Keaton, Kaden, and Panne - The Law of the Jungle
Day 222, morning
Panne watched in silence as both the Justice Cabal and their parental rescue party emerged from the woods, among them two unconscious females she did not recognize. Putting two and two together, she came to a relative conclusion as to what the commotion was.
"So two more? Reckless, but at least those kits can look after their own," the Taguel noted, not moving from her position as the somber group filed into the camp.
Despite rescuing two of their own from what looked like another Risen cluster, the humans appeared distraught- Most stricken among them Robin, Corrin, and their two children. As they went their separate ways, most of them did not bare a smile or strike conversation, instead heading right to their respective tents or to the mess hall.
"Did we lose one?" Panne wondered, not thinking of any other logical reason for the somber mood of the-
"Heyo, Panne," a voice called, causing the Taguel to turn to...
"Kaden," Panne nodded, acknowledging the Kitsune indifferently. Selkie was farther down the path, looking back towards the woods at something, not as solemn as everyone else. Looking back, Kaden shared the same expression that she did.
"Saw you staring rather intently as we came in! Is it my fur? I did groom it quite thoroughly yesterday... And it does gleam quite admirably after a fight."
Panne scoffed at the semi-narcissistic fox spirit. Yes, at times, Kaden showed utter seriousness and focus but more often than not, he was mischievous and playful, not to mention he loved the smallest mention of himself.
"I failed to notice," Panne disregarded, "Though I am curious as to what just happened. A mixture of good and bad news?"
Kaden shrugged and gestured to his left, where Selkie and now Yarne were pacing impatiently about, away from the camp.
"We are fine, and Selkie didn't seem to let whatever happened affect her. What I do know however, is that some children with Robin and Corrin took part in a fight way bigger than your usual Risen. Seems to have hit them hard."
"What happened?" Panne asked, aware that she was stepping on thin ice now.
"Who knows?" Kaden shrugged. "I'm curious, but not nosy. I do know it has something to do with those ruins outside the castle. But that's about it. A portal, of sorts."
"A portal? Like that of which you came here from?"
A nod from the kitsune.
"Hmm. I suppose I'll hear about it when it comes around camp then. If that's all... Oh, why are Selkie... and Yarne wandering aimlessly about?"
"Oh? It appears they're waiting for something. Or someone," Kaden replied, just noticing the two stragglers.
"Yarne," Panne called out, causing both of the shapeshifters in the woodline to turn. "What's going on?"
"W-we have..." Yarne began, only to be interrupted by Kaden.
"I smell it. We have a stowaway."
"Kaden, it's too early for this- Oh. That's what you were talking about," Keaton mumbled, still wiping sleep from his eyes and mouth. Sniffing the air deeply, he raised his ears in surprise.
"That's definitely Wolfskin. Wow, she smells bad. I dig it."
"Don't get too excited," Panne warned, not exactly keen on watching a wolf pack form under her nose. "It could be dangerous."
"Should we get Robin? Or Corrin?" Kaden asked.
"No, let them rest. We can handle this. I hope," Keaton added quickly. Stretching quickly, he gestured confidently towards the woods. "Let's move."
With equal parts excitement and caution, the five shapeshifters left the castle and filed into the woods, beast stones in hand.
"Are we expecting a fight?" Yarne asked, to the dismay of Keaton and Kaden.
"I sure hope not. You Wolfskin have rather big claws. I don't think my fur would appreciate a graze from them."
"Still, our people are very territorial. And we're very out of our territory, so I would expect a conflict of interests. At the very least, a scare."
"The smell is getting stronger. Is this where you found those two girls?" Kaden asked Selkie.
"Mhm. Well, Cynthia found them, I just smelled them. Funny. They smelled kind of funny, not like anything here."
"Who?" Yarne asked curiously, not part of the previous excursion a few hours before.
"Two girls with red hair. One was dressed as a Nohrian bodyguard, one as a Hoshidan Kinshi Knight. Funny, they didn't smell much like Hoshido or Nohr."
"Red hair? Hmm."
"They were from your world, Odin and Gerome seemed to-"
"Severa! She's alive!" Yarne exclaimed loudly, scaring Keaton enough to cause him to shapeshift on reflex.
"You just gave away our location to every beast from Chon'sin to Plegia," Panne sighed, groaning as Keaton shifted back into his human form, a huge blush on his face.
snap
5 pairs of ears instantly turned towards the sound, followed by 5 deep sniffs.
"They're light on their feet," Panne analyzed instantly.
"It's a she. I can smell it for sure now," Keaton added.
"We're getting close. Let's move quickly," Kaden ordered, oddly determined.
"...And found you."
A werewolf came crashing through the woods with a loud crash, tackling Keaton to the ground. Even as the other 4 shifters assumed their beast form, Keaton remained human.
"Let him go. We're not here to fight," Kaden warned, baring fangs.
"W-what? Oh, neither am I." The stranger didn't seem to let up though, ignoring the human trapped in their relatively harmless clutches.
"Who are you? You're obviously a wolfskin. Did you follow us?"
"Yes, actually. My name's Velouria. I suppose you can say that I'm lost."
"You're not from my tribe," Keaton finally spoke, completing his smell-check. "I know my people. You don't smell like them and yet..."
"Well, I'm not from your tribe yet," Velouria explained, scratching her head and shapeshifting to human. "Uh, how do I explain this..."
"You're from the future, here to save your father from... something?" Kaden asked, ever the analyst.
"Wow, was that a guess?"
"The first couple times, yeah. You wouldn't believe how many of you there are now. Follow us."
"Commander Robin and Corrin are at the moment unavailable, so we'll show you around. In the meantime, do you mind us asking what your story is?"
"Sure, I guess. It's foggy, but..."
"Trust us, we know."
"There was a war. A big one, I think. A lot of people died, but none from my tribe. We were isolated for the most part, until one day the invaders came to us. My father was gravely injured during that time but then the invaders left."
"Sounds familiar," Kaden noted, turning to Selkie. "Just like my daughter's accounts, but mirrored. What else do you remember?"
"Let's see. There was this weird fight going on, and well, I can't remember what else exactly, but it was after the war. Nohr won."
"Hoshido won," Selkie corrected.
"No, I'm pretty sure Nohr won. Prince Takumi and Ryoma died. And yet..."
"Weird."
"One more thing. There was a young man singing. That's like the last thing I remember. And then... Water."
"A lot of water. His voice was so pretty," Selkie continued.
The two girls looked at each other, their eyes betraying everything.
"You were there."
"So were you. I remember you. And at the same time... you're a stranger."
"So two different accounts of what appears to be two different versions of the same war. The Hoshidan children say that they won, yet Nohrian children say the same thing but opposite. I assume the Wolfskin would side with Nohr," Kaden began.
"I don't know why we would, but it would make more sense than with Hoshido," Keaton mused. "Hoshido is a bit of a ways away from my tribe."
"I don't think it was by choice. Maybe Nohrian soldiers cornered your people? Perhaps threatened you."
"Perhaps. I don't feel like I would bend the knee to them though. I would fight."
"So would I," Kaden sighed. "This is all very confusing. Selkie, Velouria, do you happen to remember how your father and I happened to side with human countries?"
"There was a princess you would talk about sometimes. One who convinced you because she helped you when you were lost," Velouria offered.
"Like lost spiritually, emotionally, that sort of thing-"
"No, I'm pretty sure you were a hundred miles away from the village and she happened to rescue you."
"Y-yikes. I'm sure Kaden's story isn't as flattering as that..."
"My daddy was exploring. I think. And he ran into a princess too. Or was it a prince? I think it was a prince."
"But still," Panne interrupted. You two ended up risking your lives for humans. Why? I don't see how that would benefit you."
"Maybe I wasn't fighting for glory and all that. Maybe I owed them a debt," Kaden thought. "I'm proud to honor debts, and well, maybe I found myself in a pinch."
"I still doubt I was lost. But maybe I owed whoever rescued me my life. I am the leader of a tribe after all. I don't just collect tribute from whoever graces my path. I try earning it. Even if I don't interact with humans much."
"So very strange. As a Taguel, I don't recall the last time I came running to a manspawn's beck and call."
"Maybe I wasn't fighting for Hoshido," Kaden explained. "I like to think I was fighting for my tribe. My... what would you call it? Warren." Panne felt uneasy at the word, but recovered without a delay.
"You were a leader and a father. I don't see what would make that risk worth-"
"Why did you leave your Warren?" Keaton asked suddenly, leaving Panne distraught for a second, hesitant to answer.
"There was no one left. I was the Warren. I sought nothing but my own survival."
"So that's it. Survival. See, I can't speak for my future self, or past self, whoever Selkie knew. But the person I am today would fight for anyone who came to my aid. That's that. They risk themselves for me, I am bound by honor to do the same for them."
"Ditto," Keaton added. "I must have left Velouria and home for a reason. A good reason. And there's no better reason than to protect your people. So what made you leave, Panne?"
"...Apathy. I never left, because I am... Was. The last Taguel." Kaden and Keaton flinched, and their children leaned closer to hear Panne's tale.
"Hunters, who cares what faction, killed off my Warren until I was the sole Taguel on the entire Continent. Only by my union with a human did I extend my bloodline, though I have yet to find him in this timeline, Yarne is proof enough that my species has hope."
"But you were here when we joined. I looked into it. You were one of the first to join Exalt Chrom," Keaton asked. Panne nodded her head.
"Not quite and Exalt yet. When I met him, the man spawn was just a prince. A warrior, but not a King. About two and a half years before this campaign, there was an attack at the Ylissean capitol, one where Emmeryn, the former Exalt almost lost her life. If not for Chrom and Lucina, events may have been different."
"Where were you in all this?" Kaden asked curiously.
"I snuck in with the Plegians, but fought for Ylisse when the conflict began."
"Why?"
"Vengeance... And redemption. See, I wanted to end every human's life but only after that battle did I realize... Humans were just as loyal and loving to those they cared about as the Warren was. I was wrong to misjudge humans, and they took me in, called me a Shepherd, and I've raised myself and Yarne as the last Taguel, yet under a different Warren."
"So... you took the route most aiding your survival," Velouria asked, causing Panne to nod.
"It's not about survival, Wolf. It's about family. Kinship. Sometimes you have to look past the fighting and think more... basely," Panne replied.
"That's what you had to gain," Keaton realized, prompting Panne's nod of approval. "A warren of your own."
"These Shepherds... They took care of me and my son. Their goals are therefore my goals, and we will fight until they come reality, because they helped me realize mine."
"Well, not that we were leaving anyway, but I feel highly compelled in earning my keep as a Shepherd," Kaden announced, feeling spry and chipper.
"You can say that again. I'll fight twice as hard for my tribe now, show the world that we Wolfskin can really bring the fighting up a notch. Bring home a little glory on the way," Keaton agreed.
"And I'll be the first to tell you, it is rightly earned."
Keaton turned his head to the unannounced voice, and gaped at the sight.
The six were interrupted by Robin, eyes slightly red, looking rather dismal.
"Commander Ro-"
"At ease, soldiers... no... friends," Robin added slowly, with a ragged voice. "I was... listening. Listening for a while now, and I have to say. All of you. Thank you."
"For what, sir?"
"Please... I am not a 'sir' or a Commander at times like these," Robin frowned. "I am just a man, trying to scrounge up the will to fight another day when his own children are breaking down in front of him. A man is no man when he cannot even tell his own child that everything is going to be alright."
"Robin..." Panne asked slowly. "What happened out there?"
"It does not matter," Robin replied simply. "I've learned what I could from that ordeal, and even moreso from listening to you. The Taguel, Wolfskin, and Kitsune. You guys are quite something. We're honored to have you with us."
"What could we have offered to your knowledge, sir?" Kaden asked, causing Robin to break into a dry smile.
"It's not knowledge if you never put any thought into it," Robin explained. "It's insight. Insight that makes me realize that I do not have just an army at my fingertips. I have lives at stake. Families that could be torn apart at any wrong move. Aspirations that are mine to achieve when I take care of all of you."
"I see," Keaton nodded. Robin waved around, gesturing to the Shepherds.
"Keaton, we've talked enough. I know why you're out here. You don't have to prove a thing to this army. You're a damn good leader. When you come home, I wouldn't doubt you'll be the talk of Nohr."
"Y-yes. I... uh. Yeah." Keaton stuttered nervously.
"And you Kaden. I've seen you on the sidelines, doing things no one else would notice if they weren't paying attention. It's good to have someone like you watching the small details. Even without reward."
"When you put it like that sir, it is a lot more chivalrous," Kaden admitted. "Though it's certainly no less true!"
"And Panne, we're family, first and foremost. But we're your Warren too. The Shepherds are our family, as I've come to realize lately. Thank you for being someone we could rely on. Someone we can trust."
"It is by your hands that we have made it through unscathed, Commander," Panne smiled in response. "Staying is the best route to survival under your steady hand."
Robin then turned to the three children.
"Selkie, I already know that you went with Cynthia and the others, but you did not see the same things my children did. However, you did retrieve two of the children from whenever or wherever they came from, so I have to thank you before I scold you. But I won't scold you, not after what happened. No one could have known."
"Sir? I am still not aware what was in that portal." Robin sighed and lowered his head.
"I pray for all of our sake that it stays in there."
"Oh."
Robin straightened up and looked at Velouria.
"Velouria, is it? Welcome to the Shepherds. You uh... came at a rough time, so pardon my lack of presentation. Please, make yourself at home and we'll get you situated before our next march."
"I'll take note of that, Commander Robin."
"Ah, so polite. Or shy? Hm. Anyway." Robin turned to Yarne.
"Yarne. You are familiar with Severa and that other girl?"
"Severa yes. Other girl, no."
"Curious. I'll inquire Cordelia and Subaki later. Why don't we get some rest, hmm? I... I'm feeling tired."
With that, Robin disappeared as quietly as he joined, slinking back into this tent with a sigh.
Chrom paced his tent, Lucina watching intently as her father rambled to himself.
"Something really got to him out there," The prince sighed as he paced around, thinking of his white-headed friend. The princess sat cross legged, polishing Falchion's hilt.
"They found Severa," she explained. "Which means they found the portal that led into the Ylisse I had to abandon..."
"Which means they saw what would happen should we fail," Chrom realized, sitting next to his daughter. "Was it that bad?"
"..."
"I see."
"You would wish your eyes fall out first."
"Severa... Did she stay behind?"
"She... volunteered to. We were surrounded by Risen. Grima himself followed us in his human form, for victory was assured for him. His hood blocked his face but I remember that smirk as I cut Severa off from us at the portal..." Lucina closed her eyes tightly and shook.
"She's okay now, though!"
"No... She was alone in Grima's world for years! I am amazed she's still alive, let alone sane." Chrom put his fist on his chin and sighed.
"When she comes to, we'll visit her?"
"I would like that, Father. Though, it makes me realize."
"What?"
"That other woman... No one knows her name. She was dressed like a Hoshidan flyer, yet no one knows where she is from. No one knows anything about her, yet she was in the same world, captured in the world I left."
"Probably a survivor."
"A Hoshidan survivor in Ylisse? Father, I... It doesn't make any sense."
"That is rather strange..." Chrom thought about it and he figured to ask Robin when time seemed right.
"We already know the Hoshidans and Nohrians come from something similar to the Ylisseans but... I wish it would add up. I do not know how they came to join us on our quest."
"We know a few things. Don't you remember?"
"They explained that someone sent them here. A singer with water. Sound familiar?"
"Azura? That could be a thought. But I thought the singer was male," Chrom corrected.
"I'm thinking too hard... I'll just ask one of them when the time comes. I... I'll go check in with Corrin."
"You do that," Chrom sighed, laying in his bed as Lucina left. He heard another voice and Lucina's greeting, forcing his eyes open.
"Oh, Hello Robin," Lucina greeted from outside.
"Hey Lucina... Is Chrom..."
"Yes, he is. Are you feeling... well?"
"I would like to speak with you later. In private."
"O-of course. I will wait for your order then."
"Thanks."
Robin entered, a fatigue beyond him resting on his face.
"You okay?" Chrom asked, sitting back up.
"No. But we'll manage," Robin said with a dry laugh, still standing in the doorway. "Just wanted to drop in and say hello."
"That's unlike you. No chess game? No strategy meeting?"
"Just a friendly conversation... Just reminding myself that I have friends at my order, not just soldiers."
"Robin..."
"Yeah?"
"What did you see?"
"I didn't see much..." Robin said, his face darkening and lowering as his lip quivered, something even Chrom could see.
"Was it that bad?"
"I saw him, Chrom. The Fell Dragon. Damn it all, but he almost got Morgan... Kana too."
"Did they find what they were looking for?"
"Yes, and she's horrified."
"Robin?"
"Morgan... Where she was from... she... She helped destroy Lucina's world. She served Grima, and remembering that just... destroyed her."
Chrom winced at the turn of events. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You can say sorry if we lose." Chrom smiled at Robin's attempt at humor but Robin remained blank. "I can say sorry if I lose."
"So what's bothering you?"
"Morgan's... She's out of it, Chrom. Kana is terrified too, when Morgan came after him in the portal..."
"That wasn't her doing. She was driven mad. Lucina told me what happens to those who stay too long in that chaos..."
"I need to protect them, Chrom. I need to protect all of us. Corrin saw Grima when we destroyed the portal... I'm going to brief the camp later on... About Grima."
"But..."
"Chrom... They need to know."
"Then I'll help."
"You already are, friend," Robin smiled, leaving Chrom's tent.
Gazing upon the Shepherds as the sun began to fully rise, Robin smiled lightly on his soldiers... His family.
"Not one of you dies on my watch."
"Empty promises, gods I could be so ambitious when I'm stirred up. Alright then, Robin. Not one of them will die.
Not even you."