Hello!

As it's 2016, I've decided to try something a little new with the fic, so I'm going to try and do a kind of mini-storyline that'll last a few chapters. This isn't permanently becoming a story fic, this'll just be a thing I do every once in a while to make a change from one-shots if you guys like it. Tell me your thoughts!

Special thanks to NerdLord2nd for following.

Onwards!

Chapter 29

Mount Prism's peak was calm at last, free of Risen and goddesses, with the bustle of the Shepherds' camp the only sign of movement. Sylvia stood a distance away, staring out from the mountain. From here, almost all of Ylisse was visible. Despite the incredible scenery, her mind was elsewhere.

Chrom had the Exalted Falchion. The battle with Grima was close. Very close. For the first time, she confronted the reality that she might have to sacrifice herself. Before, it had always seemed so far away, but now... She felt as if she had no choice. If she didn't end the Fell Dragon for good, the people of the future would be doomed to fight the same battle again and again.

"Are you alright? People at the camp are starting to worry about you."

Turning, Sylvia came face-to-face with Flavia. Smiling sadly, the tactician wrapped her arms around the blonde's shoulders.

"It's just..." She sighed helplessly.

"Grima?" The khan guessed. "Oh... You're thinking of sacrificing yourself, aren't you...?"

Seeing her lover's desolate expression, the tactician almost wept.

"I- I have to! If I don't... Grima will just keep coming back, again and again. I couldn't live with that guilt on my shoulders." Sylvia trembled in the other woman's arms. "And... And didn't Naga say something about coming back?"

"She said you might!" Flavia argued. Seeing the white-haired tactician's expression, she calmed down. "I'm sorry. It's just... We haven't had much time together. I want to take you back to Regna Ferox with me, show you around the palace properly, maybe... Maybe even live there with you."

Sylvia stared. Eventually, she flung herself into the khan's arms, burying her face in Flavia's shoulder, sobbing.

"I... I..." She started, but couldn't find the words.

The khan's muscled arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders, holding her close.

"I know. I understand about duty." Flavia reassured softly. "I know that you have to do this. I'm not going to try and stop you."

"Y- You're not...?" Sylvia looked up at her tearfully. She had expected the khan to try and stop her, to argue, anything. This almost sounded like she approved.

"Of course not." The blonde smiled sadly. "This is what you want to do. I can't stop you being a hero, can I?"

"Thank you so much..."

Sylvia collapsed on the bed, exhausted. Once the Shepherds had learned of the fact that she had decided to sacrifice herself, there was no end of sympathy and support. A few of her close friends had even thrown a party in one of their tents, though the undoubted highlight of the night was when Tiki assured her that she could return, though it may take a while.

Flavia sat on the edge of the bed. Now that the two of them were alone, everything seemed very quiet. The blonde stared into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. Sylvia had never seen her like this.

"...You alright?" The tactician sat up, lacing her fingers through the khan's.

"Hmm?" Flavia turned her head to face her. She sighed. "Yes... Fine. Today was wonderful. I'm so happy to know you're coming back to me after all this. That's all I want."

As the two of them wrapped their arms around each other once again, Sylvia whispered gently:

"Will you... Wait for me?"

Holding her close, Flavia smiled through tears. "Of course. As long as it takes."