Ylisstol was a pile of rubble.

It only dawned on me a few days before we left, but the city itself was essentially a smoking ruin. Illustrious buildings and towering cathedrals were reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. Even as the bright yellow sun shone overhead, all I could see were destroyed buildings and wreckage. It made me heart ache, looking at the city I'd come to know as home to be reduced to such ruin. That wasn't even taking into account Castle Ylisse itself. The palace was nearly twisted beyond recognition.

Rebuilding would have to wait until Grima was gone, but a part of me wanted to go out there and repair every building with my bare hands. Well, hand. I knew better than that, obviously, but the feeling was still there. I wouldn't rest until it had been restored to its former glory.

In those days before we made for our final march I focused mainly on preparing myself. I didn't know if anything about me had changed from having the Aum staff used on me, but if anything had, I'd find out. I didn't feel any different, but it was better to be safe rather than sorry, especially with magic.

To that end, I got an old friend to help me out.

"Your strikes are just as strong as before," Priam observed as we stood on opposite ends of the small training ground we'd set up, in the space between two relatively intact buildings. "You have always compensated for your lack of a right hand with brutally strong attacks. I admire that, but it makes you predictable. It's not something to worry about on a battlefield, but should you ever face an opponent multiple times, you will be found wanting."

"Good thing I'll never have to do that then, huh?" I let out a breath. "Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to have a right hand again. Wonder what I'd be like."

"It is useless to think of such things," The Radiant Hero lightly chided. "What matters is that you have grown past it. You are a decent warrior in your own right, despite your injury. But enough of that. You asked me to make sure you are ready and do that I shall. Let's go!"

Sparring with Priam brought back memories, I had to admit. It wouldn't be wrong to say that I'd gotten a taste for combat. For fighting and all that entailed. It was the killing part I didn't like. I enjoyed the feeling, the adrenaline of going toe-to-toe with someone else. The Risen really didn't present a challenge like that; they were just zombies, and honestly, I felt nothing when I fought them except for white noise. They didn't fight like people. And the people we did fight, we had to kill.

I'd never like taking another life, but I'd long grown past whining about it, so instead I threw myself into the sparring match.

Priam was as strong an opponent as ever. Even while only using basic training gear, I could feel the strength in his blows. He was a dedicated fighter, and I had no doubt that he'd trounce me in a fight to the death. I liked to think I'd put up a good fight, though, even with only one hand.

Our match lasted well into the afternoon, and by the time we were finished, I was exhausted. Sweat poured down my brow as the sun shone on us both. I sat down, my back against one of the buildings as Priam planted the tip of his wooden blade in the stone ground.

"Nothing seems off on my end," Priam reported, "I'm glad that's the case, really; it has been too long since I had a sparring partner who could match me as you do. Well, besides Chrom, but he's usually too busy."

I waved my iron hand, taking a deep breath. "Don't mention it, man," I coughed, "Glad I could come back after dying like that. Wouldn't wanna deprive you of a sparring partner."

"Ha! You jest," Priam barked a laugh. "We both know who you truly came back for, but that's certainly nothing to be ashamed of."

"I was joking, you meathead."

"Hmm, so you were," Priam grunted, twirling his wooden sword. "I am serious, Alexander. Not many could keep pace with me the way you and the other Shepherds have. I am almost ashamed that it took me so long to join forces with you, if only for this chance. All of the men and women under my command challenged me once. Did you know that? Every single one of them fought against me, and they all lost. Each victory added to my company until we were dozens strong. Others came after, of course, but I will always look upon those times fondly."

I lowered my head and wiped sweat from my brow. "That reminds me, Priam. What're you gonna do once all this shit is over with?"

Priam stared at me a moment before shrugging. "I haven't a single idea, Alex. I have always taken every step in life with my eyes closed. The only thing that matters to me is the present. It is useless to dwell on the past or imagine the future unless you act in the present."

My mouth opened to say something, but I found no words. Instead, I gently nodded and stood up. "Well, whatever happens after this war is over," I held out my hand, "it's been good sparring with you, Priam."

Priam took my hand and gave it a firm shake. "Likewise, Alexander. I will remember you and everyone else long after I leave these shores. Wherever I shall go, I will take your memory with me."

I chuckled. "Getting a bit dramatic, aren't you?"

"I have been told I can be like that, yeah," Priam laughed. "But it is true. What we do here echoes in eternity, you know. Our deeds shall be remembered for years to come."

That was a sobering thought. One that gave me a strange feeling I couldn't quite name.


What time I wasn't training, maintaining weapons, spending time with my family, or making sure our brutalized army was up to snuff, I spent with the other Shepherds. There were only so many 'final' battles I could go through before something in me would snap, and speaking to others usually relieved that anxiety. There was one person, though, who I finally found after a good amount of time being MIA.

I found him hunched over in a dark corner of the camp. He had an entire tent all to himself, and what I heard when I entered made me realize why.

Ricken stood over a crib, rocking a small child in his arms, whispering something as he did so. He must've heard me come in; I wasn't exactly subtle. Then again, 'blunt' didn't quite cover how much like a warhammer I could be sometimes. Thankfully, I wasn't wearing any armor. Didn't wanna wake the kid up with clanking metal plates.

I said nothing as the young mage silently placed the bundle he held back in its crib. He let out a sigh and turned around. "Stepping in unannounced into someone's abode is bad luck, Sir Alexander."

I shrugged. "Hasn't caught up with me yet, has it?"

"No, I suppose not. Although I'm sure cheating death would put a dent in that, wouldn't it?" The sardonic tone of Ricken's voice seemed unnatural as I stared into his brown eyes.

The boy we'd left behind was not the man I saw in front of me. Ricken had grown taller. Much taller. Puberty hit him like a cavalry charge, it seemed. His face seemed rougher than before, more distinctly masculine, and his eyes had awful dark circles and bags underneath them. He looked haggard, bent but not broken. I took a deep breath as I readied myself for whatever may've come.

"Look, Ricken…" I looked down. "I'm sorry."

The young mage crossed his arms as he stared me down. "Sorry, are you? Whatever for, Sir Alexander?"

I shot my gaze back up. "Playing coy doesn't suit you, Ricken. We both know what I'm apologizing for."

"Of course I do," Ricken hissed. "I've known for weeks what has happened to them. Captured by Grima. Nah… Gods, the thought of what happened to her… and Nowi… And you're here, while they're still dead. That's what you've come to apologize for, right? The fact that you're here, and they're not. Well, I don't want your gods' damned apology."

My lips thinned. "Ricken-"

"I used to be absolutely terrified of you," He said suddenly, his face twisted with barely suppressed rage. "I used to look upon you and shiver. You were Sir Alexander of the Iron Hand, Hero of Khadein and loyal knight in service to the Grandmaster Tactician and Ylisse. I used to be in awe. Now? Now all I feel is absolute contempt. Anger. You're here and they're not. My child… My child from the future died an agonizing death. Don't think I haven't heard what they did to her! And Nowi! My child is going to grow up motherless and there is nothing I can do about it-!"

"If you keep raising your voice, then she will wake up," I growled, taking everything Ricken said in stride. "You have absolutely every right to be furious, Ricken. Every right."

"A cold comfort coming from the Hero of Khadein, Sir Alexander," Ricken scoffed.

"I know you're hurting," I continued quietly. "I know you are. Just a little while ago I was dead. Completely and utterly. And it was only because of a miracle that I'm alive right now. A miracle that could have gone to either Nowi or Nah. There is no denying that. And for that, I am sorry. Naga, Ricken, I can't say I'd give myself for them. Not when I have my own family. I know those're not the words you want or need to hear right now, but that isn't all I have to say."

"I'm not sure I want to hear anything you have to say after that utter tripe you just spouted," Ricken spat. "I already said I do not want to hear an apology, and instead you say that instead? I have half a mind to hurl you out of my tent with an Elwind!"

"I wasn't done," I replied, approaching him. "Ricken, nothing will bring them back now. Nothing. What that man used on me was one-of-a-kind. There's nothing like it in the known world."

Ricken turned around, facing the crib as he leaned forward. "I was going to travel the world with her," He said softly, "We were going to travel the world and find never before seen places. What if there is something out there? Something that can do the same thing this Aum staff did?"

I shrugged. "Maybe there is. It's a strange world. But what about the baby in front of you?"

Ricken was silent.

"What will she do while you're away? Will you take her with you?" I asked. "This is just me trying to help you, Ricken. I realize I have no real right to do that, what with what's happened, but I want to anyway. This is just me giving you the best advice I can, based on what I've seen. Focus on her, Ricken. Focus on the family in front of you."

Ricken looked behind me, his eyes wet. "I will! I must…" A small sob escaped him. "I would never leave her. She is all I have left. I would never…"

I shook my head. "God, I sound like I'm on a damn high horse over here. Look, I'm not trying to tell you what you should and shouldn't do. Naga knows I've made a shit ton of mistakes in my life. In both this time and the… other one. I just don't want you to turn into-"

Verrat.

Ricken looked at me funny before gazing back down at the infant Nah. "I would never leave her, Sir Alexander. Never. She's all I have left. I don't care about my 'noble' house. I don't care about anything else. Is it… is it selfish that I want her back, even then?"

"…it's okay," I said quietly, walking up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "It is absolutely okay to feel that."

"Is it? Hmm," Ricken hummed, bowing his head. "I'm no fool, Sir Alexander. And I know I will never see either of them again. Not until I am dead myself. But until that day, I will look after the last part of her I have left. That's… that's all I can do now, isn't it? Nothing else matters."

It was my turn to be silent. Perhaps it wasn't the best decision to go to Ricken after all that had happened. The guilt still gnawed at me. My motivations were purely selfish, in that respect. In the end, though, I didn't regret it.

"And with that, you're already better than me," I said quietly.

Ricken turned to me curiously. "What?"

I shrugged. "It's a long story, Ricken. Too long to tell right now. But what you just said…" I smiled lightly, feeling a small bit of relief filling me. "It gives me hope. You're already better than me. I'll hold you to that, kid."

Ricken scoffed. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm not a kid. Not anymore."

I nodded. "Guess not. I know you said you don't wanna hear it but, I'm sorry. I really am. You deserved better than this. They all deserved better. We're gonna head out in a few days and put an end to this once and for all. Are you ready?"

"Of course," Ricken growled. "I'm more ready than I have been in my entire life."

"Just make sure you come back alive, then," I said, turning around. "And I mean alive."

Ricken sounded as if he was going to say something only to shut himself up at the last moment. I left his tent feeling only slightly lighter than when I'd entered.

What I did may have been selfish. It may have been completely and utterly stupid of me to talk down to him as I did. I just didn't want to see him become me. The future me, at least. He deserved better than that.

Hopefully, one day, we'd all be able to recover from the scars inflicted upon us.


Before we went on our march, I made a point to speak to Mikael. Cordelia told me he was the one responsible for doing the deed. I still had no idea where he'd gotten a staff that could raise the dead. Well, not just raise the dead, but raise them right. I was glad I wasn't turned into some horrible monster because of it, as far as I could tell. No matter where he'd gotten the staff, or what he'd gotten up to during the years we'd last seen each other, I wanted to make my gratefulness known to him. He deserved that much, at least.

My timetable was strict, but eventually, I found him at last. Funnily enough, in a similar position to when I saw him last, out on the edge of the ruins of Khadein. I could still feel the chill that surrounded that ungodly place as I approached the lone draconian from behind.

Well, 'lone draconian' probably didn't work anymore. He was a man again. That much was certain the instant I saw him when I first awoke. But when I finally got a good look at him, overlooking our encampment from the ruined upper floor of a desecrated building, I could tell that almost nothing was left of his old physical self. His scales were replaced with pasty white skin, and a full head of thick grey hair gently flowed with the wind.

"Hi, Mikael," I greeted awkwardly, clasping my iron and good hand in front of me. "Good to see you again."

The robed man turned to face me, his human eyes following me as I approached. His face appeared neutral, but I could see the small smile across his lips. "Alexander. A pleasure to see you again. I would have spoken to you soon after your resurrection, but it seemed you were otherwise preoccupied."

I blushed a bit, remembering what followed. Shaking my head, I said, "Yeah, well, I would've found you sooner too, but we're gonna be marching soon and I don't wanna go underprepared, you know?"

"Indeed," Mikael nodded sagely. "How are you feeling, by the by? The Aum staff has never been used before; there could be unintended side-effects."

I leaned against a broken wall, hoping to Naga the thing would collapse on me and I'd die a second time. "Nothing, no. Don't feel any better, but I don't feel worse, either. Brought me back exactly as I was."

"Good," Mikael hummed. I still had to get used to his lips moving as he spoke. "The legends stated that only a woman of royal blood could use the Aum staff. It is the entire reason Princess Elice was able to weather her imprisonment by Gharnef. She was too valuable to be tortured or murdered. And yet, I was able to use it to bring you back to this wonderful mortal coil. Perhaps not all legends should be heeded."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't know anything about that. I mean, Grima was just a legend, and, well, look where we are now."

"Point taken," Mikael conceded, "It is hard to say which ones are true or which ones are false. Or perhaps which ones contain a grain of truth and which ones contain a single falsehood. But that is not for us to decide. I am impressed that you reintegrated yourself so readily. Many would take this chance to spend all of their time with their loved ones, or do things they could only dream of doing before. Yet there you are, preparing for the next battle."

I frowned. "I can't rest, Mikael. Not really. Not until Grima is gone."

"A commendable attitude, but one that could easily lead to exhaustion. Be mindful," Mikael advised.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I said, "This has been my life for the past four years. If I wasn't used to it, I'd've gone mad long ago."

"Interesting," Mikael remarked, turning back to the burning torches of our camp. "Very interesting. I am curious, then. What do you plan on doing after this war is over? After the Fell Dragon has been laid low?"

"Marry the love of my life," I replied simply, my voice sounding more exhausted than I intended. "And finally begin our life together. Preferably with lots of little red-haired children running all over the place. We got a good place waiting for us up north, near Auraegis. Before we start rebuilding, I'd like to go check it out. It'll be the first time since coming here that I got a house to live in. Used to sleeping in little rooms and shit."

"No hesitation. You have been thinking of this for quite some time, hmm?" Mikael hummed.

I shrugged. "I've had a lotta time to think." I raised a brow. "But what about you, Mikael? What're you gonna do once Grima's gone? I know you're gonna be marching into battle with us."

"A question I have asked myself many times before. I intend to continue my travels," Mikael replied easily, "My entire focus since the Pontifex's final death and the destruction of Khadein was finding a cure for my condition. As you can see, that was mostly a success. Now, I intend to truly make the most of the time I have left. I know not when my death will come, but I will let it in gladly." Mikael's tone became somber. "Death is a natural part of life, Alexander. Had I no debt to you and yours, I would have done whatever it took to destroy the Aum staff. Such an artifact only encapsulated everything wrong with Garland's thinking. Nobody should decide who lives and who dies. There were others who could have been revived in your place. I know that that is harsh, but it is the truth."

I looked down, staring into the stone floor. "Yeah, I know." I brought my gaze back up. "I know it's only because of the friends I've made that I'm alive right now. I was the safest bet, wasn't I? I still had an intact body."

Mikael slowly nodded, turning around to face me. His voice felt like sandpaper in my ears. "Yes. There was nothing left of your dragon friend. Nothing to revive. And that half-manakete. Nah, was it? There was only a head left. I am unsure what would have happened had we tried it on them, but I doubt the results would have been as pleasant as yours."

"And Frederick," I said quietly, "He was burned to ashes. I really was the safest option. That doesn't make me feel better, though."

"If it did, I would call you a coward. I know you aren't, but that is what I feel." Mikael walked toward me. "Whatever the case may be, Alexander, you are alive again. You have been given a second chance by the gods themselves. I would say, make the most of it. Do not dwell on what could be, and instead act on what is. From this moment onward, every action you take has meaning. Will you squander this gift with your final death? Or will you defy the fate that was given to you? I am curious to see what becomes of this final battle."

I blinked once before chuckling. Pinching the bridge of my nose."Naga, you're starting to sound like a wise old sage from those storybooks and fairy tales. Where the hell did you pull a speech like that out of?"

"When you get to be my age, you have plenty of time to ingrain these things into your mind," Mikael responded, tapping his temple. "In any case, Alexander, this conversation has been most enlightening, but I believe it is time to go to bed. Or hit the hay. Whatever the proper phrase is in these times."

"Either or works, really. Just one more question." I held up my hand. "What were you doing up here, staring down on everyone like that? This used to be someone's house, you know."

"I have done far more questionable things than explore and watch from afar on someone's grave," Mikael replied gravely. "As for why I am looking down upon you all? Crowds have always made me nervous. Besides, I prefer high places. It gives me a good lay of the land. There were no such things within Khadein, even before it became a tomb."

"Huh. Alright," I hummed, "Well, you're right about going to sleep. We've got a busy few days ahead of us."

"Indeed," Mikael intoned, "The road ahead is not a long one, I feel, but it is one that will be perhaps far more brutal than any you have ever tread."

I sighed. "That's what I was afraid of."

I only hoped we made it in time.


With the direction Grima fled to, it was clear where he intended to make his final stand. Deep within the Plegian desert resided the Dragon's Table. In ages past, it was used to seal away the feral Earth Dragons, with Medeus as their warden. Considering the old legends, that was probably not a smart idea. The Shadow Dragon used the Dragon's Table during his third and final resurrection to allow his insane brothers and sisters to fight alongside him. The myths were pretty sparse after that, but it was known that the Fire Emblem was involved.

And then Grima came.

Whatever Earth Dragons remained were devoured. Added to his already monstrous power. With that power, he warred against the nations of man. Battles that raged across the world reshaped the land itself. The total casualties were so high, the time period in later years became known as the 'Age of Sacrifice'. It was only by the grace of Naga and the First Exalt that Grima was 'killed'. But he wasn't dead. Merely sealed away so that the First Exalt's descendants would have to deal with him. Us. The Dragon's Table became a Grimleal hotspot. It wasn't the seat of their religion, but it was the closest to a holy site that they had, beyond the capital.

Ironic how something that was once used to keep something sealed was corrupted into bringing something back.

We gathered our scattered army. We armed every able-bodied man and woman willing to fight. It was a last, desperate strike at Grima's heart, and there wouldn't be enough people for a second chance if we failed. It was with that knowledge weighing down upon us that we traversed the Shriekwind Mountains. The screaming gales flew over us as we traveled through the mountain passes into the hot wasteland of Plegia. I almost missed the cold of northern Valm as we descended into the Plegian badlands.

The last time I had gone that way was during the Plegian War, as we escorted Emmeryn back to Castle Ylisse. That was before I'd met Cordelia. Before I told Robin of what I knew. Before I went to Khadein. Before I met Severa. The memories of that time came flooding back to me like a tidal wave. It was almost nostalgic. I wouldn't have gone so far as to say I hated myself back then, but I certainly didn't like that time of my life. I was confused. Cracked. Fear guided my entire life. It could be said it still did, but I reacted completely differently to how I would later.

In the end, though, I didn't regret those times. They made me who I was. They led me to Cordelia and Severa and everyone else. The only thing I might have done differently was to try and keep my right hand.

"Hey, Sailor." Someone said from behind me as we descended from the mountains. Of course, how could I have forgotten him?

"Hey, Gaius," I replied easily, turning to see the former thief trailing behind me with his arms behind his back. "In the mood for a chat, are you?"

"If anything else around here gonna help with these nerves, you point me in its direction," He said, walking a little faster until he was beside me. "Wish we could've gotten another game before we went off on this suicide mission, yeah? Get rid of those pesky feelings."

I took a deep breath. "It wouldn't have felt right. Not with Ylisstol the way it was."

"True enough," Gaius conceded, looking behind us towards the mountains we had just left. "Thought I was gonna go deaf from being up there so long. But now I'm looking at this gods' damned desert and I'm starting to think I wanna go back."

I shrugged. "You're welcome to. Like you said, this is a suicide mission. Live another day and all that, right?"

"Yeah, but what's the point if you guys get decimated 'cause you didn't have me watching your back?" Gaius said, a faint frown forming on his face. "Not trying to get rid of me, are you, Sailor?"

"Never."

"Ah, hell, you are. Or is this some secret test of character?" Gaius mused, "Guess that's what happens when you get engaged to Red and spend nearly every waking hour with her, huh? You become just as naggy as she is."

I lightly glared. "Cordelia ain't naggy, Gaius."

Gaius waved a hand. "Whatever you say, Sailor. Don't worry about me, either way. Ain't no way I'll back out on you guys now. Not with so much worth dying for here, yeah? Where in the seven hells did that come from anyway? It's not like I've been all too selfish recently, right?"

I opened my mouth to reply but I had no words to say. No way to back up me being an asshole like that, at least. I rubbed my forehead. "No. No, you're right, Gaius. I'm just… tired, I guess. Tired of all this. Tired of all the fighting. I thought this shit would be over with back in Ylisstol, but here we are. Marching into this damn desert for a second time. I hate it. I had no right to say that to you, Gaius, and I'm sorry."

Gaius barked a laugh. "Finally starting to feel the fatigue, eh? Guess that sword has its limits, doesn't it?"

I chuckled, despite my dour mood. "You could say that."

"Hey, Sailor, listen," Gaius said, spreading his arms out. "All this crap? All this garbage? Ain't gonna last forever. I got a feeling this is the last time we'll need to fight for our lives and crap. After this, I expect you to put those baking skills of yours to the test, too, 'cause I'm gonna be marrying Mari here after this battle's over. You hear me? I want the best thrice-damned cake you can bake, Sailor, and I'll give you all the sweets I got to bribe you."

"We're marching into this fucking desert and you're asking me for cake? Man, I'll bake you three if we live past this month."

"You already cheated death, what says we can't all do the same thing?" Gaius smirked.

I crossed my arms. "Well, just the fact that the staff that was used to revive no longer exists, and we don't have a replacement. If anyone dies here? They're dead. Including me. But that isn't gonna happen. Not on my watch."

"Ha! I feel safer already," Gaius chuckled. "Anyway, Sailor, I'm serious. We got a lot to live for. That's worth a little more suffering, ain't it?"

I slowly nodded my head as I looked at the desert stretched out in front of us. "You've really changed, Gaius. You know that?" I looked at him. "Brings to a tear to my eye."

"Alright, now you're just trying to butter me up. And lemme tell you, you need some work." Gaius waved. "See ya on the other side, Sailor. I expect your bachelor party to be something legendary, you hear me?"

"What's that?" I cupped my ear. "Sorry, Gaius, can't hear you over your bullshit. Maybe you should stop spouting so much of it."

Gaius walked off into our army. I wasn't joking when I said he'd come a long way. From a simple thief and crook to becoming the Scoutmaster of the Shepherds and engaged to a noblewoman. Truly a rags-to-riches story to be remembered.

Hollowly, I noted that I hoped there'd still be someone around to remember it after the coming battle.


The sky grew dark for the final time. Or what I hoped would be the final time. I'd long grown sick of seeing nothing but sickly black clouds obstructing the sky. It was as if a constant rain storm was threatening to break out, but never did. The only good thing about the clouds was that it made our march at least somewhat pleasant. It also served to remind me of where we were going. As much as I joked, a part of me knew the battle ahead would be final. It would be where the fate of all the world would be decided. Where we'd either successfully defy our preordained deaths, or finally succumb to fate's brutal whims.

Unsurprisingly, my thoughts drifted to what I was fighting for as we trudged across the desert. Cordelia and Severa. Since we began our march, I hadn't had the time to really speak with either of them. Naga, the only thing I wanted to do was hold them close and never let them go, and yet the only thing I could do was the exact opposite.

In the end, though, I found the time to talk to Severa one last time, at least. Before we ran straight into the darkness. We set up camp in the shadow of a massive dune, just in case Grima sent a vanguard to slow us down. Nothing of the sort came up, though. There was evidence of his march through the desert, namely the mummified corpses strewn across it.

We all knew he was gathering lifeforce from all that remained of the Grimleal. That was the purpose of the Dragon's Table, after all; a sacrificial altar. We needed to hurry.

But that could wait for another day. All I wanted to do was talk to Severa.

I found her near the weapon's convoy, testing different swords. She either didn't notice my approach, or made no attempt to stop me.

"Preparing for battle, huh?" I grunted, "Bit early, don't you think?"

"Hello to you, too, daddy," Severa replied, her voice light and airy. "What a way to start a conversation, gawd. Do you need something?"

I shrugged. "Do I need an excuse to talk to you, sweetheart?"

"W-Well, no, I guess not," Severa stuttered, placing a longsword she picked up back on the cart. "But, like, what's there to talk about? Especially now? We're about to head off to battle again."

I looked down at the sandy ground before looking up again. "I'm worried about you, Sev."

"Worried? Huh," Severa sniffed, "I'm done being a crybaby, if that's what you're talking about. I'm done with that crap. Sick of it messing my face up. I'm just trying to get myself prepared. This is the end, you know. I've been fighting for this moment all my life, even when I didn't know it."

"I wasn't really talking about that, but you're right," I sighed. "I admire that about you, you know. I've only been in the thick of it for four years and I feel like I'm coming apart at the seams, but you've been doing this for half your life, and you're still holding yourself together. You're strong, Sev."

"Strong? Hardly," Severa grumbled, picking up another sword and examining it. "There's nothing strong about me, dad. We've been over this. It's all just a show. A mask. I'm broken. Maybe I've always been broken."

"Severa…"

"I know, I know," She sighed quietly. "We've had this gawddamned conversation so many times now, I think I've lost count now. But I'm not gonna fall into your arms crying again, I promise. I'm broken, but I'm still gonna go out there and give it my best shot. For them, if nothing else."

"For them?" I repeated, quickly realizing who she was talking about. "You've got a big heart, you know that?"

"Now you're just saying stupid shit."

"No, I'm serious." I smiled lightly. "You're a good person, Sev. Even if you don't see it, me and your mother do. I mean, I'm still concerned. You were… You were captured for a long time, and when we found you…"

Severa scratched at her hair. "I don't wanna talk about that. That's not a time I like to remember."

I nodded. "Completely understandable."

I looked to Severa. It was clear she was preparing for something. Whatever it was, I didn't know. And I doubted I'd be able to pray it out of her. Not that I'd want to. She was a grown woman; she could do what she wanted. Even then, I just wanted to make sure she was safe, but I knew that'd be close to impossible, what with the way the coming battle would be structured. Even then, I wanted her to know she had a place with us, no matter where she was.

"Anyway, I kinda have to get this over with," Severa said offhandedly, going back to inspecting for weapons.

"Sev," I began, "I don't know what you're gonna do. You've already said that you'll be leaving us once this shit is over, and I'm not gonna stop you from doing that. I just want to remind you that you can always call our place home. No matter where you go, what you do, your mother and I will welcome you with open arms. The only thing I'm gonna ask is that you keep yourself safe. I trust you to make the best decisions for yourself, Sev. I've always been proud of you."

Severa stood stock still before turning around and softly hugging me. She didn't sound as if she was on the verge of tears, but I could tell that I'd reached her.

"Thank you, daddy," She whispered. "Thank you."

I embraced her back. Severa was my daughter, and nothing would change that.


The Dragon's Table stood like a tattered spire jutting out of the sand. We were close enough to see it, and no doubt Grima's sentries had spotted us by then. We had a day at most before the true final battle was to begin.

During that day, all I could think about was the coming battle. My mind was filled with swords and blood and destruction, the same kind we saw at Ylisstol. At least we wouldn't be fighting in the city we loved anymore. It wouldn't be as personal. Just go out onto the battlefield and end it once and for all.

That's what I told myself, at any rate, and what I told Cordelia. We both knew we were just fooling ourselves.

The last person I spoke to before that terrible day was Robin. He was out on the dunes, the ungodly light coming from within the Dragon's Table shining across his pale face. The clouds themselves seemed to be awash with that unholy spark as well. He looked at it, red eyes peering into the darkness. Deep in thought, probably. Or perhaps transfixed by what could have been him. We didn't know much about what was happening within other than that Grima was sacrificing his loyal servants to restore his diminished power. Whatever the case was, it would end soon. We would make sure of that.

I walked up next to Robin wordlessly, feeling my legs grow weak as I stood beside, while he stood tall and resolute. Well, not tall, but he weathered the light better than I did.

"This is it, isn't it? This is really it," I said breathlessly, looking at the Dragon's Table in the distance, surrounded by ruins. "Naga, look at it."

"I have been," Robin replied, his tone concerning. "And I do not like what I see. If this is the end, I am unsure who it will be for. Victory has never been assured, Alex, but I always thought by some hope that we would come out on top. Ylisstol…changed that."

"Robin, you aren't blaming yourself for my death, are you?" I asked, "For the deaths of Nah? Nowi? Frederick? Those aren't your fault."

"Maybe not, but it doesn't change how I feel. The Fell Dragon will pay with his life for all the atrocities he has committed. We will avenge every wound, every death, every slaughtered family," Robin growled. "I have been keeping my rage well-checked, Alex, but as I stand here, I find myself wanting to charge the Risen ranks myself and tear the monster apart with my bare hands."

"Yeah, and he'd capture you and make you a puppet too," I pointed out sardonically. "You're not actually gonna do that, right?"

"Of course not," Robin scoffed. "But as I said, that doesn't change how I feel. It has been so long since I have felt this way, I don't think I can remember a time where I have."

"Robin, I know why you put me so far away from the real action," I said suddenly, grasping his shoulder. "You're going to do it, aren't you?"

Robin finally looked down from the unholy light eclipsing his face and stared at the ground. His gloved hands balled into fists as he then turned to look at me. "I must, Alex," He said, "I must, for every last one of us. For every man and woman he has wronged. For the sake of future generations, Grima's existence ends here with me."

I frowned. "What about Tiki?" I protested weakly. "And Morgan? You've only just met her. She's your daughter, for Naga's sake. Hell, she's Naga's granddaughter! I know we thought she was dead but-!"

"Alex, please, this is hard enough…" Robin pleaded with a whisper. "I… I have already made peace with it. Were it my choice, I wouldn't do this, but there's more at stake here than a single family's happiness. This creature will destroy the world, he tormented our children! I won't let him get away with it!"

Robin's outburst quieted me as I sank backward, rubbing my forehead and trying to keep myself together. We'd lost so much. Hell, I almost lost myself. I didn't want to lose him too.

This might not be the end.

"…Robin," I said quietly.

Robin blinked at me before hastily backpedaling. "I-I did not mean to-!"

"Robin, it's fine. I just have… something to tell you. My last secret," I sighed out, standing beside him once more. "Those… Those legends. God, I can barely remember them now, but one thing stands out. If you sacrifice yourself like this, you could – could – come back."

Robin raised a brow. "Come back?"

"Be resurrected. Like me, although this is far more heroic than how I went," I grunted, "There's no guarantee. I didn't mention because, I… Naga, Robin, everything is so different now. I don't know if it'll work. I don't know if you're coming back. I just-!"

"Thank you, Alex," Robin said suddenly. I looked up to see him smiling at me. "That gives me some hope, at least."

I felt myself tremble slightly. "I just made it easier for you, didn't I? Christ."

"I am unsure if I believe it," Robin said quietly. "I had no intention nor hope that I would come back, but you… Truly, I thank you for giving me this hope. The bonds I've created with you and Chrom and everyone else have not been in vain."

I became silent as we both stared out over the darkened plains. If it was to be our final battle, then a more perfect spot could not have been picked. I could see them, the Risen, sprawling over the ruins and dunes like ants. They were waiting for us. Daring us to charge them.

We were ready. Or as ready as we'd ever be. By that time the next day, it would all be over.

For better or for worse.


And that's a wrap on this one.

So a bit of a heads-up: once I post Chapter 77 next week, I will be posting a chapter every other day until the fic is completed. It's all a part of the finale, so I thought it'd be appropriate to go out with a 'bang' you know? It's only around 4 Chapters that'll be posted, so it'll go on for most of the week.

Here's a link to our Discord: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

Until next time!