Chapter 23 – Revelations
She felt like drowning in the deepest part of a freezing ocean; the intense pressure crushing her body to the point of immobility.
Her body might be frozen, but Rose's thoughts were running a mile a minute. Only her heart worked faster at that moment.
Lucina just called her "mother". Now by spending more time in the presence of the princess, she began to feel an instinctual tug– something that lacked the last time they saw each other. Maybe it was because she was more attuned to her dragon magic, but her blood and her entire being felt the same tether as she did with Marc and Morgan.
She was her Lucina.
Her daughter was not in the other timeline. And now, everything that happened in her old world began to make sense. The one that instigated her judgment was not her daughter. That Lucina's words now made sense to her. Why she didn't recognize her as her mother. Why she remembered Robin as a man. She must have been from this timeline, or at least a similar one. But all those thoughts paled when she remembered their encounters at Arena Ferox and Ylisstol.
She attacked her own daughter.
Sure, the encounter at the tournament was more competitive in nature and she never had the intention of killing Marth, but she couldn't deny some of her resentment spilling into the fight. But what scared her the most was at the night of Emmeryn's attempted murder– the shocked and pained eyes as her own hands wrapped around the neck of her Little Light with murderous intent.
Suddenly, Rose knelt over and emptied her stomach all over the grass.
"Mother!" her three children cried at once.
They quickly rushed to her aid, unhindered by any sort of doubt or fear. They did not question how she recognized them or anything else, only that their mother was in pain. Yet Rose flinched at Lucina's touch, making the girl falter. She turned her head and saw the hurt in her eyes, wearing away at the tactician's already fragile down heart.
"Little Light…" she whispered, gently taking her hand into hers. "You…what…you're here, but you're supposed to be in the other world… I… I hurt you..."
Lucina reached to her neck with her fingertips, remembering the moment that happened so long ago but felt as if it happened yesterday. "I'm so confused, mother… You recognize me and our siblings but you didn't before? A–And you look so young…too young to be the from our future, but I can't think of anything other reason for you to recognize us..."
"Lucina, I..." What could she say? Anything she could do to explain it would only end up making them turn against her, like the other Lucina did. What would they do once they realize that their mother was once Grima's vessel? That she was now the Fell Dragon? That she carried the power of the very monster that destroyed their lives? That the cursed bloodline flowed in their veins?
"What is the meaning of all this?" Chrom demanded, his patience almost at an end. "First, she called you mother. And not too long ago she called me father. I know she came from the future and she's given us proof; but now...you knew this the whole time?" he frowned. But his eyes widened in shock at the implication between himself and the mercenary named "Rose".
The small coherent part of her mind that was in control and hadn't descended into hysterics realized the absolute disaster that began to unfold. Years of planning, acting, and changing everything to avoid the tragedies that she thought would come to fruition were ruined by a passing moment. Whatever plans she had in the future were quickly burned to ashes and the remains soaked in Gangrel's wastes.
Oh, who was she kidding? Her plans went to shit a long time ago and it was only going to get worse.
The fighting had finally stopped, and both the Shepherds and their children had come to the spectacle her life had become. It was almost supernatural how everyone just decided to come there at that moment. The Shepherds themselves flocking around them like sheep. The fluttering of wings made all of them to look up and witness the arrival of the Royal Pegasus Knights with Robin, Emmeryn, Morgana, and Yen'fay in tow.
Sure, why not? Might as well have everyone taking their turns stabbing Robin and her.
"Guys, all enemies have been..." Robin began as he dismounted the pegasus, only to stop as he looked at the strange gathering in front of him. "Marth? Who are all these people? What's going on here?"
"That's what I want to know," Chrom said, looking at all of those present with a frown. "Apparently, they...are my and Rose's children from the future," the prince said, leaving out his own role while eliciting murmurs from the crowd.
"Oh dear…" Rose could hear Tiki whisper as she made her way to her. "Are you okay?"
Okay? What a joke. She was the furthest from okay as she could possibly be.
"I believe..." Morgana said, coming to her daughter's side. "That explanations are in order now that all the players are here."
"Indeed. It is time to shed some light on this mystery."
A warm and inviting light surrounded them like a dome, isolating them from the rest of the world. As if a gift bestowed upon their hard work against the Risen, they were revitalized and healed of their injuries. Before them, the Divine Dragon Naga, manifested in all her splendor. Her ethereal form shined like daylight and glimmered like a bright, starry sky, unlike with the gloomy and, cloudy one they had that night.
"Naga!" came the shouts of many, with the more pious kneeling before their goddess.
Fantastic. Was Grima coming next too? Should she take her shirt off so Falchion doesn't stain it?
"Greetings, warriors," Naga said, her voice vibrating through their bodies. She then turned her gaze to Rose and Tiki, her expression softening in pity. "My apologies for not arriving sooner, but I needed to ensure that this conversation would not be spied on. Tis good to see you well, Lady Rose. You as well, daughter."
There was abject silence. Then a reverberating yell.
"WHAT?!" They yelled as they looked at Robin– specifically Chrom, Gaius, and Vaike.
"DAUGHTER!?" As everyone else looked at Tiki.
Robin flushed the brightest red he would ever blush while Tiki simply just sighed. She took off her hood and dispelled the glamour, revealing her ears to the world. The simple girl known as Lily Pendragon was no more.
"Greetings, mother. Everyone, allow me to introduce myself properly," the manakete said with a tone of strength as her true nature became visible. If only it were as simple for Rose. "I am Tiki, known by most as the Voice of Naga."
More abject silence.
"I KNEW YOU SMELLED LIKE A MANAKETE!"
"Nowi, please..."
The mercenary could feel the veins in her head throbbing. This was too much for her. Tiki put a hand on her shoulder and spoke with as much compassion and care to her friend. She looked at her and gave the former Queen a comforting yet stern look.
"Rose, it's time to disclose the truth to everyone." She began as she looked at their audience. "I believe those present here are trustworthy. With mother's spell protecting us, we would be free of any interlopers from the outside."
Rose looked at her as if Tiki was the one that had lost her mind. "Are you aware of what you're asking me to do?!" the tactician practically shouted, ignoring those who could hear them. "If we do that, there is no putting the genie back in the bottle!"
"Do you still not trust them? After everything that has happened?" the manakete asked with a frown.
"I did, once, and you know how that went," she countered bitterly.
"They are not them."
"They could easily–"
"Rose," Morgana's voice cut through the air with finality. Everyone looked at her as the woman made her way in between all of those present. "For better or for worse, they deserve an explanation."
"Indeed," Emmeryn added as she approached her with Phila a step behind. "We all have questions about not only your children, but their comrades as well. Not to mention the presence of Naga herself," she added with a bow towards the Divine Dragon. She turned toward Rose again. "You saved my life and earned my trust. You shared a great deal of your knowledge with me but it has always been clear that a lot was left unsaid."
This was a bad idea. A terrible idea. This was it. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. She had no chance of taking things slow explaining everything. Now that her audience was not only her children and their friends, now the Shepherds of the wrong timeline had to be part of this, too. It was an entirely different scenario now that she understood these were the children of her original comrades. That made them her responsibility too.
But once she does so, Rose believed history would repeat itself. That she was sure of. But now…it was strange. She was more accepting of judgment now, as long as it came from her children. If Lucina or the twins asked for her head, then she would give it gladly. Maybe it was because she didn't share that connection with the other Lucina that she held such resentment deep inside.
"My children…go stand with your friends. You will understand in a moment." she said, preparing herself for another execution as her kids reluctantly obeyed. Morgan displayed the most apprehension time but a firm tug from both her brother and Lucina swayed her to comply. The Shepherds of the present stood at one side, while their future children stood at the other. Tiki and Morgana stood by her side, giving her the support she needed.
She hoped Robin forgave her for all of this.
If he survives their judgment of him too.
"As many of you might've figured out, I'm not exactly normal," she joked dryly, to no one's amusement. An empty, poor attempt to lower the tension in the air. "This is due to my past and burden. Some of you are familiar with fragments of it."
"You have mentioned that you were betrayed by your comrades and saved by Naga," Emmeryn said, shocking many, but none more so than the scions of the future. Murmurs spread as the word 'betrayal' started to move through the children.
"Emm, you knew about this?" Chrom asked, hurt clear in his voice.
The Exalt inclined her head to her brother. "My apologies Chrom, but this was shared in confidence."
Giving Emmeryn a strained smile, she continued. "To put it simply, I come from another world. Another timeline," she explained and took some perverse pleasure in their shock. "One where my brother died and I lived, while in this world I was sacrificed as an infant in a Grimleal ritual," their confusion was palpable, so why not make it worse? And with that her tone changed to that of someone she once was.
"Allow me to introduce myself formally. Due to Plegian naming traditions, my birth name is the same as my brother. I am Robin Surana, former tactician of the Shepherds…" she stopped, looking at the Chrom before continuing, "And the disavowed Queen of Ylisse. Wife of Chrom Lowell, Exalt of Ylisse." she added, looking at the shocked faces of the Shepherds. Then with a heavy heart, she let Ignis calmly run free across her skin. "These are my...our children. Lucina, Marc, and Morgan Lowell."
Realizing the attention was now on them, the trio greeted awkwardly as one, "H-Hello..."
Chrom looked like he was about to get a stroke. Not only did he just realized he was married in another time, but he also became the father of three children not much younger than him.
As whispers started to spread, Rose stopped them with her hand. A certain regal aura emanated from Rose that demanded their attention, despite their shock. She looked at her brother, preparing to continue with his part of the story. "I don't mean to impose ourselves into the lives of the Exalt's family more than we already have. That life is not this one. Both Robin and I led very similar lives but…we are still different people of different timelines. Of course, there were small variations between our lives, and yet destiny seems to have ways to make sure certain events happen. The battle at the Ferox's Border Wall, the drinking parties, Anna and her sisters. Nowi and Gregor." She then pointed at the group they had saved. "My children and their friends come from nearly two decades into the future. These young men and women are the children of the Shepherds from my world."
That statement cast a stunning silence over the Shepherds as they looked at their possible descendants. It didn't help that they looked at the children and immediately, as if by magic or instinct, they were able to tell whose children were theirs. They then turned to Naga as if to ask if this was a cruel joke. The deity only nodded to agree with Rose.
"She speaks the truth. It was by the actions of my future counterpart that your successors returned to the past." Few could dare question a demigod.
While Chrom and Lissa didn't look surprised, probably from talking to their children, the reactions she got from the rest were mixed at best.
"They're our kids?" Sully said, wide-eyed in shock as she looked at Kjelle in surprise. Meanwhile, the knight's head retreated a little deeper into her armored shell.
"Time travel? Fascinating," Miriel said as she looked as she analyzed the children and Laurent from a clinical standpoint. Laurent pressed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose and nodded.
"Those hair colors…Cordy, I think those are Severa and Cynthia!" Sumia exclaimed, earning the attention of the parents of said girls. Cynthia blushed and waved while Severa huffed and looked away, only shooting a small peek at her mother.
The children were equally flabbergasted. Not only about their parents that looked almost afraid of them, but also their entire predicament.
"So…we're in the wrong timeline?" Alann muttered, rubbing his face. "This ain't good."
"They are not our parents. Not even their past selves..." Gerome said bitterly, stroking Minerva's scales.
"But they are…in a way, right?" Ke'ri said, looking at her brother for confirmation, but Inigo looked at his sister unsure of what to say.
"I don't know how or why you ended up in this world while I ended up here as planned," Rose admitted before chaos could spread further. "But I believe that the children from this timeline ended up in our past."
And that did little to prevent the chatter between the two parties involved.
"I can sense your confusion, warriors," Naga said, silencing their audience. "Time does not simply flow one way like a river. Possibilities spread, split, and grow into their own worlds like branches on a tree. Some touch, some never do. Some grow long, some… wither and fall."
The allusion clarified the Shepherds' confusion but did little to sway their doubt.
"I can shed light on the root of these events but before we begin– Rose, you must show them your true nature," the demi-goddess said to the female tactician.
"True nature?" Phila asked what everyone was thinking. Rose sighed, doing nothing to alleviate the pressure in her chest. It was over.
"...Then I should just get to the main point," A heavy pressure was felt by those around the former Queen. Rose began to unlock something that she truly hated. It was that power. The power that ruined it all.
"The children are here on a mission: to stop the resurrection of the Fell Dragon, Grima. They were to prevent the deaths and tragedies of every Shepherd here. But despite the Future Naga's guidance, they lacked a lot of information."
Ignis burned fiercely and degenerated into a flame darker than any Flux spell. Tendrils of dark flames enveloped her form. Her eyes shone like blood rubies, sending a wave of shock and fear through the future children, but none more painful to her than the seeing the palpable fear that showed on the faces of her children.
The power displayed was a shadow of its former self. It was not even comparable to the power used to cast Valflame, with Rose only having recovered about half of that strength. Even so, that power was enough to put fear into the Shepherds' souls, and Rose felt disgusted with herself. While she appreciated the tactical advantages of the power and had made great strides with overcoming her fears, there was still a part of her that hated her draconic magic. The former queen felt Naga's magic soothing the fears of those present like a warm blanket.
"This is the fate to befall Robin unless Grima's resurrection is stopped. To become one with the Fell Dragon." She closed her eyes, her next words a whisper easily hear in the deafening silence. "Just like I did."
A fleeting dream quickly turned into a nightmare. That's the only way Lucina could describe her current situation. Her friends had been reunited with their parents, only to learn they were in the wrong timeline. Now her mother, her real mother, told her she was the monster that destroyed their world.
That only meant one thing.
"You're Grima's Vessel?" Lucina asked, not trusting her voice to crack. The energy in the atmosphere was nowhere near as foul as the one Grima displayed, but the power was undeniable. "Did you–" she swallowed, feeling her throat dry as sand. She forced herself to ask the question she dreaded to get an answer for. "Did you kill Father?
Her mother turned those blood red eyes away in shame, unable to meet her daughter's eyes as she answered.
"Your father and I went to battle the Grimleal and stop Validar from resurrecting Grima when you were a young girl." She began as everyone turned to Lucina and Rose,"We thought we had won but Validar completed the ritual and allowed Grima to take over. I was…imprisoned in my own body and became nothing more than a puppet." Everyone could see the look of horror in the princess' face. "Grima made a mockery of your father's legacy and my life as he destroyed everything we vowed to protect,"
Before the princess could even think or react to this revelation, someone needed to say something.
"And that's what's going to happen to me?" Lucina and Rose heard someone ask.
She looked at the man with her mother's name. Her uncle. The tactician of this world. Robin's face was as pale as his hair. A small part of her that could think logically felt pity for the cursed man, but instinct made her grip the hilt of Falchion in preparation for an attack as he approached them.
Robin gulped before leveling a glare to his sister. "That man with my face. He was Grima with my body right? That's what you tried to keep hidden from me?!" he demanded, getting angrier by the second.
"The Hierophant..." Chrom muttered, his eyes wide in realization.
"Know now that Rose is not Grima for she has destroyed him and claimed the raw power for herself. And Robin, you have yet to fall under Grima's influence," Naga said, before continuing in a graver tone. "But words will not sway the doubts I sense in all of you. Rose, will you lend me your power? The truth will be shown to everyone, including you."
"Me?" she asked, confused.
"I learned many things regarding our situation as I watched the timestream. Allow me to show you all."
Reluctantly, Rose nodded and let Ignis merge with Naga's Aether. The Shepherds were shocked that Naga, the Divine Dragon just asked the embodiment of the Fell Dragon to lend her power to her. And for her to comply as if they were companions. The bright blue flames of Divine Dragon and the dark purple ones of the Fell Dragon merged together, a feat possible thanks to the willing cooperation of the two.
The flames flowed outwards like an explosion, enveloping all those present before they could react.
It was like someone made paintings come to life. To Chrom, he thought it was a little self-invasive towards Rose but dared not to voice that opinion. He had too many doubts and hoped that this was to clarify everything.
It started with Rose and Robin's birth. From there, the visions split in two, representing each tactician's past. The natural death of one and the ritual sacrifice of the other. Both branded by the power of their blood– the culmination of centuries of selective breeding. Conversations between Morgana and Validar revealed that he was the father, much to everyone's shock. By their birthright, the tacticians were royalty from their rival country and the prophets of their enemy religion. Then these events seemed to blur and vanish, but the important parts were burned into their minds.
Exalt Augustus' Crusade to kill the vessel of Grima began. The horrors the Ylissean armies against the Plegian populace. Morgana escaping with the surviving child. The Plegians matching the Ylisseans in brutality and murder. The terrible aftermath of Augustus' crusade. Her struggles raising them alone. The tactician leaving home to join the Shepherds. Emmeryn's death through Validar's successful assassination and Chrom's crippling injury that would affect his performance in future battles. A longer and bloodier war with Plegia. Those events happened the same for both, but what shocked everyone was watching Chrom propose to Rose and their subsequent marriage. The birth of the three children during a longer period of peace than the one they enjoyed.
And yet, in the stream showing Robin's life, this world's story, Chrom married another person, for Rose was not meant to exist. He recognized her. Arianne, the florist that helped him with Emmeryn's wedding. She was supposed to be his wife? His queen? But with Emmeryn alive, he didn't know what to think when he saw her give birth to another Lucina, but no other heirs. Not even the twins were born out of this union.
The peace extended for years until Valm invaded. A harsher invasion that nearly trampled over this continent. A bloody campaign ending with the death of Walhart and the warning of the Grimleal's plans.
And then, as they moved to through Plegia to kill Validar. How Chrom and the tactician fought side by side, eventually defeating the king only for everything to go to hell in the eve of their victory. The Shepherds saw how the king's ritual succeeded with Grima taking control of the tactician and subsequently killing Chrom.
"'Killed by his best friend'. That's what they meant..." he heard someone utter.
Grima's wings spreading across the sky as Risen ravaged the land. The children taking their parent's mantle as the world crumbled around them. The Shepherds falling one by one. Other comrades dying for meaningless victories. Rose's children fighting amongst themselves. Lucina thinking most of her comrades perished due to the twins' plan to gather the jewels going awry after they lost contact with the parties. The stress and grief finally getting her and wrongfully blaming her siblings for their deaths. The twins leaving the group after the bitter argument, only for the parties to return a fortnight later with the gemstones. The Awakening ritual failing due to Naga's power waning. Their plan to go to the past, even if it meant leaving the twins behind, as their world was past the point of recovery. Naga using the last of her power to send the twins after their comrades.
That made him frown. It took him a moment, but he realized this was only Rose's future, as Robin's became cloudier as each moment passed. As if sensing his question, Naga's voice answered.
"Grima made sure I could not see into his own past, so my vision on this world's future is limited. But there are some minor parts I could see."
The children from Rose's future survived, but only a handful seemed to remain in Robin's. Was this world's Grima more powerful? The prince dreaded to think of the implication. He saw both groups jump through a portal as Grima cut down the Naga from the future, much to their dismay and horror.
The moment to come would change everyone's understanding of the events.
Rose remembered that moment, though up until this point she hadn't given it much thought.
She could feel the rush of time itself against her skin as she struggled to scream. How her face twisted in horror as Grima smiled menacingly with bloodlust. She felt the heat in her hand as magic gathered for a powerful spell to obliterate the large bubble carrying the scions of the Shepherds, only for her body to freeze as her heart fought back with every ounce of defiance that she could muster in all her years as Grima's vessel. The spell was launched before being completed. The unstable magic didn't succeed in killing its target. The bubble cracked and simply drifted off course.
The woman felt herself being pulled out to see the events like watching a parade from above. She could see how the stream timelines twisted and reacted, compensating for the changes. The other, smaller group of future children took their place. So while the Avatars of Grima ended up in their intended destinations, the future children ended up on opposite pasts.
Rose thought that her defiance killed the other children. That it was the reason why the Lucina that came to her timeline only had a few of her comrades. Now she understood: her attempts to save her daughter succeeded, but at the cost of sending her to another world– the world where the brother she never met lived. She traded her daughter for a Lucina that held nothing but mistrust and loathing to her. A version of her lovely daughter that would end up destroying her life. The tactician to end up betrayed by her comrades and murdered by the man she loved, placing her on this chaotic path.
She had been the instigator of her own demise by doing one good deed.
A mixture of clarity, dread, and sorrow rushed through Lucina's veins as she saw her mother's history. Grima never showed its human vessel to them, always appearing covered in dark flames to instill fear in their souls. Maybe it was a cruel mercy not to destroy their lives while wearing the Queen Tactician's face.
History repeated itself. Grima attempting to possess her mother only to wipe her memory. And yet fate ensured that she join the Shepherds. They could see how the other children followed the original plan they had, only for destiny to lead them to Emmeryn's death, as well as the Valmese invasion and the Resurrection of Grima.
The future Exalt felt pure rage as her opposite, the one native to this timeline if she understood correctly, slowly turned the Shepherds against their mother. Lucina never thought it would be possible to hate one's self so much and yet, horribly, part of her understood every action she took. She too was confused by the past she didn't completely recognize. The princess and her comrades had their doubts about the male tactician that took her mother's place, but now they understood. That was a clarity their counterparts lacked. The mix-up had created confusion, doubts, distrust, and it festered like an infected wound that led to the Shepherds' betraying her mother.
The sight of Rose chained up as her father plunged Falchion in her chest made her scream. Marc and Morgan were at her side, clutching her as their rock, burying their faces in her arms. As the eldest, she returned the gesture. She took hold of her siblings as they watched their mother burn and vanish. Fear returned tenfold as Grima appeared before her, offering her a chance for revenge, but once more her mother showed her true intentions as she defied Grima one last time, destroying them both.
Everyone could feel the heat of Naga's and Grima's flames enveloping the past and future souls of the female tactician. How the tragedy and pain reforged those souls into the single woman they knew as the mercenary named "Rose Sustrai". They saw the same things she saw– the offer the injured Naga and the mysterious voice gave her. Her meticulous movements through the years to fulfill her mission, from saving Donnel's father to giving Chon'sin information to stop the assassination of their rulers. The realization was palpable in the faces of those affected by each repercussion… and yet, doubt, fear and distrust were clear in the face of many.
She looked at her father– no, this Chrom was not her father. She needed to understand that. He was the father of the Lucina that killed her mother. But her mother was the Vessel of their greatest enemy. That wasn't the case either. Her mother is the Fell Dragon as she took the mantle from Grima. Lucina tightened the grip on her siblings. It was not fair. She couldn't find it in herself to hate her mother. Why her mother? Why them? Her mother had done nothing but good and had been blamed for things she couldn't control.
Would this Robin suffer the same fate? He might be of another world, but in a way he was her uncle. From what she had seen he was a good a person as her mother. Tiki and Naga trusted them. They had a better chance than ever before to stop the tragedies to come!
What kind of princess would she be if she turned her back on her family?
But the sound of broken laughter took her out of her thoughts.
Rose could feel the laughter bubbling in her throat and surrendered herself to the hysterics. It was so painfully ironic!
Her laugh startled everyone but she didn't care.
"Rose...?" Tiki asked in concern, but Rose could barely hear her.
"Hahahaha…in the end, it was my fault," she declared with tears in her eyes as Ignis receded back into her soul. "Not only did I fail on fighting Grima off, but I ended up messing up multiple timelines! Ha! Gods, I'm such a failure!"
Her brother was faring no better. Her attempts to spare him had been destroyed in the course of an afternoon.
"That's what awaits me? To become a puppet to the world's destroyer? To kill my comrades or be killed by them?" Robin said, looking at the sky with empty eyes.
Chrom recovered his wits first and moved towards him. "Robin! You can't let yours– Wait!" the prince shouted as Robin ran to the forest.
"Mom…!" Morgan muttered while Marc looked at her with tears in his eyes.
"Mother…?" Lucina asked, not letting go of her siblings. Good. She would protect them from this mess.
Normally she would've gone after Robin herself, but Rose had reached her breaking point herself. "I need… I can't..." with nothing more to say, she cast Relay and vanished, leaving a shocked audience behind.
"Mom, wait!"
"Oh, no, where is she!?"
"Hold on, someone should go after Robin!"
"By the gods, is Grima coming back?!"
"What's all of this?!"
"What should we do about them!?"
"Do we kill–?"
"ENOUGH!" Naga's command thundered like a dragon´s roar. She then pointed to a cliff at the distance. "Rose is sitting on that cliff. Morgana, please tend to Rose. I will speak with her at another time; I must focus on keeping this barrier up."
Morgana nodded and bowed to the deity. "I will do so at once, Lady Naga," she said as she departed, but not before giving a sidelong glance to the blue-haired children.
The Divine Dragon nodded to her and turned to her own daughter. "Tiki, will you look for Robin?"
"Of course," her daughter said and ran in the same direction as the young man went.
Naga then turned her gaze to the present and future warriors, looking at the myriad of expressions running through the crowd. "Calm thyselves, lest you allow yourselves to be blinded by fear. You all witnessed the consequences of acting rashly when you let it consume you. It will destroy you and harm innocents," the Divine Dragon warned them. "Rest, meditate over it, and make your judgment with a clear mind."
"Pardon my insolence, Lady Naga, but I must ask!" Frederick said, kneeling towards the dragon. "How can you trust her? How can we trust them? Isn't she the Fell Dragon? Is Robin it's vessel too? Should we not eliminate the Fellbloods, like Exalt Au–"
"Do not finish that sentence, knight," she said coldly, shocking Frederick into obedience. "I never once gave Augustus my blessing to commit his atrocities to the Plegians." After cowering the knight into silence, she swept her gaze over those present. "Those two carry a heavy burden. Remember their deeds. Rose had no reason to help this world yet did so, saving many lives that should have perished. Robin did not need to help you in your war against the Theocracy– a war most likely to be bloodier than the previous crusade. Shepherds, judge them through their deeds, not from their blood."
After a minute of silence, Chrom stepped forward to address her at last."I believe we need time to process this, milady. My apologies, but it's too much information for us to sort through in one night."
The prince understood, which Naga appreciated.
"Do so, prince, but be aware. Grima waits for no one."
"Oh are you kidding me? This whole thing was a waste of time," Jocasta spoke as the time travelers moved away from the Shepherds. They all needed a moment to process things and emotions were running high. "Not only did Grima reincarnate in the form of Lucina's mom, but we aren't even in our own timeline!"
"I agree. I don't see the point in this. These Shepherds are not even the past versions of our parents," Gerome spat bitterly, agreeing with the Feroxi warrior. "Come here Minerva. Let me check that you are not wounded."
As each her friends began voicing their opinions, Lucina felt how the situation would soon descend into chaos. But a part of her didn't care. A great burden had been dropped on her shoulders. All the answers to questions that plagued her for years coming to light at that moment. And yet she could only focus on her two younger siblings in her arms. Marc had grown and soon will surpass her in height while Morgan was just a little shorter but blossoming into a young woman. She missed them, and the girl only wished they had reunited under better circumstances.
"Guys," Marc said, gaining the attention of everyone after letting go of Lucina. "Let's calm down and analyze the situation. We have a lot of things to deal with, including them," he added, motioning to the older warriors on the other side of the field.
"We need to talk with them!" Cynthia said, jumping to add her suggestions. Others didn't look as convinced however.
"And tell them what, Cynthia? Are you clear of mind at the moment or are you just excited to see your mother?" Nah retorted, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "I understand what you and probably what all of us desire right now, but we need to calm down and think this through like Naga suggested."
Laurent cleared his throat, and gained everyone's attention. At the apologetic look he had, Lucina's defenses immediately went up, just like her siblings. Well justified, as the mage finally addressed the elephant in the room.
"I believe we need to discuss what course of action we must take with regards to your mother, Lucina."
"What are you implying?" Morgan hissed, bristling like a cat.
"Look, Marc, Morgan. I'm glad you guys are okay, but Laurent has a point," Alann said, giving a nod to the mage. "We need to discuss this before we invest ourselves. Your mother is Grima and our enemy."
"H-Hey…that's not fair calling her that," Yarne defended, fidgeting in place once the focus was on him. "You saw that she was possessed by Grima. She didn't do so on her own free will."
"Their ma's got the power of Grima– the power that destroyed our future," Brady pointed out, giving the siblings a sideways glance. "And ya three have it, too."
Inigo stepped in between everyone, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hey, come on, Brady. We're all friends here. Why are you talking like they're the bad ones?"
"Because we just learned that our leaders are Fellblood," retorted Severa, and even she seemed shocked once the words were finally out in the open.
Lucina felt like she had been slapped by those words. At her side, Marc had to restrain Morgan from throttling the girl, while all their friends looked tense. But the fiery redhead had a point. Which another girl also caught.
"Could Grima listen through their blood connection? Maybe all these years, she spied on us through them!" Jocasta said, gripping the hilt of her sword. Her frustration at the situation started to boil.
"Peace, Jocasta! We must not throw baseless accusations at a time like this!" Sun'fey said, stepping in front of her. "Turning against each other shall kill us faster than the Grima here!"
"Could they get possessed too? Are they potential Vessels?" Kjelle said, scowling at the possibility.
"The chances are very minuscule..." Laurent added, albeit reluctantly. "If we recall from the visions, the Grimleal manufactured a vessel that is of pure blood. With the Exalted bloodline coursing within, we can infer that the Grimleal will treat their blood as being corrupted by Naga, therefore our comrades are poor vessels to even be manipulated."
"Hey, you're right! They have Exalted blood, too! Maybe they are fine?" Ke'ri insisted, though there was doubt in her voice.
Things were descending into chaos as each of her friends started voicing their opinions. Each of them arguing with more passion than logic. She needed to intervene this before the situation escalated any further. But as quickly as she planned for the worst, an unexpected quarrel began.
"What do you mean just support her?" Jocasta said furiously as she bumped chests with Yarne. "You weaselly, hairbrained furball, you think we can just let Grima walk around freely?!"
For once, and to the surprise of everyone, Yarne stood his ground. "You saw it yourself, Jo! She wasn't in control! Queen Robin is not evil! I can't ever hurt someone who never did anything bad at all!"
"Didn't do anything bad?! She killed your mom! She killed my mom! She killed everyone's mom!" Jocasta shouted, almost to the verge of tears with her anger. "I don't give a rat's ass if Saint Elimine held that fucking power! That power is evil! And it's our gods damned job to stop it!" But before Lucina could take any action, someone else did so for her.
"I believe that power should not present an issue now that Rose is in control. But before I explain anything else further, I humbly suggest that you all you refrain from fighting each other and discuss this with a calm and clear mind."
Only stunned silence followed once they noticed who it was coming to talk to them. Even Jocasta's fury tempered down significantly.
"By Naga, the Exalt!" One of her friends shouted, but the princess was more focused on her aunt's presence that the identity of the shouter.
"Lady Emmeryn!" Lucina exclaimed, dropping to her knees, quickly followed by her comrades. None of them had met the Exalt, having died before any of them were conceived, and she wasn't sure this was the best time for introductions. But she couldn't just tell her to go away. "I mean– how can we serve you, Your Grace?"
Emmeryn tilted her head and gave Lucina a frown that made her feel like a child. "'Your Grace'? Not Aunt Emmeryn?" she said with a note of disappointment. "Though, I suppose this is to be expected. I was not present by the time of your birth, right?"
Oh, how she wanted to call her that. To meet the woman that impacted her father's ideology so much. One who could bear the weight of her predecessor's sin to heal her country. Lucina could feel Marc tense and Morgan vibrate with mixed emotions. Even Owain could not hide his excitement. She swallowed and cleared her throat, all while fighting the blood rushing to her cheeks. "Ehm, that is correct, milady. Pardon me, but I do not wish to impose any unwanted relationship upon you... I mean, we are not of this world, and–"
"It is no imposition. Certainly not unwanted either." Emmeryn waved her hand motioning them to rise. "Stand. I will not have my family kneel before me," she said, walking closer to her kin while her friends stood back. "Now let me look at you. I heard your names in the memories and from your mother, but I do not believe that is a proper introduction between us."
"Oh. Right." She stood straighter and called in her poise. She needed to give a good impression now that it was clear they would be interacting in the near future. "I am Lucina, the eldest. These are my siblings– Marc, and his younger sister, Morgan."
"Hey! You didn't need to point that I came out maybe a minute later!" Morgan complained, crossing her arms and pouting. Why was she always designated as the "youngest"?
"Please excuse her, she's not housebroken yet," Marc said, glaring at Morgan while slapping the back of her head. "By the way, it was five minutes later. Mom said you were too stubborn to leave!"
Stopping herself from committing fratricide, Lucina gave a shaky smile to the amused Exalt as she introduced the last of her family. "And this is my cousin, O–"
"Oh, our dear, exalted aunt!" her cousin exclaimed as he struck a pose, cutting Lucina off. His theatrics eliciting groans from her friends and a confused tilt of the head from their aunt. "I, Owain Lowell, scion of your fair sister, stand in awe to your presence! The legends of your grace and beauty span far and wide, lasting into our future as a beacon of hope!"
Lucina felt mortified at the lack of tact her immediate family displayed. This was a serious moment! Not only were things delicate but first impressions are everything! For goodness sake, Owain was at the very least being respectful to his mother earlier! In hindsight, she should've known that it wouldn't last. As she was about to scold them and apologize, her aunt's melodious laugh caught her attention.
"You remind me so much of my own siblings," Emmeryn said, offering them all smile as she looked at them with fondness. "Lucina, we share the burden of being the eldest. Do not worry, I understand what is like to have siblings of colorful character."
The princess felt a bond instantly form between them.
"Marc, you look just like Chrom when he was younger and I feel the same youthful air around you," the Exalt said, making the young man blush, before turning to Morgan with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, of all things. "And I can tell you have Lissa's mischievous spark in those eyes of yours, Morgan."
Lucina swore she could hear Morgan squee. She felt dread at the chaos the two pranksters would bring together. She chose not to think about it, madness only lay that way. Like those blasted pitfall traps.
"And you have quite a lot of your mother in you, Owain. She was quite into theatre when she was younger," the Exalt said, humming as she scrutinized the trembling young man. "You have her nose, but I can see our grandfather in you. We have a portrait of him in the castle and your resemblance is uncanny. The only difference is the hair color."
"I... didn't know that..." Owain said meekly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "I– thank you, Aunt Emmeryn."
"At least one you calls me that. Hopefully that is something we can aim to remedy in the future," she said with a smile. It was a simple but graceful smile and it was easy to tell why that smile earned the adoration of the Halidom. "I just hope my own son grows up as strong as you four."
They all murmured their thanks, trying to downplay their efforts. It was clear none of them knew how to react to the existence of this new cousin, but then again, they were the outsiders here.
"But before we acquaint ourselves as a family, I believe we must come to a consensus," Exalt Emmeryn began. "I understand the situation is frightening. Rose just shared everything she knew to all of us," she said as she walked past her nephews and addressing her friends. "I do not claim to know what you lived through. I have only witnessed but a sliver of your hardships, but can you not give their mother and uncle the opportunity to prove themselves?"
"I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but it's not that simple for us," Gerome said, stepping forward to address her with the respect she deserved. "Lucina and the twins might be able to do so because she is their mother, but Robin...Rose, whatever they call her, is the one that killed our parents."
Emmeryn only looked disappointed at the answer. "Are you truly unable to separate Rose from Grima? Has your rage blinded you so much? You saw the same thing as everyone else. Robin and Rose did not wish for this. She is as much a victim as you. She was a prisoner in her own body, watching as it was used to destroy all she held dear. Even her attempts to fight back and save you cost her greatly."
"It's not easy, milady," Kjelle said, bowing to the Exalt. "We've been fighting her for so long and lost too much to simply let it go. We understand, but when we see Queen Rob– Queen Rose, we see the shadow of our world's doom."
"I must admit that her nature as the Fell Dragon is frightening. No one can deny that, nor the suffering that you carry on your shoulders," Emmeryn conceded, placing a hand on the knight's pauldron. "But witnessing what my fate would have been without hers or your interference made me understand that just like you, she wants the best for everyone. Her intentions may have been pragmatic at the start, but she has held her humanity despite all her trials. You felt her emotions. You have seen her actions. Naga herself has offered her support. The only thing holding you back is yourselves."
"Maybe..." Severa muttered and turned to her friend. "I'm sorry Lucina. I still need time to think about this."
The princess gave her a reassuring smile. "I understand," she said, before turning to the Exalt. "Thank you, mil–" Lucina stopped at the look the Exalt was giving her. "...Aunt Emmeryn."
The Exalt smiled at that, pleased. "That is what family is for. Speaking of, I believe your comrades all have families that they need to talk to," she added, looking towards the Shepherds who were talking loudly amongst themselves. "Although it might be tempting to do so now, I suggest you refrain until the morning. It is best that everyone has time to calm down before coming to such a sensitive topic."
Her friends clearly were battling the needed to protest, with some eager enough to run towards their mothers. But Alann quickly spoke.
"They may look like them, but they're not really our parents," Alann said as he shot a glance towards Anna and his father talking. How ironic was it that he was to bring that point up but wanted to talk to his mother the most? "They're not even our parents' past selves. Do we even have the right to introduce ourselves into their lives?"
"These might not be the past selves of your parents, but I do not believe it could ever be as clear as that when is time travel involved." Emmeryn said. "I do not dare speak for your parents but, if it is of any comfort, I believe that they will accept you all the same. This world– this timeline– has the potential to be the best possible outcome for everyone. Do not rob yourselves of the chance of happiness by clinging to fear or hatred."
Her words had a clear impact on the children, who each was mulling over them in their own way.
The Exalt then looked at her niece with a sad smile. "Sadly, time is not something you and your siblings can afford at the moment. I need to speak with my own siblings on how to proceed, but I believe your mother could use your support...before her emotional state worsens."
Lucina stiffened at that. Regardless of everything, she had mixed feelings about facing her mother. She loved her and did her best for everyone. She didn't blame her for thinking she would be like the other Lucina.
But she still carried the power of their sworn enemy.
At the same time, she was her mother and she needed them.
The princess nodded and started walking with her siblings towards the cliff where their mother was.
Far away from camp, Robin stopped running and looked at the brand on his hands. It was shimmering like bright purple scales. The Mark of Grima pulsated with power, marking him as the harbinger of the end times.
He wanted to rage at the injustice of it all. To take a dagger and carve the cursed flesh away. To deny and damn the gods that decided to punish him with this curse. To scream and snarl at everyone that hid this from him.
But he also understood why Rose didn't share this sooner and he hated that part of himself. It was easier to be angry without trying to reason. Whatever destiny had in store for him, his sister had already lived through it and wanted to spare him the same suffering.
He shuddered as he remembered Chrom stabbing his sister through the heart with cold eyes. It felt as if he was the one being stabbed. Would he do the same to him? To her? Will all his friendships end today? Could they trust him with the chance to be possessed? Could he trust them not to stab him in the back at the first wrong step? The lack of trust would destroy the entire army and war effort. Would it be better if his family just disappeared?
"Robin?" a familiar voice called out to him.
"Tiki? What are you doing here?" He said, not turning to look at her. How could he, the vessel of her mother's enemy, even dare talk to her.
"What kind of question is that?" the manakete responded, walking to his side and giving him a concerned look. "Can't a girl worry about her lover when he is in clear distress?"
"Distress… that's a simple way to put it," he said bitterly and could stop himself. "You always knew, right?"
"Yes, I did," she admitted easily, much to his surprise. "Please understand we didn't hide it out of malice, but of concern. If we could, Grima would've been dealt with in silence and no one would have to worry about his rebirth. Everyone would lead a life with mundane concerns, not cataclysmic threats." She looked to the side, before speaking in a softer tone. "We did what we thought was best. We couldn't risk Grima learning anything through your bond."
"I deserved to know, Tiki!" he shouted. Tiki didn't react to that and he felt the sudden flow of anger evaporate. "I…I don't know what I should do. What about the Shepherds? How can I help them? How can they trust me with their safety when I'm already compromised. How can I stop myself from becoming a mere prisoner in my own body?"
"I can't answer that. We've just developed a way to stop him from reading your mind, but that's as far as we've progressed. As for the Shepherds, I can't speak for them. But I believe your bonds will endure this time. They know what's at stake and the consequences of letting their fear guide them."
"I suppose. I will need to talk to them eventually, and clear all my doubts about them." But there was still some dark thoughts that lingered in his mind and he needed answers least they festered like an infected wound. "I need to know…" he started, slowly turning to look at Tiki to gauge her reaction. "Did you start this relationship just to keep an eye on me?"
His head snapped to the side at the force of the sudden slap he received.
"Do you think me so callous as to do such a thing?!" the manakete shouted, incensed and with angry tears starting to form in her eyes. "I will allow such comments just this once due to the circumstances, but do not question the nature of my affection again."
"...Sorry, I should know better," he apologized, feeling like a dog with his tail between his legs. Gods, he was an idiot.
"That you do," she replied with a huff. Her expression softened and took his hand as she sat down with him. "Robin. When we first met, it was because Rose pushed me to. I talked to you because I wanted to see what kind of person you were. And you've earned my heart once you showed me the kind of man you are. You're caring, smart, funny, and most importantly, a trustworthy and loyal friend. I trust you and I know you will never ever betray us for anything or anyone."
"You're too good to me," he said bashfully looking away, before his voice turned serious. "But are you sure you want to continue with… this?"
Tiki narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips at the question. "What do you mean?"
"You're the Voice of Naga and I'm the Vessel of Grima. Others won't be so accepting our relationship," he warned. "Are you willing to go through with the hardships our union will bring you? I'm already a burden and–"
The manakete stopped him by placing a finger in his lips and giving him a determined expression. "What others think of us is of no concern of mine. I may be a symbol of divinity but despite my longevity, life is too fleeting for me to worry about such things. We could die at any moment, filled with regret."
"But–"
"I've always been aware of the complications this relationship will face, and it's my confidence in our success that gives me strength." She cupped his face and smiled. "You're not alone. Your sister has fought to prevent the same fate for you, and I believe that will be rewarded by your friends. Our mothers will assist in their own ways. And don't forget that I'm here too. Always."
The words seemed to do the trick as he felt himself smile at last.
"I love you," Robin said closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against hers.
Tiki smiled and whispered before kissing him, "I love you too."
A rock flew through the air and fell into the canopy below with a dull thud. Rose picked another rock and threw it with no particular care, staring emptily into the distance. Emotionally drained, she just sat there, hugging her knees, while repeating the monotonous motions. She cried and laughed for a while, not helped by the memories brought forth by the Naga's spell. At this point, she had nothing left in her.
"You won't hit any Risen down there."
She didn't react to her mother's barb.
Morgana sighed and sat next to her, keeping the silence for a minute before she continued, "That went well, don't you think?"
"Peachy," she spat. "I just found out that I ruined two-going-on-three timelines, started the chain of events that lead to my death. And then I attacked my daughter. Twice."
Her mother shook her head, rubbing her back with soothing motions. "You couldn't have known."
"Doesn't make me feel better. Should've looked deeper into the situation," Rose said, grumbling.
"And what would you look for?" Morgana retorted. "This whole situation is too bizarre to guess logically."
"Dunno," she admitted with a shrug. "Are they calling for our heads yet? Do they want to line me and Robin to stab us at once? Two Falchions should do the trick. You should get away while you can."
The older woman scoffed and slapped her arm. "Stop being so dramatic and have some faith."
"Mom, I had faith once and look where that got me," Rose retorted bitterly, as she felt where Falchion burned her chest. "Why couldn't I be more like you? You wouldn't have messed things up."
"You talk like I'm perfect." Morgana scoffed at the compliment.
"Mom, you pushed a crusade to a stalemate, escaped with a baby and Plegia's regalia while evading the Grimleal's top assassins. You delayed Grima's resurrection, raising Robin and me alone, managing a successful farm, and you're still one of the most formidable fighters around–"
Morgana stopping her tirade with a wave of her hand. "Let me prove you wrong again, child: I had an entire army at my back, with plenty of tactical, geographical, and logistical advantages for that war. Ylisse had no idea how to fight in the desert and their supply lines were thin." She stood up to stretch. "I also had the support of the people defending their homeland from a zealot. Don't underestimate the lengths people will go to protect their home."
That she could understand. She saw it first hand during the siege of Ylisstol. Her mother didn't stop there, making sure to give her a look that made her feel five years old again.
"The farm? I was royalty, Rose. I knew nothing about farming when I arrived at the town. I barely knew how to cook and wash my clothes. Just a woman with a baby, some gold, a sword, and the clothes on her back. You might not remember this from your world, but I had to scrape by for years, going hungry some days before things started looking up. I even considered selling Mystletainn just to get us food!" Morgana exclaimed, losing her cool for a moment before calming herself. "I had to raid bandit camps to get the most basic items and I failed many times, getting innocents hurt."
True enough. She herself understood what getting others hurt meant. Much better than most.
"Escaping the Grimleal was not easy, girl," Morgana continued, looking at the sky with a faraway gaze. "I had to kill plenty of assassins through the years to cover our tracks and more than once things ended up in a close call. That's why I had to keep my skills sharp. And according to your memories, they did eventually kill me."
Rose winced at that. It was true. Her mother would be dead in this timeline had she not intervened.
Morgana's expression softened as she ran a hand through her daughter's hair. "I'm not perfect, Rose. No one is. We all make mistakes. Maybe you've made more than most. I know I have. What matters is that you learned from them and you're now using that knowledge to help and save others."
"I tried," Rose insisted. "I made many plans and now everything's come crashing down. It's like we're destined to go down the same path as in my world."
"That fact that the Exalt Emmeryn is alive and has an heir says otherwise," she retorted. "You're assuming the worst. At least hear them out. I doubt Naga would've intervened had she not intended for us to survive this. Have some faith once more."
"Faith..." Rose muttered. She lost that at her resurrection and only started to regain it in the past few years. It was hard to reconcile herself with the concept given her situation.
"Come," Morgana said, standing up and offering her hand. "We need to find your brother and talk to the Ylissean royals. The sooner we get this over with, the better."
"I… Before we do that, I must speak with them."
Sitting on a boulder at the edge of camp, Yen'fay looked at Amatsu, tracing the edges with his thumb. His father had trusted him with the regalia as a symbol of his status. He was the crown prince of Chon'sin, meant to embody the best traits of his people. A man that would lead his people through example and respect.
And yet, he sold his country to a madman.
Technically, a parallel version of him did so, but he still felt wholly responsible. He certainly did not expect such revelations when he arrived at this continent. Yen'fay owed that woman for saving his family and his honor, regardless of her power or bloodline.
Having witnessed how his sister ran through the docks, escaping her former soldiers as they hunted her at his command. If he put himself in that situation, where he was being blackmailed to serve Walhart for her protection, those men were probably tasked on taking her alive back to him. That would've removed the source of blackmail and he could've worked on deposing the madman.
It didn't stop him from feeling any less like filth for making Say'ri suffer like that.
Could he sell the entire war for his sister? Yes. In a heartbeat. And didn't he felt like scum for that, but he did not regret his answer.
As if the gods were mocking him, Say'ri arrived at that moment, looking at him with a frown.
"What do you make of this, brother?"
Putting the sword away, the prince stood up. "I do not know, sister. This is quite the vexing situation we found ourselves in. But it seems we owe one Fell Dragon for saving us from the plots of another."
She nodded at that, bewilderment mixed with relief. "Fie, what an unbelievable situation we find ourselves in, but our lord father and lady mother still live thanks to her intervention." Her expression grew darker as she spat, "And we gutted that worm Excellus."
"And you are not a fugitive from your own people," he added softly.
"Yen'fay..." she said, pain laced in her voice.
"Sister, do you believe we can trust the tacticians?" he asked, changing the topic while cursing himself for his weakness. "The war is far from over and now we all know the true scale of what we face."
Thankfully, his sister granted him the reprieve. "If Milady Tiki and Naga trust them, so can we."
"Some might think it prudent to kill them now," the prince said looking at Say'ri to see her reaction.
"If we killed everyone we thought a threat, then every person with hands would be executed," she said with conviction. "Should we kill the leaders of the armies that followed you in those futures? Or the dynasts that turned on me? Their present selves have not taken such actions. Until proven otherwise, we must act accordingly and honor our debt to the tacticians. I shan't kill a man for something he has no control of, regardless of the threat. Not when we have other options."
Yen'fay felt pride swell in his chest and smiled at his sister. At least he knew that in that world where she survived, Say'ri would make a great and honorable queen. "Well said, sister," he praised her. After a moment, he added something he felt needed to be said. "I apologize."
Say'ri looked at him, frowning in confusion. "Whatever for?"
"For failing you. Or the other Say'ris," he clarified. "I understand why my other selves chose such dishonorable paths. I know they can't apologize to their sisters for their failure, but I hope this gives them a measure of peace."
"Yen'fay! You haven't failed me," Say'ri reassured him, taking his hand into her own. "If they are anything like me, verily they have forgiven their Yen'fays. Now we shall fight for a future where we don't have to worry about matters as trivial as this."
"A future… Yes. I believe it's time for me to find myself a betrothed. Father has insisted now that the war is getting worse," he agreed, before his smile turned frigid. "Speaking of which... Have you see that boy over there? The one with our people's features?"
He could feel Say'ri tense at his side. By Naga, he could hear her sweat. "...Yes?"
"He looks like us. You' were the only survivor of our family… and he has blue hair and carries the same blade as that sellsword," the crown prince said, pointing out all the evidence in only to stress his point.
"Ah… A-about that..."
Despite being accustomed to her antics, Rose always found a way to surprise Phila. She was always odd and mysterious, and she knew she was hiding something from them. The Wing Commander understood and accepted that. She had proven herself trustworthy and even saved the Exalt.
Phila would've never guessed the entire mess that was Rose Sustrai.
Or maybe she should call her Robin Surana? No, too confusing. Her brother already wore that name, and wasn't that another kick to the head? Phila couldn't even begin to guess how things would've turned out had Naga herself not shown up to clarify everything,
And somehow, a deity showing up was the least bizarre thing about the past half hour.
She looked around and took stock of her troops. Cordelia and Sumia were anxious, talking with their husbands while throwing looks are their supposed daughters. No surprise there. The problem was the rest of her troops. Both Cordelia's squadron and her own were talking amongst themselves about a single topic – their deaths.
Phila grimaced and had to stop herself from rubbing the phantom wounds where arrows once were fated to end her life. It was one thing to know you will die in the line of duty. Every soldier knew there was a large possibility that every fight would be the last.
It was another to witness your own death.
Twice.
She frowned as she thought about her fellow retainer. Despite all the troubles she went through, Rose still helped them. Sure, her main motivation was saving her brother and stopping Grima, but she still went out of her way to improve their situation. Not only to Emmeryn, but for the thousands more kept breathing because of her actions.
Her friends. Her family. Herself.
At the very least, she will grant them the opportunity to explain themselves. Rose saved Emmeryn, and Robin guided their army to victory. They earned the right to make their case. In the meantime, Phila had to make sure her troops were fine and didn't go around telling the whole army of what just happened. It was a division they could not afford.
The walk away from their friends did little to calm Morgan. Not only was she struggling with her emotions at reuniting with her mother and sister but had to hold herself back from attacking her friends. She knew that to lash out would only making things worse, but she was so angry at how they talked about her family. Like they were some monsters! Why couldn't they see her mom had no willing part on the wholes mess?
And her dream of meeting their father went down in flames. Well, she wasn't sure what to think. Knowing all that her mother went through for saving them, Gods, it was either this situation or Lucina and the others getting killed by Grima if their mother didn't overpower that damned lizard. Her brother and herself were only able to arrive here by tracking Lucina. Had they been killed by that attack– she didn't want to think what would've happened to them in the timestream.
The siblings made their way into a clearing near the edge of the forest when they were stopped by a woman in a cloak and boiled leather armor. She looked remarkably like their mother and was giving them an appraising look with pursed lips.
"Let me see if I have your names right. The eldest is Lucina, the boy is Marc and the younger girl is Morgan. Am I right?" she asked, catching them by surprise. At least she's not being hostile to them.
"Oh, come on! One minute–"
"FIVE–"
Luckily, Lucina was always quick to react to such situations and covered the twins' mouths.
"Ah, y-yes ma'am. But I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage, Miss…?"
"Ah of course, silly," the woman said, before giving them a small curtsy. "Morgana Sustrai. Your grandmother," she added giving them a smile so like their mother's. "And your namesake, little one," she added with wink at Morgan.
"G-G-Grandmother?!" the three siblings shouted as one. That was something they hadn't taken into account with all that had been going on. Looking at her closely, the reason for the resemblance was now clear to them.
"I suppose that wasn't shown in your memories," their grandmother muttered in way that Morgan found familiar. "But yes. I'm the mother of Robin, the male one. But I consider Rose as my own daughter despite the whole parallel world mess that's going on," she added, shrugging. "Honestly, with all that's on our plate, this should be the least surprising."
Their grandmother stood before them. Sure, not the same timeline and all that, but Morgan didn't care. Her family was growing. Her mind filled with questions. She never had a grandmother before! This was great! Wait, did that mean that Validar was her grandfather?!
Ew. Nope. She wasn't related to that monster. Ever.
But before she could so much as utter a word, Morgana's smile dropped a little. "As much as I want to keep you to myself and squeeze each one of you for your stories, I think there is someone else that needs to speak with all of you first," she said, nodding her head to the tree line.
Rose stood awkwardly in front of them, looking at them with longing and fear. Why was she acting like that? They would all be happy to be reunited, past–ehm, future?– be damned!
"Mother..."
"Mom..."
"Mama…"
The three siblings spoke as one, each of their voices filled with emotion as they slowly made their way to their mother. The distance felt eternal. They had been embracing a short while before, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Mother also moved closer, albeit more timidly than one would expect of a queen and war veteran. She looked so vulnerable to Morgan. It was wrong. Mother had always been strong. She saw it! She fought Grima and armies! She was a super-mom! She shouldn't look like this.
"I..." their Mother stopped, taking a deep breath, seemingly to rally herself. "I'm so sorry. For your future, your father– everything. As a queen, a mother, and a person. I said as much earlier and I aim to right this at any cost to myself. I owe you all that much."
Her twin voiced their protests. "Mother, that's–"
"Marc, please. Let me do this," she pleaded. Her brother hesitated but relented at their mother's pleading tone.
Her mother unbuckled her sword and threw it at their feet. "That sword's name is Thorn," she explained and chuckled. "I know. Rose. Thorn. I'm not very creative with names," she joked before taking a more serious tone. "It was forged by Naga by using a fang from our Grima and tempering it in the flames of Aether and Ignis."
"Mother…why are you giving us this?" her brother asked, looking between the sword and their mother with apprehension.
"It can kill Grima. Or at least, me, permanently," Mother said much to their shock. "Using Falchion will only seal the power of the Fell Dragon. In my case, regular death should do the same. I'm not sure what will happen to the magic," she reluctantly admitted. "It could go to one of you, since you carry my blood and belong to the same timeline. Or maybe it will disperse… Naga said that power like that can't be destroyed but I'm not so sure. All I can be sure off is that it will not go to the Grima of this world. He has no claim to it, so to speak."
"You haven't answered the question," Lucina said warily, and Morgan was thankful no one made a move towards the sword.
The broken look in her mother face made Morgan feel like her bones had suddenly turned into ice. "I failed you and put you and your friends through so much. My life is yours if you so desired. It was and will always be, my loves. I made your lives hell and–"
"NO!" someone shouted, making everyone freeze, and it took a moment for Morgan to realize it was her.
Mother took a step towards her, trying to placate her emotions to no avail. "Morgan, please listen. I–"
"NO! NO! NO! Not after we just got you back!" she shouted, stomping her foot like a child but she didn't care. "I know everyone is angry and confused, but it wasn't your fault!" the word just tumbled out of her, driven by the boiling pot of emotions her mind had turned into.
"Morgan… I failed you time and time again. If anyone deserves to judge me is–umph!" Rose's protests were challenged once Morgan tackled her into a hug, dropping both to the ground as she refused to let her go.
"I can't do it mom! I won't do it!" she insisted, not listening to anyone's words. She had to convince her to stay. "I– You're angry at that other Lucina right!? I can't get to her, but I can beat up our Lucina!" she said with a shaking grin.
Her sister sputtered at that. "H–Hey!"
"Okay fine! Then at the other Chrom! Well, I don't think I can attack this Chrom, but I can beat up Marc for sure! That's close enough!"
"Hey!" Marc protested with a scowl.
"Ahg! Okay! I'll bully Yarne for you, then! That always makes me feel better! A–And you can't die because our new uncle and grandma need your help and I–!"
Morgan stopped her mad rambling when she heard her mother laughing softly, though tears still ran down her cheeks.
"You were always the spirited one, Morgan. I can only remember how you crawled your way out of your crib and escaped to wander the castle," her mother said, running a hand through her daughter's hair with motherly affection. "I wish I had been there when you grew up into such a beautiful young woman."
Morgan blushed at her praise. Thanks to her attitude, no one had ever called her beautiful. Except for Inigo. But he's a philanderer so that's not unusual. It might just be a parent's talk but it still warmed her heart. "Just…Just don't leave us again, please…" she sniffled. She shouldn't be crying. She was a big girl now.
"I'm sorry..."
"Just promise to stay with us."
She felt her mother's hand caressing her hair with soothing motions. "As I said, my life is yours, my children. It always has been. If this is what you want, how can I deny you?"
"Good, just don't forget it," she mumbled before regaining her usual vigor and shouting at her siblings. "Marc! Lucy! Get your butts over here! Family hug!"
Her mother chuckled and looked at the two, opening her arm to give them space. "Come, my little prince. You too, Little Light."
Thorn lay forgotten on the ground as the siblings filled their mother's open embrace.
"It will be alright, mother. We're all together now and no one will tear us apart," Lucina said with the same determination that saw them through their darkest times.
"I will do my best to ensure that, my loves. And you're right, Morgan. Your uncle and grandmother still need my– our help," Rose said, before giving a weary sigh. "And to do that I need to talk to the Royal family and convince the Shepherds that we can be trusted."
The trio understood the gravity of the situation, with Marc saying, "We understand, Mother. Is there anything we can to do to help?"
Rose pondered this for a moment and shook her head. "Not with them. But maybe you can ensure your friends are willing to give me a chance?"
Lucina pursed her lips and gave her an uncertain look. "We can try. They...are having their own doubts about us too," she said with a dejected tone.
"Because of how I'm your mother, right?" their mother in a tired voice. "I'm sorry. It seems I only made things harder for you."
"It's not your fault mother," Morgan insisted. "None of us asked for this burden. The best we can do is to overcome these challenges. Together." Despite the emotional uphill of the day, a small part of Morgan wondered when did she become this sappy.
The former queen looked at them with pride. "You all have more strength than I could ever muster. You three would make fine Exalts. I don't believe there is nothing you won't be able to accomplish together."
"Eh," Morgan said with a shrug and wave of her hand. "I say we leave the leader role to Lucy. She is the one that can stand all that boring, political stuff," she added in a lighter tone.
The elder princess rolled her eyes. "Of course you would. Otherwise you would start a war with half the world in an afternoon."
They continued to trade barbs for a while longer, content in the peaceful atmosphere. She missed her sister and was glad they were back together. There were still things to fix between them that couldn't be fixed with a hug, but it was a good start.
Mother finally stood and motioned for them to follow. "Well then, let's go back. I need to find my brother and see if we can talk our way out of this."
Chrom took a deep breath, feeling the icy air in his lungs warm up with his body heat. The night's chill was nothing compared to the cold he still felt from all the events of the day. At his side, his sisters stood waiting for Rose and Robin to arrive. The others insisted that the tacticians were disarmed and that he took guards with him, but if he wanted to ensure a peaceful resolution then trust would need to be shown both ways.
Watching the three walk towards them, it was impossible to tell that this family was not only the Plegian Royal Family, but the bloodline of the Fell Dragon itself. The blue-haired children walking behind them carried both the Exalted and Fellblood lineage in them, though they looked like they had inherited their looks mostly from his side of the family.
His children with Rose.
The prince winced at the thought. That was something he wasn't looking forward to talking about but was needed to be handled all the same.
The twin crossed the distance in a too short of a time in Chrom's opinion, stopping in front of the Ylissean family as both sides looked at one another. Rose's children looked at him warily and he couldn't fault them. Having witnessed how his other self reacted, he was an unknown to them.
"So, what's our sentence?" Rose said, breaking the silence. Emmeryn raised an elegant eyebrow in response to the pessimistic tone.
"You speak as if we decided to execute you." The Exalt stated. The time traveler shrugged while her brother didn't look any less tense.
"Wouldn't be the first time an Exalt executes me." Chrom cringed at that. He couldn't help but feel like the actions of the other Chrom were his responsibility.
"Look," he started in a placating manner, "We've discussed this between us and we're not going to take such drastic measures."
"And indeed we shall not. To judge you through your blood and not through your actions does not represent the values of the Halidom that so many lives have sacrificed for," Emmeryn stated with steel in her voice. She then looked at Rose. "Your intentions may have been selfish at the start, but I cannot blame you for your distrust of us or your concern for your family."
"You know, we might've seen your memories, but you lived through that," Lissa chimed in. "I know you and I aren't as close as you and Emm, but I trust you, Rose." The younger princess then turned to the Shepherds' Grandmaster. "And Robin...we all saw how you reacted. You clearly didn't know about this. Plus, I like you both a lot! I don't want to lose my best prank buddies, you know."
Robin nodded warily, and Rose just turned her gaze to the side. "I would've preferred he never knew about this and just lived a peaceful life," she admitted with a resigned sigh. "But as long as Grima lives, that wasn't a possibility. It was a naïve hope. I even thought about taking him in once he lost his memory but I figured it would be better for everyone if he was your tactician during the war while you offered the protection and life he needed."
"So, you were watching over me for that long?" Robin asked his sister, and Chrom could see from the tactician's expression that there was still some lingering resentment for keeping the truth from him. Something that would need to be worked on amongst them.
"I arrived two years before you lost your memories," Rose admitted. "I built contacts and kept watch over you and mother while I gathered information and improved the situation where I could without making it obvious to Grima that there was another tactician around. Devola and Popola were pretty helpful with that, despite my… personality in those times. They informed me of possible spies and issued false information about my origins to keep the Grimleal confused."
Chrom took that moment. "Many of the things you've done for us have been done out of care. You might not realize it, but it's true. You didn't have to do many of the things you did to earn our trust, but you did."
She looked at him through narrow eye, her expression pinched. "...And what about the Shepherds? There are those that had strong opinions of my brother and I before the war. I fear what progress we made with them has become undone."
He winced slightly at that. It was not an unfounded fear with those like Frederick or Sully. "It will be a challenge," he admitted, "but one we can overcome. Tempers are volatile right now, with all the revelations tonight. I can't speak for all of them, but I believe having Naga take your side will help things along."
"I see..." she said, clearly not satisfied with the answer.
"For what is worth, you have the support of House Lowell," Emmeryn declared. It was no small gesture for the crown to offer their support to someone.
"Yup! With Naga and our support, I bet we'll have little trouble convincing the others!" Lissa declared with pure optimism.
"I doubt it will be that simple..." Rose started before smiling at them. "But thank you."
Robin stepped forward and looked at the three Ylissean siblings. "I'm still coming to terms with the motives of my birth. I don't know if our future will repeat like that of my sister's, but I am my own person. In my time of need, you offered a hand and a place to belong. You could've easily just offered me some coin and sent me on my way, but you gave me a chance at life. For that, I will be forever in your debt. To the three of you," he said, bending the knee to the three. "Any bow you ask of me, I shall swear it on my life."
Emmeryn stepped forward and took Robin's hand in her own, kneeling in front of him. "Whatever debt you feel you owe us has been paid. If you have any doubt on that, just think on my son. Jon would not be part of this world had it not been for you two," she said, raising her hand to silence his protest. "Yes. Both of you. Your role was no less crucial than that of your sister. You both cover each other's weaknesses. We will need both of you in the battles to come."
"Battles that we will fight at your side," Chrom said, stepping forward and placing a hand on his friend shoulder.
"Yeah!" Lissa added cheerfully. "We'll make sure that our future is a bright one!"
The Plegian siblings looked at them and nodded as one, content with the agreement. Still, there was something else that needed to be discussed between two of those present.
"Rose, could I speak with you in private?" Chrom asked and he could see Rose tense and Robin inching closer to her. If there was ever any doubt about their protectiveness of one another, it was erased at that moment. "Look. We need to discuss…" His eyes flickered towards the blue-haired scions and gulped. "Us and them."
"Chrom–" Robin began before Rose stopped him.
"No, he's right. Might as well clarify that now. Over there?" she offered, pointing to the side.
Chrom nodded and walked with her to a secluded spot, leaving their respective siblings behind. They were still visible range of everyone but out of earshot. He could feel everyone's' eyes still on them, but that was no surprise.
"So..." Rose started, breaking the silence and crossing her arms as she looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"There is much we need to talk about, you and I," the prince started before the word became a challenge to say. "About…our children? I mean, are we married–?"
"You and I aren't, and will never be, married," she said with brutal finality, and he couldn't help but feel like his pride took a hit. "I married one Chrom. Loved another and got killed by him. I don't fancy my chances a third time."
"I wasn't trying to imply anything. And I can't blame you for having that stance but let me say this." He needed to get this out in the open. "I'm not them. I'm neither the Chrom that married you…or the one that killed you. You can trust me, and I hope you can see that."
Chrom saw how the corner of her mouth quirked into a small, sad smile. "I know. I made sure you wouldn't become like them," Rose sighed, looking at the night sky in thought. "When Emmeryn died in my other lives… it changed you. It was something you never recovered from both physically and mentally."
Images flashed before his eyes as both Rose's memories and his own experiences build the picture of a life without his elder sister. "And I thank you for that. Just the idea of losing her and realizing how close it came to pass fills me with dread," Chrom admitted before hesitatingly continuing. "I… I would like to get to know you properly. No secrets. Just… I would like us to be friends. True friends," he said, offering her his hand.
Rose gave him a real, sincere smile and the prince caught a glimpse of that young wide-eyed girl in the memories.
"Friends," she said, shaking his hand. "I will do my best to see you for the man you are, Chrom."
A sense of relief rushed through him. There was still much to work through, but Chrom believed the Shepherds would learn from their counterparts' mistakes. looked at the side of the field where three teenagers were looking at them with hopeful eyes. He didn't want to push his luck with this peace, but he still needed to ask. "And…If it's not a problem, I would like to... to talk to your children and get to know them. I know they are not exactly mine and understand if you rather I didn't but..."
"I won't ever deny them that right…or anything for that matter," Rose said, and he was only partially surprised. "It would mean the world to them to know at least a version of their father. Just… don't give them false hopes, okay?" she pleaded, in a surprisingly small voice.
"I know. You have my word," he promised. It was a delicate topic and the last thing he wanted was to hurt those three. "Though I believe we should talk more in depth about this later."
"Thanks. And I understand. I think they will like to know more about you, regardless of the situation," she added as she looked at her children with fondness. Suddenly, her eyes widened, clearly getting an idea. "Oh… Chrom?"
The prince looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Could I borrow the mess tent for an hour or so?"
"Here you go! Meat stew with potatoes and vegetables. Served with a side dish of fried rice and red beans." Rose said as she placed three steaming bowls in front of her children, all while having the brightest smile she had in years. She had discarded her usual attire and donned a simple shirt and pants with an apron she found in the kitchen. "Learned this back at Valm before your Father and I returned long ago."
Anyone that saw her in the mess tent would never think she was a mercenary, much less the Fell Dragon itself, except maybe for her ripped physique. She was just a mother. And a happy one, at that.
The royal siblings looked at the veritable feast their mother had cooked for them. They paused and stared at the meal before their eyes. Years ago they would never think that they would be able to have this moment again. A scene they associated with the warmest memories of their childhood within Ylisstol Palace's white halls. They were little more than babes but the bright memories always shined in their darkest moments. When their mother took the kitchen all for herself, telling the staff to rest. Back in an innocent past before the world was consumed in Grima's despair. A darkness now controlled by their mother.
"Well? Don't be shy, there's plenty for all of you."
The three siblings eagerly and happy dug in with gusto at their food.
"It'z delishus muhm!" said Morgan though a mouthful of potatoes.
Rose gave her a wry, motherly smile, "I'm glad you like it, honey." Her expression turned mockingly stern, as she spoke in an equally playful tone. "Still, what did I tell you about talking with your mouth full?"
"To swallow first, then talk. It's not polite to your company," the siblings uttered as if reading a script. The royal tutors had done their job.
"Good. I'm glad you remember that," Rose said. "I'll be at the back cleaning up. Your grandmother will be here with the dessert in a few minutes. There are seconds on that table so don't be shy and fill your bellies to your heart's content."
"Will do, mom!" the three children answered, receiving a smile from their mother as she left the tent.
Lucina enjoyed the meal in silence, like she was used to during the dark future, but this silence was different. It was one of peace and content until a small sniffling sound broke relaxing silence. The future Exalt looked up from her plate to see her little sister trying to stop the tears coming out of her eyes, cleaning them up with her oversized sleeve.
"Morgan? Are you ok? You're crying," said Lucina with concern, about to get up when she saw her little sister shake her head.
Marc was at her side in an instant, wrapping her in a hug with his own worried look on his face. "What wrong? Is it too hot?" asked Marc, trying to see what was the source of Morgan's distress. Despite all the annoyances she put him through, he loved her all the same.
Morgan calmed down after a moment. "No…it's just..." she replied through sniffles.
"Just what?" asked her brother with a confused tone.
"It's mom's cooking," Morgan said through her tears, flashing a trembling smile to her siblings. "I never thought we'd get to eat it again."
Marc and Lucina were stunned for a second before they to had smiles on their faces, finally understanding. Those were tears of happiness, which also started to manifest on their own eyes.
"She's mom…not some just a past version that doesn't know of us…I know…I know it's unfair to our friends, and that everyone's angry and confused and it can go bad tomorrow, but I can't help it," Morgan rambled, giving them a trembling smile. "She's our mom. And we got her back."
Looking at their own plates, they couldn't help the tears that escaped their own eyes. Their walls crumbled and the siblings laughed and cried in happiness.
This was the best meal they had in years.
Rose sat in front of the washing bin, looking at her reflection. She couldn't believe how things had worked out. All the guilt and rage inside her were mixed with joy and love. She couldn't even find it in herself to blame the other Lucina any longer. Rose started this entire mess, anyway. But at this point she didn't care. She had her children, her mother, and her brother back. Tomorrow would be a harrowing day and things could still go wrong, but she would bear any punishment if it meant her family's happiness.
"How's Robin?" she asked without looking up, feeling her mother coming to her.
"He's doing better. Tiki is keeping him company," her mother said, sitting on the crate next to her. "I think everyone needs to have some time alone to process everything and we can discuss it in the morning."
"You don't sound worried…"
"I would be lying if I said I don't have my doubts," Morgana conceded. "But I also have hope. They saw what the path of anger and rashness led to in your world. I think they are wise enough not to repeat the mistakes of their counterparts."
Rose said nothing, looking down at her hands.
"They are precious, those kids of yours," Morgana said after a minute and the tactician could hear the smile in her voice. "I'm so glad they are my grandchildren. I think Lucina has my cheeks."
A smile managed to creep on her face at that. "I always wanted you to meet them," she admitted. "I wanted to be as good a mother as you were."
"You are."
"Am I?" she said bitterly. "I fucked everything up… Some tactician I am. They are the only good thing I made in the string of fuck-ups that is my life."
"You saved them," her mother insisted, gently squeezing her hand in comfort. "You need to accept that Grima was simply too powerful for you to overcome in the past. You had no balance and the dragon overpowered you. But when it counted, you saved them and gave this world a chance. Maybe not your original world, but this is your home now.
There was a bit of silence as Rose scrubbed the pots away. Never would she think that she would have a home again. She was cooking for her children again. Her mother was ready to spoil them. They have an uncle that would no doubt pander to them.
"Why don't you go eat dessert with them?" Morgana nudged her away from the pots with a warm smile, shocking her to her core. "I'll take care of cleaning up."
Her face twisted in a myriad of emotions, as she wriggled her hands together like a child. She swallowed and looked at her mother while tears started to pool in her eyes.
"Can I… Is it really okay for me to enjoy a meal with my kids?" she asked, her face twisted by doubt and pain. "I messed up and I've tried to make things right. I… I know can never make up for my failures, but I will never stop trying...But I've earned this much, right?"
The pitiful, broken tone tugged at her mother's heart. Morgana closed her eyes and enveloped her daughter in a warm embrace.
"Oh, Robin..." Morgana called her by her true name, "You have three incredible children. And you have me and your brother. For all that you've all suffered, you still endure. Forget what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy this moment. You deserve this, and so much more."
Whatever walls remained crumbled as Robin Surana, a kind, and gentle woman, wept in her mother's arms.
Around the corner of the tent, the three Ylissean royal siblings listened to Rose crying. It was strange yet heartwarming to see her so human. After everything that happened, they were thankful she retained her humanity.
Chrom moved to talk to her. He wanted to ensure she knew she had their support, but as soon as he took a step, he felt a hand on his shoulder stop him. Looking back, he saw Emmeryn shaking her head.
"Not now," she whispered, and he could see Lissa holding herself back too.
His drive vanished, and he slumped, following his sisters back to their tents.
Tomorrow promised to be an even more arduous day.
AN: So, to clarify some things. Lucina was confused about why Robin was male and her mother went by the name Rose. She never called her mother by her name in her POVs, and she was always confused by the presence of both. That's why she looked at Robin with confusion and distrust. Ever since she fought in Ferox she wondered why there were two Robins, and when Rose confronted her when she tried to talk to her, but Rose interrupted her before she could call her mother.
But at the same time, only Lucina and the twins get one of their parents back. The others can't help but be a bit resentful and realize that these are not even past versions of their parents. That makes things awkward. And Chrom now has children with a woman he is not married, despite happening in another timeline.
Other Shepherds lived and died on both worlds to adjust for the "contamination". Since things went extra bad in Rose's original timeline, that allowed her to make things better in this one.
And since this is Rose's unintentional fault, Janus is angry at her.
And super special thanks to Shipping Rates Apply for his help with this chapter. He did incredible work with beta-ing this chapter.
