Sitting down on his cot Robin cupped his face in his hands, letting out a tired sigh.

Looks like I don't have a choice; I'll have to ask him for help.

---

Author's note: *Reboots laptop* and were back.

Hey guys, it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry about that, I probably should have given you a heads up last time that we were going to have a bit of a hiatus. Like Gravity Falls, only with a much shoddier and disappointing end result. But I'm back with a new chapter, which means we're back on schedule, right? Right?

Anyway, on with "To Change the Past, To Save the Future" or more appropriately, "My Never Ending Quest to Torture Robin at a Physical/Emotional Level". And now we have the first official of a character whom I felt could have had more development in the game: Aversa. The sultry, seductive, and sadistic sorceress (alliteration is fun isn't it?). You know for some reason she reminds me of a certain character in another fanfic but I can't put my finger on who...weird.

As for the actual writing convention in the chapter, I feel like it might be a bit...lacking. Being on hiatus and putting my writing on hold has made me a bit rusty, and I think it shows. So, as always, I ask that you leave any comments and critiques so that I may continue to improve. Especially for the next chapter, which I've been looking forward to for a while now. Oh boy...it's going to be brutal.

On an unrelated note, it would be a disservice of my part if I didn't make a small suggestion to my faithful viewers. While on break I came across an old article titled "Column: What is Fan Fiction—and Why is it Making People Nervous?" By Stephen Downes in . I urge all of you to take the time to read that wonderful, well thought out, beautifully crafted piece of journalism that warns people about this mysterious and potentially dangerous new thing called "fanfiction".

But on to what you really want to know: my experience with Fire Emblem Revelations. Who did I marry? Azura (though given what is revealed later in the game I starting to have second thoughts) What did I think of it? Honestly, of the three stories it might just be the weakest. I found there to be little to no emotional stakes (except for two characters but even that was poorly handled that I was barely invested), it still leaves us with so many unanswered questions (unless you buy the DLC, which I will not do), and it drives the final nail in the coffin of Garon being one of the worst—if not THE WORST—Fire Emblem villain I've ever experienced.

So now that I've finished playing the game and some time has passed, I can give my final verdict: Fire Emblem Fates, which includes Birthright, Conquest, and Revelations) gets an 8/10. Now if you remember my initial score when I first talked about it, you'll notice that it's actually gone down by half a point. See after having finished he game and looking over it, I saw that while there was a lot that I did enjoy, there were also things that could have been done better. While I liked the concept of picking the side, the characters in gen 1, and the my addition of the "my castle" mechanic, I was not a fan of the overall story behind the game, most of the gen 2 characters (and how they were included in the game), and the fact that this game is loaded with dlc and split into three parts. I did enjoy the game, I really did, but part of me couldn't help but feel like this was a direct result of Awakening's success, which affected the overall product; but I still look forward to their next entry.

And finally, before I leave, I have one last message to impart (although you are free to go if you want, it's not that important).

2016 is almost over, and 2017 is just around the corner. A lot has happened in the world in just one year, both good and bad; but it seems like the bad has constantly outweighed the good to the point where so many people are already flipping the bird to 2016 wanting it to be over, calling it the worst year ever and saying that surely 2017 will be better simply by not being 2017. I can't say if that's true or not, or even if I share that sentiment. All I do know is that the best thing I can go is continue to move forward and do everything I can to not be brought down by what comes my way.

Happy new year everyone. I'll see you next year.