Chapter Thirteen
The ride to Carrion Isle was very unpleasant, for a number of reasons. We carried little supplies as possible, which made Stahl and Vaike upset for the lack of good food. The sea's waves tossed us like a ragdoll, which made sleep near impossible. The worse was when we landed at the port. We were welcomed by strange hooded people. They wore a similar fleece to mine when I was discovered in the field by Chrom and Lissa.
Grimleal.
We followed the greeters to the main castle in the near distance, passing a darken valley. The thick, dead forest made light even less visible. The giant doors opened and the presumed queen made her entranced. She looked too familiar…
"Greetings, prince Chrom. Plegia welcomes you."
The shadowy figure presented herself…in less clothing than appropriate.
"No, it can't be – Aversa!"
She flipped her hair and stuck out her chest, "What can I say? It seems fate has designs for me yet."
"You serve the new king, then? This...Validar?" Chrom and the rest of the Shepherds were confused.
"I do," said the queen as a matter of fact.
Fredrick glared, "They say he worships Grima."
Aversa stared back, then smiled, "Why yes, of course he is Grimleal. We are both believers. My liege often says it was his faith that got him through, after Gangrel's passing. It was a difficult time...but he kept order where there might have been chaos. We had meant to arrange an official visit to Ylisstol, but—" Validar approached out of the darkness with his red eyes glowing. "Ah, here is my lord now."
The Plegian king lowered, "An honor to finally meet you, sire. I am Validar, king regnant of Plegia."
"The honor is mine, good king. Is it possible we've met before some..." The wheels in Chrom's head turned, remembering a previous encounter. "Gods! It can't be."
Validar waved off the comment, "Oh ho, I'm quite certain I would remember any encounter with Ylissean royalty…and you must be Sir Phil."
"You know of me, sire?" My cheeks were flushed.
"The whole world knows of Ylisse's master tactician! And indeed, I see the sparkle of wisdom in your eyes."
How did he ever survive the events at Ylisstol? Didn't he die there? Not even Chrom recalled how an escape was made, if at all.
"My, the negotiations haven't even begun and already so much whispering," interrupted Validar.
"My apologies, King Validar. We meant no disrespect." Chrom had a look of embarrassment and confusion.
We will have to learn more of what happened after the failed Ylisstol assassination attempt later…
"Then let us get to it," Validar turned to Aversa.
"Plegia can offer no soldiers, but will provide 800 warships and 200 transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fully fund the campaign against Valm." Aversa stared us down, like a hawk watching its prey.
"That is...surprisingly generous of you, milord. We could not ask for more, quite literally. You offer most all your assets." Fredrick was taken in by the dark mage woman. Ever since what happened to Maribelle, he's had a hard time wooing the ladies.
"I would give troops as well, but our army remains in shambles from the last war. I trust the gold and ships will suffice as a sign of our commitment to the cause?" The Plegian king grinned.
Chrom accepted the offer, "Of course it will. Thank you, King Validar…if there's nothing else? My men and I must hurry back to Port Ferox."
"Oh, so soon? But I have one more introduction to make." Aversa teased Chrom, advancing to the Exalt. Not having any effect, she turned to Fredrick, who gulped.
"A hierophant, the highest of his order in all Plegia." Validar motioned for a mysterious hooded man to step forward. Something seemed off about him, though…
I had to ask, "So you lead the people in worship? We were just discussing religion earlier..."
The man didn't respond me.
"I'm sorry, have I said something to offend you?"
I wish he would say something…
"The heart still sleeps, but the blood flows through it. And the blood is strong..." were his first words as I could see his eyes. The translucent, red eyes.
Or not. Darn, that was scary.
Fredrick, trying to shake off Aversa's seductive gestures coughed, "Good hierophant, I would ask you lower your cowl. In Ylisse, it is a courtesy expected of one in the presence of royalty."
The man didn't respond for some time, "You are a long way from Ylisse, sir. ...But very well..." He lowered his hood, "Is that better?"
The man had very similar features to…me. The hair, height, built, all were me, except his eyes, which were gazing into mine.
All the Shepherds gasped.
"What manner of sorcery—" Fredrick screamed out.
"He looks just like me…" I looked down and pondered. I remembered this part of the game, but seeing someone that looks like you, but…darker…well, it was quite an experience I didn't want to have again.
The doppelganger laughed, "My name is Phil. Oh, and that was your name as well, wasn't it? What a strange coincidence."
Validar stopped the awkward moment, "Why that is rather curious, now that you mention it. What are the odds? In any case, I believe we are finished here. We will let you be on your w—"
"Now just one moment, Validar!" Chrom grabbed Validar, "What is the meaning of this? Why do your hierophant and Phil…"
"I'm afraid we've no time for such trivial matters now, Your Highness. We have aid preparations to attend to, and you have a long, hard journey ahead." Aversa winked at Fredrick, "Oh, and do be careful on your way back to Port Ferox. This time of year, the highroads of Plegia can be quite treacherous."
"One more thing," The Plegian Phil took an item out from his robe and placed it gently on the cold floor. "You left this back at home and I thought you could use it…go ahead and open it. Oh, and please show your friends the contents as well, hmm?"
The wooden box was tied in a red and purple ribbon. I carefully opened the lid, expecting some kind of trap…alas, it was nothing treacherous, but items made me very nauseous.
No…but how?
The blue Nintendo 3DS was in unblemished condition, even better than when I purchased the console years ago. I inspected every corner, in which I found a game inside of it.
Fire Emblem Awakening.
Impossible!
I decided best to keep the present to myself, even though Chrom and Fredrick questioned. Now wasn't the time, not in the presence of the Plegians. Shrugging, Chrom lead the gang back to the ship, unaware of the dangers up ahead in the valley next to the port. Early in the walk, I looked back at the castle. Validar was on top of one of the posts. He was watching my every move and then, I thought I could hear him call me "son". I shrugged it off, but then he called out to me again.
"You are of my flesh, but of sacred blood. You are to serve a glorious purpose! Search deep in your heart. You already know it is your destiny...why do you resist us, Phil? Your rightful place is at my side. Not wasting your time with these doomed servants of Naga! Give yourself to Grima! Let me join your strength to the fell dragon!"
I screamed, which stirred up the exalt and asked what the issue was.
"Nothing…actually, I thought I heard Validar in my head, if you could believe me."
"We've seen stranger things, so I believe you, Phil. Chrom offered a hand. "Together, we will defeat Validar…and that doppelganger if necessary."
"Thank you, Chrom."
Chrom nodded. "Say, if you don't mind…what were the contents of the 'gift' that the other Phil gave you?"
I opened my mouth…
I guess now is a good time to tell him.
Fredrick came in view, sprinting to us, "Milord, we are under attack! Risen have encircled the camp!"
Or not.
Surprised, Chrom stated, "How did this happen?"
"They made a stealthy approach, milord. I've never seen Risen behave like this. Either they are learning our ways, or someone is commanding them." Fredrick pointed to the valley they were coming from.
No other choice but to fight as there was no other way back to the ship, "Validar! This is his doing—I'm sure of it. Equip anyone who can bear arms, and tell them we fight for our lives!"
The Risen were too much to handle. They kept spawning in the fortresses in the basin. Even Vaike and Sully were having a difficult time keeping their numbers low and Donnel had quite the scare with a blow to his pot on his head.
When all seemed doomed for the Shepherds, a flock of birds arrived and overtook the battlefield.
"Wh-what's that? A storm of...crows? Gods, it's upon us!" Chrom raised his shield against bird and Risen.
A voice called out, "CAW! CAW! Are you folks lost? Or perhaps a lost CAWs? Heh ha!"
Chrom tried to waive the crows away, "Who's there?! Show yourself! Gods' breath, I can't see anything through all these damned birds! Shoo! Scat! Away with you!"
"What's wrong? CAW-strophobic? Nya ha ha! Oh, I slay me!" The crows scattered, revealing a white-haired man with the happiest smile ever on a human. "You know, I thought you were all right...Turns out you're all FRIGHT! Nya ha ha! I'd wish you good luck killing these monsters, buuuuuut... They're already dead!"
Chrom was not amused, "We are well aware!"
"The ravens wanted me to give you a message. 'Caaw... C-caw-caw.' Roughly translated, it means... Hmm, now what was the human word for that again?...Traipse?...Tripe? Oh, TRAPPED! Right! They say you're trapped."
"We know, damn it! Gods, where did they all come from?" Chrom was in no mood for jokes, and neither were most of the other Shepherds…except for Tharja, who just stood frozen, glaring at the bird man.
"Well, see, when a mommy zombie and a daddy zombie love each other very much...Nya ha ha!"
"Perhaps I should save the Risen the trouble and silence you myself." Chrom pointed the Falchion at Henry's throat.
"Easy, Chrom! This is Henry. He is an ally. He looks Plegian, but he means no harm…well, to us actually. He will give us aid, isn't that right, Henry?" I smirked at the crow lover.
His smile never dropped as he just laughed, charging up a dark spell. He released a beam of dark light to several Risen and ran off laughing some more.
"Ok, we will let him help us. But no funny business!" Chrom went back to cutting down more Risen. With Henry's magic attacks, the tide turned the better for us, allowing Panne and Gregor to rip open the ghastly monsters. This created a path to the Risen chief, growling at anyone that got close to him. Fredrick took the lead and grabbed Lissa onto his horse. While the creatures were able to stab at the horse, Lissa used her healing spells to keep the horse moving forward at top speeds. Fredrick swung his axe, falling on the chief Risen's head, splitting it open. It growled once more before dropping to the ground.
"Thank you for the aid, Henry…" I looked around and could not find any trace of the strange man, except for some feathers and a crow flying above us.
"What a weird person." I looked into the sky, scratching my head.
Tharja walked slowly over, "I think he is rather cute." She twisted her hair.
Oh boy…not those two together.
Chrom stood by cleaning his sword, "That's the last of them. Gods, I thought it might nev—"
"Chrom, look out!"
By some magic transportation, a Plegian assassin appeared with a sword in hand. His blade was too close to Chrom…
"Father! No!" The blunette girl jumped from a tree and blocked the intruder's swing. The assassin, knowing he was outnumbered and outmatched, disappeared by the same magic that brought him in the area. Lissa went to seek for clues, but found none.
"Thank the gods you're safe!" cried 'Marth'.
Chrom mentioned a small detail, "You called me 'Father'."
The girl looked like as if she got caught stealing something valuable. "Did I? I...Perhaps we might speak privately?"
"Perhaps we should, yes."