Chapter Fourteen

"I don't even know where to begin." The girl crossed her legs and looked to the ground.

"I already know you're not 'Marth,' though I've nothing better to call you. But I'll ask nothing of you that you don't wish to reveal. Whoever you are, Ylisse owes you a debt beyond repaying." Chrom was curious about the upcoming revelation.

"Thank you, but I think I would prefer you know the truth." She stepped forward to the exalt. "Here...look closely, and all will be made clear."

Chrom analyzed the girl as she side-stepped and flicked her hair that matched his own. She stared frozen in to his eyes and then he finally realized the truth: she was certainly no 'Marth,' but his own daughter. Older, around late teenage years, but the Brand of the Exalt in her left eye confirmed the relationship.

Chrom gasped, "That's the Brand of the Exalt…Lucina…" He clutched his fists. "You deserved better from me than one sword and a world of troubles." Tears began to flow in Lucina's eyes right before she embraced her father.

"Oh Father!"

Chrom wiped away her tears and cupped her face. The surreal moment felt like eternity for the two, but they were being watched. I went to summon Cordelia, knowing that she should be in the loop. Her daughter needed her comfort as well. The red head coughed, startling Chrom and Lucina.

"Cordy! Umm I can explain! This is my – I mean our…"

"Easy, love. I think I know who she is…are you…our daughter?" Cordelia was smart and could put two and two together. But how could she be nursing the infant version back at the capital where also in front of her is a much older version? That she could not answer.

"Mother!" Lucina ran to her mom and almost knocked her down. More tears wept. However, the happy family reunion had to cease. I tapped Chrom on the shoulder, giving me a look of wanting to ask a question.

"Nothing is wrong…It's just that...All of you are out here alone, and Lucina is crying. This is how ill rumors are born…"

"Wait!" Chrom backed away as if I had the plague. "How did you know this is our daughter, Lucina?" The exalt family stared me down, demanding an answer.

I paused for a moment, then sighed, "You see…remember when you found me in the field napping and how I couldn't remember anything? Well, the truth is…" I swallowed hard. "I am not from around this land. Or time. Lucina isn't the only one that time traveled. I can't explain how or why, but I must be from another plane of existence. Or a time in the distant future. I am not sure which it is. Also, I am not amnesiac. I can forthtell events that are about to occur…because I know you, Chrom. And Lucina. And you…"

I turned my body to face Cordelia, but I couldn't look her in the eye. I felt guilty hiding this truth for so long from all the Shepherds. Eventually, I tilted my head up to see their reactions. All were stunned and speechless, even Lucina.

"Father," Lucina explained, "he could very well be speaking truth. I did come from the future, hoping to change outcomes and to prevent the resurrection of Grima. There are others whom fought by my side in the future. Others around my age that are sons and daughters of the other Shepherds."

Chrom held Cordelia's hand tight as their daughter told them of the dark apocalyptic future she came from. Every word was soaked in by her parents and the more Lucina described the vain battle against the fell dragon, the more they got emotional. Cordelia couldn't stop crying while Chrom grinded his teeth, looking more furious.

"And this is why I am here: to stop that dastard dragon!" Lucina cried out. All three hugged while I stood back and watched.

"I am here too, to help prevent this. Chrom, I tried everything to prevent the death of Emmeryn. I really did. I thought switching body doubles would work, but it did not. I have failed. Cast me away if you wish, I will not stop you. Before you do, I wish one request…"

Bringing up his sister's death probably wasn't a wise move, but he needed to know I gave an honest effort. "Name your request." He looked angrier than ever before.

I took out Nintendo 3DS and presented it to the exalt. I flipped the switch, praying it would turn on…

*blip*

Music started to play, and the console flashed many lights as the family stood staring, not even understanding what they were looking at.

I scrolled and clicked to a scene…

"Chrom, we have to do something!"

His eyes lit up, fully aware of what I showing him. "Chrom," I explained, "this is a game…hard to describe but it is entertainment from where I come from. This system contains events that have already occurred, and future events…we want to stop from happening." I powered off the 3DS and tucked it in my newly made blue sweater made by Sumia.

"Phil…but how? What does this mean?" Chrom held his wife and daughter tight. The women didn't say a word, not understanding and yet, trusting in us…or at least Chrom.

"Chrom. Cordelia. Lucina. I had every reason to believe that in my world, all of you were not real. Just fictional characters. But I can see with my eyes, feel with my hands, and taste the air. You guys are real. I am here and you are here. I guess the best analogy is one of your books you read that is fiction and then the characters come to life. This is what has happened, to a degree."

Lucina and her mother began to slowly understand. They looked as if they wanted to cry, but they had none left after the family disclosure.

"What does this mean for us?" Chrom asked, frightened.

"He is what I know. We got a war at hand with Valm. Grima is a bigger threat; the biggest threat to humanity. In my world, Grima is non-existent and a fable at best, but an entity just as deadly and nefarious does live. Regardless of what world I am on…we are on…all forms of evil must cease. Justice must prevail and goodness rule! Please help me, Chrom…all of you. I fight for you, your family, and your people. Give me a chance to prove myself. I want to help. Will you let me?" I stretched out my right arm, in which Chrom did not respond.

The wind felt cold as the breeze past our backs. I thought this was the end of me being a Shepherd. No more playing hero. This isn't a game. Real people on this plane or another deserve to be spared the wrath of Grima. It was up to the new exalt to decide.

Instead of taking my hand, Chrom approach with a stern face and marched to me. He took out the Falchion and swung it around.

I didn't think I was going to die, I thought I'd be excommunicated…

But the fate of capital punishment never came. The cold steel touched my left collarbone. Chrom smiled, "Swear to me that you'll always be at my side. I trusted you since we met in the field and I still do. You are my tactician but most importantly, my friend. I owe so much."

I opened my mouth but no words came out. I took to a knee.

"Rise, Phil…now look. Look at me, we will defeat every foe, real or not. Now look at my family." The ladies were smiling as well. "They believe in you as much as I do. You've earned their trust, and more importantly, their hearts. You helped forged this family. Cordelia sings of your praises and gives you credit for making this happen, as do I. And I am sure Lucina is grateful as well."

I cried. I couldn't help it as the tears trickled. I cried for them and how beautiful a family they become. I ran to hug everyone and the four of us embraced in what was a wonderful memory.

"Alright," as I was the first to break off, "Let's end this war. End Grima. For Ylisse."

The others nodded. "For humanity," proclaimed the Exalt.

"Ah, take it all in! Breathtaking." I never was fond of being on a boat. I got sea sick the first and only time I went many years ago. But the waters were not rough and the calm winds were soothing. Perched on the deck, I gathered enough sun and was ready to go below, until the royal family, minus Cordelia, joined by my side. "Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here."

Valm was still several days away. The land of Ylisse was nowhere in sight. All open ocean. Donnel told me once the sea had a name, but it escaped me.

"Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them. I should be grateful the Plegians delivered us this fleet, as promised. But it's my first time on a vessel, and my legs...I never fancied myself a sea captain." Chrom breathed in the sea air. Lucina and Lissa marched behind him.

"This is my first voyage as well. In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports." Lucina still smiled, despite the negative thoughts in her mind.

"Lucina..." Chrom turned to his daughter. "Something I've been meaning to ask: After you stopped Emm's assassination, why didn't you stay with us?"

Lucina felt caught off guard by the question, but remained composed after a deep breath. "I felt I had no other choice. I could not risk altering history any more than necessary. I sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return."

"And you feel the same way, Phil?"

"Chrom…I do. Because if I altered too much, I would never know what lays ahead. The advantage of the foresight, I assumed, was invaluable. Plus, I didn't want to give myself away as some 'all-knowing' tactician."

We laughed when I mentioned "all-knowing".

"Hey, so wait," pipped Lissa, "what about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if you didn't save him?"

"He would have been gravely wounded. And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come." Lucina looked back, not wanting to show her emotions. "The river of time always favors its original course. Emmeryn's death…I stalled it, yes, but in the end, I was not able to prevent it."

"Neither was I." I grabbed Lucina's shoulder and did my best to comfort her, but I allowed her father to do better than me.

"You did what you could." Chrom hugged his daughter.

"I was so certain it was over. That I'd saved the world. But time simply found another way back to its course. Perhaps the task is simply too great...Perhaps if I'd done something differently? I replay events in my head, over and over." Lucina covered her face.

"Don't. You did your best. And you saved me, after all." Chrom smiled, which gave Lucina warmth.

"You're kind, Father. But nothing is certain. Another could take your life. Time could find a way..."

Chrom frowned, "Do you know how I die?"

"Only rumors. I was told you fell in a great battle, fought to sway your destiny…And that you were murdered—betrayed by someone dear to you."

She didn't mean me, did she? Can't be me…

Then, another voice whispered to me: TrAiToR.

I grabbed my temples and rubbed them furiously, causing attention. I told Chrom I was fine, just a strange voice. Before more questioning, Fredrick came on the deck and reported the news, "The pegasus knights report the Valmese fleet matches ours, ship for ship."

"Your tone tells me this is not good news." Chrom crossed his arms.

"Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers."

"If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered."

Flavia and Basilio joined in the conversation, as the khans got the report along with Fredrick, "We've little choice but to try anyway. Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with other supplies...including oil. Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that."

I rubbed my hairy chin, "Perhaps he could."

Flavia smirked, "If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to. We could—"

"You could roast us all like hams! Are you truly so eager to die, woman?!" Basilio finally chimed in.

"Do you have a better idea, oaf?! The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm...How to get the lit oil on their decks without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?"

Unless we wanted to get caught. Oil and fire don't mix well, unless we got them to use on a surface we wanted to destroy…

"Chrom," I stood up straight, "I have an idea."

"Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Phil."

I told in detail the plans to those around me, although I assumed Basilio didn't quite approve, judging by the look on his face. But Chrom had the final word. "So much has changed since we found you that day, lying in the open field. Hard to believe you determine the fate of our entire army now...our entire people. Destiny has a strange way." Chrom gave the go-ahead.

"No, Chrom. Not destiny." I looked him in the eye. "We're not pawns of some scripted fate. I believe we're more. Much more."

"What do you mean?"

"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together, like invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength...we forged these ties. We strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be by our choices, not some 'destiny'. At least, not in this world."

Chrom laughed, "Phil, I think this salty air might have gone to your head, hah!" He was probably right. I heard the sea winds can make a man go crazy. "Oh, and, Phil...If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you."

Thanks, Chrom. I nod.

"Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!"