The day started to wane once more as a spy, inserted in the castle, returned to give his report to the gathered command staff of the joint force. "The exalt is to be executed at the castle on the morrow. I heard it from the king's own lips, sire."
Basilio nodded as he motioned the man away as he spoke with the thought. "This is it, then." Chrom nodded as he turned to Alexander who studied the map, where the likely foes were most likely to mobilize, even from the forts set in the sands.
"Exactly as you predicted, Alex."
"So far, yes. But tomorrow will be the true test..." Alexander grimaced to the slim chance to save Emmeryn, heedless to the presence behind him before his back was slammed hard and he suppressed a groan of pain as Flavia happily cheered.
"Chin up, there! Show some confidence! It's your thinking that's got us this far." Alex huffed at the nonchalant of the woman as she finished, pouring over the map as well. "The plan is risky, but only as much is called for." All nodded as Chrom agreed.
"We'll find a way to see it through, Alexander." Alex remained quiet as Chrom just smiled to the belief that they will be victorious. "Don't worry. This time tomorrow, we'll be swapping stories with Emm on the road home."
"I hope you're right." They all headed back to their tents to rest for the coming day, the day when the joint force rescued the Exalt, but Alex felt the slim chances there as Amirg whispered.
"Victory or defeat, it doesn't matter as the Emblem is the most valuable thing in the lands, we can't let it fall into the hands of the Mad King or a fool." Alex remained quiet before he inquired for something.
"Amirg...?"
"What is it?"
"Whatever the case... can you unlock the seals on my body for a demonstration if this goes the way I think it will?" Alexander didn't want to admit it, but Amirg nodded to the notion.
"The King and his people will see things differently once I am unleashed, even for a bit, I will do it, this sort of action is not okay, to hold on to grudges of the past."
"That is all I thought to ask of you for now, Amirg..." Alex dozed off and fell into a sleep in his bunk...
Alexander sprung up in a horrified gasp of fear, the dream of the ancient ritual hanging in his vision as he blinked to get rid of it, but even Amirg recoiled from it as Lissa's voice called out. "Alexander?" She walked in and he was glad to still have the sheet on him as he discarded his shirt and coat to sleep easy from a nasty sand flow in both as she rushed over, having noticed the sweat dripping off him. "Hey, Alex! What's wrong? Was it a nightmare?" As it turned out, Lissa's presence happened ease his blood and calm him down... just like Chrom's presence as he lowered his hand and spoke with a shake of the head.
"Is... that what it was?" He rubbed his arm as he replied. "Y-yes, it must have been... I'm sorry, what brings you here, Lissa? Was there something you needed?" The princess nodded as she stood back up, looking concerned for him for the look that he must have been sporting.
"Frederick says it's time to march. And we can't start the plan without our master tactician!" Alex nodded as Lissa left and the tactician readied up, dressing once more as Christian met him at the tent cover and both headed for the ambush point.
Aversa crossed her arms as Gangrel strolled to the front to give his big speech, his soul deeply scarred enough that she knew that he viewed the actions of Ylisse as personal, any Plegian would if they held to resentment for too long and, considering the year gap between the previous and this Exalt, that was a long time as he happily shouted. "Good people! Warriors of Plegia! Welcome! Welcome, one and all! Your anticipation electrifies the air! We ALL remember the crimes of Ylisse... Would you have their witch-queen answer for them? Here? Today? NOW?" Not one of the members were silent as they cheered for her death, Emmeryn standing silent with the butcher of a executioner behind her. "YEEEEEEEEEEEES! Finally, we will have JUSTICE!" He pointed to the axe-wielding madman as the signal. "EXECUTIONER! If you would be so kind..." Aversa sighed as she closed her eyes, soon the cheer would once more fill the air with the cut and the thud of a body, but she was not ready for the next voice that shouted and what followed.
"Flavia!"
"I've got him!" It was one hell of a throw as no sooner was the axe raised high than a axe flew toward and slammed into the barbarian, toppling him over the edge of the peak as more came forth.
"EVERYONE, NOW!" The guards yelled and cried out as the joint force had hit hard into the back, the place less protected and Aversa grimaced before she stopped, her body slightly shaking as some unknown power found itself into her body with a vile whisper.
"She WILL die this day, the riders will be shot down, fate demands that its stone-etched power is maintained, blood will flow freely this day...!"
Chrom called out for battle as Gangrel returned volley, the noncombatant members rushing about in panic as the armed forces rushed to stop the attackers, but they found no match in Alex's commands as the battle of hold out was crushed. "Virion, watch our rearguard and set up for Wyvern reinforcements!" The noble nodded without question as he rushed to the back, several archers joining him as he continued, the advancing attackers dropping like flies, the Shepherds proved to be too strong. "Gaius and Kellam, grab ten men and seize those forts, their garrisons are not allowed to get free to supply Gangrel's war!" Both the thief of sweets and the silent knight nodded as they rushed back and forward as the forces made excellent ground. "Maribelle, keep the backline supplied with healing, through staves or items, just keep the men going!" The troubadour nodded as she reared her horse and headed to do that as Alex nodded, Chrom saving a War Monk from the chance of death, though made a note to assure the sexual appearance as it looked, from a distance, to hold more feminine attributes than male as he paused before projecting a shield as a dark spell slammed into it, the blowing sands yielding to a dark mage of Plegia, her curses quite interesting, but such looks were ill in the face of battle, but Alexander straightened up as he spoke. "You fight under Plegia's flag, so why do you stay your hand now?" The dark mage paused as the magic circle faded and the book was closed, held tight to her front as she spoke.
"Death comes to all of us eventually." She glanced to the side as she continued. "Why invite it early, fighting for a cause I don't believe in?" Alex sighed as he motioned the forces to give him some space, the troops nodding as he continuing, just the two of them.
"So... Am I to take that as a no, or..."
"Let's just say I'm keeping my options open." Alex understood, but the fact that they were talking was reason enough not to fight her as they started to close the distance. "I mean, long live the king and all, but I'd like to keep living as well." They stopped inches as she tilted her head to the side with a grimace. "And I have a bit of a rebellious streak, I'm afraid. A... dark side." Alex just sighed as he was no diplomat, but he was there, holding her attention, so it was wise to just do his best to help her out.
"Then perhaps you could rebel now and fight for our cause, to fight for something else and is worthwhile?" The woman looked at him as she held the book closer, questioning brownish-silvers looking into his light greens, from the effects of Amirg on his own brown eyes.
"...You would trust me? What if this all just a ploy to plunge a dagger in your back?" Alexander didn't reject the notion, to just sneak in under the gesture of joining force and killing the officers before they can do anything would be a risky, but clever move, but he knew that this one... she didn't need such physical methods to get the goal as he countered.
"The prince's sister, the exalt—I think she would trust you. And he is trying to learn from her. Besides, I already need to watch his back, whether you're with us or not." The look darkened in doubt as she spoke.
"Well, that's odd... Usually when I bring up the backstabbing bit, the discussion is over." A ghost smile crossed her face as she nodded, lowering her book as she agreed. "All right, then—consider me your new ally. ...For now." She stopped in panic as brigands charged to kill her now for her sudden betrayal, fear crossing her as she didn't have the proper time to cast from her book, but that was before Alex slipped on past, grabbing the book with ease, and extending his hand as the book opened to him, the dark power flowing freely like it was a part of him and he blast an orb of dark essence, the lead brigand dropping in a pile of bones and rust before the sword came free, swinging twice before he flickered the blade, his reflexes on-point as the woman looked at him in surprise before he turned and extended out his hand, the dark book in hand as he spoke.
"Stay close, your former comrades will not give us quarter to save a life."
"A-Aye, sir!" The woman took the book with a look of embarrassment as the pair charged in with the others behind their advance, Christian sparing no fools that stood in his way as the leader, a General commanded.
"You'll never save your precious exalt, scum!" Christian huffed as he hoisted the blade onto his shoulder and gestured.
"Idiot is just begging for a beatdown?"
"Right..." Alex turned to the woman as he spoke. "Use a Thunder-based tome, that will stun him for a moment more for us to really damage the man under the armor."
"About time that I get payback on him." She started to chant as Alex and Christian charged, the lance swinging out, but not impacting Alex as he dodged, nor Christian as his guard was impressive in the end as the woman's eyes flashed yellow as a series of bolts slammed into the General's armor, bringing the man down as he slowly stood up and suddenly found the strength to hurl a Javelin at the dark mage, her defense ill, but that didn't stop Alex from leaping for it and catching it, accidentally getting it in the shoulder before he fell on his feet, ripping the weapon out as he whirled it in hand and hurled with such force that the lightning itself seemed to gather around it and it slammed hard, piercing through as the armored foe toppled to the ground, blood spilling out at the collar as he died with some words.
"Urgh... Killing me will only... feed Plegia's rage..." Christian shook his head as he rushed over, the woman panicking over the massive gash that Alex got, her eyes filled with both fear of losing him and affection for he saving her life. Chrom called out as the battle was done, the flocks of Wyvern riders cut down and allowed the forces to move on their next phase.
"Alexander! Their wyvern riders have fallen! The skies are clear! I'm giving the signal!" He pull out a horn and blew, the sound echoing as the flapping of wings filled the air as the Pegasus Knights flew free, Phila leading the troop of three while the rest headed for Ylisse, some in worse shape as the captain called out.
"Your Grace!"
"Phila! I'm so glad to see you're safe! But how-"
"Khan Basilio's men freed me. Come, we must hurry!" Phila guided the Knights closer to rescue the Exalt as Gangrel cursed.
"What? Pegasus knights? How did they..." He shouted in anger as his plan had faltered. "That damned Ylissean tactician does NOT play fair!" Aversa huffed as she had to play the vile temptress, clueless to her life.
"Yes, well. Neither do I." She swept her hand and Risen emerged like corpses from the ground as the Dark Flier grimaced to the power given as the dead readied bows and aimed, Alex cursing their luck as he shouted to Chrom.
"...Risen?! Oh gods, no! Chrom! There are Risen everywhere!"
"Damn! Not now!" Gangrel was truly blind as he just laughed in victory.
"Oh, did an army of living corpses just APPEAR out of the blue?! Truly, the heavens smile upon mighty King Gangrel this day! Bwa ha ha ha!" A sole one fired and Phila swung her lance to protect herself, but the arrow impaled her through the lower left torso as she pulled away with blood, the red liquid also forming at her lip as she stammered.
"Risen... How... Y-your Grace, I... Forgive me... Uhh..." Thus, the lead toppled over and fell, only saved by Kellam and Ricken in a silent catch and windy ease, but the king was purely mad as he wished for more as Emm called out.
"Phila!"
"Exeunt one pegasus knight! Bwa ha ha! Watch how they fall, one by one!" The other three were ill-prepared as they were shot out of the sky without remorse, the only survivor being Phila as they hauled her over as her mount skittered off in fear. Alexander grimaced as he spoke.
"No no no..."
"We've lost..."
"I believe this is what they call a reversal of fortunes." The mad King laughed as he demanded with crazed eyes. "Now... grovel before me. Plead! Beg for your worthless lives!" Chrom was beaten to the punch as Christian shouted his own refuse.
"I'd give up my life in combat before I beg for it from the likes of you!"
"Oh, now THAT is a good line. A fitting epitaph for your tombstone, perhaps? But it's not just your life in the balance." Aversa rolled her eyes as the Risen moved to her control, the vile power holding her in the reigns as Gangrel continued. "The exalt still stands upon the block. And I have a dozen bows trained on her. All it would take is one word from me..." Chrom shouted as he nearly moved to save Emm
"Emm! Hold on, I'm-"
"ARCHERS! If this Ylissean pup so much as twitches, let fly your arrows!"
"I... I'll kill you!" Gangrel didn't seem fear as he taunted.
"Go ahead! I welcome it. Just know you were responsible for Big Sister's bloody demise!" Chrom stayed his hand as no one made to push it further. "...And what of the rest of you? Eh? Who wants the honor of killing the exalt?" No one took up the offer as the man was just hopeless and beyond reason. "...No one? Bah! Your merry band isn't quite so headstrong anymore, is it? Pathetic!"
"Damn you!"
"Now, now, my boy—no one needs to die today. Not you. Not the exalt. Not your friends." The price was simple as Alex glanced up to Emm, their eyes connecting as she knew her duty and Alex couldn't stop it as he lowered his head in grief, Amirg ready for the end, to the mission given to both of them in body and soul. "Just lay down your sword and give me the Fire Emblem." The prince touched the metal frame as he questioned it.
"...I..." Christian shouting since Alexander was slightly out of it now.
"Chrom! You can't trust him!"
"Of COURSE I can't trust him! I'm not an idiot! But if I say no, he'll kill her! The gods are cruel, damn them! My sister or my duty... A problem with no right answer, yet I must choose!" He gripped his head as he realized that, above all, he wanted to save her, but he knew that in order to even get an opening, he had to surrender the one thing guarded by their family, yet he was not ready to give it up as Christian nodded.
"That's right. Don't give up just yet! There has got to be a way..."
"If there is, I can't see it... Ah, gods!"
"I will count to three! Throw down your weapons, or your exalt becomes the world's largest quiver. One! Two! Thr-" Chrom couldn't see it as he shouted.
"Gangrel, hold! ...You win. Everyone, lay down yo-" But Emm was not ready to let it go just yet, despite her standing up on the crest of a bone.
"No, wait!"
"SILENCE!"
"Emm…" Emmeryn, the ever-hopeful member for peace, inquired as she looked down on Gangrel without fear.
"King Gangrel, is there no hope you will listen to reason?"
"You mean listen to more of your sanctimonious babble?! I think not. No, all I want is to hear a THUNK of arrows, and a SPLAT as you hit the ground. Take one, long, last look from your perch. You do so enjoy looking down on people... Then prepare to meet the ground, and your maker! That is, unless if someone were to give me the Emblem... NOW! Emmeryn was quiet to the threat and demand as Chrom shouted, drawing all on eyes onto him.
"ALL RIGHT! All right..." He pulled the shield free as he glanced at it before shouting to Emmeryn. "Emm, I know you won't approve, but this is my final decision. MAYBE someday we'll face a crisis where MAYBE the Emblem would've helped. But I know for a fact that Ylisse needs you, today! The people need their exalt... And we need our sister. If those dark days should come, we'll face them together." Emmeryn's shoulders slump, not in disappointment, but in acceptance as she spoke.
"Chrom... Th-Thank you. I know now what I must do..."
"Emm, what are you-" Her voice rang out across the sands as she gave her final speech.
"Plegians! I ask that you hear the truth of my words! War will win you nothing but sadness and pain, both inside your borders and out. Free yourselves from this hatred! From this cycle of pain and vengeance. Do what you must... As I will do. See now that one selfless act has the power to change the world!"
"Emm, no! No!" Tossing the Emblem to the ground, he dashed for it, a mad dash to save her from the action she was going to do as she looked at him and back to the thousands of people who heard, her face stern as she heard nothing back.
"No reaction... Was I wrong then?" Her sight trailed to the sky as she watched a bird fly by, a symbol of what was going to happen. "Chrom... This is some torch I'm passing you." She smiled as she accepted the outcome, the event that would change it all. "So be it." She straightened up and headed to the edge, pausing for but a moment before leaning forward, dropping to the ground below, nothing wishing to see it one bit except the Plegians as she just wished farewell to her family, to her people, and to her life given to save the world and free the people of hatred and spite. "Chrom... Lissa... And all my children..." Her eyes closed fully to the sight, darkness and the mute sounds of her sister crying out in horror and her brother shouting as if to stop time and save her. "Know... that I loved you." Chrom stopped short of the fallen body and dropped down, tears dropping from his face at the failure before him.
"Emm..." Christian swore as he slammed his fists into the sands, having failed his mission.
"Oh gods..."
"DAMN YOU, GANGREL!"
"NOOOOOO!"
Gangrel just laughed madly to the display as he was blind to the game that he just lost. "Well now! ...How disgustingly noble. And so lovely a fall! Here I thought death to be an ugly thing. I've never seen one fall so gracefully, in fact." Aversa pondered the chances of killing the man with sight alone as she didn't take heart the jester behavior that Gangrel was showing for Emm's death. "...And I've seen many fall! Ah... So ends Emmeryn, Ylisse's most exalted! But how can we ensure everyone remembers this beautiful moment of her sacrifice? Perhaps we should gather up her body and put it on display! Bwa ha ha..." Chrom, however, had enough as he made to draw the Falchion.
"Gangrel! You die today!" Thankfully, the Khans and another arrived to pull him out of the rage and to get him out of there.
"No, boy! I secured an escape route! We have to flee!"
"B-But...her body... I have to..."
"You have to RUN! Now do it! Christian, Alex! Don't let him do anything stupid!" Christian nodded as he grabbed the girl, heedless to Alex who was suddenly still.
Marth was taking it harder as she moaned in sorrow. "No! No... I'm too late... Our bleak future is written once more... And darkness awaits us all." She paused as she felt the winds start to pick up, gasping as suddenly, a blistering sandstorm struck the castle as Gangrel shouted in anger, his people wincing to the sudden appearance with the joint forces.
"What is the meaning of this, this is my victory and my victory is to be..." Before anymore was said, lightning struck the peak, destroying it and riddling Emm's body with debris, the King scowling as he turned to face the being that dared to take his win... only to drop his Levin Sword in fear as a colossal monster of a dragon surged from the swirling sands and just barely outside the gates, its form glowing with golden, six radiant red glaring down as all of Plegia screamed to the beast now flying over all of them, 'Marth' herself in shock as the thing's mouth opened and bellowed across the surging dunes as its wings brought it to a stall and creating the sandstorm around all of them, the Shepherds retreating quickly as they too listened, even the woman in shocked surprise and Christian in grimaced of something he didn't remember.
"MAD KING OF PLEGIA, GANGREL... YOUR SOUL IS NOW CONDEMNED FOR SUCH UNWARRANTED MURDER AND SELFISH DESIRES, YOU ARE FOREVER CURSED WITH FAILURE AND FALSE HOPE OF VICTORY, JUST AS THE EXALT BEFORE THIS ONE WAS POISONED TO BE, BLINDED FOREVER TO THE EVENTS IN MOTION!" The Risen moved to fire, but lightning struck all of them as they dissolved into dust, Aversa getting the whip lash as her hand was scorched like severe fire consumed, gripping it in pain as the essence was destroyed from her mind and she knew fully who she was with the being continuing. "YOUR TIME HAS RUN OUT AND YOU WILL PAY THE FULL TOLL UPON THE SOUL, RECEIVE AS JUDGED BY POWER BEYOND YOUR MIND!" Gangrel couldn't move as lighting riddled him many times before he toppled over in stunned pain as the being finished, it vanishing into the storm. "SEEN AS A GOD, MY JUDGEMENT IS FINAL, MAY YOUR SOUL HOPE TO PERISH ONE DAY AS SINS FILL IT NOW AND FOREVER!" The being disappeared, but the power and surge caused all of Plegia to be overtaken by a severe rainstorm, none noticing that Christian rushed back to grab Alexander, knelling in the midst of swirling sands, and hauled out of there as the young tactician breathed slowly, his hands lightly steamed and smoking as cinders remained of his gloves...