The Valley (VI)

I've finally edited the chapter by adding the rest of it. I hope you enjoy it and have fun. The next chapter will be written shortly. Thanks for the understanding. Have a great day everyone ;D
-J.D. King

"Robin! Let me go! Save yourself!" She desperately yelled, as cold tears ran through her white cheeks. Her heart beat fast, because she couldn't remember herself being closer to death. Robin, though, could.

"N-Never…" Robin tried to say in order to calm her down, with his teeth gritted. In the meanwhile his right hand was aching so much that he couldn't even feel it and he started losing hope as well.

"Robin! Let me go! You need both arms to climb! Please…" She cried with droplets falling down to the unknown. Robin knew she was right. And as he was looking upwards he saw the rope stretching more and more, telling him that time was not on his side…

Up in the sky flying like the wind there were dragons coming towards them. Though, this wasn't like the last time. The dragons had riders on them and Robin feared the worst. Lucina stared in the same direction as Robin and whispered surprised: "W-We've been compromised!"

"Impossible…" Robin murmured unable to even comprehend what was happening. At once, in his mind he remembered the words of the man, who he considered as his most dangerous enemy he had ever met, as of now. "Your friend has told me…"

"Could it be? And if so who?" He thought, but opted to rule out any scenario of betrayal, because he knew Shepherds' loyalty and that they were his friends, above all else. "No, I won't let him get in my head…"

As the two were standing there he noticed up in the sky the air force's formation. There were three wyverns with riders on them plus one more going on a weird animal. It was Robin's first time of seeing something like it. The beast looked like it was brought out from a fairy tale story, sharing traits of other animals. It had the body and back legs of lion, and head, wings and front legs of an eagle. The look on its scarlet red eye was fierce and it looked thirsty for battle. The flying mount was faster than the wyverns and started to move closer to them. Robin and Lucina were unsure if the riders were form the Arc, or were Risen.

Robin didn't want to waste any more time. He had to get back to his comrades and prepare to fight the enemy. Fortunately enough he couldn't see any ground forces and he still carried his aerial tomes, in order to be ready for every possible battle scenario.

The tactician and his master started running to reach the bridge and catch up with their friends. The interference of the riders caused a massive change of plans for them. While heading back Lucina fully responded to Robin's question about Sumia. He cleverly made such question to avoid being inquired about the previous events.

"She formed a strong bond with her ever since our mother passed away. I know it's silly, but we grew up with the legendary stories of heroes, or our parents' and wanted to be just like them. While I spent a lot time with my father, Cynthia did with mother. Then after father had left the world of living, being betrayed by one of his closest friends…" Robin felt like he had swollen needles and they stung him from the inside. The word betrayal echoed in his mind. "… We had arranged to create a lance in order to learn to use more weapons. But mother left for a battle and never returned. One day we saw her mount on the sky and prayed for the best, but it was alone. It proved to be that mother wanted it to guard us even if she… wasn't here." She said and lowered her head.

"Lucina, I would have never asked such a thing, if I knew how sad it was…" He tried to make up for his doing, blaming himself on the inside.

"No Robin. You did nothing wrong. I've accepted the fact that our parents are gone. In addition you have every right to know. You've earned it. As I was saying although I accepted the fact that we were alone in this world, Cynthia didn't. We never talk about that subject, since she's a completely different person when we do. Our mother's death weighed heavily on her. She started training more, made the Pegasus her mount, named it after mother, and tried to become a hero."

After seeing both of them appearing in the horizon Nah was moved to she they were all right. She rushed to greet them. The red hooded girl gave Robin a warm smile and showed him who much she cared. Robin put a fake grin on his face. In the back of his mind he had the apparent attack of the beasts and the man's words. Deep inside him he didn't even want to think Nah could ever backstab him. Somehow though by intuition he convinced himself that he was referring to Noire, who literally vanished into thin air, but doubt haunted him, second by second.

"Wow, you literally came back so quickly! Was she that close?" She calmly asked. Robin looked at her puzzled. Since he was gone for longer than an hour, why did she feel it was a matter of minutes? "It must have something to do with him appearing…" He thought.

Without wasting any breath he took a close view to his comrades and along with Lucina explained them the situation. While the threat of the gigantic dragon wasn't on the table, they had to deal with the riders, who drew closer and closer.

Having listened to Robins plan, the Shepherds were dressed together. The vanguard consisted of Robin, Lucina, Owain and Laurent, while the back lines of the others serving as supportive units. As the riders were just a minute away from them, Robin caught a glimpse of Cynthia in the sky. She wasn't told to engage, and he immediately began shouting her to come down. The Pegasus knight obeyed at his words. He knew he shouldn't have yelled, but it was for her own sake. As he watched her being in a perfect sync with her flying mount he understood what Lucina had told him earlier.

The first rider to arrive was the griffon one. The Shepherds saw the beast landing in front of them, at a close distance without any intent to attack. The legendary creature looked even more amazing from a close distance. It flapped its powerful brown wings to safely land on the ground, as it used its keen eyesight to spot them and its The creature opened its large yellow golden beak, which had a semi-circular shape, and made a terrifying roar. The tactician quickly made a step forward and was ready to cast a spell. Then its rider with a quick movement got down from the creature. He was wearing a skull helmet with two big horns, which covered his face. He was surprisingly also wearing a robe, similar to Robin's. The tactician didn't need any more clues. He knew that in front of him was the real Morgan.

The man took his helmet off, revealing his face. Although he was shorter than Robin, his facial features were nearly identical. They even had the same hair color. He held his helmet in his right hand and started to speak. The rest of the Shepherds were amazed by their similarity. Owain tightened his fist and his sword hand started twitching. On the other, Severa scowled at him, without forgetting the scar she got from their last fight.

"Lucina, Robin…" He said in an intimidating way. "I haven't forgotten what you did to me... But I'm not her for revenge. I'm here to make a deal."

"We'll never negotiate with you, you…" Robin furiously responded. Lucina moved her arm close to Robin as a sign for him to stop.

"We're listening Morgan," she told him in a cold way. Morgan then continued, having that smirk on his face.

"I will take Lucina back to the Ark so she can be put on a trial, or you give me back your map and I'll leave."

Owain laughed at his words. "And what if we reject your offer?" He asked.

"Then… I will have my revenge." Morgan replied calmly, and put a grin on his face.

Owain laughed again. "You're all alone, with only three more aerial units on your side. And we're three times more. How do you think you can get your revenge?" He asked him and gave him an angry look.

"You're wrong, swordsman. Just because you carry the royal blood doesn't give you the right to underestimate your foe." Morgan replied annoyed. He then pointed with will at the fallen exalt. "It's your call," he told her.

Lucina wasn't sure how to respond. She knew how dangerous Morgan could be, but she had to learn his true motives. Before she could even try to announce him her decision, Robin rushed at him and they fell together at the ground with force. The tactician yelled: "Now! Eliminate them!" Thus, engaging in battle. The Shepherds moved as Robin had told them to. Their goal was to bring down the flying units quickly, and focus on the gemstone.

"Fool!" Morgan told him furious. He pushed him away and got up. And so did Robin. The tactician looked the sorcerer in his eyes. He gave him an intimidating look, much like his griffon, which immediately attacked Shepherds' vanguard.

Morgan moved his hand inside his robe and unsheathed his sword. Its color was as black as the rough skin of the native dragons and looked like it was made from pure silver. It reminded Robin of the masked man's sword at the Azure's temple. Without backing down, Robin took out his own sword as well. It was an iron one, not as powerful as Morgan's, but it was lighter.

The sorcerer rushed at him, holding the sword with both of his hands, and began with a forward attack. Robin swung his blade horizontally and blocked the hit. Their swords had locked and Morgan pushed his own forward in order to make Robin knee. The tactician, who had literally rooted his feet on the ground, had started sweating on his forehead. The cold sweat started to tickle down his cheeks. "Gaaah!" He said with his teeth gritted and slowly pressed his sword against Morgan's. Fortunately enough, he found space to slid it and escape from this situation. Moving rapidly, Robin distanced himself from the sorcerer to catch his breath. He felt his heart racing, as he was sure that this battle would be their last.

Morgan swung his sword and took a look at his opponent. He could sense Robin's nervousness. Although, he didn't use his sword often he was keen on using it. Its tip had stung so many innocent souls. Robin, on the other, took a deep breath and decided to focus. Once the time was right, he rapidly took his robe off. The warm, but heavy cloth fell on the earth, revealing Robin's grey shirt. The tactician felt that he needed more speed in order to win. Though, this was a risky move, since Morgan did the exact same thing, but he was wearing a darker shirt.

Robin felt his biceps burning and the soft breeze chilling his forehead and neck. He raised his sword again and waited for his opponent's next attack. Morgan wiped his face and rushed at the tactician. He used his power to swing his blade horizontally and hope to slash Robin's chest, but the tactician moved back avoiding the hit. He then responded with a direct hit, which Morgan blocked, and took a step closer.

The sounds of the two metals hitting each other echoed in the near empty valley. Some of the Shepherds turned their head to witness their fight. The sorcerers, now swordsmen, showed exceptional skills. Robin understood his hard training with his comrades, had paid off. Everything led to this moment. It was a battle of survival. Robin was against a very dangerous man that threatened his friends' safety, but killing him would only seal their fate by making them living on the run and alone, without help from the Ark. And even if he didn't want to admit it, they needed help. On the contrast, Morgan had nothing to lose, only to win. And his impulsive way of fighting troubled Robin and made him wonder, what his true intentions were.

Robin attacked with forward hit, hoping to catch Morgan off guard. The sorcerer blocked it, and pushed him away. Robin found difficult to regain his balance and Morgan immediately ran at him. He took his first step with will and when his second leg touched the ground he jumped at Robin. He brought his sword backwards for better aim. Once he had locked his target, Robin's throat, he unleashed his hand and, like a bolt, moved his sword at the tactician.

Robin was caught completely off guard. Without even realizing it, death was approaching. Robin felt like time had frozen and Morgan's silver blade slowly moved against him. Relying on his reflexes, he opted to completely fall down and roll over, saving himself. Morgan who was displeased with the fact that he had missed his opportunity raised his sword again and tried to finish him, while he was on the ground. Robin saw his opponent angrily coming at him. There was no way to escape this time. No ace to be played. It was death.

Morgan moved his silver blade to sting him in his chest and finish the battle. Robin closed his eyes and waited for the hit. He waited for his illusion to come alive and be swollen from the dark. "I'm sorry everyone," he thought and shed one last tear.

With his eyes closed he listened to an explosion. He quickly opened them only to find that Morgan had disappeared. He took a glimpse at his surroundings and saw a bright pink light shining on him. Then he noticed with relief that his opponent had fallen near on the ground unconscious. The tactician looked amazed at the dragon, as it saved his life from sure death. With a tear of joy running down his cheek he smiled at his savior. He then turned at Morgan again and spotted his absence. Suddenly, he heard the sound of an eagle's cry. The sorcerer had ridden on his mythical mount and flew higher to soar the skies. Robin understood that their battle wasn't over. It had just begun.

The tactician then spotted the dragons gathering and coming near them. At that moment, he was there with Nah. The rest of the Shepherds were already fighting the riders and the newest bunch of dragons that had surrounded them. However, the worst had yet to come. Morgan led the remaining riders and ordered them to move their fight closer to the bridge, pushing their enemy. Showing a remarkable docility the Risen dragons, not only followed Morgan's words but fought even harder. At one point the Shepherds started approaching the cliff and having acknowledged that Lucina shouted at her comrades to press forward. Fighting with determination the Shepherds started to make the necessary steps to win the battle.
In the meanwhile, in the air Gerome and Laurent's duo proved enough to bring another rider down, leaving Morgan with only one more unit.

Robin then observed his movement from the ground. He spotted the man being clocked by a dark aura. That aura viciously expanded and embraced his animal, as well. The tactician felt the earth beneath him shaking, and immediately tried to balance himself, while being there for Nah, in case she needed his help. He took a look at her and saw her pink eyes staring behind him. Robin turned back and witnessed the dust from the dragons' corpses beginning to move and taking a new form. Robin saw the dragon's last from, held his sword tighter.

Fire Emblem: The Man That Never Was
Chapter 8: The Valley

A/N (Author's Note): Hello again everybody! Phew... I thought I wouldn't make it... And actually I didn't... This chapter is 80% finished. I felt like it was better than making you wait another day. So, what happens now... I will try to edit it again tomorrow, as soon as I humanly can and "add" that 20%.

Note: The beginning was what I was experimenting with. It's pretty much the end of the Valley chapter. I hoped to include the "explanation/how we got there" in this particular chapter as a flashback, but my time was up and I had to chose between NO chapter and 80% chapter.

[edit]: I've finally found time to write it and upload it. Phew... it ended up close to 1.000 words. I hope you like it. And I apologise for informing you that way. I'll try to work harder to write more better and please everyone :)

Please keep in mind that I've opened a poll. I'm testing it out and if things go well, I'll include questions based on this story.

-Replies to recent reviews:

-ShadowFenix98: Thank you very much for taking the time to review! I'm glad you liked it :) I can only promise for more and better chapters.

-New Replies to most recent reviews:

-ShadowFenix98: Thanks for reviewing, again, and for your kind words! I hope this battle and the "rest" of the chapter was satisfying enough :)

-Axel Rider: Heh, never apologise again for not reviewing. You're not obliged to :) And, thank you once again for your comments. They literally act as a small boost and help me work harder and more determined. Nah...You don't need to thank me for anything. I haven't done anything special :)

Please don't mind any grammatical errors. No copyright intended. Also please keep in mind that there is a problem with the site (at least for me) and bold text isn't showing up with the default font. Change the font for bold text to appear. :)

As always, until next time, please have yourselves a darn good one ;D

J.D. King

Dedicated to some friends, who without them I wouldn't be the person and writer I am today.