Bet you guys weren't expecting another chapter now, were ya?
I know I've been gone for a while and I'm sorry. Part of it has to do with my life, I've been working a lot and spending time with family since it's summertime and I go back to school on the 28th. Part of it also had to do with the fact that this chapter was not easy to write. I went back and forth with this one and believe me, it was stressful at times. Thankfully, I did it and I hope you guys enjoy it.
Let's start with some shoutouts. First one goes to Letters and Numbers for the fic three words to die for, a fic I highly recommend you read if you're a fan of Persona 5. 2nd shoutout goes to BlackDomus500 for the fic A Joker's Panther.
This is a pretty simple chapter, expect lot's of dialogue.
Without further ado, enjoy the 36th chapter.
After the intervention had ended and Robin left to be by his lonesome, Lucina felt awful for not sticking up for him, or at least comfort him in some manner. Before she could even make a move, she saw Severa walking in his direction. She then decided to leave it alone, considering what Cynthia told her about how he and Severa were distant after the Grandmaster supposedly rejected her feelings and felt that maybe those two could finally make up by talking.
However, it wasn't Severa beating her to the punch that was eating her away, it was what Robin said when he left.
I know how you feel and I feel the same. But, I don't deserve you.
He had no right to say that. Why would he say something like that? Is it because of the intervention? Was it because of what her parents said to him that he now feels like he isn't worth loving?
It's not true! She wanted to tell him but he was already out of earshot so it was too late.
When the others dispersed, only Chrom and Sumia remained. They didn't seem to notice that their daughter was still there, still contemplating the events that transpired.
"I tried." She heard her father say. "Damn it."
"You did your best, honey." Her mother said, grabbing Chrom's hand. "It may have been harsh but Robin needed to hear this."
"I know." He agreed with her. When they were about to head to their tent, Sumia stopped and noticed that her daughter was lost in thought, probably thinking over the results of the intervention.
"Lucina?" She said, breaking her thoughts.
"Oh, Mother." The future princess replied. "Sorry, I was just thinking."
"About Robin?" She inquired, wondering if her thoughts were on the tactician.
"Yes." She turned to face her. "Mother, the things you said to him... well... they were so cruel."
"Lucina..." Sumia knew that her daughter would defend the Grandmaster. And while she does partially agree with her, she still believed that those words needed to be said.
"Why would you say such horrible things to him?" She asked sincerely "He's one of your best friends. Why would you say that he's no different than the evil he wishes to destroy?"
"It's because I'm scared, Lucina." Her mother admitted. "We're finally about to face the Conqueror and we don't even have a good grasp of how strong he is. If Robin keeps acting out with this vendetta he has, he's going to get himself killed."
"I know, Mother. I'm scared too." She told her. "But still, don't think you were a little harsh?"
"*Sigh* Okay, Lucina. I'm going to tell you something I was hoping to never have to mention again." She said, wrapping her arm around her daughter's shoulder as they went for a walk. "About a year after Gangrel's defeat, Robin spent all of his time looking for Aversa when he wasn't doing work for the realm. One day, Frederick tipped him off about a lead regarding her location. Supposedly, one of Gangrel's former lieutenants, a man named Orton, was leading a gang of bandits that were harassing Ylissean citizens out of spite for losing the war."
"So Robin went after him?" Lucina questioned.
"He did." Sumia nodded. "He told no one where he was going, he simply left, taking his sword and tome with him. He was gone for about a week and Chrom got worried. Frederick gave him Orton's location so he, along with his royal guard, went out to look for him. By the time they arrived, every member of Orton's gang was dead. As for Orton himself, he was found hanging from a tree, his entire body covered in stab wounds and burns. Robin had tortured him for information."
"Oh," Lucina had gasped, she had no idea that the grandmaster would go so far as to torture someone for information. Whoever this Aversa woman was, she must've put him through hell to make him go so far.
"The man was scum, he harassed innocent civilians and apart from the torture, his death was justified." Sumia was about to get to the worse part. "However, about a month after his death, a woman came to visit the castle. We assumed she was just one of Robin's fangirls who wanted to meet with him. When Chrom called him down to meet her, she introduced herself. At that moment, we realized she wasn't any fangirl of his. Her name was Alyssa, she was Orton's wife, and she came to the castle to assassinate him for revenge."
"His wife?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "After she introduced herself, she went for a stab but Robin caught her hand and used his free hand to grab her neck. When Chrom suggested imprisonment for assassination, she laughed, calling Ylisseans soft and proclaimed that she would never stop until her husband was avenged. That was all Robin needed to hear before he snapped her neck like a twig."
Lucina didn't say anything. She just continued to hear her mother speak her story and hoped it didn't get worse from there.
"After that, he just told the guards to 'clean up the mess' and left for his office, as if nothing had happened." Sumia finished. "So you see Lucina, that's why I said those things to him. Because I've seen what he's turned into. A man with no mercy in his heart, a strong hatred for everything evil, wanting to erase it all by any means necessary. We're the Shepherds, we're supposed to protect the innocent and safeguard Ylisse. But, if we're not capable of mercy and forgiveness, how are we any better than our enemies?"
"Mother." Lucina hugged her mother as the story came to a close. She still believed in Robin, that's something that will never change, but she was now starting to understand why her mother was so afraid.
"Maybe I'm just naive to how the world works. Gods, I know Robin would tell me that. But, I can't help how I feel." Sumia confessed.
"It's not naive, Mother." Her daughter said. "You have your ideals and Robin has his. You can't give up on him, even if you believe he's changed."
"Of course I wouldn't. I know he's a good man." She said, hugging her daughter. "I just want this war to be over."
"Me too, Mother. Me too."
The two hugged for a little while, Lucina wanting to comfort her Mother. It was clear that even Sumia was upset over the things she said to Robin, even though she believed he needed to hear them. After hearing her story, Lucina began to understand the reason behind the intervention. Chrom and Sumia just wanted to help their friend who has now been consumed by hate and vengeance.
At that moment, Lucina made a silent promise to herself. That after this war ends and the Conquerer is defeated, she would spend every waking moment with the man she loves, to rid his heart of darkness and fill it with light, to replace his rage with happiness, his hate in exchange with love.
However, their brief moment of silence was interrupted when the Princess spotted Severa sprinting in their direction.
"Lucina!" She stopped in front of her, catching her breath.
"Severa? What's wrong?" The Princess asked in worry, breaking her hug with her mother.
"We're under attack! Risen have come!" She told them which immediately put them on guard.
"Oh, gods!" Lucina gasped as she knew what that meant, that Tiki's life was at stake.
"Shepherds! Risen are attacking!" Severa yelled to get everyone's attention.
The Shepherds immediately dropped what they were doing and armed themselves for battle against the current threat. They then regrouped with Lucina and Severa to come up with a plan.
"What's the situation?" Chrom asked before realizing something. "Where's Robin?"
"He's holding off the Risen at the southern entrance. He told me to come warn you all." Severa told him.
"He's fighting them all by himself?! That idiot!" The Prince said angrily.
"I'll go help, Robin!" Nah proclaimed.
"Yeah, we'll go help the boss!" Brady joined in.
"Alright." Chrom nodded.
"I'll go as well." Gerome offered his assistance which was met with a few skeptical looks.
"Can I trust you?" Chrom asked but the Wyvern Lord walked right by him, calling his Minerva.
"Whether you do or not, he does." He said before getting onto his Wyvern.
"Very well." The Prince said. "Good luck."
With that, the three made their way to the southern entrance to help Robin in his fight against the Risen. Just as they left, Frederick rode up to his Lord on horseback with dire news
"Milord! Risen are coming in from the Eastern and Western flanks!" Frederick informed him.
"Damn, one problem after another." He said. Seeing as how his friend is currently occupied, the Shepherds were without a strategist.
...Or were they?
"Shepherds! The Risen have attacked, we must fight defend the voice and her land from this evil!" He said before turning to his friend's apprentice. "Severa, since my idiot of a strategist isn't here, you're our tactician for now."
"Wha!" She said in shock. "But, I..."
"You can do it, Severa." Lucina encouraged her to take the role. "Robin believes you can do it, so believe in yourself."
At that moment, she realized that this was what she was waiting for. The opportunity to prove herself, to everyone, to her Mother, and to Robin. Now was the time to act!
"Alright listen up!" Severa exclaimed, getting everyone's attention. "Risen are attacking from the Eastern and Western Flank. Everyone break off into two teams, one defending each entrance! Chrom will lead one team, Lucina, you lead the other! I want at least two healers in each group with archers and mages at the front!" She ordered and everyone got into their respective pair ups while Severa called out who would be in which team. "Team 1: Chrom, Sumia, Lissa, Lon'qu, Vaike, Panne, Cherche, Gregor, Gaius, Maribelle, Father, Mother, Kellam, and Sully. Team 2: Lucina, Owain, Stahl, Tharja, Henry, Olivia, Libra, Nowi, Donnel, Noire, Laurent, Cynthia, Yarne, Virion, and Miriel." Once she listed off each of the specific Shepherds, they each grouped into their respective teams. "Team 1, you deal with enemies coming from the east. Team 2, the west. Frederick, Kjelle, Anna, Say'ri, and I will stay here and defend Lady Tiki in case one breaks through. They're after her so watch your back at all times."
"Of course, Milady." The Chon'sin Princess nodded.
"Understood." Frederick simply said.
"We've got this," Anna said with confidence.
"I've got your back, Sev." Kjelle did the same.
"Alright, people! You have your orders! Let's move!" Severa exclaimed and everyone got into position, ready for the ambush.
I hope you're okay, Robin. She thought. Don't go dying on me now.
Robin stood his ground as he analyzed each of the Risen for weaknesses to exploit. From the looks of it, the majority of his enemies were flier units, Wyvern Lords and Griffen Riders alike, with the exception of Pheros, who he assumed was the leader of this group.
Just then, another charged at him, intent to kill.
"Thoron!" He cast at the enemy, killing both Wyvern and rider.
But it was futile. As he kept killing, he would see another take its place. Many of them weren't even trying to kill him, they were trying to slip past him to aim for their real target.
It was as Severa said, their main objective was the end the Voice of Naga.
While he was confident he would survive as he knew backup would come and that these Risen pose little to no challenge for him, he was worried about the worst possible outcome of this battle. That one of these Risen would slip past him and aim for Tiki.
Whoever planned this was smart. He thought. Knowing that the Shepherds would be with Tiki, whoever created these Risen had devised and planned the quickest, most effective way to take out the Voice, by having Flier units use their speed to outmaneuver her protectors and go straight for the kill.
One Griffin Rider opted to fly over Robin and move past his guard.
"Fire!" He sent a fire spell to kill it but swiftly dodged the attack. One had slipped past him, his worst possible outcome coming true.
"HYAA!"
Or so he thought as the Griffin Rider was blasted out of the sky by Dragon fire.
He smiled as he turned, his backup had finally arrived.
"Robin!" He looked up to see Nah in her dragon form. "We're here to help!" She said before blast another ball of fire towards the enemy, killing a majority of them.
"Boss! You're okay!" Brady said as he took his place at Robin's side, healing any wounds he might've sustained while Gerome guarded the two.
"I was wondering when my backup would finally arrive." He said. "What's the situation?"
"Risen are attacking from the Eastern and Western flanks," Gerome informed him. "We already have two groups defending those while a third defends the Voice."
"That's my girl." He said happily, knowing Severa came up with a decisive plan to protect Tiki. Now that his backup had finally arrived, it was time to go all out. Once he regained his energy, he stood at the head with weapons in hand. "Alright guys, let's do this!"
"Yeah!" They all said.
Lucina and her team had made it to the western entrance just in time to see Risen coming in on fliers.
The archers and mages that consisted of Team 2 stood at the head while the rest of the ground units stood at the back with their weapons ready in case one slips past.
Virion and Noire unleashed their arrows, killing many of the fliers while the mages gave them backup. For every flier that didn't receive an arrow, they received a blast of Dark magic from Henry and Tharja or otherwise a fire spell from Miriel.
So far they were doing a good job, none had been able to slip past their guard and Lucina was confident in her team that they would succeed.
I wonder how Father and Robin are doing. The Princess thought as a new wave of Risen arrived to take them on.
"By the gods, how many are there?!" Chrom yelled as a flier tried to slip past him only to be cut down by Falchion.
Vaike and Gaius stood at the front, their arrows trained on each Risen with Ricken, Cordelia, and Maribelle using their magic to assist them. Thankfully, Ricken's wind magic came in handy as he used Arcwind to knock many fliers of their mounts, allowing his wife and Maribelle to use fire magic to burn both rider and mount.
As they kept at it, Chrom was worried how long they could keep this up. It was as if there was no end to them. Just as things couldn't get worse, another Risen stepped forward, one that was different from the rest. It wasn't a flier like the rest but a Dark Knight.
As Chrom got a better look, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Because he had seen this Dark Knight before.
"Chrom," Sumia said in shock. "That's..."
"General Farber." He said, recognizing the Risen as the same General that Robin and Say'ri killed back at Valm Harbor. But seeing him here in this undead state was horrendous.
The undead Farber charged a spell and sent it towards Chrom but deflected it with his Falchion.
"Keep at it, Shepherds!" He encouraged. "We will not lose here!"
So far, progress was good. The two teams were handling the situation well but Severa knew to never underestimate her opponents and to take all possible outcomes into consideration. She stood along with Frederick, Anna, and Say'ri as they stood to the defend the Voice. Tiki was in no position to fight as she hadn't regained her full power yet. As the four stood in defensive positions, ready to kill any Risen who would try to aim for the Voice, the woman in question fell to her knees, her hand over her heart.
"Mother, please help guide my friends to victory." She prayed.
While she prayed, Severa turned back to the situation. A straggler was able to slip past the Eastern flank and was headed for the Voice.
"Frederick!" She ordered.
"Understood!" He struck the straggler with a lance, killing the rider.
"Say'ri, deal with the Wyvern!" Severa commanded.
"Right!" She replied as she used her blade to decapitate the Wyvern with speed. Both Wyvern and Rider had dissolved, signaling their end.
While both teams were doing their best, Severa knew they couldn't keep it up forever. More kept coming after many had been killed. At this rate, the Risen would overwhelm them.
It wasn't until Severa noticed a glow out of the corner of her eyes that something was about to change. She looked behind her to notice that the Voice of Naga had begun to glow, her body surrounded by an aura of yellow energy.
"Milady." Say'ri turned to see Tiki stand up to her feet, her arms spread as she opened her eyes, both pools glowing a faint green color.
"I will not allow these abominations taint my Mother's sacred grounds and harm my friends!" As Tiki declared her intention to protect her friends, she flew into the air as the yellow aura around her grew brighter, blinding her companions. "Begone!"
With those words said, the Voice sent a shockwave in the form of a bright yellow light throughout the Divine Dragon Grounds.
As Robin and his companions kept on fighting, he felt the ground tremble. He turned to see a bright yellow light where he believed the Voice to be. He was surprised to see her flying through the air without the use of her dragon form.
"I will not allow these abominations taint my Mother's sacred grounds and harm my friends!" He heard her speak. "Begone!"
With that said, a shockwave of light emitted from her body. As it flowed throughout the area, Robin looked back to see the remaining Risen dropping dead.
As each Risen dissolved into nothing, he took one last look at Pheros before light engulfed her.
"D-D-Demon." Was her final words before she was erased from existence.
Even in death, she still believed I was the evil one. He scoffed in disgust as he walked over to where she had died and spat in that very spot. I'll show you. I'll show everyone that I'm right!
"Is... is it over?" Nah asked.
"Seems like it." Gerome replied.
"What just happened?" Brady wondered.
"It appears the Voice has returned to her full strength." The Wyvern Lord added. "Maybe that's why she died in our future, she was powerless and overwhelmed. Without her power, she could do nothing against an army of flier units."
"But we saved her." The manakete added. "We stopped her death from happening."
"That we did." Gerome turned to the Grandmaster. "It appears you've proven me wrong yet again, Sir."
Robin didn't say anything. He just continued to look upon the ground in which Pheros had died. Seeing her in the form of a Risen was nothing short of horrifying. Someone in Valm had killed her and turned her into a Risen, all the while planning an ambush on the Voice.
"And yet. I'm worse than this evil?" He thought as he clenched his fist in utter rage. Today had been one of the worst days of his life. His beliefs and goals were called into question by his closest friends and his actions were seen as questionable. And yet someone, somewhere in Valm, killed this Valmese General and turned her into a undead freak of nature, and he's the one who's evil? Him?!
"Robin?" Nah said as she saw her friend shaking with rage. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer her. He simply turned around, walked right past her in the direction of camp.
"Cmon guys, let head back." He simply said.
She looked towards Gerome and Brady who looked just as confused as she was by Robin's sudden mood change. They went after him as he stomped his way back to the others.
Chrom watched as the Voice unleashed a powerful shockwave, killing each and every Risen that tainted the Divine Dragon Grounds, purifying her Naga's sacred grounds of the undead menace.
With the threat over, he sheathed his weapons and ordered his team to regroup with Severa, hoping that Lucina's team and Robin's group made it alright.
"Father!" Lucina called out as her team regrouped with Chrom's
"Lucina." He said in relief. "Thank the Gods, you're okay."
The Shepherds gathered around the Voice, knowing that their victory was all thanks to her. Tiki had fallen to her knees after using her power to wipe out the Risen but appeared to be unharmed.
"Milady, are you unharmed?" Say'ri asked in concern.
"Yes, thanks to all of you," Tiki said, voicing her appreciation to the Shepherds for protecting her.
"Honestly, I think we should be thanking you," Chrom replied. "Without your help, we would've been overwhelmed."
"You've taken in the power of the Divine Dragon?" The Chon'sin Princess wondered.
"Some of it, yes." She nodded before giggling. "It's strange. This power had always isolated me. Many were the days I wept alone, cursing the charge placed before me."
"Lady Tiki," Lucina whispered, sympathizing with the Voice of Naga, knowing full well what it meant to lose people you loved.
"But now my power has a purpose, and the world needs it to avoid a ruinous future." She said. "And so I shall offer it freely. Allow me to join you, Shepherds."
"Are you certain?" The future princess asked. "There will be many battles ahead of us, Milady."
"I am. I've had quite enough of living in solitude, thank you. Besides, I've always longed to better know this world. Now I can help you save it." Tiki stated with each of the Shepherds smiling at the thought of the Voice of Naga join them officially.
"In that case, welcome to the Shepherds, Lady Tiki," Chrom said as he gave a bow of respect.
Each of the Shepherds cheered for both their victory and for their new member. Having Tiki on their side would be a boon for their upcoming fight against the Conquerer. Nobody knew just how strong he really is and having the Voice alongside them to offer assistance and guidance would prove to me a welcome addition to the group.
Chrom then ordered the Shepherds to rest and prepare. Tomorrow, they would take the fight to Walhart and free Valm from his clutches once and for all. Chrom and the rest of the War Council remained with Tiki as they waited for the return of their tactician.
"What a day." Chrom sighed with exhaustion.
"Are you alright, honey?" Sumia said, in concern for her beloved.
"I'll live." He simply shrugged.
The group heard footsteps heading towards their direction. They turned to see Robin and his group approaching them. Normally, Chrom would scold him for trying to do things on his own again but after the intervention and the Risen attack, he was just glad his friend was safe.
"Robin." He started, walking up to his friend and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Hmph." The tactician simply brushed his friend's hand off of him and walked by him. "Like you care."
"Robin." Chrom felt hurt by his friend's cold tone, knowing that he was still upset over the intervention and the Risen attack didn't do much to brighten his day.
Once he faced the War Council, he gave them a serious look as if he had uncovered something and wished to share it.
"This wasn't just some random Risen attack. It was a trap." He informed them.
"A trap?" Say'ri said, stunned at the Grandmaster's assumption.
"Armies of Risen show up around the same time Tiki attempts to regain her full strength, a majority of them are flier units so they can outmaneuver our attacks and go straight for a kill? That's not a coincidence. Someone set this up, and that someone has the power to create Risen." He explained and each of the Council looked at each other, wondering just who the mastermind behind this attack could be.
"Only the Grimleal have that kind of power." Lucina brought up.
"Exactly." The grandmaster added. "Someone in Walhart's army is Grimleal, possibly a spy and whoever they are, they wanted Tiki dead."
"But why? I mean what's the point of staging an attack like this?" Cordelia wondered.
"In our future, it was an ambush like this that kill the Voice in our time," Gerome told them. "Even after the Conquerer was defeated, Valm never recovered from the loss and many blamed the Shepherds for her death."
"So it's possible that whoever planned this just wanted to lower morale?" Sumia thought.
"Not just lower morale. But to plunge the entire continent into despair." Chrom concluded.
"Typical Grimleal," Robin added before giving the Queen a glare of contempt. "And some call me evil."
"Robin." She looked away, not making eye contact as she could feel the venom of his words being directed at her.
"We need to be on guard at all times when we face the Conqueror, whoever this spy is, I'm willing to bet he or she will be with him," Robin said and each nodded in agreement.
"Well, you heard the man. Now that we know there's a Grimleal among Walhart's ranks, we can't let our guard down. Get some rest, you've earned it." And with that, the War Council was dismissed, each going back to their respective tents or going to spend time with their respective partners.
Robin had said what he wanted to say and now, he wanted to be alone and away from Chrom and Sumia. As he turned away, he felt a hand grab his shoulder.
"Can we talk?" Chrom asked kindly.
"I think you and your wife have said enough." The Grandmaster responded coldly once again before taking his leave.
Chrom and Sumia looked at one another, saddened by their friend's cold attitude towards them, clearly not wishing to converse with them unless it was about the war.
But what hurt worse was the fact that Robin didn't even pay any attention to Lucina. He didn't even acknowledge her throughout the meeting nor did he even ask if she was okay after such a tough battle.
To say that she was heartbroken would be an understatement.
Robin retired to his tent, after such a long and horrible day, he just wanted to be alone. Still salty over the intervention, he refused to eat in the mess tent and hasn't spoken to Chrom or Sumia all day. Quite frankly, he didn't even want to look at them right now. The way they made him feel was agonizing. He wasn't the bad guy. He just... wasn't.
Idiots. He thought.
He heard his tent bell ring, signaling that someone was outside.
"Robin? Can I come in?"
He recognized the voice as Severa's. Out of all the Shepherds, she was the only one he could tolerate at the moment.
"Come in." He granted her access. As she walked in, she graced him with a smile, one that she would only give him. "Hey."
"Hey." She said, sitting down in one of his chairs. "How are you doing?"
"I've been better." He said as he leaned forward with his elbow on the desk, holding his cheek in place. "I have two idiots for friends who I'd rather not talk to at the moment but I've been better."
"I'm sorry. I know this wasn't a good day for you." She apologized, wishing he hadn't had to go through such turmoil today.
"It's not your fault, Severa." He said. "By the way, I've been wanting to talk to you."
"Oh?" She questioned.
"Yeah. About your performance today." He smiled. "Severa, you did an outstanding job. You planned a sound strategy today and I couldn't be more proud of you. Tiki's survival is all thanks to your careful planning."
"I just thought about what you would've done." She said, blushing from the praise she was receiving.
"And it worked." He got up from where he was sitting and walked to her, grabbing her hand and making her look at him. "I mean it, I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. It... it means a lot coming from you." She said before letting go of his hand. "By the way, Chrom asked me to come get you. He said he wanted to talk to you."
"Did he now?" His mood turned sour at the mention of his friend's name. "*Sigh* Guess I better go deal with this."
"Want me to come along?" She asked.
"Nah, you get some rest okay? You've earned it." He said. "Have a good night, Severa."
"Goodnight Robin." She said before spreading her arms wide and enveloped the Grandmaster into a hug. He returned it, glad to know he can always count on her to be by his side.
Robin then left his tent and made his way over to Chrom's. He wondered if this was another planned intervention. He knew he couldn't avoid Chrom forever, he was still the leader of the Shepherds and his best friend.
Yeah, some best friend. He scoffed.
As he arrived, he rang the bell.
"You in Chrom?" He asked.
"Robin? He heard him from inside the tent. "Yeah, come in."
The Grandmaster entered and saw Chrom all by his lonesome. No Sumia or Lucina or any other Shepherd. It was just the two of them.
"Hey." The Prince greeted his friend warmly.
"Hey," Robin responded, not as warmly.
"Still angry, huh?" He sighed. "Well, I'm not surprised. After everything that's happened today, it's understandable."
"But you don't regret it, do you?" The Grandmaster asked. "That sorry excuse of an intervention, the words you and Sumia said, you meant every word of it."
"Do you want me to be honest?" He asked.
"Oh, I insist." The grandmaster said sarcastically.
"I meant every gods damn word of it," Chrom said harshly. "And what Sumia said, about you being worse than the evil you wish to destroy, let me tell you, Robin, it may have been harsh but it sure as hell wasn't wrong."
"That so?" He crossed his arms.
"Hey, you asked me to be honest." The Prince retorted.
"How exactly?" Robin wondered.
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me, idiot. Do I have to spell it out for you, Chrom?" The tactician mocked. "Tell me, why do you think I'm worse than the evil I wish to destroy. Please, enlighten me!"
"Alright then, let's start with that little laughing show at Fort Steiger!" Chrom said, bringing up the trap Robin used to kill the Resistance traitors. "There were so many options on the table. The trap you laid out was perfect. Even I didn't see it coming. We could've captured them or maybe reason with them and what did you do. You chose to kill them. You killed them and then you laughed while you did it."
"If you ask me, they got off easy. Traitors like them deserve worse." Robin spoke coldly about the resistance members and shocked that The prince was defending them even after previously saying that it was a necessity. It's as if the idiot forgot that one of those dastards broke his leg!
"There are always alternative options, Robin" Chrom replied.
"Oh really? And what would you do, Chrom?! What the hell would you do?! Arrest them and make them Prisoners of War, telling them to surrender with honor or some garbage like that?!" Robin scoffed with disgust. "Don't make me laugh! Honor isn't real! That's just something you tell people so they'll risk their lives for you!"
"You actually believe that?!"
"You're damn right I do." The Grandmaster replied instantly. "It's time for you to wake up Chrom. I know it's not what you want to hear but it's the truth. At first, I wanted to believe that there was good in our enemies, that it was as Emmeryn said, that even the darkest of hearts hold a tiny ray of light. But you know what, she was wrong."
"Don't you dare!" Chrom warned.
"Face the facts, idiot!" Robin fired back. "There are people out there, horrible people that are poisoning this world and the only way to erase that poison is to cut off the source! Permanently!"
"Then tell me this, Robin." The prince brought up. "What happens when someone decides that you're poison?"
"Then they better pray to their gods that they don't fail in killing me." He said coldly.
After those words, the two didn't say anything for a while. Robin had his back turned, not even wanting to look at Chrom while the Prince had his eyes glued to the floor. After the two cooled off, Chrom opted for a more calm discussion.
"You've changed, you know that." He simply said.
"No. I've just come to terms with reality." He turned to face his friend. "Chrom, you're my best friend, I trust you more than I trust anyone and the fact that you are concerned for my health and well-being means a lot to me."
"I feel the same, Robin." He smiled at his friend's kind words.
"But my beliefs won't change." He warned him. "I'm going to kill Walhart, then Excellus, then Aversa, then Validar, and every last bit of evil scum on this planet. So either help me or stay the hell out of my way."
"My beliefs won't change either," Chrom stated. "If we're not capable of mercy and forgiveness, even to our enemies, then we are no better than my Father. I refuse to become like that man. I'll believe in Emm's ideals to the bitter end."
And with that, their argument had drawn to a close, both acknowledging that their goals and beliefs would never change.
"Father? Are you in?" They both heard a voice outside the tent which belonged to Lucina.
"Yeah, come in." He granted her access. As she entered, she wasn't expecting to see Robin here as well.
"Oh, Robin. Greetings." She greeted him warmly.
"Hey." He gave her a plain greeting, still feeling the awkward tension between them after the intervention.
"Thanks for coming, Lucina. I've been wanting to talk to you both." Chrom said as the two turned to him. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm terrified. We have no idea how strong Walhart really is and the fact that he decimated our troops in the north and south worry me."
"Chrom," Robin muttered as he could understand his friend's fear, not knowing your enemy's strength is also a tactician's fear as well.
"That's why I want you two with me when we take him on." He declared. "With you two by my side, I'm certain we can defeat him."
"Of course Father." Lucina nodded in agreement. "I'll happily fight at your side."
"We'll take him down. I promise we will get out of this alive." The grandmaster said.
"Then it's decided." Chrom smiled. "I'll be counting on you."
With his best friend and daughter by his side, he was certain they could beat the Conqueror. The three were the strongest of the Shepherds and leaders in their own right. With Chrom's strength, Robin's magic, and Lucina's speed, the three were certain that victory was in their grasp.
"Milord!" A Solider entered the war tent, breathing heavily and covered in wounds. "I-I have dire news to report!"
"What is it?" Chrom said, worried it wasn't good.
"K-Khan Basilio, he..." He said with regret. "He has been killed in battle!"
The moment the news reached their ears, they couldn't believe what they had heard. They didn't want to believe it but they knew this soldier wasn't lying.
Basilio's... dead? Robin thought as his legs grew weak from the despair coursing through his body.
"No!" Lucina immediately said, not wanting to believe that she had failed again
"Damn it all!" Chrom said with sadness in his heart. "You're certain?"
"I am." They were then joined by another visitor. It was none other than the East-Khan herself who was clutching her side with her hand. "He's gone, Chrom. I saw him fall myself. ...He's gone."
"Flavia! What happened?" Chrom questioned before noticing her wound. "Wait...you're hurt! Lucina, fetch a healer, at once!"
"I'll be fine, gods damn me... Gods damn me for outliving that one-eyed clod! That big, bald oaf! That...that..." She couldn't even bring herself to yell, the sorrow was almost too much to bear.
"That's twice now I have failed." Lucina sank to her knees, filled with guilt and regret for not being able to save the West-Khan.
"I'll kill him! I'll cut that dastard Walhart down myself!" Flavia swore. "I swear it before the gods! He will pay!"
"No, Flavia...for now, you need to rest and to heal." Chrom stated, trying to remain calm even after hearing such horrible news. "When the time is right, we will avenge Basilio. You have my word."
"Then know that I will hold you to it." She said to him.
No. Robin clecnched his fist. He can't be dead... he... he can't!
"Chrom, there's something else. Something important. Basilio asked I give you this." Flavia pulled out what appeared to be a gem and handed it to the Prince.
"Wait... Is that...?" Chrom said as he held the gem in his hand. "I can feel its power resonating through my whole body."
"It's Gules, one of the Gemstones you need." She informed him. "Don't ask me why in hell's name the oaf hid it from you. He always did love his surprises, damn him."
"Whatever his reasons, I accept his gift now, and gladly." He said before placing the stone onto the Fire Emblem.
"It's hard to believe he's truly gone," Flavia said with regret. "The larger the man, the larger the void left in his wake."
"And Khan Basilio was a titan. There is no replacing him." She said with sorrow before noticing Robin's current state. "Robin?"
When Lucina looked towards the tactician, so the Chrom and the East-Khan. When they looked at him, they had never seen him in such a fragile state. He hands were clenched, his face was hunched over so they couldn't see his expression, and they saw tear drops pouring from his eyes.
"No." They could hear him say in almost a faint whisper. "N-No."
"Robin." Lucina had never seen him cry like this before. It wasn't like the moment they shared back on Sage's Hamlet. It was as if the Robin she knew had died and was replaced and a broken man.
He pulled out his tome and ran out of the tent. Chrom, Lucina, and Flavia followed after him only to see him perform a wind jump and leap away from them.
"Robin!" Chrom called out to him, afraid of the state his friend was in.
After the Grandmaster finally landed, he was away from everyone. He pulled out his Levin Sword and threw it on the ground along with his tome. He fell to his knees and clutched his head tightly as he finally understood what had happened.
He had lost.
Looks like you lose again, handsome.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Oh, boy. Robin lost it. Again.
I hope this makes up for my absence. If not, I'll do my best on the next chapter.
I really am sorry for constantly being gone for so long guys. I hope you guys know and understand how much I appreciate your never ending support and that it's because of you guys that I will continue to write for you. When you guys are happy, I'm happy.
Til next time.