Chapter 12) Mad King Gangrel

The last of the snows melt, and we marched back to the border, intending on crossing into Plegia. New armor, new weapons… all of us are armored to the teeth and we make a rather impressive sight alongside the Feroxi soldiers. As we get closer to the border, our army grows and grows, and we're met with cheers by the civilians. We even meet some Ylisseans along the way, those determined to fight, even though their country has fallen.

This… is it. This is it. This war ends.

"So, this is my current strategy based on what we know," Robin finished, straightening. He'd been leaning over the map Cordelia and Sumia made for us, explaining the current battle plan to Chrom and me. "Any questions?"

"No, I think it's a good one personally," Chrom answered, smiling warmly at him. "To think that a simple walk through a meadow led to Lissa tripping over the best tactician in the lands."

"Praise me as that when this works. I'm nervous." Robin sighed, and looked to me shyly. I smiled warmly at him, proud, and he grinned, perfectly pleased. "Why isn't Frederick here again?"

"He's checking if there is new information, since Flavia and Basilio are camping with their troops instead of us." Chrom absently took my hand and tugged me a little closer to kiss my temple. "Just in case."

"Right, a numbers change could be detrimental." Robin smiled sweetly. "However, should I leave you two alone~?"

"Huh?" Chrom's expression blanked before he looked down at me in confusion. I pointed to our clasped hands and he blushed. "Oh."

"Gods, you're adorable." Robin laughed. "Good taste, dear sister."

"Oh, shut up," I sighed, scowling. He simply laughed more. "Regardless, why did you guys drag me into this again? I had planned on checking the supplies with Cordelia, and then making sure Maribelle had everything she and Lissa needed for the infirmary."

"Why, so that I could watch you two be adorable, of course," Robin instantly retorted. He even wore a bright grin. "Lissa says that as a sibling, it's my job to tease the living hell out of you both."

"…Oh, Robiiin~" I smiled, and his grin fell from his face. "I think the Shepherds should hear about some escapades from our childhood."

"That isn't fair at all. I don't remember them!"

"Exactly."

"Come on! Not fair!"

"Too bad." I made for the entrance of the tent, but yelped as Robin caught me in a hug. "Hey!"

"Nope, nope! I'm protecting my reputation!" He laughed, dragging me backwards. I groaned, but let him. "Fine, fine, I'll time the teasing better. Happy?"

"Maybe."

"You two are ridiculous," Chrom laughed. He smiled brightly at us, though there was some pain to it. He missed Emmeryn, and no doubt he wished he'd teased her more. "So…" There was a 'knock' on the tent flap, and it opened to reveal a stoic Frederick. "Ah, Frederick, anything?"

"Yes, we received a report from Khan Flavia," Frederick explained. He held himself strangely stiffly, and I stepped away from Robin, worried. "The Plegian Army…"

"Is there more numbers than anticipated?" Chrom asked softly. That was something we considered. We had no knowledge of how many Gangrel might conscript, after all. "In that case, Robin, we need to-"

"No, that's not it." Frederick shook his head. "The Plegian Army is actually in disarray."

Silence fell for a long moment as we tried to process the words. Even then, we couldn't quite, so Chrom asked, "…How do you mean?"

"Infighting, desertion, visible and loud protests against further violence…" He shrugged. "Gangrel stomps out the opposition with force, but with little success. If anything, it makes it worse. His army has all but collapsed. We are fighting him with three to one numbers, in our favor."

"…Seriously?" Chrom and Robin exchanged a look of confusion. "Why would they…?" Chrom trailed off though, and began to laugh, softly and bitterly. "No, I know. Emm. It's Emm, isn't it?"

"It is." Frederick relaxed slightly, smiling wanly. "Her name has become a rallying cry. Her sacrifice made her words ring true."

"They want peace. They wanted someone to acknowledge their pain. She saw that. No, she learned that." Chrom's head dropped, but it didn't hide the quiet tears slipping down his face. "Damn it, Emm. I can't even tell you that you were right." I reached up and wiped away the tears, and he smiled. "Sorry. That's…"

"What will you do, my lord?" Frederick's words were soft. "His army is in disarray. We have clear superiority now." But they were serious, and I realized now this was why he'd been stiff. "What will you do?"

"I…" Chrom hesitated, and looked down. Then he looked at the map, then at Robin, and then at me. After that, he closed his eyes, breathed in deep, and let out the breath slowly. "Send a messenger, Frederick. I will give him a chance to surrender."

"Are you certain, my lord?"

"Yes. It's… my compromise. Emmeryn would give him far more than one. My father gave Plegia none. I… will give him the one, as I did with Raimi, way back to when we first crossed the border." Chrom nodded, straightening his posture to look a little surer. A little more regal. "His reign ends. But I will give him a chance to surrender, and end it without further violence."

"Of course, my lord." Frederick bowed, smiling warmly. "I'll see to it at once."

"Let me come with, Frederick, to talk to the messenger," Robin requested. His eyes sparkled, even as he tried to look serious. "Just to get more information." Frederick nodded and held the tent flap open for him. "Thanks!" Robin bolted out the tent, and Frederick quickly followed.

I debated following, still surprised by the news. However, I noticed how Chrom looked conflicted, so instead, I moved to his side and caressed his cheek. "I'm proud of you," I murmured. He looked at me slowly, expression almost fragile. "I think it's good to give him a chance. But just the one. Any more, and he'll regroup."

"Yeah…" he sighed. But he relaxed and smiled. "Thanks, Kes."

"I'm simply stating the truth. Though, I'm pretty certain Gangrel will refuse it." I bit my lip, glancing at the map. "I'm also worried about Risen showing up."

"Robin's plan accounted for that."

"I can still worry."

"True." He sighed, rubbing his temple. "How late is it again?"

"Well, you two started this meeting after dinner. So, I imagine most people are going on watch or heading to bed. Will you do the same?"

"Bed sounds nice. At the least, I should probably relax. If Robin wants to continue the talks, he can just… send for me or something." He nodded to himself, paused, and then looked to me. "Say, Kes?"

"Yes?"

"Do you mind spending the night with me, instead of going back to yours?"

"Uh…" My thoughts stopped for a brief moment, before the rest of me caught up and processed not only the words, but how he said them. And when I did, I decided to tease him, just a little. "So, Chrom, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and think you didn't quite realize the implications of what you said."

"Implications?" His expression blanked, proving me right, before he went apple-red as it clicked. "That… Uh… um… Oh, that wasn't what I meant." He ducked away, hiding his face with his hand, which did nothing to hide his blush. He was red all the way to his ears. "Ugh, great, now I sound like I'm coming on like a wyvern in heart… in heat… but I swear that wasn't… I mean…"

"…Well, it's not like I'd refuse even if it was." I said the words candidly, though I knew my own face went red. His went redder. "But we're going to war, and I imagine tiring ourselves out the night before a big battle isn't a good idea."

"N-no, it doesn't…" He glanced at me, smiling sheepishly. "I just… would like… ugh, I can't think of how to phrase this without-"

"Let me get a change of clothes, and if anyone sees, you're the one explaining." I grinned, and he made a face, but smiled. Both of us were still bright red. "I'll see you there. Okay?"

"Okay." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Thank you."

Gangrel didn't take the offer to surrender. We expected that, but it was disappointing to hear. The messenger, who had to be treated for injuries because Gangrel tried to kill the poor man, took all of it with surprisingly good humor and told us something interesting. Aversa had left the palace, as well as the Grimleal. While some might remain, it would be those who chose, and likely not very strong ones. Not ones who could summon the Risen.

"Anyone else feel like this isn't quite real?" Robin asked. We were standing on the edge of the battlefield, on a hill overlooking the Plegian soldiers. "Like this is some weird as hell dream?"

"Maybe a little," Chrom murmured. He, Robin, and I were standing in front of the Shepherds. "But, just a little."

"Stop trying to be cool in front of your girlfriend. My sister already knows how dorky you are."

"Hey!" Chrom scowled and Robin laughed. "Oh, whatever. We're ready."

"Yes, for a speech for inspiration!"

"I'm not doing a speech."

"Oh, come on. For inspiration!"

"You already said that, and I think the Shepherds have their own inspirations ready."

"Please?" Robin glanced at me. "You convince him."

"No, I won't force him to do what he doesn't want," I replied. Chrom sighed in relief while Robin groaned. I heard snickers from the Shepherds, and decided… decided to be mischievous. "Instead, I suppose I'll inspire our glorious leader." I brushed a kiss over Chrom's cheek, and both of us went red as someone, probably Vaike, loosed a wolf-whistle. "There. Inspiration to not die."

"…I can't lose," Chrom murmured. He grinned and leaned down to kiss me on the mouth. This time, there was clapping. I could hurt all of them; I was so mortified. "And you cannot die either. None of us will die." He turned to everyone and smiled. "Understand, Shepherds? I need all of you to survive this battle. I don't care how. Just survive, and then we'll rebuild Ylisse!"

"There's the speech!" Robin laughed, clapping. Chrom's smile faltered as he realized what just happened. "Now, let's win this!"

"…Yes. For our future, and the world we wish to live in." Chrom nodded once, and looked everyone in the eye. I glanced at everyone worriedly, particularly Olivia. She had wished to fight with us, as her Dancer's Gift could be useful, but she wasn't the best of fighters. "Shepherds…" Everyone tensed. Ready. Waiting. "CHARGE!"

Chrom, Robin, and I were the first ones to jump down, but that was less 'leaders by example' and more out of self-presevation. It was a lot easier for the horses to charge if the on-foot combatants were out of the way. We heard echoes of war cries and the quiet 'rumble' of other charges, showing the Feroxi soldiers had charged with us. Flavia and hers to our right. Basilio and his to our left. And we Shepherds in the center, because that's what Gangrel was. Dead center.

Gangrel saw us too, and charged with his own soldiers. And he headed straight for Chrom. "Good day, my little princeling!" he mocked, stopping just short. His smile was far too wide to be anything but 'mad'. "Still dreaming of your squashed sister?"

"I put my sister to rest, Gangrel," Chrom retorted coolly, also stopping. He glared, and brought his sword up. The rest of us kept on running, though both Robin and I slowed, worried. "But no more talk. You'll die here today, and peace will return to Ylisse and Plegia."

"Pah! Such hypocrisy!" Gangrel spat at Chrom's feet. "You despise me! You want to cut me down! You don't know the first thing about peace! Same as me!" He cackled suddenly. "Gods you are me! When life questions, you answer with blood!"

"Yes, I will never be my sister. I cannot forgive people like you. Were I alone, I would've become you, or my father. I am not so blind that I do not recognize this." Chrom smirked then. "But, I'm not alone. Unlike you, and unlike my father, I have my friends. So, I know I won't stray."

"What a flower harangue! I fear I might vomit." Gangrel snarled, lighting crackling along his sword. Levin Sword. "Men are beasts! We fight! We kill! We devour our prey! Just as your precious Holy Swordsman did when she led the purge of the Plegian Ghettos!"

"…"

"Beasts do not stand behind beasts, little prince! They use each other so long as it suits their own selfish purpose!"

"…I pity you." Chrom's smirk faded, and Gangrel's snarl dropped for shock. "I hate you. I despise you. But I pity you as well. You are nothing but madness, a poison. A festering wound, carved out by my father and Clara."

"Shut up, you little-"

"But if that is what you truly believe, then it is no wonder your soldiers refuse to stand with you. Enough with words, Gangrel. I am a warrior, same as you. And I will do what my sister could not."

"Such a clever tongue!" Gangrel lunged, striking wildly. "It will look quite fetching hanging on my mantle!"

Chrom, however, blocked the blade and shoved him off. "Then try to win it."

Part of me wanted to stay near, just in case, but I had other duties. Chrom could take care of himself. I had my own battles to fight. So, I turned away and fell on the closest soldier, beginning my own attack. Robin's plan relied on speed and strength. We were going to hit hard and fast. Break their guard, and make them yield. And I had my own part to play.

So, I fought. I blocked and countered. I stabbed and killed. All the while, I was well aware that this was with a 'weakened' force. But they fought like rabid animals, and I recognized why. They were in a corner. And you never backed a desperate enemy into a corner. Except we did, because that's what war was.

I focused mainly on the archers, worried for Cordelia and Sumia. They were dodgy, and fought well together, but Phila's death still haunted me. So, I made a point to pick them off, which bit me in the ass when a mage decided to target me. Fire crashed into my shoulder, and I automatically dropped my shoulder as my arm reacted to the pain. I twisted, eyes narrowed as I caught sight. I debated a few things, and then decided to scoop up a fallen bow and arrow and shoot. It went wide, and the bowstring caught awkwardly on my gauntlets, but it was enough to make them stumble, and it was enough for me to scoop up my sword again and charge, cutting them down. As I did, I noticed something that made me yelp. Olivia was surrounded. Holding her own, but surrounded.

I bolted for her, but slid in the sand and then had to shake the sweat from my eyes. The heat was beating down on us, and quite a few of the fighters had dropped from the heat. That left openings, and I was certain that was why Olivia was in danger in the first place. I had to get to her, but there were a lot of obstacles in the way.

"Damn, this is longer than I hoped." Something bumped into my back, and I almost attacked. But then I glanced over my shoulder, and saw white hair. "Kestrel," Robin called. "That you? Feels like you."

"You can tell it's me just by my back?" I teased, mostly to hide my worry. I could barely see Olivia now, but she looked injured. I thought I saw red, at least. "How long has it been?"

"Shorter than it feels, longer than I want. The sun is high in the sky, and we're reaching the hottest part of the day." He growled something, and I soon saw why. Enemy soldiers were surrounding us. "Gods, enough of this nonsense! We've got people we want to protect, and you're in the way."

"That they are." I sighed and shifted into a stance, wishing I had just a little more strength. "Oh well. We'll do this for our friends, right?"

"Right." There was… a strange spark to the air. A different sort of heat in my blood. "Now then…" Robin's brought his hand up, and I caught the edge of a spark and, strangely, of a fiery blossom. "Time to tip the scales!"

"Yes!" I prepared for a lunge, eyes narrowing at the solider in front of me. Strange purple-pink flames appeared along my blade, appearing like feathers falling from the sky. I should've been worried, but I… wasn't. Because there was something gentle to the flames despite their strangeness and darkness, like Mom's magic. "Let's hear your death rattle!"

The flames erupted around blade as I lunged and bit deep into the wound I left as I cut the soldier down. As they fell, the flames danced through the air, looking very much like soft feathers. Automatically, I reached up to snag one, and found it cool to the touch before disappearing. The rest floated into the sky, joining similarly colored 'flower petals'. I instinctively knew it was because of Robin, and turned to see he'd also dealt with one of the soldiers. The rest that had surrounded us decided to run, frightened. But Robin and I? We… well…

"THAT WAS SO COOL!" we chorused, grinning and laughing. A couple of people gave us weird looks, but we didn't care. "So cool, so cool!"

"But what was it?" Robin asked once the initial wave of giddiness faded. "I mean… there were flames, and then flowers and…"

"I have no idea," I admitted easily. I was still giggling, feeling like a child. But a scream reminded me I was on the battlefield, and why I'd been running this way in the first place. "Shit, Olivia!"

"I've got her!" And he was off, saving her, and I returned to my own fighting, pairing up with Gaius to deal with some particularly quick fighters. When that was done, I caught a ride with Sumia to drop me down near where Virion needed a guard, and I continued fighting there.

A bolt of lighting caught my attention, and both Virion and I jumped back as something flew past us. We stared in confusion at the strange sword, before I recognized it as a Levin Sword. Then I remembered who had a Levin Sword and turned to look. And there I saw Chrom and Gangrel in combat. Both were bleeding, but Gangrel was far worse off. He, after all, had Falchion through his gut.

A strange hush fell over the field as Chrom jerked the blade out, and Gangrel crumpled. Gangrel gasped and struggled to stand, but he just fell on his face. "F-fool… of a prince…" he coughed out. Blood speckled his chin and lips. "Your people care not for you… you are… alone…" He laughed, and it gurgled. "As every man lives and dies… alone."

"…I'm sorry you feel that way." Chrom brought the sword above his head and flipped it so that the blade pointed down. "But that's all the more reason to prove you wrong."

He stabbed down, right into Gangrel's throat. Gangrel's body jerked up briefly, before passing with a quiet 'gasp'.

Silence… silence… silence… and then, one by one, the other Plegian soldiers dropped their weapons and fell to their knees. Many sobbed. More screamed. But all of them acknowledged what it meant for Gangrel to fall.

The war… was over… It was actually over.

The aftermath involved a lot of blood, a lot of tears, and a lot of pain. We stole one of the nearby forts for our infirmary, and spent quite a bit of time gathering the wounded and tucking them inside, shielding them from the harsh desert sun. The battle hadn't lasted long. But it had been too long for quite a few of the Feroxi, used to colder climates, and for the barely trained Ylisseans who insisted on fighting. It felt like a long while before Flavia, Basilio, Robin, Chrom, and I could meet up in the courtyard and talk.

"The messenger just left," Robin explained. He had blood smeared across his face and staining his coat, and he was pale from a prior fainting spell. But other than that and the sweat, he looked fine. "Terse fellow."

"Well, he's on the losing side of this war, and worse, it's a war Plegia started," Flavia pointed out. She shrugged, and winced briefly. Only those subtle winces hinted she'd taken any damage. Well, that and her ponytail falling out. She otherwise looked as fresh as a daisy. "But at least it's finished. Once their messenger delivers our terms, that's it. We put an end to the bloody business." Flavia laughed unexpectedly, and reached up to fix her ponytail. "Shortest war I've ever fought. It's been what? Three battles?"

"More than that, but I think it's only two or three you directly fought," Chrom murmured. He sighed, and shook his head. He was in fresh clothes, but that was because his shirt had gotten stained beyond repair after a particularly bad wound in the infirmary stressed and ruptured a major artery. His face was scrubbed pink. "Strange. We won, but I don't feel like celebrating."

"Victories in war tend to be bittersweet, boy," Basilio explained. He smiled kindly and patted Chrom's shoulder. Unlike the rest of us, he seemed completely unwounded and untouched by the fighting. I was certain it was just because he was amazing at hiding it. "Which one weighs more all depends on context. It's good to learn that early. Keeps you from becoming a warmonger."

"I see…" Chrom sighed. "How many dead?"

"Regna Ferox lost a good number of soldiers, unfortunately," Flavia answered. She grimaced and rolled her shoulder; she'd strained it. "Not as many as feared, but certainly more than we're used to. We need to see to our dead. Then to the living."

"I'm sorry," Chrom whispered. He looked down, and I knew why. A lot of Ylisseans had died today too. Somehow, the Shepherds escaped unscathed, though we had some near misses with Ricken and Donnel. "Ylisse will compensate-"

"Oh, don't fuss about finances, though if you really feel bad, you can give up the Fire Emblem?" She grinned, and winked as Chrom frowned. "Sorry. I wanted to get that sad look off your face. Reparations fall to Plegia for this, and don't fret. I've seen the treasury. They can well afford it."

"Yes, pity the man who stands between Flavia and a full coffer, boy," Basilio joked. There was a serious to his face, though, that implied he was also serious. "It'll be fine."

"If you feel so bad, Chrom, you can cut some of the reparations we receive to be funneled to Ferox," I pointed out. I rested a hand on his shoulder and smiled. I knew I looked like a mess, but hopefully, no one cared. I'd been helping in the infirmary, after all. "If I recall correctly, Ylisse never gave reparations to Plegia when the war ended. So, take less."

"That's true. And if they ask, you can say it's the reparations Ylisse should've given. Now, granted, I don't think your coffers could afford it then, but the gesture is there."

"And, more to the point, you're prove yourself different." I squeezed his shoulder. "It'll be harder to recover, but we can make that effort, right? To make it a little easier to repair the trust between Plegia and Ylisse?"

"Listen to you two, being all political." Basilio suddenly laughed, grinning. "But, come on. Instead of us yammering on and on, Chrom, shouldn't you be giving your bride a victory kiss?" He laughed more as Chrom and I both went bright red. Flavia and Robin joined in on the laughter. "Come here, Robin. You can serve as his representative while those two have a moment."

"We can go get Lissa too," Robin suggested. He was already walking off, with a snickering Flavia following. "That way we'll have a royal viewpoint."

"Hold on a moment!" Chrom protested. However, all three of them continued on, waving. "That's… uh…"

"Honestly, these people," I grumbled, facepalming. This was ridiculous. "It's not like our wits have left us."

"Well, I am madly in love with you." He grinned brightly at my scowl. "So, less reparations."

"It was just a suggestion." I shrugged. "You could also just take it and give it to Ferox."

"No, I like it." He ran a hand over my hair, lingering on where blood had caked in. "I do value your insight, you know."

"I'm still not used to being a leader, though." I sighed, feeling blue suddenly. "I lock up. It's easier when it's just me and you."

"You'll get better in time. And I'll be learning how to be an Exalt beside you. I thought it would be ages before I inherited, after all." He continued stroking my hair, eyes a little distant. "You know…"

"Yes?"

"It occurred to me, while I was fighting Gangrel…" His hand fell to mine and he took it gently. "We've all been assuming… but I never formally asked."

"Formally asked what?"

"This." He lifted my hand and deliberately kissed my ring finger. My thoughts stopped. "Kestrel, you are the wind at my back, and the sword at my side. So much a part of me that I can barely remember what life was like without you. Though I dragged you into a war…"

"That I chose to fight. Believe me; I know how to run. I… chose not to." I smiled gently at him. "I chose to stand my ground, for once. I'm glad."

"As I am. So…" His face went a little red. "Will you marry me?"

"Of course." Now my face went red, and I laughed. "Oh, wow, you're right. You never did formally ask. We just…"

"Assumed. But I wanted to be proper. I wished I had a ring for you, though."

"I don't need a ring. I have you."

"You…" He laughed softly and then leaned in, kissing me fiercely. "You are too wonderful. I am the happiest man alive, right now."

"And I, the happiest woman." I laughed, and kissed him back. And then I realized something. "Oh, wait, seriously, Chrom? I look like a complete mess, and you propose formally now?"

"Why not? You're sweaty and gross from helping people." He grinned, and I huffed, looking away. "Besides, it's not like I looked much better before I scrubbed."

"But you still did!" I sighed, feeling grumpy. "Horrible timing."

"I'm sorry."

"You are not."

"No, I'm not, because you said 'yes'." He laughed, and I relented. "I'll be sure to give you the ring when you're nice and clean, though."

"You're horrible." I made a face, and he laughed again. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

"Yes, we must see to our people." He cupped my face and smiled. "But we'll do it together, my love. We'll build a peaceful world."

"We will. That's a promise."

He kissed me again, and no small part of me felt guilty. My… my very presence threatened that peace he wanted. But I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy the kiss. I wanted to be happy. Couldn't I be happy, just for a bit? I hoped so. Gods, I hoped so.

Notes on Tharja

Class – Dark Mage; Reclass – Knight, Archer

A dark mage from Plegia, skilled with curses, who joined the Shepherds because she disliked Gangrel. Cold, but with a quite kindness to her. If you get close enough.

Skilled in the art of Dark Magic, with the power to back it up, though she does have some difficulties with accuracy. Like most with dark magic, she trained more for survivability; dark magic can kill the caster if you're not careful.

Has a crush on Robin, to the point that it's almost… creepy. Robin, either because he is oblivious or has no context due to amnesia, seems to just laugh it off. Others, though, try to divert her attentions away. She seems to be genuinely close to Gaius, though.

Author's note: And thus, the first arc ends. As a reminder, I am only doing the last of the Spotpass maps (Priam's). So, Gangrel is definitively dead. If Chrom doesn't have an S support, and has an available bride, he'll 'auto-S' with one, based off of mechanics that I don't want to get into. The 'coming on like a wyvern in heat' and 'you are the wind at my back and the sword at my side' come from his S support with a female!Robin.

I am treating 'Ignis' as a sort of 'bloodline' skill, something related to being descendant from Grima. As such, both Robin and Kestrel get access to it (as well as their kids). The in-game animation shows a show of petals (possibly because the Japanese name for the skill contains one of the Kanji for Flower), which is kept for Robin, but Kestrel gets feathers for hers for… fun.

In-game, the mission is a 'rout', but it felt more 'right' to have it end with Gangrel's death.

Next Chapter – Interlude, Betrothed