Chapter V – The Legend of the Awakening

"You came to talk to me about the future? What do you mean?" Tiki tilted her head in confusion.

"I was talking with Lucina earlier and she was telling me about her life in the future," I said quickly out of nervousness. "She had some questions that I thought you m-might know the answer to."

"Oh? Why did she not come ask me?" Tiki's expression stiffened.

"I t-think she might be a little intimidated by y-you," I said, clearly becoming more intimidated myself.

"Oh, she is?" She looked even more upset by that.

"Um, not that you're scary or a-anything. I think you're fine," I managed to mumble.

She didn't respond. She looked away from me for a moment and looked down toward my feet. All I had to ask was a simple question! Why is it so difficult for me to talk to her?"

I found my strength and tried to think of a way to salvage the conversation. I was a tactician, making a decision in seconds like this should have been easy for me.

"Tiki, I think she just finds you intimidating because you're the V-Voice and all. You're not scary," I repeated.

She lifted her head back up, her eyes aimed below my face. She looked like she was nervous, but she couldn't be. Why would she be?

"Yes, of course. Thank you," she muttered. She looked back up at me and met my eyes. She seemed like she might cry at any moment. What did I say? I didn't say anything that bad, did I?

"Well, a-anyway," I changed the subject, "Lucina was concerned that some things in her future didn't make sense, and she thought you might be able to help clear some of it up."

"I see. Well, I will tell you anything that I can," she blinked rapidly and resumed a more normal countenance.

"Thank you, T-Tiki," I said graciously. "Well, to start off with, Lucina says she thinks the F-Fire Emblem was destroyed in her future."

"That is truly terrible. Such a fate must be avoided at all costs," she cautioned grimly.

"Wait, you mean it's possible?" Suddenly my fear of talking to her went away and was replaced by an entirely new fear. Lucina had already told me, sure, but Tiki saying it made it feel real.

She nodded. "Yes, I am afraid so. In actuality, such an event has already occurred once before."

"Really? When?"

"One millennium ago, during an event known as the Schism."

"The Schism?" I had never heard of the Schism before. Though the only history I really knew was from folk stories. Every book I had time to read was about strategy.

"The Schism was a period of great unrest in the lands of our world. I trust you have heard about the First Exalt?" She looked so serious when she talked about the past. Though I supposed that she had lived through it, so it was more than just a story to her.

"The First Exalt, yeah. He was the first one to ever perform the Awakening and seal away Grima," I said proudly, happy that I knew something for once.

"That is correct," she nodded. "These lands were not always home to the realms of Ylisse, Plegia, Regna Ferox, and such. Even within my lifetime, the lands were known by much different names."

I nodded rapidly and motioned for her to continue. I wanted to be a good listener.

"At the time of the Schism, law and order collapsed. Wars were waged and lives destroyed," she recalled.

"What caused it? All the war, I mean?"

"The consequences of the fell dragon's first attack on our world. It caused terrible damage to people's lives on a local and regional scale," she spoke calmly, but clearly. "The economic downfalls that befell the land caused people to fight over what little they had left."

"That sounds horrible! What did the First Exalt do about this?"

"He fought valiantly and established social order again in the land, forming the halidom of Ylisse. The other nations you know today were formed soon after," she explained. "However, in the midst of all the conflict, the Binding Shield was destroyed."

The Binding Shield? Oh, right! "That's the Fire Emblem, right?"

"That's right. Fortunately, the First Exalt was a learned man and he was able to craft a new Binding Shield," she said.

"Wow! How did he do that? I thought it was a sacred object," I said in disbelief. I was completely engrossed in the conversation now. It was more interesting than frightening, even if I was still talking to Tiki.

"He could not do it alone. I lent some of my strength and aided in imbuing the new Shield with my power."

"Wait, Tiki, you were there when all this happened?" That was a dumb question. Of course she was. Where else would she have been when the world was in danger?

"Hehe, yes, I was. Though I was much less mature than I am now. The process was overwhelming for me." She just chuckled, and she didn't even sound nervous! That's a good sign, I hope.

"So you and the First Exalt rebuilt the Fir—I mean, the Binding Shield just as Naga built the original one?"

"...Not exactly," she hesitated. "The Shield we constructed together has some differences, but it is functionally identical in its ability to seal away Grima." I considered asking her how it was different, but the way she responded made me think that might upset her and I didn't want to risk that, so I moved on.

"Okay. What about the Awakening? Lucina says she doesn't know how to perform it and would like to know. Just in case, you know?" I spoke a bit too familiarly, I thought. I talked to her like an equal. Was that disrespectful? She seemed to be enjoying it, but that fear never left my mind.

"The Awakening is a simple rite, but a challenging one. With the Shield fully assembled with all five gemstones, the chosen must go to the place where my mother's power is at its strongest," she said. I felt bad for not knowing where that place was. "That is the summit of Mount Prism."

"Mount Prism? Got it."

"There is a temple on Mount Prism. It is the physical connection to my mother's power. The divine energy contained there is greater than mine," she said. "The chosen must enter it and perform the baptism."

"Wait, baptism? What do you mean?"

"It is the test of an individual's resolve. If one has even a moment of pause in their convictions to fight against Grima, then they cannot be trusted," she said sternly.

"U-um, isn't that a little harsh? Everyone gets nervous sometimes." I rubbed the back of my head.

"As I said, the test is simple, but challenging. The chosen must subject themselves to Naga's fire. If they have an unwavering desire to banish evil, then the fire will not harm them," she said. I could feel my eyes widening as she described it. "They will feel pain, but there will be no lasting damage if they still do not give in for even an instant."

"So if they are able to withstand the pain and never give up hope, they pass?"

"Not quite. They must have a pure soul. The individual's character is up to the test just as much as their physical strength. If their intentions are clouded by selfishness, then they will fail the baptism."

"What's the punishment for failure?"

"...Death." I gulped. She softened her expression at my reaction. "But, please do understand that Chrom will not be in any danger so long as he is completely honorable and resolute in his desire."

"I know he is. He would never do anything that didn't help everyone in Ylisse, or in the world for that matter." That I was sure of. Chrom was the best man I knew.

Lucina had been the chosen wielder of Falchion in her future, yes, but that was only because Chrom was already dead by then. In this age, Chrom was the chosen one to wield Naga's power. His status was proven by the brand on his upper arm. Emmeryn had it when she was alive and Lucina had it too. Lissa didn't, but I wasn't sure why. That meant Chrom would have to undergo this process when the time was right.

Gods, now I only have one question left to ask, and I know she's not going to like it. But… I promised Lucina.

"T-Tiki, Lucina had just one more question."

"Really? Please share it with me," she said. She was much more amiable than before. I hoped that this question wouldn't ruin that.

"Well, uh, in the future, Lucina says that Naga's power is a lot weaker than what the legends say of it," I began, my voice shaking with every word. "She thinks it is because the Binding Shield was destroyed, but I said that couldn't be possible because Naga created the Binding Shield, r-right?"

I had more to say, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. I can't ask her if Naga could really die. Knowing that her mother's death is imminent would destroy her. I can't do that to her.

"Robin? Is there something more to add?" she tilted her head. It was kind of endearing whenever she did that.

"N-no! That's—that's all, Tiki."

She blinked and spoke slowly. "As you wish. What you say is true; my mother did create the Binding Shield."

"Oh. Then, why does its destruction limit her power? Can't she just create another one like you did?"

"She would be able to, yes, in a world like the one we inhabit today," she said.

"What do you mean? Is Lucina's world different somehow?" I realized how dumb that sounded the moment it came out.

"The presence of Grima affects my mother's power, you see. Grima possesses another power that is the very bane of my mother's power and indeed my own," she spoke more grimly again, but her expression wasn't so cold this time.

"I don't really understand. I know Grima has his own power, but isn't Naga's power capable of destroying Grima's?" That was the very purpose of the Awakening, after all—to gain the power to destroy Grima. Or at least to seal him away.

"That is a… very complex question to answer. An answer I would be happy to give you nonetheless, but I do not imagine you wish to hear such details," she frowned.

"O-of course I do! It's related to you, so I definitely want to know about it!" That was phrased poorly. Or was it? That was what I felt, but I didn't understand why. I just felt very curious about her recently.

A brief smile flickered across her face and she met my eyes again. "If you would like, then I will tell you." We had been marching for a few hours at least now, surely, but it felt like no time at all while I talked with Tiki.

"Most people call my mother a goddess. They believe her power is unlimited and pray to her for everything from a panacea for plague to trivial matters," she said. I knew that, but I didn't dare speak. After all, I had prayed to Naga once or twice before for the outcome of a battle. "But this is untrue. My mother is but a mortal being herself."

"Really?" I said reflexively. I was trying not to interrupt her, but that was a shock to me.

"Yes. My mother fulfills a sacred role in this world, and she has forfeited her physical form to carry out this role, but she is still a mortal like you or me." That was a weird feeling, to hear her compare herself to me as being a mere mortal. "That means that the holy power encapsulated within the Binding Shield is only housed within my mother's spirit. She is not the original source of the power."

"Then, what is the source of the divine power?"

"The gods, or maybe the land itself. I cannot say," she paused. "Because my mother's power is partially contained in the Binding Shield, the destruction of it means that her power is not solidly grounded in this world. Physical objects are the best anchors of spiritual energy, but my mother does not possess a physical form anymore. The Shield is the best container for her energy that exists in the world."

"But Tiki, you have a physical form. Couldn't you use Naga's power if the Shield is broken?"

"Yes, I should be able to. The fact that I apparently did not in the ruined future is more than a little concerning," she said anxiously.

"What does it mean, do you think?" I was still barely able to believe I was having a conversation with Tiki as if we were equals. It was like a dream come true.

"I… should not say. It would only serve to worry you," she said. Her tone wasn't dismissive. The only thing I could hear was fright.

"Tiki, it's okay. If I may be so bold, it would make me happy to help you get it off your chest," I said. I hoped I wasn't overstepping her boundaries.

"Very well." She took a long pause before sighing and continuing. "There are two explanations I can conceive for why I did not repair the Shield in the ruined future. The first being that my mother refused to grant me the power. I could not fathom a possible reason for her to refuse such an attempt."

"Of course not. That would only prevent the world from being saved, and Naga would never do something like that."

"As you say. The only other logical explanation is that…" she trailed off. Did she mean her death? I supposed that if Naga could die, she could too. I didn't want to be insensitive, but I figured she must be thinking of a nice way to say it.

"You mean if something bad happened to you in the future, like your death?" I whispered.

"I do not think that is a likely possibility, no. The other explanation is, um, q-quite personal, you understand," she stammered.

"You don't have to say it if it makes you uncomfortable, Tiki," I gave her a reassuring look.

"T-thank you, Robin," she bowed her head to me. "It is best described as me being unable to utilize the power."

"I understand. So Naga's power would be weaker because the Shield was broken and you were unable to use the power. So it would have no physical source," I summarized.

"Correct, yes."

"Well then, is there any way I could use the power?"

"W-what?" She looked as if her heart skipped a beat.

"Naga's power. All it needs is a physical vessel, right? And you said I have some kind of power, so maybe I can use Naga's power as well."

"That is impossible. Only those whose veins course with Naga's blood are born with the power," she said.

"But what if I could get the power from you? You have the power, you just said you might not be able to use it. So if you can't use it, maybe my power and yours together will work?"

"The scenario I envisioned does not involve me being able to do such things," her tone became more grave for a moment. "Regardless, your power is unknown to me. Potential uses for it are beyond my knowledge."

"But you're the Voice of Naga, Tiki. If anyone could figure it out, I'm sure it'd be you. You know more about divine powers than anyone alive," I said earnestly.

"Wait a moment, Robin. That brand on your hand, what is that?" She reached for my hand to examine the marking on it.

I didn't have an answer to that question. When I first met the Shepherds, and so as far back as I could remember, I had a strange brand on my hand. It looked different than the Brand of the Exalt. It didn't really occur to me until now, but Tiki finished my thought for me before I could voice it.

"I wonder if this brand is a symbol of your power, just as Chrom's is a symbol of his own," she said as she brushed her thumb over it.

"Now that you say that, it makes a lot of sense. Have you seen this symbol before?" I asked.

"I have not, though the design looks somewhat curious," she looked closely. "It looks like six eyes. Would you not say so?"

"You're right. It does look like that! I never really looked at it closely before."

"I am intrigued. I would love to find out what it means, though I expect I will have to resign that task to you," she said regretfully.

"Maybe we'll find out together somehow. I promise if I find out, you'll be the first one I tell."

She smiled in response. Her smile infected me as usual, and soon I found myself smiling along with her.

"Thank you, Robin. You make me very happy. It has been a long time since I have conversed with someone as we have today, even if it began as a strategic inquiry." Her smile was subtle, but powerful. Her eyes were filled with emotion. I had really made her happy just by listening to her talk. She must not have gotten a chance to talk with people one-on-one often.

"It's really no problem—" I was cut off by a commotion near the front of the group. Tiki and I were far in the back, but disorder could be heard even where we stood.

Ahead of us was a village. I remembered it from the map. A large village, home to several trading posts and a happy populace. Or at least, it was.

As we looked on to the village a mile ahead at the base of a cliff, we could see buildings billowing with smoke and people scrambling to save their belongings. They could barely be seen from here, but one thing was clear to me.

Those people need our help, now!