Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Risen were already waiting for us. Snarling, their faces appeared eager for the final conflict. If it was a fight they wanted, then they got hell coming their way. Our thoughts of our fallen friends and future generations flooded our minds as we waited for Chrom's orders. Grima's voice entered our ears as if the wind spoke.

"Wretched son of Naga…you will be destroyed!"

Chrom looked back, "Are you ready, Phil?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's finish this." I regripped my brave sword. I, however, was not ready for bolts of dark lightning from above on our group. The Shepherds fell down in agony, as if a force drained our energy. Some gasped for breath, looking for answers. Others quivered in despair against looming doom. Grima taunted with laughter.

"And so it ends, Phil. See how frail these human bonds of yours are, how short lived? How pointless? You have all thrown your lives away, and the result is the same!"

"We're not dead yet." I responded in distain.

Grima sighed, "Detail, details. But yes, I suppose it's time I got you all off my back, so to speak—permanently."

Don't you dare!

My negative scream threw off the dragon as it shook it's ugly head. "No, you don't want this, do you? You do have a choice, you know. It doesn't have to be this way. You can still save all your friends: become one with me, and we shall spare their lives. Refuse, and watch as I tear the flesh from their bones!"

I didn't believe a word he said, "Do you think me a fool? You'll kill them anyway!"

The laughter out of the monster rattled me to the core. It was then I knew my friends were to be shown no mercy. "Well, of course I would. I only thought you might want to leave your comrades with a heroic, selfless image. But so be it. Leave them with the final memory that you were their undoing!" Grima flicked a wrist and hurled a violet energy ball at me with no time to react.

Darkness overcame my body and without a second longer, I was teleported into a black void. Emptiness filled my surroundings. I couldn't see anything, not even my hands when glancing down.

Did I die?

I touched around to make sure I was alive and in one piece. I was but felt…off. Not knowing where exactly I was, one thing for certain, my friends weren't around. I couldn't help them. They couldn't help me. Trapped and suffocating. Despair began to win the mental battle.

Where am I!?

"Where your god wills you to be. Now if you will excuse me, I have some fleas on my back to take care of."

Grima left me in the void. Alone and hopeless, my legs lifted and carried me nowhere. No sign of an exit. No light. Just…myself. And negative thoughts. That was until I heard a faint noise.

"Whose there?"

The voice came in and out. I shuffled around quickly trying to find the source. I still saw nothing. But it was clearer when I froze to listen more intently.

"Fight ba—! —ave to keep —ing! Fight back, Phil! You swore to do so, remember? Now keep your damn word!"

Chrom?

"C-Chrom? Chrom! Chrom, I can hear you!" I cupped my hands to my lips. A screech intercepted any more communication from the Exalt.

Grima hissed. "What?! No! You are mine now! The dragon's grip cannot be broken!"

"Come back to us, Phil!" I recognized the voice as Lissa. One by one, the remaining Shepherds cried out. I heard all of them clearly and they gave me the strength to fight against Grima's dark powers.

"I know it would take more than this to stop you!" – Frederick

"You gonna let that ugly snake get the last hiss? Come on!" – Sully

"History is watching, Phil! The bards would sing of your triumph!" – Virion

"On your feet, soldier! Don't make ol' Teach give ya a lecture!" – Vaike

"Wake up, Phil! Only I get to oversleep!" – Stahl

"Arise from your hypnopompic state! You are sorely needed here!" – Miriel

"Hello? Can you hear me? Should I shout it?" – Kellam

"Phil, remember all the days we spent together!" – Sumia

"Answer us, Phil!" – Lon'qu

"Do not rob the taguel of one of our last true champions!" – Panne

"Up and at 'em, Phil! One dragon ought to be a piece of cake!" – Gaius

"We're all right here by your side!" – Cordelia

"Gregor will snap you out of it! Gregor does with the yelling!" – Gregor

"I thought I was your favorite dragon! Forget about Grima!" – Nowi

"The gods gave you to us. I do not believe they wish you taken away!" – Libra

"Get up, Phil! No one goes down without my say so." – Tharja

"Please, Phil! I still haven't shown you my new dance!" – Olivia

"Minerva wants you back, and so do I!" – Cherche

"I know the darkness is warm and delicious, but too much of a good thing is just bad!" – Henry

"You have earned my trust and my love, sir. Now return to us!" – Lucina

"Aye, awaken! You cannot leave now, with my debt to you unpaid!" – Say'ri

"Pull it together, lad! Death is overrated, believe me!" – Basilio

"You don't bow to dragons. You break them!" – Flavia

"I need ya to come on back, y'hear?!" – Donnel

"You are not Grima, nor is he you. Remember that, Phil!" – Tiki

Air escaped my lungs as I closed my eyes and turned to my happy place. The first day I met the Shepherds. Training sessions. Eating and laughing during the meals. Helping each other with the chores with a smile on our faces. The poker games. The thrill of victory after each battle. These were the people I was proud to call my friends.

"Stop this at once! Silence those wretched voices! You are all powerless, frail, insignificant! You are nothing!" Grima cried out. Attempting at one last desperation, he lashed out. A smile arose on my face, but I couldn't lavish in his failure for long as my friends needed me.

"Return to us, Phil! Your bond with us is stronger than even the fell dragon's might!" Chrom said in the not-so-far distance. The bonds between us could never be broken.

"I'm coming, Chrom! Hold on!" I fisted my hands and mentally unleashed the power of the bonds. The chains of darkness were no more. Unaware of how I manage to get back to reality, I gasped out loud. Sweat stained my shirt, but I didn't care. My eyes reflected the faces of all the Shepherds and it was pleasing.

Naga's voice filled our ears. "Children of man, take my power! Rise now, and face the fell dragon!" A spell overtook us. We felt rejuvenated and able to withstand any army. And right in front of us on Grima's back was a legion. "Hear my words, Awakener! Grima's servants will beset you to no end. Dispatch him as soon as you are able!"

"Ok, we got it, let's go!" I yelled, trying to distract Chrom and the others from the warnings Naga would speak of. After what just transpired, I didn't want Chrom to know if I struck Grima with a fatal blow, I would fade away again. The dashing movements made by Chrom lead me to assume he didn't hear anymore. The rest charged as well as we put the Grimleal abominations on the defense. Their numbers were massive and would intimate most, but not us. Not after all we've been through. The world's fate was at hand in the final battle. No choice but to fight…and win.

And winning was what we were doing. Forming a wedge, the red eyed monstrosities were cut down or zapped with magic. The pace was heightened in order to get to the neck of Grima as fast as possible. It was easy to stand ground, but that would mean eventually being swarmed by Grima's minions and no hope of escape. We pushed with might with our steel and spells. Upon reaching the first vertebrae, the doppelganger stood unamused.

I waited a long time for this as I moved to the front. The fell beast waved a pale finger at me.

"Return to me...come...we are one and the same." It hissed.

I decided my response was best with my blade. Grima withdrew a sword. I swung first, steel meeting steel. After an even match, Lucina and Frederick joined up, but were thrown back by the dark magic from Grima's free hand. Caught looking back, I felt metal in my right shoulder. I cowered. My instinct was to grab my shoulder but I fought off the pain. My counters failed me as I was slashed across the torso, ripped my shirt. I became the color red after Grima toyed around with multiple hits. He could have ended it there and I wasn't sure why.

"Just say when and I will spare you. You are defeated." The fell dragon mocked.

I opened my mouth but coughed up blood. I swung wildly but got only air. Grima kicked, sending me to the scaley ground. The sword left my hand and I crawled to retrieve it, only for it to be shoved aside.

"I gave you every opportunity for the ultimate greatness. You were to be worshiped and glorified…and feared. And for what? Now, your demise is eminent. I am Grima! I am Despair! You will di-"

The dragon was cut off from the final blow. It looked below to see a Falchion in its chest. Sparks danced around the blade and body as Grima saw in horror. Chrom pulled the sword back and thrusted it into Grima once more for certain. The scream it made was deafening and one noise I didn't want to hear again.

"Chrom!" I yelled. "Listen, you…you should have let me…"

The fell dragon screeched once last time before collapsing and withered away, along with his followers.

He doesn't realize.

"I think 'thanks' are in order," he reached out a hand. I paused to reflect on the implications. A mumble brought me back to my senses and he lifted me up.

"Yeah, thanks for saving me. I had it under control." I brushed off the dried blood from my clothes and armor.

"Sure, you tell yourself that," Chrom smiled and put away his Falchion. "You look like hell, by the way."

I laughed, "Sure do. We just went through hell." I slapped him on the back. "And I would go through hell again with you, friend."

"Same here."

We turned around at the cheers from our comrades. Everyone made out alive to our relief. They didn't look in any better shape than us. We all wore different shades of red and the stains would be permanent. It was a shame I had to discard my soiled and torn shirt and jeans. I was very fond of the outfit that Sumia made. I motioned to her.

"Hey. Looks like I'll be needing new clothes. Sorry about the mess."

She busted out in giggles. "Oh stop! You know I can make you another set. I'm grateful you're alive!"

"So am I, Sumia," I looked at each face surrounding me and I smiled. "And I am thankful for each and every one of you here. Our bonds will never be broken and today, we just proved that!"

Hoorays of jubilee filled the air as Naga transported us to solid ground. The sky was clear. I couldn't recall the last time I was glad to see birds flying and chirping and the sun up high. I looked away when my eyes watered.

I walked up to each Shepherd and gave thanks and hugs. Vaike gave the hardest, almost crushing my ribs, but it was worth it. After rounds of embracing each other, Naga spoke.

"Well done, Awakener. I am pleased with your ability to defeat the fell dragon. You and the next generation will enjoy fruitful and peaceful lives." Shouts of joy went around, except out of me. I knew what Naga would say next.

"Grima is sealed away for another thousand years and will not be your problem."

The cheers ceased and bewilderment came about.

"What does that mean?" Chrom interjected. "Phil, did you know about this?"

I sighed, "I did. And I tried to warn you, but everyone was too excited and geared up for the final battle. I refused to be a buzz-kill and take away your happiness."

"Well, you certainly are now!" Lissa cried out. Tears flowed on her cheeks. The others followed up with similar reactions and pouting.

Lucina broke the silence. "I saw what the future holds if Grima wins. It is…unpleasant. He will come back and we must train up all in the future to prevent his destruction again! Our efforts must be tenfold! We must…"

Lucina broke down, but her father comforted her. "Easy there. Don't work yourself up. Let's try to relax, at least for a moment?"

She wiped away her tears. "Yes. You are right."

"Hey, we defeated an evil dragon. That alone is enough for celebration. We can focus on the future another time." I patted Lucina on her back.

"What do you propose we do now?" Chrom asked while folding his arms.

I grinned at my friend, and the rest.

"Let's go home."