Chapter Nineteen

Splashing and laughter filled the eardrums of the water park. Shadows from the clouds above blocked most of the sun, yet the rays of light were enjoyable. All the Shepherds were playing at the pool. Lissa and Donnel were in the water hitting each other with waves created by their arms. Gaius and Sumia eating candy on a bench. Vaike and Sully arm wrestled to show off their strength and muscles in front of Chrom. Gregor was teaching Panne how to swim, very cautiously. Tharja admired Henry's flips and twists from the dive board. Nowi started a water gun fight with Virion, who was happy to return the shots of his own. Miriel and Libra dipped their feet on the edge, discussing magic and religion no doubt. Cherche rubbed sunscreen on Lon'qu, who found the act repulsive, yet relented and then the two relaxed under Minerva's wings. Oliva and Stahl were too busy to be bothered as they slept sunbathing on a shared blanket. Basilio and Flavia had their own cannonball competition. Even Fredrick found a way to relax as he played the role of lifeguard with extra sunscreen on his nose. He would occasionally be caught catching glimpses at Say'ri when she walked up the steps on the water slide. But he would never admit to such a 'crime'. And finally, I stood back in the grassy field few yards away, soaking in the sights and sounds more than the sun. What caught my attention was how many people were here. I stopped counting after twenty-seven. Then I rubbed my eyes and saw little children running around the pool, probably playing tag.

Children. The kids of the Shepherds.

I forgot about the second generation of Shepherds, noting that we had yet to run into them during all this time. I could have said something about recruiting. I mean, Lucina revealed that she was a time traveler herself, so it could have made things easier to explain. But I just forgot. And on the matter of forgetfulness, I missed an important person…

No, I just noticed Kellam swimming in the pool. Someone else…

"There you are! Thought you could use a treat."

Cordelia.

"Oh! Hi. Sure, thanks," I took the blue popsicle from her hands.

"No problem, darling. Hope you like it!" Cordelia gave her gorgeous smile.

"Wait, did you just call me…" I was bewildered by the 'darling' name drop but then a small person attempted to tackle me.

"Daddy!" A younger version of Severa, Cordelia's daughter, wrapped her arms around me.

"Um, Daddy? I'm your 'Daddy'?" None of this made sense. Cordelia married Chrom and Severa should be their child along with Lucina.

"Mommy, why is Daddy acting weird?" Severa tugged on her mother's ruffled crimson swimsuit.

"I think your Father is playing a game…right, darling?" Cordy winked at me.

"Oh, um, sure! That's right! Now go along and play with Lucy and the others, sweetie." If I had a daughter of my own, I'd call her 'sweetie'.

Severa nodded and giggled as she went to find little Lucina to play with, leaving me to ask Cordelia questions.

"Cordy, what is going on? Am I dreaming, or are we–"

"Oh my, Phil, did you hit your head? You don't remember getting married?" She laughed at me.

"What about Chrom and Lucina?" I pointed to them.

"What about them?" Cordelia tilted her head inquisitively.

"I thought you married Chrom and Lucina and Severa are your children?" The popsicle was melting in my hand, so I began to eat it.

Cordelia laughed, "I never married Chrom, silly! He got lucky with Cristina, the fair maiden…you do remember the extravagant wedding, right?"

I don't remember, sorry.

"Oh, look! There she is now. Gosh, Tina is just the cutest around Chrom, especially when she wraps her arms around his waist." Cordelia sighed.

I gave up, this must be a dream. Or another reality. Either way, I chose to accept it. Shut up and enjoy the fact that Cordelia picked you over Chrom.

"Not as cute and beautiful as you, my love." I cupped her face and kissed her sweet lips. She replied with the same intensity. "Come on, let's go play in the water." As I spoke, I took her hand and we ran to the pool.

Halfway to the shallow entrance, the sky turned dark. Thunder rang and everyone stopped and turned to see the figure. A deafening scream came from above, then the monster revealed itself.

Grima.

"Fools! Humanity is doomed. I am the wings of despair. I am the breath of ruin. I am the fell dragon, Grima. Pay me the respect I am due, and I will consider granting you a quick death when the time comes."

The evil dragon entity belched out another roar and the wind it created gusted at speeds that made it difficult to stand ground. I turned to all sides watching in horror as the petrified bodies of the Shepherds withered away. The skin melted first, then decay overtook the muscle tissues, leaving only bare bones remaining. Then, another revulsion as each person became their Risen variant. Cordelia was first. I dropped her decrypted hand and jumped away in terror and sorrow. The others followed suit and pursued slow walks in my direction. I was still human. More thunder buzzed, creating an electric atmosphere.

Panicking, I found a Falchion sword to my left on the grass and grabbed it. As I turned around, a humanoid image in black was in my face. No face, no features, just a hood. The thing took its hands and lifted up the covering, showing a mirror image of myself. Those red eyes beamed a radiance of terror and evil. It was staring me down with an ominous grin. I took the Falchion with both hands and stabbed it in its chest. Nothing happened.

The mouth on the doppelganger grew far too wide as the muscle parts split apart. The dragon fangs increased in size. A scream and a swipe of the claws burned slash marks in my torso. I collapsed as it mocked me before I closed my eyes, only seeing darkness devour the light.

"Ahhk!"

I rolled over in the tent. Sweat puddles on my sheets produced a bad stench. I glanced down at my body and found no scratches. To my right was a snoring Fredrick, still a human. I ran my hands over my face and got up for water. The medical supplies were three tents over as I ran to find a glass of liquid. Still dark, I failed to be aware of another person in the vicinity.

"Couldn't sleep?" Chrom jolted me.

"Chrom! Scared me there. And yeah, I had another nightmare."

He sensed I was still on edge and pointed at the candlestick. "Phil, you can put that back on the shelf."

I forgot I grabbed the mantlepiece in self-defense and gently placed it back.

"Want to tell me about it?" Chrom sat down in the oversized cream chair.

I didn't really want to, but felt compelled to tell the friend. "Grima. It came for our lives. You and the Shepherds turned into Risen. It was horrible. And…"

"Phil, no need to say more. I believe I understand." Chrom lifted his left hand.

"No, you don't…" I shrugged. "Well, sure, we know about Grima trying to destroy the world and all, but he is getting into my mind. I can't explain how or why, but these dreams feel so real. He really is messing with me."

Chrom folded his arms, unamused. The lack of words allowed me to continue.

"He shows me…things. Possible outcomes. Visions of beauty that become unghastly. It's too much to handle." I couldn't look my friend in the eye.

Chrom had another silent moment before a stern look, "So what do you want me to do about it? They aren't real. The visions and dreams can't hurt you. Look around, we are still here."

"Yes, except for…"

Basilio. Emmeryn. Ricken. Maribelle.

"All their deaths are not in vain. We will avenge them. Walhart will fall and Grima will be prevent from manifesting a physical form. You have my word, friend."

"Thank you, Chrom. Thank you for listening." I smacked his shoulder and proceeded to leave the tent with my water, but he stopped me.

"You sure you'll be ok?"

"Yes, Chrom, I'll be fine. I promise."

A week passed and we could sense the capital of Valm approaching. Nerves were on the arise. I restocked supplies several times along the way, costing Ylissean finances without a doubt. Anna was super convincing I was saving money, but with prior knowledge of the merchant woman, she made out a bandit.

"Cha-ching! Another happy customer. Please come again!" She would say as I left her quarters for the third time.

Fredrick waited outside our camp when I returned with the goods.

"Don't you think you're being excessive buying those things with our gold since Chrom put you in charge of the finances?" Fredrick clearly wasn't in a good mood. And I was in no shape to argue, especially in the evening.

"You know what, you are probably right, Freddy, but at least we don't have to go shopping for some time. Plus, I hear winter is coming."

"Hand me over the receipts." Fredrick threw out his right arm, demanding proof of the costs. So, I gave him the paper. He glanced over the list and gave another death stare. "I will report to the Exalt at once about this."

"Sure, whatever, buddy." I shrugged and walked back to my tent and sat down in my normal chair with the gambling gang. "Ok, Gaius, deal me in."

I studied my hand and acted on instincts at this point. Little use in buffing much since we all know each other so well. However, I felt I could sweep the floor with the group with the worrisome looks on all their faces.

"Hey guys, what is up with the long faces?" I looked at each one counter-clockwise.

Stahl answered first, "Nothing. We are all fine…right Donny?"

"S-sure, pal! I'm as good as a bird in a flock!" Donnel was obviously nervous with his left hand continuously twitching.

"Ha! Nothing wrong here with ol' Teach! Don't think I can say the same for the hotty next to me though." Vaike winked at Sully, who kicked his foot.

"Not in public, airhead, or I'll kick you in other places!" Sully doesn't lie and Vaike took the hint.

"Gaius? Kellam?" I asked the remaining two.

Kellam gulped and spoke, "Well, I admit, I am slightly nervous about facing Walhart's army, but I know we will prevail…somehow…hello? Is anyone listening?" We weren't because the silence from a candy thief was much louder.

"…"

I waved at Gauis, "Hello, wake up Gaius…Gaius, ya dead, mon?"

"I'm fine…"

"No, you're not. Speak up, we are listening." I had to be strict in tone to force him to talk.

"Ok, then. I'm not fine. Basilio, Emm, the rest of the Shepherds; they are all dead. Who's next? Me? Sumia? The child?"

We were all unaware of Sumia's situation, and the shocked faces said that much.

"I…I didn't realize Sumia was pregnant." I put down my cards and forfeited playing. The game could wait another time.

"Of course you didn't, Phil. You don't see a lot of things…so, tell me: whom are you going to send to their death?"

"Gaius, stop being defensive. Phil has nothing wrong. We are winning and putting Valm on the ropes! He is doing a good job keeping us alive as well! We all should be dead, by the numbers standpoint. Against the odds, we are winning! Phil is a natural!" Stahl defended my honor, but where is honor when even one casualty is too much burden with foreknowledge?

"Hmph. Is that so? I don't think so. Phil knows things we don't know, isn't that right, Bubbles?" Gaius didn't back down.

"Now, where in the world did you come up with that idea, Gaius? Too much candy going to your head of yours?" Sully scoffed.

"Really? Have we all forgotten the certain person back on Carrion Island? The fortress in Plegia?..." Gaius looked around for confirmation. Nothing. "Oh, you got to be kidding me…well, Validar's little helper looked like a special someone here…" The thief looked straight at me. "Care to explain why you have a twin?"

"I…look, maybe I know things, maybe I don't. What is to you? What difference does it make, Smarty Jones? But hey, if it makes you feel better, I can pull Sumia from fighting."

Gaius eventually released his side eye look and sighed, "Fine. That's fine. Do it. Whatever you say, fearless leader." He got out of his seat and left the tent. "Good night."

"Wait!" I yelled out reaching for him. "Hey pal…you called me something other than Bubbles."

The candy man faked a glare and burst out laughing. The rest of the poker group copied and for a brief moment in a time of misery and unhappiness, we appreciated the hilarity.

"I think we should end the night on this note. Good night, everyone." I packed my gold away safely while the others did the same.

We went our ways in our beds, but I heard Kellam speak up, "What's a Smarty Jones?"

"Name of a horse from my place!" I hollered, hoping he would hear me.