Keaton will be paired with Rinkah in the upcoming story. In the meantime enjoy chapter 29.
Chrom and his comrades had reached the open sea. They still had three of Lucina's friends to find, but that would come along the way.
"Ah, take it all in! Breathtaking... Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here." Robin smiled.
"Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them..." Chrom chuckled. "I should be grateful the Plegians delivered us this fleet, as promised. But it's my first time on a vessel, and my legs... I never fancied myself a sea captain."
"This is my first voyage as well. In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports." Lucina replied.
"Lucina...Something I've been meaning to ask...After we defeated Gangrel...Why didn't you stay with us? Robin, I knew wanted to help restore Plegia. But what of you?"
"I felt I had no other choice. I could not risk altering history any more than necessary. I sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return."
"Hey, so wait—what about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if Robin didn't save him?" Lissa asked.
"He would have been gravely wounded. And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come."
"Whoa! Good thing you changed things, huh, Robin?"
The tactician sighed. "I wonder…I still failed to save the exalt. We stalled her death, yes, but in the end, I was not able to prevent it."
"...You both did what you could." Chrom replied.
"I was so certain it was over." Lucina said in regret. "That we saved the world. But time simply found another way back to its course. Perhaps the task is simply too great... Perhaps if I asked Robin to do things a bit differently? Maybe if I went with him? I replay events in my head, over and over..."
"So, do I." Robin added. "I constantly look at all the drafts of my strategies for the day of her death…"
"Don't. You did your best. And you two saved me, after all."
"You're kind, Father. But nothing is certain...Another could take your life. Time could find a way..."
"...Do you know how I die?"
"Only rumors... I was told you fell in a great battle, fought to sway your destiny. ...And that you were murdered—betrayed by someone dear to you."
"Nngh! Ah..."
Everyone turned to see Robin clutching his head.
"Robin? What is it?"
Lucina rushed to his side. "Robin! Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
"M-my head... I don't..."
"Aunt Lissa, do something!"
"N-no, Lucina…I'm fine."
"Are you certain?"
"Y-yeah…thank you…"
Lucina looked carefully at Robin.
"You were saying, Lucina?" Chrom said.
"…After your murder and Grima's return, I took the name Marth and fought back. I prayed to the Hero-King for a small part of the strength he used to save the world. But I need this subterfuge no longer. I choose to fight as Lucina now. The name that reminds me of the strength in the man and woman who chose it."
"A strength shared by the woman who bears it." Chrom smiled.
Just then, Fredrick entered the deck. "The Pegasus knights report the Valmese fleet matches ours, ship for ship."
"Your tone tells me this is not good news." Chrom said.
"Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers."
"If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered."
Flavia stepped in with Basilio. "We've little choice but to try anyway. Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with other supplies...including oil."
"Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that." Chrom smirked, turning to Robin.
"Hmm...Perhaps he could."
"If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to." Flavia said. "We could—
"You could roast us all like hams! Are you truly so eager to die, woman?!" Basilio asked.
"Do you have a better idea, oaf?! ...The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm...How to get the lit oil on their decks without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?"
"Hmm...Unless we WANT our ships caught in the blaze..." Robin smirked.
"Why in the gods' names would..."
"Not to worry Basilio." Fredrick said. "We, Shepherds know that look in Robin's eye. He has something planed."
"So, you trust me now?" Robin asked.
"If you asked me a few weeks ago, I would be unsure of how to answer that. But if you were going to betray us, the best chances were gone after we met up with the kahns."
"Well then! Gods save us from what he's cooked up this time—let's just hope it's not us!" Baslilio laughed.
"Chrom, I have an idea."
"Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Robin."
"But for my plan to work we'll need to disrupt their chain of command... Our strongest team would need to board their lead ship and kill their general. As our best captain I'd have you head the squad, but you ARE the prince, so..."
"Yes, I AM the prince, so no one can order me NOT to go. I will lead the assault!"
"Then this plan truly stands a chance."
"Heh... So much has changed since the day you snuck into the casstle...Hard to believe you determine the fate of our entire army now...our entire people. Destiny has a strange way."
"...No, Chrom. Not destiny."
"What?"
"I barley remember any of my childhood. But there is one thing I remember clearly. My mother put a hand on my shoulder and spoke with a certain degree of faith and seriousness...We're not pawns of some scripted fate. I believe we're more. Much more."
"How do you mean?
"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together... Like...invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength... WE forged these ties. WE strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be by our choices, not some "destiny"..."
"Quite the phosphor, this mother of yours was." Chrom smirked.
"Hmph. Perhaps that's enough philosophy for one day... There are still details to discuss."
"Indeed, there are! And preparations to be made! Oh, and, Robin..."
"Yeah?"
Chrom smiled. "If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you."
The tactician gave him a smile of his own. "Heh."
"Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ignatius, of the army of Valm, looked ahead to see one ship approach his team. "One ship against three of ours? They're either very brave or very stupid... Either way, their bodies will float on the long sea before the day is done."
The ships surrounded Chrom's and the boarding planks came down.
"Here we go!" Robin said. "Team A, with Chrom! Team B, with the Kahns! Junior Shepherds, with me!" The group split up so each ship was attacked.
"You just had to tell him about that, didn't you?" Severa muttered with a slight blush. Lucina felt her cheeks redden herself.
"Here they come!" Kjelle said.
As they boarded the ship the enemy charged. But the Junior Shepherds guided by Robin were able to pick them off one by one.
After Laurent blew the last man overboard with a wind spell he turned to Robin. "Grandmaster. I didn't see anyone giving orders. The general is not on this ship."
"Hmph. They didn't even assign a leader for this one? Sloppy." The tactician scoffed.
"Hah! These chumps were nothing, even for me!" Brady smirked, putting his new axe over his shoulder. During the trip to Ferox Robin used some of the army's budget to provide improved armor and weapons for the Junior Shepherds, except for Nah and Yarne, who wouldn't benefit from it. Kjelle and Laurent even got horses. And training with all their parents made them considerably stronger.
"You have all grown much stronger." Robin smiled. "You've become true warriors."
"Heh. I wonder what master would say." Kjelle smiled.
"This is the second time you mentioned a master." Robin said.
"Yes. His name is Riam."
Robin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yeah. I wish Riam were here." Nah sighed. "He would have taken this entire ship out on his own without breaking a sweat."
Robin turned to Lucina who stared at the floor in sadness.
"He should be around." Cynthia smirked. "He might be helping out in Valm already!"
"I wouldn't put it past him." Laurent replied. "Sir, Riam was always dedicated to fighting for the weak."
Lucina bit her lip.
"Yup. That's our boss alright." Brady grinned. "Hey, Lucina, what's up?"
The princess looked up. "What?"
"Worried about him?" Cynthia asked. "Don't be. He can handle himself."
"Uh…right." Lucina sighed to herself. They didn't know. She hadn't told them yet. That their father figure and leader was already dead.
"Strike me down, and ten will take my place...You...have...lost!"
Chrom turned away from the dead general's body. "Sumia, tell Robin and Flavia that the general has fallen and that I'm giving the signal soon." They need to gather all the armored and mounted units along with anyone who can't swim onto one boat and rejoin the rest of the fleet. Make sure they use the remaining space to load up anyone they can."
"On it!"
Robin, Flavia and their teams watched as Chrom lead half of the ships into the massive fleet the enemy lead.
"I just hope this works…" Sully said.
"We'll find out soon." Kellam said.
"Look! Chrom and the others are jumping ship!" Stahl said.
"He gave the signal." Robin said.
Soon all the ships, Chrom abandoned were set on fire. The continued their course until they rammed into the enemy ships, destroying them and reducing them to flaming chunks of wood.
The tactician smirked. "Checkmate."
"Fliers! Get them out of there!" Flavia ordered.
"Roger!" All the Pegasus Knights and Wyvern Riders flew towards the wreckage.
"Father…"
Robin put a hand on Lucina's shoulder. "He'll be fine." Robin replied.
Shortly the riders returned with Bassilio, Chrom and the rest of the army that was on the boats.
"You did it." Robin smirked.
"More like we did." Chrom said wringing out his cape. "But next time warn me in advance if there's going to be swimming."
Everyone looked at the wreckage in front of them. "The sea itself is on fire!" Lissa gaped.
Fredrick stared in shock. "It worked! It worked!"
"Only you could hatch such a brilliant scheme, Robin." Flavia smirked. "Who else would desert half our vessels and turn them into flaming cannonballs? And there was still enough room on the remaining ships for all our troops. It was so simple, and yet the Valmese never saw it coming. They never considered anyone might be willing to sacrifice half a fleet..."
"We may have won the day, but the war still looms. We must continue on and seize control of their main harbor." Chrom said.
"Aye, boy! I've had enough of the smoke and smell here for one lifetime, besides." Basilio replied trying to dry himself off.
"Full speed for Valm!"
Lucina noticed Robin stare at the wreckage in silence. "Are you alright?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah…"
Lucina squeezed his hand. "You did what you had to do. I know your, like your mother wanted to save as many people as possible…but saving everyone is…impossible."
"I…I know…"
Lucina rubbed Robin's back as he dwelled in the pain of his actions.
"This burden is not yours alone Robin." The two of them looked at Chrom as he approached with a towel wrapped around him. "A true murderer would kill with no remorse. Just as I did before I met you. I won't ever forget the importance of acknowledging your opponents position. We don't fight to kill. We fight to protect. And that makes all the difference."
Robin gave a small smile. "Thank you Chrom."
The army was unaware of a Pirate ship that followed them. The gallery was huge. But it housed only four people.
The masked man and Priam were looking at the flames.
"Heh, heh. You were right." Priam smirked. "I don't know how he does it…truly impressive."
"Let's slip into the opening they made. We should avoid confronting them at all cost."
Robin was waiting inside a private meeting room in the flagship. Almost all the Junior Shepherds were with him at the table.
"Tch…what's taking her so long?" Severa asked.
Nah rushed in the door. "Hah…sorry I'm late…My mother, requires so much attention…"
"You sound like a mother yourself." Cynthia snickered.
"Well, that's all the Junior Shepherds." Robin said. "Let's get this meeting underway." Everyone took a seat at the table. "First I would like to explain why Lucina decided to include me in this meeting. I will start by saying that she has told me about all of you and your mission when we meet two years ago."
Some of the members gasped. "B-but Lucina! I thought you said we should avoid interacting with others!" Norie said.
"I had no choice…you see…shortly after I arrived here I was ambushed by Aversa."
"Aversa? Wasn't she a Grima lover?" Brady asked.
"Yes. I let my guard down and…I was captured and brought to Plegia."
"Wait, YOU captured?" Kjelle asked. "Lucina, seriously. How could you of all people mess up like that?"
"Hey, you were captured by Gaius!" Cynthia retorted.
"On the contrary. I saw him coming. I just played along so I could get into the enemy camp. If he was with the Stonewall Knights, then I could escape and tell the Riders of Dawn their location. Or better yet kill the leader."
"Yes, and that would work out juuuuuuuust fine with your weapon pointed at you and your hands tied behind your back." The Pegasus Knight scoffed rolling her eyes.
"I knew what I was doing. I could ripped my arms free from that pathetic rope at any point I wanted. Even then I could more than handle a few lowlifes without my hands. Lucina, you should know better. You should have at least been able to escape on your own."
"I got captured by Aversa too, you got a problem with that?" Severa sneered.
Kjelle froze for a second. She knew Severa wasn't someone you should anger. "Uh, no. Of course not."
"That's what I though. Just be glad you weren't with us for the interrogations."
"Hey, I have enough endurance to outlast ten interrogations."
"That would amount to about half of one from Aversa…" Cynthia shuddered.
"Try a quarter, nerd." Severa said. "My skin feels tingly just thinking about it."
"Well back to what actually matters, I assume Plegia is where you met Robin?" Laurent asked.
"Yes. Wait, how did you know he was Plegian?"
"Unlike the rest of you, apparently, I thought of looking up all the Shepherds, before our journey. Though Robin's was rather hard to find, and even then, I know only bits and bites…"
"Right…I suppose that would be a smarter move." Lucina said. "Well, Robin despised the king and his methods, so I connived him to help me."
"At first all she said was that Gangrel was plotting to assassinate Emmeryn. I knew it was something he would do, so I snuck into the castle and stopped the assassination."
"Great! So, aunt Emm, is still alive?" Cynthia asked.
Robin looked down at the table. "No…she was latter captured and executed. I failed…"
"Damn!" Brady growled. "We couldn't change anything!"
"I wouldn't be too sure." Robin said. "I at least prevented Chrom from getting wounded. So this time, he can fight at his best."
"Well…it's something." Kjelle said.
"In any case after the war, Lucina was freed and she told me of the rest of you and I had Henry look for all of you using his ravens. After we found out where you were however, Vailidar rose to power."
"The leader of the Grimleal. As history intended." Laurent said.
"Yes. And upon his return, he arrested Lucina and captured Severa and Cynthia. Knowing we had to act I used Vailidar's audience with Chrom to sneak out of Plegia with the girls."
"Hey, don't skip the details!" Cynthia said.
"What details?" Severa asked. "You want to tell everyone about what they dressed us in for Validar's party and getting shocked by Aversa?"
Lucina looked away with a blush. "Well...As much as I would rather not talk about it, explaining our enemies methods and actions could prove beneficial..."
"What?! No! I mean Lucy and Robin hooking up!"
Both Robin and Lucina were blushing now as everyone broke into murmurs.
"Really Lucina? That's great news!" Nah beamed. "I knew you had feelings for him growing up!"
"We can discuss this later." Lucina muttered.
"In any case, she decided to tell Chrom the truth." Robin said. "After that we started finding all of you one by one. And here we are now."
"That's everything that has happened?" Kjelle asked.
"In a nutshell."
"I see." Laurent said. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
"Lucina also told me that a Shephard betrayed Chrom in the end. I've been investigating on the matter."
"As have I." Laurent said. "That's why I did my research on all of the Shepherds."
"I'd imagine that you, finding little info on me would put me high on your list of suspects." Robin said.
"On the contrary. You are currently near the bottom of that list. If you were going to stop us you had the perfect chance when Lucina told you our mission. You could have killed her back in Plegia when none of us or the Shepherds were around, and you would have easily gotten away with it. No one would ever know."
"I see."
"Any ideas on who it could be?" Yarne asked.
"I can personally rule Henry and Tharja out." Robin said. "I've known them for years and they wouldn't stab Chrom in the back. Tharja may say she has a dark side, but that's a false past, that was burned into her mind by Aversa, according to Henry."
"Then who?" Lucina asked.
"Fredrick would choke himself with bear meat before hurting Chrom. Lissa and Sumia wouldn't do it either."
"What about Gaius? He's a thief."
"Vaike also said he wanted to beat dad in a fight." Cynthia said.
"Well, pointing the finger wildly will get us nowhere." Robin said. "For now, I want everyone keeping a close eye on this time's Shepherds. If any of you notice someone acting strangely, let me know. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good. This should conclude our meeting."
"Wait, what about the rest of our friends?" Yarne asked. "Gerome, Owain, Inigo and Sir, Riam are still missing."
Lucina and Robin felt their skin get cold. "Actually…that's one more thing I need to tell everyone." Lucina said.
Robin sighed. He knew this was coming.
"What's up Lucy?" Cynthia asked.
"Gerome, Owain and Inigo are on an island on the way to Valm. We'll stop there and look for them."
"What about master?" Kjelle asked.
Lucina took a deep breath. A single tear fell.
"Lucina? What's wrong?" Nah asked.
Lucina gathered her bearings as Robin rubbed her back. "Sir, Riam isn't here…He…He's…dead."
The room fell into dead silence. Robin looked at all the shocked faces.
"…Ha! Yeah, real funny, Lucina!" Brady said. "I mean the boss? Dead? Ha, ha! And we thought you would never get jokes!" His nervous laughter shortly died down. "Y-ya are joking…right?"
Lucina looked down at the table in shame. "As we were leaving…"
"The portal is ready, children of man." A voice said.
"Thank you, Naga." Lucina replied. She and the children of the Shepherds stood inside a temple.
"This is it." Inigo said sucking in a deep breath. "We're going to the past."
Lucina nodded. She clutched the mask in her hand tightly.
Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid. Fear is the only thing that can make things go sour." She looked over her shoulder to see a man with light blue hair. He had a white tunic under his green armour. He wore a cape that was gold on one side and red on the inside.
"Sir Riam…"
"I suppose it makes sense for you to be nervous. We have a big task ahead of us."
"I know."
The man smiled, patting her shoulder. "Just believe in yourself. You can do this."
"Thank you, sir." Lucina smiled putting her mask on.
Riam walked to the front of the group and turned to face them. "Shepherds, together we have faced many important missions. But none before were as dangerous, or vital as this one. Our opponent is the most fearsome beast imaginable. Destiny! Today we leave everything here behind…And start life anew. A new life. A new battle. Together we will change this cursed world. And take back everything that was taken from us! Are you with me?!"
"YEAH!"
Riam smiled as he stepped out of the way of the portal. "Then let us be off."
One by one they rushed into the portal.
As Lucina walked towards it, Cynthia put a hand on her shoulder. "Looking forward to see mom and dad?"
"We can't talk to them, Cynthia, we've been through this."
"What about Robin?"
"Robin?"
"He's your childhood crush! Don't you want to see him again?"
Lucina's cheeks flushed red. "Wha-He's not-I don't-
"Well, see, Ya!" Cynthia climbed on her Pegasus and flew into the portal.
"We should go too." Riam smiled.
"What will we do when we get there?" Lucina asked.
"We-
Suddenly his expression changed to one of shock.
"Sir, Riam?"
"Look out!" He grabbed Lucina and rolled out of the way of an arrow. They got up and saw a Risen with a bow. A small army approached behind it.
"Blast! They found us!" Riam yelled grabbing his Spear. "Lucina, get into the portal! I'll hold them off and follow you later!" He thrusted his Spear into the archer. He climbed over it's fading body and threw it into an axe wielder, throwing it off balance before skewering its stomach. He the grabbed it and kicked in into the enemy behind it.
"Sir, Riam!"
A Swordsmaster tried to get him from behind, but Lucina thrusted Falchion into it.
"Gods damn it, Lucina! I told you to go! That's an order!"
"No! I'm not leaving anyone else behind!"
"Lucina!"
"I've made up my mind!"
"Lucina!"
"We can fight them toge-
"LUCINA!" Riam ran up to her and threw her out of the way as a Risen thrusted a Silver Lance. But he had no time to defend himself as it stabbed it's weapon into his gut.
"Urk!" He dropped his weapon as blood dripped onto the floor.
Lucina landed a few feet away from the portal. She sat up and looked in horror. "Sir Riam!"
"Kuh!" He grabbed the weapon impaled into him as he coughed up blood. "RRRRAAAAAAAAGH!" He swung around before flinging the Risen into a wall. He then threw the Silver Lance into it, killing the monster.
Lucina picked up Falchion and stood up as Riam picked up his Spear.
"Sir, Riam, hold on!"
Riam slammed the end of his weapon into the ground. More Risen marched towards him as he clutched his wound. "Go, Lucina! Challenge your fate! The future is in your hands!"
"Riam!"
"Get to the past…Change the future! These are my last orders to you as your commander…I'm counting…on you…"
"NO!"
Riam smirked as he readied his weapon. "My name…is Riam…son of a proud and noble warrior…I strive for battle…for challenge…and I will die for the battle I desire…and the peace my friends dreamed of…Father…Mother…Robin…lend me your strength…the strength to protect what matters to me…"
The monsters charged towards him.
"COME ON!"
Lucina slowly backed away and towards the portal as she watched Riam charge right into the enemy ranks.
Riam slashed three Risen with his weapon and kicked another in the torso. He grabbed another and slammed it into the enemy next to him. Suddenly an arrow flew into his shoulder.
"AHHHH!" He swung at the archer, removing its head. Then he was slashed in the back by a sword.
"Sir, Riam!"
The man stumbled backwards and onto the floor. He threw his Spear with the last of his strength, impaling three monsters at once. As the others approached he laid on his back and tilted his head up to see Lucina. He smiled.
"Lu…ci…na…fare…well…take care…of my…bro…ther…"
A Risen raised it's axe.
"SIR RIAAAAAAAAAAAAM!
THWUNK
Lucina watched in horror as he was finally struck down. She dropped to her knees and covered her eyes. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The monsters then turned their gaze onto her as they slowly marched towards her. Torn between anger and fear she slowly crawled away. She got up, turned around and ran for the portal. She then tripped and fell forward. She turned back to see the growling monsters get closer. She then got up as quickly as she could and ran straight into the portal.
"Sir, Riam…I'm…sorry…" She sobbed.
Everyone stared in shock as Lucina finished her story.
"No…" Norie said. "No, no, no, no!"
"It can't be…" Laurent said. "That's…impossible…"
"Riam…No!" Nah ran out of the room crying.
Kjelle ran up to Lucina and grabbed her by the collar. "What is wrong with you?! You just stood there and watched him die!? He was a father to all of us!"
"That's enough!" Robin yelled as he pried her off. "There was nothing Lucina could do!"
Kjelle said nothing as she stormed out of the room.
Robin sighed. Everyone else was either really sad or really shocked. "Riam…I'm sorry…I really wish I could have kept my promise and fought beside you in the army you created. But I promise I will pick up this fight where you left off. I take the people you lead into this battle and guide them to the end of it…This is my promise to you. One that I will keep this time…my dear little brother."
Slight Shadows of Valentia reference in that last line. Now for the next vote. Will Arthur be paired with Effie, Setsuna, Orochhi, or Beruka? See you all next week to find out and for the next chapter.
