Hey everyone! It's been a minute hasn't it? How's everyone dealing with this whole pandemic? Well, I for one have been dealing with it mostly by playing video games and working but I also took a lot of time to think about where to take this story. Yeah, probably too much huh? Well along with this new story I also made some long overdue edits to my previous chapters. So uh, been a whole year since I updated this story. Not going to lie I did not expect this next chapter to take this long. I wont say that chapters moving forward are going to take a whole year but I also want to make sure that they're as polished as an amateur writer can make them so if anyone asks about story updates, it will probably take at the very least 6 months for one to come out if I can keep my procrastinating mind on writing this. Well, I've taken up enough time here so on with the story!
Arriving at the Ylissean capital took longer than expected. This country must be big if it took the better part of a month to get to the capital. Maybe then the Plegians are a barbarian bunch who see this as a place to plunder? It would definitely explain the lack of clothing cover those bandits chests. At least Chrom isn't just a traveling monk like I thought. And these new people? Sully seems alright but a bit aggressive. Virion on the other hand might be a shameless flirt but he seems at least the little bit intelligent the more I play chess with him. Definitely not the idiot I thought he was when I first saw him.
As the traveling party made their way through the busy streets of Ylisstol, the people on the road suddenly moved to the side as a blonde-haired woman strolled through with an entourage of body guards in knights armor. She seems to have the same symbol on her forehead that Chrom has on his shoulder. And it also looks like she has the same hair color as Lissa here. Did I actually just befriend a royal like that?
"You seem to be curious about her Robin." Chrom said.
"Well yeah, she does command the attention of the scene here your highness" Robin answered back. "And I'm assuming this means that Lissa is related to you too?"
Chrom seemed to be taken back by his comment. "Y-yeah that's right. Guess I shouldn't make it so obvious next time."
"No worries Chrom. I could already tell your not a fan of titles." Robin exclaimed.
"Well I'm glad you're observant. Anyways, that's my sister Emmeryn. As of now, she's the ruling Exalt of this country, The Halidom of Ylisse. And as you might have already guessed by now, me and Lissa here are the prince and princess of this state."
It seems my first assumption was correct. I'm guessing by the type of trips he takes though that I'm not going to be having a cushy desk job though. Another thing though, why is the acting ruler out here with the common folk? I don't think it would be very safe for her to be out on the streets, especially with this bandit problem I've been hearing about. Though the way the people here react to her presence seems to suggest that she's well loved by most of her people. And if this isn't the first time she has done this, then I doubt this is a danger to her. Still, to trust her people this much is not insignificant. I doubt she's some sort of evil dictator.
After Chrom and Lissa finished speaking with their sister, they lead Robin to some barracks in a wing in the Ylissean castle. There, he was met with what seemed to be a ragtag group of different soldiers.
"Is this the new guy that Lissa was talking about? Looks like Ol' teach'll have to take you under his wing and show you how things work around here! The name's Vaike by the way not teach, that'd be weird." Toned, with a big axe being carried in one hand. Seems to be easy going but going by the way he speaks I don't think he's a thinker. More of a doer.
Just as Vaike and Robin finished exchanging names a certain red-haired woman with a mage hat came walking in with a notebook in her hand. "Hm, Silver hair, Big coat, bronze sword, although you don't seem to primarily be a sword fighter since I doubt that attire would be ideal for close quarters. But I don't see any other weapon with you. That hair color isn't natural with typical Ylissean families around here either. Tell me, which country do you hail from? If you aren't from here, do your warriors typically wear coats too? Perhaps he's from Regna Ferox?" The woman kept asking more and more questions from there.
Robin seemed taken aback by this barrage of analytical questions thrown at him as a different woman sighed behind him "That's Miriel. She's smart but can definitely talk your head off if you aren't carefu-AGH!" Just as the woman was walking towards Robin, she suddenly tripped on seemingly nothing.
"Sumia you know you have to act more careful then that! This isn't the first time you tripped like that you know!" Lissa said as she went to help up the clumsy woman.
"Ugh I know right? It's these darn boots I swear. A-anyways, my name is Sumia, nice to meet you!" Sumia huh? Is she a rider? Definitely seems like one with those feather decorations in her hair. And Miriel right? She seems like the observant type. Although maybe just a tad bit socially awkward.
"Hey there new guy." As soon as Robin finished that thought a hulking man in a heavily armored suit suddenly appeared behind him.
"AGH! When the hell did you get here? And how did you sneak up on me like that in all that armor plating?" Robin jumped back as he saw him.
"I… tend to have that effect on people. Chrom says I'm naturally gifted at being stealthy. The name is Kellam by the way." Well looking at him now, he doesn't seem very threatening, although very quiet. And if what he said was true then how does he move around so silently? Is this some sort of new magical experiment Ylisse is conducting?
As soon as Robin finished talking with the rest of the group, Chrom stepped in. "I see you met everyone Robin. Very good. I brought you here today to hopefully get your assistance here. These are my Shepherds. My response to the bandit problem plaguing our country. You see Robin, I brought you here because if my hunch is correct, then you're an extremely wise person. And we need more of those people here to help the Shepherds. What I'm asking Robin, is will you be my tactician?"
Wait, seriously? I know I'm probably smarter than Vaike here but he just met me a few days ago. Does he trust me this much to lead a militia? "While I appreciate the offer Chrom, I'm just a little concerned. After all, you just met me a few days ago. Are you sure you want me to lead a small army?"
Chrom placed a hand on Robin's shoulder. "With all due respect Robin if you did hold some ulterior motive, someone as smart as you would have already stuck a sword in me. And Frederick would have definitely ran you through if he didn't trust you either." Robin gave a sharp gulp at that comment. "Look, I've talked to a lot of military officials and neither of them really fit what The Shepherds are about. That first battle you helped partake in, you saved my life. Not only that but you saved the villagers too. That tells me you value saving innocent lives above everything else. Not only that but you're definitely intelligent enough to come up with brilliant plans on the fly if that fighting was anything to go about."
He certainly made me feel good about myself, although I think he expects too much of me. Either way it's not like I have anywhere else to go. And I doubt I'll be bored with this job. "Well you certainly make a convincing argument Chrom. Alright, I agree though you think too highly of me."
"Glad to have you aboard Robin!" Lissa excitedly exclaimed.
"Heh… Looks like The Vaike has to give you a good old welcome hug!" Vaike shouted as he gave Robin a bear hug.
"Congrats Robin! Glad to have you here." Sumia said before almost stumbling into him.
"A new member of the Shepherds. I hope he can acknowledge my presence more…" Kellam said.
"Interesting. Although our captain had only been traveling with this person for a few days, he trusts him enough to promote him to being our tactician. I will have to run tests on his IQ to make sure he's fit enough to lead us." Miriel murmured to herself.
After everyone had gotten acquainted with Robin, Chrom lead a meeting with Emmeryn and the other top army officials in the Halidom with Robin in tow. "I'm getting reports that these 'Risen' have been popping up everywhere. I know the army is doing what they can to stop these things, but it'll be up to us to study this situation further. For now we'll wait until we find can find where they show up next." Chrom explained to everyone. "I let Miriel take a few tests to help understand this threat."
"Thank you Chrom, as everyone might have already figured out, these Risen seem to be those that have already died suddenly reanimate. They also seemingly appear at random. We don't even have any reports of them digging themselves up from the grave. Almost like someone is teleporting them, though we have no evidence to suggest that. Moreover, those that have reanimated are old, extremely old. Their weapons and clothing suggest they are from past eras from this continent. I've also been researching tomes that might have something to do with this phenomenon, but I have not been able to find any magic that deals with raising the dead."
Raising the dead? There's no way that's a natural event. But this seems to present more questions than answers. I'll have to study about this more on my own time. But if someone is teleporting these Risen somewhere then I doubt they'd have the power to do that on their own. And on such a scale as to appear all over Ylisse? Right now I'd guess that this has to be the work of Plegia.
A month after this meeting nothing of note came for a while. Ever since these Risen have been popping up most of the supposed Plegian bandit raids have been going down for a while. They have to be connected to these Risen somehow, I just know it. Ugh I can't sleep at all tonight. I hope this walk through the castle will do me good. I need to work out a strategy to finally crush Virion in chess. The castle gardens here are quite well kept. Wait a minute is that Chrom?
"Can't sleep either eh?" Robin said while walking up to Chrom.
"I could say the same to you. I hate how quiet it's getting." Chrom answered in honesty.
"I just can't believe how far I've gotten in a month. I've gone from a hopeless amnesiac to a military officer in just a month, which begs the question Chrom…" The prince looked at Chrom curiously. "Why were you so trusting of me back then?"
"Ah, is that all? Geeze, I thought you were going to start talking about philosophy." Chrom responded with a chuckle. "Listen Robin, do you know why I started the Shepherds?"
Robin continued "…To help your countrymen in a time of need?"
"Still as sharp as ever. Robin when I saw you in that field, I didn't see a villain waiting to spring on me, even with that Plegian coat. I saw someone in need of help. That's just who I am."
Damn! How did he- "You're not the only perceptive type around here. Remember that from here on out. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone if you don't want to."
Trusting to a fault huh? If he knows about that then maybe I can tell him about what I saw before I woke up… No. Not yet anyway. "Even so Chrom, the Shepherds look up to you. If I did happen to be a less than reputable person then what then? Would you still trust me?"
"But you weren't. And I know the risks involved. Trust me Robin I can handle myself." Chrom finished.
"I still feel like you take too many risks for your own good. You can't just go barging into every bar fight and expect to walk out just fine every time."
"Well at least this one time I walked out with your sorry arse." The pair shared a good laugh at that.
"I hate to break this conversation, but I've got something important to say to you young prince." Suddenly someone began walking up from the courtyard.
"It's you! You're the masked man who I saw in the woods!" Chrom said.
"Glad you remembered. That'll make this easier. Now pay attention." The masked man suddenly took out his Falchion. Chrom was about to draw his own before the other swordsman held up his hand. The masked man suddenly threw his sword to a tree to the left of him. The sudden cries of a man as he fell out of the branches of the tree rang out through the castle as Frederick, who was watching Chrom from a distance ran back to the barracks to begin awakening the Shepherds to prepare for battle.
Meanwhile, the masked man looked back at Chrom as he spotted something behind his shoulder. The masked swordsman could only slightly duck out of the way enough to barely avoid the assassin's blade as it cut through his mask… As well as expose the long hair and feminine face that he had covered up. Chrom swiftly cut down the assassin as he went to the masked man's side to help him up.
"Well now, aren't you just full of surprises. Now that that's over you've got a few things to explain." Chrom exclaimed. "First off, Just who in the hell are you? And just how did you get in?"
"For now just call me Marth. And to answer your second question, you don't hide holes in the wall very well. But for now, that isn't the last of those intruders." 'Marth' commented.
Oh gods oh gods that all happened so quickly. And this masked "man" Chrom talked about… "Chrom we can talk with her more, but we have to get back to Emmeryn. No doubt those assassins came to take her life."
Marth, seemingly taken aback by all of this responded. "What he said is… Correct. We must hurry if we wish to save her. I'd imagine your retainer has already woken up your men. Tell them of the oncoming danger for now. I'll guard her chambers."
In the bushes a few yards back, a certain scheming magician watched the whole scene play out from afar. "Damn it all! If that masked wench didn't get involved, we would have had The Exalt's head already! Alright everyone it's now or never if you want to get paid. Get moving!"
While the magician was saying this, a certain orange haired thief began speaking to himself. "Wait a minute you mean to tell me I signed up for an assassination mission? I knew that pay was too good to be true. Ugh I don't want to get involved in some schism between two bickering nations like this. Looks like you dug yourself a pretty big hole Gaius."
Meanwhile a certain brunette was overhearing the commotion. "If these manspawn want to go for the last honorable manspawn they'll have to go through me!"
"Well then it looks like we fight a common enemy whoever you are." Chrom said while jogging up to her.
"While I personally detest most of your kind, we do indeed share goals for now. Just don't get in my way." The woman marched on ahead of Chrom.
A band of assassins? How did they even get through the guards? Well either way they're probably not very numerous if they managed to get this far in. Come to think about it, is this why the Plegians have been quiet? It would certainly make sense then. They must have been planning this one for a while now. They'd have to be working with light equipment too in order to sneak in here without getting detected. Probably not enough to deal with heavily armored foes. "Kellam!? Can someone tell me where Kellam is!?"
"Right behind you Robin." Kellam answered back.
"Ack! Sneaking around as usual. How much time would it take for you to get your armor on?" Robin questioned him.
"No more than 10 minutes. Why?" Kellam inquired.
"If my theory is correct, the enemy will not be able to put a dent in you. I'm assuming Frederick already has his on, so that'll buy us time. Go!" Robin commanded.
"My oh my, it seems like you've got this situation under control." A certain archer suddenly stepped out.
"Virion? What in the world are you doing here? I thought we left you when we reached the capitol." Robin explained.
"What kind of gentleman do you take me for? As long as there are fair maidens here I will-"
"Well as long as you're here you can help out too. Grab your bow and start targeting mages." Robin interrupted.
As Robin commanded the battlefield, Chrom and Marth fought side by side protecting Emmeryn in her chambers as they stood between her bedroom and the chaotic battle going on outside. Meanwhile, the slow lumbering Kellam was like a stone wall. Arrows plinked off his shield as most who dared challenge his might were barely making scratches in his armor.
"We'll have to go through here to avoid that damn statue. No point in going through a mountain when we can go around, I say!" three assassins breaking off from the main force snuck through a darkened hallway as they tried to enter Emmeryn's room from the back.
"You know, I never understood why your kind always fought each other in these pointless silly wars like this." The three looked back as they saw the brunette.
"And are you supposed to stop us? One measly woman? Ha!" the assasins drew their swords as they prepared for an easy kill. "Listen here Lass, I'm not getting paid to kill you, so I'll let you off with a warning. Leave now or I'll spill your entrails all over this place."
She shook her head. "You manspawn never learn. Perhaps that is why you all fight." Soon, the woman got on all fours and transformed into a giant beast.
"Bloody hell, a Taguel!? I thought you were all extinct!" One of them shouted. The men suddenly started shaking their swords because of their nerves.
The beast sighed. "Perhaps speaking to you was a mistake. You humans tend to not listen to us anyways." The animal leapt forward as it prepared to fight on behalf of its own people.
As the rest of the Shepherds finished the rest of the fighting, Robin began to step back outside to the courtyard where he and Marth had first met. Marth seemingly knew where that man was hiding as well as knew about this entire assassination plot. If Plegia really was planning this then I doubt their plan would be public knowledge. This King Gangrel must really want a war if he's willing to go this far to try and assassinate the ruler of Ylisse.
"YOU! You're the reason this whole plan went haywire! My lord said nothing about a traitorous Plegian helping the enemy!" Suddenly, a man with a tall stature came out. His eyes were almost bloodshot red with pale skin, almost akin to a risen. "Well then if I can't have the Exalt's head, then I'll have to make do with you!"
Well, he knows about my coat. Come to think of it his cloak almost resembles mine. Was I some sort of special forces? As Robin began to get lost in thought, the pale man launched a purple lightning bolt towards him, with the tactician barely rolling out of the way. That spell! I know I've seen it somewhere before. I'll have to put that thought to rest for a while though. This man doesn't seem like he's in a talkative mood. Getting back to the fight though, I wonder if I can use that trick again.
As the black-haired man began to fire his spell again, Robin countered with a thunder tome of his own, causing the bolts to clash mid-air. The result was a cloud of steam disguising the two from one another. "Now then traitor, where did you go…" As the schemer was saying this, Robin leapt out from the dust to graze the man's arm with his sword. "Ack! You damn turncoat, I'll suffocate you here and now!" As Robin prepared to attack him again with his sword, his opponent suddenly dissipated into a cloud of dust.
Was he a Risen this whole time? He seemed much more intelligent though. And I don't think we've ran into a risen that can talk either. From what I could hear him say, he seems like the ringleader too.
Elsewhere, in a dark room lit only by candles, Validar was recovering from his wound. The light only revealing the pale man, as well as a darkened silhouette. "Master, you said no one knew about this plan! Why didn't you let me finish off that dastard?"
A dark and ominous voice replied. "Oh Validar, I can't believe you would say that about him." The shadow finally stepped into the light to reveal the face of Robin. "Your own son!"
Back at Ylisstol, Robin was breathing heavily after the skirmish. "I don't understand…" Marth said from behind his back.
Robin suddenly looked back. "Understand what? We prevented an entire assassination plot! You should be a little more happy then that you know."
"Sorry, I don't have time to be happy. I must get going soon, before I am spotted by anyone else." Marth replied.
"Nope, sorry that's not going to fly there, miss royalty." Robin said.
Marth suddenly spun on her heals after she heard this revelation. "h-how did you-"
Robin cut her off. "I ran all the possibilities; this was the most likely answer. Especially with that brand in your eye."
Marth hung her head and let out a little blush after this. "Y-yes of course I guess I should have saw that coming when I lost my mask huh?"
"Don't worry Marth, your secret is safe with me. You clearly want to hide your lineage for a reason and I have no reason to reveal it to anyone. Chrom doesn't seem to notice your brand either so you should be fine for now."
Marth seemed to perk up after this. "Really? T-thank you Robin."
Shortly after that, the royal took a step back and gave a slight bow before hurrying off.
You know now that I got to have an actual one on one conversation with that Marth girl, she seems kind of cute.
Meanwhile in an open grassy field, someone with the body of Robin began looking up to the blue sky with blood red eyes. "That power I've been sensing for a month… I just don't understand it!" He shook his head as he looked out into the field. "The only one that could possibly create all those Risen is me."
And… scene! Ugh trying to make this all read naturally was harder than it thought. I had to really take a few months to step back to try and make sure the conversation between Robin and Marth flowed naturally. I'm just glad it came out to my liking.