-Valm's Camp, Temporary Throne Room-
"You summoned me, Conqueror?" Robin asked, kneeling. Walhart's throne room traveled with him. Robin wouldn't call it vain – not out loud, at any rate- but it was more of a symbol of power. The throne traveled with Walhart, because it was he who gave it power, not the other way around.
"Tactician." Walhart inclined his head from atop his seat. It was the closest that Robin knew he would ever get to a friendly greeting. "Rosanne falls tomorrow. I have no wish for any more delays. The Chon'sin are no longer a problem, and their army is in shambles. We will destroy Parise."
"Those were my instructions."
"Troubling rumors have come to my ears, tactician." Walhart frowned. "It seems you felt it was a good idea to form companies exclusively containing anti-wyvern soldiers. And that you have left Yen'fay's army surrounding the city, rather than allowing it to join me in battle."
So a signed missive to Walhart is now considered a 'troubling rumor'. I suppose this is Walhart's way of saying he doesn't like my battle plans. Robin nodded. "Yes. In mundane combat, we've felt it smartest to incorporate anti-flyer units within the army squads, to discourage harrying from the opponent's flyers. However, Rosanne does not use its wyverns like other armies. They are home to several large wyvern colonies and have a number of elite wyvern academies. They don't use their flyers for scouting and surgical strikes like we do – rather they use them as mobile swarms capable of overrunning entire squadrons. The only thing that can discourage a hundred battle-hardened flyers charging our frontlines are squads consisting of the same number of anti-flyers. I've also kept a few cavalry regiments back to support the squads in case trouble arises. Each one of the attack vectors has at least one dedicated unit, ready to swap-in at will. Hopefully the strategic flexibility will outweigh the loss of the tactical flexibility."
"And Yen'fay's former army? Why are they not on the front lines?"
"With due respect, Conqueror, they are unfit for combat right now." Robin said. "Their leader has killed himself and question are circulating throughout the unit. Morale is at an all-time low. The Chon'sin Dynasts on our side can't be trusted. In addition, there still are at least 20,000 Rosanne troops unaccounted for – and I believe the number may be even higher. If they choose to flank us at Parise, possibly with the dynast's private armies, that city could very well be our doom. I've ordered Yen'fay's army to stand as a rearguard. If they do see combat, it will combat solely dedicated to protecting our armies. Hopefully, that will raise morale. Besides, we have enough soldiers as it is to approach the city from five different spots. More soldiers would just choke the approach."
"I see. Your choices are well reasoned."
"Are you disappointed, Conqueror?" Robin asked. He sounds like it.
"No." Walhart said. "You show more finesse at this game than Excellus. However, you have yet to properly appreciate the force I bring to the battlefield. I do not appreciate being … underutilized."
"I don't understand." Robin stammered. "I … have you leading the charge on the main gate."
"Yes." Walhart smiled. It sent shivers down Robin's spine. "You want a conventional approach, using portable shields and staggered infantry. We aren't going to do that. There is no need when I am there, after all."
"I see." Robin swallowed. "So, what's the plan?"
"I will charge with my elites." Walhart said. "You may bring in the infantry to clean up after me if you desire. Bring ladders." Walhart stepped out. Robin blinked. Then he heard the voice again. "And you're going to watch me! Set yourself by my army."
Robin blinked again. "This can't end well."
-Gates of Rosanne-
"This isn't going to end well." Vermil said.
"Easy, squad." Robin said. He was riding a horse, for once, enjoying the vantage. Argeni was right beside him, a pale hand on her silver staff. The crystal tip at the top glowed, in preparation for its usage. Zulas stood beside her, blue cloak flapping in the faint breeze, holding an anti-cavalry lance in one hand and a razor-sharp one in the other. He wouldn't be fighting with both at the same time but switching off between them to compensate for his weakness. Vermil was behind Robin, on a horse of his own. Surprisingly, he was trained to ride. He lightly tapped the red tome he was holding, a spellbag by his side containing more. Dant was the other member on the ground, holding twin daggers, her brown cloak flapping in the wind. For some odd reason, she'd tied a green band around her head, a rare look of serenity on her face.
"We've never fought a foe like this." Zulas said. "It's all right to be nervous. This is going to be one of the largest sieges in Valm. And we want to take this in a day. This could end poorly. Very poorly."
"This is going to be dangerous." Argeni chewed her lip. "Don't worry, I'll keep you all alive."
"A thousand-meter charge toward the gates." Robin said, summarizing. "Across arrow and magic. Then we scale the walls, take them and open the doors for the army."
"Then we fight street by street." Dant said. "Bloody combat the entire time. Until we reach the palace and take the king's head. There's no combat like siege combat."
"Are you enjoying this, Dant?" Argeni asked.
"Enjoy? No." Dant said. "But this is where I feel at peace. I was trained for this."
"And that's the real reason you follow me." Robin noted.
"One of them." Dant said. "Things aren't idle around you. Give me the order, Robin."
"Not mine to give." Robin said, eyeing the troops around them. "Vermil, can you project an air screen as we charge?"
"Not on horseback!" Vermil said. "Nope."
"Very well." Robin swallowed. "On the Conqueror's signal."
The sun rose slowly as the crimson armies of the Conqueror waited. The defenders of Rosanne favored colors of blue and black, waiting for the inevitable charge that seemed like it would never come. Twice, Robin had to focus to control his breathing. Dawn seemed like the perfect time to attack, but the Conqueror had overruled him, in favor of playing with the Rosannean's minds. The longer they waited, the less time they would have until night fell.
It was almost midmorning when Walhart gave the signal. He didn't howl, nor give a war cry. Instead, he spurred his massive mount into action and charged across the plain on it. A split-second later, his personal honor guard charged with him. A few seconds after that came the rest of the cavalry, followed by massed infantry rushing in.
"Wait." Robin said, holding his hand, and gave a slow count to ten. No sense in joining the crowd. Then he dropped it. "My army, mount up! Mount up now!" Zulas swung himself onto Argeni's mount, as Robin caught a flicker of Argeni's happy expression. Dant did the same behind him, accompanying him. Vermil had no extra rider. His own personal army followed suit, double mounting, or pairing up. "NOW!" Robin lead the charge. Well, his charge.
"Isn't this horrible tactics?" Argeni shouted at Robin as they rode forward. "I thought you didn't lead with cavalry against during a siege!"
"Normally, yes!" Robin said. "But he's Walhart! Look!"
Walhart charged ahead, alone. Arrows fell around him, pelting off his armor like gravel. Magic struck around him, with the Conqueror ignoring it completely. His honor guard received a similar treatment to a lesser degree, with a good number of them ignoring it just as Walhart did. For those that didn't, powerful troubadours rode within the main body of cavalry, bolstering the lead squadron with healing from afar. But men still fell. And with the entirety of the army charging, those that did would not get up later.
Then Walhart drew his axe. The giant red weapon whirled about him as the Conqueror wielded it like a man possessed, deflecting as the rain grew fiercer the closer he got. Robin could only watch in slack-jawed awe as an entire wall of Roseannes couldn't inflict a dent in him. Orders were barked, and suddenly the targets were switched. Now the arrows rained freely among the rest of the charging troops. They'd decided to ignore the impossible and attempt to drop the men around him using the rank and file soldiers.
On top of the wall, space was suddenly cleared. Five bowmen, each wielding a bow as large as themselves, targeted Walhart, alongside three incredibly powerful mages. Robin swallowed as they unleashed their full might at once, as Walhart was less than a hundred meters away from the wall. Lightning, fire, steel, and wood crashed into the Conqueror all at once. The surface erupted in smoke, concealing the Conqueror for view.
Robin had only enough time for his breath to catch when the red axe sailed up the sixty-foot wall, striking one of the mages down. The axe disappeared, and reappeared when a shockwave cut away the smoke, revealing a very unharmed Conqueror on his horse. The ground beneath him was charred beyong recognition.
What is he? Robin's breath caught. That's not a man. That can't be a mortal. He's taken enough damage to kill me thrice over and he made an impossible shot – blind. His axe is magical, and his steed seems just as strong as he is. His entire plan was to draw fire because he cannot be killed. Which devil did he make a deal with?
"I AM INEXORABLE! COME BREAK YOURSELVES ON ME!" Walhart's axe started claiming more victims. By that time, the ladders had reached the walls, and his soldiers had swarmed up it. Robin's squad had reached Walhart a few moments later.
"Tactician!" Walhart said. A broad smile was on his face. "Find this day well?"
"Well enough." Robin said. "How do you plan on getting in?"
"The wall, tactician." Walhart gestured. "Get on it."
"Right." Robin gestured. "Dant, Vermil, you're with me. Argeni, heal any wounded, Zulas protect her." And with that he started climbing.
Unsurprisingly, Dant was faster than him, nimbly scurrying by on the same ladder with a dagger between her teeth. By the time Robin got up, there were three corpses, and Dant was locked in combat with an axe wielder twice her size, unable to get close or to block accurately. Robin nailed him with a quick jolt of focused lightning, before assembling his spear in a rapid series of movements and using it. He dispatched his first opponent surprisingly easy, kicking him off the far side of the wall with just two moves.
"Too easy."
A blast of flame lit up the wall, sending a trio of Rosanne reinforcements back down the stair they came from. Robin turned to see Vermil. He looked around. Valm red vastly outnumbered blue. The attack was going well. He nodded. "Vermil, keep control of the wall. Dant, follow me."
Robin ran across the wall until he was on top of the main gate. He looked down. The gate was bolted shut, with heavy bars across it, and the doors themselves seemed to be controlled by giant winches in guard houses. Walhart's men were fighting their way into them, but they'd have no chance to open them with the bars in place.
"This is going to be difficult." Dant was next to him. "Barred shut. I guess we'll have to wait for the rams to get here."
"Dant, I have an idea." Robin took a few steps back and gauged the distance.
"Good, that's supposed to be your job." Dant blinked as she realized what he intended to do. "Oh, this is going to be reckless."
Robin drew his Luna spear, and jumped. He spun around in a 180 and brought the spear down. Luna's enchanted edge sliced through the heavy bars with ease. Robin gritted his teeth, struggling to keep the spear in place to make all the cuts and to keep himself from panicking. Ten feet from the ground, he threw the spear away, pointed down with his hand and snapped the final charge from his Wilderwinds glove. The cushion bounced into him, slowing his fall, but sending him sprawling.
Robin blearily looked up to see a Rosannean charging at him, only to drop from an arrow shot. He sighed in relief, and propped himself up with his spear, turning around and slicing the final bar off the door. The lance shattered.
"So much for a lance that can cut through anything." Robin sighed. "Well, it cut through most of them."
"That'd just be a contradiction." Dant appeared next to him. Robin had no idea how she had managed that. Maybe she just clambered down with her knives. "Yeah, that Luna looked a little beat-up, though I thought the enchantments on it would last for longer. Magical weapons only have so much charge you know. Well, except for ancestral ones. But those have other limits."
"You seem to know a lot about these."
"Yeah, train under a guy who won't shut up about Ragnell will make you curious. Then annoyed when you find out you can't get one." Dant frowned. "You know what, forget I said that. Anyway, Luna lances are a silvered lance forged with a Luna tome. Somehow. Luna tome happen to be as rare as Blizzard tomes these days, so that's why you don't see 'em that often. Levin sword is Arcthunder and a steel sword."
Robin noticed something and ducked. A sword swing passed over him. "Excuse me," Robin said, blasting him with electricity. "I'm trying to have a conversation. Thank you." Robin raised his voice. "Valmese, to me! Protect us while we gate open." Robin dropped his voice. "Dant, how do we open the gate now?"
"Did you look? You managed to put a decent nick in it." Dant dryly asked. Robin glanced over. His cut had managed to get though the majority of the bar. Dant pulled an axe from the ground, set her feet and gave a powerful thwack. It took four tries from Dant and a few more from Valmese heavy infantry Robin sent her way to do it. At that point, ratcheting sounded from the gate, slowly opening it. Robin breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the crimson Conqueror in full plate before him.
"Well done, tactician." Walhart said. "Now. Let us proceed."
"At my lord's command."
-The Rookery-
"Madam Cherche!" Cherche turned away from scratching Minerva's jaw to see an irate official walking to her. "The walls have fallen."
"Good." Cherche said. "Send messages to the rookeries and the nests. Tell all the riders we have to prepare to saddle up, and to fly out on my signal."
"I don't understand." The official said. "We need reinforcements now. They'll take Parise if we don't repel them here."
"They will take Parise even if we do hold them here." Cherche said. "My liege has told me as such. We can't hold out against the might of Valm."
"Then Duke Virion's battle plans-"
"Yes." Cherche said, sadly. "Those were never to win. He has plans for that, from what I understand, but he knows that victory is impossible. So he settled for the step below that. Parise is a poisoned fruit. The city will fall, but by our choosing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish caring to Minerva."
"Ah." The official swallowed. "And after…?"
"If either of us survive, make your way to Ylisse." Cherche said. "Good luck."
-That Scene From Chapter One-
"Vermil, give me covering fire!" Robin gestured with his weapon. Behind him, the red-robed mage grinned evilly and raised a hand, pointing it at the archers that were drawing their bows at the end of the alley.
"Arcfire!" A jet of flame roared down the alley, swirling around it and igniting everything within. Vermil the mage looked pleased with himself until the smoke cleared. Out of five, two were left standing, bows drawn. The two pointed their bows at the mage. Vermil swallowed.
"Watch it, kid!" A soldier shoved Vermil aside. The mage hit the ground and watched as his ally took the pair of arrows meant for him. One skirted off his blue shield, but the other impaled itself in his left shoulder. The lancer turned and howled his challenge. "Is that all you have!? I'm Zuras, veteran of a hundred wars, and you can't take me!"
A figure darted out from a crack in the wall, dancing between the two remaining archers. One fell to his blade, and the other to lightning. Robin waved his weapon in salute and gestured to the two to catch up. "Yes, but I took them fist, Zul."
Zulas looked at Vermil. "He had you barbecue the hallway just so he could run up it?"
"Eh-heh. I think the plan was just for me to smokescreen it." Vermil chuckled. "Maybe I went a little overkill."
"You're crazy, kid." Zulas shook his head, then started sprinting to catch up to Robin. As he ran, he saw Robin duck and then an axe swing over his head. "Aw, they're using axes…"
The fighter tried to attack again, but fell with a wordless cry. Behind him stood another one of the Crimson Squad. The small woman sheathed her daggers, reflexively standing in Robin's blind spot.
"Heya Dant." Vermil skidded up to them. "Where'd you come from?"
"Around. It pays not to lurk to close when you go all magic-happy." The woman sighed. "Must you go overkill, mage?"
"Hey, as long as they're dead! Right, Robin?"
"Well I suppose better safe than sorry." Robin chuckled. "But a skilled warrior knows not to waste magic, and can tell how much to strike with. Elfire would have sufficed. You've still got to learn that."
"Aww." The mage looked downcast.
"Where to next?" Zulas asked. "This whole area's one crazy war zone. Are we moving to take the castle, or what?"
"You're not going anywhere!" A clip-clop interrupted the group. A troubadour was riding over. "Need I say this, Zulas, but you have an arrow in your shoulder?"
"So I do." Zulas said, noticing it for the first time. "Argeni, I'm fine. I've been shot before."
"No, you are not fine and I don't care how many times you've been shot." Argeni put a gentle hand on the shaft and ripped it from Zulas, ignoring the shout of pain. She put her staff on the wound. "Heal! Next time, don't run off without me, you four!"
"You're on a horse." Dant pointed out.
"Leave her, Dant." Robin said. "I told her to stay back. Her father would have a fit if I got her killed. Sorry, Argeni. We'll go a bit slower next time and we won't leave until you finished patching up Zulas."
"Thank you." Argeni was mollified. "I'm done. Well, what are you waiting for?"
"Right, let's get ready to take the next block and wipe out those rebels. We'll work our way to the castle, but our goal isn't to be the first one there." Robin looked over to the next section. "For Valm!"
"Colonel Robin!"
Robin spun around. A messenger on horse had arrived. "Report? How are we in taking the city?"
"We've taken three-quarters of the city." The messenger said. "The Conqueror himself has stormed the palace. We expect all out surrender, soon."
"Well, there goes the 'reach the castle' goal." Dant said. "Walhart will have killed everyone within it by the time we get there."
"Hmm." Robin thought for a second. "Vermil, how many wyverns have we encountered so far?"
"Zero." Vermil said. A few seconds later, he blinked. "Wait, that's not right."
"There weren't any by the walls, either." Robin said. "Argeni, get off your horse. Now. Zulas, scan the skies. I'm an idiot."
"What's going on?" Argeni swallowed as Zulas helped her down. The messenger moved to do it too.
"Not you!" Robin said. "Go back to the camps. On my authority, I need the anti-wyvern squad on the walls moved to the roof of that building there." Robin gestured. "We'll have the path cleared."
"This area is secure." The messenger frowned. "You took out one of the last groups."
"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it." Robin snapped. "Go!" The messenger fled. Robin nodded and turned to his squad. "All right. See that bell tower?"
"The one overlooking the roof you just moved the anti-wyvern squad to?" Vermil asked. "We're going to attempt something dangerous, aren't we?"
"Something like that." Robin grimaced. "Assuming we all survive."
-The Rookery-
"Walhart has entered the palace." Cherche leapt up on her wyvern. "Send the message. Now's our best chance."
-Rosanne-
Wyverns bloomed over Parise. Warehouses exploded all over the city. Dark shapes dropped off the cathedrals. And, in the rafters above the palace, close to a thousand wyvern riders and lords emerged, axe and blade in hand. The day was now in the late afternoon, with light slowly fading. But not enough to conceal the red of Valm spread across the entirety of the city. And not enough for the Valm soldiers to miss the incoming wyverns swooping down en masse and taking squadrons.
Virion had known that defending the city was impossible. However, the only victory he had in mind was a pyrrhic victory. By allowing the majority of Valm's forces into the city, and then ambushing the soldiers stuck in the city, it would be possible to abuse their high mobility to corner and slaughter the Valm troops, trapped in a city they didn't know. Parise would fall, possibly even burned to the ground in Walhart's fury, but the wounds would be deep. Possibly even unrecoverable.
Cherche herself lead a squadron. "Don't stop until they all fall!" she howled to her teammates. She tapped Minerva with her heels, indicating a dive, and lead them down. "Evade."
The Valm squadron didn't even see them coming, too focused on trying to run away. Cherche swung her axe, slicing through two of them as Minerva roared triumphantly. The soldiers beside her took them as well. Then Minerva went up, taking them back to the safety of the sky. Blood from her axe rained on her as she raised it high.
Cherche wiped a streak of it off her cheek. "Poor you…"
Suddenly, she noticed a gale of wind cut through the squadron ahead of her. Cherche spun, looking around. Two figures were standing on top of a bell tower, blasting wind spells. One had a cloak of red, the other a black greatcoat. Cherche narrowed her eyes. She gestured to another squad to evade as a wind spell ripped through the air around them. She gestured to the squadron.
-Streets-
"Robin, we've got a squadron coming after us." Vermil said. "Looks like they're angry."
"What, did we annoy them?" Robin said. "Can you stop them?"
"I think if we double-cast Rexcaliber we might be able to." Vermil said. "You have one, right?"
"Have one, yes." Robin drew it out. A group of wyverns dived towards them. Robin swallowed. "I'm just not good at casting B-class spells."
"If you don't, we die." Vermil said. "But I think we'll pull this off."
"You're awfully calm." Robin sighed.
"It's my focus. I can't be nervous when I'm casting spells, or I won't put my all into it." Vermil said. "You need inner resolve now! Formulas only help to a point."
Focus. Right. If we can't stop them here, they might go towards the camps. Robin thought. And Ravena's there. I thought it was the safest spot. I can't leave a girl with a dark gift like that alone in my manor. White hot anger burned within him. It's not right! I promised I'd protect her. And I'm not breaking my promises.
Something unlocked deep within Robin. An inner resolve he didn't know he possessed. He felt energy flair up around him as his focus went razor-sharp. "I'm ready, Vermil."
"Oh, sword of the wind. Head my call, for I am worthy to wield your might." Robin and Vermil chanted. Magic flared up around them, wind whistling in their face. They thrust their right hands at the oncoming wyverns. "Become the unending gale that will cleave through my foes! REXCALIBER!"
A massive torrent of wind blew off the pair of mages, slamming into the wyverns. A series of loud cracks echoed as their wings were shattered. Robin had a single moment to watch them before they plummeted, heavy armor and all.
Robin fell, gasping. "Oh, that took the wind out of me."
"How do you feel?" Vermil asked. "Allright?"
"I've cast B-class tomes before." Robin got to his feet. "But I think I've actually got it this time. You were right about that focus helping."
"Yeah. I figured it out because – you know." Vermil sighed. "My diminutive magic power. Anyway, we've got company again." Vermil gestured. Another group was heading towards them.
"No worry." A salvo of arrows and magic intercepted them. Robin caught a flash of pink as the lead rider spiraled away after being hit with an arrow. His eyes narrowed. Her. Vermil looked to see the anti-wyvern unit on the roof next to them. Robin waved. "This area is now wyvern free, or wyvern dead."
"So that's the plan."
"Yup." Robin grinned. "Anyway, we're good. Let's go." He slid down the roof and swung into the window. Vermil followed him. They ran down the stairs, where a bloodied Zulas and Dant were waiting by the entrance. Argeni was focused on healing Zulas.
"Worked?" Zulas asked.
"Yeah." Robin nodded. "The anti-wyvern units are going to spread from this point, using the rooftops as areas to destroy swarms."
"I don't understand." Argeni frowned. "Why is this more effective than integrating the anti-flyers?"
"Follow me." Robin took off at a spring. The rest followed him. Robin explained as they ran. "The Rosanneans are trained to fight anti-fliers, of course. Now, an entire group of them can take out the half-dozen anti-fliers in an army unit, before slaughtering the rest. But a group of entirely anti-wyvern can kill them right back. If we establish them on rooftops, we can create safe sections of the city, and retreat to them."
"You knew they would do that?" Argeni said. "Wow, you really are the greatest tactician."
"Now, I didn't know they would do that." Robin said. "I did know they'd use entirely wyvern-composed companies, but I didn't predict this. This is a work of a tactical mastermind, someone who was willing to sacrifice their entire hand to deal a crushing blow to Valm. Even with the countermeasures we help start, we'll lose ten of thousands to those wyverns. Maybe even more."
"So what are we doing." Argeni said. "Stopping them?"
"Not quite. We aren't large enough in number, and I just hope my orders go around. I'm reasonably confident they will, though." Robin said, darting through an alleyway. "I saw something."
"Saw what?" Zulas asked.
"A pink-haired wyvern rider." Robin said. "She was in that second wave and managed to escape. Her wyvern was wounded, and she couldn't get far. We need to find her."
A roar of a wounded beast interrupted them. Robin stopped and stared up. "There."
-Rooftop-
"Quartz. Or, I should say, Robin Obsidian. I should have expect you to be here." The pink-haired knight was there, tending to her injured wyvern. "Thank you for taking Fort Bastein from us."
"Well met by dying light, Cherche." Robin said to the pink-haired knight.
"You know her, Robin?" Zulas asked. "How?"
"We met, briefly." Robin said. "There's unfinished business between us."
"That's true." Cherche stepped up from tending her wyvern and drew her axe. "Unfinished business."
"Stand back." Robin said. He raised his hand. "That's an order. This is between me and her. In fact, leave this rooftop altogether."
"Robin…" Zulas frowned.
"Calm down, Zulas." Robin gestured with his spear. "At this point, we'll do nothing but exchange blows."
"Aye, sir." Zulas nodded and left, along with the others.
"Just us, alone." Cherche said. "You were supposed to be on our side."
"You were a fool if you believed that." Robin said, bluntly. "You were using me. And I was using you. We merely had a set of goals in common. You wanted to win. And I needed Excellus to lose. Hence the alliance. But that alliance was temporary."
"I see." Rage flared in Cherche's eyes. "Is this all a game to you!? You sacrificed your own ally to gain power! What kind of monster does that?"
"Ask whatever strategist gave you this plan." Robin said. He saw the flicker of uncertainty in Cherche's eyes. "You know him, don't you? He's the same as me – willing to sacrifice to achieve ultimate victory. Those who live in glass houses shouldn't cast stones."
"My liege is nothing like you. He's fighting to protect that which he loves, while you just want power." Cherche spat and drew her weapon. Her rage suddenly turned to a saccharine smile "Now, how do we settle this?"
"I betrayed you." Robin said. "And if anyone finds out that I sold the plans to you, I'll be labeled a traitor. You can't run, and I can't let you live. Therefore, we have no choice but to settle this, here and now."
"So one of us isn't leaving here alive." Cherche said. "I'd think you were honorable, but you can't have your friends finding out about this, can you?" She smiled. "That's the reason, right?"
"Dant already knows. Vermil, well, he's kind of oblivious to tactics as a whole, and doesn't have a clue how I do half the things I do. Argeni, well I think she'd understand if she ever put the pieces together." Robin said. "Zulas – well, he's an idealist. He's lying to himself right now, even though he knows better. If he ever found out – well, that'd mean the death of one of us. So, you are correct. Now, shall we fight?"
"My beloved country is in shambles. My wyvern can't fly. And I'm all alone. I have nothing to lose." Cherche patted her wyvern on the head. "Minerva, save your strength. I don't even your help to kill this bird of ill omen. After all, I have nothing to lose – and everything to gain."
Never leave your opponent no escape. Robin remembered too late. I'll have to make do. He drew his spear. Cherche lunged forward, moving with a speed that belied the fact she fought mounted. Robin barely had time to dive out the way, before coming up in a roll and stabbing. Cherche caught the spear with her axe and deflected it. Then she charged in. Robin got to his feet and leapt backwards. Too late.
Red glistened on Cherche's axe. A thin line of red ran down Robin's forehead. A clean, shallow cut. Cherche smiled. "First blood."
It's not a serious wound. Robin focused. She fights with speed, I guess? And her axe. So, speed and strength. Let's see about landing a blow. Robin lunged forward, twirling his spear around and unleashed a salvo of thrusts, as Zulas had taught him. It was meant to fight sword wielder, but it would work against agile sword wielders.
Cherche took the rain of blows, deflecting off her black armor, then struck back. Robin managed to parry it, sweeping the axe out and spun a quick 180, striking her hard in the chest with the back end of his spear. His blow struck hard and true, sending Cherche backwards, gasping for breath.
Robin finished his spin and went in with a sweep aimed at her unprotected face. Cherche batted it aside with her ungloved hand and resumed her stance. Robin for his part took two steps backwards and caught his breath. Almost worked. But that's not going to happen a second time.
"No magic?" Cherche taunted him. "You can't beat me like this."
I was planning on that anyway. "Thunder!" Robin thrust his left hand forward. Cherche dodged the ball of lightning, but it bought Robin enough time to get a thick tome from his holster. He raised his hand, arcane glyphs appearing around him. "Cage of lightning! Arcthunder!"
A lightning matrix appeared, surrounding the pink-haired knight. Cherche reached into a pouch on her waist and chugged a glass vial of clear liquid. The lightning struck her as she walked through it, but she did nothing more than wince.
"Thirsty?" Robin asked, as he pulled out a vial of his own, downing it. "So am I."
"No, that's pure water. It's…" Cherche frowned. "Wait, was that a joke? And what was that?"
"Yes, I know that's pure water. I just wanted to be on the other end of that for once." Robin thrust with his spear. Cherche blocked, and Robin slammed a lightning-holding hand on her axe and released its power. "And that was a magical tonic."
The roof exploded with force, sending them back. Robin got up first, smelling ozone. Cherche got to her knees, shaky from the electricity overload. Electricity crackled through her body, giving her spasms. She managed to stabilize herself by leaning on her axe, only to see Robin aiming another spell at her.
"Sorry about this." Robin raised his hand up high. Lightning from the sky struck it, forming a nexus around it. Electricity crackled. He pointed it at Cherche, swapping for the strongest lightning tome he carried on him. "But I just learned how to focus enough. No hard feelings?"
"Today is not a good day to die." Cherche managed to get out. She held her axe in shaking fingers. Robin would only have a few moments until the electric shock wore off. "But I wouldn't do any different in your shoes."
"Thoron."
Electricity coursed through Robin as he fired a lightning bolt with the power of a storm behind it. It would kill the creature it struck, with certainty. But as he cast the bolt, he became aware of a dark shadow dropping in front of Cherche. The electrify stuck the shadow, which gave a single howl, lost among the hundreds like it around them. The sound of a dying wyvern.
"MINERVA!" Cherche was by the creature's side in an instant. The beast whimpered softly as electricity sparked through it. Robin could only stare, shocked beyond words. Minerva coughed softly, once. Then her eyes closed, and the wyvern went still.
Oh no.
Cherche turned around with rage in her eyes. "You. Killed. Minerva."
Robin summoned his lightning again as Cherche rushed him. He blasted her at point blank with all the magic he could muster. He was drained from casting Thoron, but even still, the energy was enough to overwhelm any foe. At least that's what he thought.
Cherche took the blast, point blank, and simply took her axe to him. He had nothing to defend himself, so the blade cut across his chest, a deep gash, cutting through cloth, skin, muscle, and into bone. Robin was standing one moment. Then he fell, his chest nothing but red.
Pain exploded in his chest as he gave a single loud cry. His vision went blurry, but he could see Cherche reaching up to deliver the coup de grace. She was going to make sure he was dead. It seems that she wasn't going to do anything different.
"NO!" A figure sprang out and attacked Cherche. Robin couldn't see clearly, but the person was somehow managing to hold her at bay.
"Stay with me, Robin." Something had taken hold of his hand. Someone. Robin blinked, and Zulas appeared. "OPEN YOUR EYES!"
"I … ordered … you … away." Robin couldn't talk well. What was wrong with him? Something was in his lungs. Something wet.
" ….rew ord…!" He couldn't hear clearly now. "…geni w… heal…"
Light washed over him. He could feel it, pouring into him. Maybe it would be enough. Maybe. But maybes weren't for tactician like him. There were only definites. And the wound was definitely lethal. It would take a healer beyond the power of Argeni to heal him now.
"No it's not!"
"What?" Robin said, softly.
"GET UP! I won't let you fall here!" Energy flowed into him. More healing energy. "I need to remember! Remember your goal. Your purpose!"
"The world to build. For Ravena." The word popped into Robin's head, unbidden. "IGNIS!"
"RAH!" Robin stood up. His chest was still bloody, but the bleeding had stopped. Ugly purple scar tissue had formed over it. His arms and legs felt like they were being dragged through thick mud. He had a throbbing headache. But he was alive. And purple fire was lit around him.
Zulas and Vermil had teamed up to hold the berserk Cherche at bay. Argeni was pouring healing energy into him – alongside Dant. The woman had two purple orbs in her hands and was pouring raw dark energy into him, a look of intense concentration on her face.
"Dant?"
The woman gave no answer.
"I killed you." Cherche howled. "I KILLED you!" Robin saw the pink-haired knight dodge a thrust from Zulas and crack her elbow into him, sending him flying. Vermil summoned up a fireball, but Cherche hurled a throwing axe at him, forcing him to dodge. She set her feet and charged at Robin. "WELL DIE AGAIN!"
Robin stood up, purple flames cascading over him. Argeni kept her staff on him, muttering in disbelief. Robin picked up his spear and focused his purple flames into it. Then he simply caught the axe. "See, here's the thing, Cherche. You have nothing to live for, and that makes you dangerous. But I have things to live for. And that's make me worse."
"Ambition? You're just power hungry." Cherche snarled.
"Power hungry for what!" Robin said. "It's the step everyone gets hung up on. I don't care for power for power's sake! I have gifts, and I must use them!"
"To what end!? WHAT END!?" Cherche strained.
"I understand." Robin said. "I know how I must look – like a villain. But I promise you, that isn't me. Sometimes, innocents get caught within the gears of machinations. But I fight so that might not happen." Robin's powered flared up. He shoved forward, shattering Cherche's axe. He spun the spear once, and stabbed her. His spear went clean through her chest. Cherche looked down and sighed. "Poor… me…"
Then she fell. Robin saw her, slowly drop to the ground, blood pouring from her chest wound. "Argeni. Dant." Robin stammered. "Save her. Please."
Argeni rushed over with her staff. Dant shook her head, exhausted. "I can't… sorry. Haven't used healing magic… in ages."
"It's all right." Argeni said. "You missed her vitals, Robin. But what should we do with her?"
"I couldn't bear leaving her to die." Robin sighed. "It's funny. I can kill Rosanne without pause by issuing orders. But once I know their name, their face, know that they're a human – it seems I can't. Anyway, we have nothing to gain from her death at this point."
"Nothing?" Zulas asked.
"The wyverns are being routed." Robin said. "Surrender will happen before the last light of the day. Argeni, Dant, would you mind dressing her in Valmese armor, and taking her to the mansion?"
"Not in front of you, obviously." Dant said. "But, yeah, that's easy."
"Wait." Zulas said. "We're taking an enemy in? As one of our own?"
"She won't be an enemy once her side surrenders." Dant said, mildly.
"Then why the deceit?" Zulas said.
"So we don't have to explain ourselves to every knucklehead like you." Dant said.
"And where did you learn healing magic from!?" Zulas said.
Dant raised a slow eyebrow. "You're questioning your good fortune? Wow."
"Dant. Be civil." Robin dropped and groaned. "You can tell them."
"Fine." Dant sighed. "I'm Darkgifted. Like Ravena. I had a rough childhood and was forced to pick up skills fast. I've learned a bit of just about everything during my travels."
"You knew?" Zulas turned to Robin. "Of course you did. I didn't give you that mask so you could hide secrets from me."
No, that's exactly why you gave me that mask. You're just annoyed you found out about it. Robin grimaced. "She asked me to keep it a secret. It was one of the conditions for her helping me."
"Well, that's that!" Argeni brightly said. Fortunately, since she said it, Zulas simmered down. "It's nice to know more about you, Dant. Anyway, you two need to leave if we're going to re-armor her."
"Right." Robin said. A large horn went off as he said that. Then again, in a specific pattern. "Oh. That's good."
"Surrender?" Argeni asked. "That one meant surrender, right?"
"Surrender." Robin confirmed. "The entirety of this continent is now – officially – under Walhart's boot. Hooray."
-Report to Robin from Anna, XX/X/XX-
So, anyway, war happened. Ylisse won. Seriously. Most of Plegia deserted, thanks to her sacrifice, and Gangrel was killed by Chrom on the fields of battle. Looks like peace reigns supreme on this side of the ocean. How's your side going?
