Alright, now we go where we need to go!

Severa: Taking care of Gangrel?

Lucina: While my mother gets ready to order a manhunt for us?

7: Yes to the first and I can't say on the second. Let's just go in and see.

Severa: Fine, but let's make this quick! I want to go watch my GoT recording, I didn't get to see the premiere.

*Rounds on Lucina* And no spoilers!

Lucina: *Holds up hands in surrender* I won't say a word.

7: Girls, let's not do this right now. We need to get to work!

*Author marches into stage room*

Lucina: …

Severa: …

Lucina: Want lunch?

Severa: Yes!

*They leave*

End of the Mad

It took some time to calm Sumia down.

Lissa was the first to hear of her friend's condition and outran everybody to reach her, but the prognosis was relatively simple.

Sumia needed to sleep.

It was easier said than done though, especially since Sumia didn't respond to anyone's words. Not even Chrom, when he arrived, was able to get her to calm down. Desperate, Lissa raced down into the palace stores and gathered a selection of herbs Ricken had told her about.

Sprinting back, Lissa found that Libra and Miriel had already set out the necessary tools to make what Lissa was thinking of.

Several minutes later, Cordelia forced Sumia's mouth open and Lissa poured the drought down her throat, Chrom helped her swallow.

The effect was immediate, Sumia's breathing slowed and she was soon asleep.

Lissa sighed as the panic died out. "Thank Naga, that was scary."

She looked to Robin and Cordelia. "Any idea what sent her into that? Marth told me you were here with her."

"We don't know." Cordelia answered. "We were actually speaking with Marth and friends before Sumia started panicking. Sumia embraced Marth and Catria, showing she was grateful and all, but a few minutes later this happened."

Chrom sighed, wondering why it all came back to them. "Let me guess, they're gone?"

"That they are," Sully confirmed. "Saw them hoofing it out of the palace on my way here."

Chrom growled, but took Sumia into his arms. "We'll worry about them later. Thank you all for coming, but Sumia's fine now. Lissa, come with me, everyone else should get some rest."

He didn't wait for anyone to speak, instead picking Sumia up and striding off. Lissa took off after him, leaving the others to slowly disperse until only Robin and Cordelia remained.

Robin frowned and began to stalk down the hall. "I'll be back."

"Not without me," Cordelia countered, stopping him in his tracks. "We do things together, alone hasn't been working out lately."

Robin almost smirked. "When I first met you, I never thought you'd say that."

Cordelia rolled her eyes and trapped his arm in hers. "I've changed since then… and so have you. Last I checked, you didn't confront people by yourself."

Robin did smirk this time. "But I do still run off half-cocked when I have an idea… Alright, fine, but we need to hurry!"

Robin took off running, Cordelia did her best to keep up. But, no matter the training she'd had, Cordelia simply could not run very long. So, when Robin arrived in time to see Severa tying her blade to Morgan's saddle, Cordelia was riding piggyback.

"There they are!" She cried. "Stop you two, we have questions!"

Severa, who'd had her foot in the saddle, almost jumped over Theresa. "Tiamat's tits! Go, fly, I'll pull myself up!"

Morgan whipped the reins and Theresa took to the air, Severa dangling from the pegasus by naught but a strip of leather.

Robin cursed, hand stretching towards the girls. "Verfolgen!"

A bolt shot from his hand, but it appeared to dissipate well before reaching the retreating pair. Cordelia growled at their lost quarry, but grew curious as she felt Robin rumble with laughter. "What's so funny?"

Robin shook his head and started back to the palace. "Oh, just that I put a little spell on Tehthys' mount. It's a tracking beacon, so I can send one of my wolves after them whenever I want."

Cordelia grinned and hugged his neck. "Smart man. I knew I chose a good one to fall for."

Robin patted her arm, a wry smile on his face. "Yes, well…"

"Let's see if I can live up to that over the next few years."

-Chrom-

He'd been sitting long enough for the sun to rise.

Lissa had long left the room, promising to check in after breakfast, but Chrom had barely noticed. All he could see was Sumia, his love, sound asleep. Reaching out, he ran the back of his hand over her scalp, feeling the cool skin where her hair had once been.

It had never occurred to him how much he loved that hair. It was a wonderful grey that reminded him of the peaceful, cool fog that rolled over Ylisstol in the summer months. A secret pleasure had been to run his hands through it whenever Sumia needed comfort.

Now it was gone, and her life nearly with it.

You put so much effort into keeping it pristine… Chrom thought. Even though you're clumsy to this day, you always made sure this was at its best. Now it's gone, and Gangrel started it all…

Chrom squashed his rising anger. Sumia was alive and her hair would come back, as sure to heal as her soul. Chrom wasn't going to bring her to the fight with Gangrel, not after her panic attack, but he would at least give her something to look forward to.

Hopefully she would accept.

A groan pulled Chrom from his thoughts, his hand going to hers. "Sumia… are you ok?"

Sumia opened her eyes slowly, head lolling over to see Chrom. "Oh… hello Chrom. Did I get sick?"

"You could say that," Chrom said. "You had a panic attack and we couldn't calm you down. Lissa had to have Cordelia force a sleeping draught down your throat."

Sumia sighed. "I see… I'm sorry, I thought something had happened, but looking back on it, I shouldn't have lost my cool like that."

"Care to share?" Chrom asked, squeezing her hand absentmindedly. "I swear I won't speak a word of this."

Sumia sat up, pulling her hand from Chrom's grasp and placing it on her cheek. "Ok… I was thanking Marth and Catria the only way I felt worked, with a hug, but after a few moments of that I felt something I wasn't expecting…"

She glanced at Chrom before continuing. "See, you know I was found by Olivia in a room full of ice. I'd been… enchanted by a being calling itself Artezza and it made me act and think coldly. It was like having ice over my heart."

"Wait," Chrom interrupted. "Artezza? That's the name of the ice god, the one most Feroxi venerate."

Sumia shook her head. "I don't know if this was the same one and I'm kind of hoping it's not. Anyway, after I'd resolved to put my mother out of her misery-but before I knew she was possessed-I broke through the ice and caused that… mess."

Chrom took her hand from her cheek, silently urging her to finish.

Sumia smiled at him. "The being spoke after I'd killed her. Said I was 'worthy' or something and… took the feeling of heat from me. I haven't felt heat since then… until I held those two girls."

She looked at Chrom, curiosity in her eyes. "Um… before I finish, can I ask what's on your mind? You've been fidgeting ever since I woke up."

Chrom…blushed. "Uh, well, i-it's not that important…"

Sumia tilted her head, curiosity doubled. "It must be if you're stuttering. Go on, you can tell me."

Chrom's blush deepened and his hand went to a pocket Sumia knew was in his shirt. "Well… these last few weeks have made me realize something. Losing Emm, getting lost in my anger, and then almost losing you… life's too precious to hold myself back due to fear."

His hand went into the pocket and pulled out something Sumia had only ever dreamed she would see.

A ring.

"Sumia," Chrom began. "We've been friends for many years now, but I never had the courage to tell you the truth. …I love you, more than anything, and I want to ask if you would be both my best friend… and my wife."

Sumia hid her face in her hands, small tremors that had started when he showed the ring growing into full sobs. "Chrom… oh gods… I didn't think you'd say that…"

Chrom reached out and put his free hand on her shoulder. "I know I'm not the best person you could have ask you this question, but I want you by my side, always. It doesn't matter to me if you have faults, everyone does, but I want to make the most beautiful and loving woman I've ever met happy."

"Beautiful?" Sumia whispered. "Chrom… look at me. I'm bald, I have scars all over my face that will never go away, I've destroyed who knows how much-"

Chrom shushed her, arms wrapping around her. "I said it doesn't matter. To me, you are more beautiful than Naga herself. Even then, looks are nothing to me, it's you I love Sumia. You the person, not your body or your face or your hair."

Sumia sobbed again, face going to his shoulder as she hugged Chrom hard. Silence boomed in the room before Chrom felt breath tickle his ear. "…Yes."

Chrom pulled back, a grin rising on his face. "…Yes?"

Sumia looked him in the eye, tears gathering in her eyes. "Yes, Chrom… I want… I want to be your wife."

Chrom pulled her back into a hard embrace, enjoying the feeling of each other and the euphoria of reciprocated feelings. Sumia was the first to pull away, love at last showing in her eyes. "Chrom… thank you."

She leaned towards him, Chrom met her half-way in a tender kiss. They stayed there for a moment before pulling apart.

"I can finish now," Sumia breathed, taking Chrom's hand again. "I was given a concession in exchange for not being able to feel heat as normal people do. I can feel the heat I lack from two sources, my love… and my children."

Chrom rubbed her hand, willing to wait on giving her the ring for now. "And me? Am I warm?"

Sumia smiled and snuggled into the crook of his neck.

"Like the sun."

-Emmeryn-

Something was… strange.

Within the crystal she called home, Emmeryn pondered on the happenings around her.

Why is it that the Shepherds attract the power of such beings? First it was Nowi with Ozymandias, then Sumia with Artezza, and then Robin with Fenrir. Now Asura and Tiamat have chosen representatives among the Shepherds as well.

Emmeryn knew all the names the Shepherds had only ever heard of. Naga was the most venerated of the gods as she was closest and most active among the humans. That didn't mean she was anywhere close to the most powerful.

As she contemplated the strange occurrences, a small light appeared before her eyes. "…Hello?"

The light whirled and dove, as if trying to speak. Emmeryn didn't know how, but she understood the message. "Someone wishes to speak with me?"

The light brightened, as if proud of itself.

"I see," Emmeryn said. "Tell me, who wishes to speak?"

The light dimmed and moved side to side.

"You can't tell me?"

The light buzzed up and down.

"Very well," Emmeryn sighed. "I just hope it's important."

The light blazed and disappeared, only to be replaced by a glowing figure wrapped in every color of light. "I assure you, Emmeryn Adler de Ylisse, that what I have to say is quite important."

Emmeryn felt her soul strain at the presence, its power magnitudes higher than anything she'd ever known. Yet she could tell it was holding back much of its might. "…. Who are you?"

The figure grew a smile of green light. "I am Horakthry, and I have come to give you a purpose."

Emmeryn would have gaped were she capable of it. "…Horakthry? The Creator of Light?"

The figure bowed. "The one and only. I am not in my full splendor, of course, but it's a pleasure meet you in person."

It stood. "Now then, onto business. You've no doubt noticed that many of my children have begun taking an interest in your friends."

Emmeryn steadied her spirit as best she could. "…Indeed, I have. Most of the High Gods have been dormant for millennia, why the sudden interest in mere mortals?"

Horakthry chuckled, the sound like church bells. "That's a secret that I cannot yet reveal. However, you will be playing a part that is more than just an advisor to your brother."

The god snapped its fingers and Emmeryn found herself in a great auditorium, fantastic beings surrounding the floor on which she suddenly stood. The great throne stood empty.

"Welcome babe," Horakthry laughed. "From today forth, you are the Shepherds representative in the great Choral. Listen well, as we have much to teach."

The figure of Horakthry smiled again, this time with purple light as its mouth. "And you forgot one Shepherd that has already been chosen, the very first in fact."

"Your dear little sister is my arbiter, and it is through her the others have been chosen."

Emmeryn sank to her knees, barely comprehending what was going on. "…How?"

A blast of light and sound came from her right, drawing Emmeryn's eyes to a massive wolf of pure energy. "Your sister is our eyes. Through her interactions, we have seen the Shepherds."

The crack of rock sounded on her left, this time drawing her gaze to a giant beetle coated in precious gems. "Through the Shepherds actions we have judged which are most suitable for our…gifts."

Finally, the sound of freezing water drew her eyes to the front once more, a giant blue-white lizard fused to an ice pillar looming over her. "Now it is up to us to decide when these gifts are received, if at all. The Shepherds may be suitable, but they are not necessarily worthy."

The great beasts disappeared and Horakthry took the stage. "This is why we require you, Emmeryn. One set of eyes will not be enough. You are both representative and oracle, to deliver our decisions on champions and the price they must pay to receive the gifts."

It held out a hand. "Do you accept?"

Emmeryn slowly collected herself before standing. "…No."

Horakthry flickered. "No? You would turn down the chance to learn all you can, knowledge that has long been lost to the mortal world? You would rob your friends of the chance to hold power beyond anything they could ever wish for?"

Emmeryn's soul hardened. "I would, no matter the offer. Your so-called gifts have done little save harm my friends, and Lissa must have been scared beyond reckoning if she hid your existence from me. Besides, I will not allow them to become your pawns or your servants if you only come to them when they're desperate."

She looked into the auditorium's seats, staring down gods with a steel only she could muster. "You call yourself gods, but you are naught but selfish manipulators! It is small wonder your worshippers left for a more merciful hand if all you do is look for mortals that interest you and proceed to pick apart their lives!"

Silence fell on the auditorium, bemusement and shock the most prominent expressions on the congregation.

That is, until one of them began to laugh.

Emmeryn followed the laugh to the top of the auditorium where a large set of simple brass scales waited. "Well said, I don't think there's been a mortal soul invited here in millennia to ever tell off this band of half-wits!"

The scales shrunk out of sight and there was the sound of clanking for several minutes before they reappeared, hopping towards Emmeryn. "I like you girly, why don't we talk for a while?"

Emmeryn blinked as more laughter began to fall on her, even Horakthry's form blazing back to its usual luster. "…I'm sorry, what's going on now?"

The scales bounced in place, a laugh coming from them. "Why, you passed! You showed the gumption necessary to be part of this gathering and did something I've been trying to do for eons!"

The scales settled. "Now then, where were we…"

-Robin, Two Days Later-

"Who'd of thought we'd be hearing you got engaged the day before we set out?"

Robin and Chrom were riding in the front of a wagon, all the Shepherds save three in the caravan. It had been quite the surprise when Lissa had gone running through the palace screaming that bets were due, though there had been a great deal of confusion at first.

It was then they all realized that there were too many bets among them to keep track of it all.

Joy replaced the confusion after Lissa slowed down enough to explain and Chrom arrived with Sumia in tow, his signet ring shining on her left hand.

Sadly, a messenger from Ferox arrived the day after to find a mass of hungover Ylissians. The short version was that the Shepherds needed to march immediately or they'd miss the chance to end Gangrel and bring peace to the continent.

The news had sobered the Shepehrds quickly, especially when a wagon carrying Frederick and Nowi arrived a few hours later. Sumia was in no shape to go to battle after her ordeal and a physical by every Shepherd with an ounce of healing experience revealed neither Frederick or Nowi would be able to fight either.

Were it not for Duke Dunwall and Duchess Miranda, Chrom would have been far more hesitant in ordering the Shepherds to march. The two had taken the news of his engagement, with varying degrees of acceptance. While Dunwall had admitted to being hopeful his daughter could have caught Chrom's eye, he was still happy for the pair.

Miranda was far more cheerful, gladly offering to start instructing Sumia in governance while the other Shepherds were away. With their friends in good hands, the Shepherds left in good spirits.

Which led back to Robin's comment, which Chrom didn't appreciate. "Give me some credit. At least I didn't propose immediately after a battle."

"But that would be so like you." Robin countered with a smirk. "I can see it now. If this rebellion didn't happen, we'd have charged Gangrel, met up afterwards, we'd leave you alone with a worried Sumia…"

He ducked a punch. "Come on, it coulda happened!"

Chrom grunted and looked into the back of the wagon. "What about you back there? Any plans for Dunwall's daughter?"

Gaius popped a chocolate in his mouth. "Well I told her the rest of the story about what happened with me and Dunwall last night, dear ol' dad backed me up and everything. Never thought the woman could tear-up, let alone apologize."

He snorted. "Got threatened to 'stay away' from her afterwards by the Duke. Pretty sure it was the overprotective dad talking so I didn't take it too seriously."

"You got balls Gaius," Sully laughed from her mount. "Didn't think you'd ever be interested after she started tearing into you."

Gaius glanced in front of their wagon where Maribelle was chatting with Cherche. "Well… let's just say I don't regret busting into the vault the first time."

Robin grinned at his friend and leaned back, catching a flash of red pass overhead. "You know what… I'm looking forward to the end of this. Relaxing doesn't sound that bad."

"You looking forward to time with pretty lady!" Gregor shouted from his spot in the wagon. "Gregor looking forward to time in town, more money than Gregor could ever need!"

Chrom smirked at the mercenary. "Isn't Miriel recruiting you for her experiments? Last I saw you downtown, she had you trying to find moss."

Gregor shrugged. "Eh, Gregor can't say no to pretty face. Terrifying intelligence, but good to talk when book not in face."

"Miriel doesn't read all the time?!" Sully shouted. "When? Only time I don't see her with a book in her face is in battle or bathing!"

Robin groaned as he sat up. "While that vein of conversation would no doubt be entertaining, let's be a bit more serious. Everyone ready?"

His friends grew serious, nods exchanged as Robin pointed toward the horizon. "Good, because in three days we'll be through the mountains and upon Gangrel. Underestimating him is, to put it blandly, a bad idea. Let's be careful and get it done, then we can discuss our plans."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a deck of cards.

"Now then, who wants to play blackjack?"

-Severa, That Night-

"What are we going to do now?"

It was a good question. With Gangrel soon to be a thing of the past and Valm not to arrive for at least two years, there was little for the girls to do.

Lucina sighed, not sure how to answer. "Well, there are still Risen about. The Shepherds and Ylissean army can't be everywhere at once."

"Yeah, but we ran from Ylisstol." Morgan pointed out. "Mom and Dad came running after us and I don't think we'll be able to stay quiet on who we are if they find us."

Cynthia sighed as she poked at the fire. "Ferox is pretty big, but it's not a good idea to be there during winter. We'd have to deal with whether the summit happens on time, as well."

Severa stood and stretched, eyes on the stars. "Well I can only think of staying in North Ferox during the summer and South Ferox during the winter. They'll ask Khan Flavia to keep an eye out for us, but the only other option we have is staying in Grevis."

Lucina grew grim, which didn't escape her sister's eye. "Lucy?"

Lucina stood, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Guys… I think only you three should go to Grevis."

Severa hissed and stalked up to Lucina. "What are you talking about, we move as a group!"

Lucina put her hands on Severa's shoulders, holding her off. "Look, I don't mean that I won't be with you. I just think I should be the one to travel to Plegia every once in a while, to check on the summit location. Besides, we ran so fast from the palace we forgot our purses."

The group dropped their heads. The purses had all their gold in it, so they were left with ten silver between them at best.

"Well the summit's not supposed to be for two years." Cynthia argued. "We can get some money, rent somewhere, and still take care of Risen packs in Grevis. It's not like we'll be getting rusty."

Lucina sighed. "I know, but… I feel like I'll get too comfortable with that life. I don't want us to get too attached to people we'll inevitably have to leave."

Severa sighed through her nose before she looked at Morgan. "Morg, it's time."

Morgan blinked before grinning widely. "It is?! Alright, Cynthia, come with me, we need to take axes to these trees immediately!"

Morgan hopped from her seat and dragged Cynthia to Theresa's side. Ignoring the princess's questions, Morgan retrieved two hatchets from her saddlebags and dragged Cynthia into the woods.

Now alone, Lucina stared at the suddenly uncertain Severa. "What… was that?"

Severa played with her hair, hands running through one of the tails. "Well… Morgan and I came up with this idea shortly after you decided to pose as a boy. We didn't want it to be… weird, so we only ran it by Laurent and Owain before we went through the portal."

Lucina tilted her head. "What's the idea?"

Severa sighed and stopped playing with her hair. She steeled her eyes and took Lucina's hands in hers, entwining their fingers on an impulse. "Lucy… I want you to marry me."

Lucina's jaw dropped, her mind grinding to a halt. "…Say again?"

Severa wanted to rip her hair out but held off the urge. "Look, Lucy, I like you, you like me, we both know that. I'd go far enough to say I love you, with all my heart, but the plan's simple. Most of the world at large thinks you're a guy anyway, and a random priest isn't going to question a young couple seeking a quick marriage."

Lucy was stuck on one part of that. "You…love me?"

"We had this conversation already!" Severa screamed. "We agreed to give it some time after that talk at Marley's and guess what, I think I love you more right this minute than I ever did before. So just listen to the rest of this and then we can make out!"

Lucina nodded dumbly, letting Severa groan a curse before continuing. "As I said, no priest is going to question getting married if you're dressed like a boy. We do that, and both us and our sisters can get work in the town nearby. Add to that we can dye our hair and I can put a patch over my eye while Morgan does something similar."

She gestured to the field around them. "This place is good real estate too! There's enough wood, we can build whatever we need and still be within an hour's flight from town. No one would guess the people that are killing all the Risen are based here, so we're good for a while!"

Severa stared at Lucina for a time before sighing. "Are you ok with it? We can still go to Grevis and apprentice ours-"

She was cut off as Lucina pulled her into a desperate kiss, Severa's eyes widening at the force she was using. Deciding that this was a yes, Severa returned the kiss with equal force. Sloppy didn't begin to describe the press of lips between the two girls, but they were working out more than a decade of hidden feelings.

Considering no tongues were used or clothes were ripped off, they did very well.

Morgan and Cynthia, who were watching from the edge of the trees, kept looking between their sisters and themselves. "Our sisters are making out."

Morgan nodded.

"They'll likely be incredibly embarrassed in five minutes."

Morgan nodded again.

"We're going to be legal sisters-in-law."

A grin with the nod this time.

"We're going to be building our own cabin."

A grimace with the nod.

"We'll likely be caught soon after we're forced to go somewhere public and save lots of people."

Morgan shrugged. "What can you do?"

The two younger siblings shook hands, put the hatchets over their shoulders, and walked back into the woods.

They could hear the new lovers apologizing to each other profusely even as they hacked away.

-Plegia, Underneath Xaldornos-

The miasma of putrid magic hung heavily in the room, a dark figure gliding through the black wisps.

"Is the ritual complete?" It asked, the voice placing it as male.

A giggle met the question, the figure of a woman appearing in the miasma. "Yes, it is. The marquise was a good conduit for Olivia's soul and the count was a better match for Lon'qu than I thought."

The man chuckled, his hand finding the woman's waist. "Good, then we have enough to set the plan into motion."

He looked to a corner of the room that was almost completely black. "Validar, is everything ready for you to take the throne?"

"It is, my Lord." A raspy voice answered. "All that's left is Gangrel's death at the hands of the Shepherds. After that, there is a boat at the coast waiting for your agents."

The man laughed, barely noticing the woman making circles on his chest. "Very good. The seals are in place and I grow stronger by the day, and this sabotage will only make my power greater still."

He looked to another corner of the room. "Go my agents, do what you can to slow Valm's fleet construction. Remember, do not draw too much attention before they are strong enough to invade. After that, feel free to weaken both sides as much as you wish."

Five figures melted from the shadows, each with a cursed weapon in their grip. All of them bowed to the man before disappearing into the miasma, the man dismissed his servant.

He turned to the woman. "Now then… where were we?"

The woman giggled and pulled his lips to hers, the thin garment she wore falling to the ground and joining the ashes of the many who'd died in that room.

What a joy it was to make love in an old executioner's chamber.

If you're a demon, that is.

-Chrom-

"It's time."

Chrom stood on the top of a hill, the Shepherds and Feroxi army behind him. They created a number of routes through the mountains during previous incursions into Plegia. Flavia and the Feroxi soldiers waited for the Shepherds on the plains where they crossed the previous day.

Now they stared down at a large plain, several make-shift fortifications set up in front of a small castle. Bridges crossed over a river to the east and more fortifications were set on the opposite bank.

Robin sighed beside Chrom. "This should be easy. I see few soldiers over there and the fortifications can't have been there for more than a few days. But…"

"It reeks of an ambush." Chrom finished. "What do you think, Flavia?

The Khan frowned as she surveyed the field. "The structures wouldn't hold more than three hundred men altogether. The castle probably has more than that, but we outnumber them 3-1 at worst."

Robin crossed his arms and peered into the distance. "If that's the case, then we can just form a spearhead. Line up and drive straight for the heart."

"Best plan I've heard all day." Flavia snorted. "Why don't we put a pair of platoons on the bridges and end this?"

Chrom hummed. "If it ends this quickly, then I'm all for it. Robin, tell the Shepherds we'll be the vanguard. Flavia, we'll be counting on your men to deal with the majority."

Robin nodded and began barking orders, Flavia smacked Chrom's arm to offer final words. "You've changed kid. I look forward to your reign."

She laughed and marched into the ranks of her army, orders roaring from her throat. Beyond that, only the sound of boots and armor rang through the field while the army took their position.

At the front stood Sully, the metaphorical tip of the spear. To her flanks stood the few knights that had volunteered to come with the Shepherds, their horses pawing the ground impatiently. Behind them were the foot soldiers, led by Kellam and Donnel, before mages and swordsmen brought up the rear.

Behind the Shepherds stood the Feroxi army, their numbers stretching well back of the front. Only two people were in the air, Cordelia and Cherche, but the key to the plan lay not in their sheer volume of numbers.

It lay in the fist-sized rocks that Miriel had collected from the cliff she'd blown up by accident.

Every mage had been given a handful of the rocks and a tome of fire, the goal simple. Blow every piece of hastily built wall to smithereens.

Chrom, sitting behind Cherche for this battle, drew Falchion. "Ylisse and Ferox, this is the day! We shall charge the walls of the Mad King and bring his retched tyranny to an end! For peace, for those lost in this senseless war, for those yet to come! Charge!"

The army roared its answer and began to charge. First it was a walk, then a jog, then a full sprint as the riders separated from the army at large. As expected, Plegians began to pour out of the weak stone, but they were swiftly crushed under the hooves of the rides or skewered on their lances.

The riders couldn't destroy them all though and the two armies met in a clash of steel, screams, mud, and blood.

Mages on both sides rained destruction on the vulnerable and slow while archers attempted to pick out stragglers and the wounded. With the combatants so close together, many of the Shepherd mages couldn't cast their most powerful attacks for fear of friendly fire.

That didn't mean some couldn't slaughter the Plegians wholesale. Robin summoned wolves to his sides that flashed into the screaming mobs, the familiars ripping Plegians to pieces or burning them with energy.

Stahl rode through the mass, his every pass nipping at the rear of the Plegians until he was close enough to toss his bag of stones over the wall of a crumbling fort. A sphere of fire screeched from the sky and met the bag, blowing the fort to pieces. The debris laid low Plegians and a few unfortunate Feroxi.

Cordelia, who'd delivered the blast, swerved through the sky with all the skill she held. After the blast had ruined the fort, every archer immediately turned their attention to her and the sky was black with projectiles.

Below her, Libra slung the injured over his back and fought to the back of the army, where Miriel and Lissa were providing emergency aid while Gregor turned any Plegian that tried to get close into chunks.

Throughout the carnage, Cherche had her eyes glued firmly on the castle. It was the lone sound structure on the field and her job was simple.

Deliver Chrom to the Mad King's door and leave.

To a normal mind, it was madness, but Chrom had good reason to be going in. He had back-up.

"Can we hurry it up!" Vaike called from beneath Minerva. "I don't enjoy being held like fresh meat down here!"

Cherche frankly wanted to kill Robin sometimes. While it was true there was no way Chrom would be going anywhere alone, they could've fit Vaike into the saddle rather than make him a dangling target.

"Ah, that was close!" Vaike shouted. "Watch it down there, I need this arm!"

Chrom chuckled wearily. "Cherche, we may as well go into the dive. I think the shock's starting to wear off."

Cherche sighed and angled Minerva down, swooping towards the castle walls. Chrom palmed the bag of rocks Miriel had given him and he pulled his arm back. "Ready?"

Cherche nodded and tapped the Fire tome at her hip. "Ready."

Chrom took a deep breath and heaved the bag toward the castle as they roared past it. "Now!"

Cherche's hand shot out, magic script blooming to life as the bag fell into a pillar of flames. The results were explosive enough to blow a chunk out of the wall and send every soldier in the courtyard scrambling for cover.

Cherche pulled Minerva around and descended into the courtyard, the wyvern letting Vaike go when they were close to the ground. Vaike landed with a grunt, but pulled Armads off his back and started waving it around. "Bring your best shot bastards!"

Chrom hopped from his seat once Minerva landed, waving for Cherche to leave as he joined Vaike. "So, you know what to do right?"

"Keep this lot on me while you deal with the madman." Vaike answered. "Good luck Chrom, we'll be comparing notches later, yeah?"

Chrom smirked and drew Gradivus. "We'll see whether the others get here before that happens. Let's go!"

They charged at the closest Plegians they could find, Vaike crushing one under Armads weight while Chrom skewered another on Gradivus before pointing to the doors leading into the keep. "Vaike, open the door!"

Vaike flew towards the door, spinning on his heels until Armads slammed into the wood. The force was enough to shake the door in its frame, the lock holding it smashed into useless scrap.

Chrom nodded his thanks before throwing the door open and running in, Vaike's bloodlust fueled roars ringing in his ears. The keep was quiet, strangely so, and Chrom was unmolested as he sprinted for the top floor.

He arrived to find a single figure looking out a window so small it was almost funny. The flaming orange hair and yellow vest placed him as Gangrel and Chrom hefted Gradivus onto his shoulder.

Find peace from your madness Gangrel, Chrom internally snarled. You owe Emm that much.

The great lance flew through the air, trained squarely at Gangrel's heart, but steel rasped through the air and Gradivus was deflected into the wall instead.

"Well-well," Gangrel cackled as he looked at Chrom, a Levin Sword in hand. "Would you look at this? The little prince came to do me in personally! And alone at that… whatever happened to 'working together' eh?"

Chrom drew Falchion, but he was unnerved. Gangrel sounded far too calm, his usual mad glee absent, but Chrom could see the madness shining in the Plegian King's eyes as he strode forward. "My friends are doing their duty and I shall do mine. Your reign ends today Gangrel, whether it be in chains or in the earth."

Gangrel started chuckling before it grew into a loud cackle, his smug grin returning. "Chains? Why little prince, I will die today, but before that happens… well."

He pointed his sword at Chrom. "I will rob Ylisse of its royal family, starting with you."

The duelists began to circle each other, looking for an opening that they could use. Gangrel grew impatient and swung his blade, a lance of lightning racing for Chrom. Chrom rolled away from the energy and sprinted for Gangrel, dodging the blasts as best he could.

Those that hit made Chrom hiss in pain, but his grip held steady as he reached Gangrel.

His first strike was turned away and so was the second. A fist connected with Gangrel's face and sent the king stumbling, but he caught Falchion on the jagged edge of his sword. The two pushed against each other for a moment before Chrom overpowered Gangrel and pushed the jagged blade away.

Falchion flashed and scored a shallow cut on Gangrel's chest, but Chrom paid for his aggression with a kick to his side.

Gangrel hissed as his leg met the metal, but the force was enough to push Chrom away.

Gangrel began to fire more bolts and their dance repeated itself again and again, Chrom always trying to close the distance while Gangrel tried to fry him alive.

Gangrel, though, was more desperate. The longer they fought, the more certain it became that the Shepherds or Feroxi would reach the fort and pour in. If he was to have his revenge, he needed to take it.

Chrom grunted in surprise as Gangrel charged him for the first time, Falchion moving just in time to catch a stab. Gangrel grinned at the opening and punched Chrom's temple, dazing the prince.

Grabbing Chrom by the throat, Gangrel threw the prince across the room with all the strength he could muster, the prince thudding off the ground and losing his grip on Falchion as he rolled into the wall.

With the sacred sword gone, Gangrel leapt on the downed prince, but found his blade held back by the shield Chrom wore. "The Fire Emblem!"

"That's right you madman," Chrom grunted. "So close yet so far."

Gangrel's face twisted in a grimace and called on the power of his blade. "Die!"

Lightning flowed from the blade and burned Chrom with all its wrath. Chrom screamed as every nerve in his body flared in warning, his lone free arm spasming with every jolt.

"This is how all humans die!" Gangrel cackled, literally smelling his victory in Chrom's burning skin. "Alone, weak, and scared! Know this as you go and greet your precious Naga!"

Chrom grit his teeth, and glared with all the strength he could muster as his hand closed on the handle behind him. "Not…today!"

Gangrel snarled before something dribbled past his lips. Suddenly weak, Gangrel took his hand off the blade and wiped his lip.

Blood.

Gangrel's face drooped and he looked to his side, the blade of Gradivus sticking out of him. "…Oh."

They were both still for a moment, Chrom breathing hard as the shock left his system. With Gangrel distracted, he scrambled to his feet and stood back a few paces, half-crouched to continue their fight.

Gangrel stood still and then looked up at Chrom, licking absently at the blood on his chin. His expression contorted from wrath to grief, and then something akin to confusion. His body seemed to realize it was dying then, because he fell back hard, Gradivus clanging on the floor but still clinging to his side.

Gangrel stayed on the ground so Chrom crept forward and then sat. He kept the Emblem between himself and Gangrel, but otherwise let himself relax. It was clear any threat was gone.

In the silence Chrom said: "You'l bleed out soon"

Gangrel sighed, his voice lacking its madness when it passed his lips. "Looks like I will."

He looked to Chrom. "You're… Chrom, right?"

Chrom nodded. "That I am."

Gangrel chuckled weakly and leaned back on his arms, Gradivus sticking out of him like a macabre stilt. "Well… I don't think I've had so clear a mind for some time. Never realized how much you grew up."

He smirked. "Funny, isn't it. By the time I get my head above water this happens."

Chrom shook his head and stood to walk to Gangrel's side, kicking the Levin Sword away just in case. "I can say the same… didn't even remember we'd met before the war until a few weeks ago."

"Has it been that long?" Gangrel asked. "The years have blurred since I took the crown. All I can recall is violence and more violence. Never wanted this, you know, and you probably hate me."

Chrom nodded. "I do. Emmeryn shared your reasons with me before she was captured, but I still hate you... even now."

"I'm not surprised," Gangrel sighed, spitting blood before continuing. "I've done much evil in my life, nothing that a simple apology could ever hope to rectify."

He looked at Chrom, expression peaceful. "While you may hate me, I can at least know that my life will serve as a lesson. Know that your blood will follow you wherever you go and so will the burdens it carries.

He began to slump over and Chrom remained where he was. "…Anything else, King Gangrel?"

Gangrel hacked a laugh. "First time… you've ever called me that. …Tell me, you ever talk to that girl of yours?"

"I did," Chrom answered. "We're engaged."

"Engaged!" Gangrel hacked, blood staining his lips further. "Well, when you see her next, hold her close. …Oh, one more thing."

His hand shook reaching into his vest, skin paler than it had any right to be. "I've… kept these close for a long time. Don't know why I didn't burn them, but I'd like someone who appreciates comedy to have them."

Gangrel's hand drew back and presented Chrom with several long pieces of parchment. "Here… take it."

Chrom took the parchment and began looking it over. "what is it?"

"A…comedy." Gangrel whispered. "I finished…writing it… just before I left…Ylisstol. Never did get… to act it out."

Chrom sighed and reached over, closing the dead king's eyes. "I'll see it put to the stage. You as the Plegian King can burn, but I want the one who would entertain children to be remembered. Goodbye Gangrel, may what good you held pass into Naga's arms."

He looked at the parchments and gingerly rolled them up and placed them into the pack at his hips. "Also… thanks for the engagement gift."

He stood, pulled Gradivus from Gangrel's remains, and strode to the door. Vaike stood on the other side beside a simple man in a tabard with Plegia's emblem sewn into it. "What are your burial rights?"

The man bowed to Chrom. "Cremation, milord. The ashes are used to nurture a family's fruit tree."

"I see," Chrom sighed. "Then go and see to your dead. Vaike, go and bring Gangrel with us. I want to watch him burn."

Vaike nodded and went into the room, Chrom walking down the stairs and out into the courtyard.

He was met by Robin. "It is done?"

Chrom nodded, his gaze turning to the field where the dead were being collected. "Yes."

"It is done."

-Night-

Only the Shepherds were in attendance that night.

In accordance with Plegian customs, the dead had been burned early in the day and their ashes collected. Flavia had seen to her dead after presenting Robin with the list of reparations she'd be requesting from the Plegians for the cost of the war.

Knowing that the Plegians would fold to any demands given, Chrom asked for only enough to repair the damage done to Ylisse and Ferox, along with one favor, before the messenger was sent.

An hour later, Plegia agreed to the terms and peace was achieved at last.

The favor stood before the Shepherds, a pile of wood covered in oil and arranged like the pyres of the soldiers that had been cremated earlier in the day. On it lay Gangrel's corpse, the Plegian negotiators all too happy to be rid of the king's body.

Many of the Shepherds vehemently protested doing anything for Gangrel. His actions cost them dearly and leaving him for the crows was their justice.

Chrom silenced them by pointing out how like Gangrel they sounded. The implied hypocrisy made lambs out of the once raving doubters.

Now they waited, Chrom staring up at the pyre . "To think it would actually end."

Lissa nodded, eyes red from earlier tears and the torch she held. "Yeah…"

She looked to Chrom. "Why… exactly are we doing this? He's the reason Emm…"

Chrom stroked his sister's head, taking the torch from her while her grip was loose. "Emm would have wanted us to show respect. He may have done great evil, but that doesn't mean we're not able to move past it."

Lissa nodded and Chrom placed the torch against the oil-soaked wood.

It caught immediately, the flame building into a grand inferno. It was a pyre fit for a king, maybe one Gangrel didn't deserve, but something Chrom felt necessary nonetheless.

The siblings retreated into the crowd of Shepherds, all watching silently until the pyre collapsed and embers filled the air.

One by one, they left until only Chrom and Robin remained. Robin, seeing Chrom wouldn't be leaving, asked the question he'd been pondering since the pyre had been built. "Why?"

"Because he was as much a victim as anyone," Chrom answered. "His actions earned my hatred, that I don't deny, but he was a product of something that has played out for centuries."

He looked to his friend. "I may not be able to answer violence with kindness like emm can, but I do wish to end such evil when it presents itself. I don't want others to go through what Frederick, Nowi, Sumia, Emm, or Gangrel did."

Robin nodded. "I see… well, I did say I'd help you with anything, so don't hesitate to ask me if you need it."

"Gladly," Chrom laughed. "I'll need a lot of help in the years to come. Emm and Gangrel have both shown me that."

He reached into his pack and pulled out a roll of parchment. "Look at these."

Robin took the parchment and unrolled it, eyes widening at what he saw. "…Where'd you get this?"

Chrom smiled and grabbed an urn that lay next to his feet, his words carrying on the wind.

"From an old bastard."

Ch. End

With that, we end the Plegian War. It's been a long time coming, but I feel this was a good place to end it.

For those that may question Gangrel's ending, I understand if you don't like it. In my own opinion, he was more a product of the Purge's aftermath and he's aware that he's done great evil. It's just that, in my mind, when death is a guarantee his paranoia finally went away and his mind was allowed clarity for the first time in a long time.

I hope that comes across well. Chrom doesn't forgive Gangrel, but he at least understands him. It's why he sat and talked with him rather than just killed him.

Or, at least that's just my take on it. Next time, we move into peacetime and peek into the lives of the Shepherds as they enjoy their time off from war. After everything that's happened, I feel they deserve to recharge, no?

Hope you all enjoy, and I will see you in the next chapter!