Lissa and Hibiki led Robin to a fort that was stationed near the edge of the capital.

"So this is the base of operations?" Robin asked.

"Yup." Hibiki said, stretching her arms. "Even though it's been only a few days, it feels like it's been so long since we were last here."

"Yeah, it's a weird feeling." Lissa said, as she opened the doors. They walked down a hall into what appeared to be a main room. There was a young woman in pegasus knight armor, and a muscular, tanned man talking to each other.

"Here we are! The Shepherds' garrison!" Lissa said, spreading her arms and turning to Robin. "Go on, make yourself at home."

Robin simply looked around the place, though she was a bit nervous at meeting several new people at once.

"Hi everyone! We're back!" Hibiki announced.

The other Shepherds stopped talking amongst themselves and noticed their friends had returned.

"Hah! Was wondering when you'd be back, Hibiki!" Said the muscular man.

"Oh, welcome back you two." The pegasus knight said, in a rather timid voice.

The two of them noticed the new face with them, and were about to speak up before someone else came running up and took Lissa's hands into her own.

"Lissa, my treasure! Are you all right?" Asked a young woman with blonde, drill-shaped hair. "I've been on pins and needles!"

"Oh, hey, Maribelle!" Lissa said casually.

""Oh hey" yourself! I've sprouted 14 grey hairs fretting over you!" Maribelle said, a bit irritated.

"Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two!" Lissa said. "...Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue…"

"The barbecue was great though..." Hibiki said quietly.

"Hey, squirt! Where's Chrom?" The muscular man asked. "I bet he had a rough time out there without ol' Teach and his trusty axe!"

"Oh, so you're "Teach" now, Vaike, is that it? Hee hee!" Lissa laughed. "And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?"

"Ha! Never doubt the Vaike!" He boasted, before realizing what Lissa said. "...Wait, was that an insult?"

"Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?" The pegasus knight asked.

"Poor Sumia." Maribelle said, turning slightly to the girl. "She's simply been beside herself with concern. Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. ...she might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded."

"Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom." Lissa said.

"Worry? Well, I... He's our captain and our prince- of course I'd worry!" Sumia stammered.

"Well, regardless of my worry for Lissa and Sumia's worry for our captain… there's one person who's worry eclipsed both of us." Maribelle said, looking straight at Hibiki.

Robin looked at Hibiki and noticed the expression on her face was now one of pure fear. Gone was the brave girl that fought alongside her against brigands and monsters. Just what was she so scared of?

Hibiki swallowed a lump in her throat. "How bad is it?"

"Ogre's teeth, Hibiki." Vaike said, a bit of sweat falling down his brow. "The Vaike's taken on tons of tough guys in his career, but the rage that girl was giving off…"

"She didn't act angry at all... but her smile." Sumia shuddered. "It was just as kind as the one we all know, but it was suppressing so much anger…"

"Tsubasa said it was bad, but it's this bad?" Lissa asked.

"W-Where is she?" Hibiki asked.

"I'm right here, Hibiki."

They all practically jumped at the voice. Walking into the room was a girl with black hair, in a violet dress that was similar to Lissa's. She had a kind smile on her face, but Robin could read that there was a lot of quiet anger behind it.

"Oh uh… hi, Miku…" Hibiki said, very meekly.

"So would you care to tell me why you left, without asking me?" Miku asked, still smiling.

"Erm… ah, Chrom just asked me to go with him-"

"All Shepherds' missions are voluntary." Miku said.

"Well, then I did volunteer myself…"

"You couldn't have left me a note while I was doing some errands?" Miku asked her.

"I uh… I forgot."

"Hi-bi-ki." Miku said, emphasizing each syllable.

"Waah! I'm sorry, Miku!" Hibiki held up her hands in a praying position. "Please forgive me!"

"You know I can never stay mad at you, Hibiki." Miku said. The aura of anger dissipated, and the rest of the Shepherds could breathe again. "But you're sleeping on the floor for three days."

"Nooo! Anything but that!" Hibiki begged, clinging to Miku's shoulders. "Pleeease, I need my Sunshine!"

"Then maybe you should stop running off without telling me." Miku said, a small pout on her face.

"That went a lot smoother than I thought." Vaike said, letting out a breath.

"You consider that "smooth"?" Maribelle asked. "...though I suppose you're not exactly wrong."

"Wait, why would she be sleeping on the floor?" Robin asked Lissa.

"Oh, they share a bed." Lissa said nonchalantly.

A small blush crept its way onto Robin's face. "B-But isn't sharing a bed something only lov-"

"So with that out of the way, who's the stranger?" Vaike asked, turning to Robin.

"No one's stranger than you Vaike... But allow me to introduce Robin!" Lissa said, striking a presenting position towards a blushing Robin. "She just joined the Shepherds and Chrom's made her our new tactician. You should see all the tricks she's got up her sleeve!"

"Oh yeah? Can she do this?" Vaike asked, before letting out an extremely loud burp. "Only one that can rival Teach in that is Bikki here!"

"Eh, only after dinner time though." Hibiki laughed, rubbing the back of her head. "But I bet if I try really hard right now…"

"Hibiki…" Miku sighed, putting a hand on her forehead.

"I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts, "Teach."" Robin said with a chuckle. "In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances."

"Ugh, Vaike! That was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery?" Maribelle asked indignantly. "And you, Robin! Don't encourage him! I'd hope you were cut from finer cloth. Hmph!"

Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Maribelle walked off with a huff.

"Don't take it to heart, Robin. Maribelle warms to people slowly." Sumia reassured them.

"Or burns too quickly! Hee hee!" Lissa laughed. "But yeah, just give her time."

"I'm not too offended." Robin said. "Though I am curious why she didn't say anything about Hibiki."

"She used to." Vaike said. "After one-two many crazy Hibiki shenanigans, she just gave up and accepted it."

"Shenanigans?" Robin asked.

"Well in one instance, she wanted to try and wash a pegasus, but ended up surprising it… from behind." Sumia recalled.

"Oh…" Robin winced, guessing what happened.

"It took Lissa, Maribelle and me to heal all of Hibiki's broken bones that day." Miku said, sighing.

"And I remember just how much you were scolding her." Lissa grinned.

"Ah, and Teach's got a good story too!" Vaike spoke up. "I remember when she showed up to practice one day, and she just came in with her armor over her nightclothes. She didn't even notice until Frederick pointed it out!"

"I tried to tell Hibiki to wake up on her own, but that's something that just won't happen." Miku said.

Hibiki had become a blushing mess and tried to shrink into her armor. She was extremely thankful once she heard the door open and saw Chrom walk in.

"Oh, hey Chrom! Fancy seeing you here!" Hibiki said very loudly to try and change the subject from embarrassing past stories.

"Ah! Captain! You've returned!" Sumia said. "I was- I mean, we were so-"

She took a single step forward and slipped on some stray papers on the ground, face planting right into the floor. Despite this, she quickly picked herself up and dusted herself off.

"Sumia! Are you alright?!" Chrom shouted in concern. "...Those boots of yours again?

"No! I mean, yes! I mean…" Sumia gave up trying to explain with a sigh, as Miku picked up the papers to prevent further accidents.

"Well… if you're fine." Chrom said, before turning to everyone. "All right, listen, everyone: in the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox."

"Regna Ferox?" Robin asked.

"A unified kingdom to Ylisse's north inhabited by barbarians, or so it's said." Miku explained, putting the papers on a table.

"Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace." Chrom continued. "Typically, the exalt would request such aid in person. But given recent events... Well, the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital. So the task has been passed to us. Now, this mission is strictly voluntary."

"I volunteer!" Hibiki said.

"So if, for any-" Chrom stopped talking and stared at Hibiki. "...I should've expected you'd say yes first."

"I would've said yes no matter what, so I just sped up the process." Hibiki said.

"Heh, fair enough." Chrom said. "What about the rest of you?"

"Count me in, Chrom!" Lissa said.

"Me too! You'll be needin' ol' Teach along for such a delicate mission!" Vaike said, holding up a fist.

"I'll also volunteer." Miku said. "Someone will have to keep an eye on Hibiki, after all."

"I'll go as well." Kellam said. "...What? I've been here the whole time!"

"I... I, um…" Sumia stammered.

"Yes, Sumia?" Chrom asked.

"It's just that... I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a proper mission just yet." She said sadly. "I'd probably just get in the way."

"Well, you could stay behind the main group, and if a battle is met, just watch and learn?" Chrom suggested. "Your choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield."

"W-well, if you think it's wise, Captain." Sumia said.

"Just stay by me and you'll be fine." Chrom said.

"Oh, yes! I mean- Yes, sir, I'll do that!" Sumia said, a little too quickly.

The Shepherds had dispersed to their own activities for the rest of the day. Sumia and Miku helped Robin get accommodated, and led her to a vacant room she could use. Turns out, the barracks weren't the sleeping quarters, and the Shepherds usually slept in rooms on the bottom floor of the castle. Robin's wasn't really that fancy of a room; just a simple desk, table and chairs, bookshelf, weapons rack and bed. It felt a bit empty, but Robin didn't mind since she didn't have much on her in the first place. Sumia had given her a vase of flowers, and it did make the place look nicer. Though looking at the empty bookshelf, she made a note to herself to stock up on strategy books, as well as history books like Frederick had suggested.

And speaking of which, Frederick had returned, and put them all through his typical training regimen for physical fitness. This was Robin's first experience with his training, and she felt like she was about to die. But she went through with it, since Lissa and Vaike suggested that it could be her initiation. By the time she was finished, she could've sworn that her lungs had collapsed, and that she had torn several muscles. She completely expected she'd be dragged into more training with Frederick in the near future, so she decided that she'd let any newcomers also go through the hell she went through today.

As she walked down the halls later that day to her assigned room, ready to pass out onto her bed, she looked out the window to the courtyard. There she saw Hibiki standing in front of a training dummy, swinging around a practice spear and practicing several combat movements. Robin had remembered that during Frederick's training session, Hibiki was one of the few people that hadn't broken a sweat. Curiosity came over her and she walked outside to get a better view. She stayed near the wall, and Hibiki didn't notice her.

Hibiki stabbed at one of the training dummies with the wooden weapon, only stopping less than an inch away. After a few more practice stabs, she put down the spear and pulled out a practice sword. She pulled off several strong and fast swings, at the same distance away from the training dummy as she did with the sword. Robin was impressed with Hibiki's skill, hearing the wind behind her strikes.

"She's really well trained…" She said quietly. "And she's putting in a lot of effort into it too… what's driving her?"

Though Hibiki wasn't finished, as she put down her training weapons, before cracking her knuckles. Robin raised an eyebrow, before Hibiki let out a shout and started throwing powerful punches and kicks at the training dummy, these attacks making contact with them.

"She's also skilled in hand-to-hand combat?" Robin said.

"Hwoa-tah!"

With one final punch, Hibiki punched the training dummy so hard that it snapped in half.

"Oops!" Hibiki said, as she picked up the broken half.

"Impressive technique, Hibiki." Robin said, stepping forward.

"Oh, hi Robin." Hibiki said. "Were you watching?"

"Yes, I was." Robin said. "Might I ask, who taught you these skills?"

"Well, Tsubasa's uncle taught me how to fight with my fists, while Tsubasa taught me how to use swords and her friend Kanade taught me how to use lances."

"Tsubasa has an uncle?" Robin asked.

"Yeah! You should meet him sometime." Hibiki suggested.

"I'll consider that, but… there was something I did want to ask, Hibiki." Robin said. "Why did you join up with Chrom? Why do you fight?"

"Well, I fight because I want to help people." Hibiki said. "That's kinda all there is."

Robin could've sworn she saw some sadness pass over Hibiki's eyes, but she brushed it off. Even if what she saw was real, she wouldn't want to pry into Hibiki's private business.

"Well, that's quite admirable, Hibiki." Robin said. "I'm glad to call you an ally and friend."

"Right back at ya!" Hibiki grinned. "Hey, wanna spar before we go to sleep?"

"I'd love to, but I'm still sore from Frederick's training." Robin said, rubbing her sore arms.

"Is it really that hard?" Hibiki asks. "It's pretty easy for me."

"What?" Robin said, before thinking back to the training and how Hibiki had handled it with zero issues, and barely broke a sweat. "How do you-?"

"Hey, I know! How about I give you a training session on how to handle Frederick's training session?" Hibiki suggested.

"I-I'll pass." Robin said, knowing that it would probably tire her out even more.

Hibiki and Robin attained support level C.

"I'm home." Hibiki said, closing the door behind her.

"Ah, welcome back, Hibiki." Miku said, taking off an apron.

"Ooh, something smells good." Hibiki said, smelling the air. "Is it-?"

"Rice and beef stew." Miku said, gesturing to the bowls on the table.

"Yay, you're the best, Miku!" Hibiki said, pulling Miku into a hug.

Miku simply smiled, as the two sat down to eat. Though it was more of Miku just watching as Hibiki practically inhaled several bowls of rice and meat (Miku herself had eaten a little earlier, so she wasn't hungry). After the meal, Hibiki went to the bathroom to clean up, while Miku changed into her nightclothes and rolled out a mat on the floor for Hibiki.

"Geez, making me worry like that…" Miku muttered, placing an extra pillow down.

"I'm back, Miku." Hibiki said, walking back into the room in her nightclothes with a towel around her neck.

"Alright, sit down." Miku said. "You can't go to sleep with wet hair."

Hibiki sat down on the bed, as Miku sat next to her and took the towel, rubbing it on Hibiki's head to help her dry off.

"Heehee, thanks Miku." Hibiki said.

"I don't know why I do this for you sometimes." Miku sighed.

"Hey Miku, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Are you really mad at me?"

Miku sighed. "No Hibiki, I'm not mad at you."

"Then why-?"

"I'm just worried about you, always running off to help people." Miku said. "It's really selfless, but I worry about you doing something reckless."

Hibiki didn't say anything, as Miku continued to help dry her hair.

"You're my best friend, Hibiki." Miku said. "I just want you to be safe."

"Okay, I promise, Miku."

"You won't keep that promise." Miku sighed. "You'll probably keep being reckless. Then again, that's what makes you… you, Hibiki."

"Well, then I promise that I won't make you worry, Miku." Hibiki said. "We'll always be together, right?"

"...yeah. That's true." Miku said with a small smile.

"Then there's nothing to worry about!" Hibiki said, pulling Miku into a hug.

"Hibiki…"

"And with that… good night."

Miku was pulled down onto the bed, still in Hibiki's embrace.

"H-Hibiki! I said you're going to sleep on the-"

She stared at Hibiki, who was already snoring. While she heavily considered trying to wake Hibiki up (as fruitless as that would've been), she felt herself getting sleepy as well.

"Fine… you're off the hook this time, Hibiki…" Miku said, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep in Hibiki's arms.

Hibiki and Miku attained support level C.

The Shepherds had prepared for the mission, and were all outside the capital, ready to move at a moment's notice.

Well, almost.

"Hibiki, don't fall asleep on your horse." Miku chided.

"Snrk! Huh?!" Hibiki sat up sharply. "Oh, sorry Miku."

"Is everyone ready?" Chrom asked. "We've a long march ahead."

"W-Wait for me!"

A cavalier in green armor rode towards them, before getting off and running up to them, breathing heavily with his hands on his knees.

"Stahl?" Chrom asked.

"Why am I the last to hear about this expedition to Ferox?" He wheezed out, trying to catch his breath.

"Huh?" Lissa said, raising an eyebrow. "Vaike was supposed to…"

She turned to the fighter, who seemed suddenly very interested in the grass.

"Vaike! Did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?" Lissa yelled.

"The Vaike never forgets!" Vaike declared. "...I just don't always remember, is all…"

"Ugh... I swear, you'd forget your own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself!" Lissa groaned.

"Speaking of which, are you SURE you remembered your axe this time?" Miku asked.

"Hey! That was one time!" Vaike protested.

"...erm, also that time there were brigands on the northern border." Hibiki said, as she was rummaging through a pack on her horse. "And you keep forgetting during training too."

"...Okay, twice, but training sessions don't count. Anyway, I got it right here." Vaike said, holding up his impressive weapon. "Teach is loaded and ready for action!"

"The only thing loaded is your ego…" Miku muttered.

"Glad to have you along, Stahl, ol' buddy." Vaike said, patting his friend on the back and causing him to stumble slightly.

"That makes one of us." Stahl groaned. "I was in such a hurry, I had to miss breakfast! There were muffins, and cakes, and... Well, I can tell you all about it while we march…"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about it." Miku said. "Hibiki can gladly share the food she brought with her."

"Hmm?" Hibiki said, her mouth full of muffins. "I was gonna save these for later, but I guess Stahl can't fight on an empty stomach. I can say from experience that's not fun."

"You're a lifesaver, Hibiki." Stahl thanked.

"Um, your name is Stahl, right?" Robin asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Robin." Chrom realized, forgetting that he didn't introduce the new face. "This is Stahl, one of our finest."

"Hello, Robin." Stahl greeted. "Miriel told me we had a new Shepherd."

"Miriel?" Robin asked.

"Er, Miriel's one of our mages. She should catch up soon." Stahl explained, as Hibiki handed him a muffin.

"Chrom?" Miku asked. "I noticed that Sully isn't with us. I could've sworn she volunteered for the mission."

"Ah, Sully went on ahead with Virion to scout ahead." Chrom explained. "They should be back soon."

True to his word, Sully galloped back on her horse, Virion right behind her.

"Hey Chrom." Sully said, frowning. "We got some damn bad news…"

The Shepherds had travelled up the road and onto a tall hill, where they could see a bridge over water. Alongside the bridge however, was an infestation of the monstrous creatures that they had fought earlier.

"Gods, have the Risen spread this far?" Chrom asked, as he looked down the hill.

"Risen?" Robin asked.

"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one." Frederick said.

"Well, it fits." Hibiki said, making a face as the Risen were lumbering along the path.

"Everyone, remember what we're up against!" Chrom called.

"Mya ha! They'll remember ME once I drive my axe into their…" Vaike reached behind his back, only to notice that his trusty weapon was no longer on his back. "Wait... My axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!"

"Vaike, this is no time for jokes…" Chrom sighed.

"I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it!" He said, looking around. "It's gotta be around here somewhere…"

"Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!" Chrom shouted.

"So we have the element of surprise, but we're down one soldier…" Robin said to herself.

"I'm not dead!" Vaike said.

"Right, weaponless soldier." Robin said. "We'll have someone stay in the rear of the formation to guard Vaike while he searches for his axe. The rest of us can attack head-on, since I don't see a huge numbers advantage. But keep a slow advance, in case they have reinforcements. And I have a bad feeling about those abandoned forts, so try steering clear of those."

"Good plan, Robin." Chrom said, as the Shepherds that were just met Robin were awed at her skills. "Let's move!"

Vaike sighed as the others ran forward. "Guess Teach's gonna have to take a back seat for now…"

"Well, that's what happens when you forget your weapon." Stahl said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Don't remind me. Cause Teach doesn't need reminders." Vaike said. "Just focus on keeping me alive, alright buddy?"

"You can count on it." Stahl said.

As Stahl kept his forgetful friend safe, the other Shepherds had gotten to work, fighting the Risen.

"So these are the monsters you fought?" Miku asked, as Hibiki skewered one of them.

"Yeah." She said, slicing off another's head. "They're not too dangerous, but can prove to be a problem."

"How bad?" Miku asked.

She heard a growl behind her, before turning to see a Risen with its sword raised. But before it could strike, Sully speared it through the head.

"That bad." She answered, pulling her weapon free as the light faded from the Risen's eyes. "And it could get worse if all you do on the battlefield is watch Hibiki. We'd be in deep shit if we're down a healer."

"Hey, I don't always do that!" Miku pouted.

"It's okay, Miku." Hibiki said. "I can take care of myself!"

Almost as if to prove her point, she casually stabbed several of the Risen, making an undead kebab on her lance.

"Just don't be reckless!" Miku shouted.

Up at the front, Chrom was leading the charge. Frederick covered his left, while Robin covered his right. Lissa was right behind him, ready to heal at a moment's notice. Virion stood on a hill, using the high ground to rain arrow after arrow at the Risen. Robin briefly looked back at Hibiki, seeing the young cavalier charge down the Risen, with Miku healing her friend at the slightest nick or scratch.

"Miku's quite protective of Hibiki." She noted.

"She's always been devoted like this, ever since we were kids." Chrom said, smashing one of the Risen's skulls in. "Dare I say they're closer than Lissa and Maribelle."

"Don't let Maribelle catch you saying that." Lissa said. "I think she'll blow a blood vessel."

"...how bad is it?" Robin asked.

"Maribelle and Miku once got into a shouting match over who was better between Lissa and Hibiki." Frederick answered, as a Risen was trampled underneath his horse. "It lasted for hours."

"Well, at least we have… Shepherds that have quite a bit of determination." Robin sweatdropped.

They had managed to cut down enough Risen, gaining ground and crossing the bridge. Only the leader was left.

"Alright. Let's take out this one and move on." Chrom said.

But before he could, he heard growling. Turning around, he saw more Risen start pooling out of the abandoned forts.

"I knew the forts were bad news." Robin said, before doing a quick count. "There's a dozen of them. If we want to stop any of them from spreading further, we got to take them out now."

Chrom grit his teeth. They'd need more manpower to take down the leader, but they couldn't afford that when there were more enemies. He didn't want any of them to get away, but did he have a choice? He was just about to give the order...

"Looks like Teach just got tenure!"

Coming in from above, Vaike smashed an axe into one of the Risen, completely obliterating it into dark smog.

"Ha! Enter the Vaike!" Vaike yelled, putting his axe on his shoulder.

"You found your axe?" Miku asked.

"Hell yeah!" Vaike said. "Told ya that Teach never forgets-"

"I found it. And watch your blind spot."

A burst of fire magic incinerated a Risen that tried to sneak up behind Vaike. Robin saw a woman with red hair and glasses, garbed in mage robes.

"Miriel caught up!" Stahl said, riding up. "And she found Vaike's axe on the way too."

"Yeah, whatever." Vaike muttered, before he shouted. "Yo! Chrom! You show the ugly in charge who's boss. We'll take care of freaks one to ten over here!"

"Right." Chrom said, before turning his attention to the leader. "Robin! Hibiki! With me!"

The two nodded, right at Chrom's side.

"Same strategy as the brigand leader?" Hibiki asked.

"No." Robin said. "Hibiki, you run in from the front. Chrom will go around from the back and catch them off guard. I'll use my thunder magic to keep them distracted."

"You got it!" Hibiki said, drawing her sword and charging. "Yaaah!"

"Thunder!" Robin shouted, casting the spell.

The Risen Chief brought up its hand axe to block the attack, before throwing his weapon at Hibiki. The girl jumped off her horse, flipping in the air before bringing her sword down on the monster. Despite the strength of her blow, the monster managed to shrug it off. It retaliated with a slash of its own, and Hibiki blocked it with her sword. She could feel her arm vibrate from the strength of the strike. The Risen tried to claw at her, but Robin fired another bolt of magic, stunning it.

"Try this on for size!" Hibiki shouted.

With her free hand, she punched the Risen in the face with all her might. There was a sickening snap as its head made a complete 180 turn. It stopped moving, and Hibiki was breathing heavily, sheathing her sword. She turned around to her friend.

"Robin! I got it-!"

"Hibiki! Look out!"

"Huh? Wha-?"

Hibiki cried out, as she felt an axe blow to her back. She fell on the ground, her vision blurry. She struggled to look behind her, but managed to turn her head. The Risen leader held its bloody axe, using one of its hands to twist its head back into place with a crunch. Roaring, it raised its axe above its head, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

I can't make it in time… Robin thought, before smirking. But he can.

The Risen completely froze, looking down at the sword tip poking through his chest.

"Don't think so." Chrom said, before swinging his blade upwards and cleaving its head in half. The monster let out one final death cry, before dissipating into purple smog.

"We need a heal-!"

Miku rushed past Robin before she could finish the sentence. She got down on one knee and held up her staff above Hibiki as it started to glow. The wound started to seal itself up.

"Ahh, that feels so much better, Miku." Hibiki breathed out.

"Good. Because you're going to receive quite the talk when I'm done." Miku said, pouting.

Chrom watched the two, resting a hand on his sword as Robin walked up next to him, Frederick not far behind.

"I would've thought that she'd be a lot more reactive with how close she is to Hibiki." Robin said.

"This isn't the worst wound Miku's healed up." Chrom said. "Miku's managed to adapt to the idea of battle surprisingly quite easily. And with how reckless Hibiki is, she's grown used to her best friend's recklessness."

"She's one of the best soldiers Ylisse has." Frederick said. "And Miku's one of the best healers. The two of them together make quite a formidable force, even though Miku doesn't use weapons."

"Hmm. I see." Robin made note of that.

"Still, these Risen were tougher than the last batch we fought." Chrom said. "They don't die as easy as normal men, so we can't afford to hold anything back."

"Well, I imagine that won't be too hard for most of us." Robin said, looking back to see Vaike boasting at how many he took down (it was three, for the record).

"But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad…" Chrom said.

"Then no path is safe. We'll need to stay wary." Frederick finished.

Robin watched as Miku started scolding a fully healed and now cowering Hibiki.

While most of the others stayed back to rest, as well as make sure that there weren't any more Risen, Chrom led a few of the Shepherds forward to scout out the road ahead. They didn't find any Risen or brigands, but rather came across something else.

"Well, what do we have here?" Robin said.

"Hey, is that what I think it is?" Lissa asked.

Miku took a few steps forward. "Well, I don't think it's a normal horse since we have Hibiki's here for comparison."

"Uh, I don't think you need a regular horse to compare it in the first place." Hibiki laughed, scratching the back of her head.

The pegasus was pure white with a light brown mane. It was standing on the side of the road, underneath a tree.

"It's a pegasus, all right." Chrom said, before looking a little closer, noticing that one of its legs was shaking. "I think it's hurt. Let's just have a look here…"

Chrom walked forward, but when he got close, the pegasus reared and kicked.

"WHOA!" Chrom ducked a hoof. "Down, girl! Easy there!"

"Captain, one moment!"

Hibiki looked down from her horse to see Sumia run past her, only to trip and fall on her face. She managed to quickly stand up and dust herself off.

"Sumia! Are you all right?" Chrom said, concerned. "...Those boots of yours again?"

"No! I mean, Yes! I mean…" Sumia just sighed.

"Do you need us to heal you?" Miku asked.

"I'm fine." She said, before adding quietly. "Break your nose from tripping one time and then never hear the end of it…"

"Well, come no closer. This beast is crazed!" Chrom said, before dodging a wing.

"It's okay, Captain. I can handle this…" Sumia said, walking forward. Careful not to trip. She gently patted the pegasus, slowly rubbing it. "Shhh... Easy now, girl. I won't hurt you."

The stamping of hooves and wingbeats stopped, as the pegasus calmed down. Sumia ran a hand across its mane with smooth care.

"Shhh…" She soothed.

"How did she calm it so quickly?" Robin asked, impressed.

"That's incredible, Sumia!" Lissa said.

"I've never seen anything like it." Chrom said, raising his brow.

"Oh, it's...it's nothing. Really. I just have a way with animals, I guess." Sumia said, still petting the pegasus.

"No, it's not nothing." Miku said. "Your gift is extraordinary, Sumia."

"I still remember how you managed to tame that entire herd." Hibiki added.

"Frederick told me that you slept through a rampaging herd though?" Robin asked.

"Oh, I did." Hibiki said, laughing. "He just told me how Sumia had calmed them all down by herself."

"You all go ahead." Sumia said, opening up a bag of supplies on her waist. "I'll dress her wounds and catch up as soon as we're able."

"We can make time to wait for you." Chrom said.

"Thank you, Captain. But I can manage. Every moment is precious when all of Ylisse is in danger." Sumia said, as she started to take care of the pegasus.

"Right, then. Be safe, Sumia." Chrom said.

"As you command, sir." Sumia said with a quick salute.

The Shepherds continued on the road, as Sumia stayed behind to help the pegasus. Robin was running over the last battle in her head, wondering if she could have handled things differently. Hibiki had taken that hit from the Risen, and she kept imagining what would've happened if Chrom didn't get there in time. She really was glad that she had Chrom come in from behind, and yet...

"Robin?"

Robin was brought out of her thoughts, seeing Miku was walking alongside her. The healer was looking at her in concern. Probably a natural action with her occupation.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"I was just going over the last battle." Robin said. "Wondering if there was anything I could have done better."

"I think your strategy was good." Miku said.

"But what if it wasn't?" Robin said. "Chrom only made me his tactician a few days ago. What if I mess up? What if one of my strategies don't work?"

"Honestly, if one of us were to get hurt, that's not necessarily your fault." Miku said. "I think you should believe in yourself more."

"And yet-"

"You did say that you only recently started out as a tactician too." Miku said. "And Hibiki told me she got hurt because she wasn't paying attention to the enemy. It wasn't your fault."

"I suppose, but what if-?"

"I think you need to stop saying all of these doubts, and instead focus on how you'll keep everyone safe." She said. "Focus on what did happen, instead of what could've happened."

Robin rubbed the back of her head. "You seem quite experienced in this sort of subject."

"It's something I've had to tell both Hibiki and Chrom before." Miku said with a smile. "You should believe in your abilities."

"Well, thanks for the pep talk, Miku." Robin said.

"Anything for a friend." Miku said.

"Even though we've basically just met?" Robin pointed out.

"Any friend of Hibiki is a friend of mine." Miku assured her.

"Well, then I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miku." Robin said, holding out her hand, as Miku shook it.

Miku and Robin attained support level C.

A/N: And we're back.

Fitting I upload a new chapter of this as I start streaming Fire Emblem: Awakening on my Twitch SymphoRider).

And this time, we get a few supports in. Nothing much else to say.

With that said, feel free to leave a review. And I'll see you all next time.