The following day, much to Morgan's relief, Robin and Lucina returned from their vacation at a ski resort. However, they both looked noticeably different.

But it was not the fatigue or brutal cold that affected them. Rather, the two gave off a glow that made it seem like they were refreshed in every way. They projected a certain aura of peace, and they had a pair of unending smiles that seemed to be frozen on their faces. In truth, Morgan couldn't recall a time in her short memory when she saw her parent's happier, and when Morgan asked what they did other than "sleeping" that had them in such a good mood.

Robin simply replied, "We had our third, but far from the last of our honeymoons, and we had many memorable and unforgettable moments together that did not involve "sleeping." None of which I can tell you, because we have not reached that point in our story yet." Robin snickered.

As for the rest of the day, it went fairly straight forward. Sumia hugged her daughter the moment she saw her and demanded to know the exact details of their trip. While Chrom spent a good thirty minutes ranting about Morgan and her intolerable behavior. Which significantly differed from Sumia's opinion that she acted like an "Angel."

Other than that, the happy couple spent a large amount of time unpacking their supplies and adjusting back to their lower altitude, and it was not until night fell that the two had time to be with Morgan.

"Are you comfortable dear?" Lucina asked while she tucked Morgan in her bed for the night.

"Yes, mom." Morgan replied with her head sunk into her soft pillow. "Though, there is something that will make me more comfortable."

Robin laughed and said, "Yes we know, you want to hear the story."

"Hehe, well that too." Morgan smiled, "But I wanted to ask, how are you feeling dad?"

Robin paused for a moment and looked at Morgan's concerned big blue eyes before replying, "I'm doing okay, and I guess Chrom received a letter from Henry saying that we can expect him tomorrow.

"Oh really?"

"Mhm, turns out that the roads were in ideal conditions on his travels and it has allowed him to travel quicker than usual."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, I suppose you could say it is a good omen, and I am sure that whatever is ailing me when come to pass very soon." Robin said encouragingly.

"I'm glad to hear it." Morgan smiled.

"As am I" Robin laughed. "Now then, how about we continue where Chrom left off? After how much he has complained about it, I have a good idea where to go next."

"Sounds good to me!"

Now, what I assume the old and cranky man forgot to tell you was how hard it is to mobilize an army, and since the Mila tree provided no military purpose, we decided it was best to go with a small division while the remaining 95% of our troops stayed with the khans at the shore. It was also safer because if Valm threatened to surrounded our forces while we were away, then all our men needed to do was retreat to the sea where we had absolute supremacy.

Meanwhile our small garrison started our way under the veil of night as we slowly made our way inland. We were marching in a line and I was near, Lissa, Frederick, Chrom, Lucina, Kellam, and Cordelia.

...

"Nnnng, It's so dark I can barely see where I am going." Lissa cried as we walked through the dark night with only a handful of torches so we would not be noticed.

"Well it beats having to fight our way through during the day." Chrom muttered back.

"...I guess, but what time is it anyways?"

"Around three in the morning Milady." Frederick said stoically.

"Errrgg, no wonder I am so tired, and it's so cold that my muscles are aching."

"Perhaps Milady would find it more comfortable to ride my horse.

*Yawn* "That's okay Frederick. I don't want you to have to walk in that big suit of armor."

"It is my duty to serve you Milady no matter the cost. We need you refreshed and relaxed with a rough morning ahead of us."

"Oh, well it does sound nice." Lissa beamed. "Especially since I am sooo tired."

"Speaking of which." Chrom interrupted and glared at his sister. "You shouldn't be tired in the first place. We told you to get some sleep during the day so this wouldn't be a problem."

"I tried! But it was just so bright, and it was such a lovely day. It also didn't help that I was very energetic too. It was impossible to get any sleep like that."

Chrom held a hand on his forehead and said, "I told you not to eat that much chocolate. That's what kept you awake."

"Hmmph, that's like asking Panne to go a day without carrots!" Lissa cried defensively. "And besides, don't think I won't tell Sumia about how much chocolate you ate!"

Chrom started sweating and quickly hushed her "Hey, not so loud! My wife has good hearing you know."

"Hehehe, I know. And what do you think she will say when she finds out about you skipping your diet?"

"Alright." He sighed. "I'll stop teasing you. Just don't mention it to Sumia."

Lissa laughed and held a prideful grin on her face. "Hehe, okay, but next time you bother me I will tell!"

...

Chrom took a deep breath of relief and mumbled, "Gods, if she ever found out about me skipping my diet than I would-

"... You've been WHAT?!" Sumia yelled and swooped down from the sky. As luck would have it, she was returning from her patrol of the area and the poor king was in for it.

"Oh! Dear, heh heh" Chrom rubbed the back of his head and looked away from the death stare Sumia was giving him. "... I was just."

"Hmph, and to think that I rewarded you with your favorite pie for dinner because you had been so good about your eating!" Sumia said in contempt. Just one look from her ferocious eyes could kill.

"Look." Chrom tried to say commandingly but gulped in fear "I am twenty years old and the king of a very healthy nation. Which means I don't even need a diet!"

"How can you say that?! You know Ling Yuchen died at 22 from a heart attack and he was the fifteenth in line to the throne!"

"Ling Yu-? Wait, isn't that the ninja that you keep talking about from one of your fantasy books?"

"Don't change the subject!"

"But-"

"But nothing! I am not having my husband die on me when we have so many wonderful and happy years left!" She yelled in hysteria.

"But-"

I turned to Lucina and laughed as Sumia continued her assault of Chrom's weak defenses. "You know, I don't think I have ever seen something more terrifying in my life than when Sumia is angry."

"...That is what my father use to tell me when I was little. He said he would rather face the gates of hell instead of taking the risk of upsetting mother."

We both watched as Sumia 'slapped' Chrom on the shoulder with her fist. "Ha ha, I bet. At this rate, the poor soul wont even make it to see the sun rise."

"...Yeah." Lucina's face went pale and she winced in pain.

"Er, is something wrong?" I asked concerned.

She shook her head and said, "No, I am fine..."

"Are you sure?"

"... Well there is something I need to speak to you about in private. But it can wait."

"Oh, what about?"

She sighed and said, "It's about my parents."

"Ah." I nodded and thought it over for a second. Then I motioned for her to follow me as I made my way to Frederick's horse with a tired princess on the saddle.

"Hey Lissa. Lucina and I are going to scout up ahead since Sumia appears to be busy. Make sure she doesn't kill Chrom until we get back.

"Tehehe, no promises." Lissa laughed.

…

A few minutes passed as we separated ourselves from the group. We were a good 400 to 500 feet in front of everyone, but if you listened closely enough you could still hear Chrom and Sumia in the background.

"So, what is the problem?" I asked while holding my torch up high and scanning the dirt road in front of me.

Lucina hesitated and looked back at me in doubt before saying, "Well it is just that... ... I've noticed in battles that you usually have my parents fight in areas where their lives are at risk."

"Yeah... but all our lives are at risk each time we fight."

"Well yes, but it seems like you deliberately put my parents in the most dangerous spots. In our last battle, you had them go deep behind enemy lines to help defend Say'ri with only three others units to give them support."

I nodded and hid a grin of satisfaction that the plan worked perfectly. Chrom, Sumia, Cordelia, and Frederick were able to defend the position while Cherche swooped in and rescued Say'ri. "Heh, I'll admit it was dangerous, but it was nothing they couldn't handle. After all, your parents are no strangers to combat."

Lucina sighed and said, "I know... but still. That was not the first time Chrom and Sumia have been at the center of the fighting without much support."

"And it won't be the last I am afraid." I said quietly.

Lucina instantly grimaced and looked at me at horror. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head and said, "Our war has just begun, and there will be many battles that will require endangering their lives."

"I...I understand that. But why must my parents fight on the front lines?" Lucina said in concern. "Forgive me, I don't know much about tactics, but wouldn't it be safer for them to provide support from the back or perhaps in less perilous situations."

"Of course it would be safer." I replied back casually, "However, let me ask you a question... What would you do if I ordered you not to fight in our next battle. Instead, all you could do is watch as our forces fought desperately to hold their ground as the enemy army overwhelmed our lines."

"I would disobey your order and help anyone I could!" Lucina replied passionately with a fierce determination in her eyes.

I smiled and said, "I figured as much, but why? What would compel you to disobey my order?"

Lucina stop in her tracks and stared at me like I was mad. "Because lives are in danger! I can't just sit around and do nothing while everyone fights!"

"So you would carelessly risk your life to defend anyone you could. You would even disobey a direct order if need to be." I pointed out and looked back at her with a smug look on my face. "So how do you think Chrom would feel sitting at the back of the line? How many times would he endure the sight of his best friends in danger while he is forced to sit back and do nothing.

Lucina looked down at the ground and said, "He wouldn't allow that to happen."

"Exactly. He would feel so enraged about not begin able to help, that it would cause him to recklessly charge into battle. And since he is not thinking while is blindly running into danger. His life would be in very serious peril."

"... I see." She replied in a low raspy voice.

"Believe it or not, the front lines is probably the safest place for him. It is where he feels comfortable and he takes great pride knowing his friends are not in his position."

"But doesn't he know the dangers?"

"Of course, and so does Sumia." I replied back and stepped over a fallen tree branch in the middle of the road. "I've warned them about it countless times. Especially the great risk of leaving Lissa in charge of our kingdom... Though they rarely listen to me." I chuckled and kicked a rock out of the road so Frederick wouldn't have a heart attack later.

Lucina sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "And there is nothing you can do to deter them?"

"Nothing practical."

"... I see." She looked down at the ground and grimaced in fear.

There was a long pause as Lucina sighed and left herself to her thoughts. I wanted to tell her more to try to ease her worries, but you never know who could be eavesdropping on the conversation.

"Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

"No, that is it."

I nodded and looked back behind me. "Then we better get back and make sure Chrom is still alive."

...

"Whoaaa... I don't think I've ever felt so small..." Lissa said astonished at the colossal tree we saw in the distance. Even the clouds could not surpass its height as it extended beyond the sky, and the rising sun overlooking the tree seem to make it even more illustrious.

"Most impressive indeed... So the shrine hides all the way up in its branches?" Frederick asked Say'ri as the rest of us stood in wonder at the sight of the Mila Tree.

"Aye, sir. A great staircase inside the trunk leads up to it. However, the empire has closed off the only route to the steps. Or perhaps 'roots' to the steps, I should say."

"Oy! Did Gregor hear foreign swordswoman correctly? Gregor will be needing to climb stairs all the way to the top of giant living tower?

"Aye, even the pegasi and wyverns cannot fly up that tall. The air is too thin for them."

"Gah, Gregor's legs are trembling just thinking about long journey to space. Gregor does not feel right climbing higher than angry flying dragons... Especially since Gregor was not born with wings."

"Hehe, what's the matter Gregor? Are you afraid of heights?" Lissa teased.

"Oy! Gregor is not afraid of tall places...Gregor is afraid of falling from tall places!"

Lissa burst into laughter and said, "I guess I have that fear too. Though I can't imagine walking all those steps either. It sound soooo exhausting."

I looked down at the division of red armored men scattered across the tree's roots and said, "And there is also the problem of getting there too.

Chrom nodded and asked "What do you have in mind my friend?"

"I am thinking we split into three groups. You'll take charge of the center, I will take the left, and Frederick will lead the right."

"And where would you have me fight?" Say'ri asked determined.

"Oh right, I didn't assign you anywhere yet." I mumbled . "... You see that man over there." I pointed to a brown-haired man who was standing at the edge of a ridge and staring at the enemy with intense concentration. "That is Lon'qu. He is a sword master like yourself."

"Lon'qu? ... You have another Chon'sin warrior under your command?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"His name, it is of Chon'sin origin."

"Really? Huh, I never would have guessed... He is actually a champion of Regna Ferox's army; not Valm's" I said absentmindedly. I had always known Lon'qu was not from Regna because the khans have their champions fight from foreign countries, but I never thought to ask where he was from.

"A champion you say? … Fie, I don't know how much help I can be against someone so gifted with the sword, but I will make sure not to get in his way."

"Perfect." I chuckled. "As long as you keep some distance then I am sure he won't die from his phobia."

She looked at me confused and said, "Pardon me, your language is still strange to me. To what does phobia mean?"

I laughed and said, "It means he is afraid of anyone touching him or being within a certain distance."

"Ah, and how far is this distance?"

"Let's see." I held my hand to my chin and said, "About 5 feet apart in battle ... and 500 feet out of battle."

Say'ri looked at me strangely, but shook it off and said, "Okay, I shall do that."

"Alright, since that is taken care of, let's get into formations."

Frederick nodded and yelled to our party. "Alright everyone listen up, Robin is going to explain our plan so everyone pay attention... That includes you too Vaike!"

...

"Rwaarggghhh!" Vaike cried as he sent his axe plummeting straight into a swordman's chest. "Ha, you should no better than to mess with ole' Teach."

Nowi laughed and transformed into a dragon besides him. "You see what happens when you remember your weapon?"

"I was just giving our enemy a fair fight back at the port. I could take on this entire force with my fists alone!" Vaike grunted and threw his axe at an archer that decapitated his head. "That's two." He said pridefully while failing to notice three oncoming berserkers.

Nowi roared and exhaled a roasting wave of fire at the enemy in front of us. It blew the berserkers backwards and all that remained of their bodies at the end of the blast was charred remains. "... That's three."

"Hey no fair! That is cheating! Those soldiers were mine!"

"Forgive me, I am sorry for saving your life! Next time I will be sure to let them kill you."

"Meh, you have no faith in ole' Teach's amazing prowess."

"You're right. I don't."

...

"Heh, it seems like they are getting along." I remarked to Lucina while parrying a swordsman and blocking his attack, but there was no response from her as I moved in and slashed the enemy in the side. I looked back to see Lucina dealing with an armored knight. However, her focus seemed to be elsewhere. Even when she circled around him and used the falchion's unbreaking blade to cut through his armor, her attention seemed to be centered on the fighting happening away from us. Specifically, where Chrom and Sumia were battling against a seasoned dark knight.

"Lucina, there is two more men up ahead. I'll take the left one okay?"

"...Yeah ... sure." She responded with little interest and barely glanced back at the enemy.

I squinted in doubt, but ignored it and ran forward to attack the spearman. I dodged his thrust and stabbed him in the chest while my flank was exposed to the other soldier. Though, he was occupied with a devastating assault by Lucina as she showed him no mercy."

I took this time to quickly see how my party was faring. Vaike and Nowi were advancing without trouble. While Gaius and Panne stealthily executed a few men to our left. Chrom's and Frederick's squads also seemed to be making very quick progress as we were already half way to the tree's entrance.

"Something is wrong, this is going too easy." I muttered and looked out to the enemy in front of us. They were still charging at us without any hesitation despite our strong push.

...

"HAHA! That is five!" Vaike boasted and pulled his axe out of the dead man's chest. We were already reaching the point where our path would cross with the rest of the shepherds soon and once we linked up, we could storm the commander without trouble.

Regardless, our enemy's morale still stayed strong, and I thought I heard through the sound of swords clashing a cry of cheer from one of their men. It was not until I looked back that I understood their high spirits. There was an entire division of soldiers charging at us from the rear. Though, they were still a far ways away from us, and as long as we kept charging forward and merged back into one cohesive fighting group then they would not be a threat.

I decided it was best not to alert our army about the situation yet because we needed to focus on charging the center first.

"Everyone expect tough resistance from here on out. They are not going to let us regroup without a fight." I yelled and watched as Vaike carelessly charged forward with Nowi sighing in her dragon form as they headed towards four pikemen.

"Looks like we better giver him a hand." I said aloud, but it felt like I was talking to myself as Lucina was too distracted to notice.

There wasn't any time for me to snap here out of it so I had to leave her and help out Vaike before he got himself killed. Vaike easily took out two of them and I managed to blocks the blows that were meant for his head, but more men were charging at our position and Nowi's help was only enough to repel them from getting any closer.

And just when things couldn't get any more dire,

"Pegasus knights!" Gaius cried in alarm. They were coming from our left and right to flank, and they must have waited as reinforcements while we fought through their regiment. This meant that we were now surrounded on all sides as we took defensive formations against or foe.

...

Lucina! Look out for that Pegasus Rider!" I yelled and turned away from the action.

Huh?!" Lucina instantly turned around and managed to dodge the blow. Then she quickly thrust her sword into the enemies stomach and knocked the rider of her horse. It was a close call but luckily I was able to warn her and ..."Augh!"

There was a sound of a steel lance plunging straight through iron leggings and piercing the skin of its victim. Unfortunately, it was me who felt the sharp pain plunge straight into my thigh, and I could already feel the blood trickling down my leg. One of the enemy knights managed to send a powerful attack on me while my back was turned and nearly pierced the other side of my skin. It hurt like hell and-

...

"Gah." Robin clutched his stomach and gritted his teeth.

"Father?" Morgan asked concerned.

"...Lucina... I ...I think Morgan looks a little pale." Robin grunted in pain and breathed deeply. "Could you check on her for a moment."

Lucina stayed still with wide eyes and extreme concern but managed to restrain herself and nodded back.

"I'll, erggg, go ask Lissa to check on her." Robin felt the pain rise to his chest and his legs were shaking severely. He quickly used what strength he had left to slam the door shut behind him and ran a few paces down the corridor before collapsing to his knees.

"Dad!" Morgan's faint cry echoed through the door. Robin knew he could not hide this anymore, but he could at least spare her the sight of him in this state.

*cough* *cough* "Ack!" Robin covered his mouth with his right hand and clutched onto his chest with the other. There was a fire burning near his lungs and a freezing sensation running downing his spine.

"Why now?" Robin choked out the words in pain and forced himself to stay focused. He needed to stay alert or he would faint and worry the hell out of his wife when she found him.

*cough* *cough*

He looked back at his hand and noticed it was covered in blood, but it wasn't red. At least, it wasn't the rich red color that he was use to seeing.

Instead, the liquid on his hand was a dark foreboding maroon color and it was slowly getting darker as time passed. It was almost as if he was slowly watching his hand turn into a black void.

All he could do was stared at it in wonder. If this is what his blood looked like after he coughed it up, he shuttered to think of what was happening inside of him.

"Whuh errrgg, what kind of curse is this?"

...

"Auuuggghhh!" Robin yelled in agony. He felt his chest erupt and it seemed like his stomach was trying to tear him apart from the inside out. He couldn't take it anymore at this rate.

With his body shutting down, the only thing his brain could do was picture his wife and child looking over him in fear. Even if they were just a vision, their frightened faces hurt him more than the torture he was suffering. "...Lucinaa, Mor-gan." He pleaded in torment and felt his hands go numb.

The Lucina in front of him slowly moved towards him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. She gazed into his pain staking eyes and gently smiled in the same way when he proposed to her.

In that instant, his pain subsided and his chest cooled down. Soon he felt feeling in his legs again, and his strength was returning to him. He was sweating profusely, and struggling to breathe, but he was okay.

Robin immediately raised his head and searched for Lucina or Morgan but there was no sign of his family anywhere. It was almost as if it the entire episode never happened.

And as for his hand covered in blood.

…

It returned back to its rich red color.