"Hah! Hyah!"
"Toh! Hrah!"
Wooden training swords clacked against one another, as two people clashed in their training. One was a blue-haired young man, while the other was a girl with light brown hair.
"Haaaah!"
The girl went for a downward slash, only for the blue-haired man to dodge backwards and hit her on the back, sending her face first into the dirt.
"Well then, I win another round." The man said. "Are you ready for another one, Hibiki?"
"Uuuugh…" Hibiki stood up, spitting out the dirt. "Yeah, I'm always ready, Chrom!"
"Alright then!" Chrom held up his weapon. "Come on-!"
"Chrooooooom!"
The two lowered their weapons, and turned to see a blonde girl march up to them.
"Oh, Lissa. What is it?"
"I come here to check up on you guys and I see Hibiki eating dirt!" Lissa said.
"Heh, don't worry." Hibiki said, holding up a hand. "I'm tougher than I look! Anyways, let's go again, Chrom!"
"Not with that bruise on your face!" Lissa said. "Let me heal you."
"Aww, okay." Hibiki said.
Chrom shouldered his training sword as Lissa healed Hibiki.
"It was just a little bruise though…" Hibiki said.
"If we got back and you had an untreated bruise on your face, what would Miku say?" Lissa asked.
Hibiki shivered, imagining her best friend's anger. "I could imagine…"
"Anyways, I suppose you're ready for another round then?" Chrom asked.
"Yeah!" Hibiki said. "Let's-!"
"Milord."
The two stopped, and saw a knight in armor walk up to them.
"While I understand that you are quite entertained with your sparring match, we have stayed here for a little too long. We must travel on."
"Understood, Frederick." Chrom said. "Well, I suppose we have to cut our little sparring match short, Hibiki."
"Aww, but I was winning!" Hibiki said.
"Oh, I don't know about that." Chrom laughed.
Putting away their practice weapons, Hibiki hopped onto her horse, as she and Frederick rode on their steeds a few feet behind Chrom and Lissa.
"I might as well ask, Hibiki, why did you not use your lance?" Frederick asked her. "You would have had an advantage that way."
"Well, then it wouldn't have been a fair fight." Hibiki reasoned.
"True, but the real enemy won't be looking for a fair fight." Frederick said.
"Yeah I know that." Hibiki said. "I'll be sure to remember."
"Hmm…" Chrom stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes.
"Milord? What's wrong?" Frederick asked.
"It looks like someone's fainted up ahead!" Chrom said.
"What?!" Hibiki said.
The four looked forward and saw a body on the side of the road, laying in the grass.
"Huh? You're right! What should we do?!" Lissa asked.
"We need to offer our help!" Chrom said.
Hibiki was already riding forward, and was the first one next to them. They had a hood over their face, but it seemed to be a girl.
"Hrm. Definitely not dead at least." Chrom said. "Why would anyone lay down out here…?"
"Well, it is a nice field." Hibiki reasoned. "I imagine a nap would be pretty great-"
"Hibiki." Frederick said.
"Eep! Sorry sir!"
"I've never seen clothes like these before." Chrom said, hand under his chin. "Where could-"
"Chrom... we have to do something." Lissa said.
"What do you propose we do?" Chrom asked.
"I... I dunno... Ah!"
The mysterious person on the ground stirred, opening their eyes.
"I see you're awake now." Chrom said.
"Hey there!" Lissa said with a chuckle, as Hibiki waved behind her.
"There're better places to take a nap than on the ground, you know." Chrom said. "Give me your hand."
He pulled her up, and her hood fell down to reveal white hair that flowed down her shoulders in pigtails.
"You all right?" Chrom asked.
"Y-yes... Thank you, Chrom." The mysterious girl said.
"Ah, then you know who I am?" Chrom asked her.
"No, actually. I... It's strange... Your name, it just...came to me…" The girl said.
"...Hmm, how curious. Tell me, what's your name? What brings you here?" Chrom asked.
"My name is... It's... Hmm?"
"Eh? You don't remember your own name?" Hibiki asked her.
"I'm not sure if…" The girl looked around. "I'm sorry, but where am I, exactly?"
"Hey, I've heard of this!" Lissa said. "It's called amnesia!"
"It's called a load of pegasus dung." Frederick said, unconvinced.
"Frederick!" Hibiki said, indignantly.
"We're to believe you remember milord's name, but not your own?"
"B-but it's the truth!" The girl said.
"...What if it IS true, Frederick? We can't just leave her here, alone and confused." Chrom said. "What sort of Shepherds would we be then?"
"Just the same, milord. I must emphasize caution. 'Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock." Frederick said.
"Does she really look like a wolf to you?" Hibiki asked him. "Or is it just everyone you don't know?"
Frederick didn't answer, and Hibiki grumbled.
"Right then we'll take her back to town and sort this out here." Chrom said.
"Wait just one moment. Do I have a say in this?" The girl asked.
"Peace, friend. I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town." Chrom reassured her. "Now come."
They walked along the road. Frederick and Hibiki had opted to walk alongside their steeds instead, to keep at the same pace with the others.
"What will you do with me? Am I to be your prisoner?" The girl asked.
"Hah! You'll be free to go once we establish that you're no enemy of Ylisse." Chrom said.
"Is that where we are? Ylisse?" The girl asked.
"You've never heard of the halidom?" Frederick asked. "Ha! Someone pay this actress. She plays quite the fool! The furrowed brow is especially convincing…"
"Frederick, please." Chrom and Hibiki said at the same time.
Chrom then turned to the girl. "This land is known as the Halidom of Ylisse. Our ruler, Emmeryn, is called the exalt. I suppose proper introductions are in order…"
"Ooh, introductions!" Hibiki said.
"My name is Chrom, but then, you already knew that." Chrom said, before turning to Lissa. "The delicate one here is my little sister, Lissa."
"I am NOT delicate! …Hmph!" Lissa said, stamping her feet before turning to the girl. "Ignore my brother, please. He can be a bit thick sometimes. But you're lucky the Shepherds found you. Brigands would've been a rude awakening!"
"Shepherds? You tend sheep? ...In full armor?" The girl asked.
"Heh, it's a dangerous job." Chrom said. "Just ask Frederick the Wary here."
"A title I shall wear with pride. Gods forbid one of us keeps an appropriate level of caution." Frederick said. "I have every wish to trust you, stranger, but my station mandates otherwise."
"I understand, sir. I would do no less myself." The girl said.
"Ooh, then it's my turn!" Hibiki said, clearing her throat. "My name is Hibiki, age seventeen!"
The mysterious girl widened her eyes as Hibiki continued on. "My birthday is September 13th! I just had my height measured, and it was 157 cm! My weight is... I'll tell you when we're better friends! My hobby is helping others, and I love food and more food! Also, I've never been in a relationship in my life!"
"...wouldn't the last one be more confidential information than the weight?" The girl asked.
"Hah, you can never really get Hibiki's priorities when it comes to introducing herself." Chrom laughed.
"With that, let's be friends!" Hibiki said, holding out a hand.
The girl looked surprised, but took the handshake with a smile. "I suppose I'd be honored to be friends with you, Hibiki. My name is Robin. …I just remembered that. How odd. I suppose that's one mystery solved."
"Oh, Robin?" Hibiki said. "That's a really pretty name!"
"Robin? Is that foreign?" Chrom asked. "…Ah, well. We can discuss it later. We're almost to town. Once we-"
"Chrom, look! The town!" Lissa said.
They all turned to face what Lissa was pointing at. The nearby town had smoke rising from it, and they could see a red glare.
"Damn it!" Chrom cursed. "The town is ablaze! Those blasted brigands, no doubt… We need to go! Quickly!"
"What about her?" Frederick asked, looking back at Robin.
"Unless she's on fire as well, it can wait!" Chrom said.
"Aptly put, milord." Frederick said.
"Let's go already!" Lissa yelled. "Hibiki went on ahead!"
Sure enough, the girl was nowhere to be found, and neither was her horse.
Chrom sighed. "Always charging in headfirst, that girl."
"We can talk about how ironic that is later." Lissa said. "Let's go!"
The three Shepherds run on ahead, leaving Robin behind.
"But what about… hmm…"
Robin looked down at the ground. Should she stay put? She was sure that Chrom and the others would be able to handle themselves. And besides… she still wasn't sure who she was in the first place. She'd get in the way.
Tightening her fist, she shook her head, before running after them.
The trio arrived in the town's marketplace, seeing the brigands ransacking the place. They haven't noticed them yet, giving them the advantage of surprise.
"Chrom, we have to stop them!" Lissa said.
"Don't worry." Chrom reassured her. "After today, these bandits won't be bothering anyone ever again… where's-?"
They heard the clops of a rapidly approaching horse, as Hibiki arrived.
"Hibiki!" Frederick said. "What have we said about-?"
"Sorry about rushing off, sir!" Hibiki said. "But I did a quick check on the perimeter of the area and found no more brigands!"
"So we only have these ones to take care of?" Chrom said. "Good. Then we can rout-"
"Wait!"
They turned to see Robin run up to them, a determined expression on her face.
"Robin! You followed us! Why?" Chrom asked.
"I… I'm not certain myself." Robin admitted. "But I'm armed, and I know my way around a fight if you'll have me."
"Of course, strength in numbers. Just stay close!" Chrom advised.
"Then a word of advice before we begin." Frederick said. "Remember, Robin, we face practiced thieves and murderers. They will grant us no quarter. It's kill or be killed."
"I understand that." Robin said. "And I'm aware that I'll be taking lives, but… I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Hibiki smiled. "Well said. Let's do this together!"
"Milord." Frederick said. "I'll take care of the few brigands to the North."
"Alright, we'll make our way through to the town hall. Regroup with us when you're done." Chrom said.
Frederick nodded, as he rode off. Chrom then looked at Robin.
"So, Robin, I see you wear a sword. Is it-" He noticed a yellow book in her arms. "Wait, is that a tome? …You know magic?"
"I…believe so?" Robin said, flipping through the pages. "I suppose I should check."
"You "believe so"?" Chrom said with a sweatdrop. "Perhaps I'll just keep a few paces behind you for the time being…"
"No, I can control it. I'm sure." Robin said. "Now, how did this work again? Ah, yes…"
She held up her hand, as magical energy swirled around it.
"Thunder!"
She shot a small burst at an unexpecting brigand, who received a jarring electric shock as he fell to the ground.
"Wh-Whoa…" Hibiki said.
"Alright, let's move!" Robin said, her tone suddenly changing.
"R-Right." Chrom said.
"Be careful!" Lissa said. "When you get injured, just come to me!"
Robin nodded, as she ran forward and drew her blade.
"She's already very strong…" Hibiki noted.
"Muscle memory." Chrom theorized. "If her mind doesn't remember, her body and instinct does."
The two of them drew their weapons and charged at the enemy. Chrom rushed at a brigand and knocked the axe out of his foe's hands, before stabbing them in the stomach. Hibiki dodged a burst of wind from an enemy mage, before stabbing him straight through the face with her lance. She took a sword strike to the back, but powered through, turning around and skewering him in the chest. As for Robin, she deflected a blow from a brigand, before slashing him in the throat.
Though it was fairly simple, Robin was breathing heavily as she surveyed the battlefield.
"Look out!"
Robin didn't notice a swordfighter snuck up on her, and Hibiki stabbed her lance right into his chest, killing him and letting his body fall into the town river. As she cleaned the blood off her lance, she looked down towards Robin.
"Are you still with us, Robin?" Hibiki asked her.
"Hmm… It's strange." Robin said. "Here on the battlefield, I can… Well, I can "see" things."
"See things?" Chrom asked, slashing another brigand across the chest. "Like what?"
"The enemy's strength, their weaponry, the flow of battle…" Robin muttered. "I must have studied this somewhere."
"So, you're saying you can size up the enemy at a glance?" Chrom asked.
"Yes, it would seem so. And perhaps more, if I apply myself…"
"Well, don't push yourself too hard." Hibiki said. "We still have a lot of enemies left."
After a quick heal from Lissa, the three of them continued to charge forward and broke through the enemy ranks. Chrom took on an enemy sword fighter and matched him blow for blow, before delivering a finishing slash. Two brigands using axes tried to get in from his sides, but Hibiki blocked one of them, before slashing with her sword and drawing blood. Robin did the same to the other, before they both slashed once more to end the two. Another mage shot a blast of wind, but Robin fired back with her own thunder magic, overpowering the blast and stunning the mage so Chrom could rush in for the killing blow.
Another mage came in from behind with another blast of wind, but Robin jumped back to avoid the attack, before rushing in with her sword and ending him in a single blow.
"Are you all right, Robin?" Chrom asked, concerned. "Don't rush into danger."
"I'm fine, Chrom. Don't worry." Robin reassured her.
"You've lent us your strength, and that makes you a friend." Chrom said with a smile, as Hibiki nodded in agreement. "Having an ally by my side gives me courage."
"Thank you, but…I think there's more to it than that." Robin said, the same look of thought on her face.
"Eh? What do you mean?" Hibiki asked.
"I believe there's a tactical advantage to fighting side by side… It's fuzzy…" Her face lit up as she recalled it. "Wait, yes: working in pairs improves strength, defense, speed… Yes, yes, I'm sure of it!"
"Well, we got one last enemy to practice this on." Chrom said.
"Alright… Chrom, you go in from the center. Hibiki, flank his left, while I'll cover his right. Lissa, stay behind us in case one of us get hurt." Robin ordered.
They all nodded, ready to fight. The leader of the brigands saw them approach and laughed.
"Here, sheepy sheepy! Come to the slaughter!" He taunted.
He threw his axe at Chrom, surprising them, but Robin was there. She blocked the axe with her sword, as it rebounded back into the brigand's hands. The brigand was about to throw again, but was thrown off-balance, as Hibiki came in from the side with a sword stab.
"Your end has come!" Chrom brandished his sword, before jumping sky high and bringing his blade down on the brigand leader, ending his life. He could only let out a gurgle before the life left his body.
"Well, that's the end of that." Robin said, as Frederick rode back up to them, looking no worse for wear.
"Lucky for the town, we were close by." Lissa said. "But holy wow, Robin! You were incredible!"
"Yeah!" Hibiki agreed. "Swords, sorcery, AND tactics! Is there anything you can't do?"
"You're certainly no helpless victim, that much is for sure." Chrom said, sheathing his sword.
"Indeed." Frederick said. "Perhaps you might even be capable of an explanation for how you came here?"
"I understand your skepticism, Sir Frederick." Robin said. "And I cannot explain why only some knowledge has returned to me. But please, believe me. I have shared all that I know."
"You fought to save Ylissean lives." Chrom said with a smile. "My heart says that's enough."
"And your mind, milord?" Frederick asked. "Will you now heed its council as well?"
"Frederick, the Shepherds could use someone with Robin's talents." Chrom reasoned. "We've brigands and unruly neighbors, all looking to bloody our soil. Would you really have us lose such an able tactician? Besides, I believe her story, odd as it might be.
"I believe her story too." Hibiki said. "Call it a gut feeling. And my gut feelings are never wrong!"
"Th-thank you, Chrom, Hibiki." Robin said, touched by their words.
"So how about it? Will you join us, Robin?" Chrom asked.
"I would be honored." She said.
"Well, now that milord's mind has been made up, there's something that needs to be addressed." Frederick said. "Did you notice, milord? The brigands spoke with a Plegian accent."
"Plegian? What's that?" Robin asked.
"Plegia is Ylisse's westerly neighbor." Hibiki said. "But they're not really that neighborly…"
"They send small bands into our territory, hoping to instigate a war." Chrom explained, crossing his arms.
"And it's the poor townsfolk who suffer!" Lissa huffed. "Totally innocent, and totally helpless…"
"They do have us, milady: Shepherds to protect the sheep. Do not be swept up in your anger. It will cloud your judgment." Frederick advised her.
"I know, I know…" Lissa said, as Hibiki patted her on the back. "Don't worry. I'll get used to all this."
"Yeah!" Hibiki said, holding up a fist. "Don't worry, everything will turn out okay!"
"Always the optimist." Chrom said. "Never change, Hibiki."
"Milord, please!" A villager spoke up. "You must stay the night! We are simple folk of simple means, but we would gladly toast your valor with a feast!"
"A most generous offer, sir, and no doubt your hospitality would be grand…" Frederick thanked him. "But I'm afraid we must hurry back to Ylisstol."
"Dark meat only for me, medium well, and no salt in the soup." Lissa said.
"And rice and more rice for me!" Hibiki said.
The two then processed the second part of Frederick's sentence.
"Wait, what?! We're not staying?!" Lissa yelled.
"But, Frederick, it's nearly dark!" Hibiki pointed out.
"When night falls, we'll camp." Frederick said. "Eat off the land, make our bed of twigs and the like... I believe you both mentioned you would be "getting used to this" and "everything will turn out okay"?"
"Frederick? Sometimes I hate you." Lissa groaned.
"But rice and more rice…" Hibiki whined.
"You've quite the stern lieutenant there." Robin noted.
"Yeah, well, "stern" is one name for it." Lissa grumbled. "I can think of a few others!"
"I can think up "big jerk" or "meanie butt" to name a few." Hibiki pouted.
"Frederick only smiles when he's about to bring down the axe." Chrom added.
"Duly noted." Robin said.
Frederick cleared his throat. "You do realize I AM still present?"
"Oh we realize." Chrom said with a smirk, as Robin and Hibiki laughed.
"Milord remains as amusing as ever." Frederick said with a sigh. "Now then, shall we be going?"
"All right, all right." Chrom said. "Ready to go, Robin? The capital isn't far."
The five of them left the town, walking down the road to the capital. The invisible ties between them were already in motion as they set off. What would this lead to? Only time will tell.
A/N: Hello everyone, and welcome to my newest story; Symphogear: Awakening.
I got this idea from just a few random drabbles I had here and there, so I decided to turn it into a full-on story, combining my favorite Fire Emblem game with one of my favorite anime.
There's not much to say at the beginning, but I hope you all enjoy.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be playing Skyward Sword HD.
Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.