Morgan was a bit disappointed that he wasn't all on his own, but it was reassuring at the same time. Lucina wasn't bad company, and he knew it was better to fight with a partner. Besides, there were a lot of stories the siblings could share about their time away. Morgan honestly forgot that, up until a few months ago, he hadn't seen Lucina in four years. Quite frankly, everyone back at the castle thought Lucina had already gone back to her time. Lucina stubbornly stayed by him like the big sister she was, usually making sure she could always keep an eye on him as they traveled.

They moved from town to town, mainly traveling from northeastern Plegia (where Morgan's house was) and western Ylisse (where Lucina's house was), taking up odd jobs from townsfolk and an Anna every now and then. Morgan tried his best to stay unidentified, soon taking up the name 'Malin' and talking in Lucina's stead.

Right now, the siblings where in a forest, setting up camp. Lucina didn't take off her mask, but she seemed more comfortable than if she were in town. She even struck up a conversation while Morgan was trying to get the fire going. "You still don't remember anything from before we came here, do you?"

"Nope," Morgan replied. "Just a big ol' blur. The most I have is a sense of déjà vu every now and then. Why do you ask?"

"…I'm a little conflicted about bringing you to our future past," Lucina admitted. One of the first things she did after she found him was share her goal, why she had left Ylisstol; intending to return to her time, Naga said it couldn't easily be done. When the other future children left, Lucina went on to search for any clues to show where they had gone. "You don't remember it, so it doesn't exactly feel…right. Grima's gone and dead, but there could still be other dangers. Without memories, it may also feel like you don't belong there."

"I don't completely feel like I belong in this Ylisse," Morgan pointed out. "I can't go back to the castle now—Robin would kill me. I don't want to let you go by yourself, either. You said there might be other people there; you almost guaranteed it! In the case that there are, I know I had friends in that group too; and if there isn't anyone, I want to be there so you aren't alone. You've been fighting by yourself for years, Luce—the loneliness will kill you if you have to go back with no one else."

"All right," Lucina said. Even if she seemed to accept his response now, she never fully relented. She kept on making him confirm that it was what he wanted—and every time, he assured her that he wouldn't leave her side. He meant what he said; he didn't think she could be alone anymore.

Morgan finished starting the fire and distributed the food that was cooked on it. Lucina took her share, both of them eating in silence. After they were both finished, there was a short, happy conversation before Morgan bid goodnight.

…

She decided to stay watch while Morgan slept—although she wasn't really watching her surroundings so much as what was in front of her. She stared at the fire, watching it as it slowly dimmed, and was reminded of when she made her promise to protect Morgan. Every time Chrom returned—during times where the ever-fighting soldiers could find reprieve in their homes—he'd share with her a few little secrets, show her some sword tricks, and made up for any lost time. Such visits happened about once month in the long, nine-year war; although in this time it only lasted one year, in her time the war with Valm took much longer, in no small part due to the lack of experienced and determined soldiers. Retreat had often been the best option, where they returned to their homes briefly before going back into the field again.

It had been a clear night—one of the last nights she spent with her father. Chrom must have known, somewhere inside of him, that this would be his last visit. Every time he left, he told her one thing: "Protect your little brother." That night had been no different, except he had simply chosen another way to say it, forming it into a promise involving much more people.

"Both you and Morgan are doing well in your studies," Chrom noted. They were in the training area, and Lucina was practicing sword fighting with his supervision.

"Will I be able to fight alongside you, Father?" Lucina asked, looking at him.

"In a few years time," Chrom replied. "But I hope for this to be done and over with by then. Your mother and I don't wish to see you fight if it isn't necessary." Lucina nodded, and Chrom continued, "That's not to say that you can't fight, however. Should it come down to it, you can protect your brother or anyone else that needs to be protected. I'd like to say that I'll live to see the end of this blasted war—and I'm not saying this to scare you, but every time I leave, there's a chance I won't come back. Should there be a time where I'm not here when everyone else comes home, do what you can to protect those people. Lean on others for support, and learn from your friends. I know you'll be a fine exalt when the time comes."

"I will, Father," Lucina said. "I'll protect Morgan and the others."

Chrom nodded, and they fell into silence for a few brief moments before he smiled, standing up and picking up a sword. "Enough with this talk. What say you to a little sparring match?"

Lucina smiled as well, and he took his position. She considered it the last memory of her father; Chrom, Robin, Frederick, Lissa, and any other soldiers had left early that morning or late at night out of urgency. She held on to her word, protecting her friends and family from the eventual Risen that slowly crept into Ylisstol, in what she thought was Chrom's temporary absence.

Months later, Lissa and Frederick returned without Chrom and Robin. They specifically pulled Lucina away from her visiting friends and brother. She never entirely understood why they only told her a fraction of the story—that Chrom was killed by his closest ally. Maybe it was so then she didn't antagonize or fear Robin; or maybe they genuinely didn't know. Either way, soon after the meeting, Lucina had fled to her room.

A quiet knock on her door made her pause in her mourning. "Are you okay?" Morgan asked from the other side of the door.

"No," Lucina replied honestly.

"Can I come in?"

"Yes."

Morgan entered the room, cautiously coming in. He hadn't been told of the news yet; nor was anyone else. They wanted to discuss with the adults, having only told Lucina because Chrom would've wanted her to know. When Morgan came close enough, Lucina hugged him tightly, still crying.

"I'll protect you," she promised. "I'll protect you and all the others, no matter what I must do to achieve that." Morgan simply hugged her back, offering no reply.