Chapter Twenty-Three

The stage was set. The décor unrivaled; nobles would even blush. Dances of red and cream ribbons hugged the pillars. A cool breeze carried up rose pedals placed by the flower girls. The outdoor wedding venue was chosen by no other than the bride. The timing was impeccable with the sun over the horizon. The ocean waves hit the cliff to the back. Two pillars held up the signage of the bride and groom overhead. I remember opening my eyes and thinking I had to be in Ireland. Maybe Spain? Either way, the view was amazing to take in.

I look to my left and saw Chrom wearing a navy suit. To the right was Sumia wearing red. Glancing down, I was wearing navy and white and had a rose pinned on me. Sitting in five rows of chairs were assumed to be the other Shepherds, but they were faceless.

What's going on? Who is getting married?

Chrom bumped me, "You ready, friend?"

"Ready for what?" I still didn't understand.

"Her." Chrom pointed at a figure flowing in white. Her hair stood out the most, almost over-shadowing the gown. The dress had a white ruffled skirt with a same color sheer chiffon extending from it. Golden embroidery trimmings were sown at the hems. A light blue ribbon made of silk was tied around her waist in loops. The upper part of her dress was made of coutil in the form of a corset. White sleeves with gold linings were attached. She glided with grace as with every step. And then she was standing next to me, smiling the most beautiful smile ever.

"You're a lucky man to have Cordelia. Treat her well, Phil." Chrom whispered in my ear.

Cordelia.

"Hi, handsome." Her cheeks redden.

"'Hi' yourself, beautiful." My face copied the color of Cordelia's.

Libra the priest raised then lowered his arms, "Let's us start. Dearly beloved, we gather here for the consummation…"

I zoned out to focus on the beautiful bride holding my hands. Her pools of crimson in her eyes gazed into mine. Thoughts of our future together took over. A future of laughter, joy, and companionship with the possibility of a child. Severa sounded like a good name for a daughter. But for a boy, I needed help. I wonder if Cordelia had an idea…

"Phil, if you would state your vows." Libra's voice was soft.

I looked around one more time. Yes, this felt real. Even if it were a dream, I refused to believe it. I proceeded with my vows.

"Cordelia, when I first met you, I saw you in skies above. Your scarlet hair flowed in the wind. My heart skipped at your beauty. I wanted to tell you my thoughts there, but I believe you heard me when I whispered 'gorgeous'. Apparently, I wasn't subtle. We've shared a lot of memories over the years and none better than the day I proposed to you…"

Did I even propose? How and when did that happen? No matter now.

"But now, today tops even that. I am marrying a woman that is more than beautiful. She has a selfish heart, the courage of a wyvern, the patience of a hunter and the grace of a blooming rose. The way you work tirelessly to improve yourself each day is an inspiration. But you are already perfect to me. You are the woman of my dreams. Cordelia, you are rose. A rose has thorns that are normally unpleasant and avoided, but despite your flaws, I don't mind being pricked. A rose is better known for its blossoming beauty. You are special to me and will always be my flower. I promise every day, I will love you the absolute best I can, in sickness and in health. You make it easy to love you, so I look forward to fulfilling my vows."

Chrom reached into his jacket and presented a golden ring with a ruby stone in the center. He handed it to me and I put the band on her finger. Cordelia drew a single tear and went on to speak her vows.

"My dearest Phil, the day we met was a terrible timing. I lost all my friends, but I gained your support. You were warm and compassionate when I needed it the most. You walked with me at my pace through my depression and self-doubting. I tried to cover my flaws that you already saw and accepted. As much as I want to be perfect to honor my fallen comrades and to prove myself of greatness, you showed me the vanity. It is impossible to be perfect in the first place. But I don't need to be when I'm with you. I'm a better person because of you. You love me regardless and I love you unconditionally as well. I know in my heart no one can love me as much as you. I know somehow our love is eternal and I will love you forever. I said this before, but I shall say it again…I shall love you above all others, for the rest of my days. In sickness and in health, I will fulfill my vows to you."

A silent pause as I wiped away tears from her soft cheeks. Libra ended the ceremony as he closed his book, saying the best words I've ever heard, "You may kiss the bride."

Time, man-made or a concept, felt irrelevant. I looked her in those wet eyes and slowly cupped her cheeks as she leaned down to me. Our lips connected with passion as I reached around her head and waist as I dipped her. A boom of cheers commenced. I released her against my will. It was physically impossible to kiss her forever, even though I had the urge. Seeing her brighten up caused me to blush hard. Nothing filled my heart with that level of joy.

Sunlight beams blinded me when I woke up. I rubbed my eyes and reached across the sheets…to find no one. I frowned, thinking about how my mind gave into the dreams from last night. Half of me wanted it to be real, and the other part wanted to kick my butt with logic. As pleasant as it was, Grima had to be playing a role. I could feel him under my skin at the shivering suspicion.

It's not real…none of it us.

I threw open my tent and took a walk around camp. I made extra precaution to avoid loose twigs and other debris. The sun just rising up meant most of the Shepherds were sound asleep. Or I assumed. Turning around the corner of my tent, I ran into Fredrick.

"The Shepherds want a word with you. Now." I could tell from his tone he meant business. I followed him to see judging eyes and folded arms locked onto me. I had an instinct about what this meeting was about.

"Another nightmare, Phil?" Chrom broke the silence. "I saw you leave your tent again early." His face was the sternest.

"Hardly, Chrom…I bet you would like to know." I mimicked his tone.

"It must have been something important…let me guess: did it involve my wife?" Chrom's brows furrowed as he stood tall.

Rude, insulting thoughts came to mind. I opened my mouth, but didn't answer the perturbed lord.

"Hold on, we can get back to that later," Fredrick held up his arms. "As you can tell, Phil, we have a lot of questions."

"Shoot." I looked at each Shepherd, daring them to ask.

Why am I even in a grumpy mood? They don't deserve this. They need to know the truth.

Unsurprising, Sully took a step up, "I'll go first…just who the hell are you!? Explain yourself and why you are here and why I shouldn't kick your-"

"If you are referring to what happened yesterday, I will be happy to explain. Let me beginning by saying I am not from your world, this world. I come from a place called America hundreds if not well over a thousand years in the future. I don't know how I got here, but the last memories were of me using that 'instrument'. I fell asleep and woke up in a field where Chrom and Lissa found me."

I reached into my pocket and took out the device. This startled some of them, even drawing weapons. "Settle down…so this thing here is called a Nintendo 3DS. This is what we call a gaming console. It is a form of entertainment for the people of my time and place. And inside it carries the game, which is…"

"This isn't a game! This is real life!" Sully snapped.

"I am aware and I acknowledge this is real life…all of you are real to me, but in my world…well, all of you aren't real. Or best case, legendary heroes and each one of you has a story to tell. And these stories have been lost over the many years and become fables." I sighed finishing the last sentence.

"So, you telling me that we either don't exist or that whatever we do is just a bunch of bull–"

"Not at all, Sully. I don't have all the answers…at first, I couldn't believe it either; no way this was reality. But getting to know every one of you over time made me accept all of this as my world. You are part of my world, so much that I often forget about…home."

"And what about your home? Do you have…a wife?" Lissa scooted forward.

"I do."

Few gasps sprouted, mostly from the ladies.

"What about this…game of yours…your evil twin claimed you 'married'…the queen." Tharja spoke annoyed and pointed a finger at Cordelia.

The judgement felt more tense. I blinked then let out a breath, "Pairings. They are called pairings. And the user of this game can control the couples…and I did 'marry' Cordelia the first time."

Cordelia froze and covered her face with her arms. Chrom held her tight while frowning at me. "And…you guys can be paired up with almost anyone." I spoke too much. An uproar jolted my bones. I covered my ears, dropping the 3DS. "It is called tactics! There's a good reason for this!" No one was listening.

Chrom released his wife and walked over to me. He grabbed the console and turned it on. "Show me dialogue of Cordelia and I."

He handed me the game. "There is no…companionship or marriage for you two."

Chrom went mad, "The hell there isn't! Show me!"

"Fine, I'll prove it." I scrolled in the menu. He watched intensively as he discovered…no support existed.

"What is the meaning of this? How can this be!?" Chrom lowered a hand to the Falchion.

"Chrom. I didn't invent this game. Many people from other place in my world chose the supports…the developers decided that Cordelia wasn't ever going to have dialogue support with you."

"I don't believe this!" Chrom took out his sword and smashed a log by his feet.

"Hey! I don't agree with them either. I wish that was an option. But this is not real life. This piece of plastic is just a game. You have Cordelia; you married her!"

Chrom wouldn't listen, "If so, then why go through 'marrying' her yourself? Do you love her or something?" I could feel the grinding of his teeth as he talked.

"I can't answer that." I turned my back.

Cordelia ran over, "How do you mean? I demand an answer too! Do you love me or not?" Cordelia forcefully spun me around. "Phil, remember when I joked and said 'don't tell me you are falling for me'? You said no…but…you hesitated."

Chrom tapped on her shoulders, "Cordy…is this true? Was this the same day I proposed to you?"

Tears rolled on Cordelia's face, "Yes, my love."

"Then why didn't you say so, Phil!? Do you love my wife or not? Answer me!" The Falchion was inches away from my neck.

"I…"

What could I say? I couldn't lie to my friends but I wasn't being honest, not even with myself. I didn't care Chrom's sword was close to an artery. I considered running away, but that would do no good. I had to give a response. Before I gave an answer, the Feroxi swordsman spoke.

"Hold, Phil! I didn't get a chance to ask my question." Lon'qu's voice prevented my legs from moving. I slowly faced him and stared. "You said you 'married' Cordelia the first time…that means you've played this game multiple times, have you not?"

I recalled the last words my other self told me. He stated I had six save files. How, though? I only finished the game once. I reached for the 3DS and flipped it on…

Six save files. I went through each one…most contained different supports.

"No…how?" I whispered to myself.

"Speak!" Lon'qu was losing his patience, grabbing the end of his silver sword.

"I…Lon'qu…can only recall playing once…but the other me must have played it six times."

The Feroxi man frowned, "I don't know what that means but sounds like you are making excuses. You must have played multiple times. And that leads me to ask my follow-up question: did you 'marry' anyone else other than Cordelia?"

He was most likely referring to any possible relationship status with Cherche. I couldn't confirm nor deny. To find out, I went through the files in the console to confirm the shippings. There was more.

"Yes, Lon'qu."

"Name them. Now!" Lon'qu sprinted as he came chest-to-chest with me.

I didn't want to tell the truth because of the pain that would be inflicted on my friends…and out of fear that they would flog me.

"It doesn't matter in the scheme of things, so what's it to you?" I accidently spat in Lon'qu's face. He grunted and wiped it off.

"That is an order, Phil." Chrom stepped in, separating us.

"Fine…looks like I played at least six times. The 'marriages'…S support level…Cordelia three times minimum. Tiki once. And Olivia once."

A loud boom of roaring and gasps took over. Some were crying, few shook their heads, and many yelled obscenities. Cordelia buried her head in Chrom's chest, Tiki blushed then shrugged, and Olivia cried on the shoulders of a furious Stahl. But there was still one more…

"I can count…that makes five. You leaving out someone? Someone I may know, Phil? I have seen you ogling my woman!" Lon'qu clinched his fists.

I sighed, expecting the worse, "And Cherche once."

The female wyvern rider grew red with anger. Sully and Panne tried to hold her back but to no avail. A hand raised…

Smack!

The slap echoed as it left a pink bruise. I touched the spot to make sure I wasn't imagining things. I couldn't blame her, so I stood silent.

"You pathetic little man! How could you!? After all I did; I thought we were friends! I let you ride Minerva! I should let her feast on your flesh and bones for breakfast!"

Cherche's rage grew, proving why she was the scariest Shepherd when livid. She snapped her fingers and whistled for Minerva. I closed my eyes expecting the worse. The wind picked up, but not from the earth. Minerva was getting close…

Did I really deserve this?

Fate had other plans as Lon'qu held his lover back.

"Cherche, sweetie, no! You made your point. The man doesn't need to be tortured. I can tell he is already being eaten alive by his thoughts and emotions."

After a moment of thinking, the Rosanne maiden cooled down, "You are right. Forgive me for my outburst." She made another whistle and the wyvern flew off in the distance.

"I forgive you, Cherche." I spoke assuming she was talking to me.

"Not you! I was talking to Lon'qu! You get no apologies for the mark on your face…but you do not deserve death. I apologize for thoughts of feeding you to my baby."

"Wow, thanks. Glad I won't be eaten alive today." I responded sarcastically.

Chrom wasn't amused, "What is the matter with you, Phil?"

"I don't know…maybe the fact I almost died at the hands of a mad woman!" My hands went up.

Cherche scolded, "Hey!"

"You better watch your temper, dragon woman." I pointed a finger at her boyfriend, "Lon'qu, you get your lady under control or else the whole camp could be attacked by her pet. But then again, I should not trust a man with gynophobia issues."

Lon'qu started to respond, but didn't.

"That's enough, Phil!" Sully yelled.

An unexpected rage took over. If I wanted to stop, I could not. I lost complete control of my temperament.

"Or what? You'll kick me in the balls? Maybe you say that because you actually have a pair. If you grew your hair long, perhaps you'd look like a woman."

Vaike drew his axe, "What did you just say about my wife, you punk?"

A smirk grew on my face, "You heard me clear, Teach…how about I teach you something. Pick up a book and you'd learn how to not lose your axe as well as your ABC's."

The shock of the insults coming out of my mouth resulted in a growing silence form the Shepherds.

"And I'm just getting started." I went down the line and picked on every member.

"Hey Stahl, buddy…care for a snack? Too bad, I got none for you because you already ate everything! Now go take a nap; you're useless anyway…Olivia, you want to dance, but don't want people to watch? Then what's the point! You're more useless than your husband! At least he knows how to use a hammer!"

"If you weren't so anxious, you wouldn't trip as often, Sumia. And your pies taste worse than a rubber boot."

"Gaius, question for you: how in the world did you fall for a klutz?"

The thief was sweating, "I'll be happy to explain. To start, she is the most -"

"It doesn't matter what you say! I'll whoop your candy-ass!"

I turned to Chrom's sister next, "Lissa, I am happy you found me in the field so I can personally tell you this to your face: your pranks are weak and you can go pound sand! And Donnel, from where I come from, we got bad names for your kind. I think I'll spare you, Mama's boy."

"Miriel, learn to speak in a way we could all understand! And get rid of that hat."

"There's only one true God, Libra. And Naga isn't it."

"Nowi, I would have asked for your wisdom, considering you've seen a lot in your life. But you act like a child and probably know nothing of significance…Virion, the archest of archers. Trying to make all the ladies swoon over you. You've missed your mark on all but one, congratulations. One percent success rate must be pretty good in your book."

"Tharja, you might actually be a human if you weren't so creepy and weird. But to your credit, you are more normal than your husband. Henry, there's only so many blood and dismemberment jokes I can stomach."

"And speaking of non-humans…Panne, always thinking she is above a human, as if we are some lower sub-species. You are just practicing speciesism and no better for it…Gregor, terrible accent you acquired."

"Flavia, the most girly-girl here…do you even possess one feminine quality?"

"Tiki, you've been awake for around thirty minutes now…must be time for another nap."

I purposely skipped over Kellam and went to Fredrick. Kellam took noticed and sighed.

"Fredrick the Wary. Always so wary. I'm sure you make a lot of friends being like that. Do you even trust your shadow? I guess not."

"As for you, Lucina, some help altering the future…"

I took a breath in and saw the dismay and angry faces around me. They had enough and so did the Exalt.

"Are you done, Phil?"

"Maybe. Maybe not, your majesty. You know, for all the walls and doors you've broken, one may think you'd be less dense than them, but nope."

Cordelia defending her husband, "Enough! This is not like you, Phil! You know better!"

"Cordelia, don't make me say it. I know how to break you. All I have to do say those three words…"

She knew what I was going to say. "Don't you dare!"

"Little. Lady. Genius."

On the last syllable, I was struck by her right fist. The impact sent me to the ground. Took me a while to recover. Blood was sipping from the corner of my mouth.

"Nice punch. Did you learn that from Sumia?"

Another punch landed on my face. I got up slower this time along with more blood. Cordelia went in for another hit, but I held up my hands.

"Stop! I'm done! No more!" I knelled down and grabbed my head. Sucking in air, I screamed. Two punches were enough to come back down to my senses.

What did just happen? Why did say all those things to my friends?

"Chrom…Cordelia…Lucina. Everyone. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Enough. Now get up." Chrom offered me a hand, not unlike the first time we met. I gladly took it.

"Thank you, Chrom…I-I'm scared. I went off the rails. The temper took over. I can't explain, but I have a sense that my other self was behind all of this."

"I wouldn't doubt it. There's not much of influence of Grima lying around." Lucina stated. "But that doesn't mean I forgive you. You said a lot of nasty things. Unwarranted." She looked away scowling.

"You are right. I would humbly ask all of you for forgiveness and to give me a second chance. I would like that. But you refuse, I would understand."

The Shepherds looked at each other, still recovering form the verbal abuse. No one moved nor said a word. A disturbed and illogical thought came to mind. I gave in to it.

"So be it…Chrom, I'll pack my things and be on my way."

"What!?" Chrom was surprised.

"Yes. I'm leaving. I have to go find myself. Everyone hates me now and I'm sure I'd just endanger the group with another poor decision."

Chrom took a hold of me, "You can't do this! We need you, Phil! You are invaluable to the success of the Shepherds and the world needs you!"

"They can find someone else. I'm no hero. I'm done trying to pretend I am."

What was my purpose here? To defeat the Fell Dragon and save mankind? Or to stroke my ego and play the role of a savior? If I went to the mountains nearby, maybe I could meditate and rediscover myself.

"Father, let him go. He got more important things to worry about. We need to be going back home to Ylisstol."

Chrom pondered on his daughter's words and withdrew.

As dangerous and silly as it sounded, I walked away, leaving my friends and comrades behind.

"Good-bye, everyone." I anticipated a farewell, but got none. Taking a pause from moving, I glanced over my shoulder and saw the tents getting smaller and smaller as I went up the rocky terrain with enough supplies for several days. No person in sight, unfortunately as the Shepherds did their own packing in their tents. I turned forward and resumed my climb.

"I will miss you all. Love you." I whispered to the wind.