A month quickly flew by, though Sekai hardly noticed due to his rather busy schedule.
He'd wake up before first light and spend an hour pouring over maps and documents, trying to memorize as much as he could about the terrain of Valm and the various weather conditions. He would then spend an hour sparring with Chrom, and then another hour with either Lon'Qu or Owain. Then a thirty minute jog to keep his stamina up. He would then take a quick bath to clean up and then go to the mess hall where he ate a quick breakfast. After breakfast he would feed Ron'Shin and then work with Owain in training. Over the course of a month Owain had become steadily proficient in riding and directing the wyvern, and the two were now working on the various calls and whistles that would be used for signals. Gerome sometimes joined them, sometimes acting as an enemy aerial unit, other times as a way for Sekai to watch Owain in the air instead of on the ground. After that training Sekai would retire to his tent to work on strategies until it was time for lunch. At first Sekai skipped it altogether, though Chrom put a stop to it as soon as he found out, and had taken to "escorting" Sekai to lunch. After a lunch, Sekai and Virion would play a few games of chess to help Sekai's mind relax. Morgan joined in a lot, though she had yet to beat either of the two men. Once Sekai was done with Virion, he would return to his tent and continue working. After an hour or two, he would clear his desk and make preparations for Morgan's daily tactical lesson. Morgan would come in, and sometimes even some of the other future children, and he would teach a lesson he had picked for the day. A lot of times he geared it towards the audience, such as when once Cynthia joined in he made the lesson on the various strengths and weaknesses of a pegasus knight. Or how when Lucina and Owain joined in, he motioned that all swords users should be kept in reserve until enemy forces got close enough there would be no retreat. If sent in to early, the allied swordsmen could be surrounded and wiped out. After the lesson, he would normally set up a battle and play a game, gearing it towards the lessons they had learned. After the game was done and goodbyes said, Sekai would continue to work until the dinner bell rang. Chrom would "happen by" and the two would walk down to dinner together. After dinner, Sekai would engage in a multitude of activities. Sometimes he was dragged into town by Gaius and Henry with Lon'Qu in tow. Sometimes it would be Basilio, who was convinced he could get Sekai to lighten up by trying to shove various drinks down his throat. Other times he would meet with Say'Ri or Lady Tiki, and converse with them about various subjects. Talking with the children on their future, turning down yet another job offer from Flavia, the list went on. After the socialization was done, Sekai would then spend the rest of the night back to work, stopping only when his eyes became to heavy. Sometimes he would wake up on his desk, having passed out from exhaustion. Sekai knew Chrom and several of the others would be displeased if they learned about this, so Sekai was careful to make sure they didn't find out.
Yes, the month went by very quickly, though it wasn't because of Sekai's new found monotonous routine, but rather because his mind wasn't even paying attention. Lissa's sudden pregnancy had caused quite a stir within Sekai. He shouldn't have been surprised, they both knew the children were coming. Owain and Morgan were proof of that. And from various stories and facts gleaned, Sekai knew Owain had been born around the current time. But Sekai was still startled to discover he was now going to be a father.
For what must have been the hundredth time, Sekai found his mind falling back to that day in the infirmary tent.
"...Sekai?"
"Yes?"
"I'm pregnant."
Sekai's breath hitched in his body as a storm of emotions flooded through him. Joy, worry, fear, shock, the whole gauntlet. For once in his life, Sekai didn't know what to do or say. Of course he was happy, elated even, to hear the news, but his rational mind also reminded him that the middle of a war was not the best time to be worrying about a future child. Realizing Lissa had been staring at him the whole time, probably hoping for a positive reaction, Sekai coughed and gave a smile.
"That's...that's great Lissa. This is...wonderful. We're going to be parents."
Lissa clutched onto him tightly. "Sekai...what are we going to do?"
Sekai sighed. "When we send back a ship to let the others know I need them here, you'll be on it Lissa."
Lissa looked up at him. "But-"
Sekai shook his head. "No buts Lissa. I don't know when we'll next be able to send a ship back to Ylisse, and I will not risk yours or our child's safety. I'm sending you back whether you want it or not Lissa. Don't make me make it an order."
Lissa held him tighter. "I just...I don't want to lose you."
Sekai smiled. "Don't worry, you won't. If anything, this now gives me another incentive to survive. I can't very well leave my wife alone with a child on the way after all."
Lissa gave a sad giggle. "Yeah, that'd be a real jerky thing to do...I'll go Sekai, just please...be safe."
"When am I never?"
"Don't make me change my mind."
"Of course dear."
Of course once word got out of Lissa's pregnancy the Shepherds were in an uproar. Chrom was the happiest for the two, wrapping the two in a hug. All of the guys congratulated Sekai through claps on the shoulder, and all of the girls gushed over Lissa. The future children also seemed pretty happy, though Sekai thought Owain's smile seemed a little...forced. He'd only had a second to look at his son however before he was suddenly pulled and crushed into a one armed hug as Basilio's laughter roared in his ears.
It was only a few days later that Lissa had embarked on a boat to head back to Ylisse. She had wanted Sekai to go with her though he said he should stay in case a situation to arise. Though that was true in a sense, Sekai also knew if he were to accompany Lissa he wouldn't be able to leave her side, and as a tactician he could not let such attachments linger on his mind. He knew so long as he worried over Lissa he would be operating at reduced capacity, and he needed to dedicate himself one hundred and fifty percent to his strategies. Though Lissa had refused to leave without giving him a parting gift.
Sekai smiled as he looked at Luna, the holy weapon having two of Lissa's ribbons tied around it. She gave it to him to serve as a reminder that he had to survive, not just for her but for the future Owain who would be born. Sekai also had to admit, he found humor in the symbolic idea of a princess giving her favored knight a ribbon as a sign of favor.
Sekai shook his head. It was early morning and he was due for a spar with Lon'Qu. Aside from Chrom, Lon'Qu was Sekai's favored sparring partner. The two's styles, Sekai's more reserved and defensive, and Lon'Qu's swift and precise, meshed well together despite being complete opposites. Sekai was also reminded of Lon'Qu"s skill, considering the swordsmen was still a challenge to defeat despite being at a disadvantage to Sekai's lance. Sekai's and Lon'Qu's regular spars had now become something of a show to the Shepherds, with some even likening it to watching a dance of sorts. But the ones who enjoyed the bouts the most were Lon'Qu and Sekai, who had developed a friendly rivalry and were constantly in competition of who had won the most spars. Lon'Qu was currently winning by two, though Sekai had practiced some new feints he was sure would catch the swordsmen off guard.
So Sekai was suitably surprised to discover Owain instead of Lon'Qu.
"Hello Father, shall we begin today's battle?"
"Owain? What are you doing here?"
"Uncle Lon'Qu wished to try and spend time with Gerome, and asked if I would take his place instead."
Sekai nodded. It was strange enough for most of the parents to try and connect with their children, and Sekai knew it had to be difficult for Lon'Qu to connect with his own son who seemed to prefer staying away from everyone else when not in battle or planning sessions.
"Fine then, have you stretched yet?"
Owain nodded. "Of course Father, I had to ensure I was in top condition for the test ahead."
Sekai tilted his head. "Test?"
"Yes Father, to see if I have finally surpassed you, and begun the many trials I will have to undertake to enter manhood." Owain pumped his fist in front of his chest, and Sekai rolled his eyes. He had gotten used to Owain's mannerisms, though he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Yes yes, of course son. Well, while I stretch go on ahead and get our practice gear."
Owain nodded and moved over to the storage chest, pulling out a wooden sword shaped like a Chon'Sin styled blade and then a long pole of wood. As Sekai stretched, Owain moved over and began to slightly twirl the pole. As Sekai felt a pop in his neck, he concluded his stretches with three deep breaths. Feeling sufficiently ready, he extended his hand to take the pole, Owain quickly putting it into his father's grip.
"Alright Owain, what's today's scenario?"
Sekai had discovered Owain liked to conduct small battles like a stage show, often painting a scene of two warriors locked in a final struggle for the fate of the world or some such event. Others would get annoyed at the behavior, though Sekai actually enjoyed them in spite of himself. It still allowed him to practice with his lance skills, but it also gave him a chance to work on banter. Sekai knew battles were won just as much psychologically as physically, and the chance to actually practice banter was something he wouldn't pass up. Being Owain's father also played some small part in going along with the fantasy, though Sekai would never openly admit to such truths.
"You are an evil baron who has ruled the land with an iron fist, greedily taking away everything you can get your hands on and severely punishing any who even slightly rebel. I, Owain the Dark, have come to rid the land of your evil once and for all."
Sekai smiled. "Is that it? I was expecting more from the fabled "Owain the Dark". Tell me child, which fool sent you here to die? I would like to know the name of the man so I can make him watch as I torture everyone he holds dear in front of him."
"Think again Baron Zeemo! My sword hand quenches for your blood, and it shall drink it's fill."
Zeemo? Owain did have a knack for creating strange names. Sekai shrugged his shoulders as he began to roll with it. "Your hand is but in a desert for how much it shall drink. Now have at thee!"
Owain used a forward assault, bringing his wooden sword downwards at an angle meant to strike at Sekai's shoulder and chest. Sekai simply stepped to the side, hearing the whoosh of air as the sword cut through clean air. Pointing an end of the pole down to the ground, Sekai did a swift pirouette, dragging the end along the ground right at Owain's feet to bring him down. Sekai felt both shock and pride when he watched Owain jump, dodging the incoming strike. As soon as Owain's feet landed he did a wide arc towards Sekai's head. Keeping with the momentum of his previous spin, Sekai brought up the other end of his pole and blocked the incoming strike. His attack having failed, Owain jumped back as Sekai entered a battle position.
"Give up Zeemo!" Owain cried out. "It is only a matter of time until I claim victory."
Sekai smirked. "Such overconfidence boy. Perhaps if you fought like you talked, I would be worried."
Owain rushed forward, moving to do a side wards slash. Seeing an opportunity, Sekai dropped to his knees and let the pole rest on the ground. He then threw himself into a forward roll, right into Owain's charging feet. It was a calculated gamble, and one that paid off. In the span of only three seconds, Owain saw his father drop and launch himself into Owain. Unable to stop due to momentum, Owain fell and landed on his front. Rolling over and hoping to recover, he was instead greeted by his father pointing one end of the pole into his chest.
Sekai smiled. "And so ends Owain the Dark. You have lost."
Owain gave his own smile. "You know, it was my father who taught me how to fight."
Sekai tilted his head. He could have sworn Owain said Lon'Qu was his teacher. Probably continuing the fantasy.
"Then he was a poor teacher."
"On the contrary," Owain suddenly swung his legs, knocking Sekai down to the ground. He landed with his hands, but his body was perched in such a way so as Owain's leg was directly beneath his stomach. Owain promptly gave a light kick, soft enough there would be no lasting damage, but hard enough to knock the air out of Sekai and launch him over to land on his back. Stunned, the next thing Sekai noticed was Owain's pointed hand resting next to his neck. Sekai saw Owain smiling down at him. "He taught me to wait and watch for the moments when an enemy let his guard down."
Sekai smiled. "And so ends Baron Zeemo. Well done Owain."
Owain stood up and offered Sekai his hand. "I learned from the best."
Sekai hoisted himself up as he grabbed the offered hand. "Lon'Qu knows what he's doing it would seem."
Owain smiled. "You're right about that. But he taught me how to fight with a blade father. You taught me to fight with my brain."
Sekai tilted his head. "But I thought I...died when you were quite young?"
Owain gulped and nodded. "When I was six. But you were teaching all of us long before that."
Sekai nodded. He'd forgotten Lucina had mentioned he was the children's tutor. But had he really started them all of so young? Sekai found it hard to believe his future self would do that to young children, considering his own early entry into studying. Unless of course his future self felt he had no choice...
Sekai clenched his right hand.
"Father?"
Sekai shook himself out of it. Owain was looking at him with a look of worry. Sekai smiled.
"Sorry Owain, I was just thinking of how many of your birthdays I missed. Looks like I have to get you something big to make up for it, huh?"
Owain smiled. "Sure! How about a new sword? A legendary one. Or how about a new eye color, oooh, wait...two DIFFERENTLY colored eyes. One red, one yellow."
Sekai chuckled. "I don't think I can help with the eyes Owain. Besides, what's wrong with their normal color?" Sekai asked, a slight tease in his voice as he stared into Owain's eyes.
Owain became flustered. "Wh-Why nothing of course father!"
Sekai smiled. He may not be able to help with eye color, but as for a sword...
"SEKAI!"
Sekai turned and noticed Chrom walking up to them.
"How goes the sparring?"
Sekai gave a small nod. "Well enough. Owain is certainly a gifted fighter."
Chrom gave a condescending smile. "Yeah, I could tell when he knocked you flat on your back."
Sekai returned the smile. "Hopefully you learned something then. You've never managed the feat."
"We'll have to fix that later then."
Sekai nodded. "Yes, later. But Chrom, are you not supposed to be training with Lucina?"
Chrom nodded. "Yes, and I have to get back to her. But word just came in, the ship will be arriving at the dock shortly. By tomorrow the others should be arriving from there."
Sekai nodded. Soon the Shepherds would go back out into the fold, instead of just the small hit and run strikes they had been doing sparsely over the month. Sekai would probably have to stay up extra late as he combed over all of his strategies to ensure there were no major flaws, or even minor ones if he could help it.
"ll right, thank you Chrom. Does everyone else know?"
Chrom shook his head. "I was planning on announcing it to everyone at lunch later today. I told you first though since I know you are going to want to finish any work you have before then."
Sekai smiled. Chrom knew him well. "Yes, there's still a few things I would like smooth out, so forgive me if I take lunch in my tent."
Chrom nodded, adopting a somewhat forced smile. "I also know that you will likely lose track of time without Lissa here, so I'll be sure to stop by later and make sure you know when it's lights out."
Sekai grimaced. Chrom knew him to well. Sekai's various late nights were not favored by practically anyone, least of all Chrom and Lissa. The two were pretty good at making sure he went to sleep at a decent hour, but every now and again he'd stay up through the night, much to their chargin.
"Chrom, you don't have to-"
Chrom put his hand on Sekai's shoulder and gripped it somewhat tightly. "Oh but I insist Sekai. After all, I would hate to think you were taking advantage of Lissa's absence and not getting the proper rest you need."
Sekai sighed. There'd be no fighting Chrom in this matter. Though there were other ways around the problem.
"If that is what you feel is best Chrom."
Chrom patted Sekai's shoulder. "I do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to Lucina before she starts to worry."
With that Chrom turned and walked to one of the other sparring circles, looking for his future daughter. Sekai turned to Owain.
"Sorry Owain, I'm going to have to leave early. Well done with today's spar, but don't think you'll ever catch me off guard like that again."
Owain nodded. "No problem Father, I have to go talk with Inigo anyways. Thank you for the spar."
Sekai nodded and began making his way back to his tent, leaving Owain to store the training weapons away.
...
A couple hours later, Sekai was pouring over his plan to assault Fort Steiger. Despite first impressions making it seem to risky to assault at their current state, one nobleman pointed out to Sekai there was actually a hidden tunnel leading directly underneath the Fort. If done quietly, Sekai could lead a force inside at the dead of night, open up the gates, and launch a sneak attack right into the heart of the fortress. It was certainly a risky plan, but Sekai was certain they'd be able to succeed. All that was left was to go over the various structural drawings and try to guess where soldiers might be stationed. Of course he'd also have to convince the Khans and Chrom this wasn't a suicide mission waiting to happen.
He was so immersed in his head he almost didn't notice someone knocking on his tent flap.
"Come in."
He was surprised to see Lucina walk in. Normally she was either with Chrom or helping out in some way in the camp. Very rarely did she ever bother Sekai, especially when he was working.
"Lucina? Can I help you with something?"
"Actually Unc...Sekai, I was wondering if you needed my help with anything?"
Sekai raised an eyebrow. "I thought you told me you couldn't tell me anything of this war?"
Lucina gave a grim nod. "Yes, I'm afraid that is still the case. But maybe I can help you plan?"
Sekai thought it over. Lucina didn't have a very strong grasp on tactics, and wouldn't be a grand help with some of the more advanced stuff. But Sekai did look over at his pile of opened books. He had been having to run back and forth from the pile to his papers as he looked up some other strategies used by others. Many called Sekai a master strategist, but he fully understood that not every strategy had to be an original, sometimes someone else had already figured out everything for you and you just had to make some slight adjustments. Plus he wanted to get some information out of Lucina about the future.
Sekai nodded at Lucina. "Sure, go to that pile," he pointed at the pile, staring down at the paper as he positioned a few swordsmen to move down the main hall "and when I ask, find some passages and read them out to me."
Lucina nodded and moved over to the pile. focusing on his planning, Sekai would sometimes call out the name of the book he needed and where she should look. Lucina proved adept at the task, being able to find and pull up the information he needed in a timely manner after roughly ten minutes. They had been doing this for nearly an hour, silent save for when Sekai would mumble to himself or call out for a passage. Finding himself at a part of the planning he didn't need to entirely focus on, Sekai began to ask his questions.
"Lucina?"
"Yes Sekai?"
"Tell me, how much has all of this changed from your original past? I mean, were we already here at Valm by this time?"
Lucina was silent for a moment before responding, carefully choosing her words. "Yes, but your conditions were much worse. That night Emmeryn was supposed to be assassinated, both you and my father were also gravely injured along with several Shepherds Nothing life threatening, but enough to delay you all from being able to immediately counterattack. By the time an army was fully mobilized and the Shepherds ready for battle, Plegia had already captured a large amount of land."
Sekai jotted down a note. "So the Second Plegian war lasted much longer than the one we fought."
Lucina nodded. "Yes. Whereas in this timeline it was over in a matter of months, my original one lasted nearly four years. In fact, Valm attacked while you were still preoccupied with Plegia. From what I understand, the only reason you weren't fighting a two front war was shortly after Valm's attack, Gangrel was assassinated and the new king surrendered, giving back all of the stolen Ylissean lands and nearly half of Plegia's."
Sekai wanted to ask who would do such an insane thing, but he already had a pretty good idea.
"From Plegia you fought to take back much of Regna Ferox. It took a year, but you were able to start making a push into Valm."
Sekai nodded. "And from there we met with Princess Say'Ri?"
Lucina gulped and looked away, prompting Sekai to raise an eyebrow.
"We did meet her...right?"
"The truth is...I don't know her Uncle. From what little I know of the Valm War, your adviser was a prince, not a princess. I had assumed I must have misheard many of the reports when we first met Lady Say'Ri, but in truth..."
Sekai nodded. "There is no need to continue. It doesn't really matter truthfully, it's obvious things are different this time around. And maybe that's the key to changing your future."
Lucina smiled, but had a distant look in her eyes. "Yeah, maybe..."
Sekai took a deep breath. It was time for his next question. "Lucina...how do I die?"
Lucina blinked in surprise, blank faced as Sekai gave her a determined glare.
"Please...I want to know."
Lucina gulped, bringing up the bitter memory. "It was shortly after your victory in Valm from what I remember. Everyone had returned and for a year there was peace. One...perfect year..." The distant look returned, but Lucina continued, reliving the past. "Then...one night...the Plegians struck. At first everyone assumed they were there to assassinate the royal family, and we were all moved into a safe room. You and Father went out to fight, confident you could hold off the Plegians. But you were wrong. I don't know how it happened, but both you and Father were defeated. The Plegians took your unconscious body and fled back to Plegia, then used you as a ransom for the Fire Emblem."
Sekai sighed. "And let me guess...your Father accepted."
Lucina nodded, tears beginning to well up. "But it was a trick. The Plegians had already killed you, and set up an ambush for Father. Several Shepherds died that day, and the few survivors returned and began to set up defenses. They told everyone what had happened, how you had been dead by the time they arrived, and how the Plegians had obtained the Emblem. Shortly after that Grima was resurrected, and..." Lucina was unable to continue and broke down crying.
Sekai felt a great pang of guilt for having her bring this up, but he needed the information he had just been given if he wanted to prepare a proper counter plan. And he could feel one starting to form, though there were still many things he'd have to set up. But that would come later, for now...
For now his niece needed him.
Though he had become more open over the years with the Shepherds, Sekai still felt it awkward to comfort another person, but at least he had a good idea of what to do. He walked over to Lucina and gave her a small embrace, eliciting a surprised gasp from the woman.
"There there Lucina. It must have been hard, but don't worry. You're Uncle won't let that future happen, I promise."
Lucina sniffed. "R-Really?"
Sekai nodded. "I promise, I will fight it with every trick I have."
Lucina clutched him tighter and just cried into his chest. Sekai felt strange holding the normally strong and composed Lucina, now crying like a scared little girl. But maybe that's all she was in the end, a girl forced to grow up and combat something that would make even the most hardened soldiers weep in fear. Sekai felt an empty pain at this realization, once again reminded his future failure had cost so many everything, even more so knowing it had cost countless children their childhoods.
After all, Sekai knew a thing or two about lost childhoods.
After a few minutes Lucina suddenly coughed, pulling herself away, face red from both the crying and embarrassment.
"I'm...I'm sorry you had to see that Unc...Sekai."
Sekai smiled. "Don't be Lucina. I've learned from my time with the Shepherds sometimes it's best to just let it all out. And you children have had to endure a terrible burden, one I wouldn't wish on anyone. But you children are no longer alone. You don't need to put up a strong facade anymore. Believe me when I say I know something about bottling away your emotions. If any of you ever need to talk, then know my tent will always be open."
Lucina sniffed. "Th-Thank you Sekai."
Sekai sighed. "Lucina?"
"Yes?"
"Call me Uncle."
Alright, this chapter is posted. A little later than I liked but I had to finalize some travel plans for Thanksgiving and fix up a mistake I made in this chapter. In it's original, I'd accidentally reversed the weapon wheel. No one ever said anything so I assumed I was correct, but in a recent fic I was reading that author's was different, and five minutes of studying later I cursed very loudly in my head and went in and fixed it. I'll be damned before I mess up something like that.
But old mistakes aside, I focused this chapter on the beginning of a few things. First, Sekai's reaction to becoming a father. More on that to come in later chapters, and boy oh boy do I want to make those ones the humor chapters. Also, Sekai is now becoming the shoulder to cry on for the kids, and he will have a soft spot for them. And finally, the set up for a moment I want to make so heartwarming and cheerful it would melt even Walhart's heart.
So look forward to it everyone.
Fave, follow, review, and have a nice night.
