Chapter 15 – Mad King Gangrel
"That new look suits you, Robin."
Robin looked at himself and had to agree with Lissa. The shoulder-guards brought a certain air of professionalism to the tactician. Or Grandmaster as Rose called it. Robin doesn't feel like he has earned the title just yet but he wouldn't be against it once Gangrel is taken care of.
He can have some pride.
"Thanks, Lissa," he said with a smile.
"You're welcome," Lissa replied way too cheery for someone marching into battle. "Sooooo… Do you think this battle will be easy?"
"Easy? No," Robin said as he looked forward. "But we will succeed. Don't worry, I will pull us through," he added with a reassuring smile and certainty in his voice.
Lissa looked at him for a moment, "Hmmm."
"Something the matter?" Robin asked, confused by sudden behavior.
"You seem more… confident," Lissa stated and smiled. "I like it! It's a nice change! Maybe the clothes do make the man!" she added with a wink.
The tactician blushed and chuckled, "Heh. Maybe."
"They do make you look more dashing. I bet all the girls will be swarming you during the victory ball."
Robin cringed, "Oh gods..." He had forgotten about that. The tactician wasn't looking forward to that kind of celebration. He might not remember but he could tell that was not his kind of party.
At his side, Chrom chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Now you know what I have to deal with all my life."
"Well, don't worry! I will take care of you so there's no need to despair!" Lissa declared, puffing her chest in pride.
"Robin. If you do decide to go with her..." Chrom said in a low voice. Robin tensed. "You have my condolences," the prince added with a solemn nod.
The tactician sighed at his liege's jest. "They are appreciated," Robin snarked back with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Hey! Chrom!" Lissa whined, slapping them both on the arms.
Her brother chuckled as he swatted her hand away, "It's just a joke, Lissa. We still need to win before w–"
"Sire!" a voice interrupted before the prince could finish.
"Huh? Oh, it's one of our scouts," Chrom said, recognized the man coming closer.
The scout bowed to his leaders. "Sire, we have spotted the Plegian Army! They are just beyond that ridge."
All signs of joking faded into seriousness. Chrom nodded gravely. "So, it's finally time… Very well, alert the troops!"
"Milord, that's not all," the scout continued. "The Plegians... They..."
Aversa landed her black pegasus with elegant grace next to her king. The king was livid and the seductress had pushed him into the path the Hierophant had ordered her to. Despite their failure to kill Emmeryn, the Speaker of Grima had assured that her god's plan was moving in the right direction. Validar might not be here, but she was still a devoted follower of the Fell Dragon. "The enemy has taken the field, milord. Our scouts report they are in good spirits and that the youngest royals are leading the march."
Gangrel gritted his teeth. "The dastards are mocking me! They robbed me –us!– from our righteous vengeance! But not anymore," he snarled only to suddenly throw his head back and let a cackle filled with madness. "If Ylisse wants to deliver the heads of two royals on a silver platter, who are we to deny such an offer?"
The Dark Flier smirked at the thought, even if agreeing with the vermin sickened her. "I'd love to hear the song the bards make of that."
The king ran a long fingernail through her cheek, making her shiver in disgust. "Aversa, there is a truth about the world this Ylissean welp must learn. A man is either strong... or he is dead! Bwa ha haaa!"
"Y-Your Highness!" a soldier yelled as he dropped to his knees in front of the Mad King. "Dire news!"
Gangrel turned to look at the messenger like an insect under his boot. "Oh? Speak."
The lowly soldier trembled as he relayed his message. "Our troops are laying down their weapons and deserting en masse! Others are taking arms against the loyalists!"
"WHAT!?" the king snarled, taking the man's neck into his hands. "What is the meaning of this!?"
"Please, sire... I am but a messenger... Have mercy…"
Unfortunately for him, the king had none.
"Milord, I have a report from Khan Flavia and what the scout said is true. The Plegian army is in disarray," Frederick said.
Chrom frowned at the report, "How do you mean?"
"It seems many of their troops are opposed to further violence. There has been infighting, desertion, even reports of a possible civil war... Gangrel is trying to stamp out the mutiny by force, but with little success. Outside of the faithful who serve him directly, his army has all but collapsed."
Robin lowered the pages he was reading and did the calculations on his mind. "The forces he still commands are still considerable but nothing that we can't defeat. Morale is high on our end while our enemy is divided. Some might even fight at our side. The odds are in our favor."
"This is incredible news. But why...?" Chrom wondered until realization hit him. "Emmeryn."
His faithful knight nodded, "Yes, milord. Emmeryn. The report says Gangrel's men chant her name as they abandon the field. Her words reached them. It seems they are tired of Gangrel's abuse and her sincere words touched their hearts." Frederick looked at Robin with a small smirk. "It also helped that two Plegians were the ones that rescued her. That certainly pushed them past the tipping point."
Robin had the decency to look bashful.
"Emmeryn... Why did it take me so long to understand?" Chrom said looking at the sky. "She believes all people desire peace. That deep down the Plegians want it, too." Chrom closed his eyes and sighed.
Robin looked at his friend in confusion, "Something wrong?"
"I can't help but think what would've happened if Emm… if she had perished. Could I forgive the Plegians? Could I work for that peace? I don't think I'm that kind of man." Chrom said to himself. "Sometimes I fear that I truly am my father's son."
"What do you mean?"
Looking at Robin, the prince spoke in a somber tone. "A part of me will always resent Plegia for what they did to Ylisse. For almost taking Emmeryn from me... Even if I know most Plegians had nothing to do with it. I don't think I have it in me to forgive so easily." The prince gave a hollow chuckle. "Then again, that's why they hate us too; for what my father did," he said with a shake of his head. "Clinging to hate… It seems I'm no different than my father."
"No."
The bluenette blinked at the tactician's blunt denial. "Huh?"
"Chrom, you took me in when I had nothing. Despite the clear danger of trusting an unknown like me –a Plegian at that– you never wavered. I don't see why you can't extend the same hand to the innocents in Plegia."
"..."
As Chrom didn't respond, Robin continued, "They have proved that this is not a conflict they desire by either laying down their arms or fighting their own countryman," Robin said, crossing his arms while taking a look at the prince and smiling. "From what I heard, your father lacked such a trait. No one is perfect and forgiveness is hard to give, but we must strive to be better than we currently are, no? I know you are the kind of man that is capable of such actions."
Mulling over his words, Chrom couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. "Heh, what is it about tacticians that they always know what to say?"
Robin offered him a smile. "You and Rose are always telling me not to doubt myself, so I want you to follow your own advice. The least I could do to pay you for all you have done for me is to support you as best as I can. That's what friends are for, isn't it?"
"I'm glad for that, my friend," Chrom said with a smile.
Rose and Emmeryn stood in silence as they overlooked the garrison from the top of the wall. Since Emmeryn desired to talk, the tactician thought some privacy was necessary. A chilly wind passed through the pair, making Emmeryn tremble at the cold. Noticing this, Rose took off her coat and placed it over the Exalt.
"Thank you," the Exalt said with a smile.
"Think nothing of it. The cold doesn't bother me," Rose said. Looking at Emmeryn, she smirked. "I must say… The Exalt wearing a Plegian coat certainly makes for a bizarre sight."
Emmeryn blinked and giggled. "If the court could see me now… How scandalous!"
Both women shared a small laugh. Rose certainly appreciated the easy friendship she developed with Emmeryn. She expected it to be much more difficult but Emmeryn had a trusting heart, even if it failed her when she trusted that traitorous hierarch. Interacting with her only served to redouble her efforts to keep her alive.
"Well, I think it's time we talked. 'Something in my gut', as Chrom would say, tells me that there's more to you than meets the eye. I feel that despite your good intentions there is something big you are hiding. As the Exalt, I cannot ignore anything that can present risks to my people. After Gangrel, I can no longer take such a passive role in our defense."
Rose nodded in agreement. "That's a good stance to take. Peace is preferable but that doesn't imply that we must be vulnerable." She paused for a moment before relenting more information, "Especially with what is on the horizon."
"So, you do know of something else that could bring harm to my people?" Emmeryn said in her ever-pleasant tone but there was steel in her voice that told the tactician she wouldn't leave without explaining.
She knew it was only a matter of time before Emmeryn asked. Phila could not resist holding such secrets from her queen but it was better to hear it from the source. "Yes. There are many threats that will come in the next few years but there are two of great importance. My sources are very reliable and I have verified them myself."
Thankful that Emmeryn hadn't interrupted her yet, Rose thought about where to start. Grima was the big point she needed to touch but for now, the situation with Valm should take priority. "One I can understand not knowing, but the other one should be making waves already. I suppose I should start with tha–"
But as life would have it something had to interrupt her.
The door behind them flew open, smashing against the wall and startling the pair. On the entrance stood Phila, leaning for support with heavy breaths.
"N-Naga's ass, where the he– Your Highness! There you are!" Phila said as she tried to catch her breath. "What are you doing here? You should be in bed!"
"Peace, Phila. I am just enjoying some fresh air and talking with Rose," Emmeryn said, completely ignoring the sacrilegious words of her knight. "I shall return to my quarters soon enough."
Phila spared a glance at Rose who nodded in acknowledgment. The pegasus rider seemed to understand what was going on. "I-I see. Well, I'm sorry to interrupt but I must insist you come inside. We've got word of a large wyvern in the area making its way toward the fort. Since we only have a few pegasi with us, I don't want to risk injuring them so I ordered the archers to be ready to scare it away or shoot it down if it insists on getting close but I rather not risk your safety."
That caught the tactician's attention. "Strange. Wyverns shouldn't come near Ferox. They dislike the weather."
"Maybe it's Plegian? A Wyvern Rider?" Emmeryn offered.
Phila nodded in agreement. "That was our consensus."
The tactician shook her head. "For a single Wyvern Rider to come alone into Ferox in the middle of a war? That's suicide," Rose said, "Something else must be going on."
As if by divine interference, a roar split the calm atmosphere. Rose turned to the source to see a shadow flying towards them at great speed.
"Wyvern on sight!" someone shouted from the outer wall.
"Archers, be ready!" Phila shouted to the troops below.
"Hmm, something's not right about that wyvern..." Rose squinted her to try to get a better look. The flying was too smooth. Too intelligent for a mere beast. Her eyes widened once recognition settled in. "Wait a minute… Don't shoot!"
Phila looked at her in disbelief. "What are you doing!?"
"She's on our side!"
"She?" the knight asked, bewildered.
Gathering a small amount of magic, Rose launched a small fireball to signal her position. She then turned to the Exalt to try and calm her. This certainly was not the best way to start telling her about the future...
"Don't worry! She won't hurt anyone! Though I can't think of a reason for her to be here."
"Lady Rose! What is the meaning of this?" Emmeryn asked, but she didn't get her answer before the draconic beast landed next to them.
Phila quickly took her lance and placed herself between the Exalt and the dragon, ready to protect her liege with her life.
The green dragon ignored them as her eyes were focused on the calm tactician. Rose walked towards the beast. The pair looked eyes for a while, with the Ylisseans not daring to make a move.
Then Rose, much to their shock, patted the snout of the dragon with a grin, "Hey, girl! What are you doing here?"
The dragon growled, snorting hot air that blew Rose's hair back. In an instant, the dragon enveloped in a cocoon of light. It shone like a small star for a moment before dispersing...
Leaving behind a green-haired woman with pointy ears.
"A manakete?" Emmeryn asked while Phila's eyes grew wide in recognition.
"Rose! I've been trying to contact you for days! I felt your life force dwindle and feared the worst," the manakete exclaimed, slapping Rose on the shoulder. "You need to stop worrying me like this!" she scolded.
The Plegian waved off her concerns. "You worry too much, Tiki. As you know, it takes more than that to take me down."
"Not for your lack of trying…" The voice of Naga muttered as she poked Rose's tender ribs.
The tactician winced as a spike of pain ran through her body. "Ok… So maybe this one was a little close..."
"Wait, did you say Tiki?" Emmeryn asked, finally overcoming her shock and recognizing just who it was in front of her.
The manakete and the tactician then remembered they weren't alone.
"Maybe introductions are in order?" Tiki suggested.
Rose's lips twitched. "Of course, my apologies." She gave a theatrical bow, "Lady Emmeryn. Lady Phila. Allow me to introduce the Voice of Naga and the Exalted Daughter of the Divine Dragon herself, Lady Tiki."
Tiki sighed in frustration, "Of course you would do that..."
"Oh my!" The Exalt exclaimed, ignoring the banter between the two. She quickly knelt before the demigoddess, with Phila following suite. "Milady, it is an honor to meet you."
"Please raise, Lady Emmeryn. The honor is mine," Tiki said quickly, lending her hand to the Exalt so she could stand. "I heard many great things about you from the pilgrims that visit the Mila Tree." Tiki nodded towards Rose. "And from our mutual friend here, too."
Emmeryn blinked. "You two are… friends?"
Tiki sighed and nodded. "Indeed, with all the headaches that involve. In fact, the reason I'm here is because I felt her life force dwindle –again– so I decided to come here through the portal in Mount Prism. Mother informed me of the situation on the way here, so I followed the magic signature of the Book of Naga in Rose's possession and arrived here."
"You were telling the truth," said Phila in awe as she stared
"You didn't believe me?" Rose asked with a raised eyebrow. Not that she was surprised. Honestly, her story so very convoluted that she was surprised Phila took it as well as she did.
"I believed most of it, but you being friends with the Voice of Naga herself is a little hard to swallow despite the evidence," the knight stated flatly.
"More so than a time traveler coming to warn us of the apocalyptic future that is looming on the horizon?" Rose asked dryly.
Phila shrugged. "Weirder things have happened."
That got the Exalt's attention. "Wait. What is this about an apocalyptic future? Time travel? What is going on?" Emmeryn asked, looking at the trio in bewilderment.
Rose sighed, receiving a pat on the back from Tiki. "It's complicated but maybe once I finish my story you will understand. Phila here already knows most of it, but Tiki can corroborate the veracity of my words and add to the details so you get a better picture."
"Of course," Tiki said in agreement. "Please understand that everything we will say is true, despite how unbelievable it may seem."
She figured the best way to proceed was to elaborate on the story she had told Phila. Rose proceeded to weave her tale once more. "Let's start from the beginning..."
The sound of battle could be heard by the army as they made their way towards their final confrontation. The Shepherds were eager to end this war and Robin was planning to do so with the least amount of bloodshed.
At least on their side.
"The Plegian army is just behind this ridge," Robin said as he looked at their troops. "What can you tell us, Gaius?"
The thief took the lollipop out of his mouth and frowned. "Well, Bubbles, things seem to be a mess there like that scout said. The loyalist to Gangrel are putting up a fight but too many of their troops have deserted and a lot of infighting is going on. It's working in our favor since their archers were unable to rain down arrows on our troops since they still can't tell friend from foe or have already been engaged."
Robin nodded. "Good. That frees up our mages. That's a welcome advantage. Everyone knows what to do?" he asked, earning confirmations from his comrades.
"Where will you be, Robin?" Sumia asked.
"He will fight at my side," Chrom answered for the tactician. "Amongst you, Robin is the one that complements my fighting style the best. And the sight of a Plegian fighting side by side with the Ylissean Royalty will send a powerful message."
"Destroy their resolve while demonstrating that there is hope for cooperation between our people. An interesting strategy," Frederick complemented and a part of the tactician wanted to check the Plegians were not riding flying pigs. It was still hard to swallow that Frederick was being civil with him.
"One that we hope will show that we can cooperate with one another," Chrom said in agreement.
"Chrom! Gangrel is here!" Stahl shouted as he rode towards him.
The prince took a deep breath and drew Falchion, "It's time," he said towards Robin, who nodded.
Robin looked at the battlefield and was glad his strategy would work on such territory. The vast plain would be of great use for their cavalry, something Gangrel had lost during the siege of Ylisstol. Plegia lacked the resources to maintain a large cavalry division and having committed a large part of them to their invasion had proven a mistake.
The tactician had divided the Feroxi army into three divisions. One that will cut out the escape route at Gangrel's back. Another that will meet and organize the rebels to surround the loyalists. The last division will push alongside the Shepherds, clashing with the bulk of the army. This last was composed of their mounted units and mages, to help divide the Plegian army in two.
The Mad King still has the Wyvern Riders that survived their encounters with the Pegasus Knights. Luckily the Pegasus knights still outnumbered them and the rocky hills where they were placed worked as a defense against archers.
"The Pegasus Knights will take on Aversa and her air regiment," started to repeat his plan, tweaking it slightly now that he could see the current battlefield. "I want the cavalry to pair up with our mages to take out their wyverns from below and soften their numbers fast, then move to the division line. Meanwhile, the Shepherds will push through the Royal Guard so that Chrom and I can finish Gangrel fast. The sooner we take him out the sooner we can end this battle."
Luckily for them, whichever archer and cavalry Gangrel could muster were either taken care of or were currently engaging the rebels, if they were not rebels themselves. In fact, most of his loyalists seemed to be Grimleal mages and fighters, which was strange. As far as the reports from their spies went, Gangrel and the leader of the Grimleal did not see eye to eye, only allied on their mutual hatred for the Exalted bloodline. But that was of no consequence now.
The Shepherds finally reached their place on the battlefield, opposite to that of the Mad King.
Gangrel stood on top of a hill. "Come, princeling! I've sharpened my sword just for you!" the madman cackled. "Time for you to pay for your interference of justice!"
Chrom stepped forward, Falchion on hand as sunlight danced across the sacred blade. "My sister wishes for our people to know peace, Gangrel. But as long as you draw breath, it can never happen!" Raising the sacred blade towards the sky, he rallied his troops. "Shepherds! Today, we put an end to Mad King Gangrel and bring peace back to the land. For Ylisse! For Ferox! For Emmeryn!"
The roars of their comrades only fanned the flames of determination inside them.
"I'm surprised Phila didn't come with us," Anise commented as the Pegasus Knights flew to their positions. It was lucky for them that the rebels had taken out most of the long-range support that could shoot them down, but that didn't mean the knights were not taking it seriously.
Elsa rolled her eyes while allowing her pegasus to hover in place. "Please, she will not leave the Exalt's side after the last time," she said earning a nod from Grace.
"Girls, focus. Our part is about to start," Samantha scolded them before turning to her captain with a questioning gaze. "But are you sure you should be here, Cordelia? Aren't your wounds still healing from the battle at the capital?"
"I'm not at my best," the redhead admitted. "But the Clerics said that I'm fit for combat. And since Phila won't leave the Exalt unprotected again, someone with experience has to fill the leader role. I'm counting on all of you once more."
One of the members of Phila's squad, Lena, flew to her side. "Don't worry luv, that's why we are here," she said cheekily.
"This battle is important and we must all do our parts," a blonde woman carrying healing staves chimed in.
"Angela is right. Though Hana and Fara are not here, I'm sure we can assist you," A purple-haired woman named Amelia added, carrying with her a silver lance and plenty of throwing spears.
"I'm sure we–" The hairs on the back of her neck told Cordelia to move. "Dodge!" she shouted. Training and instinct kicked in and her sisters obeyed, dodging a blast of dark magic by mere inches.
The knights retook their formation again, their focus razor-sharp as they searched for their opponents with weapons on hand. A dark figure descended in front of the squad, revealing the presence of Aversa and her personal squad of Wyverns and Dark Fliers.
The sorceress licked her lips as she took the measure of her opponents and smirked with confidence.
"Time to dance, little fledglings!"
"Are you sure you can fight your countrymen, milady?" Libra asked the sorceress at his side as he adjusted the grip on his war axe.
Tharja sighed, trying to be polite with the priest if only to avoid a scolding from her new commander. She was beginning to wonder is joining the Ylisseans was such a good idea. "Fear not, priest. I have no more love for these fools that follow Gangrel than I do for the madman himself."
"I do not question your loyalty, Lady Tharja. I just worry that you might end up fighting former comrades," the priest clarified. "It could be fatal should you hesitate when facing a former friend."
The blond was getting on her nerves with his incessant worries. If he didn't stop she would hex him into compliance. "I have no friends in that army. Just focus of on–"
"WATCH OUT!"
The mage barely had time to react before she was thrown to the side by the priest. She watched as a spear smashed against the flat of Libra's axe that had filled the spot where she stood moments before. The Plegian soldier that sneaked behind her flinched at the impact and Libra wasted no time on taking advantage of it. The first swing took broke the shaft of the spear, making the Plegian lose his balance. The priest followed by using his weapon to bifurcate the Plegian. The blood sprayed on the white robes of the devout, giving him a macabre look.
The blood-covered blond turned to the sorceress with a concerned expression. "My apologies for manhandling you, Lady Tharja, but I had to take action. Are you injured?" He asked, taking her hand to help her to her feet.
Tharja did not immediately respond to his question for she was distracted by what she had just discovered after taking his hand. The contact allowed her to sense something she did not expect to find in a man of the cloth.
'Oh my… I can feel the darkness inside him. Not as tantalizing as Robin's but still… Intriguing. He could make a fine test subject.'
Already making plans on her head, Tharja gathered her bearings and stood with Libra's help. Dusting her robes, she nodded at the priest and gave him a smirk that would have sent lesser men running. "Oh yes, I quite well. Thank you for your assistance."
Maybe joining wasn't such a bad idea after all. After all, she just discovered an interesting test subject.
"Nyahahaha!" Henry laughed as he blasted hex after hex towards Gangrel's loyalists. The dark magic transformed into raging flames that consumed the opposition. Those that evaded the blast were soon attacked by a horde of crows. Their beaks attacked the vulnerable, exposed flesh of the Plegians while the most unfortunate had their eyes plucked out or their throat pecked open by the dark birds.
At the young man's side, Lissa just stared.
A crow perched itself on the boy's shoulder, cawing into his ear. "Yes, Mr. Crowley! We shall get more blood! Nyahaha!"
The princess blinked. "... Ok, he is weird. I already knew that," said Lissa simply, already having made her opinion of him after their first meeting. She could work with him despite his macabre attitude. Weird was not something she was a stranger to.
Lissa grew up with the Shepherds, after all.
"Dance little prince! Dance!" Gangrel cackled as he launched bolt after bolt from his Levin sword towards the price and his tactician. The pair dodged attacks with reflexes earned in battle, closing the distance in an instant. Chrom moved to bisect the king with Falchion, but the madman twisted out of the way with a flip.
"Tsk. Slippery dastard!" Chrom spat in annoyance.
Robin could sympathize, for he was starting to feel it too. They managed to push their way past the Royal Guard to fight Gangrel alone while their comrades dealt with them, but the king was a tricky opponent.
"What's the matter? Am I hard to hit?" the king taunted, and Robin could see Chrom's temper rising.
"Calm yourself, Chrom. We can't let him rile us up," Robin warned his friend while dodging another lightning bolt. It was moments like this that made him thankful that magic lighting was nowhere near as fast as the natural phenomenon. The tactician sent a bolt from his own Levin sword towards the king, who evaded it with surprising agility.
Robin frowned, looking at this weapon. The sword was nearly depleted of magic while Gangrel's was still full. He certainly will look into how to refill its reserves once this battle was over.
"Easier said than done," the prince grumbled, adjusting his grip on Falchion as he prepared for another bout.
"You're slowing down, prince. That cushy life in Ylisstol made you soft!" the madman spat. "And you, tactician..." Gangrel began, eyes glaring at Robin with surprising hostility. "A Plegian fighting for Ylisse? Have you no shame, boy?! Raising your blade against your people?!" he snarled.
"I might be Plegian but I'm no ally of yours, madman!"
Gangrel growled at the white-haired boy's words. "Plegian blood flows through your veins, that much is obvious. You cover yourself in a Plegian coat and wield a sword of Plegian make!" Gangrel shouted while pointing his sword at Robin. "The prince I will impale in a stake as a trophy, but you and I will have some fun together before I'm finished with you. I will make you an example of what happens to traitors!"
"Over my dead body!" Chrom shouted while trying to rush the king.
"That's the idea!" Gangrel cackled as he launched another bolt of lightning, pushing the pair back.
Before the duo could mount another attack, the sound of multiple footsteps alerted them of the arrival of more fighters. But as luck would have it, they were not on their side.
"Great… Just what we needed..." grumbled the prince as he saw a trio of axe fighters come to the madman's side.
"King Gangrel, we've come to assist you!" one of the brutes shouted, wielding a wicked looking axe on his hands.
"About time you mongrels showed up," Gangrel muttered. The king pointed his sword towards Chrom. "Men, why don't you soften the prince up a bit while I deal with this brat?" he said as he focused on Robin. "Do keep him alive, yes? I want to make him suffer, too. Maybe make him watch as I have some fun with his friends and sisters." he added as an afterthought.
"I will rip your heart befor–" Chrom couldn't finish his threat before the trio descended on him like a pack of wolves. It was clear that the prince had more skill but quantity had a quality of its own and the managed to push the prince into the defensive.
"Chrom!" Robin shouted
"Eyes over here, boy!"
Gangrel's shout made Robin react, forcing him to dodge a swipe from the lighting covered blade that would've taken his arm. The tactician parried the following strike, feeling the electricity passing to the blades and into his body, locking both Plegians into a bind. It was only the electric nature of his own weapon that mitigated the damage and prevented him from dying of electrocution.
"I thought you wanted me alive?" he asked, trying to stall for time while formulating a plan. A hard thing to do since he had limited resources and couldn't wait forever for reinforcements.
"You don't need all your limbs to survive, boy! And I can't wait to get started with you!" Gangrel shouted, pushing the tactician away and launching a bolt of lightning while Robin responded in kind. The magic clashed, being attracted to each other, and canceled the attacks.
Robin tried to launch another attack but it was not to be. The lightning around his sword fizzled and died as it's charge finally ran out.
Gangrel saw this and laughed at the tactician's predicament. "Having performance problems, boy?" taunted the king. "Here, let me show you how a real man does it!"
Robin dodged the attack and took advantage of the slight delay between each attack. "Tsk. Let's try something else..." muttered the tactician. Pulling an Arcfire tome from his cloak, he prepared to cast the spell, but wouldn't give him the chance to start. A bolt of magic almost took his hand as it slammed and incinerated the magical book.
"None of that!"
"Dammit!" Robin snarled, raising his sword again and charging at Gangrel.
The king's madness and overconfidence were a blessing for Robin, for Gangrel stopped sending bolts of lightning his way in favor of matching him blow for blow. The tactician couldn't stall until Chrom was done with the trio, even if he had complete fate in the prince's victory. The king proved to be more formidable than expected. Despite his strange trickster outfit, Robin could see the king's muscles bulge as he pushed the tactician back.
Robin gritted his teeth. He needed something –anything– to tip the scales in his favor.
Grima smirked as he felt Robin tap into his power.
Rose frowned, stopping her tale as she felt a chill down her spine.
"Something the matter?" Emmeryn asked her after a moment of silence.
"...Hopefully not."
As Robin locked blades with the Mad King again, something stirred inside him and answered his call.
Warm flames manifested around Robin, dancing and caressing his skin and clothes. They didn't burn but filled him with invigorating power. The feeling was familiar, he knew he had felt this before but it didn't matter now. Using his newfound strength, Robin yelled and shoved a startled Gangrel back, who was distracted by the sight.
"Purple flames… No..." Gangrel snarled as he gazed into the flames surrounding Robin. The king finally took a moment to notice every detail of the tactician's appearance and his eyes widened in recognition. "Ignis?! Those eyes… That cloak… I knew I recognized them! You… You're Morgana's spawn!" he shouted, tightening the grip on his sword with his trembling hand.
Robin jumped back and raised his own blade in defense, taken aback by the sudden, personal hostility. "What are you talking about?"
"Yes, only her damned bloodline could summon something so vile as Ignis!" Gangrel spat, looking more deranged by the second. "Did your whore of a mother send you to kill me?! Is she finally done hiding?!" Whatever shred of sanity the Mad King still had was thrown to the wind as he launched against Robin with pure hatred. "I WILL NEVER YIELD TO THAT COWARD! THE THRONE IS MINE AND MINE ALONE! DIE AND ROT IN HELL!"
Robin barely had time to push the shock out of his system to block the blade. His mother? Did Gangrel recognize him from somewhere? What was this about the throne? 'Oh gods, I hope Gangrel isn't my father'. He wanted to interrogate Gangrel but he knew the madman would never relinquish any information willingly, especially in such blood craze.
As the king attacked, Robin muttered his thanks to Rose for making him spar against the unpredictable styles of Anna and Gaius. Dodging a lightning bolt, Robin kicked sand into Gangrel's eyes, earning him a few seconds of respite as he dodged another stray bolt. The king coughed as he swallowed the dust and his eyes burned. Taking the opening, Robin kicked the king in the ribs, unable to deal a fatal blow by a stray bolt from Gangrel's Levin Sword.
Landing on his feet, Robin dashed forward and swung downwards with all his strength. The flames of Ignis ripped through the Levin sword on Gangrel's hands. Both blades shattered, causing the clashing magic of Ignis and Gangrel's sword to detonate in a battle of dominance. The resulting explosion knocked both combatants several feet apart, leaving them burned and bruised.
Robin rolled through the ground, landing roughly on his back. The tactician pushed himself to his knees, coughing in pain, feeling the remnants of the electric shock run through his body. The flames around his body dispersed, taking with them the boost of strength he received and leaving him gasping for breath. His palms were burnt from the explosion, making him grit his teeth in pain. At the corner of his eye, Robin could see Gangrel standing shakily.
"Damn brat… You will die here, by my hand!" The king spat, taking the remains of his broken sword in his hand. The hilt still held enough sharpened metal to kill, which was something Gangrel knew very well. "You will die alone and in agony! I will mount your head on a pike with the rest of your damn friends as I march towards Ylisstol!"
'Dammit, think think think!' Robin thought as he wracked his brain for any plan. Wounded, alone, and unarmed. Backup is too far away to save him and he doesn't have time to cast a spell, even if he wasn't injured past his ability to focus his magic. As he tried to stand, Robin grasped something rough and solid. Eyes flickered to his hand and saw it was a large rock. A weapon as old as human history and just what he needed. Waiting until Gangrel was close enough to raise his weapon, Robin acted.
Using all the strength he could muster, Robin stopped Gangrel's arm before the weapon made contact with his chest. Biting down a scream of pain from his burned flesh, the tactician then twisted his grip to deflect the attack and smashed the rock on Gangrel's face. The blow made the king drop his weapon as his hand moving on reflex to his wounded face. The madman howled in pain as he spat broken teeth and clutched his swollen, bleeding nose. Wasting no time, Robin tackled Gangrel to the ground, using his knees to apply weight on the king's chest to stop him from moving.
Gangrel spat a glob of blood as he tried to regain his strength, but both combatants knew this battle was over. Too dizzy to do anything else, Gangrel glared at the tactician with all his hatred and used that to fill his last words with as much scorn as possible. "You w-will see… They will turn on you when y-you are no longer needed, just like those cowards did to me… Ylisse will...never accept a Plegian… You are...alone... As every man lives and dies ...alone."
Robin didn't say anything, only raising his improvised weapon to deliver blow after blow to silence the king. His fingernail broke and bled with each impact. The golden crown bent out of shape as his skull finally gave in, putting an end to the reign of the Mad King Gangrel.
But that was not the end of the king's legacy, for Gangrel's words made something stir deep in the mind of the tactician, like a whispered dream long forgotten.
'Why are you––?! I tho–– you––!'
'...I a–– r the best.'
Before the tactician could make sense of those broken words, his injuries and fatigue finally took their toll on his body. The energy he gathered dispersed into the desert wind as his muscles uncoiled and his body collapsed under its own weight.
As his eyes rolled to the back of his head, the last thing Robin heard before darkness took him was the concerned shouts of his first friend.
Dodging a swipe from a Ylissean lance, Aversa pushed the daring knight back with quick wind spell and scowled. The Ylisseans Knights had proven to be annoying pests to deal with. They had taken on most of her Wyvern Riders and Dark Fliers with the help of their grounded comrades, while were avoiding her most damaging spells. Luckily for her, the ground troops had to break off and engage the Plegian ground troops.
She still hadn't even managed to kill one of the brats, though. It was insulting to her pride as Royal Tactician that they survived her first ambush but that they still refused to die by her own hand made it personal.
As she started to feel fatigued from the constant casting, Aversa decided to kill two birds with one spell. "Darkness eternal envelops all. In her embrace your life is forfeit. Fear my Night!"
A shroud of darkness exploded from her hand, catching a couple of fliers in her blast. Three of her Wyvern Riders had the life sucked out of them, much to the horror of her underlings, while two of the female knights barely evaded the attack.
The same could not be said for their mounts, however.
"Elsa! Grace!" The brunette in the tacky pink armor screamed.
Soon, both women started to fall as two more left the battlefield, rushing against gravity to catch them before they became smears on the desert soil. Having taken care of four opponents for the time being and recovering her strength from the life force of those useless riders that couldn't kill a couple of girls, Aversa had more than enough power to take on the rest of the Ylisseans. A blast of wind from the sorceress slammed into the chest of the brunette's pegasi. The beast thrashed in pain, even if it's armor protected it and threw its rider off as it thrashed in the air.
"Sumia!" the red-haired captain shouted in horror.
"I got her!" a blonde in white armor shouted, pulling out her own tome.
The falling girl had her fall broken, instead of her neck, by another blast of wind. The girl slammed into the desert floor with a sickening crack. Her arm and leg were bent at an unnatural angle, indicating that she hadn't survived unscathed.
"She's alive!" Aversa could hear the blonde shout as she dodged a javelin.
Just as the sorceress was about to retaliate, she saw Gangrel's fall at the hands of the Ylissean tactician.
Aversa clicked her tongue as she heard the prince's shouts of victory and call for surrender. 'Tsk, it seems the rat couldn't even work as a decent pawn.' The Dark Flier sighed in resignation. 'No matter. My lord's will shall not be stopped.' Despite the advantage she now had, Aversa saw no reason to risk her life in such an even fight.
"Your king is dead! Surrender and we will be merciful!" shouted one of the Ylissean harlots, quite obviously through gritted teeth.
'As if I was that stupid.' They would probably crucify her sooner than letting her go.
Having no reason to stay and fight any longer, the sorceress decided it was time to make her escape. She still had a role to play in the incoming events after all. Maybe next time she could have some Risen Abominations at her side, once those kinks over their control spell are taken care of.
"It seems there is no longer a reason for us to play, little birds," Aversa taunted as she gathered magic on her hand. "Tada!" A burst of light flared to life, blinding the knights as they took down the last of her troops, who foolishly continued to fight.
When the Pegasus Knights recovered, Aversa was no longer in sight.
"Where did that damn strumpet go!?"
"Sire, the remaining Plegian forces are surrendering en masse!" one of the Feroxi soldiers announced.
Chrom smiled and nodded at that. It was finally over. "Order our forces to cease fighting at once and tend to the wounded. Make sure Robin gets taken care of. He fought Gangrel alone and deserves the best treatment we can provide."
The messenger nodded. "Yes, sire!"
The prince sighed, cursing himself for allowing those dastards to separate them. They weren't much of a challenge but they took precious time to eliminate. By the time Chrom was done decapitating his last opponent, the main battle was over.
Robin took down the Mad King –which was supposed to be his responsibility– and almost paid the price with his life. The tactician had done so much for them already. He pledged his support for the prince just before the battle but Chrom couldn't return the gesture when he needed it the most.
He failed Robin.
It already hurt not to have been in Ylisstol to protect it or to have Emmeryn captured under his nose, but his friend almost died fulfilling his duty. Time and again someone else had to cover for his failure. What kind of prince was he that couldn't protect those important to him?
'If things had gone differently… After almost losing Emmeryn and Ylisstol, to almost also lose a close friend…' Chrom shook his head. There was no use in thinking on the 'what-ifs'. Robin was wounded, not dead, and the least the prince could do is make sure that his recovery was taken care of.
Flavia walked to his side, followed by Basilio. She patted the prince's bruised shoulder, making him flinch in pain. "It's finished. Once their messenger delivers our terms, that's it. We put an end to this bloody business, once and for all."
The Ylissean prince breathed a sigh of relief at the news. "We've won... Somehow I don't feel like celebrating. We lost many soldiers and much more are wounded."
Basilio grunted. "Victory can be bitter as well as sweet, boy. It's good you learn that now. Be glad that you're not mourning your family, too."
"Speaking of mourning, Regna Ferox lost many good soldiers today," Flavia stated with a frown as she looked at the battlefield littered with bodies. Though most were Plegian, there were plenty of Feroxi and Ylisseans amongst them. "We need to see to our dead. Then it's time to attend to the living and rebuild our army."
Another reminder of his failure. "I'm sorry, Flavia," Chrom said solemnly. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Ylisse will compensate your nation in whatever fashion—"
"Oh? In that case, how about you hand over the Fire Emblem and we'll call it even?" Flavia said, making the prince choke on his own spit before the Khan burst into her usual laughter. "...Hah! Just a little Feroxi humor," she said while slapping Chrom on the back. "Don't worry about our finances, Chrom. Reparations will fall to Plegia, and I've seen their treasury—they can well afford it."
"Yes, pity the man who stands between Flavia and a full coffer, boy," Basilio whispered to him as Flavia walked away.
Chrom laughed, glad for the lightened mood. "Heh, I'll have to remember that when you come to visit Ylisstol."
"Well, that is quite the story," Emmeryn simply said, breaking the silence that had settled for a while after Rose finished relating the same story she gave Phila. "I noticed you changed quite a few things from the version you told before but now some of the things you mentioned make more sense."
Rose shrugged. "Well, when demigods start involving themselves in mortal affairs nothing is simple or believable, so I omitted a lot of details until I spoke with Phila."
Emmeryn remained silent for another minute before she continued. "I thought peace would come once this war with Gangrel is over… But an invasion from Valm in just a few years? And the return of Grima after that?" The Exalt shook her head, leaning against the wall as the weight of the revelations set on her shoulders. "This is just..."
Placing a hand on the Ylissean's shoulder, Rose nodded. "I understand your anxiety, but rest assured that we are taking all measures to ensure our victory."
"Indeed," Tiki confirmed. "While Rose dealt with the situation on this continent, I have made my own movements on Valm. Hopefully, that will allow us a stronger position once the time comes."
The Exalt looked at Rose with wide eyes. "You have been doing this alone for two years?"
The tactician shrugged, already having getting used to her burden. "Well, not alone. Tiki and Naga offer their support and suggestions when possible but I'm the only one with the freedom to move as I please." She didn't regret it, though. Not only did it grant Rose a chance for redemption but it also allowed her to focus on her brother's future instead of her past, despite depending on it to prevent a repeat. "The situation is just too big for us to fully stop and the Conqueror was already on the moved when we started acting."
"And you knew of this, Phila?" Emmeryn asked her knight with a frown.
Phila looked like a kicked puppy that failed her master. "My apologies, milady, but I agreed with Rose that the current war is stressful enough. I have only informed of this a short while ago and even if I had wanted to inform you I wouldn't have the opportunity."
"I would've preferred to continue this alone but I fear that things might change a lot and our knowledge will be less reliable," Rose admitted, regaining the Exalt's attention. "I have changed quite a few things already and I can only guess the ramifications of my interference."
"You mean things like my death," Emmeryn stated in a neutral tone, not looking at her, already understanding her meaning.
To her credit, the tactician only flinched internally. "...Yes."
The Exalt swallowed and closed her eyes. "How… How would things have gone had you not intervened? How would've I…?"
Rose and Tiki looked at each other, not really wanting to speak of such morbid details. Rose relented to the responsibility, but still wanted her to understand. "Are you sure you want to know? You already know enough to understand the ramifications."
"Please… I… I need to know," Emmeryn pleaded. That was the sound of a woman who needed answers. Rose was very familiar with that tone, having used with Chrom during her imprisonment.
"We know of two outcomes," Rose began. "Had we not interfered at all, the assassination attempt would've been a success. Your… head would've been taken to Gangrel and Chrom would've been injured, forever reducing his combat abilities. He would've become a fine ruler. But from what we saw of that future, Chrom never fully recovered, both in the physical and emotional sense. Eventually those wounds would've contributed to his fall at Grima's hands. Lissa tried her best but she never could recover that spark." A little twist but she couldn't reveal the truth about Robin. Not yet, if ever.
The royal's voice was barely above a whisper. "Chrom… Lissa..."
"And had I not informed Robin of Aversa's plan, you would've indeed fallen to your death," Rose said, deciding to not pull any punches. "Your death would've achieved peace by inspiring the Plegians to lay down their arms… at the cost of traumatizing your siblings when you fell on the ground in front of them. Once again, they would suffer for your absence, forcing them to mature and change."
Rose could see Emmeryn's hands tremble as Phila moved to comfort her. "Then it seems it is my destiny to die and make my sibling suffer. The way things have been going my death seems in–"
"No," Tiki and Rose replied as one, startling the Exalt.
"The river of time is not immutable, milady," Tiki insisted. "The reason things seem to be happening despite our efforts is due to outside interference. Don't think it's fate trying to kill you."
"But if what you say is the truth, then my death in Plegia could have ended all this bloodshed!" Emmeryn tried to reason.
"Milady! You can't be serious!" Phila exclaimed in disbelief.
"Is my life really worth that much? If it would really accomplish peace, I would gladly give it… Even if…"
Rose felt a punch in the stomach.
Emmeryn was willing to die for peace.
Her Chrom had been willing to kill her to protect the world.
She was willing to challenge fate itself to save her brother, who she had come to love.
What worth has one life if it jeopardizes peace?
For her, yes, it did.
Placing a hand on the royal's shoulders, Rose locked eyes with the blonde. "Make no mistake; your words did reach the Plegian's hearts. Maybe not all those they would've had you perished, but they still made a difference." She squished Emmeryn's shoulder, pressing the Plegian coat against her skin. "Of that I'm sure."
That seemed to calm the queen slightly. "It just… so much meaningless war..."
The tactician frowned and pursed her lips. "To be honest, Gangrel was not originally so twisted about his intentions for obtaining Fire Emblem."
"You can't possibly defend that madman!" Phila shouted in anger.
"I'm not, but there is more to this than pure hatred," Rose said, trying to placate the angry knight. "From our information, Gangrel initially intended to unite the continent to fight Valm, mimicking Walhart's strategy. Sadly, the Grimleal used dark magic to push his hatred for Ylisse to the tipping point and that was too much for his fragile psyche."
Phila scoffed at the explanation. "You make it sound like he is a tragic hero."
"In a way, he is," Rose said, earning an incredulous look from Wing Commander. "If you remember, even though Gangrel never liked Ylisstol, he preferred isolation that aggression. He didn't start building his army until two years ago when he heard of Walhart. Plegia was never as prosperous as Ylisse but they recovered plenty from the war. He doesn't even worship Grima, he just plays lip service to keep the Grimleal and devouts in line."
"What are you saying?"
"Had Gangrel remained sane, I do believe he would have let you go had we given him the Fire Emblem. The longer the war went the more he lost sight of his objective, which was to unite the continent behind the Fire Emblem against Valm and Walhart." Rose shook her head. "Killing you would only have divided us more, as Ylisse would never rally behind him and Ferox would rather fight alone. A prolonged war would only weaken us further, leaving us more vulnerable to the Valmese invasion."
"What if we just tell the truth? Tell the people about what's coming? Gangrel might not have believed it could work but maybe it can." The Exalt asked, sounding slightly desperate. "We could prepare a defense and maybe if we push a united front we can negotiate peace with Walhart."
Rose understood where Emmeryn was coming from. She had a good heart that yearned to spare others from pain and lying was just not in her nature, but sadly that wouldn't work here. The tactician shook her head. "You're not that naive, Emmeryn. You declaring that war is coming against an enemy that hasn't wronged us so soon after the other war? We would lose all public support, and who knows if Walhart already has infiltrators and sympathizers in our ranks. And telling the people of Grima? That sounds too much like your father. We might use this war as an excuse to build the Ylissean army once again, but even that will be hard."
Emmeryn flinched but it was obvious she couldn't deny it. "True... The wounds are too fresh from both wars and it would destroy all I've tried to accomplish. We can only wait and react without making things worse," she said in a disappointed voice.
"True, but there is plenty we can do, though we can discuss that in-depth later," Rose said, stretching her arms above her head. It felt like she had been standing for months on that spot. She then put her hand over the Exalt's shoulder again to show empathy for the royal. "But please, Emmeryn, have some faith in us. We don't want you to think you have to die for us to succeed."
"Yes, I think you're right. I guess it's just my nature," Emmeryn admitted. "I do recall you calling me a 'stupid, selfish, self-sacrificial bitch," she added with a raised eyebrow.
'Well, I never thought I would get to hear Emmeryn say those words...' Rose thought as she laughed awkwardly and Tiki sighed. "Heh… it was the heat of the moment. Didn't actually meant it..."
"I am sure," Emmeryn said, though the corners of her lips were twitching. The same could not be said about Phila how looked both scandalized and livid.
Before the knight could decide between impaling Rose with her spear or strangle her with her hands, Emmeryn turned to the Voice of Naga with more questions. "Do these changes mean that you will be staying in Ylisse, Lady Tiki? I would be most happy to offer you accommodations in the capital," she said, moving to a more positive topic.
The Voice pondered the question for a moment before nodding. "I will stay for a time, if only just to make sure this fool does not hurt herself again."
"Your concern is touching..."
"I'm glad you appreciate it," Tiki responded without missing a beat. "Although, I think that staying in the castle could attract too much attention..."
"You know, I could try to get a house in Ylisstol," Rose said, earning a surprised look from Tiki. "Once my contract with the Shepherds is done, I won't be able to stay in the barracks so a house could be useful. You could stay with me and we could bounce some ideas around. I must admit that influencing events and people in power is very hard in my current position, especially when we are trying to prepare for an incoming war so shortly after the last one."
"Not a bad idea," the manakete agreed, but then looked at the tactician dubiously. "But can you even afford it? I know of your debts for all those bars you destroyed last year?"
"...I thought we agreed not to talk about that," the tactician said with a slight tint on her cheeks.
"No, you agreed not to talk about that. I never made such promise," the manakete retorted.
"Wait, what are you t–" Phila started, only to be ignored
"...Anyways! I earned quite a lot of coin from the Feroxi Tournament and I had taken enough missions to pay my debts and our investments so I actually have a spendable coin," Rose said, doing some math in her head. "I might need to take a few jobs to get some land in the capital. Prices will certainly go up now that people will try to move into empty districts after the siege."
"I think I can help with that," the Exalt said, gaining the tactician's attention. "I would be most happy to finance you a house in Ylisstol as a reward for your assistance. Even so, I have no problems with you remaining in the castle and I'm sure my siblings won't object. You could be close to your brother that way. I know Chrom already insisted he lives there after the war."
Rose blinked at the offer. She knew the Exalt to be generous but this was maybe a bit too much. "I… That would be very generous, Emmeryn, but I don't want to impose any more on the crown."
"It's no trouble and I'll admit it's not entirely selfless. It would also help with my other idea," Emmeryn began with a smile that made Rose wary. "Tell me, Rose… Would you be interested in a more… extended contract?"
Grima's blood was boiling. Things were not going per plan.
Maybe he should gather more information, it seemed like Lucina changed more than expected.
"Maybe I'm getting complacent with the knowledge of my assured victory..."
"Master… if I may?"
Grima turned to his disciple. "Speak."
"Well… I understand you wish to make Chrom suffer, but isn't this a better outcome overall?" That intrigued the Fell Dragon and motioned for the child to continue. "I mean… If Emmeryn survives and keeps her ideals of peace, doesn't that mean that Ylisse will be militarily weaker than under Chrom's command?"
"Hmmm, not only that, but the difference in ideals could cause friction during the Valmese campaign…" A feral grin split his face. "Yes, this could actually be interesting. I have no doubt my past self will gather the gemstones for us while weakening our opposition, but that doesn't mean we have to make it easy. I can always destroy the Exalted Bloodline in a later date." He laughed. "Let Lucina think she has won, it will make it sweeter when I rip that hope from her!" Grima turned to the kneeling child and decided she earned some praise. "Good work. I think it's time to continue your training. Despite this setback, you are still my most precious piece, Morrigan."
The girl's purple eyes widened in elation at the praise, "Thank you for your kind words, Fa–Master. I only aim to please."
A small part of his mortal heart tingled at his daughter's slip of the tongue but the Fell Dragon ignored it. He needed to stay on task. Reaching into his robes, he retrieved the little souvenir he picked on his trip to the Outrealms. "Remember your lessons about controlling spirits?" Morrigan nodded. "Good. Take these," Grima said, placing a small package into her hands. "Study them. Master them. They will play an important part in my plans."
The girl opened the package to find something unusual.
A deck of cards.
"What are these?"
"They are called Einherjar."
Deep into the Outrealms, an old man frowned at the empty room that once held the records of legends and heroes. The treasury now laid empty, having been plundered from its contents. Dropping the facade of a jolly fool, Old Hubba gripped his cane in anger. The wood splintered from the strength no old man should possess as the air became heavy with power.
"This won't do."
Normally not one to interfere, the mysterious elder had enough. Messing with the timelines was already a daring insult, one that took a lot on his part to ignore, but this was personal.
Interfering with a world in which they didn't belong.
Stealing the essence of legends and myths of countless worlds.
The Fell Dragon needed to be taught a lesson.
Both of them.
