Author's Note: So, yeah, someone asked last chapter about "Marth" and her rather… explosive reaction to Raven at the end of last chapter and I gave a response to it, but figured I'd give a TL;DR version to you all about why she was even there in the first place, let alone written that way.

I wanted to portray a bit more of that anguish of knowing that, despite her best efforts, the bad future is still happening. From her supports in-game, I've noticed isn't really good at speaking or using her words to say what she means. It's a bit of a struggle portraying it properly since I'm better at writing characters who wear their hearts on their sleeves and say exactly what they think (write what you know, after all), but I'm trying…

Also, as a fun little side thought: Have you ever wondered what would have been Robin's fate if Chrom didn't stumble across him/her? I wonder how much different their life would have been if they woke up all alone without Chrom there…

This was a doozy of a chapter and I really hate saying this, but there won't be a Friday chapter this week. Please don't hurt me…

Chapter 17
Shall Be Exalted

I walked back into camp with Marth behind me. At least this time she was willing to give everything she had to see this war through to the end and help me protect Chrom.

"Oh, Raven, there you—what happened to your face?!" Cordelia asked frantically.

"… if I said I ran into a Plegian guard and fought valiantly to protect this dashing young damsel, would you believe me?" I asked. She frowned at me.

"Raven, this is no joking matter! Young lady, what did you do to him!" she said angrily to Marth. I saw Marth look down at the ground in an almost ashamed manner.

"I… um…" she began, but was unable to form words. Where's that confident, calm, determined demeanor you always seem to have, Marth?

"Raven, your face is bruised and cut. Did she do this to you? Why are you even with her if she did," Cordelia asked. "Why didn't you call for help? You… you could've been killed out there…"

"Cordelia, I… I'm sorry," I said as I hung my head down.

"Raven… no, sorry, I just… I saw you look like that and I got worried. What if I lost you as well? I couldn't bear to think of that. You're one of my closest friends and I… care about you. I don't want to lose you the way I lost them…" Cordelia said. Marth gave her a peculiar look after seeing our interaction.

"Cordelia… you're right. I just… felt like I needed to get out of the camp after everyone talked themselves up in a frenzy. Loud crowds make me nervous," I said. Cordelia nodded in acknowledgment before she looked to the side.

"Lissa! Oh, thank goodness you were walking by. You even have your healing staff. Perfect!" Cordelia said as she waved Lissa over. I saw Lissa walk over and take one glance at me.

"Oh my gods, Raven, what happened?" Lissa asked in concern. I looked at Marth sitting there with an awkward look on her face. "Marth? What are YOU doing here?"

"… mmph, we can talk about that later. This was just a spar that went too far," I said. Marth gave me a confused look.

"What kind of spar would get your face looking like that?" Cordelia asked.

"Grappling," I said. "She was teaching me techniques on how to fight if I should ever lose my weapon. I fought back a little too hard and her reflexes kicked in."

Why am I lying for her?

"You just happened to run into each other outside of camp and just so happened to start grappling training?" Cordelia asked me with a raised brow.

"… what do you think happened, then?" I said testily.

"Sounds like she was coming over to join us, you mistook her for a Plegian spy or guard, she also mistook you for a Plegian soldier, and promptly she got the better of you in combat. It's okay to admit once in a while that you've lost, Raven," Cordelia said. I twitched at the last thing she said.

"That last statement hurts a bit more coming from you," I said quietly. She looked at me with a confused expression as Lissa gave a bit of a sympathetic look.

"What do you mean, Raven?" she asked. I sighed to myself.

"It's… nothing. Nevermind, Cordelia," I said. She frowned at me slightly before turning to Marth.

"So, who are you?" Cordelia asked.

"You can call me Marth," she replied quietly.

"I'm not interested in knowing you prefer to be called. I want your name," Cordelia said firmly.

"Nobody knows her name," Lissa commented as she began healing my face up. "But, we can trust her. She's… saved our lives countless times. The fact you're here means…"

"… means I was unfortunately too late this time," Marth said in a frustrated tone of voice. "That mistake haunts me deeply and I wish to not make another. I wish to join you in your fight against King Gangrel."

"That explains nothing," Cordelia said. "That explains absolutely nothing. You expect we should trust someone who won't even give us her name?"

"… if it makes you feel any better, at least we know Marth is a female," I said.

"How does that help?" Cordelia asked.

"We didn't even know that at first," Lissa said. I could see Marth was completely uncomfortable with this discussion.

"Look, let's just talk to Chrom about this. He can clear this whole thing up," I said. "Uh, thank you, Lissa. You know… for my face."

"No problem, Raven," she replied with a small smile.

"Yes. Let's get back to camp and the five of us can talk this over. I would like to hear what Chrom has to say on this matter," Cordelia said. We walked to the center of camp, where Chrom was going over final preparations before turning in for the night.

"Hey, uh, Chrom? We have a new recruit that wants to help," I said.

"Oh, who is it?" Chrom asked as he turned around. He saw Marth standing there and immediately turned red. "Oh gods, it's you. I, um, look, I'm sorry about what happened the last time we met. I just… um…"

"Chrom, it's fine," she said firmly. "We have important matters upcoming and I would be honored if you would allow me to assist you in tomorrow's task. You might need all the help you can get and I think I have proven myself capable."

"Indeed you have," Chrom replied. "We welcome you to our group as one of the Shepherds."

"Thank you, although I am afraid to say this will only be a temporary arrangement."

"You plan on leaving once the battle is over?" Chrom asked.

"I have… business to attend to after this fight," she replied.

"Mysterious as ever," Chrom replied. "Still, your noble deeds are the reason why we are even this successful in the first place, so I cannot overlook all the good you have done for us."

"Well, if Chrom's fine with it…" Cordelia said in an uneasy tone.

"Trust me, Cordelia… trust her and trust Chrom," I said with a smile.

"Raven, it's not… it's not that easy," she said to me.

"It is if you just take a moment and try to trust a bit more. That's what all of our goals are. To try to trust just a little bit more and try and opening our hearts slightly more than they were before," I said. She paused for a second before sighing a little.

"You're right. Marth, you… are welcome to stay. I'm afraid I don't have any sleeping arrangements for you, but… if you have a preference, I can try to accommodate you," Cordelia said.

"I would prefer to sleep around someone I know. However, there are only a select few in this camp I have interacted with extensively and even fewer who have anything other than a negative impression of me," Marth said.

"Really? Who thinks ill of you?" I asked.

"The former champion of West Khan, for starters," she said. I thought to myself… oh yeah, perhaps Lon'qu is still upset over that, not that he'd be fine with her either way since she was a female.

"Who else have you interacted with?" Cordelia asked.

"Everyone in this meeting right now and a mage of yours named Sophia, although Sophia and I never personally interacted much," she replied. I could see the two royal siblings looked a little hesitant. Perhaps the sting of both of their rejections were hanging around their subconscious. Perhaps Cordelia was willing to take her in?

"Cordelia, would you be interested in keeping proximity around Marth?" I asked.

"… to be honest, I barely know her. No offense, but I cannot sleep easy around someone I barely know or trust," Cordelia said.

"No offense taken. I would feel the same in your situation," Marth replied.

"Raven? How about you?" Chrom asked.

"Me? Uh… well…" I said hesitantly.

"… no, it is fine if you are all uncomfortable around me. I have not done much to warrant your trust yet. I can find a good, hidden spot outside of camp. It's how I've been travelling most of this time, anyway…" she said quietly. I sighed to myself… oh for goodness' sake.

"Oh, Marth... stop it. You can sleep with me tonight," I said.

"Excuse me?" she asked, giving me a confused look.

"… you know what I meant," I replied with a frown. "I. Will. Keep. You. Company."

"I… cannot accept such an offer," she said.

"Oh, are we back to you disliking me again?" I asked. "At least warn me before you switch moods from friendly to hostile like that."

"No, it is… it's simply… I… don't want to impose upon you. I know you like quiet and space," she said.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"You're always on a rock outside of camp," she replied.

"True… that is a spot we can usually find him," Cordelia added.

"Yeah, if he's missing in camp, we just kinda assume he's somewhere outside of camp on a rock or tree trunk that always seems to be there, thinking about something. Raven normally sleeps by himself when we have tents, anyway," Lissa said. "Bought a tent his first day in town all for himself."

"Look, Lissa, I told you… I value—"

"Yes, yes, Raven, you value your solitude and time to reflect and think," Lissa said. "But for one night, you're fine with Marth being in your space?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I don't want her being out there, sleeping without someone watching over her shoulder or being nearby in case she's attacked in her sleep. She's… proven to me that she has no ill-intention toward anyone here and I'm not about to let someone with good intention be cast aside like that," I said. "If nobody trusts her enough to take her in, then let me do that."

"Raven, I…" Cordelia said, before pausing. She smiled slightly at me. "No, you're right. You have a good heart and always know what to say."

"Thank you, Raven," Marth said to me.

"If that's all, I highly suggest we turn in for the night," Chrom said. We all nodded in response and agreement. I made my way over to a more isolated part of the encampment and lay down on the ground. For some odd reason, laying on the ground without a tent or sleeping bag felt comforting and natural. I wonder why? Did I just enjoy nature more or was this something my previous self was used to?

I heard Marth lay down nearby.

"Marth?"

"Hm?"

"I know I said I could trust you, but do you trust me?" I asked.

"… what kind of question are you asking me now, right before we get to sleep?" she asked.

"You almost seem like you accepted my company because there was nobody else and it was preferable to sleeping alone out there. Do you trust me?" I asked.

"You know more about me than anyone else here. Why would I not?" she asked.

"I know more because I am naturally a suspicious person and I figured it out. You only told me because I told you I knew. I've given you little reason to trust me… if anything, revealing I knew your secret should have had you even more nervous around me," I said.

"… I know you said not to compare you to your older self, but… for all that he put me through, I also knew that he cared for all of us and wanted nothing but the best. I was not fond of him, but I also trusted him with my life. I would like to believe you share that same trait," she said. "You two have many fascinatingly different personality traits, but I can see that at the core you two are the same person. Does that answer your question?"

"That it does. Thank you for trusting me, Marth," I said.

"… and thank you for this. For speaking up for me back there," she said. "Even lying about what happened to you. Why did you do that?"

"… you seem genuine in your quest to help the royal siblings. If your presence could save the two that are still here, then I will do everything in my power to make sure you are around. I will not make the same mistake with those two as I made with their sister," I said. "Call me too trusting or call me an accurate judge of character, but I truly believe you have nothing but good intentions."

I thought I heard her laugh to herself, but I must have been mistaken.

"Talking to you has put many things that I once wondered about into perspective," she remarked. I frowned.

"Don't get too comfortable around me. You do plan on leaving again to do your own business… or is that your excuse to get away when your presence isn't necessary so you don't alter the future any further than you already have?" I asked.

"You see right through me," she replied. "I have no intention of staying around. What if I accidentally affected a relationship between two people and prevented the birth of one of my friends?"

"You have friends?" I asked in a surprised tone.

"What kind of question is that?" she snapped.

"I mean… you said you had nothing to return to if you go back to the future," I hastily amended.

"Oh… that. Well, the few that survived came back in time with me. Most of us got separated by the time travel spell, though. I have been scouring the countryside looking for them," she said.

"Besides Selena, you mean?" I asked.

"Selena and I appeared near the same place when we arrived at this time. She, however, chose not to join me on this mission. There was no reason for the both of us to participate in this battle. She's looking into an entirely separate matter going on right now," Marth replied.

"I would ask about that, but… I'll respect your privacy," I said.

"Thank you, Raven," she said. She paused for a second. "My mother once told me a story before she passed."

"What was it?" I asked. That… was a random topic change.

"My mother and father loved each other dearly from the moment they started courting until her untimely death at the hands of the Risen. But, one time, she told me a story about how she had a really good friend she used to be close with. She didn't say what happened to him, but I assume he died…" Marth quietly said.

"What was so special about this friend," I asked.

"She told me that this friend was someone who was very close to her and someone she had an interest in. To think this mysterious person could have been my father instead makes me wonder what he was like," she said.

"Did she say why didn't it work out?"

"… she said she never could understand his true intentions. They were particularly close, but he seemed like he was close with everyone, so she never knew if he had an interest in her or whether he was just naturally that friendly with everyone. Then my father came in and swept her off her feet and… then they were married and then I was born," she said.

"That's… a really sad story, in a way," I said. "Perhaps that guy really had an interest, but was afraid he wasn't good enough."

"Perhaps that is true. In my journey across this land since I came back in time, I have finally met both my mother and my father. Part of me wanted to spend time around her to find out who this mysterious person was," Marth said.

"Why, though?" I asked.

"… would you believe that a part of me is a hopeless romantic?" she asked. "I may have come from a dreary, dark future, but even a young girl in the most desolate of times can think about romance once in a while. It's what makes us human, Raven. We think about how not just to survive, but to live. We live to encourage the light of hope and faith. We fight to live another day in the hope the future is brighter than the past. That's why I wanted to see what kind of spark that person had with my mother."

I paused for a second. Behind that powerful warrior and tough exterior was just a young woman desperate to try and live a normal life…

"Marth… if we change the future and I meet your younger self in this time… I promise I will do all I can to treat her right and look out for her. It might not affect you, but… if there's one version of you who never had to experience the hell you went through, then it would put my mind at ease," I said.

"There is no doubt that you will meet me after I am born," she commented. I frowned as I thought about it.

"I would ask you who your parents are, but I already know that's something you would never divulge to me," I said. "Even if you wanted to tell me, I don't particularly want to know for fear of preventing your birth."

"… you are beginning to understand the caution I have in how I appear and who I appear to in this time," she said. I nodded in acknowledgement, although I doubt she could have seen that in the dark.

"Get some sleep, Marth. We have a big day tomorrow. Let us protect Chrom and prevent the catastrophe of the future from coming true," I said.

"Sleep well, Raven," she replied. I nodded and closed my eyes and slowly fell into a slumber.

I found myself slinking along the dark hallways of what appeared to be a castle. There was nobody around. The silence was so oppressive and yet I kept running through the hallways. I happened to see something ahead of me. Quickly, I hid behind a decorative suit of armor. I peeked around the corner to see what appeared to be a lump on the floor. It was blurry beyond belief, but it was unmistakably something laying on the middle of the floor.

I carefully approached the thing on the floor. It was too dark and I couldn't make out what it was, but it seemed my dream self knew. I saw what looked like a pool of blood around it. It… must have been a body. It must've been a body of someone my dream self knew. I felt deep wells of sadness pooling throughout my body. Why did he have to die? What purpose was there for his death?

Why does anyone have to die?

Damn it, this person didn't have to die. I don't know who he was, but I just felt such an insurmountable amount of grief. I wanted to punch the wall, scream, cry out in frustration. This person must've meant a lot to this dream version of me. Was this the future? Was this the past?

Was my life doomed to always be surrounded by death? Was I really a person who meets and greets death as an old friend? What kind of person was I to laugh when murdering people? What kind of person am I…?

"Raven…"

is someone speaking to me? My dream self wasn't moving, so was it really someone speaking in this dream?

"Shh, don't worry…"

that voice felt like a sweet chorus of angelic voices, melting away my fears and anxieties.

"… Raven, it… will be okay."

I heard that voice again and slowly I felt myself floating upward, away from that dreary scene. I felt a lightness on my head and just a wave of calmness and security washed over me. I felt my dream self float away from the scene and replaced with a scene in what looked like a restaurant. I saw vaguely what looked like myself with longer hair sitting down at a table with someone who looked like Elise, but with longer hair as well. Was this us when we were younger? I could see the two of us talking and laughing with each other as we shared a meal. I couldn't help but smile at seeing this younger or older version of me laughing and joking with this younger or older version of Elise.

We really were best friends before, weren't we? Where was Robin? Was he not able to make it that day?

I watched as the two of us finished our meal before we departed from the restaurant. I saw spirit me smiling and cheerfully leading spirit Elise around this unfamiliar city before we stopped at a building. It looked like a theatre of some sort, like the one in Ylisstol. I was going to see a play?

I was into theatre? Or was she?

I heard the opening note from the orchestra as the curtain was about to rise. The play was about to beg—

I awoke with a start with a slight throbbing pain on the right side of my head. Not wanting to open my eyes, I put up my right hand to rub the side of my head when I felt something in the way. Some kind of hard… cloth? I tried to turn my head to the obstruction, but I felt something stuck in my hair. Using my left hand, I reached up to feel what was in my hair to feel… a hand?

I gently removed the hand from my hair. Slowly, I opened my eyes and turned my head to the right to see someone's knee was a few feet away from my head. Confused, I turned my head the other way to see Marth sleeping peacefully curled up right above my head. She must've accidentally kneed me in the head while she was sleeping. Wait, why was she sleeping right above me like that and why was her hand stuck in my hair?

I sat up and watched her sleep there peacefully. I can only imagine this was one of the few times in recent memory she could sleep without worrying about someone attacking her in her sleep, whether it was the Risen from her future or random bandits in our time. I saw her stirring gently, mumbling in her sleep. Is she waking up.

"No… stay away… get away from me," she was mumbling in her sleep. Was she talking to me?

"Marth?" I asked. No response. Was something happening? She must be having a nightmare…

"Please, don't… don't hurt them…"

… poor soul. I reached out and brushed her hair from her face. I could see she was calming down. Whatever nightmare it was must've passed. She looked… peaceful. All of a sudden, all those years of fear and wisdom just disappeared. This was what I was fighting for. Not just for her, but for everyone else in this world. This peace that the exalt worked so hard to achieve, we would work to maintain. Chrom… don't you dare die on me now.

I sighed as I looked toward the camp to see almost nobody moving around. As usual, I was the first one awake. Would there ever be a day where I would remember who I was? The gods are cruel to take away my memory like this, but I will not let it break me. I cannot let it break me.

"Raven?"

I looked down to see Marth stirring.

"Good morning, Marth," I said to her. She gave me a surprised look.

"Were you… watching me sleep?" she asked.

"Honestly, I only just woke up. Seems a little bit creepy to watch someone sleep. Did you sleep well?" I asked.

"Better than I had in a while," she said with a small smile. "That was quite refreshing."

"You looked peaceful. I… didn't want to wake you. More just… I'm still here to make sure no one bothered you," I said as I looked back at camp.

"Thank you for that," she replied.

"So, Marth, tell me something," I said.

"A question for me when I just woke up?" she countered with a frown.

"I would forget otherwise," I said. She sighed.

"Fine, ask."

"Any reason I woke up to you kneeing me in the head in your sleep with your hand stuck in my hair and you just sleeping right next to my head?" I asked.

"Did I really wake you up in that way?" she asked.

"Yes, but that's fine. I was probably waking up soon anyway," I said. "Doesn't explain how you ended up all the way over here or with your hand entangled in my hair."

"… you were having a nightmare last night. You were mumbling in your sleep about someone while praying and hoping they weren't dead. You kept repeating a name, but I could not figure out what it was. My mother, when I had a nightmare as a child, would run her fingers through my hair and tell me reassuring things. As I fell back to sleep, I would have better dreams," she replied. "I… was laying down on the ground trying to do for you what she did for me. I was just glad to have helped you through your nightmare and I enjoyed seeing your peaceful expression. I must have fell asleep while trying to keep you calm…"

"Enjoyed seeing my peaceful expression?" I asked.

"The only time I have ever seen you smile so peacefully was after I came back in time. It was truly a rare occasion and… one that I did not mind seeing," she said.

"Huh. Well… thank you, Marth," I said.

"My name is…" she mumbled, but she stopped.

"Hm?"

"Nothing, nevermind," she said. "We should get something to eat. There is a long day ahead of us."

"… are you tired of me calling you Marth?" I asked as I got up to head to the mess tent. I looked back to see she was shortly behind, following me as well.

"That is a possibility," she replied.

"You know better than I do what kind of repercussions there would be if I knew who you were before you existed," I said.

"Still, Raven, you are the only person in this time I can trust with anything more than vague secrets," she replied.

"Why not Chrom? He might not exactly be the brightest torch in the crowd, but he's got an amazing heart and is one of the most empathetic people in existence," I said.

"Definitely not Chrom," she said with a frown.

"Look, if it's because he embarrassed himself asking you on a date, don't hold that against him. He's really not that bad of a guy. I mean, after that whole debacle, we talked about how he thought you were an amazing, beautiful young lady who could—"

"Cease and desist with that topic!" she said vehemently with a shudder. "I don't want to talk to Chrom."

What was that about?

"I, uh, okay. Are you okay, Marth?" I asked.

"Yes. However, if that is true what you are saying, that gives me even more reason to avoid him," she said firmly. I wonder if this fell into the whole thing about her not wanting to make one of her friends accidentally cease to exist.

That would be one apology that would be awkward to give after you fixed things. Sorry I temporarily took you out of existence, but your father wouldn't stop looking me over and asking me out on a date.

We arrived at the mess tent and grabbed a plate of breakfast before sitting down. Shortly afterward, we spotted Elise walking into the tent.

"Morning, Elise," I said.

"Good morning, Raven. Good morning, Marth," she replied. I saw her get a plate of breakfast and come over to our table.

"You're a bit late today," I said.

"There are no princesses here to determine that," Elise said. Marth gave us both a confused look.

"Don't worry about it," I said to her. "This has been our standard greeting for… a long time now."

"I… understand," Marth said before going back to her breakfast.

"Today is the day," I said firmly to Elise.

"Today is indeed the day. We atone for our mistake that we could not correct and we ensure a bright future for Ylisse and her citizens. Chrom will succeed today and the Fire Emblem will not fall into anyone's hands but those who deserve to wield its power," Elise declared.

"Bold words for a bold claim," Marth said.

"Are they really bold if I believe I can truly accomplish what I say?" Elise asked.

"… Elise? Where did this confidence come from?" I asked.

"Lissa and I have been talking, and she told me a lot of her recent successes and achievements and progress have been through a positive mental attitude. If I have the attitude that I am going to lose, then I am more likely to lose. I do not have any intention of losing, Raven. I do not want to lose at all. I need to stay confident in myself and my allies," she said.

"I… like that. Good for you, Elise. Confidence is attractive on you," I said with a small smile. She blushed for a second before looking at me.

"… confidence… what?" she asked quietly.

"Oh, come on, Elise. I already got a plate of food for breakfast. Don't make me eat my words, too," I said. "Confidence suits you. You seem almost regal with it, like a noble or a princess."

"Raven, I do believe I warned you about heaping falsities upon someone," she said to me. I sighed to myself.

"Okay, Elise, forget I said anything," I said. We got back to our meals in somewhat awkward silence.

"Elise, I was told you were part of some kind of aviary group of some sort?" Marth asked.

"Aviary… group?" she asked.

"Oh, the Bird Gang," I said. Marth looked at me like I was crazy.

"Bird… Gang?" she asked.

"Don't ask. Lissa's fault. Don't call us that. Don't call us those nicknames she calls us. Please don't…" I said.

"I… won't," Marth replied in a confused tone. We looked up to see more people filing into the tent. You could see the varying levels of worry and stress on everyone's faces as they went to get their food. I couldn't say I could blame them. This was an ultra-important battle riding on the line here. We had to take Gangrel out as fast as possible, while sneaking past the bulk of his forces.

"Hey, Shady," Gaius said as he sat down beside us, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

"Hello, Gaius," I said. "Everything okay?"

"Oh… uh, yeah, everything is fine. Just, these recent events have gotten me a bit introspective on my life and what I'm doing. I think when we return to Ylisstol, I might start trying to find honest work," he said.

"That's good for you, Gaius. I'm sure Chrom will be all too happy to make you an official Shepherd," I said with a smile.

"Would he?" Gaius asked.

"Look, Gaius, you've done quite a bit for us since you've joined. I know you mostly joined for the pastries, but… you've stayed because you cared. I think Chrom respects that. Who knows… maybe he'll even ask to have your ban from the bakery lifted," I said.

"I like the way you think, Shady. Glad you talked me into joining all of you," he said with a smile. "Are you ready to win this war?"

"Ready as I can be. We will decide it in this one battle," I said.

We finished our breakfasts and prepared to depart. As we got ready, we noticed a large group of people approaching.

"Oh, about time!" Khan Basilio said.

"Is that… our convoy?" Chrom asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Oh, good, hey, uh, Chrom, can I change outfits?" I asked.

"Hm? Oh, of course, Raven. I know the other outfit suits you better for battle," he replied. As soon as the convoy arrived, I swapped into my battle outfit. We began marching in a steady pace back to the capital. We would be reaching there sometime in the afternoon, according to the report. Today was the day of the battle.

I saw a scout running back to us and speak to Frederick. I wonder what that was about? Frederick started making his way toward us with an odd expression on his face.

"Milord, I have a report from Khan Flavia. The Plegian army is in a disarray," Frederick said.

"How do you mean?" Chrom asked.

"It seems many of their solders are opposed to further violence. There has been in-fighting, indecision, desertion… Gangrel is trying to stamp out the mutiny by force but he is meeting with little success. Outside of a few faithful that serve him directly, his army has all but collapsed," Frederick reported.

"This is incredible news! But… why…?" Chrom asked.

"The exalt," I heard a voice from right behind me. I jumped in shock and surprise to see Tharja was no less than two steps behind me, shadowing me.

"Emmeryn…? Oh, Emm," Chrom said quietly.

"Yes, milord. Exalt Emmeryn. The report says Gangrel's men chant her name as they abandon the field. Her words and her sacrifice have made her a folk hero. Those who tire of war, tire of Gangrel's vendetta against Ylisse… they look up to her and her actions," Frederick said.

"Emmeryn… why did it take me so long to understand? She believed all people desired peace. She knew, deep down, that the Plegian citizenry wanted it, too. It just took her sacrifice to bring it to the surface. Oh, Emm… let us finish what you started," Chrom said. I saw Robin smile to himself slightly.

"I hope she can see this, wherever she is. I hope she can see that we are working to bring peace to Ylisse, following in her footsteps," Robin said.

"Indeed. Today is the day we put an end to Mad King Gangrel and mark the beginning of peace across this land," Chrom declared.

We marched forward until we saw the Plegian army, or what was left of it, standing before us. The Feroxi troops around us prepared for battle. I saw Gangrel standing in front of his forces, ready to greet us for battle. I saw him draw his sword and I shuddered. Something felt wrong with this scene. I couldn't explain it, but something deep in my mind was stirring.

Was it anger? Was I subconsciously upset at this terribly uncouth Mad King Gangrel? Was my previous self working to take him down?

"You! You would deny me of the spoils of my victory!" Gangrel said angrily. I saw Aversa floating on her Pegasus slightly back.

"What are you talking about?" Chrom asked.

"You had men disguised as the Grimleal! They stole the body of the exalt! Did you want it that badly? Still dreaming of her squashed body?" he said with a huff. Chrom looked at us and we looked back at him, slightly confused. None of us had the idea to do such a thing.

"I have no idea what you are referring to, but it doesn't matter. No more talk, Gangrel. Today you die, and today peace returns to Ylisse and Plegia," Chrom declared forcefully.

"Pah! Such hypocrisy! You despise me, you wretch! You want to cut me down! You don't know the first thing about peace. No man does!"

"I know more than you ever will," Chrom replied calmly.

"More than me? More than ME?! Ha ha! The child of a mass murderer claiming to know peace. You ARE me! When life asks you a question, you answer with violence and bloodshed!" Gangrel said with a sneer.

"… maybe you're right. I will never be my sister. I cannot forgive men like you the way she could. I could never forgive someone who sows nothing but evil. All I have left are her words and her memory. Were I alone, I might even be driven to madness, like you have been. But… I am not alone. My friends and brothers-in-arms stand behind me," Chrom said.

"Are you done? May I vomit now? What a flowery harangue! Men are beasts! Nothing more! We fight! We kill! We devour our prey! Beasts do not stand behind beasts, little prince. They use each other only so long as it suits their own selfish purpose!" Gangrel declared.

"Perhaps that explains why even your own soldiers refuse to stand behind you. You are nothing but a poison and a festering wound… and I will do what my sister could not," Chrom said with firm resolution as he drew Falchion.

"Such a clever tongue you have, little prince. Your head would look good as a trophy hanging on my mantle. What say you? Next to the other sister you still have. Perhaps I could keep her alive as a prisoner and a warning to those who dare stand to the might of King Gangrel. The beautiful princess would make a lovely prisoner of war for my soldiers and their entertainment. Call it reparations for her father's sins," he said. Chrom made a sound, like a strangled beast ready to explode.

"You… stand for everything that is wrong, King Gangrel… and today will be the day I will show the world evil will always fall," Chrom said. I saw Gangrel turn and retreat behind his front lines. This was a modified version of the plan. We would chase him down and his elite guard while the Feroxi forces fought the bulk of the Plegian forces.

"By the might of Regna Ferox!" Khan Flavia declared.

"By the might of House Ylisse and the Shepherds!" Chrom called out as he raised his sword.

"Ho boy, that's the fighting spirit," I heard Khan Basilio say.

"Our united forces!" Chrom cried out. He pointed his sword to the enemy lines. "Assemble."

… that is now his favorite rallying line. I saw as the Feroxi forces charge forward. We blended in as best as we could, while sneaking around. I saw most of the Shepherds flank around the side of the Feroxi and Plegian battle, hugging close to a natural rock formation to hide ourselves and prevent ourselves from being seen. I saw Sumia was up in the air, darting around the slower Wyvern riders. Cordelia was down here on the ground with us, sticking close to Chrom.

We soon made our way behind enemy lines and ran toward the direction we thought we saw Gangrel retreat. This must be where their camp is. I saw a few tents in the distance and I saw a small force of soldiers, as well as Aversa, near Gangrel himself.

"Oh, princeling, come on out! I know you came directly here to challenge me," we heard Gangrel call out. "Yes! Draw closer! Charge at me with your rage! We will greet you with every foolish step you take. Clinging to each other won't save you when the boot falls! Come! I've sharpened my sword just for you!"

Chrom and the rest of us began to advance toward him, each one of us armed and ready for battle.

"My sister wished and wanted for our people to know peace, Gangrel. But, as long as you draw breath as the Mad King of Plegia, it can never come. For Ylisse!" Chrom declared.

We all charged forward and clashed with the Plegian forces. I saw each and every single one of the Shepherds struggling against the soldier standing before us. This was definitely his most prized of forces. Chrom ran right past the soldiers and went for Gangrel himself, the two of them locked in a flurry of powerful blows that echoed across the area.

"Chrom!" I heard Marth call out, attempting to follow, but was intercepted by Aversa.

"Ah, what do we have here? A straggler wench of a lapdog who tries to bark alongside her prince? Fight with him. Die with him," Aversa said as she cast a powerful fire spell at Marth.

I could no longer pay attention as I started dealing with the soldier in front of me. Even as I let go and let my reflexes start to do my work for me, the soldier was putting up a valiant fight. I flicked behind him, using that ability that I seem to have some semblance of control over, and he quickly turned and blocked the blow, as if he was conditioned to block that very maneuver. I released a flurry of blows and he nimbly dodged every attack before countering with his axe. I blocked with the shaft of my lance, but the sheer power of the blow pushed me back a few steps. I grunted in frustration… so much for Frederick saying how powerful these latent abilities were. I was being stopped in my tracks right here and right now.

Then again, looking around, I saw most of us were struggling against our counterparts. I spotted a quick glance to see Sophia and Miriel were engaged in a fireball war with two of the Plegian mages. Elise, Maribelle, and that other blonde girl were doing what they could to heal up our units, just as the Plegian clerics were doing supporting their units.

We were mostly at a stalemate when I felt something happen in the back of my head. Something just overwhelmingly told me to let it happen. I relaxed a bit more and let the reflex take over. I immediately regretted it as a swing from the axe almost removed my arm. What was going on? Was my instinct wrong? I watched the axe come and the reflex did nothing. I had to manually adjust myself away from the blow before I found myself short a limb.

I shuddered a bit. I really need to master these hidden techniques and make them my own before something terrible really happened. I resumed my battle, this time putting a bit more pressure on my opponent with a quicker volley of blows. I could see him slowly get overwhelmed before one of my blows managed to penetrate his defenses and strike him. He stumbled backward in pain. Before a cleric could realize he was injured, I landed a finishing blow. No way was I going to let him come back.

I looked over to see Chrom and Cordelia fighting Gangrel. Was he holding them both off? Was he really that good? Something about this scene just felt wrong. What was going on? What is this bad instinct? What is going on? What. Is. Going. On? Brain, why aren't you working?

I started making my way toward the battle when a fireball blew past me. I looked over to see Aversa looking at me with a sneer and Marth down on one knee. I quickly changed directions and started heading toward her.

"Raven, no! Protect Chrom!" I heard her yell at me. I shook my head and stood by her.

"Chrom's fine! He has Cordelia," I said. "You're not fine."

"Chrom's more important than I'll ever be," she said defiantly.

"That's quitter talk, Marth. You're not through yet! Now get up and help me take this witch down," I said sternly. She looked at me like she was about to argue back, but paused and thought about it.

"Ha… that sounds more like it, Sir Raven," she said. I sighed as she she looked up at me. I held out my hand and helped her to her feet. She managed to stand for a few seconds before falling to one knee. I could see burns all over her. She was a bulky brawler, that's for sure, but she definitely seemed to lack the finesse needed to battle someone like Aversa.

… wait, how did I know this?

"So, the wench has her own personal lapdog," Aversa said with disdain. "Like any disobedient dog who obeys a wicked master, I will put you down where you stand."

"Try me, witch. You will find I am far more than you can handle. Let me have the opportunity to wipe that smile off your face before I separate that head from that body," I said defiantly.

"Oh, ho, so the pup has some bark after all. Make sure when you get to the afterlife to make room for your master," she said. I smiled and flicked forward at her before launching a thrust at her shoulder. She sidestepped the blow, hopped back, and launched a fireball at me. I quickly knocked the fireball back at her using the butt of my lance. She gave a quick surprised look before knocking the fireball into the air.

"You do have some fight in you. Behind that ridiculous bravado is an actual warrior," she said with a smirk.

"… and behind all that magic is a soon to be dead woman!" I vehemently replied. I charged at her, normally this time, executing a volley of thrusts, which she dodged easily. Her movement was fast. No wonder Marth was struggling with her. She was very dexterous and agile… not a warrior who could easily be hit by someone who was valued power over speed. Did my future self train Marth like that?

I gasped in surprise as Aversa managed to grab the shaft of my lance. I pulled hard backward trying to free my weapon, but to no avail. She dug into the ground and gave an almighty tug, pulling the lance out from my hands. I stumbled forward and fell to the ground. Quickly, I stumbled back to my feet and had to quickly step back as I narrowly dodged a blow from my lance.

"It has been a while since I fought with a lance. How… crude of a time that was," she commented. I took a step backward, nervous about what was happening before me. I really was outclassed and out of my league. I really was some fool trying to play hero and the price I was going to pay for my act was my life…

"Chrom!" I heard someone cry out. I looked over to see a cleric holding a glowing staff up and seeing Chrom frozen in place, as if trapped. Marth and I quickly turned and started dashing over as I pulled out my short spear, leaving Aversa behind. I saw Gangrel raise his sword, ready to strike Chrom down.

"No!" I cried out. I threw my spear in reaction to what I saw and watched it fly and strike Gangrel in his shoulder, wedging itself in a small crack in his armor. Before anyone else could react, Cordelia dashed forward and struck Gangrel twice in the chest with her lance. The blows dented his armor and sent him back a few steps.

"You. You're first," he said viciously to her, ignoring the fact my spear was sticking out from his armor. Before I could react… before anyone could react… he closed the distance between himself and Cordelia with a speed that he had not shown the entire battle. I saw her eyes widen in surprise and she attempted to step back to put some distance between them.

For many years after, I would not forget what transpired before me. For a fraction of a second, a deep sense of despair overwhelmed me as my mind flashed back to the moment when Cordelia put her hair up for me. It was as if I had seen this before in a vision I had in a previous life. In the short moment that happened, all the memories I had swirled together. I thought of our conversations at the bakery, the conversations in the supply convoy, the conversations we had outside of camp. She finally had her dream as Chrom asked her to dinner, but…

I cried out in frustration and pain that resided deep within the depths of my heart as I saw the sword plunge straight through her armor and her chest. I saw the look of shock and fury etch itself in Chrom's face as he was powerless to move from the cleric's spell. I saw the despair cross his very being as he watched the woman he had an interest in be murdered in front of his eyes.

There was no coming back from that. No staff in the world… no cleric in the world… could heal something of that magnitude.

"No! No, no, no, no, no…" Marth began saying to herself over and over as we ran to Cordelia's body. I saw Gangrel give a signal to the cleric and she released Chrom from the binding spell. The three of us knelt by Cordelia's body, watching the blood pulse from the wound and pool around her.

"My… captain. My… prince. It was… an honor to serve… you," she whispered faintly. "I was given… this life by my friends. It was… not mine to throw away. I'm glad… I did something noble… with it."

"Cordelia, no… you…" Chrom began, but he had no words. I had no words. She was dying here in front of us.

"No, she… she can't die… anyone but her..." Marth said quietly. I looked at her and saw in her eyes a look of sheer terror and sadness. I looked at her in confusion… was Cordelia important to her?

"Marth, are you…?" I began. I didn't get to finish the thought as she held her head and let out a cry of pain. She fell to her knees, trembling, still clutching her head as if overcome by a terrible headache. I couldn't help but wonder if that was exactly what I went through. She leaned over and I cringed slightly as she lost her breakfast on the ground in front of her. I saw Aversa walk over to stand by her king's side.

"Oh, can the little miss not handle watching someone die?" she said. "Here, let me help you get used to that."

I saw Aversa put up a fireball and aimed it at Marth. As if by instinct, I got up off the ground. As she threw the fireball, I felt my body flicker between her and Marth and I knocked the fireball toward Gangrel smacking it as hard as I could with my bare hand. I felt my hand blaze and blister from the power of the fireball, but in that singular, solitary instant, I didn't even bother to care. I just simply stood there, staring. My mind was blank. I couldn't think.

I couldn't think.

"Please, watch how carelessly you throw your spells!" Gangrel said to Aversa angrily.

"I apologize, your highness," she replied. Cordelia… why? Why did you die? You didn't have to die!

"An apology? Is that all you have to offer?" he replied.

"Oh gods, why… please… no..." I heard Marth say. I turned to her to see an odd sight. It was almost as if she wasn't fully there and I could see the ground through her. For the briefest of seconds, it was almost as if she disappeared before coming back, no longer translucent. I looked around to see Chrom was busy with Cordelia's last few moments while Gangrel and Aversa were bickering with each other.

Marth stood up shakily as she held Falchion in her hand. Immediately, Gangrel and Aversa took notice. I turned my back to the two as I walked back to Cordelia…

"Raven?" Marth asked.

"Let us kill them now! Finish the job we started," Aversa insisted.

"No. Not yet. I want them to savor what they brought on themselves. I want the prince to feel the pain I did when his father killed my family," Gangrel said with pure malice. "I want them to understand what siding with a murderer has brought them."

I knelt by Cordelia and she gave me a small smile.

"Raven… my one friend… my true friend… how I wish I could… have spent more time with you. To share with each other… our successes… and move forward in life… achieving our goals. All I'm doing… is sharing my failure with you…"

"Cordelia, please… don't speak anymore. Save your strength," I said, wiping my eyes.

"Ha… that's a wish you… will have shortly," she said.

"Not like that! Damn it, not like that," I said. "I want to be congratulating you on your successes, not mourning you at your funeral!"

"Then… don't. Think of only… the good times we had. Our friendship… that we shared. Please… protect… Chrom…" she said, growing quieter by the second. I watched as the glimmer of life slowly faded from her eyes.

"Cordelia? Cordelia! No, Cordelia," I cried out, but there was no response. No more conversations outside of camp as we roamed the countryside. No more warm smiles as we helped each other through our greatest insecurities. No more of the Pegasus knight who overcame her insecurities to stand out enough to make an impression on Chrom.

"Cordelia, no…" I heard Chrom say quietly. First Emmeryn, now Cordelia… how much more must we suffer and how many more did we have to lose? I looked at Gangrel's direction, filled with a rage coursing through my veins. I felt every single nerve in my body tingling as my hands trembled with fury. I carefully picked up Cordelia's lance, looking it over. Let me finish what you started. I saw Gangrel pull my small spear out from his arm as the cleric nearby healed his wound.

A vicious, primal rage smothered my mind and vision as I felt something like laughter and euphoria cloud my thoughts. It was as if some other part of me was gleefully anticipating this battle that was upcoming. Whatever you are, spirit or thoughts of a past long forgotten, help me… help me avenge Cordelia.

I saw Marth holding her head, as if in pain.

"Are… you okay?" Chrom asked, although it came off more of a formality than actual concern.

"Yes… it's just a perpetual headache that isn't going to go away," she replied quietly.

"Fight it, then fight them. Take them down. They deserve no quarter," I said in an almost monotone voice. I felt it at that moment… a presence in my mind that felt both foreign and familiar.

"Let me go… let me go… let me fight them. Let me make them pay. Use me…"

I shook my head. Was I hearing things? I looked to see the neither of the other two reacted. That had to be in my head. Was… I imagining this voice?

"Use me. Let me help. Let me fight them. Let me kill them. Let the ground run rivers of their blood. Let the ground grow red roses cultivated by our lance. Let the flowers of death bloom by our hand."

… and against my will, I succumbed to this voice speaking in my head. I saw my lance have a faint purple aura. This… was what Frederick was talking about. I felt a surge of power coursing through my body. I felt a natural born instinct ready to fight permeate throughout my whole body. Everything suddenly felt like it fell into place and I could almost feel the proper path I had to take to execute an attack toward them.

"The children think they can fight with the adults? Come, let us show them their place," Gangrel said as he readied his sword. Aversa conjured a fireball as she tossed my old steel lance aside. I saw Marth and Chrom ready their blades in response.

Cordelia's dead… she's dead… and I'll never see her smile again.

One thought ran through my mind… one thought that the others were most likely thinking… one thought that unified us in this one final battle against the Mad King… one unified thought between myself, Marth, and Chrom.

He had to die…