The moment that Alexander arrived with Christian behind him, following Chrom and Fredrick in, was the Carrison Isle was rather... unpleasant, but he had to take it as he thought about it, he had been around the tundra of Ferox, the meadows of Ylisse, and the deserts of Plegia, so seeing this dark turn of a isle was not too shocking as they headed in, the guards looking rather dead... indeed dead as they tread through the castle and its many halls, directed on their way before meeting a familiar face. "Greetings, Prince Chrom. Plegia welcomes you." Alex nodded to her as well as Chrom just seemed to jump.
"Aversa!" She bowed in honor as she spoke.
"What can I say? It seems fate has designs for me yet." She glanced to Alex and they shared in a moment of sight before Chrom continued, drawing Aversa's attention again.
"You serve the new king, then? This... Validar?"
"I do." Fredrick added to it as he spoke about the role this man played.
"They say he worships Grima..."
"Why yes, of course he is Grimleal. We are both believers." Aversa started as she explained it. "My liege often says it was his faith that got him through, after Gangrel's passing. It was a difficult time... But he kept order where there might have been chaos." Chrom glanced to Alex and Aversa shared the same as there was only chaos to be had, a massive shift in politics and the like and she didn't seem remiss to have lost a sizable amount of people who now work with the Marauders. "We had meant to arrange an official visit to Ylisstol, but—Ah, here is my lord now." She let the detail roam as the steps of someone else came closer, the man who was king now, but his face was that of a familiar foe, a notion that Alex didn't quite like, but let it go with Christian doing the same as the man spoke.
"An honor to finally meet you, sire. I am Validar, king regnant of Plegia."
"The honor is mine, good king." Chrom clued in on the same as he looked at the man's pointed features and dark hue as he mused. "...Is it possible we've met before some... Gods! It can't be."
"Oh ho, I'm quite certain I would remember any encounter with Ylissean royalty." Chrom nodded before he whispered to Alex.
"Alex!"
"I noticed, but be at ease. He just looks like the assassin that came after Emmeryn..."
"And you must be Sir Alexander." Alex hummed as he replied, not sure how this man knew of him.
"You know of me, sire?"
"The whole world knows of Ylisse's master tactician! And indeed, I see the sparkle of wisdom in your eyes." Alex hummed at that thought as Chrom whispered again.
"But we killed him, Alex!"
"Like I said, Chrom. The resemblance... it's uncanny so be at peace..."
"How could he possibly-" Alex would have sent him a glance if Validar hadn't interrupted right then.
"My, the negotiations haven't even begun and already so much whispering..." Alex rolled his eyes to his friend as Chrom cleared his throat and apologized.
"...My apologies, King Validar. We meant no disrespect." The man nodded as he spoke once more, though Aversa looked like she wanted to be miles away right now, but like she had said, she needed to play the part given.
Alex still took a moment to whisper back. "Chrom? What should we do if this was a strange twist?"
"Nothing for now. But stay close, and be ready for anything..." That made sense, there was no absolute certainties around here as Validar spoke once more, the small party having been lead to a small meeting room and the dark-hued man sat down.
"Then let us get to it."
Aversa took hold as she spoke with a practiced tongue to what they would be giving. "Plegia can offer no soldiers, but will provide eight hundred warships and two hundred transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fully fund the campaign against Valm." That was too easy, too casual to be exact for Alex to take in, they came this way for those things and Plegia was just... giving it to them, something was not lining up as Fredrick pointed it out.
"That is... surprisingly generous of you, milord." The Great Knight spoke as he mentioned it to them. "We could not ask for more, quite literally. You offer most all your assets..."
"I would give troops as well, but our army remains in shambles from the last war. I trust the gold and ships will suffice as a sign of our commitment to the cause?" Alex found the lie, their army had to have been made up of those that didn't see the taint infesting the waters, the only reason it would be in shambles was because of the Marauders, they consist of the more combat-attuned warriors that Plegia had to offer and were willing to follow Ylisse's code for honor for themselves
"Of course it will. Thank you, King Validar." Chrom thanked as he stood back up with Validar doing the same.
"The honor is ours, my prince. I look forward to building a strong bond between our two nations." Christian narrowing his brow as Chrom continued.
"As do I." He breathed as he pressed on with his words. "Then, if there's nothing else? My men and I must hurry back to Port Ferox."
"Oh, so soon? But I have one more introduction to make." Alex raised a brow and Aversa nodded with a solemn look as Chrom turned and asked.
"...Yes? And who would that be?"
"A hierophant, the highest of his order in Plegia." From the other room came the third figure, unknown for the most part, but he was donned in a similar cloak as Alexander as he just seemed to stare out... right at Alex as he spoke.
"...So you lead the people in worship? We were just discussing religion earlier..." Silence still filled the chamber and Alex hummed as he spoke again. "...I'm sorry, have I said something to offend you?" That was not possible as he was just looking before he spoke, with the same voice as Alex.
"...The heart still sleeps, but the blood flows through it. And the blood is strong..." That was a worry, what did he mean by that exactly and, though Alex didn't want to say it, he was glad to have adjusted his power to Amirg's and hid it, he could feel his fell dragon shudder or ponder in his hidden vault as Christian spoke.
"...Huh? Beg pardon, were you talking to him?" Fredrick cut in as he remarked.
"Good hierophant, I would ask you to lower your cowl." Fredrick spoke as he gestured to a moderate level of respect, no matter where a person was from. "In Ylisse, it is a courtesy expected of one in the presence of royalty." Alex wanted to cut Fredrick off from that thought as this was Plegia, not Ylisse and they had to respect their laws as the hierophant spoke in turn after some silence.
"...You are a long way from Ylisse, sir. ...But very well..." With that, the hands uncovered reached up and pulled off the cowl, Chrom, Christian, and Fredrick jumping back as the face under was TOO familiar to be a coincidence. "Is that better?" Christian yelped in his shock.
"What?!"
"By the gods!"
"What matter of sorcery-" Alex was the calmest as he spoke.
"What a splitting image, but your face is cracked." The trio turned to their tactician as he continued. "Right side of the face is cracked like glass, have you been trifling with more dangerous forms of Elder Magic?" The doppelganger seemed to sneer and the trio saw it, the right side was indeed cracked, fragmented like it was glass and someone cracked it prior to the reveal before he breathed and spoke.
"My name is Alexander. Oh, and that was YOUR name as well, wasn't it? What a strange coincidence..." Alex shook his head as Validar commented the same.
"Why that IS rather curious, now that you mention it... What are the odds?" If this was a plan or otherwise, Validar was not revealing too much as he motioned elsewhere. "In any case, I believe we are finished here. We will let you be on your w-"
"Hold just one moment!" Alex rolled his eyes as Aversa inquired.
"Milord?" Chrom went off as he exclaimed.
"What is the meaning of this? Why do your hierophant and Alexander-"
"I'm afraid we've no time for such trivial matters now, Your Highness. We have aid preparations to attend to, and you have a long, hard journey ahead." Aversa spoke as Validar took his leave with the hierophant who pulled the hood back on as she remarked. "Oh, and do be careful on your way back to Port Ferox. This time of year the highroads of Plegia can be quite treacherous..." The trio headed off as Chrom made to speak again before he found Alex's gloved hand gripping his elbow and he spoke.
"Let it go for now, it is not worth causing a scene, we need to investigate those ships once Plegia has fulfilled their side, just in case, is that clear?" Chrom paused before he nodded and they left it behind as well...
Alexander didn't spend too much time in bed with his new wife as he mused to himself. "It's no use. I can't sleep." He rubbed his jaw in thought as he pondered the doppelgangers appearance and their role in this new mess, they must play one for certain as Aversa looked... concerned as well "Who was that man and how could he bear my same face?" That was an answer that he didn't have as he took to the distance to get some air in his thoughts, rudely interrupted by someone else calling out.
"Alexander... Heed me, Alexander..."
"Who's there?!" He centered himself to find the source, but it must be made using magic, he was alone, but not as he mused. "This can't be a social call. I'm alone here..."
"Heed my call, Alexander..." Alex grimaced as he gripped his head with a hand, a ringing headache coming through as he grimaced to the pain that lanced through.
"Nngh... This voice is... in my head." He steadied himself as he spoke. "Who are you?! What's happening?!"
Validar appeared as he lectured Alex on something that had rooted itself into his soul long ago. "Why do you close your heart to him, Alexander?"
"Validar...?"
"Have you truly forgotten?"
"That depends...on what you think..." Alexander grimaced harder as spoke in rebellion. "Augh! My head! Get out of my mind."
Validar chuckled as he spoke otherwise. "Such arrogance! You dare take such a tone... with your own father?!" Alex didn't like that sound, this man was his father, his own flesh and blood? This monster and inhuman being was no father of his.
"...My what?"
"You are of my flesh, but of sacred blood. You are to serve a glorious purpose! Search deep in your heart. You already know it is your destiny..."
"Be... quiet... and... leave..." He felt his power boiling to just blast the man, but he dared not expose his power just yet as Validar tried to tempt him over.
"Why do you resist us, Alexander? Your rightful place is at my side. Not wasting your time with these doomed servants of Naga! Give yourself to Grima! Let me join your strength to the fell dragon!"
"Wrong..." Alex straightened up as he remarked, staring the man down as he lectured firmly. "If you believe you are my father and that my blood only wishes for death and disaster, then you have NEVER experienced the world in its full glory, you have sheltered yourself in the arid lands of Plegia and now seek the power of a sealed god?" Alex shook his head as Validar's image started to fizzle to his words. "Kin does not seek death to find life, kin does not abandon life to seek a goal of hate, and kin should have been more considerate of their words than that of blind men, appear like this again and I will sent you to Grima without remorse, do not dare pull at my mind, else you will feel pain in return, you are not my father for I have no need of a corrupted father." Chrom arrived, silent as Validar remarked in spite.
"...Pah! Not this one again... No matter. In time you will see the truth. And that is all it will be—a matter of time..." With that, Validar disappeared as Chrom spoke.
"Alex. Are you all right? I heard shouting." Alex huffed as he turned to his friend since awakening from a memory-less slumber with only a nightmare to fill in that impossible vision.
"I-I think so... Yes, Chrom, thank you. I'm... I'm fine." Chrom cut into the lie that Alex gave.
"'Fine' is a poor choice of words! What's happened?!"
Alex took a moment to recover from Chrom's sharp point before he replied with a vague look. "...King Validar, he... He spoke to me... in my mind. He said I was his... his son."
"What?! ...Is this true?"
"I don't know, not fully..." Alex spoke as he looked to the stars and breathed. "But I also don't know if it's a lie. Loath as I am to say it, I felt a... a strange connection, between us."
"Oh, gods... That hierophant doppelganger... Could he be the king's son, as well? Are you twins?" Alex opened his eyes and spoke with a refined tone.
"I don't believe that, if that is my twin, then things are much worse that I want to believe. I'm sorry, Chrom." He looked back down as he continued. "I can't remember... But if I'm being honest... it would explain much... I'm not even sure I want to know the truth of my past anymore." It was a tough question to ask of him, one that he didn't really want to know if his father was like that, but... that burst of memory, they were of happy moments, joyful parts, and calming means, enough that showed that he had changed during this, he must not have liked Amirg prior, but he sure as all the gods that Amrig was not just part of him, he was him in a way, he was playful with his friends, loyal to his companions, and had morals that worked with Alex's own. The Fell Dragon would never have such emotions dwelling within for it was meant for destruction, hatred to the world made first by gods in mortal coils before forged and molded by human hands.
"You are yourself, before you are any man's son. Remember that." Alex nodded as he replied in kind.
"...Thank you, Chrom."
"Can you walk?"
"Oh, I can walk, but I do need a smidgen of cinnamon to get me going." Chrom laughed at the joke as Alex stood up again from a moment where he dropped to his knees and they headed off back to camp, just as Fredrick rushed over to them, a dire look on his face.
"Milord, we are under attack! Risen have encircled the camp!" Both grimaced as Chrom started.
"But... we posted sentries! How did this happen?"
"They made a stealthy approach, milord. I've never seen Risen behave like this." They were not just organized, they were using guerrilla tactics as Fredrick continued. "Either they are learning our ways, or someone is commanding them..." That 'someone' was apparent in Chrom's mind as he shouted.
"Validar! This is his doing—I'm sure of it." He scowled before rushing for the camp. "Equip anyone who can bear arms, and tell them we fight for our lives!" Alex was not too worried as he never is alone in his power, but he did need his tome and sword for the benefit as many readied up, Tharja finding Alex just as quickly as always and they formed up in the face of the sudden ambush. Risen had found positions high on the cliff faces that circled the camp site and had already began to attack, some shifting to attack Chrom, as always, but the involvement of a second dark mage was a interesting turn as he warned the party of the possible threats coming out of the forts, down south and from the cliffs, it would have made a lot more sense if he wasn't trying to make horrible puns about it before joining them in purging the place. They divided up and hit the sides as gunning straight for the leader was a bad idea, one that Alexander didn't want to repeat again somehow, even with Sumia, Chrom would be heartbroken if that happened. With that, they kept at a moderate pace and cutting down any Risen trying to kill them while Alex also noticed that they were more defined, more powerful roles were being used against them and made him think that some of the people NEED to advance or expand their skills on the field, but that needed to wait until the Risen threat was dealt with, Alex pausing for a moment to heed Amirg into controlling one of the Risen and he somehow did so, the red hue turning to blue as Alex did find the source, Validar, but the man was unaware of the link and he didn't want to let that man feel it as he destroyed the Risen and pressed on to the leader who was gunning for Chrom... on purpose. Clearly, Validar did not want Chrom around anymore and, considering Valm's after the Fire Emblem, that answer is a no brainer as they cut the monster down and took a moment to breath as the rest contended with the other Risen further southward of the camp. "That's the last of them. Gods, I thought it might nev-" A surge lanced through and Alex shouted.
"Chrom, look out!"
"Huh?!" Chrom yelped as he turned, just as a Risen Assassin appeared from nowhere and gunned for Chrom, a Killing Edge in hand to ensure a killing strike or wounding blow. "Ah!" He couldn't draw Falchion in time to block or even turn the strike away, but he didn't need to.
"Father, no!" 'Marth' jumped in from somewhere and deflected the blow, the Risen bouncing back before warping away, 'Marth' relieved as she spoke. "Thank the gods you're safe!" but that was not what Chrom was hung up on as he spoke.
"...You called me 'Father'."
"Did I? I..." She breathed as she looked defeated before she spoke. "...Perhaps we might speak privately?"
"Perhaps we should, yes." Chrom answered as the two headed off and Alex paused in confusion as Amirg spoke.
"That girl, Marth...? She smells... too familiar, like our young prince."
"Things are turning out weirder than I was thinking they were..." Alex rubbed his head in ponder before he set out to find out exactly what was going on...
Somehow, Chrom and 'Marth' found a small stream close by and she started off in speaking. "I don't even know where to begin."
"I already know you're not 'Marth', though I've nothing better to call you..." He grimaced before he pressed on. "But I'll ask nothing of you that you don't wish to reveal. Whoever you are, Ylisse owes you a debt beyond repaying."
"Thank you, but..." She paused before she continued, the jig up for her at this time. "I think I would prefer you know the truth."
Chrom nodded as he accepted her wish. "As you wish."
"Here. Look closely, and all will be made clear." She steeled herself before walking over to his side and turning, Chrom confused to the gesture before he spotted something abnormal, the left eye held something familiar to his vision.
Within the confines of the blue was the mark that showed blood connected to the first and blessed by Naga as he spoke. "That's the Brand of the Exalt..." The same mark on his shoulder as he made to piece it out before he realized the meaning quickly. "Lucina..." He glanced back up and grimaced as his eyes fell to the sword resting on the hip of 'Marth', it was not fake then, as he spoke in remorse. "You deserved better from me than one sword and a world of troubles. I'm sorry." This pulled the young woman to tears as she would have let them fall to the ground, but Chrom wiped some away before she lunged for him in both sorrow and joy.
"Oh, Father!" There, she just cried in his embraced as she just repeated the word. "Father..." There they stood to let Lucina air it out and breathe as both fell silent to the matter before Chrom loosened and spoke.
"Better, Lucina?"
"Yes. Father..." She breathed as she ranted a bit. "I'm sorry. It just all rushed back at once."
"Father..." Chrom versed as Lucina asked.
"Should I call you something else?"
"No, it's just strange to my ear." He smiled as he accepted it "...I like it."
"...Father!" Lucina chuckled as Chrom laughed just the same to the odd feeling.
"Yes, it will take some getting used to!" Their small moment was shattered with the introduction of Alex again.
"I'm sorry—Chrom?" Alex walked on over as Chrom inquired with his tactician of what seems to be the issue.
"Hmm? Oh, Alexander. What is it?" Alex grimaced as he explained to the best of his ability of what he was seeing here.
"It's just that... You two are out here alone, and Marth is... crying." He rolled a wrist and Alex followed his own gaze to Sumia, plucking a flower of all of it's pedals, a fair pile of them before her feet. "This is how ill rumors are born." Alex could actually see what would have happened if Chrom had married Sully, Maribelle, or Olivia somehow, one would be swinging a blade, the other would be fuming in rage, and the last would be weeping like there was no tomorrow, so the 'plucking pedal' Sumia wasn't too dangerous to handle, just... she was in a crisis.
"He loves me... He loves me not..."
Chrom made to react sensible to the behavior as he inquired. "Er, Sumia? Why in the gods' names are you shredding those poor flowers?"
"I'm not spying on you! You can't prove that I am!" That proved that she was guilty of something as she wailed in grief. "Oh, gods! You brought... HER!" She sniffled a bit before Chrom spoke with a turn to Lucina.
"Can we tell her, Lucina?" Alex looked confused as he clapped his ears a bit in disbelief, what did Chrom just call 'Marth'!?
"Of course." And she acknowledged it, just like that!? This night was getting weirder and weirder by the hour.
"Lucina? But wait, that's..."
"Sumia, this is going to be something of a shock, but... I'll just say it." Chrom gestured to 'Marth' and answered. "This is our daughter, Lucina."
"...What?" Amirg was doing the same thing with a 'whut' as Alex blinked a few times in disbelief of what was just said.
"It's true, Sumia. I'm your daughter. Look closely and see for yourself." On closer view, the brand was made evident once more, Alex actually surprised as that was some hefty proof to pull out as Sumia stammered in surprised.
"Y-your eye! It has the Brand!"
"The same Brand carried by all House Ylisse's bloodline." Alex nodded as he could even verify something that came to his attention... not too long ago.
"This... This is..."
"Do you see now?"
"No, Chrom, I do NOT see! This doesn't make any sense! ...Wait. Is my Lucina all right? What did you do to her?!" That was a logical reaction as Chrom soothed her back and explained it out with Lucina.
"Peace, Sumia."
"Your baby is right where you left her, and perfectly safe." She breathed as she started to explain, her tone taking on a darker meaning. "I am from another time. From a time that is yet to be."
"You mean... the future?" She nodded as she continued in her words for those who came to listen which only involved Alex, Christian, and the royal couples.
"Yes, more than ten years hence. After history takes a dark and most destructive turn..." The memory returned to her as it always had, a world of death, of chaos, and of fear, where the lands were enveloped and covered by the living dead, all alive to kill all of humanity and the last remains with few fighting back to the terror and their master that plagues the world often with the horrors as Christian yelped in surprise as he asked.
"But why? What happens in the future?!"
"The fell dragon, Grima, is resurrected." The light seemed to dim out some as she recalled all that has transpired in her time, Alex and Amirg wondering the same things as this didn't sound like Amirg now, it sounded like a different Grima, like both were split like it was meant to be and that, unprotected, Grima would rise up to destroy everything. "His roar is a death knell for man, a scream that silences all hope... Death everywhere..."
"Chrom? ...Our whole company? All of us? Dead?!" Lucina paused to the mercenary's question before she answered.
"...Yes." He breathed as Alex slightly helped him out in sitting on the ground as he continued in shock.
"...I...I don't know what to say." That was possibly good to know as Chrom spoke in turn.
"A tale that beggars belief, and yet the truth of it stands before us." He pointed out the blade and commented. "She carries Falchion, my same sword. And the same sword the first exalt used to defeat Grima long ago."
"Your blade and mine are one, Father." She paused with a hum before continuing in grief. "It was... It was all I had left of you."
"There is only one Falchion, Alex and Christian. I believe her." Neither tried to refute it as Lissa backed up her 'niece' as surprising as that was.
"Yeah, and so do I! Heck, I saw her COME from the future! She fell right out of the sky! I've never seen anything like it..."
"Thank you, Aunt Lissa." She beamed as Lucina explained it. "Naga, the divine dragon, feared mankind would face Grima again. In preparation for that day, she devised a ritual. It allows one to return to the past and alter events already written." Alex hummed in thought to that, so the events at the castle and the gates were altered to change the course of what was coming, but it didn't seem like she knew the cause of Grima's rise, but Alex and Amirg had a feeling that the nightmare they collectively had was an answer in the dark without even putting it through the filter. "I made the journey with others, but... we became separated."
"Don't worry, Lucina. If they're out there, we'll find 'em!" She nodded to Lissa as Sumia process all of it and spoke up again, like she just needs the clarity.
"Are you really my daughter?"
"I swear on my life." Sumia hummed before she continued.
"You grow up... Er, grew up to be so strong... So beautiful..."
"Thank you...Sumia."
Sumia hummed as she asked why the adverse to using just her title to Lucina. "You don't want to call me Mother?"
Lucina paused before she answered. "I... thought you might mind."
"Of course not! I love you more than anything in the world."
Lucina sniffled before she spoke again. "Oh, Mother..." The two of them embraced the other as Sumia fought back tears of her own as Lucina just held on for who knows how long.
"I am so very proud of you..."
"I've missed you more than you'll ever know..." Alex took a step back as Amirg filled in the gaps a bit.
"So... a future that was bound to Grima and this would have lead up to it if Emm died at the palace, Chrom had been injured, and the Fire Emblem stolen that night."
"Indeed, but that helps to answer some questions." Alex looked forward as he headed back to the tents with Christian who is still looking confused as all people would be. "Like our ol' buddy Validar, he is alive somehow and he works with someone who LOOKS like me, but can't be me, there is a piece of the puzzle that needs some work..." He stopped short and cursed. "...Shoot."
"I know that tone, Lucina's words getting into your head?" Alex nodded as the pair headed back to the tent to rest, the thought of OTHER children coming from the future to halt the impeding doom of some dragon god of destruction, he would have been just content with fighting a whole fleet of crazy horsemen than face the possibility that there were going to be kids near their own age joining the fight with them... That scared him a bit...