"Like hell we're gonna kill Sekai!" Sully exclaimed.
"Yeah, what's the meaning of that!?" Stahl asked. Several of the other Shepherds voiced their own complaints.
Naga held up a hand. "Understand...Grima has begun to awaken...even now his soul...is devouring that of his host's..."
"So then stop it!" Gaius called.
Naga pursed her lips. "I cannot...the bond between man and dragon is to strong..."
"What do you mean "bond"?" Chrom asked.
Naga looked at Sekai. "The Child of Grima...and Grima...are one in the same...even in appearance..." Naga trailed off at the end.
"Appearance?" Lissa asked. "What does that mean?"
"Long ago...I knew Grima..." Naga explained. "Time has passed...but he looks the same as he did...back then..."
"Back then?" Chrom asked. "You mean...Grima wasn't always like that?"
Chrom remembered the monstrous dragon they saw.
Naga shook her head. She suddenly lifted an arm, and everyone found themselves standing in a large plaza. There were buildings around them, and a large fountain in the center.
"What!" Lon'Qu exclaimed.
"Where are we?" Gerome asked.
"I am showing you...my past..." Naga's voice called. "Look..."
Everyone looked around, only for Lissa to notice two people sitting on the fountain. One was a young woman, with bright green eyes and long green hair. She wore simple clothes, similar to Olivia's dancing outfit. Whereas Olivia had a ribbon, the woman instead had a small transparent cape that reached her lower back. Sitting next to her was-
"Is that...Sekai...?" Chrom asked.
Lissa pursed her lips. The man was Sekai in every detail, save for his eyes being purple instead of brown. He had long black hair and the sharp face of Sekai. Instead of a coat however, this man wore a shawl, dark purple in color with a violet trim. Gold also interlaced around the shawl. Lissa also noticed he had pointed ears, rather than a human's.
"That...is Grima..." Naga's voice exclaimed. "Before his fall...Grima and I were...close..."
The images then changed. It showed Naga and Grima walking together, looking around shops and in book stores. As the images progressed, the closeness of the two increased, showing them holding hands as they walked. The image ended as they stood atop a cliff, Naga and Grima holding each other in an embrace, kissing as the sun set in the distant sky.
"Wait...you mean you and Grima..." Gaius said.
"We loved each other..." Naga said, sadness evident in her voice.
Lissa fought back irritation. She understood that it wasn't Sekai, but seeing a man who looked exactly like her husband kissing another woman did not sit well with her. Still though, she had to wonder. If Naga and Grima had been that close, what had happened?
"If it wasn't for that...incident...perhaps all this...would not be..." Naga seemed to answer.
The image then showed Naga standing next to a woman who looked like the Naga they knew, only this one glowed an ethereal blue and had short hair. Naga and the woman were holding out stones, and it showed other people taking them.
"Are those...dragonstones...?" Nah asked.
"Yes...my mother and I created them...to save our race..." Naga said.
"Our rampant energy...caused madness in many...the dragonstones...were supposed to fix that...splitting the energies in half..." Naga explained.
"Well, how was that a problem?" Gaius asked.
Chrom nodded. "Seems like a good solution to me."
The image then showed Grima, staring down at the stone with a concerned look. He then looked up at the group of Shepherds and stared at them. Several of the Shepherds took a step back in fear. Lissa looked behind her, and noticed several humans carrying boxes.
"Huh? What are those people doing?" Lissa asked.
The others all looked behind them, and they saw the humans as well. A man with pointed ears stood by, a whip in his hands.
"Wait...are those people..." Sumia muttered.
"Slaves!?" Chrom exclaimed.
"There were of my kind...those who enslaved your own..." Naga said. "Grima and I detested slavery...and desired to free the humans..."
"Disgusting..." Grima muttered.
Naga walked up. "Yes, I know."
Grima folded his arms. "How will we ever have peace with the humans while they are enslaved?"
Naga put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll have to find a way. Starting with the dragonstones..."
Grima looked down at his, silent as he concentrated on it. "And is hurting ourselves...really the answer?"
The image changed to Grima sitting at a table, candles illuminating several volumes of dark books. The Shepherds suddenly heard a woman's voice.
"Grimleal? What are you doing?"
Grima turned and looked behind him. The Shepherds turned and saw Naga, leaning on the door with worry in her face.
"Wait? Grimleal?" Chrom asked. "You mean Grima's worshippers?"
"Grima...was a name he took upon himself...I knew him then as Grimleal..." Naga explained.
Grima smiled. "Nothing Naga, just examining this dragonstone your and your mother gave me."
Naga looked at the books, worry clear in her face. "And those books? You know they are forbidden, correct?"
"Forbidden to own unless permission is granted." Grima said. "I have obtained the necessary permissions."
Naga pursed her lips. "But you know how dangerous those can be. I just don't want to see you hurt..."
Grima smiled and stood up. "Hey hey, it's me. You know I'll be careful my love." He walked over and kissed her on the forehead. He then looked at her, holding her shoulders. "Come on, it's late. Let's go to bed." Grima said.
Naga pursed her lips but nodded.
"I have regretted that night ever since..." Naga said. "Maybe had I pushed...begged more...he might have stopped..."
The image then showed Grima again at the table, even more books open.
"Grimleal!" Naga exclaimed. "More books! Didn't you promise me you'd destroy them!"
Grima sighed. "I am close to my breakthrough here Naga. A solution that will stop our kind from going insane without having to use those stones your mother created."
"But look at what has become of you! You are becoming obsessed with your solution! It is all you speak of anymore!" Naga cried.
"Because it will save us!" Grima cried.
"And so will our stones!" Naga walked over and held Grima's face. "Please...Grimleal. I know you're scared something bad will happen. But I'm scared something may soon happen to you. You know dark magic corrupts. Please, stop it now before it becomes to late. For me." Naga chocked, tears running down her face.
Grima stared at her, his eyes softening. He pursed his lips but nodded. "O-Of...of course Naga. I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me..."
Naga smiled and sniffed. "Just worry my love. But you don't need to. We'll be okay, so long as we're together."
Grima smiled. "Of course." He looked at the books. "I suppose we should dispose of these."
Naga nodded. The image then showed a large fire, the books being the fuel.
"I thought that was the end...and for a year we enjoyed happiness..." Naga said.
The image then showed Grima and Naga going through various forms of life. They read books, cooked food, swam, hiked. The Shepherds watched as the two enjoyed an ideal life together.
"I don't understand...what happened?" Lissa asked.
"There was an...incident...a human soldier...ambushed us one day..." Naga said.
The image showed Naga clutching her stomach, bleeding from a stab wound. Grima crouched near her, a frantic look on his face. His expression then turned to anger, and he looked over at the human soldier, who had a look of victory.
"Hah!" The man exclaimed. "So your kind is weaker now."
Grima stood up. "Still strong enough to kill you!" Grima then rushed the soldier.
"Grimleal! Don't!" Naga cried.
The soldier raised his sword, only for Grima to stop and smile. The soldier looked confused, before his expression suddenly twisted in pain. He clutched his stomach and fell to his knees in pain. The soldier vomited up blood, along with black specks. More of the black specks began to fall out, and the soldier chocked on them.
Grima stared at the man, hatred clear in his expression.
The man vomited out a fountain of the black specks, only for them to begin moving. They crawled on the man, who screamed and tried to swat them off. He began bleeding as the things stayed on him, eventually covering his entire body.
Grima scoffed. "So that's what happens when ants meet a rival ant..." Grima said.
Naga looked at Grima. "G-Grimleal...?"
"I survived that day with severe injury...but Grima had one even more so..." Naga said. "That soldier...was the first of an army...humans who wished revenge for those enslaved...the war that followed...cost much..."
The shepherds then saw many battles, each one more vicious than the last. Humans butchered manaketes, manaketes slaughtered humans.
"As the war dragged on...our kind won more and more ground...but soon the fight became to conquer...not to survive..." Naga said. "There began to be a division...among us..."
They then saw as a giant argument happened between a group of manaketes.
"We have to slaughter all the humans!" A male cried. "Make them learn not to attack us!"
"By making them fear us!?" Naga cried.
"If we don't show these humans that they're inferior, than they will always rebel!" A woman cried.
"And if we do, then we will never have peace in this world!" A man near Naga cried.
"Enough!" A voice called. Everyone looked over to see Grima, ordained in armor.
"General Grimleal..." a voice muttered.
Naga appeared relieved, but she also seemed fearful.
"Grima had been put in charge...being one of our kind's greatest warriors...everyone respected him...everyone feared him..." Naga said.
"Naga is right." Grima said. He walked up to the group. "If we just enslave humanity again, then they will just rebel again." He walked up and looked at the group. "All of us desire peace, and how I see it there is only one way to obtain it." He pulled up his fist and clenched it. "Ants have infested our world. It is up to us as the caretakers to exterminate them all!"
"The war further corrupted Grima...and his studies into dark magic resumed..." Naga said.
The Shepherds watched as Grima led manaketes, killing every human they found. Each battle, his dragon form took on a more and more monstrous look, going from an elegant black dragon to a behemoth with tusks, and eyes all along it's neck.
"War destroys many lives...I watched it destroy the man I loved...and turn him into the monster I hated..." Naga said. "He continued his conquest...wiping out many human countries...I tried to stop him...to save him...but eventually I had to stand against him..."
The image then showed Naga standing with a bunch of humans, handing the Fire Emblem to a man.
"This will stop him?" The man asked.
Naga nodded her head. "Yes. We have been able to seal away all of his allies. He alone remains."
"How are we supposed to get him to fight us? He never engages anyone directly! Only uses those damned creatures of his!" A male soldier cried.
"We will have to draw him in." Naga said. "Using a hostage."
The man who held the Fire Emblem looked at her. "No, it's to dangerous!"
Naga smiled a sad smile. "The man I love is gone...but even the part of him that loves me remains inside."
"How do you know that?" The man asked.
Naga put her hands to her chest. "When we married, we made an oath that we would never harm the other. That oath was enforced by ancient magic, unable to be broken. No matter what we do, we can never harm each other."
The man raised an eyebrow. "So this won't kill him?"
Naga shook her head. "No...but it will stop him."
The room was silent, and the man nodded. "Then stop him we will."
The image then showed the man holding Naga, the Falchion to her throat.
"Is that..." Lucina muttered.
"The Falchion?" Chrom said.
"The First Exalt..." Naga said.
Everyone heard a giant roar, and they turned to see Grima...his giant dragon form flying towards them.
"By the gods..." The First Exalt muttered.
A tear ran down Naga's cheeks. "Oh Grimleal..."
"Grima!" The First Exalt cried. "Face me or she dies!"
The dragon roared, hatred and anger penetrating all who heard it. Suddenly the air in front of the Exalt seemed to fold in on itself, and Grima stepped out.
"Release her." He said, his eyes glowing purple. "NOW!"
The Exalt smiled. "Not until you listen to my request."
Grima seethed. "Your...request?"
The Exalt nodded. "One on one. You and me. No armies, no allies. Man to man."
Grima chuckled darkly. "Suicide? That is your request? SUICIDE!"
Grima cackled in laughter.
Naga gulped. "Grimleal...please...stop this now...come away with me..."
Grima stopped and stared at Naga, a tender expression on his face. "Naga, you know I can't do that. Foolish as your attempt was, I know you tried to negotiate peace with this ant. Had he accepted your offer, I might have even honored it for you. But instead he has held you hostage, drawing me out so that he might die." Grima's arms cackled with purple energy. "And die he SHALL!"
Grima rushed the First Exalt, who quickly threw Naga aside and blocked Grima with the Falchion.
"What!?" Grima exclaimed. "This energy-"
"You've lost Grima." The First Exalt stated, quickly pushing Grima off him. He then stabbed Grima with the Falchion.
Grima stared down, shock at the blade penetrating him. "This energy..." He then looked at Naga, anger and hurt in his eyes. "You...betrayed me?"
Naga cried, pursing her lips. "You betrayed yourself Grimleal..."
Grima stared, tears beginning to flow. "For you...I did this for you...so we could be safe together..." Grima began cracking, his body falling apart.
The First Exalt shouted. "Seal him NOW!"
Naga lifted up a hand, summoning a large door behind Grima. "I'm sorry Grimleal..."
"For you...for our...child..." Grima said. He suddenly gritted his teeth. "AND YOU BETRAYED ME!"
The door behind Grima opened, and begun pulling him inwards.
"YOU WILL SUFFER FOR THIS!" Grima roared. "A THOUSAND HELLS WILL NOT STOP ME! I WILL RETURN! I-" The door slammed shut.
The First Exalt panted. He looked up, and watched as Grima's dragon body screamed and died, falling away. "It's done."
Naga walked over and stared at where the door used to be. "Yes...it is..." Tear drops fell on the ground.
The First Exalt pursed his lips. "I'm sorry. After everything he did, I can't forgive him. But I know Grima still meant a lot to you."
"I am not mourning Grima." Naga said. "I am mourning Grimleal."
The First Exalt nodded. "What will you do now?"
Naga sighed. "I shall drop my child off, away from this land. And then I shall go, and find peace in my own way."
The First Exalt remained quiet but nodded. "I hope you do. I can never forgive your kind for this war, but I thank you for helping us end it, and helping us bring peace to this world."
Naga looked up, the stars beginning to glow as the clouds faded.
"Peace huh?" Fresh tears began to fall. "This is peace? Funny...the stars don't seem any brighter..."
Several of the Shepherds stood still, a few sniffing and some wiping away their tears.
"I sealed many of my kind away that war...my husband included...and many more in the years after...hoping I might find a way...to reverse the damage done..." Naga said.
Lissa thought for a moment. "Wait a minute...Grima said there you two had a child...was that..."
Everyone looked at Tiki, who had fresh tears running down her face.
"My father's fall...is a painful memory..." She said.
Everyone was silent for a moment. Morgan then pursed her lips and looked up. "Naga, there's something I don't understand. If you sealed Grima away, how did he become such a huge problem?"
"...It would seem that...Grima had not been defeated...as I thought..." Naga said. "I knew not at the time...but he split his soul from his body...eventually he managed...to convince a human to be a host...that human is the ancestor...of the Child of Grima..."
The Shepherds found themselves again on the mountain, staring at Sekai.
"I pity him..." Naga said, looking at Sekai. "He is an innocent...caught up in Grima's hatred..."
"I don't understand." Chrom said. "What did all of that have to do with why you can't save Sekai?"
"Grima's very soul...is flowing through his blood...I can no more stop him now...than I could then...it is only a matter of time...until Grima overtakes the Child of Grima..." Naga explained. "Killing the Child of Grima...is the only way to save...him..."
Lissa chocked back a sob. "No..." she whimpered.
Chrom fought back tears. "Dammit...there has to be another way..."
Naga shook her head. "There is none...the bond is to strong..."
Chrom blinked. "What about...what about his bonds with us?"
Naga blinked. "What do you mean..."
"What about our bonds?" Chrom said. "What if Sekai used those? Surely our bonds with him are stronger than Grima's!"
Naga shook her head. "A foolish hope..."
Chrom gritted his teeth. "Well I'm holding onto it anyways." Chrom stomped past Naga and walked up to Sekai, staring down at his best friend.
Don't you dare give up you dastard, Chrom thought.
"Fight back Sekai! You promised you would, remember!? Keep your damn word!"
...
"Fight back Sekai! You promised you would, remember!? Keep your damn word!"
Huh? Sekai thought, opening his eye. Was...was that Chrom?
Grima's eye opened as well. "What?! What is this?!"
...
Naga turned to Chrom. "What are you doing...?"
Frederick smiled. "What Prince Chrom does best. Being stubborn."
...
Chrom? Sekai thought. What is his-
"I know it'll take more than this to stop you Sekai." Frederick's voice called.
Frederick? Sekai... Sekai remembered him. Annoying butler...hated bear. His first few weeks with the Shepherds, Frederick had followed him everywhere. Sekai had hated it. He came to endure Frederick, and Frederick came to trust him.
"You gonna let this ugly snake get the last hiss? Come on, you're better than that!" Sully called.
Sully. Morning spars. The two had fought many a time. She won the first few times, then Sekai started to. She was brash, but held a deep love for those she called her friends.
"History is watching you Sekai! The bards would sing of your triumph!" Virion called.
Virion. Games of chess, cups of tea. Having to deal with Virion's boasting was irritating, but the man delivered on every one. Sekai knew he could trust him.
"Get up!" Vaike called. "Teach ain't done with ya!"
Vaike. More boastful than Virion, and failed to deliver on half. But he was always first to volunteer. Forgetful as he may be, Sekai knew Vaike would get any job assigned to him done.
Sekai's other eye began to reappear.
"Impossible! The dragon's grip can't be broken!" Grima exclaimed.
"Come on Sekai, I know you can beat this!" Stahl called.
Stahl. His first friend, aside from Chrom. Annoyingly sociable, oddly comfortable. They had shared many conversations together, and was perhaps Sekai's closest friend. Card night was also coming up soon...
"Arise from this comatose state, for your presence is sorely needed!" Miriel called.
Miriel. One of the most knowledgable people he'd ever known. They hadn't talked much, but she was a good records keeper. If Sekai needed something done thoroughly, she was who he asked. And she always delivered. He just wished he understood her...
"Hello!? I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm here for you!" Kellam shouted.
Kellam. Hard to find, but a loyal and trusted friend. If it wasn't for him, Sekai didn't know how he'd have accomplished so much. He would always remember him. Always.
"Sekai, remember all of the time you've spent with us!" Sumia called.
Sumia. Such a skilled cook, and an excellent fighter. She also loved books, and she never stopped talking about each one. Wyvern Wars at High Noon was good though. Wonder when the next one comes out...
"Answer us Sekai! I'm here for you!" Lon'Qu called.
Lon'Qu. Quiet. Sekai liked quiet. One of the few people Sekai could say he trusted. And someone Sekai knew would always have his back. He truly was one of Sekai's greatest allies. And an even greater friend.
"Come on Sekai, you're important to everyone! Important to me!" Ricken called.
Ricken. Annoying little kid. Had potential though. Lot's of it. He'd need a wise person to guide him, but Ricken was bound to be one of the greatest mages of the age. He was like a little brother Sekai never knew he wanted...
Sekai's face began to reform, along with Grima's.
"What is this!?" Grima called. "Stop this now!"
"Get up right this instant! You are not done yet, and a gentleman does not leave his duties unfinished!" Maribelle exclaimed.
Maribelle. Lot's of tea. Gave him gentleman lessons, and was a strict teacher. Also gave him advice when he first married Lissa. Heart as gold as her hair. Best to never anger her however.
"You are one of the taguel's last true champions! Don't desert us now!" Panne called.
Panne. A proud taguel. They had shared a lot of stories of their travels, and Sekai had grown to appreciate her race. She was a fine warrior, and it had been an honor to fight alongside her.
"Come on Sekai! One ancient dragon oughta be a piece of cake for you!" Gaius called.
Gaius. His first confidant, in a way. The two had gotten into a lot of trouble, though Gaius always seemed to squeeze them out somehow. Sekai couldn't have asked for a better best man. Or a better friend.
"We're here at your side Sekai, so don't leave ours!" Cordelia called.
Cordelia. A genius and protege. No matter what she was asked to do, she always seemed to do it perfectly. If she had a head for tactics, Sekai would probably be out of a job.
"Gregor will wake you up! Gregor will do so by YELLING LOUDLY!" Gregor yelled.
Gregor. An old warrior, seasoned traveler. Always tried to get Sekai to drink and lighten up. He was always mentoring the other Shepherds, and teaching from his vast life experiences.
Sekai's torso reformed.
"No! Stop this! We are one!" Grima called.
"Come on, I thought Ron'Shin and I were your favorite dragons!" Nowi called.
Nowi. A little ball of endless energy, both on and off the battlefield. Always an optimist as well. An annoying, yet endearing girl. Woman. How old was Nowi?
"The gods gave you your life Sekai, and they want you to keep it!" Libra called.
Libra. Priest of Naga. A good listener, and one of the most hopeful persons Sekai had ever met. The portrait he also drew of Sekai was one of the best he'd ever seen. Lissa loved it to.
"No one goes down without my say so Sekai. Get up now, or I'll make you get up." Tharja said.
Tharja. His creepy stalker. She had a kinder heart than people gave her credit for though. She always kept everyone safe though, and any curse cast on the Shepherds always benefitted them. Nicer than she appeared to be.
"Sekai! You can't leave us! We need you at the palace!" Olivia called.
Olivia. A shy dancer, and one of the kindest persons he'd ever known. She wasn't a skilled fighter, but her ability to inspire and motivate was a crucial skill all on it's own. She was also a good sister in law.
"Ron'Shin and Minerva want you back, and so do I!" Cherche called.
Cherche. His fellow wyvern rider. She taught him a lot of nifty tricks and tips for Ron'Shin. Minerva was also sweet on Ron'Shin. He should get Ron'Shin to notice.
"Come on Sekai! The darkness is fun and all, but if you over do it then it's not as fun!" Henry called.
Henry. The crazy dark mage who liked to annoy him. Also enjoyed having Sekai and Tharja for tea. The Plegian Club he liked to call it. It was nice to have someone he knew he could trust however to handle such matters only a dark mage could handle.
"I need ya to come back now! I've told Ma about ya and she wants to meet ya!" Donnel called.
Donnel. The farm boy they picked up. So eager to prove himself. A pretty good fighter, and willing to do anything he was asked to do. A true diamond in the rough.
"Come on lad, surely you're not gonna let this thing beat ya!" Basilio called.
Basilio. Such a boisterous man. Always trying to get Sekai to become his tactician. A wise warrior however, and did give out good wisdom from time to time.
"You don't bow to dragons Sekai! You break em!" Flavia called.
Flavia. Worse than Basilio in recruitment efforts, but one of the strongest warriors he'd ever met. Cared deeply for her men.
His arms began to reform, and he flexed his hands as they returned.
"Silence! Silence these voices!" Grima called. "Why are you listening to these ants?!"
"Uncle, you've proven yourself against impossible odds before! You can do so now!" Lucina called.
Lucina. He remembered first meeting her the night Emmeryn was attacked. He also remembered holding her as a baby. She was much like Chrom. Led with her heart, less with her head. He'd probably need to guide her like he guided Chrom.
"Come on Uncle, you and I got a lot of ladies left to woo! Ha, I jest, but do come on...I need your advice..." Inigo called.
Inigo. Helpless woman chaser. Still, had a big heart, and he fought fiercely for his friends. Sekai was proud of his nephew, though he'd be surprised if Inigo ever married.
"Come on Boss, you can't give in now!" Brady said.
Brady. Mean mug, loving heart. For some reason, looked to Sekai like the leader of a gang. He was always the first though to heal someone who was injured. Sekai also enjoyed listening to him play music.
"This is a test, and by the gods you're gonna pass!" Kjelle called.
Kjelle. Amazing warrior, but to hot headed at times. Sekai remembered having to teach her to remain cool and think. She never wavered in defending an ally though.
"Heroes don't give up, and you're one of the greatest I know!" Cynthia called.
Cynthia. The heroic knight. She was always diving first into a battle, and was one of the last to leave. She was fearless, and would solo an army to save someone. Foolish, but commendable.
"Are you really gonna just lay there!? Get up right now!" Severa ordered.
Severa. Brash personality, but had a caring heart. She was also good at keeping Owain in check. The two went good together, even if they were at each other's throats most of the time.
"Please...wake up. We need you to keep us safe..." Yarne said.
Yarne. Though not brave, he was a proud taguel. And despite his fears, Yarne would never abandon an ally in danger. If the future of the taguel rested on his shoulders, then the taguel's future was sure.
"You have proven to beat fate before. Don't lose now!" Gerome called.
Gerome. The distant child of the future. Despite his seeming indifference, Gerome was very protective of all the Shepherds. As much as he hated to admit it, Gerome was also a good man for Morgan.
"BLOOD AND THUNDER! RETURN TO US NOW!" Noire called.
Noire. Her personality switches were strange, and her confidence was minimal, but she was a good girl. Though she had a hard life, she was able to keep an optimistic outlook on things and always hoped for the best.
"I know you're stronger than Grima Sekai. Please, finish this and return." Nah said.
Nah. A stark contrast to Nowi in maturity levels. Sekai wished she would enjoy her youth more however. She had hundreds of years to be an adult, but only a short time to be a kid.
"It is inconceivable that this is the end of our sojourn with each other. Get up, I still have much to learn from you." Laurent stated.
Laurent. His pupil. Though not as gifted as Morgan in tactics, he had a good head for keeping things organized. Him and Morgan made a good balance, and if he had to go against them both, Sekai would probably lose nine times out of ten.
"You are not Grima, nor is Grima you Sekai. Remember that." Tiki said.
Tiki. The daughter of Naga. There had always been something...familiar about her. She also mentioned once something about his "aura". He should find out more.
His legs began to reform and he found himself on solid ground.
Grima glared at him. "You have a chance to be as a god, and you will side with ants!?"
Sekai then heard voices from his past.
"Is that it? One nip of a dragon, and you're down!? Get up you craven schoolboy and fight!" Gangrel called.
Gangrel. The mad king of Plegia. If it wasn't for him, Chrom and Lissa might not have been out on patrol. Nor would Sekai have ever met them. Supposed he should be thankful, in a way.
"We were born to transcend gods Sekai, not join them. Get up, show this "god" and the world what men like us can do!" Walhart called.
Walhart. Perhaps his greatest foe ever fought. Sekai couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if him and Walhart had joined forces...
"Sekai, this world needs you. Don't give up now." Emmeryn called.
Emmeryn. She never lived to see Chrom take up the Exalt title, nor see Sekai and Lissa marry. But he had kept his promise so far to watch over them, and he strove to always keep his word.
"Arise and fight." Yen'Fay called.
Yen'Fay. Gave his life for the person he cared about. A worthy example. But Sekai had also learned that sometimes it was better to live for them. Though if given the choice, he'd probably do the same as Yen'Fay...
The darkness began to recede. Sekai was now on a moonlit plain of grass.
Grima looked around. "Damn them! Damn them all!"
"Come on boy, I raised you better than this. Get up and fight! Do I need to work you out some more!?" Ron'Shin called.
Ron'Shin. A large man. Pepper colored hair, and a gray goatee. One of the greatest warriors he had ever known. The man Sekai loved and called Father. He would be angry if Sekai gave up now.
"Sekai...I love you. Please, let your life be your own." His mother called.
Mother. Ophelia was her birth name. She had long white hair, and had always called him Robin. Life had never been as happy as it was with her until he met the Shepherds. She was taken from him to soon and he missed her.
"RAAAUUU!" Ron'Shin roared.
Ron'Shin. His trusted wyvern. A snarky personality. Always had Sekai's back, and Sekai knew Ron'Shin would die with and for him. The greatest gift he could have ever received.
"Father! Don't give in! Quell the awakening of your blood, and show yourself it's master!" Owain called.
Owain. His son. He was everything Sekai could want in one. Courageous, determined, strong, smart. Sekai was proud to call Owain his, even if he was the future version of his actual child. If Owen grew to be even half the man Owain was, Sekai would be ecstatic.
"Father, I can't lose you again! Please, fight!" Morgan called.
Morgan. His prized pupil. In a few years she would surpass him in everything, and he couldn't be more excited. His name would be but a footnote in history, and only because he had trained Morgan.
"Sekai! Remember us! Remember me! We're not leaving you...I'm not leaving you! Don't you leave me! Remember, you're my HUSBAND! Husband, NOT Grima!" Lissa called.
Lissa. An annoying, optimistic, social butterfly, ray of sunshine. She had never left him alone since they first met, always smiling near him. She was the love of his life. And his purpose for everything.
The moon turned into a sun, and Sekai found himself standing in it's warmth.
"This won't stop ME! YOUR FATE IS SEALED!" Grima roared.
"Come on Sekai!" Chrom called. "Your bonds with us are stronger than even the Fell Dragon's might! So stop loitering around and come back to us!"
Chrom. The idealist. The hopeful. The trusting. The biggest headache Sekai ever had. And his best friend. Sekai couldn't fail him. Not now, not ever.
Sekai looked up and saw them. His friends. His family. His Shepherds.
They were all standing there, Chrom in the front.
"You gonna keep us waiting? Hurry up!" Chrom called, a hand extended.
Sekai smiled. "So impatient..."
Grima glared at him. "This changes nothing. WE WILL BE ONE! I HAVE WAITED TO LONG TO BE DENIED!" He lunged at Sekai, only to be stopped as a chain shot out and wrapped around him. "WHAT IS THIS!?" Grima roared.
"That is the day I met Ron'Shin." Sekai said. Another chain shot out. "There's the day my mother died."
Grima struggled against the chains, but was wrapped by more. "You want to be one Grima? Well you have to experience my life to." Sekai said, the Shepherds around him becoming chains. "Our memories must be one, remember? Don't worry, take your time experiencing them. I'll go handle some business while I wait."
Grima glared at him. "This changes nothing Sekai. We are two halves of the same whole, and we will be one."
Sekai smirked. "You know, I've already found someone who has laid claim to that position. I think I'll keep them."
"Child of Grima...your presence is required..." A voice called.
Sekai looked up. "Who is that?"
Grima's eyes flared. "NAGA!" He roared.
"Naga, huh?" Sekai said, scoffing after he said it. "No matter. My Shepherds need me." He looked up and began to be enveloped in light. "I'm coming everyone."
...
And we are back again with Naga's side of the story. Kind of the same thing yes, but with different viewpoints. Again, I wanted to give some kind of a backstory and reason rather than Grima being like "Eh, screw humans". And congrats to Greyjedi499t for guessing correctly that Tiki was the child of Naga and Grima. Will that have any more impact to the story?...No. But I had fun with it.
What I was excited about though was the Shepherds calling out to Sekai. I've always liked that part of Awakening, and getting to write it out was super fun.
Also, not like anyone mentioned it, but for those of you who might have found it strange that Naga said Sekai had to die I would like to point this out. The Falchion is needed to seal away Grima. The Falchion is a giant sword. Have fun with that equation.
Now for some completely unrelated notes. I have redownloaded Star Ward The Old Republic. May the galaxy tremble in awe, Darth Imperious has returned! Also, on a far more important note. I have recently discovered that in 2019 Legendary pictures is releasing the sequel to the cinematic masterpiece that was (2014) Godzilla, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Confirmed Kaiju include the flying wonder Rodan, the protector of Infant Island Mothra, the dreaded King Ghidorah (A personal favorite), and the king himself GODZILLA! (I am by nature not a person prone to excited outbursts or scenes, but I literally fangirled for ten minutes)
And to add on, in 2020 we will have Godzilla Vs. Kong. Guys, I have two/three years and that is NOT enough time to prepare. In celebration, I have been watching all of my Godzilla movies. All of them. All. Of. Them. Basically what I'm saying is I have a VERY large collection of these wonderful, wonderful movies. I still need to get a few, but just like the S Supports of Awakening and Fates I WILL one day have them ALL.
All.
Anywhos, weird moment over. Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. We'll see you next time. If you all will excuse me, *puts on sunglasses* I'm gonna go hail to the king. *Godzilla roar in the background*.
Fave, follow, review, and have a nice night.
