Chapter 51: Shadows of Battle

Robin couldn't blame any of their group for being hesitant to charge back into trouble. Between the battle to take the Mila Tree and the sudden struggle through visions, she felt bruised in bone and in thought.

So instead of calling out orders, Robin found herself leaning against one of the more mosey ruins. The vegetation formed a soft cushion against her back, and Robin shut her eyes to listen.

"…No shouts from down below." To match the quiet she kept her voice to a murmur. "I'm guessing that means the battle is resolved."

"Lissa wouldn't have come up to us, if it hadn't." Chrom answered; he rested next to her, their shoulders brushing together as he tried to find strength. Robin nodded, wincing a little; to add to the bruises and cuts from the fight, she was also sporting a bump on the head from where Lissa had tackled her and Chrom into the ground once they woke up.

Granted, she'd healed them and agreed to give them some space, once she was sure they were awake.

"I caught a few snatches from Lissa on what happened… though to be honest I didn't understand a lot of it. Gods, but I feel like I just flew- ran seven leagues."

Chrom rushed to correct himself, and Robin blinked over to him. A faint pink was on his cheeks, and he had his eyes fixed to the ground. Likely removing any temptation for his Brand to act up.

"There's a lot to figure out; starting with that mountain we saw."

"Mount Prism…" Robin sighed out. "From what I remember from books on Ylissean geography… that's over a continent away from us."

"It's not all," Chrom admitted. "Those colored flames… I thought I saw echoes of Gules, Azure, and Argent in them." His fingers went to each socket of the Emblem as he spoke. "And if that's the case…"

"Then we're still two gemstones short. That makes sense according to Lucina's song, too." Robin lifted her head to their daughter.

Lucina, ever defiant, still had strength to stand. She lingered at the edge of the pool, and Robin half wanted to call her away.

'You're being irrational; the magic is well dimmed by now. It won't pull her back in…' Even with those thoughts, Robin's hands balled into fists. Chrom rested a hand over hers, guiding it back to the Emblem.

"We've taken the catalyst away, and Tiki said it would be safe." He pointed out.

Another robed figure moved next to Lucina; Morgan, staying by her side and watching a new ceremony unfold. Tiki had waded into the pool, submerging the broken shards of sword. With the way Lucina watched them, Tiki could have been healing their daughter's arm instead of just a sword.

'Just a sword… that was all she had of her family.' Robin's thoughts pointed out again. 'Small wonder she attacked and overpowered Duran, the way she did.'

With that in mind, she sat up a little straighter to watch the spell unfold. The waters washed over the shards with a ripple and a dazzle of reflected light. Robin threw a hand over her eyes to shield them from the flare.

Then she found herself busy with blinking the spots from her vision. A splashing sound reached her ears, and her sight cleared enough to show Tiki lift something glimmering from the waters.

"…I'm afraid that's the best I can do." Tiki finished, looking over the newly forged blade. "There's only so much the residue of magic can do… and I had a hard time driving out the taint from the former handler."

"Duran…?" Chrom whispered, turning Tiki's head. The manakete nodded.

"A shadow seemed determined to hang over my sight, when I first submerged the shards. The waters were hard pressed to wash the shade away, and then use what was left of their energy to heal the blade." Tiki lifted the new Falchion up. Just a glance told Robin it wasn't the same weapon as before; it was a lighter and far more slim cousin to the original two handed sword. One that anyone could hold with a single hand, instead of just Chrom.

Tiki waded through the waters, and Morgan brought Lucina up to meet her. Their daughter stretched her hands out, reverently taking the blade from Tiki. There was a light back in Lucina's eyes, one that said it didn't matter how the blade had changed; it was still hers.

"I promise I won't cut any apples with this one." Morgan grinned when he spoke. He traced a symbol that could have been Naga's tear over his heart, to solidify the promise. Lucina rolled her eyes at that… but Robin also didn't miss the smile on her face. She also didn't miss the way Chrom snorted at the comment, while trying and failing to hide the smile on his face.

Their reverie was brought short by a flutter of wings, and the whickering of horses. Robin lifted her head to the sound, and Chrom found his feet, turning to the noise.

The pegasus riders showed up brilliant white, pawing the green shrine grounds with their hooves.

"Well, good to see that you're back with us!" Sumia called out, while Cordelia gave a crisp salute. "Believe it or not, Lissa asked us to do some reconnaissance once she was sure you'd be alright."

"…Lissa asked you to do that?" Chrom blinked, and earned an outraged "HEY!" from nearby. Lissa moved out from a crumpled and root tangled shrine, glaring at Chrom.

"You don't need to sound that surprised, Chrom. I can make plans too; gods only know I've seen you and Robin do enough of that for it to rub off." Robin wisely kept her mouth shut, instead focusing on finding her way to her feet. She curled her hand into the moss covered ruins, focusing on the soft touch so her head wouldn't swim from the sudden shift in balance.

"If I may interject?" Cordelia spoke up, easing her way from the saddle. "It was a sound call; and as a consequence we have some reports to give."

Lissa quieted at that, giving a nod. That only lasted a second, before she had to duck her head as a sudden draft tried to tangle her hair. Right behind the pegasus riders was a low thrum of wind, and Cherche guided her wyvern down to land.

"Spies and recon both, milord." The wyvern rider picked up the news. "Turns out some of the younger riders have a talent for uncovering information."

"What did they find?" Robin managed, swiping her bangs out from where they'd been blown into her face.

"Reports from the base of the tree, for starters." Cherche answered, turning her head to the branches and what lay beneath them. "The Mila Tree is… securely in our hands now."

Robin didn't miss the pause in her voice.

"So what makes it a hollow victory?"

Cherche didn't bother to refute that, something Robin was infinitely glad for; it made it easier to reach the heart of the matter.

"Yen'fay is fallen… and Chon'sin now swears fealty to Say'ri. We have our rallying point." Cherche seemed to flash between satisfaction and sorrow.

"We… also found out something else interesting. Courtesy of Say'ri." Sumia motioned to the Fire Emblem. "There's another gemstone here in Valm, called Vert…"

She trailed off when both Chrom and Robin brightened at that.

"But it's in Walhart's hands now." Cordelia supplied. "It was one of the first things he took, once he conquered Chon'sin."

Trust nothing to be simple. Just behind her, Robin heard Morgan groan at that. He and Lucina must have both drawn in close, to hear the reports.

"It's a complication… but then, we always needed to take the fight to him." Chrom murmured. "We have more than enough cause now, with what he's done to the neighboring territories. And hopefully we have enough forces recruited that we stand a fighting chance."

"Right." Robin answered. "Like you said, we need to determine what sorts of odds we're up against. Any reports on that-?"

She trailed off, as Sumia joined Cherche in averting their glances. Only Cordelia maintained eye contact with them… and there was a hard light in her eyes, like the rider was steeling herself for something.

"Gerome and Cynthia met with scouts and spies, several leagues from here. From the sounds of it… Walhart rode out personally to meet Basilio's forces. And he-"

"…He… didn't make it?" Robin managed around a throat gone dry. Nearby Lucina sucked in her breath in a ragged noise.

"D-dead? But, I…" Lucina trailed off. "That's twice now… That I've failed."

Cherche could only give a nod, confirming the loss.

"…What was the result of the skirmish?" Robin glared at her hands, watching them ball into fists when she spoke. She hated saying the words… but she also had to know.

"Before he fell, Basilio inflicted damage on Walhart's forces. More to the point, he's drawn the conqueror's attention away from our movements; Walhart's focus is on healing the cracks caused by multiple losses. His movements indicate that he's falling back, retreating to his capital."

"So if we're going to make our move…" Robin started.

"This is the best time for it." Chrom finished. "The other nations in Valm might just rally together, if they think they have a fighting chance."

He glanced at the Emblem, and the incomplete gems. "And there's no sense in running away from this."

He raised his eyes to look at Robin… and she was taken aback at the trust still in them, even after they'd fought their way through such nightmares. He certainly didn't look like he was expecting his death.

"…Understood." Robin's own voice rasped a little. "I'm ready to start mobilizing the troops. And I can come up with a plan of attack as we march. In the mean time…"

She turned to Cherche.

"Chon'sin has a new ruler. We've demonstrated our strength in taking back the Mila Tree… and we have Naga's own Voice with us as well. If the Dynasts are going to rally to our banner, it will need to be now. Find your best fliers, and send out the messages with them; that we'll march on Walhart's forces and soon."

-o-o-o-

"Are you SURE you're okay?" Lissa pressed again as they moved through a forest. Their travel was swift, thanks to being a small group; most of the other Shepherds had set out ahead of them, thanks to some urgent reports and last minute decisions from Robin.

Morgan watched his father rub at his temples, fighting down a groan.

"This is my real punishment for breaking Falchion and growing scales at the Mila Tree, isn't it? I get you to pester me for gods know how long. How many times do I need to say 'yes' until you believe that I'll be fine and ready to fight?"

"In rough order of answers: yes, yes, for at least another three hours, and until I'm satisfied you can go into battle without keeling over. If it makes you feel any better, I plan to be just as stringent with the rest of your family."

"It doesn't make me feel better. At all." Chrom answered. For that matter, Morgan felt a bit of a chill over the last bit, and wondered if he could melt back into the ranks of the others before Lissa spotted him.

That thought was swiftly dashed when the healer turned to him.

"Now as for you-"

"No, sorry, I don't have anything else unusual to report on!" Morgan squeaked out. "I-I admit that might be because I'm going over plans too."

"That's supposed to be Robin's job." Lissa dryly informed him.

"Maybe, but to be honest I'm happy I have another mind on it. I don't want to overlook anything... as we're going to need all the brainpower we can get for this battle to be successful." Robin spoke up from behind Morgan, resting a hand on his shoulder. And this time he was glad not to flinch from the contact.

'It's different from before. This isn't a bad dream I'm in the middle of.'

"Though… Morgan, that reminds me. We haven't been able to talk much about this due to the need for preparations… but what was that vision we glimpsed?" Robin seemed to pick up on his own thoughts, and Morgan almost froze.

He had to remind himself what they were marching towards, and that they couldn't afford any delays. Even if he was reluctant to bring up those visions again.

"You mean… that sight of you both-"

"…Dying." Chrom finished the thought, altering his pace so he walked next to them. "I admit I'm curious too. And not out of morbid curiosity." His father sighed, shaking his head. "Because the thing is… it matches something I've seen in my dreams. I want to know more about it, too."

The same must have been true of his mother, with the strained hum in the back of her throat. Lissa, for her part went absolutely silent. Lucina kept her back squarely to the group, but Morgan had the feeling she was stretching her ears to listen in.

"There's not a lot to share… I just have those images in my head, like an old nightmare that refuses to go away." Or an illness he just couldn't shake, now that it had resurfaced. The surrounding air seemed to go a touch colder, the sunlight more watery and faint.

"…Though… I didn't always have those in my head. I think that…" He squinted his eyes, trying to think back. "It was when we first saw Grima. Y-yeah, that really DID happen, just as Lucina remembered it too."

Only in reality, no family came to their rescue. They'd both been forced to run as the Fell dragon lashed its head back and forth… though thinking back, it had been more of Lucina running and dragging him along, as Morgan staggered from what had been put in his head. He said as much aloud.

"Before that, I DID see Lucina trying to face that thing all alone. And… I couldn't let her do that. I ran up to try and shield her… though to be honest I didn't have much of a plan beyond that. But I think something about that sight made Grima pause for whatever reason. And…"

And those six glowing, red eyes had stared into his; had pressed that memory into his head, of his parents dying. And of him being powerless to do anything, only a phantom spectre.

"I think Grima was trying to break my mind, or subdue me, or SOMETHING. All that dragon pulled off though, was overloading my brain and making me forget everything." Morgan rolled his shoulders in a shrug. The motion felt tight and forced. "To be honest… I think I was willing in some ways, to clear that from my head, even if I had to erase a lot. I don't really want to dwell on it now-"

"And you shouldn't have to." Robin's own voice was muted. "I'm sorry for making you dredge that up again."

"Well, maybe it'll help you form a counter plan? Maybe?" Morgan tried to offer, hoping he could find some sort of silver lining. "I'd be a little more okay with remembering that vision, if it means helping."

Robin gave a hesitant nod at that, but Morgan clung to it anyway.

"Do you remember anything else? Now that you've had that vision restored?" Chrom's voice came in, tinged with concern.

"Not a lot, if I'm honest. Things are blurry past that. It's sort of like… looking at a book where all the pages have been torn up and scattered. I can read words, and sentences, but I don't really understand how they all connect together." Morgan watched Lucina, still facing resolutely ahead.

'She had to endure a lot more than just some bad visions.' He reminded himself. 'How many nightmares has she gotten through? How much pain does she still remember?'

He didn't feel quite so melancholy at that. Especially when Lucina tilted her head back a little to him. She didn't say anything, but there was an understanding light in her eyes. Something that reminded him he wasn't alone in struggling through this.

"Well, outside of those two memories it gets a little more hazy for me. But I get the impression of us being on the run, of the others helping us out and finally uncovering Naga's spell to send us back. So… mission successful in that regard, right? Right." Morgan finished the thought himself.

And if no one said anything in response to that, there was at least an agreeable silence. And they all marched through it together.

-o-o-o-

'One last camp night.' Chrom told himself. And for once he didn't feel a particular restlessness or need to patrol the borders. Maybe it was just because they'd been marching for an entire day, pushing themselves enough that even he was feeling the edges of fatigue.

Or maybe it was just the feeling that they'd done everything they could. All that remained was seeing what would happen next, and be ready when the pieces fell.

"You're looking at peace, love." He blinked at Robin's words, lifting his head to see his wife near one of the tents. The canvas fell near her like a white curtain, Morgan and Lucina peeking out underneath the folds.

"For once… yes, oddly enough." Chrom admitted. "Maybe it's just knowing that we've done all we can."

An air of silence settled across the camp. The entire force was taking one last breath before the battle ahead. No messengers stirred from the camp; every letter that could be sent to dynasts or rebels already had been borne away.

Say'ri's forces had gone with the sun, further silencing the camp, as had a few more detachments of the Shepherds. Even Frederick had taken his leave with Sumia, after one final pebble collection run around the camp.

"I admit, I probably have enough tension for all of us." Lucina sighed out. "I worry… about everything. I couldn't stop Basilio from his fate-"

By reflex, the vision replayed in Chrom's head; of the flicker in Basilio's sides, and the near black blood the coated the leader's form.

But then, Chrom wasn't fully certain of what he saw in the grip of Naga's spell; if it was truth or not, or just a trick from spell-weary eyes.

Robin stalled that conversation, raising a hand.

"Lucina… fate doesn't hold complete sway over us yet. And give yourself some credit; you carried the fight at the Mila Tree against a dead king. And the memory of you and Morgan pulled us out of that swarm of visions."

Lucina raised her head a touch at those words, and her eyes brightened.

"And we're going to need your help for tomorrow." Chrom added. "Every sword that we have will be needed."

His hand went to his side, and the new sword that had been given to him by an exasperated Frederick. Lucina glanced at her hands, almost like she was expecting them to grow scales in anticipation.

"Well… I suppose so." Lucina dropped her hands back to her side, still not sounding entirely convinced. But Chrom's words must have had some effect on her, with how her fingers drifted back to where the re-forged parallel Falchion hung. The gold of the hilt and pommel caught the wane moonlight, and seemed to gleam with a light of their own.

-o-o-o-

Robin didn't much care for the bolt of unease that traveled through her. But something about the sight of the parallel Falchion set her teeth on edge.

'Maybe it's just a reminder, of how you failed in your own task and Chrom had to suffer for it.'

Or that a habit of breaking things seemed to run in the family, a wry part of her brain supplied.

"Though come to think of it," Chrom continued. "There's a few last minute preparations to make."

By now, unslinging the Emblem and removing the gemstones from it was an easy act for him. He did so effortlessly, his eyes never leaving Robin and his family. And while Lucina twisted her mouth into a frown, she didn't argue.

Oddly enough, it was Morgan who hesitated in taking Gules. The red light made him pause… though after a moment he stubbornly latched onto the gem.

"I- I'll be alright." He said, before any of them could comment. "Besides, we've got a job to do… and I'm sure I'll work through this eventually?"

He didn't sound completely certain on that, however.

"I won't slow you down, promise." He continued, glancing over to Lucina. "So… you'll still be okay with me fighting next to you-?"

Lucina stilled his words with a motion from her hand. Azure glinted between her fingers.

"Nothing's changed when it comes to that, Morgan… those visions didn't change the fact that you're my brother. And now that I know what Grima did to you, I want to look out for you. I've a debt to repay, with how you drew the dragon's ire."

"Hah, for all the good it ended up doing-" Morgan tried, but Lucina shook her head at that.

"There was something about both of us standing together… something that made Grima hesitate." Lucina whispered. Those words brought the vision back, painting the scene in Robin's mind. Seeing her daughter screaming defiance, both her children having to stand against something with overwhelming power and malice… and with it came a strange ache in Robin's chest. Her eyes stung as well-

'Likely from what you saw ALMOST happen to your children.' She tried to tell herself. 'But they're here; they're alive.'

That seemed to do the job, the pain in her heart subsiding like a fist uncurling. Back in the present, Robin caught the tail end of Morgan whispering a thank you to Lucina.

"There is one thing I'm grateful for, that the vision reminded me of." Morgan said. "That I was ready to do anything for my family… ha, guess that's STILL true!"

Finally a lighter note worked its way into his words, sounding like the same Morgan Robin had first met in the ruins. Lucina must have heard that as well.

"Well, you're not allowed to risk your life any further. Lissa's orders… and mine too." Lucina nudged him in the side with her elbow, making him wince and laugh at the same time.

"And I'm going to guess part of those order involve me getting some rest?"

"Right." Robin and Lucina both found themselves saying that at the same time.

-o-o-o-

Dawn brought a final march, and Morgan soldiered through it.

"Don't you hear that?" Chrom tilted his head to the side, and Morgan did the same as the same noise ghosted his ears. Lissa, marching nearby gave him a puzzled look. But Robin's head jolted up as well, picking up on the same thing. Ahead of them he saw Lucina tilt her head a little, trying to pick out what it was.

Something was teasing the edges of those with sharper senses, it seemed. And with a jolt Morgan realized that applied to him as well.

"Tactician." Panne suddenly spoke up from behind them. "We are approaching the battle... and it sounds as though we do not approach it alone."

Morgan gave his mother one glance, and could easily guess at the look sparking across her face. She broke into a run the same moment he did, leaving the other Shepherds behind as Lissa shouted protests.

But just then, he felt light as a breeze. He easily tore through the grass as they broke from the trees and approached a hill. Morgan went through the maps in his head like lightning; forest edge there, a rise in the ground there, which meant that just up ahead-

"Walhart's fortress." And there was a roar of a thousand or more voices beyond that hill. They both hit the hill crest at the same moment, and found themselves looking out. Ahead of them stretched a long plain, the hills rising here and there like waves and wrinkles on the landscape. Just visible were the walls of an immense fortress, standing proud against the landscape. The doors were thrown open at the moment, almost daring the resistance to step forward and face the conqueror.

They'd just have to get through the army outside in order to do so. Rank upon rank, the Valmese stood. Their scarlet tabards and banners fluttered in the breeze, all of their weapons and armor in immaculate condition. They hadn't yet begun to charge, but a roar and a cheer was building through their ranks. They numbered in the thousands, and were well aware of it.

'Those aren't the best odds in the world...' Morgan thought to himself, but pulled his gaze away from the enemy ranks.

That was when he saw the rest. They didn't seem like much, at first. Only a half thousand troops taking the field, perhaps less. Down the hill Morgan could pick out the green of Ylisse's flag, and saw the rest of the Shepherds doting the ranks. There was Frederick standing at the front, Sumia mounted beside him with a group of pegasus ready to take to the skies. They'd all been arranged according to Robin's plans... and yet still, they seemed so few.

Robin's answer to that was put her fingers to her lips and make a loud, clear whistle. Morgan turned to her, and saw that Chrom and Lucina had also made it to the crest of the hill. Shortly behind them were Virion, now mounted up on a horse of his own, and Cherche preparing to climb onto Minerva's back. From the forest behind them came another group; Say'ri moving in front of the remaining Chon'sin army. A pale shape detached itself from the allied troops and sprang into the sky. Morgan held his breath as he watched Tiki circle the sky.

'What is it like, to fly like that?' For a moment he longed to know, until he felt Robin tug at his sleeve.

"Keep your thoughts together, Morgan." She whispered to him, and brought his hand up so it brushed against Gules. The contact pulled Morgan away from Tiki, and down to the ground again.

But he didn't overlook the sight the silver dragon made. Between her and Chrom at the top of the hill, they made for a rallying banner; one that prompted a few more groups to begin moving forward, rising up from the folds of the hills in a glimmering host.

"The dynasts?" Morgan tried.

"Looks like it. We have the rest of our army." Morgan nodded, watching as the ranks began to swell. A cheer was sweeping through their own ranks now, almost matching the Valmese in volume and fervor.

They might have a chance to win this, after all. And he'd do whatever it took to see they would.

"Stay close to me." Lucina said at his side. "I'll keep you safe, I promise."

"Hey, Lucina... I think you've got it backwards. It's going to be MY tactical brain that keeps you safe! I got us this far, right? W-with the help of Mother, true, but I still helped!" Lucina snorted a little at that.

"Just... just stay by me, Morgan." Morgan's answer was to bump shoulders with her, and flash her a quick smile.

"Don't worry, Lucy. I'll watch your back, you'll watch mine, and-" The rest of his speech got cut off as Chrom raised a hand and a new sword to signal everyone. A roar swept along the lines, as they began to march.

Then it was all Morgan could do to keep up with his sister as they dashed forward, and Lucina in turn rushed to keep up with her parents.

And ahead, the great fortress of Valm loomed, ready to preside over all.