Chapter 4 (Noah)

The walk to Ylisstol was a long one. I snickered at Connor's failed attempt to summon his sparrow, earning me what I could only assume was a death glare. It was impossible to tell under his helmet.

"You still haven't told me how you know so much about my world. Or this one for that matter."

I slowed my walking down a bit, increasing the distance between me and the others. Connor took the hint and followed my lead.

"It's a video game," I muttered.

"Ah."

"That's it? 'Ah.' No 'what the fuck?' No existential crisis. In what world is that norm- the Vex. In a world with the Vex, that could be considered normal."

"Bingo. With all the crazy shit they do, I wouldn't be surpised if my entire life was a simulation."

I chuckled at that. "Like the Matrix."

Connor laughed along. "Yeah, something like that."

"It's nice, knowing that I have somebody to talk to here that will understand most of my jokes and references."

Connor nodded in agreement. "What about this world? You seem to know a lot about it as well. Same case as my world?"

"Yeah."

"Makes sense."

"Don't tell anybody though. Not only would we have to explain what a video game is, but it might also cause some people to have an actual existential crisis."

"Wasn't planning on it."

We continued on in silence for a bit before Connor turned and asked a question. "So, that Marth character, what's her real name?"

"Lucina," I responded. I lowered my voice and pointed to Chrom. "She's his daughter from the future."

"That explains a lot."

Another brief moment of silence passed, this time though I was the one to break it.

"So, how'd you get here? I'm guessing it had something to do with the Vault of Glass, judging by the Aegis on your arm."

"You'd be correct. The past portal in the throne room malfunctioned and somehow sent me here. What about you?"

"Was driving home from a gun show when a deer jumped out in front of my car. I swerved and went off the road and down a hill. When I came to I was still in my car, but had somehow got transported here."

"Interesting."

"What is?" said a voice from behind us. Startled, I spun around, coming face to face with Robin. Somehow she had gotten behind us with me noticing.

"Jesus Christ woman! Are you fucking trying to kill me?!" I yelled. This earned several confused glances from the others up ahead, and a giggle from Robin.

"Nah, that'd be mean. Besides, you're too cute to kill," she commented with a giggle before prancing off to rejoin the others.

Great. "Fuck me," I groaned.

Connor stifled a laugh next to me. "I'm sure Robin would be happy to grant that request," he said before bursting out laughing.
I shook my head and waited for him to calm back down. "I'm more interested in someone else."

"Oh? What's wrong with Robin?"

"I can't tell you. It'd spoil the game and ruin the plot twist."

"Alrighty then," he chuckled. "Who's the lucky lady then?"

"Hopefully it'll be Cordelia. We'll meet her later."

"If you say so."

"What about you? Got your eye on anybody so far?"

"Maybe, maybe not. I'm not saying anything until I'm sure I don't want to try and steal your girl."

"You can't fool me Hunter. I saw the way you were staring at Lucina's ass before that battle."

"Damn, you caught me," Connor replied with a chuckle. "Nothing sexier than a woman who knows her way around a sword," he added, laughing softly at his own joke.

"Oh? Not even the ruler of a certain alien city?" I asked, being vague on purpose.

"Okay, Mara Sov is pretty hot, I'll give you that."

After saying that, there was a sparkle of light, and Connor's Ghost appeared next to him. "You two are disgusting," he said in a perfect replica of Nolan North's voice.

"Can it Little Light, I'm sure you liked having Sagira in your shell," I shot back. Connor's Ghost vanished with an indignant huff and the Hunter burst out laughing. I smiled to myself. This was turning out to be the start of a beautiful friendship.

We continued walking for some time and eventually rejoined the group. Robin immediately popped up next to me, earning a stifled laugh from Connor. Eventually, somebody asked Connor about his strange armor, abilities, and weapons. He spent about an hour explaining things to everybody, and as expected, almost everybody was confused by something. Except for Robin, who was now much more interested in Connor than she was in me. "So you lost your memory too?" she asked.

"I mean, I was dead for who knows how long, so yeah," he replied.

"What's dying like?" Lissa asked with morbid curiosity. It made sense that she would ask that though. She was a healer after all.

"Depends on how you die. Getting shot, stabbed, cut in half, or decapitated all suck. Bleeding out isn't too bad though since you eventually pass out from blood loss. Suffocation and freezing are like that too. Getting blown up isn't that bad as long as you don't have to clean up. Drowning, burning alive, vaporization, and getting poisoned are some of the worst ways to go. Surpisingly, falling to your death is actually quite peaceful if you hit the ground hard enough."

I shook my head and laughed. "You're one of those Guardians. What's the largest Tower jump you've ever seen?"

This earned a laugh from Connor. "16 Guardians and one purple ball."

I laughed at the mention of the beloved purple ball, earning a few curious looks from the others. "You wouldn't get it," I said.

The conversation eventually returned to somewhat more normal topics, and we finally reached Ylisstol. Unfortunately, Robin's fancy with Connor seemed to die rather quickly, as she quickly returned to her position at my side. I was going to have to find a way to let her down easy. It wasn't that I didn't like Robin, in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. Robin was one of my favorite characters, but I couldn't be with her like that, for two main reasons. I would have felt like I was taking advantage of her amnesia if we were to date, but that wasn't the main reason. I wouldn't be able to live with the anxiety of wondering what she would choose at the end of the game.

Apparently I'd gotten lost in my head, as before I knew it I was being introduced to Emmeryn. Robin proceeded to make a fool out of herself but seemed to be more embarrassed that she did so in front of me. I needed to end this little crush, and fast. After meeting Emmeryn, Chrom took us to the Shepherds barracks, where we met Vaike, Miriel, Kellam Sumia, and Maribelle. After the introductions were over Chrom approached me. "Care to let me show you around the city?" he asked.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'd rather explore it myself," I said, looking to make sure Robin hadn't overheard. Chrom apparently noticed this, because he let out a soft chuckle.

"She seems to have taken a shine to you."
"I've noticed," I said with a sigh. "She's nice and all, but I'd feel like I would be taking advantage of her, what with the amnesia and all that."

Chom nodded. "You're a good man Noah. I'm not sure I could turn her down."

"Oh?" I said as I raised my eyebrow.

Chrom chuckled and handed me a coin purse. "Here. Go familiarize yourself with the city. I'll see if I can't get her mind off you," he said with a smirk.

"Uh-huh. You have fun with that."

"I'm sure I will."

With that, I left the barracks, waving to Connor on my way out.

I was so going to get lost.

AN: Wow. Three chapters in one day. Don't expect this often. This will also probably be the last update for the next couple of days because I have two papers I need to write before next week. Next chapter I'll meet Cordelia for the first time. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far. If you have, please leave a review! I'd love to know what people think.