Chapter 37: What Was and What Will Be

In a small clearing within one of the forests of Valm, Robin was seen meditating silently. He was trying to focus, to clear his mind. This was a trick he often used in the past to try to regain his memories. He figured concentrating and clearing his mind would help him to control Ignis.

He knew it worked, as he often saw flashes and visions of his past. Unfortunately, he could never remember what he saw afterwards.

Robin breathed steadily, digging deep. He could feel his mind beginning to blank.

Suddenly, images burst through his mind. The images were the memories that he was beginning to see since the war began. His mother and father when he was a child. The fire that destroyed his village and killed his mother. The death of Father Pyramus at the hands of Father Ibrahim. Emmeryn jumping from the cliff. Chrom getting stabbed by the Thoron Bolt. They were all appearing before him rapidly.

There were other images too. A game of chess he played with Virion. Lissa slipping a frog down his shirt as a joke when she was giving him a massage. Drinking in a pub with the Shepherds. Playing poker with Flavia, Basilio, Chrom, and Gregor.

More memories flashed in front of him. Robin playing with a group of kids in his village while his mother looked on. A sparring match with Validar, then with Father Eric, then with Chrom, finally with Lucina. Playing hide and seek with the villagers. A very young Robin giving a little girl a nervous kiss, which must have been his first kiss.

However, the last memorie was the strangest and, possibly the worst, of them all. It was the memory of Robin's first kiss with Lucina. As he felt himself relieving the memory, a warm sensation went through his body. That changed though, when the form of Lucina and Robin began to change. Robin became younger by a few years, possibly a few years before he met the Shepherds. The area changed too. Instead of a training field, he was in an alley of a city. And he was no longer locking lips with Lucina.

Instead, there was another girl who looked to be about the same age as Robin was at the time of the memory. She was beautiful, with long raven hair and fair skin. She was lean and had an elegant air to her despite her simple clothing. When she and Robin parted, he noticed that she had amazing brown eyes. Robin thought the only one who had eyes more beautiful than this girl's was Lucina.

"My dearest Robin." the girl said sweetly. "I love you."

"I love you." said the younger Robin. "Eliza."

The moment Robin heard his younger self say that name, a jolt went through his body. And it wasn't necessarily a good jolt. That could mean only one thing.

"No." Robin said out loud. "Not this girl too. Please tell me I don't fail her too."

Robin groaned in pain as the memories continued to flash before him. With a yell, he then opened his eyes, returning to the clearing. He fell from surprise and panted.

As the new memorie began to fade away, Robin realized that the name still seemed to stick. Eliza. He once knew a girl named Eliza. And it was obvious that they were in love.

"You'll never do it like that." someone above Robin said.

Robin looked for the source of the voice, but didn't see anything. He then grabbed his sword nearby and pointed it around, looking carefully at the forest around him.

"Show yourself." Robin demanded.

"Look up." said the voice.

Robin looked and pointed his sword up. Standing atop a branch of a tree was Drekkam, who was leaning on the tree, arms crossed.

"You can put your sword down." said Drekkam. "I'm not looking for a fight."

"Fat chance." said Robin.

"I understand the distrust." said Drekkam. "But you have my word. I'm not here to kill you."

Robin didn't listen though. He continued to points his sword at Drekkam, wary of the Collector.

"Suit yourself." said Drekkam, who didn't sound the least bit scared.

"Don't wanna fight, huh?" Robin asked. "What's wrong? Did I scare you off?"

Drekkam smirked at Robin. He then snapped his fingers as his body became consumed by blue flames. Robin jumped back a bit in surprise as Drekkam laughed.

"Don't try to mock me." said Drekkam. "You think you are the only one who can use Ignis? I know this ability quite extensively. I've simply never needed it at this point."

"Then why not use it against me?" Robin asked.

"I have my reasons." said Drekkam. "One of which is, admittedly, you caught me by surprise. Not only was I not expecting you to use Ignis, but I wasn't expecting you to be as strong as you were."

Great. Robin thought to himself. He can use Ignis too. Just what we needed.

"But we're getting sort of off track." said Drekkam. "My control over Ignis is irrelevant right now. YOUR control over Ignis is in need of assistance."

"I don't need your help." said Robin. "Nor would I want too."

"I think you'll find you will." said Drekkam. "You see, you are doing it all wrong."

"I'm sure I am." said Robin.

"No, it's true." said Drekkam. "You can't control it that way."

"What way?" Robin asked.

"Fighting it." said Drekkam. "More importantly, fighting the darkness within your heart."

"There is no darkness in my heart." said Robin.

"Oh contraire." said Drekkam. "There is darkness in everyone's hearts. Some simply embrace it more than others. Those are ones who dominate, the ones who rule. Look at Walhart. Look at Validar."

"Look at Gangrel." Robin retorted.

"Please." said Drekkam. "Gangrel was like a child who just found his father's bow. He wouldn't know darkness if it punched him square in the face. And by the sound of things, it did."

"Stay your words." said Robin. "I'm not embracing my darkness."

"What do you have to lose?" Drekkam asked.

"That's easy for you to say." said Robin. "You're literally made of darkness."

"Fair enough." said Drekkam.

"I'll find another way." said Robin. "It may not be easy, but if it means I won't let it take control of me, then I'll do it."

"Suit yourself." said Drekkam. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"On that subject." said Robin. "Why are you helping me?"

"I have my reasons." said Drekkam. "None of which concern you right now."

"Fine then." said Robin. "Well, if your gonna let me live, then you can be on your way. Unless you plan on killing my comrades."

"Relax." said Drekkam. "My current interests aren't in seeing any of you dead. At least, not right now. I hope you're prepared for when that time changes. Until then."

Drekkam then walked behind the tree and disappeared. Once Robin was sure that he left, he then sat back in the clearing and continued his training.

As Lucina absentmindedly brushed her mother's pegasus, her thoughts drifted to Robin. She found herself thinking about other things she wanted to do if they managed to save the future, something she hadn't given much thought to. She wanted to visit some more pubs like she did with the khans, Gregor, and Rocksus. She wanted to travel the world anew at least once, truly experiencing everything that there was to offer. She wanted to write more, like she was now with restarting her diary. But most importantly, she wanted to do all of those things with Robin.

"Hey!" Cynthia's voice said. "Earth to Lucy!"

Lucina snapped out of her thoughts and turned to her sister. Cynthia and Sumia were looking after Cynthia's pegasus, which was actually Sumia's pegasus from the future. Unlike Minerva, Sumia's pegasus was still fairly young, so her future self didn't look as aged as the wyvern's now deceased counterpart.

"Everything ok?" Sumia asked.

"Yeah." said Lucina. "I uh, I just didn't sleep all that well."

In a way, Lucina wasn't lying. They had been on the move for a few days now and Lucina was having trouble sleeping. In fact, last night was the first one where anyone got to get some sleep. Most of the day yesterday and the previous night was them marching out of the fortress to escape Walhart and Yen'fay's armies before they arrived. Hopefully, Basilio's forces would be able to continue to give them time.

Plus, Lucina was worried about Robin. She sort of understood why he had to leave, but she desperately wished that he didn't. She was also nervous about the fact that she let him leave. Should she? They needed him after all. She needed him. Virion was a good tactician, but not nearly as good as Robin. It just didn't seem fair that had to leave.

Sumia's pegasus let out an annoyed neigh as Lucina accidentally pressed too hard on her brush. Lucina put her brush away and gently stroked the pegasus.

"Whoa girl." said Lucina. "Easy. Sorry about that."

The pegasus shook it's head and snorted. Lucina took that as an apology accepted.

Much like her mother and Cynthia, Lucina was really good with animals. While most of humanity was wiped out in the future, a lot of animals still survived. Lucina and her friends encountered deer, bear, squirrels, bobcats, all sorts of life. Lucina remembered playing with a pair of curious bear cubs with Cynthia one time. The cubs didn't even scratch the two while they played. Even the mother, who arrived a short time after, didn't bother Lucina or Cynthia, it simply watched them closely while her cubs had a good time.

"There we go." said Sumia, finishing up the other pegasus. "Good girl."

The older pegasus whinnied in response as Cynthia and Sumia patted it in the snout.

"There." said Lucina, finishing up her pegasus. "Feel better?"

The pegasus gave a happy snort, turning to Lucina. Lucina then grabbed a carrot and fed it to the pegasus, which happily munched on it.

"It's been some time since we groomed them." said Sumia. "I'm sure they appreciated it."

"I'd love to do this for a living." said Cynthia. "Looking after pegasi."

"It's certainly something that crossed my mind." said Sumia. "Not really an option now though."

"Why?" Lucina asked.

"Well, I am the Queen of Ylisse now." said Sumia. "I kinda have responsibilities."

"Why should that stop you?" Cynthia asked. "You could still start a whole pegasus ranch if you wanted to."

"I couldn't do that." said Sumia. "There are far more important matters. Besides, there are plenty of good ranches for a pegasus."

"I bet they wouldn't be as good as yours." said Cynthia excitedly.

"That's sweet of you to say." said Sumia. "But it's more than likely never going to happen."

"I think it would be a good idea mother." said Lucina. "One that father would approve of too."

"I still think there are more important things." said Sumia. "As much as I care about pegasi, the people of Ylisse need to come first."

Lucina nodded, admiring her mother's sense of duty. As happy as Sumia is with Chrom, Lucina could only imagine the sacrifices she had to make by marrying him. Sumia could not easily fulfill her dreams now due to her responsibility of ruling Ylisse with Chrom and raising a family with him now that baby Lucina was born.

"I gotta get to mess duty." said Sumia. "Can you two finish up here?"

"Sure can." said Cynthia.

"Mm-hm." said Lucina.

"Alright then." said Sumia.

Once Sumia was out of earshot, Cynthia came close to her sister as Lucina picked up some of the tools.

"You're worried about Robin, aren't you?" Cynthia asked, lowering her voice.

"Yeah." said Lucina.

"He'll be fine." said Cynthia. "He's pretty tough. And I don't care what some people are saying. He's no coward."

Lucina rolled her eyes at that remark. When Chrom announced Robin's departure with Gregor and Henry, there were many whispers of Robin running away. This mostly came from soldiers from the other countries, not from anyone from Ylisse or Regna Ferox that knew Robin. Not a word of doubt was breathed by any of the Shepherds either, though Lucina could have sworn that Ian said something under his breath.

"He'll be back." said Cynthia. "Just you wait. He's got Uncle Henry to help him out after all."

"True." said Lucina.

The girls then finished up their work and left the stables.

Chrom was feeling nervous. Walhart and Yen'fay's army were on their way, their army was weakened, the Resistance was broken, and Robin was gone. He knew this war was going to be difficult, but this was more than he bargained for.

Chrom was unfortunately no tactician. He wasn't stupid, but he couldn't come up with a plan like Robin or Virion could. And, currently, he didn't see a good way out of their situation.

"Looking rather tense, aren't we prince?" someone said to Chrom.

Chrom turned to see Zedas near him. The soothsayer smiled kindly and bowed to Chrom.

"And you're not?" Chrom asked.

"Of course I'm worried." said Zedas. "But no point in showing it. Better for oneself and everyone around them to keep their cool."

"I wish I could share the sentiment right now." said Chrom.

"Perhaps I can ease your worries." said Zedas.

"How, predicting my future?" Chrom asked.

"Not what I was going to suggest." said Zedas. "But I'd be more than welcome to if you'd like."

"I'm not so sure I want to hear it." said Chrom.

"I don't blame you." said Zedas. "Who knows what it will hold."

"What were you going to suggest?" Chrom asked.

"I had some flowers for aromatherapy." said Zedas. "Their scent often relaxes me."

"I'll pass." said Chrom. "Those things don't usually agree with me."

"Understandable." said Zedas.

"You know what Zedas." said Chrom. "I think I will have my fortune told. If you don't mind."

"Of course." said Zedas. "Come with me."

Zedas then lead Chrom to his tent. Chrom went inside as Zedas prepared their space. All around the tent were many different trinkets and tools that must have been used for fortune telling.

Zedas placed a table with a cloth over it in the center of the tent. He then opened a small box and took out a deck of cards.

"No crystal ball?" Chrom asked.

"Like father, like daughter." said Zedas. "Lucina made the same remark when I did her fortune. Crystal balls are a scam."

"I see." said Chrom, taking a seat at one end of the table.

"Are you familiar with Tarot Cards?" Zedas asked, closing the tent flaps and lighting candles.

"Sort of." said Chrom.

"Good." said Zedas. "Shuffle them if you please."

Chrom then took the cards and gave them a good shuffle. Zedas then sat down on the other side of him.

"Now then, let's see." said Zedas, both to Chrom and himself. "I think I should do a different spread than what I did for Lucina. Yes, the Success Spread should do. Would you split the deck for me?"

Chrom nodded, taking the deck and splitting it in half.

"Now, before we start, what do you wish to know?" Zedas asked.

"What the future holds for me." said Chrom. "What do I need to do to succeed?"

"Let's see." said Zedas, placing five cards on the table in the shape of a T. "First we must begin with the card that represents your current situation. That's this one."

Zedas then flipped the card in the middle of the T. The picture depicted the image of a moon shrouded by clouds.

"The Moon." said Zedas. "This represents the unknown, how there are factors we cannot perceive. Next, we must see your current obstacles."

Zedas flipped the card right next to the first. This card was upside down. It depicted a warrior holding two swords.

"The Two of Swords." said Zedas. "As it is upside down, this represents uncertainty and confusion over the next steps. Now, we look at a hidden factor."

The next card was also upside down. It depicted a cup with water flowing out of it.

"Curious." said Zedas. "Lucina got this card in her reading as well. And it was in this position."

"What does it mean?" Chrom asked.

"The Ace of Cups." said Zedas. "It means that one has repressed or hidden feelings for something. Often, it is a reference to love."

"I don't see how that applies to me." said Chrom. "I'm happily married."

"I've noticed." said Zedas. "It may be something or someone connected to you, not necessarily you. I would keep an eye out."

Chrom nodded as Zedas flipped the next card. It was of a man holding five swords, with two swords stuck in the ground behind him. It was upside down.

"Ah." said Zedas. "The Seven of Swords. This is promising. When it is upside down, that means there may be someone who can aid you that you do not foresee yet."

"Interesting." said Chrom. "I hope you're right. We can use all the help we can get."

"Indeed." said Zedas. "Now, for the final card. This is meant to represent what is needed to succeed."

The last card was flipped. It was right side up. It depicted five cups, three of which were spilled over while the other two stood up. The contents of the cups was spilled all over the place.

"The Five of Cups." said Zedas.

"So what does it mean?" Chrom asked.

"There may be tragedy coming our way." said Zedas. "Something is going to happen that will change the tide of the war. However, it is not something good. It will be something that you do not desire. The only good thing that will come of it is the fact that it will lead you on the path you need to travel."

"I don't like the sound of that." said Chrom.

"Most don't." said Zedas. "But, that is life I suppose."

"I suppose." said Chrom. "Thank you Zedas."

"Of course." said Zedas. "Anytime Chrom. Pay heed to this prediction. Who knows what it will bring you."

"I will." said Chrom.

Chrom then left the tent, mulling over the prediction. The solution to his problem would come in an unexpected way. And there was someone among him that was hiding something from him. Who could it be? Who would come to their aid in Valm.

And, more importantly, what event was going to take place that would end in tragedy?

Robin, Gregor, and Henry chuckled by a fire as Gregor just finished telling them a joke. It was late at night and the group had decided to relax and talk.

"Alright, alright." said Henry. "Here's one. A man went to a doctor about trouble going to the bathroom. The doctor examined him and asked what his schedule was like. He said that he got up every morning around 9, went to the bathroom, then ate breakfast and went through his day. After the examination, the doctor said that the man had tapeworms. He suggested taking some medicine that the doctor had to get rid of them. Inside the man, the tapeworms heard everything and talked. The first one said: I'm going to hide behind the heart. The second said: I'm going to hide behind the lungs. The third said: I don't know about all of you, but I'm gonna take the 9 o'clock out of here!"

Robin and Gregor burst out laughing, Henry joining them.

"Not bad, not bad." said Robin. "Here's one. A woman puts up twins for adoption. One is named Juan, the other is named Amal. Years later, she is sent a picture of Juan, seeing his success. She then comments that she wishes to have a picture of Amal. Her husband then says: if you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal!"

The group laughed again, filling the air with their mirth.

"Great laughter." said Gregor. "Has been too long since moments like this. Gregor miss it."

"No kidding." said Robin. "War is hell."

"Hell can be fun." said Henry.

"So you say." said Gregor. "Gregor realize something. Gregor work with both of you, yet know not much about past. Let us share friends."

"Can't share much." said Robin. "I don't remember all of my past, remember?"

"True." said Gregor. "Anything you do remember though?"

"A little bit." said Robin. "Nothing worth sharing."

"Then I'll start." said Henry. "My childhood was pretty rough. My parents abandoned me when I was young. I think they were scared of my magic."

"That is rough." said Robin.

"It wasn't all bad." said Henry. "I got to meet some nice animals. I was even friends with a sweet little wolf for some time. Ah, if only he wasn't killed. I miss him sometimes."

"Did little wolfie have name?" Gregor asked.

"Yup." said Henry. "Crook. He used to steal food for me from the market."

"Sounds sweet." said Robin.

"I also knew Mustafa." said Henry. "Before he was a general. He was good friend. And I knew his family well. I remember staying in his home when I could and he would give me peaches on my way out. Peaches are my favorite y'know."

"Heh." said Robin. "Lissa often wears peach scented perfume."

"One of the reasons I took a liking to her." Henry said, smiling wider than usually did.

"It seems we also share hardships in past." said Gregor. "Gregor grew up in Regna Ferox during reign of Khan Magnus and first Plegian War. Was most rough."

"I was young near the end of it." said Henry. "What was it like?"

"Like hell." said Gregor. "Very poor living conditions. Grew up with Basilio. Very miserable under rule of current Khans."

"I've read a lot about the first Plegian War." said Robin. "It sounded terrible."

"Reading and experiencing very different." said Gregor. "There were points when Gregor went for days without food. Terrible for Plegia and Ylisse as well."

"Chrom told me." said Robin. "He remembered his father barely being around during the war."

"Was most happy when Magnus was overthrown." said Gregor. "Grateful to see Basilio and Flavia take charge. Gregor was offered to be khan, but declined. Instead chose to travel world and act as mercenary. Met Panne thanks to that."

"Sounds like a life." said Robin. "I barely remember anything from my past. I have some things that I remember. None of them are really good though."

"Well, we've been sharing our dark past." said Henry. "Time for you to fess up."

"Well." said Robin. "I remember a group of Naga fanatics burning down the village I lived in, killing my mother."

"Ah." said Gregor. "The Chosen Saviors. Gregor has encountered them a few times."

"Those guys are fun to toy with." Henry chuckled. "I've escaped from them a few times in my younger years."

"Yeah." said Robin. "I think they also killed another mentor of mine. I have some memories of a man named father Pyramus, who took me in and let me live at his monastery."

"Kind man, father Pyramus." said Gregor. "Gregor had never met him personally, but heard many kind stories about him."

"He was." said Robin. "At least, the memories I have of him showed that he was."

"Why do you only have certain memories?" Henry asked.

"Search me." said Robin. "I'm not even sure why I originally lost my memories."

"Whatever case." said Gregor. "At least you can now make better ones. Like tonight I hope."

"Certainly." said Robin. "Ironic how dark subjects can bring people closer together."

"Yeah!" said Henry. "Dark stuff always gets a bad name."

"Heh." said Gregor. "Anyway, Gregor is getting sleepy. Ready for bed, unless one of you wishes for Gregor to take first watch."

"I'll take it." said Robin. "I'm tired, but not exactly ready to sleep yet."

"I'll take next watch then." said Henry. "Goodnight. Make sure to let the bedbugs bite!"

"Goodnight." Gregor smiled.

The two then went inside their tents as Robin tended to the fire. He was rather grateful that he had some company. While he believed he could have done this on his own, it helped to have some people to talk too. It felt a bit alleviating to open up about his past a bit, especially to two people who understood. He had heard some of what Gregor's past was like, but nothing about Henry's. It certainly explained a lot about him.

As Robin tended to the fire, his thoughts shifted to Lucina. He kinda wished that she came with him, but it was for the best. Chrom needed her more than he did right now. Still, Robin wouldn't mind sitting in front of the fire, Lucina snuggling against his chest.