Hello, dear readers. This is CrossVipeR 316 here with the latest chapter of Gamer Emblem Awakening.

I have something to confess; I have bought myself a Nintendo Switch. What game did I buy along with it? Fire Emblem Three houses!

Huh… I can almost hear the crickets in the audience.

On a more serious note, playing Three houses has turned out to be a lot of fun. I've only just started, and I already feel heavily invested in each and every one of my students, while still trying to get a grasp of what's going on. Side note; remembering all the notable houses listed in the library is a real pain. I'm certain there's a hefty amount of in-game politics between those houses as well. On the other hand, that does make the interactions between the students at the officers' academy all the more interesting, as it gives most, if not all, of them a backstory that's just begging to be fleshed out. In fact, I've had so much fun playing the game, even when I'm simply exploring the monastery, that I've found the need to manage my real-life time with a lot more care than before. And, of course, I've had to remind myself that I still have this story to write and publish within a timeframe that I have established for myself. That's how much I enjoy it.

And if anyone's curious about which house I chose for my first playthrough, I chose the Blue Lions. For anyone objecting, relax. I intend to make at least one playthrough with each house so I can explore all of them. That's part of the reason why I chose to buy Three houses. The fact that you can choose one of three houses at the outset gives this game lots of replay value, and I'm therefore certain that I will get my money's worth.

But enough about my newest favorite pastime. On to the chapter.

Copyright disclaimer: I only own the plot of this fic. For a full copyright disclaimer, please read chapter 1.

Um, at least I make for a decent alarm, right? – Lissa


Chapter 27

You shall not pass!
Convergence by the divine tree!

I raise a palm and block the straight punch Brady threw at me.

*Smack!*

Hmm. Good form. Makes the most of what strength he has. I'm about to retract my arm when the Priest grabs the wrist with his free hand and pulls me towards him. Brady pivots into the motion and positions himself sideways to send an elbow into my gut. I place my free hand in-between and manage to block that blow as well. Brady clicks his tongue as he struggles to push through, to no avail.

I smirk. "Hmm. Quite the impressive combination you've got there. Still…" I twist the arm in his grip to grab hold of the Priest's wrist instead. At the same time, I grab the elbow below. "…that's far from everything I taught you!"

I spin around and toss Brady. My student recovers quickly and lands in a skidding crouch.

"Still as crazy fast in close quarters as I remember, Sensei." Brady mutters. "But ya got one thing right. Ya taught me more than just sluggin' someone in the face!"

That's when I notice that Brady already has both hands on the ground. Sparks race through the dirt to my position. I quickly lean backwards and narrowly dodge a spike of dirt that shoots right through where my chest was moments ago.

"Oi, oi, that thing looks sharp! Are you trying to kill me?!" I shout surprised.

Brady grins. "It's called payback, Jack-sensei. This is for all the times ya punted me 'cross the trainin' fields!"

More spikes shoot out of the ground. I manage to dodge each one, but soon find myself surrounded by them. And then Brady rushes in for another punch. I block it with ease, but raise an eyebrow over him still grinning.

"Gotcha!"

Brady slaps his free hand on one of the spikes. My eyes widen in realization of what his plan is.

*Whoosh!*

Spikes jut out from the ones already fired out of the ground, all converging at one place. Specifically, my position. Or rather, the position I was in until a split-second ago. The only thing the spikes managed to skewer was the dust cloud I left behind after an emergency escape through Gale step upwards.

I land behind Brady and sigh in relief. "Phew. Man, that was close. A moment slower, and I would've ended up as Swiss cheese."

"And I thought I had ya for sure this time." Brady mutters disappointed.

"Gotta admit, that was a great move, Brady. Trap your enemy in a cage of spikes without them noticing before you use those spikes as a medium and skewer them from all sides? Scary."

Brady nods. "Yeah, took a while before I got the blasted thing right." Then he takes a fighting stance. "Ready for another round. Come on, Sensei!"

I wave a hand. "No, I think that's enough for today. You've clearly shown that you know your way around in a fight. Not to mention that you've demonstrated some impressive creativity in the heat of battle, as well as knowledge in how to apply your skills."

Brady blinks surprised before he cracks his neck. "Well, d-mn. And here I was all fired up to finally plant my fist in yer face. Guess I've still got a ways to go."

I pat some dust off my sleeves. "True, but I admit I never expected a Priest to fight as well as you did, on top of your skills in healing wounds. And that's coming from a guy who's part of the same army as two other healers who kicked all kinds of butt before they learned how to wield conventional weapons. Your use of alchemy in particular caught my eye."

Brady nods with a twitching eyebrow. "Yeah, and also the biggest reason why I wanna punch yer smug face in. Do you have any idea how many bruises you gave me when trainin' me in usin' alchemy in a fight?"

"Speaking of which…" I muse, uncaring of Brady's annoyance. "…did my future self ever explain why he taught you alchemy in the first place?"

Brady takes a deep breath and exhales, calming down in the process. "We…had to try a lotta stuff before it got to that point. You tried trainin' me in usin' all kinds'a weapons, but every time I tried, the stupid thing just flew outta my hand. One time, I beaned Kjelle with a practice sword. She almost skewered me like a piece o' meat. The worst part? Ya let it happen, shoutin' that it made for good endurance and dodge trainin'."

I nod sagely. "Yeah, judging by what Severa and Inigo told of what they remember of me, that sounds like future-me, alright."

"Anyway, turns out I couldn't hold a weapon properly to save my life. Still can't." Brady grumbles. "And that's when you came up with this crazy idea. If I can't use any normal weapon, then I'll just make everythin' else my weapon instead. Confused the heck outta me until we got through the first dozen lessons."

I grin. "But in return, I'd say you're among the most versatile of my students. You've shown remarkable creativity in how you use alchemy, Brady. You've done well to come this far, with or without my guidance."

A hint of a smile shows on the Priest's face. "Thanks, Sensei. Didn't know if my skills were up to yer standards until the day I ran inta you again. It helped that Ma was all fer the decision ta teach me alchemy as well."

I blink in surprise. "Seriously? How in the world did I manage to convince Maribelle it would make for good training for you?"

"I had to learn way more than just movin' around rock and dirt if I really wanted to master alchemy in any form. Before you even hinted at how to use alchemy in practice, you made me hit the books – hard. "If you're gonna master alchemy, you hafta' know what yer transmutin' first." That's what you told me. And Ma? She was overjoyed seein' her son study hard. Never suspected a thing."

I rub my chin. "Which means you might have enough knowledge crammed in your head to go toe-to-toe with some of our scholars. I take it you've had some interesting discussions with Laurent?"

"Can that bull dung!" Brady snaps. "Ya have any idea how scary Laurent gets once he goes scholar on ya? The guy's crazy, I tell ya! He's got a good head on his shoulders, I ain't denyin' that, but there's no way in h-ll I'm swappin' knowledge with him. His ma? Maybe. But not Laurent. Nuh-uh."

I sweatdrop at Brady's answer. Come to think of it, it has been a long time since I had a real talk with Laurent. Maybe I should sit down with him sometime soon.

"Any idea on how to advance your craft, then?" I ask.

Brady shrugs. "No clue. I'm busy as is practicin' healing magic and makin' sure the others don't break themselves down over stupid mistakes just because they can't take care of their d-mn bodies. Would it kill 'em ta read up some basic medicine? They can't expect me to always be there to take care o' their injuries."

I scratch my head. "You know, maybe you should give Laurent another chance. There are few others who can match his mind, and a knowledgeable and curious mind may be exactly what you need if you ever want to advance your alchemic knowledge in the future."

"Hey, my schedule's limited, you know?" Brady replies with a tic mark pulsing on his forehead. "I don't need more stuff crammin' what little space is left there. I have limits, Sensei."

I raise my hands in surrender. "Fair point. Just…give it some thought."

Brady sighs. "If ya say so… But first, violin practice."

"You actually practice violin in the middle of a war?" I ask in disbelief.

"Ma won't get off my keister unless I keep my skills sharp!" Brady snaps exasperated. "Maybe I should brew her a pot 'a tea before I practice. She always mellows out with some tea."

I nod shocked at Brady's reply. "Yeah… You do that. Hope you have fun…"

Your relationship with Brady has improved!


"Hah!"

I lean to the side and dodge Kjelle's lance thrust.

"Yah! Hah!"

I sway the other way and dodge the next thrust. Then I duck low to dodge the sweep. Kjelle takes a step back and puts her shield in front. I can see a scowl from behind her primary protection.

"Master, have I done something to disappoint you?" the blonde Knight asks warily.

I tilt my head to the side. "Hm? Why do you ask?"

"Because you have yet to even lift your arms since our spar started!"

It's true. I've let my arms hang by my sides, content to just dodge Kjelle's moves and sneak in a kick or two whenever I see an obvious mistake.

I shrug. "And why should I go all out in a spar when my partner holds back?"

That makes Kjelle pause.

"I- I'm holding back?"

"Your stance practically radiates uncertainty. Your thrusts seem half-hearted. Whenever I retaliate, I see a flash of panic before your shield stops my attack." I elaborate. "This isn't like you, Kjelle. Among my students, you've always been among the most resolute and confident. What could affect you so much that even your confidence gets shaken?"

Kjelle grimaces and sighs. "Guess there's no escaping your notice, Master Jack. The thing is…that last battle gave me a lot to think about."

I nod. "The one where we protected a temple from bandits, wasn't it?"

Kjelle nods. "Yes. More importantly, we were protecting the people who sought shelter there. Even with our advantage after Yarne unleashed…whatever that was…I had to fight hard to hold the gate. I was so focused on stopping any bandit from getting through that I hardly entertained the thought of dropping my shield and opening my armor."

I nod in understanding. "You were too busy defending the people."

"Yes. But unlike the times I defended people from the Risen, I didn't hold the gate alone. I had Stahl by my side to protect the gate with me. To my surprise, I felt…relieved. Like he was helping me carry a heavy burden, even though he never said anything about it or even showed he was aware."

I smile in approval. "Sounds like you've experienced what I tried to tell you last time we talked."

"I…have?"

"Yes. Remember? I told you there was no point in you getting stronger if it meant that you tear yourself down. When you held the gate during that battle, it was obvious you couldn't do it on your own. As powerful as you are, you're only one person, Kjelle. No one, no matter how powerful, could defend such a position completely – unless they committed a sacrifice with some heavy repercussions."

Kjelle's eyes widen. "I can't protect everyone by myself…"

I nod. "And neither are you meant to. It's true that your main role in battle is to protect and defend your allies, but there are more than you who fulfill this role. You don't have to become the one defender of this army, Kjelle, because you now have comrades who will shoulder that burden with you. There's no sense in you tearing yourself apart through training, because that would mean you can't help those comrades defend allies and innocents whenever a battle breaks out."

Kjelle bites her bottom lip. "I'm…not alone." A tear forms in the corner of her eye. "For the longest time, I was the only one who held the last line between the people we had sworn to protect and the creatures that wanted to kill them. I felt like- Like I had to carry all those lives on my own shoulders, because everyone else had to carry burdens of their own. So I had to become strong. Strong enough to carry that burden. To become the unmovable wall that no monster could even tear down. Strong enough that the only one who could break me…was myself."

I place a hand on her armored shoulder. "*Sigh* Considering how grim things were back then, I can't blame you for that. Maybe you really were the only one who could carry that burden. But it's different now. We're all here together. We back you up, just as much as you back us up."

And that's when Kjelle, to my surprise, closes the gap and hugs me. Kjelle. The badass daughter of one of the most badass women of my generation.

"Thank you… For the first time since I reunited with my parents, I feel like I can truly relax. Maybe…even take off my armor once in a while."

I scratch my cheek. "Maybe when we're sure a battle won't break out within the next five minutes… Though some relaxation would do you good, Kjelle. And once you've had your long overdue respite, I'm sure you'll return as the reliable defender we all know you as." I smile. "More importantly, I long to see you at ease again, instead of moving as if you carry the world on your shoulders. I'd hate to see a friend suffer under that kind of weight."

Kjelle backs away and wipes a tear from her cheek. "Then I hope you're ready to carry that weight with me. Oh, and Master?"

"Yes?"

Kjelle immediately reverts to her stoic self. "This moment stays between the two of us. We don't speak about it to anyone – ever."

I raise my hands in surrender. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."

Your relationship with Kjelle has advanced! Your relationship with Kjelle is now "Friends"!

The bond you've nurtured has given birth to a new ability! You can now perform the Union Strike "Sky Drop" with Kjelle!


Basilio squints as he looks to the south. "We first saw that d-mn tree three days ago, and we're still not there yet! How much longer do we have to march before we reach the roots?!"

The tree he's referring to is none other than our goal; the Mila Tree. And like the bald khan stated, we first saw the top of the tree three days ago, which is about two days after Brady joined up and we finally made a turn to the south.

"The Divine Mila Tree has grown for centuries." Say'ri elaborates. "Just because you can see it in the distance does not necessarily mean you are close. If anything, this should indicate just how enormous it is. After all, the top is so big, it houses an entire temple among the branches."

Basilio scratches his head. "Yeah, you've already told us that much. It's just- How d-mn big can one tree get?"

Say'ri allows an ever so slightly amused smirk. "Well, a tree that does not stop growing eventually reaches that kind of size. Incidentally, Khan Basilio, do you know the legend of the Divine Tree?"

Basilio shrugs. "I ain't from Valm. H-ll, this is my first time on Valmese soil, so I'm in the dark about your legends."

Say'ri hums in understanding. "It is said that when a god dies, a tree takes root and grows where they go to their final slumber. Legend has it that the tree we are marching towards marks the place where the Earth Mother Mila passed on after she entrusted Valm at that time to mankind. A second tree of similar size and nature supposedly grows further up north on the continent, though for some reason, no one has been able to find it."

"I suppose that kind of makes sense." Chrom muses. "We've been marching around the northern part of Valm for a few weeks now. You would think we would notice a giant tree growing among the mountains."


AN: After I learned the full story of FE Gaiden (through Shadows of Valentia), I finally understood the true significance of the Mila Tree in Awakening. But it raises the question; Where on Valm is the Duma Tree?


Flavia glances at the tree. "So let me get this straight; we're essentially marching towards the grave site of some god you're worshiping?"

Say'ri frowns. "That…is one way to put it. Aside from the ancient temple we visited a few days ago, the worship of Mila has steadily declined over the centuries. In fact, that temple may be the last major gathering place for her followers. I believe worship of Naga started becoming more prominent some time after the passing of the Earth Mother. Oddly enough, her passing marked the end of the age of the gods, yet Naga is widely revered across the realm to this day."

Basilio shakes his head and heads back to camp. "Whatever. I've had enough history lessons and all this talk about gods for one day. If you'll excuse me, I'll do a few practice swings before supper."

Say'ri blinks and glances to the west. "It is getting rather late, no? Perhaps I could fit in some practice of my own before then…"

Flavia pats her on the shoulder. "Come with me, then. I could use a sparring partner, and the oaf doesn't pose much of a challenge these days."

"I heard that!" Basilio yells from among the tents.


Nowi tugs at my sleeve. "Jack, play with me!"

It's about ten minutes after supper ended when my sister figure approached me (read: ambushed me from behind some crates) and made the demand.

I raise an eyebrow. "Well, you sure digested your food fast."

Nowi winks. "I'm a growing manakete. Anyways, we're gonna play, and I won't take "no" for an answer."

I roll my eyes in good nature. "You never do when it comes to playing. Fine. What are we playing today, Nowi?"

The sunny grin on Nowi's face spells trouble, based on prior experience playing with her.

"Dragon tag!"

I blanch and look around camp. "Whoa there! Right in the middle of camp?"

Nowi blinks and looks around. "Oh… No, we'll leave the camp site first."

The rules for dragon tag are quite simple; Nowi starts as it. And she's always transformed into a dragon. The game pretty much lasts until she's tired.

That's about it. And the moment Nowi's feet exit camp proper, her Dragonstone begins to glow. Which means I only have a few seconds to come up with a plan before I have an overexcited dragon chasing me with absolutely no regard for my well-being.

*Poof*

Good thing I've done this kind of thing before. Though Nowi can build up a respectable amount of speed while flying in her transformed state, she's far from an agile flyer. And I can take advantage of that – in the shape of a swallow.

"I'll catch you this time, Jack! You're not getting away from me in that form anymore!" Nowi declares confidently as the ethereal flower disperses to reveal her dragon form.

I angle my head backwards (seeing as I'm significantly smaller now). "Care to put your gold where your maw's at?"

"Oh, it's on, buster!"


Timeskip: One hour later

"*Huff… Huff…* One day, Jack… One day…"

I smile cheerfully. "Sure, whatever makes you sleep at night."

Nowi glares at me before she pouts and looks away.

It only looks funnier due to the fact that I'm carrying the exhausted manakete under one arm while walking back to camp. Maybe turning into a swallow for any sort of tag is a bit overkill. Swallows have some insane reaction time and aerial moves, after all. On the other hand, I have my own health to think about. Getting bowled over by Nowi when she's transformed is painful at best and hazardous at worst.

"Oh, Uncle Jack. What have you and Mother been up to?"

I pause and look to the side to find Nah and Donnel approach us.

I wave in greeting. "Hey, Nah. Hey, Donnel. Just spent an hour or so playing tag with this little bundle of joy you both know and love, is all. She's still a hundred years away before she can catch me, though."

"You're only supposed to say that to your juniors, you jerk!" Nowi protests while flailing in my grip.

I shrug. "Considering how we act around each other, I could pass for the elder brother anyway."

Nowi pouts a bit more before she blasts her husband full force with her puppy-dog eyes. "Donne~l! Jack's mean to meee!"

Donnel sighs and stretches out his arms. "Yeah, yeah. Here, I'll get Nowi outta yer hair, Jack."

I put Nowi in the Warrior's arms without a second thought. Right as Nowi's in another set of arms, she lashes out and taps my still outstretched hand.

"Tag!"

I poke her hand before she can retract it. "Tag back."

Tears run down Nowi's eyes. "Nooo~! I was so close!"

Donnel puts the manakete over his shoulder and walks to his tent. Before they vanish out of sight, Nowi points her tongue at me. Yep. Still acts like the younger sibling.

"You actually spent time playing around with Mother, Uncle Jack?" Nah asks in disapproval. "I thought better of you. You'd do a lot more good if you trained her in, say, flying maneuvers."

"You'd be surprised at what you can accomplish through a session of playtime with your mother, Nah. Give it a try some time. Trust me, you'll thank us both."

Nah gives me a skeptical look. "I highly doubt it. This is an army, not a nursery."

I smirk. "Shows what you know. Let's face it; which one of you know more about being a manakete? You or your mother?"

"Mother." Nah admits with a resigned sigh. "Though it doesn't help that she acts like a child most of the time."

"Nah, Nowi is a child." I point out. "It's true that she's your parent, but she's barely made it into adolescence by the standards of her race. And while she may not look like it, Nowi's been through a lot in her life. You'd do well to ask her about how her life was before she met me or your father. And then play with her."

"Enough with the playtime already! If I want to play, I might as well get myself a deck of cards and lay some solitaire!"

I shake my head amused. "As wonderful as that sounds, that doesn't compare to rough play with a dragon with more energy to spare than it has any right to have."

Nah blinks surprised. "Huh?"

"Your mother can transform into a dragon, remember? And dragons have a lot of physical strength compared to the average human. Imagine getting physical with a creature like that for any extended period of time."

Nah puts a hand on her chin and frowns. "Hmm… Maybe there's some merit to this "playtime" thing after all…"

I leave Nah to her own devices. If anything, I do carry proof that playtime with Nowi was time well spent, and not just because we're family. As high as most of my stats are, playing with my sister figure actually increased my base VIT by 1, and that was just avoiding her as a swallow.


"Well, look who had fun out there." Robin remarks as I enter our tent.

I smirk. "What? Did you miss me?"

Robin gives me a dry look. "No, I missed the peace and quiet I had before Nowi started shouting that she'd get you. What in the world were you two doing?"

"Nowi's version of tag."

Robin raises an eyebrow. "And how's that any different from any other kind of tag?"

"One of the participants is an energetic, transformed manakete. And she always starts as it."

Robin blinks bemused. "Say what?"

I smile. "It makes for fantastic endurance training. Holding off Nowi in that state can be surprisingly taxing."

"Jack, there's a number of us who can't hold Nowi off period while she's transformed." Robin points out. "The fact that you're not covered in sweat and grime after that is just mindboggling."

My smile turns proud. "What can I say? I have fortitude that lesser men would kill for."

My wife rolls her eyes. "Sure. Whatever makes you feel better about yourself."

I decide to meditate by our bedroll while Robin returns to reading her book – a rare moment of luxury on these hectic times. Just the two of us, in the peace and quiet of our shared tent.

I hear her yawn about half an hour later.

I crack open an eye. "Getting tired?"

Robin stretches her arms. "Mmm. It is getting late. I'd better get some sleep."

I nod in agreement. We're both soon comfy in the bedroll and each other's arms.

I lean forward and kiss Robin on the forehead. "Good night. I love you, Robin – now and forever."

Our tent may be dark, but I can still feel the heat from my wife's cheeks.

"What brought this on?" Robin asks shyly. "You always declare your love for me in one way or another, though rarely in such a direct manner."

"I'd rather remind you of how much I love you one time too many than one time too few. After all, I never know when the last time will be."

In the faint light that remains, I detect a smile full of affection from my wife.

"Then I have a lot to catch up on from my part."

I hold her close and place my forehead against hers. "Take all the time you need. I'll make sure to treasure every moment."

"Then I might as well start now…" Robin whispers. "…my love."

Our lips join in a deep kiss before we both fall asleep.


AN: This is some of the wisest advice in relationships I've ever heard. While the context of this advice was parenting, I dare say it applies to romantic relationships as well. It's important to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, because chances are, they're not even aware. It also tends to brighten their day.


*BOOM!*

Robin and I jolt awake as the ground shakes from a massive shockwave accompanied by an even louder noise. My first instinct is to wrap my arms around my wife, scan my surroundings with all skills available, Harvest Moon in Telekinesis for instant weapon access and a faint layer of mana in front of my face to summon my Hollow mask at the drop of a hat.

Silence…

"W-what in the world was that?" Robin asks shocked.

I scowl. "I don't know. But if we could feel it, we'd better find out."

Robin nods before I (reluctantly) let her out of my embrace. We're both geared up and ready for action within a few minutes. As we exit our tent, we notice that many of our comrades were woken by the same source.

Curiously enough, Vaike's absent.

"That big lug could sleep straight through the end of the world." Sully mutters annoyed.

I scratch my head. "Speaking of absent Shepherds, has anyone seen Lissa?"

We look among each other. Our favorite blonde princess is missing as well, and we know for a fact that she's nowhere near as heavy of a sleeper as Vaike is.

"I don't like this." Chrom remarks concerned. "Shepherds! Spread out and find Lissa – fast!"

We nod before we disperse.

Robin and I search among the cliffs west of our camp. We manage to find something odd about twenty minutes into our search.

"Is that…smoke?" I ask as I squint at a billowing pillar in the distance.

Robin nods. "Looks like it. And where there's smoke…"

"…there's fire." I finish.

We head to the origin of the smoke – and, much to our surprise, find Lissa panting, somewhat sweaty and resting Betty on the ground, but overall unharmed.

"Lissa? What are you doing here?" Robin asks as we approach the War Cleric.

Lissa turns around and smiles as she sees us.

"Oh, hey, guys! Just decided to get some morning practice in away from camp so I wouldn't wake everyone up by accident."

I raise an eyebrow. "Practice? What exactly were you practicing?"

Lissa proudly rubs the underside of her nose. "I've seen Lucina and her friends pull all kinds of cool moves ever since they joined up, so I decided to make my own. It took some convincing, but I managed to convince Ricken and Libra to teach me how to channel magic through my weapon."

Lissa points at a spot some distance away from her. "Still need to work out the kinks, but the results look promising. I just tried it out on the boulder over there."

Robin and I follow the direction Lissa points at. There's no boulder where she's pointing. There is, however, a wide, flat crater with the smoke we saw earlier rising from the center. And around said crater are scorch marks and a handful of pebbles strewn about. It almost looks like someone detonated a pack of dynamite.

I gulp and glance at Lissa for a quick Observe. Just like she mentioned, there's a skill in her profile that wasn't there last time I checked – which happened to be a long time ago, now that I think about it.


Zeus Hammer, Lvl 18 [22 %], Active, Cost: 380 MP
The lovechild of Greek and Norse mythology, this hammer strike hits with enough force to make even the hardiest nonbelievers fear the wrath of the gods. Despite the physical and magical requirements to pull this move off, it's not actually that difficult to perform – just taxing. This is a good thing, though. The world's far better off without some maniac playing judgement deity.
Base damage: 1 100 % of the user's STR + 1 100 % of the user's INT. Splash damage: 550 % of the user's INT. Splash range: 2.2 meters. Element: Lightning. A direct hit ignores 20 % of the target's defenses.


A chill runs up my spine. Holy Heron galdrs… If Owain inherits even a fraction of whatever made Lissa come up with such a move, he'll be an absolute beast.

Oh, who am I kidding? He's bound to have inherited all of it, being the mad lad he is.


[Fun fact: The Zeus Hammer is an extremely rare and powerful chip from the MegaMan Battle Network series. When MegaMan uses it, he swings down a hammer and unleashes a shockwave that hits everything on the screen – including himself. This makes the Zeus Hammer very risky to use. Fortunately, the damage done to MegaMan can be negated with the aid of a defensive chip like Barrier.]


"Um… Well, we kind of heard you practice all the way from camp." Robin points out while trying to reign in her shock from seeing the results of Lissa's training.

Lissa blinks. "Really? Oh, shoot. Maybe I should've taken Henry up on his offer to make a soundproof rune circle after all. I really need to apologize to everyone for disturbing their sleep." The princess bops her head while sticking her tongue out. "Um, at least I make for a decent alarm, right?"

Robin and I give the War Cleric dry looks. We shake our heads and head back to camp.

"Huh? Hey, wait up! You can't just leave me here!" Lissa shouts indignant as she runs to catch up to us.


Timeskip: Three days later

"I think I'm starting to understand why that Vaike guy keeps asking if we're there yet." Basilio mutters tiredly as we continue our march. "That tree just keeps getting bigger and bigger, but we're still not at its roots. This is getting ridiculous."

"Remember that patience is a virtue, Khan Basilio." Say'ri reminds him.

"Well, I ain't a patient man! Shouldn't we be there by now?!"

"We might be closer than you think, Khan Basilio." Robin comments from further up front. My wife points to our right. "Look."

We follow where she's pointing. There's movement in the distance. Enemy troops? No. Those are soldiers from the Ylissean league!

It takes a lot of reorganizing, but with the aid of a few hundred Shadow clones, we manage to arrange the different factions of our army to make camp like a ring around the base of the Mila Tree. Overall morale is high, seeing as each group made it here with little to no losses. All thanks to the intense planning and strategizing before we set out on this venture.

"Well, color me surprised, Robin." Flavia praises my wife as we're gathered in the war tent for a strategy meeting. "Looks like your plan went off without a hitch. Our troops are pretty much all here, and the empire's hardly the wiser about it."

Robin nods as she scans a rough depiction of what the terrain around the Mila Tree looks like. "So far, essentially everything has gone according to plan. If we want to have as big of a chance at rescuing the Voice of Naga as possible, we have to strike soon."

"But we just got here, Robin." Chrom points out. "We've been marching through the Valmese continent nonstop for days while avoiding the Conqueror and his men. Don't you think our troops have earned at least a little rest?"

Robin shakes her head. "As much as I agree with you on that point, there are more pressing matters that require us to take action now, Chrom."

"But what could be so important that you would have travel weary troops head straight into battle?" Say'ri asks confused. "Surely the battle would be easier if our army is rested, no?"

"You forget what the whole point of splitting our army was in the first place, Say'ri." Robin reminds the Swordmaster. "As we have discussed before, there may be a sizable imperial host guarding the entrance to the Mila Tree, but it's not the biggest host in the empire. Now, if I were the commander stationed at the Mila Tree, what would my first action be when I realize that an enemy army has slipped through our ranks and has converged around my post?"

Say'ri's eyes widen in realization. "Send for reinforcements. And since they will come from the outside, the invaders would be stuck in a pincer strike."

Robin nods grimly. "The commander of the guard around the tree no doubt knows we're here by now. We may have gotten the drop on the empire this time, but if we don't take the Mila Tree now, they could send for reinforcements and turn our own plan against us. We'd be trapped around the tree with no means to escape. Now is our only chance to rescue the Voice of Naga with any hope of getting away without running the risk of getting pinned down by the full military might of the Conqueror."

The war tent falls silent at Robin's assessment.

"D-mn…" Flavia breathes out. "So we're still not out of the woods yet, eh? I should've known it wouldn't be that easy."

Chrom frowns in thought. "In that case, we better mobilize our troops quickly. Time is of the essence."

Robin nods. "Exactly. But first, we need to decide how to coordinate our assault."

Robin pulls out the chess pieces again. The eight pawns are spread around the edge of the terrain map. The black king is placed in the middle.

"Thanks to our marching going according to plan, we are in a favorable position. We have the imperial soldiers stationed at the Mila Tree completely surrounded, which means we can potentially cut them off from the rest of the imperial army and prevent any request for reinforcements. All we have to do is launch a coordinated strike from all sides and box in the soldiers."

Flavia eyes the map sharply. "That's easier said than done. The circumference of our camp right now is huge. Relaying messages to all sides for when to begin the attack will be a herculean effort, if not impossible."

"We'll need some kind of signal." Lucina proposes. "A sign for everyone to see when the time to strike has arrived."

Chrom nods in agreement. "I thought something along those lines, but what can we use to signal an army spread around a tree that big?"

I smirk. "Leave that to me. Just make sure you have everyone lined up and ready for battle."

Basilio eyes me skeptically. "You're not about to pull some kind of crazy stunt like that sea monster back during our sailing voyage again, are you? There's only so much of your ridiculous ideas that us normal people can stomach."

I wave off the bald khan's concern. "Relax. I'll plan it out with Robin, so everything should work out just fine."

Robin rubs her chin. "All right. I'll take your word for it, Jack. Now, then. The next matter is how we will station our commanders."

Flavia raises an eyebrow. "What, so I won't be fighting side-by-side with the oaf?"

"Good riddance." Basilio mutters.

"No, you're not." Robin replies with a bit of force before another argument can break out between the khans. Robin picks out the remainder of the white chess pieces. "We will divide our army into divisions. Each division will be led by a commander and will concentrate on attacking from their side. At Jack's signal, which I will work out with him later, our assault will begin." Each pawn with its accompanying piece is gradually moved closer to the middle of the map. "If all goes according to plan, our respective sides should join up as the battle keeps getting closer to the base of the tree. And then…"

My wife picks up the white king and uses it to knock down the black one. She smirks. "…checkmate."

Everyone stands silently as we all contemplate Robin's strategy.

Flavia grins. "You sly fox… You had this in mind the whole time, didn't you?"

Chrom chuckles. "Leave it to Robin to come up with strategies to last us an entire campaign."

Robin shakes her head. "Come now, Chrom. I'm not that good. But this should at least be enough to get us to a decisive victory. Here's to hoping everything works out."

I put a hand on my wife's shoulder. "You've gotten us this far, Robin. We're behind you all the way, so you only need to point the way forward. And if you stumble, we'll be there to help you back up."

Robin smiles gently at me. "Thank you, Jack." Then she's instantly all business again as she returns to the map. "All right. Now to allocate our troops and who to command which faction. First…"


Quest alert:
Main quest: Naga's Voice
Robin's careful strategizing has finally brought the Ylissean league to the Mila Tree with little to no trouble. Since the empire is only now aware of your presence so deep in their territory, you have a unique opportunity of seizing the tree while their guard is at its lowest. You'd better hurry, though. The window of opportunity is small, and keeps decreasing.
Objectives: Defeat the enemy commander. Seize control of the Divine Mila Tree.
Rewards: 16 000 EXP, 16 000 gold
Bonus objective: None
Failure: The battle drags on until reinforcements from the empire arrive. From there, it's only a matter of time before you're annihilated.


I smile as I scan the part of camp where my team has set up.

"Captain. I can report that we all made it to our destination safely." Hawke reports as he approaches me.

I give the Dark Knight a thumbs-up. "Excellent work, Hawke. You've done well in leading the team all the way here with everyone accounted for."

Hawke nods slowly. "And how has the marching been on your end?"

My smile turns into a grin. "As well as it could have, I suppose. In fact, we got ourselves a few new recruits for the army on the way. They'll bolster our forces by a significant margin. But enough about our marching. We're on a tight schedule with the next battle awaiting us."

"I was not aware we were to prepare for combat on such short notice." Hawke points out.

I scratch the back of my head. "Yeah, well, that's all part of our head tactician's master plan for our current objective. I know it's less than optimal, but we need to make due if we want to make use of our tactical advantage. Lon'qu's rounding up the rest of the team as we speak. I'll see if we don't have time to grab a quick bite before we're to line up."

Hawke gives me his classic unreadable expression before he turns and walks away.

"Huh? Hey, Hawke, where are you going?" I ask confused.

"If the next battle is nigh, every minute I can spare for preparations will be crucial. I shall head to the arms tent and see if there are any weapons I might need for the upcoming clash. If possible, I should also see to my horse."

He…does raise a good point. Kind of feels unfair that only he seems to get the proper heads-up in my team. Maybe I could do something for my team as well, small as the gesture would be…


I've just made a bunch of clones to carry food to my teammates. A little food won't restore all their strength, but I figured the gesture should at least boost their morale. I've just left the storage carts myself when I'm approached by Cynthia.

"Um, Sensei? Do you have a moment?" the Pegasus Knight asks.

"Hm? Oh, sure. I still have some time." I reply. "What's on your mind, Cynthia?"

Cynthia shuffles her feet. "Well… I've been thinking a lot since the last time we had a deep talk. About what it means being a hero and all that."

I nod as I think back on that conversation. I can imagine the topic took a shocking turn for Cynthia.

"I take it you had a few talks with Laurent as well?"

Cynthia nods. "Yeah, and I learned a lot from the books he offered me. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, I had a few talks with Mother and Father as well, and they got me thinking."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? Now I'm curious."

"I've been thinking a lot these past few weeks about what it means to be a hero." Cynthia elaborates. "So, I asked my parents about how they became heroes. Mother looked plain confused, and Father closed his eyes without saying a word. It was really strange."

I rub my chin in thought. "Come to think of it, I have no memory of either of your parents ever expressing any desire to become heroes, unlike you."

"That's exactly it." Cynthia points out. "Mother told me she never thought about being a hero. She was more concerned about simply doing her best to make a difference. And Father told me he's more concerned about fulfilling his duties and keeping his oaths than striving for being a hero. When I asked him why the Shepherds had become so famous for fighting bandits, he told me that the reason they fought bandits in the first place was because those bandits were making life harder for the people of the halidom."

I nod along. "Not what you were expecting, eh?"

Cynthia shakes her head while frowning. "I had hoped to hear about what they felt in the moment they became heroes – except, neither of them believes there ever was such a moment in their lives. It's like…they don't even care about being heroes. And it made me think; what makes me a hero? I've spent so much of my life doing my best in becoming a great hero, but when I stop to think about what made me a hero in the first place, I come up empty."

I smile at my student softly. "You've stumbled upon something important, Cynthia. No matter what happens in your life, never forget this lesson."

Cynthia blinks bemused. "Huh? What lesson?"

"You're unsure of whether you're really a hero, right? That's because you still haven't decided on what to fight for."

"Sensei, I don't understand. I mean, fighting for justice is enough, right? If I'm not ready to lay down my life for it, then what's the point?"

"You've only understood half the point of it all, Cynthia. That's why you've felt so confused. The talks you've had with your parents show what you've been missing all along in your quest to become a hero. It's a fundamental part of what being a hero means."

Cynthia grabs me by the collar faster than I can blink and stares me down with barely any space between our faces.

"What is it?! What have I been missing about hero fundamentals?!"

"First, let go of my robe." I answer dryly.

The Pegasus Knight blinks before she lets go and backs away with a sheepish smile.

I clear my throat. "Alright, I'm only going to teach you this lesson once, so make sure to remember it. The measure of a hero can be determined by how far they are willing to go for their cause. But to define a hero, you must first learn what that cause is."

Cynthia gives me a blank look. "Huh? That's it?"

I nod. "Never underestimate the significance of this, Cynthia. Since we met, you have shown me how strong your resolve is. You have the makings of a great hero. But before you can be called as such, you must first decide who or what you will fight for. I warn you, choosing a cause that you find satisfying is anything but easy – especially in war times. The hero of one side is the enemy of another. Such is the nature of war."

Cynthia nods. "Yeah, I know. That's why I decided to never fight for a country. But…isn't justice a good enough cause?"

I rub my chin. "That's a tricky question. The thing about justice is that it's tied to the way you view the world. Even though we all live in the same world, everyone sees it differently, Cynthia. Because of this, everyone's justice is different as well. Of course, there are a lot of things that most people agree on, such as stealing being a bad thing. But there's always a small detail, some kind of nuance, that makes my own sense of justice different from yours and everyone else's. If you truly wish to make justice your cause, you have to learn how to see the world through the eyes of someone else. Do you have the courage to see the world from another perspective?"

Some of the determination on Cynthia's face bleeds away and gives way to doubt. "I… I'm not sure. All this time, I thought protecting the innocent, beating the bad guy and saving the day was enough to say that justice has been served. But ever since I got involved in this war, I've had this feeling that the soldiers of the empire aren't all bad. Like they're as convinced they're doing the right thing just as much as we do. But I've barely stopped to think why they seemed that way. "Maybe they were just misguided" I thought for myself."

"If that's the way you think, you'll need some soul searching, and fast." I determine. "Let it take the time you need to find your own justice, Cynthia. Oh, speaking of justice; There's one more thing you need to remember if that's what you will fight for."

"What's that?"

I look Cynthia sternly in the eyes. "Justice must be supported by might and authority. But when it is delivered at the point of a sword, it is naught but coercion. Never let violence be your first response, Cynthia. For the day it does, is the day you become the villain."

Cynthia's determination returns in her eyes and she nods. "I understand, Sensei. I'll become a hero with a worthy cause, not for you, not for my family, not for myself, but because I'm needed." Then she smiles at me. "Besides, something tells me I won't be alone in this. After all, I have you to support me."

I blink bemused before I smile and shake my head fondly. "Well, I suppose someone needs to watch over you in case you go overboard. Fine by me, Cynthia. Show me the path you'll tread to become the great hero that I know you will one day become."


Your relationship with Cynthia has advanced! Your relationship with Cynthia is now "Friends"!

The bond you've nurtured has given birth to a new ability! You can now perform the Union Strike "You say Homerun" with Cynthia!

AN: When Jack gave his lesson about justice delivered through a sword, he quoted Braev Lee from Bravely Second. It's one of my favorite quotes in the game, because it shows Braev's wisdom as a ruler. Also, Braev is one of the coolest video game dads I've ever seen, even though my first impression of him back in Bravely Default was less than stellar. Had to go through a lot before I viewed him in a positive light. But when I did; Hoo boy, what a man the Templar is.


By the time I return to my team's part of the camp, they've already finished the food I got them. I know it wasn't much, but, dang, they eat fast. That trek must've taken a lot out of them, especially considering that they had a schedule to keep.

On the plus side, morale is definitely good among my team members. Just what we needed for the upcoming battle.

"Team! Assemble!" I shout.

My team lines up within a minute, ready to hear my instructions. A quick headcount with help of Mind's eye tells me everyone is present.

I smile. "Good to see everyone accounted for. You no doubt have a long and tedious march behind you. That makes me all the more proud of knowing you all made it here in one piece." Then I drop the cheerful expression. "That being said, that march was just the preparation for what's up ahead. This march you've just accomplished together with the rest of this army was orchestrated to place us in the position we are in right now. Our objective is to seize the destination of our march through the continent of Valm; the Divine Mila Tree. Because of the nature of the march, we have managed to get the drop on the soldiers stationed at this tree. But our advantage will only last for so long. Because we have to accomplish our objective before enemy reinforcements can arrive here, the whole army is ordered to line up for battle within the hour. Take this time to make what last preparations you still need."

"Hey, uh, Cap? I don't wanna be that guy, but what's the point of capturing a giant tree?" Elliot asks skeptically.

"It's not the tree itself we're after, Elliot. It's who's imprisoned at the top." I explain. "Once we rescue her, we should be able to gain both allies and supply lines to support our war effort on this continent. In fact, our whole campaign may hinge upon rescuing this very person. Hence the urgency of preparing for this upcoming battle. Any other questions?"

Silence is the answer.

I nod and clap my hands. "In that case, prepare as well for combat as you can, and meet me by the edge of the Mila Tree's roots within the hour. That is all, team. Move out!"

"Yes, Captain Jack!"


I'm currently standing on the appointed place. The last of my team members are filing in, all of them armed and ready to charge in at any moment.

"Say, Captain Jack?" Edea asks.

"Hm?"

"I never thought of this back during the debriefing, but how are we supposed to launch a coordinated strike with our army spread out like this? I can't even see the other commanders. In fact, I think I can only see the factions next to ours from where I'm standing."

I smile at the Myrmidon. "No need to worry, Edea. Me and Robin have it all covered."

My teammates look among each other questioningly, only to get shrugs as the most common answer.

What my teammates are not seeing is that I have Shadow clones stationed along the inner rim of our formation. Each clone is stationed a bit less than 100 meters from each other, which puts each clone within the maximum range of Mind's eye of the clones in the adjacent positions. What's more, one extra clone is stationed by Robin, irrespective of the distance to the next clone. That's our signal clone.

The signal that Robin and I came up with back during the war meeting is very simple. When the moment arrives, Robin will pop the signal clone. That sensation will hit me and all the other clones at once, which tells us that the time to attack has arrived.

Ah, and there it is.

I clap my hands together and slap them on the root I'm standing on (it's a ridiculously massive root) to Transmute some of the organic matter into a wider path for our soldiers to run on. At this very moment, every single one of my Shadow clones do the exact thing, and all of us shout the exact same words.

"That's our cue! Charge!"

BGM: Sapp's and Piddler's theme, Bravely Second music.

Our unit runs over the Transmuted pathway towards the Valmese soldiers standing on the tree roots (seriously, those roots are massive). Judging by the stances of the Valmese soldiers, they've been expecting us. They shift their positions to block as much of the roots as possible. They even have Archers stationed on more distant roots to give cover fire for the soldiers standing on the biggest surfaces.

*Whoosh!*

Too bad I can deflect any arrow shot at my team with a simple gust of wind magic.

"I'll stop the arrows! Take out those Archers!" I shout as I float up and conjure more wind magic in my free hand for when the next arrow flies our way.

"Lash." Hawke calmly calls.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun!"

The Dark Mage jumps up on Hawke's horse and chants a fire spell in tandem with Hawke's wind spell. Hawke unleashes his first and staggers the Valmese Archers on our left. Then Lash unleashes her spell and bowls the soldiers over with a torrent of flames that both burns them and makes them fall off the root in the confusion.

"Grit! Cover me for five seconds!" Lon'qu shouts as he takes a running start towards the edge of the main tree root.

"Ya got it, Lieutenant." the Sniper calmly replies and readies three arrows at the same time.

The Archers on the right try to snipe Lon'qu mid-jump, only to find their arrows sniped instead, courtesy to Grit's unflappable marksmanship. And that's when Lon'qu lands on their root. A few blurs of movement, and the Archers all collapse with slash wounds all over their bodies.

"I have got to learn that move." Edea mumbles excited.

I land in front of my team and smirk at the Valmese Knights in front of us. The imperial soldiers have formed a wall over the entire traversable width we're standing on.

Sparks dance along my hand. "Guess we'll just have to break through. Alright, then. Trace on."

The light disperses to reveal a small, dull kitchen knife. My entire posture and gaze droop the moment I take hold of the small weapon.

"What the- Hey, Captain! Snap out of it!" Pit shouts alarmed as he notices.

A Fighter walks out from the Valmese ranks.

"Well, at least one of them will be easy pickings." he remarks as he brandishes his Killer Axe and charges me. "Have fun bleeding out under the roots!"

"Captain! Watch out!"

Moments before the Fighter swings his axe, I lazily sway to the side and barely dodge the swing. In the same, slow motion, I take aim at his exposed side and thrust.

*Doink!* "GUAAH!"

The Fighter collapses with a massive gouge in his side. I slowly walk past him as he collapses on the root and falls off, all while he bleeds severely.

The rest stare in disbelief.

"Wait a minute… Did he just destroy that soldier with a poke from that little knife?" Eagle asks flabbergasted.

"Dude, that thing doesn't even look like it could cut butter." Elliot points out. "How is that even possible?"

"I know not how you felled my comrade, but this is as far as you go!" one of the Knights in front declares before he breaks formation and aims to impale me on his lance.

Just like last time, I lean to the side and barely dodge the thrust. I grab hold of the shaft before the Knight can retract his weapon. He raises his shield in response.

*Doink! Crang!* "Augh!"

The shield's gone. So is the armor that used to protect the Knight's chest. Oh, and his arm is gone, too. As for the Knight himself, he's on the ground, thrashing in pain over losing his shield arm. And he's bleeding a lot.

I think he's got a few more minutes, tops, before he kicks the bucket.

Ugh… It's not just my movements. Using this knife seems to dull my mind as well. Sooo slooow…

I lazily point my Traced weapon at the imperial soldiers standing before us.

"Team… Attack…"

I slowly make my way to the trunk of the Mila Tree along the roots. The imperial soldiers all take a step back before they gather their nerves and take their stances. My teammates look at each other uncertainly before they all shrug and charge. This means they overtake me pretty quickly.

Sooo slooow…

Jake and Ventus are the first ones to reach the front. They clash with a Hero who parries Jake's lance with the shield and locks blades with Ventus. Ventus struggles against the weapon lock for a bit before he disengages and takes a step back. Jake turns his horse around and has the mount kick out at the Hero. The imperial soldier ducks under the kick, only to notice Ventus slip in under the horse and go right for his neck. The Hero stops the slash with little effort, thanks to his superior strength. Then he notices a strange shadow covering him. It's Jake's horse, who was commanded to jump and land hooves first on the Hero while Jake himself readies another lance thrust. The lance pierces the Hero's shoulder. And then Ventus stabs his sword through the imperial's chest moments later.

Ringabel and Khint weave left and right in tandem as they clash with a Swordmaster. Their teamwork allows them to compensate for their lack of general combat prowess against their foe. Ringabel slips in low, and Khint releases a relentless barrage of burning sword slashes from above. The Swordmaster ducks and weaves between the two teammates with some struggle, but holds up well enough to sneak in a few retaliatory slashes of his own. Ringabel manages to parry a slash and pushes long enough for Khint to line up a thrust right at the Swordmaster's heart. The imperial soldier notices the danger and jumps back to a safer distance.

That is, until he notices I'm right behind his new position.

"Surprise, mother *Doink!*er."

"GAAH!"

Dead. With a big hole in his chest.

Ringabel gulps with his face turning green. "I think I lost my appetite for supper."

Khint shakes his head. "Even now, you manage to catch me off guard, Captain. I do hope the payment matches the nonsense I see on a daily basis."

I nod slowly before I turn around and resume my march towards the tree trunk.

*Krang!*

Olaf grunts as he bashes his shield against another General's. The two armored soldiers keep pushing against each other, neither giving any ground.

*Tink*

An arrow bounces off the Valmese General's armor. The General doesn't care. He concentrates on pushing back Olaf instead.

*Tink*

Another arrow bounces off the imperial armor. The General briefly glances in the direction the arrow flew from, but quickly returns his focus on Olaf before our own resident General can exploit the opening and gain more ground.

Then another arrow flies in…

*Thunk!* "Ugh!"

…and nails the General right in the gap between his pauldron and helmet. The momentary distraction is all Olaf needs to finally bowl his opponent over and shove his lance right through the visor.

Olaf breathes a sigh of relief before he glances to his right. "Took your sweet time, didn't you, Grit?"

The Sniper shrugs. "Gotta make the shots count, you know? Can't just fire these things willy-nilly."

The former Feroxi General huffs. "You and that infuriatingly laid-back attitude of yours… I swear."

We're making steady progress through the Valmese ranks. If this keeps up, we should be joining in with some other units soon.

"Just die already!" *Vrrm!*

Speak of the trigger-happy Sorcerer, and he shall appear. Henry's hit his stride and is having the time of his life bombarding the Valmese soldiers with Ruin spells. Might have something to do with him testing his new powers.

Though I think the local populace won't take kindly to one of their most sacred landmarks having spherical gaps in its roots.

And that's when Lissa slaps him over the head. "How many times do I have to tell you?! The Resistance will get angry if they find out you damaged this tree!"

"It's all good if they never find out, right?" Henry asks completely unfazed by the slap. "So we just make sure they never find out."

That earns him another slap over the head.

"Learn some restraint, already!"

At least Lissa didn't hit Henry over the head with Betty. I don't think Henry could walk straight after a blow from that monstrosity.

*Boom!* "AH HA HA HA HA HA!"

"Besides, Noire's blowing up the roots, too." Henry cheerfully points out.

"Would someone just reign the girl in?!" Cordelia yells exasperated while fending off a Valmese Falcon Knight. "Trees need their roots! Who knows what will happen to it if they suffer too much damage?!"

Wait… I might be able to do something about that… What did I have in mind again…?

Hmm… The trunk of the tree seems to be pretty close by, which means we should be close to the enemy commander at this rate. Just need one more good push. Now, how do we achieve this one…

Oh, so that's what I had in mind. Okay…

In the span of time Noire needs to reload a new arrow, a Pegasus Knight flies in in an attempt to put her out of the fight permanently. I zero in on that Pegasus Knight, drop the knife in my hand, feel my mind speeding back up to its normal pace-

*Flash! Crack!*

-teleport to the Hiraishin kunai that Noire always carries with her and kick the pegasus in the face. The sudden jolting movement makes the Pegasus Knight almost lose her balance. And that's when Noire's done notching a new arrow and hits the Pegasus Knight in the forehead.

"Sensei? What are you doing here?" Noire asks surprised.

I land in a crouch. "Setting things up for the final push."


Union Strike: The Pointy End

"Ready, Noire?!"

"I-I'm with you…"

I grab Noire around her waist and hoist her over my shoulder.

"W-whoa! Sensei, what're you-?"

I dash off with Noire towards the Valmese ranks while chanting under my breath.

"Jack-sensei, put me down! I can't fight like this!" Noire shouts alarmed.

We're about a dozen paces from contact when I finish my chant.

"Unlimited Blade Works!"

A dome of flames envelops me, Noire and a good portion of the Valmese front. A minute later, we all stand on the sunset hills of my Reality Marble.

I put Noire down and hold out a hand to Trace a weapon. "We'll finish this in one go. Synch up!"

I charge the confused Valmese soldiers while the Traced Iron Sword is still flying towards my hand. The moment I grasp it, I swing down on the nearest enemy soldier. Then I slide and spin past the shocked Fighter while I toss the Iron Sword in Noire's direction and Trace another weapon in the other hand. This time, it's the Jungle King keyblade. I weave between the soldiers while slashing around me, toss the keyblade in Noire's direction and Trace yet another weapon.

A rhythm gets established this way. I Trace a weapon that I swing at the Valmese soldiers a few times before I toss it to Noire. And then Noire Traces that weapon herself before she catches it out of the air and hovers it above her head. With each new cycle, the mass of weapons floating above my student grows.

Then Noire grabs hold of the bowstring on her Savage Lynel Bow and aims it skyward. The weapons floating above her head begin to spiral around a focal point before they all fuse together into a massive shining arrow.

Noire's face morphs into a murderous snarl. "Blood and thunder!"

She releases the bowstring. The arrow flies skywards moments later. As it reaches the apex of its flight, it bursts in a flash of light. Every single weapon that made its composition begin their descent.

I teleport to Noire's Hiraishin kunai moments before the deadly rain decimates the hapless imperials. When the dust settles, there's only a bunch of corpses with all kinds of things sharp and pointy sticking out of them.

Noire slumps forward and sighs. "So tired…"

I regard her with a sweatdrop. "Oi, don't go out on me now, Noire."

BGM ends


I dispel my Reality Marble to see that mine and Noire's combined assault blew a massive hole in the Valmese ranks. It's only a matter of time before this battle is won.

Warning! Warning! Boss-level enemy approaching!

And there's the last obstacle.


Cervantes Lvl 48 Class: General
Standing at 5 ft 2 in and weighing in at a staggering 198 pounds (out of which 20 % consist of his legendary mustache), this Valmese general is by far one of the most devoted patriots in the Conqueror's army. All he does is for the glory of his emperor (or to maintain his precious mustache). A major drawback with his mustache is that it sometimes gets in his way whenever he speaks. As a result, people tend to assume he refers to said facial hair, even in the cases when what he says is something else entirely. Did we mention that he absolutely loves his mustache?


The Valmese General confidently marches towards us with his gleaming armor, his gleaming Tomahawk and his gleaming…mustache? Since when does facial hair have such a bright sheen? There has to be a limit to how well-kept someone's mustache can be.

"My whiskers are safe against you lot! Victory is inevitable!" Cervantes declares confidently.

As absurd as his statement may be, it actually has a calming effect on the remaining soldiers. They looked frightened over our quick progress a minute ago, but a few words from their commander was all it took to quell their fear. Gotta hand it to the mustache man; as waning as his grasp on reality may be, he knows how to inspire the people around him.

"If you would permit me, allow me to end this battle." Say'ri asks me as she walks past me.

I glance at the dynast. "You sure you're up for this? That's the enemy commander."

Say'ri nods as she draws the Windcleaver. "Aye. If I am to become a worthy ally in this alliance, I must prove my worth in combat. Though I can assure you an opponent as this may not provide an adequate challenge. Consider this a simple demonstration."

Soldiers on both sides give the combatants a wide birth as they approach each other.

Cervantes scowls. "Say'ri – my mortal enemy."

Say'ri gives a curt nod. "General Cervantes… Your reputation – and you gut – precedes you."

"But we have met in battle before, girl! Or have you forgotten?!" the Valmese General exclaims. "Not long ago, you and I, locked in deadly combat. I was sure we had won the day until you appeared."

One of Say'ri's eyebrows twitch. "…Your beard again? Can you talk of nothing else, you imperial pig?!"

"Ap-PEARED! I said "appeared"! And what business do you have, insulting my glorious mustache like that?!" Cervantes lightly tugs on his mustache, all while the facial hairs mysteriously sparkle in the sunlight. "Hmph! Though I suppose a woman such as yourself could never understand the greatness contained within these luxurious follicles. You showing even a smidgeon of interest should be cause for celebration."

"How many times do I have to tell you; I have no interest in your blasted mustache, you simpleton!" Say'ri yells exasperated.

Cervantes slams down his foot and gets in a combat stance. "You utter fool! Imperial mustache wax is the finest in the world! I applied a generous helping of it on my mustache just this morning. You have no hope of achieving anything in this battle!"

BGM: Eternal Struggle (Cervantes's theme), Soul Calibur II music

Say'ri shouts a battle cry as she charges Cervantes. The Valmese General rears back his Tomahawk and throws it near parallel to the ground. Say'ri jumps over the axe with ease and comes down with an overhead strike. That's when Cervantes displays a surprising amount of agility as he rushes at Say'ri shield-first faster than any heavily armored unit has any right to be. Say'ri manages to brace herself against the heavy impact with a hasty block, but finds herself pinned against her mustached foe as the Tomahawk makes its return trip.

With her options limited, Say'ri yields to the push and lets herself fall to the ground moments before the Tomahawk strikes her in the back. Cervantes catches the axe with practiced ease and raises his foot to slam it down on Say'ri. The Swordmaster responds with a swing that sends a windblade at Cervantes. The move catches Cervantes off-guard and pushes him back. By the time he regains his bearings, Cervantes notices something float down gently – a few strands of his mustache.

"You… I see you have chosen death." Cervantes growls as he shakes with barely restrained anger.

I frown in concern. This guy may be as bad about his mustache as Yang about her hair. One strand was cut off, and she went berserk on an Ursa (no pun intended).

Say'ri gets back on her feet quickly and settles in a low stance. This time, Cervantes takes the initiative and rushes at Say'ri like an enraged bull –with the speed to match one as well. Say'ri squints and rushes to meet Cervantes. Two paces before contact, Cervantes thrusts his shield forward. Say'ri shifts her stepping slightly and pivots around the charging General with fluid grace. As she breaks from her charge, she sends another windblade at Cervantes's back and nails a clean hit. The impact staggers Cervantes, and Say'ri uses that opening to close back in and pin the General down with a relentless assault. Cervantes frantically moves his shield around to block Say'ri's slashes to the best of his abilities. Considering the staggering blow he just suffered, I'm impressed he manages to block almost everything.

There's a brief pause in Say'ri's offensive as the Swordmaster needs one short moment to solidify her stance before she can renew her attack. That's the one moment Cervantes needs to plant his feet firmly back on the ground and bat aside Say'ri's next attack with ease. The shield bash knocks Say'ri back a step – a step that Cervantes closes in another burst of speed before his Tomahawk comes back down.

*Clang!*

Say'ri is forced to her knees as she puts all her strength into holding the Tomahawk back with her Windcleaver. Cervantes's eye gleams as he pushes forward and over Say'ri, putting more of his weight on the weapon lock.

"Got you now! You can't slip out of this trap!" the General declares confidently.

"I am not…the same as when last we fought." Say'ri replies through grit teeth.

And then Say'ri does something I would never expect from a practitioner of swordplay; she lets go off her weapon with her dominant hand to slap Cervantes in the face! The move catches just about everyone off-guard. More importantly, the baffled General loses his concentration long enough for Say'ri to regain her footing and grasp her sword firmly once more. With both combatants so close, Say'ri rams the hilt of the Windcleaver right on Cervantes's nose. The General stumbles back dizzy while Say'ri is already in an offensive stance.

"Now!"

The dynast sword fighter zips past Cervantes in a blur. Moments after she slides to a stop, several streaks of light flash across Cervantes's armored chest. Gouges that go through his armor appear all over the General before blood flies from the slits.

"Nn…gah…"

The Tomahawk falls from Cervantes's grasp as the General's knees hit the ground with a loud thud. Blood leaks from the corner of Cervantes's mouth.

Say'ri swipes her Windcleaver once and calmly sheathes it. "A fight well won." *Clink*

One final streak flashes over Cervantes's face – more specifically across a section of his mustache.

BGM ends

Cervantes looks in horror at the strands floating down, forever separated from the rest of him. "M-my invincible mustache… But how?"

Say'ri glances at Cervantes over her shoulder. "Such if the fate of those who rely on anything to the point that it becomes a crutch – a lesson that I had the good fortune of learning before it was too late."

"General Cervantes!"

Several Valmese soldiers run to the General to help him back up on his feet.

"U-uh… Where did science fail in all this?" Cervantes asks groggily. "Have I been played a fool?"

"General! Hang in there!"

Cervantes shakes his head. "As ashamed as I am to admit it, we can no longer hope to achieve victory in this battle. Men, signal the retreat for anyone on our side remaining."

One of the imperial soldiers looks at his commander in shock. "Retreat?! But General, His Excellency gave us direct orders to defend this place at all costs."

"I know what our emperor ordered, you fool!" Cervantes snaps. "I shall take the blame for this when we return. Just signal the retreat and get us out of here already! Go, blast it!"

Frederick pulls out his Savage Lynel Crusher and prepares his horse to charge. "I think not."

Say'ri places her arm in front of the Great Knight. "Wait! Leave them be."

"Are you sure, Say'ri?" Chrom asks surprised. "If you let them go, we're certain to face them in battle again someday. What's more, they can relay information of our tactics directly to Walhart."

Say'ri shakes her head. "That may be true, Prince Chrom, but our objective is not to rout the enemy soldiers; it is to seize the Divine Mila Tree – a task that we have just accomplished. There is no more need to fight." Then she glares at Cervantes, who is supported by a soldier on each side. "When next you see your master, tell him this; the legacy of Chon'sin lives on."

"Rrgh. Blast you, Say'ri!" Cervantes growls. "I will not forget this humiliation. I shall retreat for now, and revise my theories. But know this; next time we cross blades, my science will be flawless!"

A white rune circle appears underneath Cervantes and his supporting soldiers before all three vanish in a flash of light. Similar circles among the Valmese ranks flash into existence before the imperials are all whisked away.


Quest alert:
Main quest: Naga's Voice
Robin's strategy came together perfectly! A near complete victory has now granted you access to the path leading to the top of the Divine Mila Tree. Now, ascend. The Voice is waiting for you at the top.
Objectives: Defeat the enemy commander. Seize control of the Divine Mila Tree.
All objectives cleared!
Rewards:
You gain 16 000 EXP! You gain 16 000 gold!


Cordelia carefully scans our surroundings. "It's over, isn't it?"

Say'ri nods. "Indeed. The enemy has retreated, and thus, the path to the Voice is now open for us."

"Say'ri, do you know the way up to the shrine?" Chrom asks as he sheathes Falchion.

The Swordmaster nods. "Aye, sir. Follow me – and let us be quick about it!"

Say'ri leads us along a pathway that goes around the massive tree trunk. Halfway around, we spot an open doorway in the exterior and a staircase housed within. Now that I take a closer look, I notice holes that run diagonally upwards in a line along the tree. Could those be…windows to let in sunlight?

Say'ri enters the tree and walks up the stairs. While most of our soldiers (my team included) are left by the base to rest up from the battle and stand guard in case enemy reinforcements do arrive, a sizable group follows Say'ri up the wooden stairs. That group would consist of the Shepherds, Lucina's group, me and the khans. Though for some reason, Pit joined our group as well.

I glance at the Archer with a raised eyebrow. "You sure about this, Pit? We just finished a battle that we only had a short while to rest up for."

"I can handle this, Captain." the young Archer assures me confidently. "Besides, I made a bet with Edea that I can make it all the way up on foot in one go. Those two hundred gold pieces are as good as mine!"

I give my teammate a skeptic look. "You'd do that for a tiny sum of gold? More importantly, it's a long way up. I know you're light on your feet, but this requires more endurance than agility."

Pit slaps his leg. "No worries there. Have you seen these thighs?"

I look at Pit's legs. Then up the tree. Pit's legs. Tree. Pit's legs. Tree.

I shrug. "Fine. Have fun climbing."

The Archer pumps his fist. "Yes!"


Three minutes of stair climbing later, the stairs still continue to go up, and up, and UP.

BGM: Endless Stairs, Super Mario 64 music

Why do I suddenly hear the Endless Staircase theme from Super Mario 64?

I glance behind me and notice Rose turn the handle of a small, elaborate music box with a gleeful smile on her face. The sound is coming from that musical box.

I snatch the device from Rose's hands.

BGM interrupted

*Insert Record scratch sound effect*

"Not funny, Rose." I reprimand my daughter with a disapproving glare.

Rose places her hands behind her head and smiles without a care. "Sure it was. Do you have any idea how many readers found that moment entertaining, Dad?"

I shake my head and put the music player in my bag. "I'll give it back when we're done here."


Many stairs later (and I mean MANY)

BGM: Endless Stairs, Super Mario 64 music

I turn around and snatch the music box from Rose's hands – again.

BGM interrupted

*Insert Record scratch sound effect*

"Damnation, Rose! Stop it already!" I yell exasperated. "How did you even get that music box back from my bag?!"

"Hammer space." Rose answers cheerfully.

As I grumble about daughters with crazy abilities that make no sense, I notice that we're one particular Archer short.

"W-wait…"

I turn around and spot Pit all the way back in the rear, raising a trembling hand to drag himself one step further up the stairs.

I walk back down to the struggling Archer. "Well, look who's about to throw in the towel."

Pit pushes himself on his back and gasps for air. "It's no good, Captain. I can't climb anymore."

I nod. "So I see. Well, you could just rest here. We'll pick you up on the way back down."

Pit gives me a weak smile. "S-sure… I appreciate it."

I allow a somewhat sadistic grin. "Of course, I'll let the whole team know about this little setback when we get back down."

Pit blanches. "No… Please, anything but that. I'll never live it down if everyone finds out."

I tilt my head sideways. "Then I guess you'll just have to drag yourself the rest of the way up."

Pit sighs and relaxes completely against the stairs. "You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that, Captain?"

I shrug. "I've been called worse."


"*Huff huff* Ugh… How many stairs are there in a case of stairs?" Lissa asks as she struggles with every step up she takes. "Because I'm already sick of this stupid staircase!"

*Clink*

Lucina stabs the sheathed Parallel Falchion at the stairs and uses the divine sword as a makeshift walking stick.

"The Voice truly lives all the way up here?"

We notice the light getting brighter around a corner. And on the other side, we finally see the exit.

We walk out into the open and find ourselves on a massive stone platform nestled among the top branches of the Mila Tree. Interestingly enough, the platform isn't natural. The even pattern between the stones shows that it's all masonry.

Say'ri takes a deep breath. "Lady Tiki! Are you here?! Prithee answer!"

BGM: Temple of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time music

We hear a woman yawning from the chamber in the middle of the platform. The sunlight filtering into the small building reveals a silhouette rising from a prone position and stretching its arms. Judging by the, ahem, outline of said silhouette, it definitely belongs to a woman.

What do you mean, I have eyes for another woman besides Robin?! Perish the thought!

As the silhouette walks out of the chamber and into the daylight, we finally get a good look at the lone resident of the Mila Tree.


Tiki Lvl 58 Class: Manakete
This manakete is said to be the last of the divine dragons – a belief well-founded, considering the immense power that sleeps beneath her calm visage. Her lineage to Naga has her revered within certain circles. Tiki is by far one of the oldest individuals in the world, as she is the only living person left who has experienced the era of the Hero-king. It should be noted that a large part of her life has consisted of her sleeping.


Say'ri takes a knee before Tiki. "Ah, my lady… I'm so relieved to see you're all right."

Lucina takes a measured step forward. "So you are Lady Tiki? She who speaks for the divine dragon?"

Tiki's been rubbing the sleep out of her eyes until she spots Lucina. The ancient manakete squints before an elated smile blooms on her face.

"…Marth? Oh, Mar-Mar, is that you?!"

Lucina shakes her head. "My name is Lucina, milady. Though I did go by the name "Marth" for a time. Might we have met?"

The joy on Tiki's face is replaced with a mix of subtle sadness and acceptance.

"…Alas, no. I'm sorry… You reminded me of someone I knew." Tiki replies nostalgically. "But he is gone now. Lost during my endless sleep."

Lucina grasps her sleeve and averts her gaze in a moment of compassion.

"You and your father are of the exalted bloodline, are you not?" Tiki asks Lucina.

Chrom nods. "Yes, milady."

"Do you yet possess the Fire Emblem?" Tiki inquires further. "It should have been passed down through your family…"

"I… Yes, I have it…" Chrom confirms and shows Tiki the divine artifact.

The fact that it has no scratches nor dents, even after all the battles where Chrom has used it as a shield, is nothing short of a miracle. That, or it's made of the same material as Falchion's blade.

Tiki smiles. "Ah! What relief to know it has not been lost." Then she blinks bemused as she takes a closer look on the shield-like object. "…But where are the Gemstones? I see only Argent."

"Gemstones?" Chrom asks curiously.

"Yes, there are five of them – Argent, Sable, Gules, Azure and Vert." Tiki explains. "Each holds a portion of Naga's power. When mounted upon the Emblem, they allow one to perform the Awakening."

"The rite by which the first exalt channeled the divine dragon's power…" Frederick notes with realization.

Tiki nods. "The very same. With the Fire Emblem's power, the first exalt was able to defeat Grima. But such power was too much for men, and so the Gemstones were scattered. I kept Azure here with me."

"My kingdom has safeguarded Vert for generations." Say'ri supplies. "But the gem was recently stolen by Walhart's men."

"Milady, do you know where the other two Gemstones might be?" Lucina inquires.

Tiki shakes her head. "The remaining Gemstones, Sable and Gules, are no longer known to me. They may have been taken long ago, at the time of the Schism."

Basilio rubs his chin. "Regna Ferox was founded during the Schism. As were most all nations in the realm, I believe."

Lissa perks up at the revelation. "Wait… Does that mean you guys have one of the Gemstones, Basilio?"

Flavia snickers. "Ha! As if anyone would entrust the oaf with such a thing!"

"Actually, it's true – we did keep one: Gules." Basilio corrects. The bald khan grins tauntingly. "…Did I never inform you?"

One of Flavia's eyebrows twitch. "You most certainly did not."

Basilio shrugs. "Hmm… Must have slipped my mind. Regardless, yes. The West-Khans once safeguarded Gules. But it was lost long before my lifetime."

Flavia sighs. "Well, so much for that lead. A lot of good that did us…"

"I am certain that when the time comes, we will learn of Gules's whereabouts." Tiki assures us. "Until then, here. Take Azure, exalted ones. With it, you possess two of the five Gemstones. Now you must seek out the others and perform the Awakening. Our world must be defended from Grima at all costs!"

"But I'm confused… I thought Grima's power was sealed away." Chrom remarks as he accepts the blue Gemstone.

Tiki nods grimly. "Yes, but ever since, there have been those who would change that. Grima's lifeforce grows even now, and with it, the long shadows of despair."

"A despair I know all too well." Lucina quietly mutters to herself.

Chrom frowns concerned. "Will he return? And where?"

Tiki shakes her head. "I cannot know these things. But I can feel his presence… It looms, closer and closer… This task is a heavy burden, but as he of exalted blood, it must fall to you, Chrom."

Despite the grim foretelling, Chrom smiles. "I understand. Thank you, for all your help."

Chrom takes Azure and places it in one of the open slots on the Fire Emblem. The Gemstone releases a flash of light before it sits on the divine artifact, almost as if fused together.

"We owe you a great debt, milady." Robin thanks Tiki with a smile.

Tiki's eyes widen as she turns to my wife. "Ah! You… You have it…"

Robin blinks confused. "…What?"

Tiki leans closer to Robin. "You have power…like mine."

Robin keeps blinking in confusion. "I do?"

Right as it looks like Tiki's about to grasp Robin and examine her all over, the manakete's eyes droop.

"I… Ah… Forgive me… I am still groggy from my slumber. My words outpace my thoughts."

"Are you all right, my lady?" Say'ri asks concerned.

Tiki gives Say'ri a tired smile. "I am fine… Just very tired… I haven't the strength to join you in the fray. Not yet. But I will call the people together, in prayer, for an end to this conflict."

BGM ends

"Until then… I shall sleep." Tiki continues yawning. "Would someone mind to help me down the tree?"

Tiki wobbles around before she falls asleep standing – right on top of me.

I blink dumbfounded. "Uh… I guess this makes me her personal ride down…?"

Rose leans in close to look at Tiki. "Huh. The devs definitely had fun turning her into a legal waifu. Good luck staying faithful to Mom with someone like Tiki around, Dad."

"Father, you wouldn't leave Mother for such a reason, would you?" Morgan asks concerned.

I give my children a dry look. "Oh, come now. Do I seriously look like the kind of man to break my vows, just because a beautiful woman comes along and falls asleep on top of me?"

Rose shrugs. "Well, the Author did change your appearance to match one of the hottest Mr. Steal-your-girl characters ever conceived."

I shake my head as I pick Tiki up in a princess carry. "Honestly, the things you say sometimes, Rose."

I barely make it two steps before Tiki snuggles closer to my chest.

"So warm… Let me…stay in your arms…" the ancient manakete mumbles in her sleep.

Severa snickers. "Well, someone's getting comfy in your arms, and it's not Lady Robin, Sensei."

Inigo snaps his fingers. "Drat! I should've taken his place before she fell asleep. Why, oh why was I so slow? It was the opportunity of a lifetime…"

Laurent's glasses flash – a sign of piqued interest. "I see… So this is the behavior of the rumored ladies' man."

"I should've seen this coming." Nah comments while shaking her head. "You have a knack for attracting dragonkin, Uncle Jack. Wouldn't surprise me if you two grew close within the month. Try to keep your distance, would you? I'd hate to see Auntie Robin if she found out you prefer Tiki over her."

A vein pulses on my forehead as my eyebrow twitches. "That's it. I'm putting you all through a training regimen befitting Hell itself." I glare at Rose and Morgan. "No exceptions."

Morgan blanches at my declaration. "Father, you wouldn't."

My glare persists.

Morgan slumps forward in resignation. "You would…"

Tiki leans in closer and takes a whiff right at the crook of my neck. "Mmm… Hold me…close…"

Down, Little-me! You only rise to Robin!

"Come on, partner! You're carrying a busty, smoking hot demigoddess who begs for you D in her sleep! Tap that!" Sparrow shouts from within my mind.

"In your dreams, you horndog. You only want to watch a threesome between me, her and Robin."

"Hey, if you won't take the chance to smash her, I'll do it instead. I mean, it's technically the same, right?"

"If I learn that you snuck out of my soul, just to sleep with Tiki, I will drag you back in and drop an anvil the size of Ayer's rock on you."

"Oh, really? And how do you even plan on making good on that threat?"

I smirk. "Imagination."

"Gah! Not the rainbow! Rainbow bad! Rainbow bad! Make it STOOOOOP!"


As we leave the platform with our newest companion, Robin tugs at the sleeve of my robe.

"Hm? Something on your mind, Robin?"

Robin looks pensive. "Could we speak in private?"

I take a moment to focus before we're enveloped in a soundproof air bubble.

"Go on."

Robin blinks surprised before she smiles. "I forgot you could do that. Sure comes in handy in situations like these."

We begin our descent down the stairs.

"So, what's so important that you want this to stay between the two of us?" I ask.

"…Do you remember what Tiki said just before she fell asleep again?"

I nod. "Something about you having power like hers." I raise an eyebrow. "Last time I checked, the power of a manakete is connected to their bloodline. Does that mean you're part divine dragon, Robin?"

Robin shakes her head. "No. At least, not that I know of. I don't remember anything about my past. And yet, I can't just disregard what Tiki said."

Robin removes the glove on her right hand and reveals the symbol of the Grimleal. "In fact, ever since we first met Tiki, my mark has been throbbing. It's almost like it's…reacting to her presence."

I tilt my head to the side. "Strange… Does that mean the Fell dragon has some kind of connection to the divine dragons – aside from all that animosity?"

Robin puts her glove back on. "Your guess is as good as mine. Honestly, I just wanted to share my thoughts on this matter with someone trusted. And you're the only one I trust whom I can share these matters with."

"Still concerned about the nature of your past?"

Robin nods. "Even with this war going on, the mystery of my past has been in the back of my mind ever since Carrion Isle. And when Tiki brought up her observation, it feels like that mystery has grown even bigger."

I frown. "If only there was a way to research the past of the Grimleal. Or maybe even Grima himself. If your connection to the cult is as strong as we suspect, learning of their origins could provide us with some answers…"

Robin shakes her head. "No. Out of the question."

"Robin?"

"As curious as I am about my past, I won't put mine or your life on the line to find out more about it, Jack. If my happiness demands that I forever remain in the dark about my origins, then so be it." Robin declares. "I'd prefer living the rest of my life with you and my past remaining a mystery, over risking losing you while searching for the truth. My future with you matters more to me than anything I could learn about my past before you entered my life."

I smile and let a gentle air stream caress Robin's cheek. "Thank you, Robin."

I dispel the air bubble as we continue down.

"I'm sorry if I sounded a bit selfish there, but that's how I feel." Robin admits.

I shrug. "I fail to see how that would be harmful to either of us. I'm all yours. Claim me as much as you want. And for the record, I dare say I'm far more selfish about you than you are about me."

Robin rubs her temples. "Don't I know. I still can't believe you nearly skinned that duke alive because he asked me for a dance."

"That was one time!"

To be continued


Omake: How to date Lucina 101 (OR: 10 signs that Chrom is an overprotective parent)

Spirits are at a high point in the Ylissean league's camp after their latest victory. With the Voice of Naga on their side, things are finally looking up for the alliance.

It's in this positive mood that Morgan enters Chrom's tent.

"You wanted to speak with me, Lord Chrom?" the Tactician-in-training asks.

Chrom turns to his voice and greets the boy with a smile. "Ah, Morgan, perfect timing. Have a seat."

Morgan makes himself comfortable on one of the cushions in the tent (Handicraft of Frederick™). "All right, I'm all ears."

Chrom nods. "First, thank you for answering my summons on such short notice. I simply believed this matter had to be addressed as early as possible from the moment I learned of it. It concerns…Lucina."

Morgan frowns concerned. "Lucina? Is something the matter with her?"

Chrom shakes his head. "Not exactly. Rather, it concerns you as well. It has come to my attention that you have been seeing my eldest daughter quite a lot recently."

Morgan nods. "Yeah. Lucina's a great companion. And even though I have no memory of it, I apparently used to devise strategies with her before many battles. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable around her."

Chrom nods along. "Hm, I see, I see. Well, it's a good thing you're getting along. Though that's also the reason why I called you here."

Morgan frowns. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

"Like I said, Lucina is my eldest daughter. Naturally, her well-being is one of my greatest concerns." Chrom elaborates. "I only want what's best for her."

Morgan nods in agreement. "I certainly hope so, no offense intended, Lord Chrom. Honestly, I'd be more concerned if you were not so concerned about her."

The prince smiles. "It seems we're in agreement, then. Good. This makes things easier."

Chrom hands Morgan a sheet of paper. Morgan gives it a curious look before he returns his gaze to the prince.

"What's this?"

"Read it, and my intentions with this meeting should be made clear."

The young Tactician nods and begins to read.


The ground rules

If you're reading this document, it means you have started seeing Lucina more frequently than a simple platonic relationship would entail. While I'm not against my eldest daughter finding love, there are a few circumstances that have to be kept in mind before any commitments are made.

First and foremost, Lucina is the daughter of both myself (Prince Chrom of Ylisse) and my dear wife, Cordelia. We will always look out for our daughter, and will, naturally, always keep a close eye on anyone who gets close to her. In short, we expect that certain breaches of privacy are allowed (within reason) to ensure nothing too drastic happens too soon.

Second, since Lucina is my eldest daughter, that also makes her my heiress. While Emmeryn is still the exalt of Ylisse, and therefore the current ruler of the halidom, my own station comes with its fair share of power and political sway, all of which will one day be passed on to Lucina alongside any achievements she has gained on her own merit. Lucina will therefore one day become a person of significant power and influence. Such a position comes with a great deal of responsibility – and danger. Not only are there unsavory people who wouldn't think twice about hiring assassins and make power grabs after the deed is done, a more devious individual would attempt to marry Lucina and use that marriage to usurp what influence and sway she may have. To make sure Lucina is protected from either fate, both me and my wife will go through great lengths to make sure any man who grows close to our daughter is both capable of protecting her (with his life if need be) and remain loyal to her without any ulterior motives.

Note that these are merely cause for precaution. That being said, it's of great importance to make sure that whoever you are, and whatever your reasons and intentions may be, you advance your relationship with Lucina at a pace that fits both of you (but mostly her).

Therefore, this document lists the following ground rules that are to be established between you and Lucina, regardless of the nature of your relationship.

1. Lucina is the only one for you. There is no one else in the world.
2. No means no. If Lucina says "no", that's final. Note that I have informed her, that should you go against her will, it is fully acceptable for Lucina to call for my help. I will not hesitate to use violence.
3. Any display of affection is to be kept at a modest level. That is, holding hands is acceptable. So is a chaste kiss, if the two of you are alone (which will be a rarer occasion than you might think). Cuddling or outright copulating is not. Remember that I am a man, just like you. I know where to inflict maximum pain.
4. No task for Lucina's sake is too great for you. Such a thought simply does not cross your mind.
Are we clear?!
5. Taking Lucina to walks in a town is acceptable, so long as you both are supervised. The moment you are no longer within eyesight, I will automatically assume that you have unsavory motives towards my daughter. I will find you. And you
will suffer the consequences.
6. You are only allowed into my daughter's room/tent at her consent while she is not in a physically, mentally or emotionally vulnerable state. This includes severe exhaustion, mourning, inebriation (though you'd better make sure she doesn't drink too much to begin with) or any general illness. Better yet, you do not enter my daughter's room/tent at all.
7. Should you meet any individual who displays any suspicious behavior towards Lucina, you are to report this to any member of the Shepherds immediately. They have all been instructed in how to take proper action. Should none be available (and only then) you yourself are allowed to take action. This does not include running away and leaving Lucina behind. If I find out you did, you'll be running away from me next. Be warned; I am a fast runner.
8. You might find that some of the Shepherds seem to pay very close attention to you. This is perfectly normal, as they do so on my orders. And no, you cannot bribe them. Whatever you may be able to offer, I can match twice over. Don't even start.
9. Failing to follow these rules will result in you suffering Cordelia's wrath, followed by my wrath, followed by Sumia's wrath, followed by Frederick's wrath, followed by (if you're still alive at this point) Lissa's wrath, followed by Emmeryn's wrath. Simply put, follow these rules, or else! Note that, should Lissa marry by the time a breach in the rules occurs, her husband is allowed in on the punishment as well. He is next in line after Emmeryn.
10. If you break my daughter's heart, I will break you.


Somewhere near the middle of the document, Morgan noted the sound of something hard sliding against a metallic surface. The young Tactician looks up after he finished reading the document and sees Chrom sliding a whetstone along Falchion's edge (which doesn't make sense, since Falchion is supposedly indestructible, and therefore should never be in any need to be sharpened) while scowling.

"I expect you to comply to everything listed on that document, should you wish to see Lucina in the future, Morgan. Do we have an agreement?"

Morgan gulps and nods. "Y-yes, Lord Chrom."


Three days later

Cordelia raises an eyebrow as she sees Lucina having a hard time holding a conversation with Morgan, mainly due to the Tactician's constantly fearful and wary behavior towards the blue-haired princess.

"Strange… I remember Morgan acting a lot more carefree around Lucina a few days ago. Now he looks like he expects anyone close by to attack him."

Chrom nods in approval. "He's taken my lesson to heart." The Prince fingers Falchion's hilt. "Good."


Jack's encyclopedic corner

General, Class
The epitome of defense, these heavily armored soldiers are trained to weather any attack, no matter how gruesome. Generals are the cornerstone for any defensive strategy, as their resilience is second to none and they are expected to repel any invading force. Some say that a strong enough General can be mistaken for an extension of the fortress they are guarding, as nothing short of an armor piercing strike can even harm these ironclad titans. In the same vein, it is also a common joke that Generals move with the speed of a fortress as well, seeing as no one expects them to make any quick maneuvers in battle with so much armor weighing them down.
Damage dealt with a polearm or axe increases by 10 %. Physical damage taken is reduced by 20 %.
Movement speed is reduced by 5 %. Damage taken from magic spells of any element is increased by 10 %. This unit counts as a heavily armored unit.

Azure, Other, Divine
The Gemstone of water and one of the five Gemstones required to perform the Awakening ritual, which allows one of the exalted bloodline to access Falchion's true power. This Gemstone has been safeguarded by Tiki for centuries, knowing that the day would eventually come when the Fell dragon would return and wreak havoc on the children of man once more. This Gemstone is said to symbolize Naga's love, reaching to the deepest recesses and nurturing anyone its blessing touches, like water itself.

Tonberry's knife, Dagger, Base damage: ?, Very rare
A strange weapon wielded by an eerie creature known as a Tonberry. Though it looks like a harmlessly dull and small knife, Tonberrys are known to inflict mortal wounds with just the slightest of stabs from it – and it comes with an absurdly comical sound effect every time the strike connects. Because of this weapon's apparent lack of danger, it is believed to be a medium through which Tonberrys channel some kind of innate power, rather than being a powerful weapon on its own. It might also explain why holding one of these weapons makes you move as slowly as a Tonberry as well. Seriously, we've seen sloths outrun that kind of pace.
Reduces movement speed by 90 %.
Skill available when wielded: Doink!


Bonus scene

We've made it back to camp and are in the middle of packing everything up.

"Well, I guess things went as smoothly as they could've, given the circumstances." I muse as I reflect back on that last battle.

Chrom nods in agreement. "You could say that again. Even as Robin was explaining her whole strategy before the march, I couldn't wrap my head around it until we were right at the Mila Tree. She sure is something else."

"You don't even know half of it, Chrom." I reply while smiling in contentment. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got a hellish training regimen to drag my students through."

Chrom raises an eyebrow. "You're really going through with it?"

"I'm a man of my word. If I say the training will be harsh, it will be."

Laurent gives the others in his group a mild glare. "In case I do not make it out alive, I blame all of you."

"Hey, you had as much part of this as the rest of us, Laurent. Take responsibility." Cynthia points out. Then she grins. "Besides, training's good for you. When was the last time Sensei made you sweat?"

"There is a difference between heavy exertion and suicide, Cynthia." the Mage mutters irritably.

"But there's one thing I don't get, Uncle Jack. Some of us like physical activity. What's so hellish about what's coming compared to what you've dragged us through before?" Nah asks.

I grin evilly. "Well, since you asked so nicely, Nah, allow me to elaborate. Since I know a bit about all of you, I have a good idea of what kind of personal hell each of you have."

The half-manakete smiles confidently. "Ha! Bring it on. There's nothing you can do to me that I don't fear."

My grin grows even more evil. "I'll tie you down on a horse drawn cart and spook the horse out of its mind."

Nah breaks out in a cold sweat. "H-hold on a minute. That's not training, that's blatant torture!"

"Your point being?"

"Your evil knows no bounds, Master Jack." Yarne mutters in a rare moment of fear that the half-taguel is usually known for.

I crack my knuckles as my eyes gleam wickedly. "Well, I could always settle for an all-out spar with all of you at once. That should keep things fair and balanced."

!?

I stop in my tracks when a powerful sensation hits me.

Morgan blinks surprised, still in the middle of getting ready for the spar. "Father? What's wrong?"

I squint as I look southeast. "Don't you feel that, son? There's a disturbance in that direction. Something- No, someone just made themselves known in the realm. Whoever this person is, they're powerful, and they're not afraid to show it. And for some reason, that mysterious presence gives off a feeling similar to a… Mm, it's on the tip of my tongue."

"Sword."

I blink and turn to Noire. "Hm? Could you repeat that, Noire?"

"That person feels like a sword. That's what you were about to say, wasn't it, Jack-sensei?" the Archer elaborates.

I rub my chin. "Now that you mention it, yeah. But how did you figure it out?"

Noire Traces an Iron Sword. "Bone of my sword." she explains smiling.

I nod in understanding. "Ah, of course."

Lucina's eyes widen. "Hold on… Could that be…?"

Brady nods. "Immensely powerful? Feels like a sword? Yep, that's definitely him."

"That showoff. It's about time he made himself known." Severa huffs. Despite her response, there's no mistaking the slight smile on her lips. "You're late, dummy."


I skipped the preview of the next chapter in favor of the bonus scene. The reason is quite simple; that person needs no introduction. And I've already read a few reviews where the readers have pretty much hyped up his debut since a long time. The wait is almost over.

It may be due to me having no idea how the story of "Mystery of the Emblem" goes, but I have absolutely no idea how Tiki ended up in Valm in the first place, much less a shrine at the top of the Mila Tree. It's almost like she was put there for the sake of plot convenience… That, and I can imagine that the devs wanted to both make another link to the history of Marth, while also giving the fans (mainly males) something to appreciate.

I should point out that, when I first started writing Gamer Emblem Awakening, I didn't know about the post-game DLC for Echoes, or the revelations held within. I have deliberately put that limitation on Jack's own in-game knowledge as well for the sake of plot convenience. Why? Because it will have significance for the plot in the future. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Until next time.

VipeR out.