I added a lot to this one that wasn't in the original. I recommend that you read through it.
Lucina gripped the thin sheet and tried to wrap it even tighter around herself in a vain attempt to stay warm. Her eyes crinkled shut as memories of the previous day continued to gnaw at her mind.
You promised
The look of terror and despair written in her eyes followed by her blood dripping off that cursed blade like the tears off her chin. Those venomous words and heart-wrenching sobs wrapped tighter around her chest like a snake suffocating its prey. From there, more memories began to bubble to the surface. One where the neck of a poor woman was shredded by a risen's jagged teeth. The indescribable screech of pain that erupted in the air still rang in her ears. Another of a man whose corpse laid in a pool of blood that gushed from his missing limbs. Lucina heard the scream but by the time she arrived...it was too late. Those were only a few of the many brutal deaths she failed to prevent that day.
She only had herself to blame for why those deaths occurred. It was because she was too weak to save them. She was too weak to get there in time. She was too weak to kill those risen before it was too late. She was the crown princess of Ylisse and yet she failed in her duty. How can she ever hope to live up to the legacy her father left behind? Or the legacy of her aunt emmeryn? Who took the mantle of exalt far before she did. She rolled onto her back and looked up at her tent's black of void of a ceiling. Perhaps she should just...
"Ahh that's cold stop cuddling me you fluffy wyvern"
Lucina's heart nearly leaped from her chest at the sudden sound of her sister's giggle. She shot from her bedding as her head darted around the tent before landing on Cynthia curled up next to her. Lucina sighed as a soft smile curved across her lips. She says the weirdest things in her sleep. It makes her wonder what it is her bubbly sister could be dreaming about. How she could sleep so peacefully like that despite everything that's happened always astounded the young lord. Though Cynthia couldn't even begin to imagine the lofty expectations Lucina is burdened with. Cynthia then scrunched up tighter with a shiver. Lucina immediately ripped the thin sheet from her legs and gently placed it over her sister. There that should be better.
Lucina turned her head towards the flap of the tent and pitch black void outside. Perhaps some fresh air would allow her to clear her head. Rising to her feet, she grabbed her sword and moved outside.
"This looks like a good spot" Lucina said as she looked out around the pitch black grassy field. She looked back to see a faint orange glow in the distance. Far enough from everyone so that she wouldn't be a disturbance but close enough to dash back should something happen.
She unsheathed her sword and held it in front of her. The darkness around her scattered away in the sword's glimmering radiance. She looked into the peculiar mark nestled into her left eye which gleamed off her sword's blade. A 'U' with wing-like appendages growing from the tips and a tear-shaped circle dropping into it. Looking at the mark always seemed to put her at ease. It was the brand of the exalt and proof of her royal lineage. It filled her with strength as if her father was once again watching over her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her body did the rest as it involuntarily sunk into a fighting stance. Her sword glided through the air and instantly, she was transported back to those sunny days in the royal training field.
A loud clunk flung into the air as a small intact log slammed into the ground. Much like that log, Lucina's heart sank. Tears welled in her eyes as Falchion slipped from her hands and clamored to the ground. How? Why? Even after all the training, she's done, she's still not…
"Now don't cry Lucina" She heard her father's voice.
"B-but I trained so hard!" She said as looked at him with eyes full of tears. "I-I don't get it, shouldn't I be strong enough to wield Falchion?"
He looked at her for a moment and sighed, "There's more to wielding Falchion than just strength you know"
"H-huh" She sniffed as she raised an eyebrow at him. "Wh-what do you mean?"
Her father reached for Falchion and held it in front of them. The golden blade sparkled radiantly as it bathed in the sunlight. An almighty aura seemed to fill the air as she gazed upon the legendary sword. He then guided his daughter's hands as she wrapped her fingers around the sword's hilt. "When you hold this sword how do you feel?"
"I…" She trailed off unsure of how to answer, "...feel strong like I can do anything"
Her father nodded, "and why do you think that is"
"It's because it's a legendary sword right? Forged by the divine dragon Naga" She looked back at her father.
"While that is true, that's not quite right"
"It isn't?" What was her father trying to say?
"Here now what happens when I do this?" He removed his hand from the sword as Lucina nearly fell forward due to the sudden weight shift.
"W-waoh" Lucina said as she managed to steady herself and hold the golden blade.
"A little heavier without me helping, isn't it?"
She nodded, "But I'm strong enough to hold it by myself"
Her father smiled "that's true but it was easier with my help, right?"
She nodded.
He looked back to falchion, "The weight of this sword carries with it many things: your life, the lives of those you choose to protect, the lives of people long gone, the lives of those you've cut down, the decisions you've made, as well as the legacy of those who came before
It is a weight far too heavy to bear by anyone alone but it is the weight one bears when wielding Falchion. To wield Falchion is to be strong enough to carry that weight. To accept it and all the hardships that come with it" He moved his hand under his daughter's arm to support it. "But you need not carry this weight alone. Your friends and family can support you and make the weight far easier to carry"
Lucina gazed at Falchion. Accepting the weight of the sword huh.
"Do you understand Lucina?" He looked down at his blue-haired daughter.
She gazed back and nodded, "Yeah...I think so..."
Her father smiled, "good, now do you wanna try again?"
She smiled back "yeah"
"Hyaaa!" Lucina cried out as she slashed at the small oak tree before her. Splinters of wood scattered to the air as her sword tore through the bark.
She sighed as she inspected her handiwork. A shallow cut and messy too. Normally, the tree would be nothing more than a shallow stump after a slash like that but this time the sword barely scratched five centimeters past the surface.
She took a deep breath. She had to try again. If she couldn't slice down this tree, then how could she ever hope to be strong enough to protect anyone? She had to get stronger to carry the burden left to her. A burden only she could carry so that others wouldn't have to. Only she could wield Falchion. Only she could perform the awakening and slay the Fell Dragon. No one else could so she had to be strong in order to be the light everyone would look to. A light Cynthia could look to and live the life she never could. A life without hardship or worry. A life full of nothing but peace and happiness. And if Lucina herself would have to suffer the weight of this burden to secure that life, then so be it.
Falchion glided in the air as Lucina swung the blade a few times. She paused for a moment. Something felt off. She couldn't put her finger on it but something about her movements felt delayed or sluggish like her sword suddenly became heavier. She shook her head. Perhaps she was imagining things. She looked to the tree once more. Her legs spread as her body sunk into the proper stance. A slight dull ache caused her to wince but she ignored. She took a deep breath. This time for certain.
Her fingers wrapped tighter around Falchion's hilt but just as she was about to swing a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Isn't it a little late to be doing any sword training?"
Lucina spun around to see a white-haired girl with long twintails in a brown mercenary uniform walk into view. "Oh Severa, good evening"
Severa scoffed, "Well it was a good evening until YOU went and ruined it!" She took a few steps forward and pointed a finger in Lucina's face.
Lucina raised an eyebrow, "How could I hav-"
Severa cut her off with a loud groan, "Do you have ANY idea how long I've been looking for you?!"
"I…" Lucina trailed off unsure of how to respond.
"Geez you shouldn't just wander off like that ESPECIALLY as our leader!" She said as she leaned in closer to Lucina. "What if you got ambushed and killed!? What then?!"
Lucina's eyes darted away from Severa's sharp glare, "My a-apologies I…"
"You what?!" She raised a furrowed brow, "would've fought them off with injuries like those and gotten killed?!" She gestured down to many scars lining Lucina's body. "Gawds why do I even bother?!"
"Sorry Severa, I did not mean to cause you any unnecessary concern"
Severa scoffed and reeled back with folded arms. "Whatever, apology accepted I guess" Her eyes glided to the side. "Just don't do it again! Got it?!"
"R-right" was all she could say. Severa was right. If she had been attacked in her current condition, She had hardly any doubt that the risen could've killed her. And if she were to die, then…
How careless could she be?
Lucina sighed, "was there anything you wanted to speak with me about. You spent all this time looking for me after all"
Severa's eyes darted to the floor as she heard Lucina's words. "th-there was…" she hesitated for a moment. "...s-something I needed to ask you"
"What did you want to ask?"
Severa remained silent for a moment with her eyes still aimed at the ground.
"What did you want to ask me?" Lucina asked again as she cocked an eyebrow.
"Wh-when you were out d-did you f-find…" She paused, "anythingrelatedtomorgan!"
"I'm sorry could you repeat that?" Lucina asked as she raised an eyebrow and leaned in a little closer to Severa.
"Gah whatever it was a stupid question anyway!" She spat as she turned to move back towards the camp.
"Severa wait" Lucina moved over and grabbed Severa's left hand.
The young mercenary glanced back at Lucina, "what are you-I said forget it okay!"
Lucina shook her head, "No Severa, you're my friend so I would never consider any question of yours 'stupid'"
The two girls locked eyes for a moment. Something red seemed to smear across her friend's face but she immediately turned her head away. "Alright fine"
Severa yanked her hand out of her friend's grip and slowly turned around while her eyes still stuck to the floor. "I w-was wondering if you found anything related to Morgan while you were out"
The young lord merely remained silent at the sound of those words. She had no answer to give. Her eyes glided to the floor. She found nothing that related to Severa's younger sister at any point. A loud silence washed over them. How could she tell her friend that she found nothing? She knew how much Morgan meant to her. She let out a deep sigh and looked at Severa.
"Severa I…" As soon as her gaze to Severa's face, something in the distance caught her eye. Two glowing red dots seemed to pierce through the darkness and began to grow larger. "Severa behind you!" Lucina suddenly blurted out causing her friend to spin around to face the large purple mass of decayed flesh looming over her.
A massive ear-splitting roar erupted in the night sky from the risen. A glint of silver sparkled in the darkness. A cloud of dust and dirt plumed into the air as both girls leaped away from the attack. Lucina looked to Severa who had already pulled out her sword. A trickle of crimson leaked from her arm.
"Are you alright?"
Severa nodded, "Yeah, you?"
"I'm fine"
"Good, now let's show this thing what for!"
Lucina simply nodded. "I'm by your side"
Severa charged the risen who once again roared and charged back. Sparks flew into the air as the risen's axe met Severa's sword. Severa grit her teeth as her feet began to slide through the dirt. As much of a weapon advantage as she had, the risen pushed back with sheer brute strength.
"Allow me!" Lucina charged forward and gripped Falchion in preparation to strike.
The risen looked up for a moment and noticed the blue-haired exalt. "Hyaaaa!" She cried out as she swung Falchion with all her might intent on cleaving the monster in two. However, what happened next even she didn't expect.
Falchion failed to so much as scratch the risen's hide. Her eyes widened and her hands began to tremble uncontrollably. Why? Why won't Falchion pierce this monster's flesh? Why? A pale deathly hue draped over her skin as her father's words echoed in her mind.
Falchion is a legendary blade only a chosen few can wield. If one is unworthy, then the blade will be as dull as a stone.
At that exact moment, her entire body halted. Her throat twisted around itself which prevented any breath from seeping out. Arms, legs, and heart all froze in place as if she was a statue. Her arms suddenly felt heavy. Did Falchion deem her unworthy? Why? What did she do to betray the blade's faith? Was it because she was weak?
"Lucina move!" Severa's voice suddenly yanked her back to reality.
Her eyes locked with the risen. Those sharp red glowing eyes pierced through that disheveled mask and into her soul. This was it. This was where she died. The monster let out a bloodcurdling roar as a glint of silver met her gaze. Life flashed before her eyes. I'm sorry Father.
Suddenly, Lucina felt a tug at her shoulder. Next thing she knew her rear slammed into the ground with her eyes wide and fingers wrapped tightly around Falchion's hilt.