Light bled in through the windows behind us. It dribbled down the woodwork of the ship and the water outside like its own version of rain, casting an orange glow over everything.

We were aweigh, on the open seas and heading straight for the Valmese fleet. The war council had convened once more, with I as an active participant instead of a casual observer. Being promoted threw me for a loop, admittedly. I'd always suspected that Frederick wouldn't be coming with us the whole way; his wound was too grievous. It was abnormal, and not even Tharja could deduce the cause. Like whether it was a curse or hex or something completely unknown.

Fell magic.

I just hoped Frederick was still alright by the time we returned.

"Alexander?" Sumia asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I blinked, regarding the council in front of me. Chrom, Robin, Sumia, Flavia, Basilio, and Phila stared at me, waiting for my report.

I shook my head. "Sorry," I coughed into my fist. "All the men have settled into their ships. Almost every one is filled to bursting, except for the supply ships towards the back. The horses are ornery, so I've heard, but they're holding up well enough, given the circumstances. A surplus of oil, as well."

"Are the men ready to fight?" Chrom asked, his eyes soft.

"As ready as they'll ever be, Chrom," I replied. "We have a small shortage of weapons, but nothing to be too concerned about at the moment. I'll give you an update once the next battle is over."

"Ha! If we do end up losing all our swords and axes, just throw us Feroxi at 'em. We've got fists made of iron and enough drink to dull the pain!" Basilio barked a laugh. "We'll do what we do best: Saving the rest of you from giant, monstrous regimes!"

"Don't mind the oaf; I think he had a little too much to drink before coming here," Flavia rolled her eyes.

I frowned.

Next, Sumia looked to Phila, who stood across the table. "Captain, er, Phila. How are the pegasus knights? Are they ready?"

"Cordelia has been keeping them well-maintained while I have been on my patrols," Phila reported. "I have every assurance that they are ready for deployment at any opportunity, my lady."

I saw Sumia blush slighty at being called that. I tilted my head to Robin, who only shrugged. Probably had something to do with Phila being Sumia's former captain. It had to be awkward, being addressed as superior to someone you took commands from not too long ago.

"Right, then," Chrom said finally, pushing himself away from the table. "Robin, with what's just been reported, what do you think is our best course of action?"

"Hmm," Robin hummed, gloved hand at his chin. "I have a few ideas, but nothing solid yet. Alex, you said there was a surplus of oil?"

Ah shit. Here we go.

I nodded. "Yep. Think the Plegians left some behind when they so generously gave us these ships."

"Indeed," Robin trailed off. "Chrom, Khans, I will speak with you come evening. I need to do some drafting."

"Oh, I know that look in your eye, Robin," Flavia smiled. "You've got something, huh? Something that'll smack those smug dastards right across the face!"

Robin smirked. "You could say that…"

The day was beautiful, if nothing else. The sea glimmered like a bed made of diamonds. The midday sun held itself high in the big blue sky, its rays shining against the little armor I bothered to wear. I always always kept a small amount of it on. Truthfully, I felt naked without it.

I let out a sigh. No one else was on the deck at that moment, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"Hey, hey! It's the one-handed knight!" A high-pitched, almost squeaky voice chortled. "Staring at the sun, are we? Wouldn't recommend that! It'll CAWS your eyes to go all milky! Nyahaha!"

I felt my eye twitch as I turned to the right and looked up, seeing a certain white-haired dark mage quietly giggling at his own joke. He sat on a bannister, looking down at me with upturned eyes.

"You must be Henry," I grumbled.

"Ah, so you have heard of me! I kinda got tired of introducing myself over and over. Never have to do that with crows. Even if you did, they'd just CAW at you! They're actually really good conversationalists, if you speak their language. Anyway!" He jumped down, the cape behind him flourishing almost like a blue-haired lord I knew. He approached me and held out his right hand. "Since we already got introductions outta the way, nice to meetcha, Alex!"

Instinctively, I held up my right hand-

…Oh. Oh fuck off.

"You did that on purpose," I accused.

"Did what on purpose?" Henry asked, that damn smile never leaving his youthful face. "You know, before you start accusing people, you need to have probable CAWS!"

"I think I have probable cause to throw you into the sea right now," I replied, deadpan.

"I've gotta hand it to ya, you're one scary dastard!"

"Henry. I'm going to kill you."

Henry backed up, slightly. "Ah, we're already getting to the good part! Just the way I like it! Hey, if you do end up killing me, make sure you get someone to wash the deck with my blood. It'll make the wood all red and shiny!"

"Yeah, sure. And we'll use your entrails to decorate the banisters."

What the fuck am I even saying!?

"Aha! That's a brilliant idea!" Henry snapped his fingers. "Make sure you make it quick, though. I don't like ouchies."

I frowned. "Actually, you know what, since you saved our lives back on Carrion…" I sighed, letting my rising anger go. "I'll just… let bygones be bygones, I guess."

"Aww! And here I thought the big knight was gonna disembowel me! I was just about to start drawing some pictures, too." Henry's eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh, but I know what you're talking about. When that awesome black knight ran down the hill and tried to kill you all messily and bloodily! Yeah, don't mention it. The crows got a good laugh about it, too!"

"Did they now?"

"Uhuh! They say all sorts of things behind our backs," Henry explained, pacing about like he was some sort of professor. "If a crow is laughing behind your back, there's certainly CAWS for concern!"

Is this how everyone feels when I make a shitty pun? Severa, I'm so, so sorry.

I groaned, resisting the urge to slam my face into the side of the ship. "Alright, alright, I think I'm done for today. Do we have any- nevermind. Forget what I was about to say." I stood up straight. "I'll just go and bash my face against a mace to get all these horrible puns outta my head."

"Hey, hey! Can I come with?" Henry asked cheerfully. Too cheerfully. "Ya see, I'm kinda running out of red paint. Very important for a hex I was gonna cast on those Valmese guys! Would you mind being a donor?"

"Why don't you go and be a psychopath somewhere else instead?"

"Aww, I'll take that as a no. Shame, that," Henry visibly deflated. "Well, if you ever change your mind, just yell my name to the sky three times! My face'll form in the clouds and we can talk from there! Nyahaha!"

Dear sweet Naga, please keep me from bashing the poor fuck's skull in with my bare hands.

"…and then he comes up to me, right? And he just starts saying the dumbest shit I've ever fuckin' heard. Of course, I just start playing along like the dumbass I am, said 'We should decorate the banisters with your entrails', shit like that. Craziest fucker I've ever met," I finished, keeping the cards in my left hand close to my chest so Gaius wouldn't be able to see them. "You guys met him yet?"

"Yeah, somethin' ain't quite right with that kid," Vaike replied, smirking smugly at his cards. "There's always those damn crows around him, too. The hell're they all doin' 'round him? And they always just stare at ya, like they're waitin' for ya to do somethin'. Creeps me somethin' fierce."

"Damn, the man who proposed to me is scared of some dark birds. What a shame," Sully quipped, leaning forward with her cards. "Thought you were made of sterner stuff, Vaike!"

"You of all people should know what Teach is made of, Sully!"

"They've graduated from sexual tension to shameless flirting in front of us," Gaius said, a tint of sadness coloring his voice as he sat on a crate like a human slinky. "Brings a tear to my eye. They're all grown up, ain't they, Sailor?"

"Yup. I'm proud of you two." I smirked. "Just a couple months ago the mere thought of someone thinking you'd be a good couple would send you into conniptions. Now? Well, we're only a war away from Kjelle being born, I'd think."

"There're still limits, Alex," Sully warned. "Don't make me wipe the deck with your ass."

"If you did that it'd just make it even dirtier. You'd have to do it all over again," I pointed out.

"Small price to pay to relive the good ol' days," Sully mused. "Damn, how long's it been since I kicked your ass up and down the training grounds? Too damn long, in my opinion."

"The Vaike used to watch that. Damn, did ya look good while you were doing it."

"Uh oh, they're ganging up on you now, Sailor," Gaius pointed out, leaning back and smiling. "Better start defending yourself before they get even more courageous."

"Jokes on them," I laughed. "I'm engaged to the most beautiful woman in all Ylisse. There isn't a fuckin' thing they can do to bring me down."

"Oh yeah?" Vaike asked, grinning toothily. "Say, didn't ya go all in?"

I gulped. "As a matter of fact, I did. There something you wanna tell me, Vaike?"

"Oh, nothin'. Nothin'. Heh, wouldn't it be shame if ya lost 'em all?"

"Oh," My eyes widened in realization. "Oh, oh fuck off. There's no way in hell you've got-!"

"Sailor, don't have a heart attack, yeah? Roughhouse still has to decide whether to fold 'em or play her hand. You still got time."

The one oil lamp we had to light our dim surroundings flickered lightly. "Well, I guess I'm fucked. I'd better die like a true knight, then. Bring it on, fuckers. Let it never be said that I don't finish what I started."

"If that was true, wouldn't Cordelia be pregnant by now?" Sully asked smarmily.

"I oughta throw you off the deck, face first into the goddamn water. You're lucky you're my fuckin' friend." I growled.

"Oh yeah, ain't I just the luckiest woman who ever did live?" Sully laughed to the wooden ceiling. "Anyway, think I'll fold 'em. Ya better win this, Vaike. For both of us."

Gaius held up three fingers. "In three. One. Two. Three!"

I put my hand down, my heart beating in my chest like a jackhammer. Four of a Kind on my end, while Vaike-

"Fucking knew it," I whispered hoarsely, watching my life flash before my eyes. "Y-you lucky bastard."

Vaike's smile was quickly becoming the bane of my existence. "What's that? All I hear is 'Teach wins'! Har har!"

"Guess you ain't all that bad after all," Sully laughed.

"Better luck next time, Sailor," Gaius shrugged.

"My poor, poor heart," I whimpered. "I'm just a poor boy from a poor family. How could you do this to me? I trusted you, Vaike!"

"Ain't Teach's fault your luck is just so damn shit!" Vaike replied, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Guess ya just didn't pray hard enough. Har!"

"God, that fuckin' laugh. I'm gonna get a hernia at this rate," I grumbled.

"Don't let it get you down, Sailor," Gaius said, patting me on the back as I stared off into nothingness. "You can't win 'em all. Not even I can."

"Well, I guess that's true," I sighed. "Fuck it, let's go again. This time I'll beat you into the ground, Vaike."

"Teach would like to see ya try!" Vaike replied smugly, leaning forward. "The Vaike's gonna beat ya again right in front of his fiancé! C'mon, let's go!"

It was nice, just having a game night with my friends. Reminded me to appreciate the small things in life. And, considering how ugly the war was up to that point, it was needed. Like many other things, though, I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Sentry duty on a ship seemed redundant, if I was honest. We were still days away from the Valmese fleet, if the reports were to be believed. But, and Robin was especially desperate to point this out, all plans could go awry, and all reports could be proven false. So, there I was, standing guard for the night and looking at the glistening sea. Strangely, I didn't have any problems with sea sickness. I certainly didn't have my sea legs yet, and I doubted I ever would, but at least I didn't have to deal with constantly blowing chunks over the side of the ship anymore. Definitely a plus, that.

…I wonder how Cordy is doing. Probably sleeping in a nice, comfortable bed.

"Beautiful night, huh?" A voice said beside me.

I wasn't alone on guard duty that night. Turning, I saw Stahl, spear in hand and looking out at the sea.

"Yup," I replied easily, admiring the gemstones glittering in the gentle waves. "If there's one thing guard duty at night is good for, it's times like these. If it was raining, though, I'd probably be hating life."

"Ha! Me too. It's important someone is out here, though. Never know if we might be attacked in the dead of night," Stahl pointed out, crossing his arms and rubbing his shoulders. "It's kind of chilly out here."

I felt a shiver run up my spine as he said that, a breeze flowing past us. "Well, I guess so. The fleet is still days away, though, and I doubt any pirates will try and take us on."

"When you put it like that, this does seem a little silly, huh?" Stahl said, looking up at the sky. "I can think of any number of places I'd rather be. Back in my father's shop, making vulneraries, sleeping with Panne…"

I turned to the greenish-brown haired cavalier confusedly, noticing a golden band on his ring finger. "Ah. Tied the knot, did you?"

Stahl laughed. "You could say that."

I sighed. "Well, I'm happy for you. Although it feels like all the Shepherds started proposing to each other just as soon as the war started. I gotta ask, though, how'd you catch her?"

"'Catch her'? Oh!" Stahl chuckled awkwardly, avoiding my gaze. "Y-yeah, that was a, um, it was a crazy night."

I looked at him strangely, and I could almost feel the gears turning in my own head. "Stahl, you didn't do it while she was in rabbit form did you?"

"What? Gods, no!" Stahl looked mortified. "She just, ah, this is hardly the best thing to be discussing right now."

"You had no problem talking about your sex life in a crowded marketplace, Stahl," I pointed out, my voice deadpan. "Now that we're alone, you're all of a sudden just so, so embarrassed."

"I was asking for advice that time!" Stahl protested. "Now that we've actually- It's all much more intimate now."

I snorted. "Fair enough. I'll lay off you. I'm still curious, though. How're you and Yarne holding up? Must be a bit of whiplash, having a son from the future."

Stahl blinked before closing his eyes and sighing. "Yeah, you could say that. I don't know why, but for some reason I thinks that I'd even dare to have extramarital affairs. I want to talk to him, you know, have the relationship we apparently never had in the future, but it's, uh, difficult."

Memories of my arguments with Severa surfaced, and my eyes softened a bit. "I can understand that. Don't tell anyone I said this, but Severa can be a bit prickly at times. She's still my little girl, and nothing will ever change that, but, I dunno, sometimes I'd like to have a conversation with her that doesn't feel like I'm walking on eggshells, you know? Some of the things she said my future self did haven't really made me feel all that better, either."

Stahl turned to me. "We'll both have to make up for lost time, won't we?"

I nodded. "They deserve that much from us, at least." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I've got my oaths as a knight, and my promise as a father and husband. I'm not going to break either. We're going to be alive this time next year, with the Empire and Grima six feet under and peace across the Halidom and the world."

Stahl smiled, turning back to the sparkling ocean. "That's something worth fighting for. I'd gladly lay down my life to see that come true."

"If it does, you won't have to," I replied. "I know I intend to get through this alive. No matter what."

"Gods willing," Stahl agreed. "Well, we'd better get back to, er, actually guarding, right?"

I laughed. "Yeah, probably. Just give me a sec."

The conversation I had swirled in my head like a whirlpool, congealing into one, central idea.

I'm going to get out of this alive even if it kills me.

Didn't make much sense, in all honesty, but it was the thought that counted. I wasn't going to leave Cordelia and Severa alone. It was a new promise, one I'd made myself the afternoon I woke up.

And I always kept my promises.

I groaned as I walked down the crew quarters within our ship, the wood creaking beneath my feet. My bones cracked as I stretched, closing my eyes for a moment and tilting my head to create a loud series of pops.

We were, at most, a day and a half away from the Valmese fleet, then. It wouldn't be long. Despite that, I didn't feel too antsy. Not because I wasn't worried, but because I'd grown so used to being worried that it didn't really affect me anymore. I knew that probably wasn't a good sign. It felt like I should've been feeling something, but no. All I felt was this intense background anxiety that didn't go away, that made me feel more tired than usual, that made it hard to sleep-

Maybe if you got somebody to clobber you over the head, it would work.

I was on my way to my room, well, our room. Hopefully, I'd finally get a good night's sleep before the battle that'd probably come the next day. Then I bumped into her.

"Ah, Sir Alexander," Lucina greeted, coming around a corner and blinking as she almost bumped into me. "You are up rather late."

"Could say the same to you, kid," I grumbled. "Can't get to sleep, huh?"

She looked to the right and leaned against the wooden wall. "I… No, I cannot. This feeling is different. Different from the usual dread and hopelessness of the future. I despise cutting down my fellow man, even in a war I had only heard tales of in my youth. I think you said it was jitters?"

I nodded. "Sounds like me. I get them too. Got them now, as a matter of fact."

"Really?" Lucina looked at me quizzically. "You do not seem to be 'jittering' as it were."

"I'm good at hiding it," I replied easily. "I don't wanna be that guy, but, well, just remember that these guys burned down Port Ferox because they felt like it. That should give us reason enough to return the favor."

Lucina grimaced, looking down. "I do not understand why they did that. What point did it serve? All of those innocent men and women immolated by living, breathing people, just like them. How could they do such a thing?"

I sighed, running a hand down my face. "God, I hate talking like this, but, Lucina, this is war. Not a drawn-out last stand with humanity's finest fighting against purple-skinned monsters. People are cruel, greedy, bloodthirsty, stupid, petty, and everything between and beyond. Of course, that isn't everything they are, but the Valmese certainly like showing that side of themselves, if Port Ferox is anything to go by." My gaze hardened. "That's just the way things are. There is definitely shit worth fighting for in this world. You just gotta cut through the crap."

"Surely it cannot be that bad, could it?" Lucina whispered. "It couldn't be."

I shrugged. "Don't listen to me, Lucina. I'm just in a bitter mood, I guess. We've both seen some fucked up stuff, I know. Maybe I'm just worse at weathering it than you are."

Lucina was silent for a moment, studying the floor with extreme precision. After a moment, she sighed. "Perhaps there is some wisdom in what you say. Your future self would often try to steer me in more pragmatic directions, but I could never abide by them. If there were people in need, I would help them with whatever power I could muster. That is just who I am, and I believe others would do the same."

My mouth opened slightly, stunned by her answer. A second later, I was chuckling. She looked at me like I'd just gone mad. "Ha! That's-" I held a hand up. "-Don't worry; I'm not laughing at you or your answer! I'm just… Damn, you really are his kid, huh?"

"Are you talking about father?" Lucina asked. "Of course I am his child. Why are you…?"

My chuckling grew. "D-damn, I'm gonna-!" I took a moment to compose myself. "Hah. Don't worry about it, kid. You've got a good head on your shoulders. Hell, all of you have a good head on your shoulders. Resilient too, I guess. Don't mind my dry laughter," I let out a breath. "That's a healthy mindset, Lucina. Keep it. It'll take you places."

"A-alright? I am still not sure I understand, but I will take your, er, praise."

"It doesn't come cheap! Well, not anymore," I looked up at the ceiling for a moment, thinking. "Actually, you know what, before I let you go, I do have a question."

"Yes?" Lucina queried, brow raised.

"When we fought the Deadlord. Verrat, I think his name was?" I rubbed the back of my head as Lucina's blue eyes narrowed. "You said something about his sword. About how it was my sword."

I could still remember the sword, the way it looked like it was carved from the moon itself. It was probably made from silver, although I'd never seen a sword quite like it. The mere memory of it sent a chill up my spine.

Lucina took a second to respond. "It was your blade, Sir Alex. It was called Requiem. I never saw it away from your side; always strapped to your hip. As far as I knew, it was commissioned soon after… Soon after father's death. A badge of your new office."

I took a deep breath. "My new office, hm? Knight-Commander, I take it," I looked to the side. "Ever since Owain and Kjelle made that slip up, I always kinda knew."

"Sir Alexander?"

"We should get some sleep, Lucina," I said suddenly, standing up straight. "It wouldn't do to meet tomorrow tired. We're gonna be needed in tip-top shape. Good night."

I walked past her, my gaze pointed squarely at the floor. It really said a lot about me when the best I could do when faced with even the future death of a Shepherd was to get all moody and shit.

Shaking my head, I tried my best to put it far from my mind.

I got to my room and closed the door behind me, sighing. Nothing but long days and short nights for the past week, despite the fact that we were in the middle of Autumn, heading onto Winter.

Such is the life of a Knight-Captain.

"Ah, there you are!"

Of course, not everything is bad.

I turned around, smiling. Cordelia sat at the desk within the room, reading a book. Once she noticed me, however, she quickly got up and approached. In just a moment, she wrapped her arms around me, and we shared a chaste and quick kiss on the lips. Just like that, my mood improved. Like a switch had been flipped in my head.

"Hey there, beautiful," I laughed, holding her close to me. "Did you miss me?"

"Hah! Of course I did," She replied easily, smirking up at me. "Did you not? Here I was thinking that you needed cheering up when you walked in. Was I wrong?"

"God, no!" I leaned down, kissing her again. Couldn't get enough of that. "Thought I'd try being all suave and crap. Should've known that wouldn't work on you."

"Of course not. Not that being called 'beautiful' is unappreciated, mind you."

I raised my hand, cupping her cheek. "Well, on that, I wasn't acting. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. I almost can't believe it."

"And how do you think I feel, hm? Don't put down your own looks, love," She replied, looking me straight in the eyes. "Think about it, a man from a different world comes and warms my heart right when it's at its darkest. It's storybook!"

"From my perspective, an angel came down and kept me from self-destructing. How could I stop myself from falling for you, I wonder? Literally impossible."

Cordelia lightly slapped me on the chest as she turned away. "Damn you! You win this time. Saying all of those things should be outlawed."

I chuckled. "Until they are, expect to hear me keep saying them."

I couldn't see her face, but I could hear the smile in her voice. "Good."

Taking off the few pieces of armor I had on, I sat on the bed. I wiped at my forehead, sighing. This was the kind of stuff that I went through the day for; just relaxing with my fiancé. If I could, I'd spend my entire day with her. Unfortunately, being two reasonably important people in the middle of an intercontinental war made even moments with each other few and far between outside of sleep.

I didn't think of that stuff for long, thankfully. Not because I stopped myself consciously or anything, but because my eyes were drawn to Cordelia taking off her boots and stockings.

Didn't even notice she was watching me right back until she giggled. I looked up, noticing a healthy blush on her face. "Like what you see?"

I nodded dumbly. "You've, uh, I've said this before but you got some perfect legs."

"Oh, do I now?" She asked lightly, standing up straight. "I could certainly tell from the way you were staring," She descended into a straight-up giggle fit soon after. I could feel my own cheeks heat up, yet I couldn't stop smiling.

Never could stop smiling when she was around, really.

She sat down beside me. I turned to try and lay down, but her hand on my shoulder stopped me. "I have a question to ask you, Alex." She said softly.

It wasn't in the playful tone I was used to, so I stopped myself instantly and continued to sit beside her. She was silent for a moment as I listened intensely, waiting for what she had to say.

"How do you… How do you feel about children?" She asked quietly, looking down at the floor.

I opened my mouth to answer but nothing came. My jaw clamped shut with a small 'clop' as I adjusted a few fingers on my iron hand. I knew I wasn't the brightest in the world, but that didn't mean I was that stupid; I knew exactly what she meant.

We already had Severa. But that was different; she both was, and technically wasn't our daughter. Sure, biologically, she was, but we'd gotten to know her as a teenager. We never raised her, never saw her grow up, never saw her take her first steps. What Cordelia was talking about was having, well, children. In the present. What went unasked was would we be there for them, always.

Licking my lips, I began, "You know, I've asked myself that question a lot. At least, I used to." I sighed. "No matter what, I'd always come to the same conclusion: I'd never get the chance. I wasn't exactly the most sociable person before coming here, you know. But I've kinda… always wanted at least one, you know? A kid. A child."

Cordelia looked at me, something akin to hope in her eyes. "Does that mean you…?"

"If it's with you? Absolutely," I laughed awkwardly. "Hell, if you didn't bring it up then I would've. And that would've been really awkward, lemme tell you."

Cordelia let out a sigh of relief, placing a hand against her chest. "Thank the Gods, I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest just asking."

"We should probably wait until after the war, though," I rubbed the back of my neck. "I don't think it'd be a good idea to have a little Severa running around what with all this mayhem."

"I was about to say as much, yes," Cordelia giggled. "Although the look on her face were we to tell her, I imagine it would be priceless!"

I openly laughed, thinking about Severa's reaction. The gamut ran from her being relieved to being absolutely outraged.

Wrapping an arm around Cordelia's waist, I pulled her closer to me. Her head landed on my shoulder, her hair tickling my neck.

I'll never grow bored of these moments.

"Dear Lord, it's never-ending," I said breathlessly, staring across the open blue towards the massive ships that faced ours. At any moment, I expected them to start firing their trebuchets filled with flaming barrels of whale oil. They'd leave our ships broken and flaming, just as they did to all the houses and families that were in Port Ferox.

"And all we've got are our tiny little row boats!" Basilio exclaimed. "Ain't no way we're getting through them with brute force, that's for sure!"

"I assure you, Basilio, we won't need to," Robin said calmly. I turned to the cloaked man, my expression puzzled.

"Let's go over it one more time, Robin," Chrom asked, his left hand on Falchion's pommel. "I want to put everyone's minds at ease."

"As you wish, Chrom," Robin replied, smirking. "The Valmese ships are formidable, yes, and you were right, Basilio; were we to attack them directly, our full might against theirs, we would surely fail. But we will not be taking them head on. No, Alex reminded me of our supply of oil. A surplus, if I remember correctly."

I nodded. "Cordy said it wasn't on the supply manifest, but they're there, true as truth."

"Indeed," Robin continued, "I have spent the better half of this week making sure our ships were sufficiently stocked with oil. Oil we will use to set the Valmese fleet alight."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The same plan Robin used in the… the game, wouldn't work there; we had too many soldiers, filling all of our ships. That left another option: using the same surplus of oil in a slightly different way.

"How're we gonna do that, Robin?" Flavia asked. "We don't have any trebuchets or catapults. Nothing we can use."

"Who said we needed to play by their rules, hm?" Robin smiled. A smile that made my blood run cold. "Their ships are imposing, yes, but ours are much smaller and more maneuverable. Now, allow me to share with you the finer details…"

I was on a ship, guarding our supply vessels. Several ships along with my own had been sent back as well, making sure that no stragglers or suicidal morons would dare try to go for our heart.

Pippin was within the seafaring convoy as well, so I had personal stakes in defense. I almost breathed a sigh of relief when Robin told me that it was going to be my job, along with several of the other Shepherds. Only a few, and Cordelia was still high in the air above, fighting the rival pegasus knights. Knowing her and how she trained Ylisse's air force, however, I doubted the Valmese fliers stood a snowball's chance in hell.

I could still remember her fighting, they way it looked as if she and her pegasus were one, dancing and gliding through the air as if it was second nature. There was beauty in that. Great beauty. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

All thoughts of Cordelia, however, vanished as I saw the fighting begin. Our own ships bravely charged through the Valmese line, sliding in between their own massive vessels easily. That's when the flames erupted. Robin's plan was simple: Put our ships in between Valm's, and throw the barrels full of oil onto their hulls.

The fire burned, reflecting off the wine-dark ocean. I saw it engulf an entire Valmese ship, all its brutish and imposing design not stopping the inferno that licked and burned against the wood. Charred black planks fell into the sea, extinguished too late to save those who had lived on it. One by one, the Valmese ships were consumed by the raging fires. Their masts broken, their sails cut and blackened, a vast majority of them fell into the sea.

And all I could think of as I stared from my safe little perch, next to all our supply ships, was how the flames looked like dragonfire. As if a manakete had flown through the sky and set them all alight itself.

Fire on the blue. Red against the waves. Blood floating in the breeze… Why does this all seem so familiar?

"Ship off starboard!" A man yelled, snapping me out of my reverie. "Crew on deck and armed!"

I turned to the small squad of soldiers behind me. "Alright. Ready yourselves, men! Give these dastards no quarter! Prepare for boarding!"

Putting my helmet on and unhooking the axe I had on my belt, I ran to the starboard side of the ship along with the rest of the crew. The man who had yelled was right; a single ship, lightly manned by the looks of it but still filled with almost a dozen angry-looking soldiers, came upon our starboard flank.

So, suicidal morons it is.

An arrow whizzed past me. "Archers! Return fire!"

It was no hunter's volley, but it served its purpose well enough; I heard shouts of pain as several of the Valmese were hit by our arrows. That small victory didn't last long, however, as boards were placed between our ship and theirs.

Suicidal, indeed. Especially with the mood I'm in.

The Valmese boarded and we clashed. The clanking of armor and sparking of metal against metal was all I heard as I swung my axe against an armored Valmese soldier. The loud metallic 'clang' as his helmet shook with the force of the impact made my already jackhammering heart go into overdrive. A million different feelings surfaced at once, all leading to one conclusion.

Don't let them get away with it.

My pent-up rage finally let loose on the men who ordered an entire town be destroyed. The charred remains of an entire family flashed before my eyes as I brought my axe down on the already disorientated Valmese's head, watching as it cut through his helmet and cracked his skull with a hollow 'thunk'. I snarled like an animal as I went to the next. And the next. And the next.

"Board their ship!" I commanded, raising my iron hand. "Don't let them escape!"

The men under my command did as instructed. That was good; one thing that had become increasingly evident to me was that our soldiers, while not as numerous, were better trained. For every man we lost, five were killed on their side.

The stiff boards between our vessels held us well enough, and soon we were on their deck, fighting them in their own territory. No additional soldiers were running through the doors from below deck. In other words, either it was all they had, or there was a trap waiting for us beneath.

I clashed weapons with a lightly armored infantryman and shoved him to the ground with ease. His weapon clattered to the ground. His open-faced helmet revealed a youthful face, stricken with fear. The wet spot between his legs quickly grew as he whimpered, shielding his head from my incoming blow.

I stopped. The rest of the Valmese were surrounded, cornered to a single part of the ship. The infantryman below me cracked one eye open, curious as to why his death hadn't come.

He's not responsible for Port Ferox. He's just a soldier. He takes orders. That's what he does. True blame lies with those who ordered it.

I growled, using my iron hand to raise the infantryman to his feet. Slowly, I guided him to his compatriots, and roughly shoved him into their group.

"Drop your weapons now, and you won't die," I intoned, my voice deep. "The battle is over. You have lost. Surrender now and I assure you that you will not be harmed."

An armored soldier stepped forward, the men behind him apparently electing him as their leader. Or maybe he was the actual captain. Either way, he replied: "How can we believe you?"

"What would I get out of murdering you?" I asked back, shaking my axe. "You'll have to take my word for it, bud. Either that, or you'll be responsible for your troops' deaths."

I couldn't see his face behind his helmet, but if his body language was anything to go by, he was conflicted. I was beginning to lose hope that he'd stand down before his weapon, a spear, fell to the ground. His men's weapons soon followed.

I let out a sigh of relief.

I did it, Donny. I stopped myself this time.

Admit it, how many of you thought I'd never upload again? I know all too well how it is. When a fic goes on a break, they can be gone for months or never come back at all. But not me! No sirree. I've got an entire Discord to ensure this fic pretty much never leaves my mind. The break was appreciated, though.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. I certainly had fun writing it!

Here's a link to our Discord: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

Have a good rest of your day!

Edited on 3/19/21. Alex and Cordelia are in love and it's great.