The battle raged around them as the Shepherds tried to push the Risen back. The enemy number was surprisingly small compared to the groups they encountered before but dangerous, nonetheless. If they don't finish them off, the Risen might attack unsuspecting villages and kill many innocent lives. They might still be in Plegia, but it is still the Shepherds' duty to protect those who cannot defend themselves, no matter what roots they are from. Sully led the rest of the Shepherds to battle as Cordelia, Stahl, and Miriel parted ways to pry their general off from the enraged tactician. Tharja, Gaius and Frederick, who are all in no condition to fight, joined in the battle despite Libra's insistence for them to stay back and heal them himself.
The Shepherds' war cries drowned the Risen' moans as metal clashed against metal and fangs and claws pierced the flesh of the animated dead. Magic crackled thickly in the air as fire, electricity, wind, and darkness danced in the battlefield like a deadly firework display in one of Ylisse's festivals. Arrows rained down on the enemies; their sharp tips shining against the moonlight as they found their targets. The transformed Shepherds herded the Risen together before leading them to their doom in a storm of fangs and claws.
"Princess!" Lissa was dimly aware of Cordelia steering her steed to her side. Stahl and Miriel following close behind; the latter observing the tactician with a critical look. "You need to stand back, Milady. Let us handle Robin."
"But-!" Lissa pursed her lips. "I just don't understand. If…If Robin wanted to hurt Chrom by now, she should have done it already! Did she recognize him somehow? Did she recognize her mate?"
"That's…" Cordelia's eyes flitted toward the pair. Lissa was right. Robin has still Chrom pinned to the ground but hasn't done anything to hurt the prince. Moments ago, she was locked on to him and ready to slay him given the right opportunity, but now…she was just looming over him with her fangs bared and a low growl rumbling on her throat. Did Robin really recognize Chrom, no matter how little it may be? Or did Princess Lissa's words reached her somehow? Maybe, just maybe, a part that is their Robin has returned and was fighting back to gain control. It may be their only chance to get Robin back without resorting to further violence.
"What should we do?" Stahl's question broke Cordelia from her thoughts. The paladin was reining in his horse that has been acting skittish for a while now. Cordelia recognized that same behavior in other steeds in the many times she has seen battle since they started fighting the Risen. Her reaction, unfortunately, came later than the shout of warning from the other Shepherds as Revenants made their presence known atop the canyons and descended on them.
Robin gasped as she opened her eyes. She felt cold, too cold, like she was thrown to the unforgiving mountains of Regna Ferox to freeze to death. It was hard to breath; her breaths coming out in hurried puffs of air as she blindly reached out to whatever was pressing down on her. Her eyes met them once again – a pair of molten gold glowing amidst the white landscape. The snow-furred wolf stared down at her, barely visible against the blizzard raging around them. Robin grabbed at its forelegs as she tried to push it off her to no avail. From where her skin made contact, thin sheets of ice formed and began to crawl its way to her hands.
"Let…me…go!" She let go off one hand and tried to reach for her sword, but her sword belt was empty and so does the pockets where she keeps her tomes inside her battle coat. "Agh!" She tried to kick it off her, but the wolf remained unflinching.
It is useless. A voice echoed in her head. A voice similar, no, exactly like hers. You and I know this.
Robin paused as she met the wolf's gaze. Her hands falling limp from their grip. "Who…who are you?"
I am you. The wolf answered. And you are me. I am the you that was unknowingly locked away. Perhaps, by the beast beneath this fragile shield of ice. I could not remember.
"I…what? I don't understand." Robin tried to sit up from the wolf kept her pinned on the ice. "What do you mean?"
Memories, yours and mine, are gone. Perhaps, never to be found. The wolf growled. Anger rippling in its voice like an incoming storm. The truth must be found. The culprit must be punished!
"How would I do that?" Robin exclaimed. "I don't have anything to go by! I have no memories, no past to remember! All I have was when Chrom found me on that field."
We are Robin. We are one and the same and we do not yield so easily. The wolf said as it stepped back. My time is up and yours in this realm. The next time we meet, we meet in the battlefield…as one being.
"Wait!"
Robin lurched and tried to grab for the wolf, but the wolf dissipated into a burst of glittering snow and ice. In a blink of an eye, the ruthless, frigid landscape disappeared, and Robin found herself standing on a grassy field under a sunny sky. White and gold flowers bloomed as far as the eye could see and a fresh breeze swept across the field, carrying the scent of the wet earth and honeysuckle.
The plants rustled behind her and Robin turned around sharply to see what it is. A kind voice spoke like chimes ringing against the wind. "We meet again."
Robin's eyes widened and the question that was about to escape her lips was stuck on her throat. It can't be…yet she was there. The familiar robe of green and gold swayed gently against the breeze as she smiled gently at the tactician.
"It's been a while." Emmeryn said. "Hello, Robin."
"Ah…" Robin couldn't move, couldn't breathe properly. Her legs gave away beneath her as she buried her face on her hands. Her voice trembled in disbelief and fear. "This is…this is just a dream, right? I am not…you're not…this isn't happening."
The flowers rustled as the late Exalt walked toward her and knelt. She gently pried the tactician's hands and tilted her chin to look up to her. "I cannot answer your question but know that this is only possible because you strongly desired so. Our time may be limited but I am more than grateful for this chance nonetheless."
"Lady Emmeryn, I…" Robin shook her head. "I have a lot to say. Chrom…Lissa…they're-"
Emmeryn softly hushed her. A sad look on her face. "I know that I caused my brother and my sister a great pain at my demise, but I did what must be done to protect them and my people. I must make a sacrifice as Exalt and mother to all Ylisse. I cannot take back what I have done, but I had prepared the path for the future."
"But the halidom needs you!" Robin exclaimed. "You're the Exalt and you fought longer for peace than anyone else! If there's anyone who could-"
"No, Robin." Emmeryn shook her head. "I was the Exalt but not anymore. The title was never meant to last long on my hands nor Lissa's. It is Chrom's."
"Chrom…he was trying so hard, trying so hard to rebuild Ylisse and to keep your legacy alive." Robin admitted as she looked at the hands that cradled hers. "I wanted to help him. I wanted to be someone he could lean on when things go tough. But I…I wonder if it was enough. If I am enough. Sometimes, I feel like I am not."
"Robin, whether you are enough or not, is not of any importance. Ylisse knows how much devoted you are to Chrom's cause and that itself is admirable. You have pushed beyond your limits despite having none to begin with when my brother found you on that field more than a year ago." Emmeryn squeezed her hands firmly. "If there's anyone who is destined to stand by Chrom's side, it is you, Robin."
"Do you…really believe that, Lady Emmeryn? Even if there's a chance that I might be born from Plegia?" Robin desperately looked at her with searching eyes. "From the land where Ylissean blood had been spilled for so many decades, including yours?"
Emmeryn held her gaze with a fond smile. "Yes, just like how much I believe in Chrom. Plegian or no, I believe in you, Robin. From the first time we met, I saw the future in your eyes. A wonderful future that only you have the power to make it happen."
"Ylisse's future is not with me as queen. It was never meant to be with me." She placed a firm hand on the tactician's cheek. "It's with you, Robin."
Robin's lips quivered as the tears she held back so long began to spill. No words came out from her lips, but the late Exalt understood well. "I might not be a part of it, but I will be there for you and my brother." Emmeryn cupped her cheeks and gently wiped her tears. A kind smile curving on her lips as she gazed at the tactician like a long-lost sibling. "So, dry your tears, my love. Our brief time together might be over, but this is not goodbye."
"Someday, we will meet again at Naga's will. Until that day comes," Emmeryn kissed her forehead. "I impart you my final blessing. Look after them for me, Robin."
"I will."
Lissa felt cold.
It was an understandable feeling, considering they are on the desert in a winter night, but the chill that suddenly enveloped them was unnatural. It came so suddenly just like how those Revenants clustered and rained down on them. She barely had time to process what was happening when Cordelia grabbed the reins and commanded her pegasus to cover her under one of its wings. Stahl too, squeezed in to protect the princess as Miriel reached out above her to cast a spell that may or may not be on time to protect them.
The screeching chaos that came with the descent of the Revenants was abruptly silenced. The scent of decay that was expected to accompany them never arrived nor the claws that were supposed to harm any of them. When Cordelia's pegasus withdrew its wing over her, Lissa saw why.
Towering over them were spikes of solid ice that spread out as far as they can see. The Revenants never reached ground but found themselves impaled by the sharp tips of the ice. Black ash rained down on them as the Risen shriveled and disintegrated. Cordelia gave a look to the red-haired scholar who simply shook her head. The incomplete spell coming undone on her fingertips as she closed her tome.
"It is not my doing." Miriel answered as they watched the ice disappeared all at once into pinpricks of light-blue light once the last of the Revenants disintegrated. "I have yet to incorporate ice magic to my repertoire."
"Then, who would-" A warm breath gently tickled Cordelia's hair and she froze. She whipped around and came face-to-face with a pair of golden eyes glittering in a sea of bloodied white. The she-wolf that was looming over their general moments ago was now standing behind them.
Her company noticed and immediately backed up, watching the tactician warily with their weapons raised. Not far from them, Chrom has stood up and was making his way toward them. The she-wolf seemed unfazed as she took in their raised weapons. Her eyes flicking briefly to the approaching prince before turning her head away toward the direction of battle. The Shepherds have cut down half of the enemy ranks, but more will be coming if the leader is not dealt with immediately.
"Chrom!"
The she-wolf glanced at Chrom who was now engulfed in a tight embrace by his younger sister. The princess was crying as she rambled how grateful she is that he is safe and not dead. Cordelia, Stahl, and Miriel crowded around Chrom, asking if he was unharmed and if he needed any medical assistance. Her eyes met Chrom's for a fleeting moment before she turned away and bounded to the nearest cliff. The prince's call for her name ignored in favor for a greater purpose.
Her paws landing on exposed crevices as she made her way to atop. She bit down the pain as her injured shoulders started aching again. Countering Miriel's Elthunder with ice magic froze the blood outside her skin and provided a temporary fix to prevent further blood loss, however it can only go far. She could feel her warm blood seeping from her wounds again as the ice thawed. By the time she reached the top of the canyon, she was already breathing heavily and she felt light-headed as dark spots riddled her eyesight. Large patches of blood trailed after her as she limped toward the edge of the cliff. From she stood, she could see the whole battlefield, calculate how far and hard the Shepherds has pushed the Risen, and glimpse the position of the Risen chief prowling at the rear end of the enemy side.
The next time we meet, we meet in the battlefield…as one being.
One attack. Just one attack and chaos will sow itself within enemy lines. Just one attack to trample the enemy hierarchy to the ground. She has one shot to turn the tables to their favor before her weakened body collapses. Calling forth the last of her magic reserves, the ground beneath her paws lit with ancient words of gold. The markings on her fur pulsated in purple and gold as the last of the late Exalt's power melded with hers. The blood on her fur evaporating from the intense heat as electricity crackled around her.
Look after them for me, Robin.
Brilliant light streaked across the Plegian night sky and the ground rumbled at their feet as the magic aimed strong and true. The explosion swept across those near it with a wave of sand and sweltering heat. The screams of the undead drowning in the deafening thunder as the light swallowed them whole. The last thing she remembered was the blackened sand raining down on them and someone desperately calling her name before everything went black.
