Ere the sun rises over a red day…

Wyval sat there like a fortress of doom, taunting us with its walls and towers and buttresses. My left hand twitched with either anticipation or trepidation, almost like it knew how many people it'd cut down on that day alone. I sighed, ignoring the looming clouds in the distance. Behind me, our army was mobilizing, preparing for a full assault on the city and the castle.

I walked up to Robin as he read through a tome, a group of mages plus Tiki and Henry surrounding him.

"Oh, hey! It's Iron Man!" The Plegian dark mage chortled. "Haven't talked to ya in a while! How's life been treating you? Get any good, bloody kills here recently?"

The rest of the mages shifted uncomfortably as I responded. "Well, I did throw someone off the wall back at Fort Mycen. That was fun."

"Oooh! I bet he splattered across the dirt! All his entrails and blood and bones going 'squash' against the cold, hard ground- Hah, you know how to get me raring to go. Good thing Robin needs me that way!"

I frowned. "That reminds me," I looked to the tactician. "Robin?"

"Ah- What? Yes. Yes I'm here," Robin looked up from his dusty old tome. "Oh, Alex. I thought you'd be… Nevermind. Yes, what did you need?"

I crossed my arm. "I just wanted to ask you a question." I turned to Wyval, noticing the large wooden gates placed within its walls. "You said you're going to Thoron the shit out of the wall. With the help of all these guys. And Henry."

"Heeey! Am I not a person?"

"No."

"That's cold, Sir Alex. Cold as a corpse!"

"Anyway," I waved off. "I'm just wondering… Back at Fort Mycen, the Rosanneans used a Bolganone tome to blow a chunk out of our wall. Is this… ritual you're about to do common?"

"Only for sieges," Robin informed me, going back to reading the tome. "It's time-consuming and difficult to get right. There are many variables that go into magic, Alex, and not all of them have to be accounted for alone. That enemy tactician, Excellus, right? I don't think he accounted for me back at Fort Mycen, heh."

The distinct memory of Robin beaming fireballs out of the sky flashed across my mind. I massaged my temples, not even trying to wrap my head around the no doubt 'complicated' process to get the magic part of our plan to work. It was never my area of expertise; that was fighting and killing people, one on one with a sword or axe or spear.

I came back to reality just in time to see Robin's gaze drawn downwards. "…I don't like straightforward assaults. The last time I did that, it resulted in the death of Stahl. The casualties of this battle could be high."

"Robin," Tiki began sternly. "Listen to me. There is no subversive strategy that can be performed here. Do you remember what was said during the war council? Sometimes, a straightforward approach is the right answer. There will always be death in battle. I have been in enough of them to realize that." For just a split second, Tiki's gaze drifted far off, towards something none of us could see. "Trust in me, Robin. Trust in us. The city will be ours, and with it, the Valmese Empire will be crippled."

"I wonder how crippled they actually will be," I muttered. "The duke sold his soul to Grima, for fuck's sake. How much food has made it to the frontlines with the Risen and the Deadlord at this asshole's beck and call?"

"All the more reason for us to take the city, Alex," Tiki answered, her vibrant green eyes boring into mine. "Whatever plan the Fell Dragon has for Rosanne ends here."

"…You're right, Tiki," Robin said, his voice slowly gaining strength. "Even if Dorion was planning to secede from the Empire with Grima's help, he would have become a thorn in our side eventually. I'm sorry. For my whining, I mean."

"You've told me your plans many times these past few months, Robin," Tiki smiled. "You have talent in creating them. It's disheartening to see you doubt yourself."

Robin nodded, a small smile on his lips and a slight red tint to his cheeks. "Thank you. Truly. You will help me with this spell, right?"

"Of course," Tiki replied, curling her finger around a lock of green hair. "I want to see how this works, especially with such skilled mages beside you. And Sable, too."

I perked up at that, hearing Henry beginning to cackle next to me. "You're gonna use Sable for this?"

Robin unsheathed Fulmen, revealing Sable still engraved in its hilt. With a swift push, the gemstone rested in Robin's palm. "What can I say? I'm curious."

I stared blankly at him. "…What if it explodes on you?"

"Well, that would mean it obviously wasn't a very successful experiment, hmm?" Tiki asked thoughtfully.

"Peace, Alex," Robin replied. "We have almost a dozen skilled mages here, and a Divine Dragon. Honestly, I'm more worried about what this will do to the city." Robin looked to the fortress-city. "They won't know what hit them."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep a headache from coming on. "Well, alright," I sighed, the spear on my back rattling and my armor clanking as I walked away. "Just send someone my way when we're about to get going."

I'd been part of dozens of battles. I hesitated to call myself a veteran; reminded me of my dad, but I certainly wasn't green. Many of those battles had worse odds than the one we were about to charge straight into.

So why did my right hand hurt? Why did my instincts scream at me to protect them?

Whether it was because of the phantom pain in my right hand, or because of general nervousness, I sought Cordelia and Severa out. Just to make absolutely sure that everything was fine.

I didn't know why I'd think they were in danger when the battle hadn't even begun yet, I would never know.

They were where the rest of the Pegasus Knights were, at the far edge of camp.

"I don't think this one likes me, mom," Severa groused, looking at one of the Pegasi. "It keeps glaring at me."

Cordelia raised a hand to her chin. "Well, Aurora has given your father a death glare for as long as I can remember. Even then, she's never tried to kick him in the face…"

"Look, I know I'm not ready to go out fighting on a Pegasus just yet, but if they're all gonna treat me like this one, maybe I shouldn't-"

"Sweetie, it'll be fine," Cordelia assuaged. "You already know what you're supposed to do on a Pegasus; I have no doubt you'll be a natural at it once we get you into the air. It's simply a matter of finding the right one!"

"Or maybe all Pegasi are mean and vicious," I spoke up, moving towards them. "Always with that glare, you know. Starting to think there's something wrong with me."

"Dad?" Severa turned around, perplexed. "What're you doing here?"

I said nothing as I hugged Cordelia, feeling her sigh and giggle against me. Severa retched next to us "What?" I asked back. "Are you telling me I can't hug the woman I love?"

"Y-Yeah, but in front of your daughter?" Severa argued, crossing her arms. "Shameful. Shame upon both of you."

"I'm sure your father is feeling very shameful, Severa," Cordelia replied for me, cupping my cheek in her warm hand. "Very shameful indeed, hmm?"

"Yeah, I wonder what I'll have to do to restore my honor," I wondered aloud, looking down at my wife. "Do you have any ideas, Cordy?"

"A few ideas, love," Cordelia whispered.

"Gawd!" Severa nearly screamed, placing her hands over her ears and shutting her eyes tight. "How can both of you still be like this!? You two've been engaged for almost a year now and you were together even before that! How are you still so… lovey-dovey? It's sickening!"

"I personally see it as a testament to how successful our marriage is gonna be," I said. "Imagine it; in ten years, we'll be exactly the same, still torturing you by being sickeningly sweet. How does that sound?"

Cordelia laughed, taking a step back. "Alright, love, let's give her a break. Did you really come here just to check on us?"

"…Mostly," I began. "I've been nervous since we woke up this morning, and spending time with both of you is a good way to get over it. Although, there is, uh, one thing that's been worrying me here recently."

Cordelia and Severa looked at me expectantly.

I adjusted a few fingers on my iron hand, avoiding their gazes. "Well, I was actually hoping to talk with you alone but I guess Sev should have a say in this, too. Cordy, what are you- are we going to do after this battle?"

Cordelia's eyes widened, looking down at her stomach. "Do you mean…?"

Stepping forward, I placed my hand against her belly, feeling the slight bulge through the fabric of her tunic. "Yes. I can see it, Cordy. We won't be able to hide it for much longer."

"Hey, why didn't you wanna have me be a part of this?" Severa asked pointedly, giving me a dirty look. "Did you think my opinion wasn't worth anything, is that it?"

"Of course not, sweetheart," I replied. "I just… this just felt very personal, if that makes sense. Considering this is, well," I looked down at Cordelia's stomach. "You, you should be a part of it."

"Well, good," Severa sniffed. "If you want my opinion, mom, you shouldn't fight after this battle," Severa's brows furrowed. "I still think it's kinda daft that you decided to fight at all after you found out you were pregnant with me. I have no idea if that's what you did in the future, but if you did, please don't do it again."

Cordelia shook her head, her voice strained. "It's not that simple," She looked at Severa, and then up at me. "I've been training for most my life and fighting near nonstop these past few years. To suddenly let that go and become a burden… It feels humiliating, somehow. Who will lead my squad in my absence? What will they think when they find out their captain has become pregnant in the middle of the bloodiest war in recent memory?"

It only occurred to me then how irresponsible we'd both look, and I had to shove down the guilt that bubbled up in my chest. I couldn't help but feel that that was my fault. In a way, I supposed it was. We had no plan for this. We essentially put it off the moment she told me about her pregnancy. And then we were there, on the eve of battle, trying to find a way to deal with it.

Shuffling things to the side has never helped you before, boy scout. It's only led to tragedy.

Severa moved to speak but said nothing. She bit back whatever words she wanted to say in favor of staring at the ground.

Cordelia shook her head. "You're right, Severa. This isn't exactly about me, or us, anymore, is it, Alex?"

"No, I guess it isn't," I shrugged, trying my best to keep a straight face. "Cordelia, I'm-!"

"Are you about to apologize?" Cordelia asked preemptively. "Don't. Please. We both did this, love. I should have brought my concerns up with you long before we lost ourselves."

I grasped her hand. "Whatever happens, I will support you," I said adamantly. "We can't keep it a secret forever, but when it comes out, I will get you through it. We're in this together," I gazed at the sparkling gold ring on her other hand. "That's the promise we made to each other, after all."

Cordelia pressed her closed fist to her chest, taking a few deep breaths. "You're right. How silly of me…" She opened her eyes. "After this battle, we should tell Robin, Prince Chrom, and Captain Phila once we reach them again. Perhaps we can come up with an arrangement of sorts. Gods, Alex, we are fools, aren't we?"

"I'll say," Severa snorted. "Getting pregnant in the middle of a war, what were you two thinking?"

"Sex doesn't usually involve thinking, Sev," I commented bluntly. "At least, not when your mother comes into the tent at night with that smile on her face, at least-"

"Lemme just stop you right there. Too much fucking information! Gawd!" Severa pressed her hands against her ears, turning around. "The next time you decide to be gross, warn me."

"But it's so much fun to watch you squirm," I replied, smirking. "If you ever get a significant other, it'll be torture for you once they know how to press your buttons."

"Bringing that up, huh?" Severa looked back. "I'll make sure to get with someone that'll really piss you off, then."

"If it's Inigo, I will stab him."

"Ew! No," Severa shook her head vehemently. "I'd rather die than get with him."

Our verbal battle was interrupted by the sound of Cordelia laughing. "You…! Both of you! You really are your father and I's child!" She wiped away a few tears. "Gods, I needed that. Thank you!"

"Uh, sure, I guess?" Severa rubbed the back of her neck. "Whatever makes you happy, mom."

"Well," Cordelia stood up straight. "The battle's going to begin soon. I don't know what Robin has planned, but it can't be anything good."

"That was a low blow, honey," I gave her a peck on the lips before looking at her seriously. "We're agreed, right? After this, no more fighting?"

"Yes, love, of course," Cordelia replied, cupping my cheek once more. "…It will be difficult but fighting for this long while I am with child was a bold move. Perhaps even tempting fate. You'll still visit me, right? While the war is going on!"

"No, I was just going to leave you alone in a tent while you're pregnant with my kid," I deadpanned. "God, Cordy, of course I am!"

"Good," Cordelia smiled, hugging me a final time and nuzzling into my chest. "Good…"

I embraced her tightly, ignoring Severa scoffing; I knew some part of her was happy to see us that way. Maybe I played around a little too much, but moments like those were what I lived for. I never wanted them to stop.

Unfortunately for us all, life had other plans. There was a battle to be won, people to be killed, a Fell Dragon to be slain, all that good shit.

I stood in front of an army one-thousand strong, atop an armored steed and with a lance in hand. I felt like I'd come out of a painting, looking back at the men and women behind me. A vast majority of them were Rosannean peasantry, perhaps a few regular knights, and mixed in were our original soldiers. They had thrown off Dorion's yoke and decided to follow Virion, even if he was also a coward of the highest order. I knew better then, of course, but that was the gist that I got from them all.

Only a few men were on horses; it was believed the hole that'd be punched through the wall would be small, leaving little room for such large beasts. With that in mind, most of the men were on foot, with spears in hand. We all waited patiently for Robin's signal.

"I never thought I would see this day…" A voice said beside me. I looked down to see Vivien, standing beside me. Her hand laid on Hearth Arcturus' grip, ready to charge and cut down any who stood in her way. "Rosanne, Wyval… so close to being freed."

"Don't go all sentimental on me yet," I grunted. "We still have an entire city to clear out before this place is ours."

"Yes, of course," Vivien bowed her head. "Forgive me, Sir Alexander. We have just been hopeless for so long that I had doubted I would ever stand here," She looked up at me, eyes unexpectedly watery. "On behalf of Rosanne, I thank you Ylisseans for your sacrifices in our country's liberation. I'm sure Duke Virion will reward you with the highest honor that is in his station to grant but if you would allow me to be so bold…" Vivien stepped a bit closer. "You will always have a friend in the people of Rosanne. Mark my words, Sir Alexander."

"Be careful who you make promises to," I looked down, smiling. "You never know when someone will cash in on it. Thank you, though. Truly. Not to sound vain or anything but it's nice to be recognized every once and a while."

"Indeed, but in your own words, that will have to wait until after the battle is over."

I nodded, my helmet gently clinking. "Yeah, so don't die on me, ya hear? I know saying that is basically tempting fate, but I felt like I should say it all the same."

Vivien laughed. "Appreciated all the same! I'll be sure to not disappoint you, Sir Alexander!"

"Oh, and hey, if you lose a hand, I got you," I raised my right hand. "I know a guy who can hook you up with a prosthetic. Completely articulated too. Just gotta get used to the weight."

"Let us hope that it doesn't come to that."

"You're a lot more careful than I was when I got this," I looked over the fields surrounding Wyval, eyes focusing on where Robin was located. "I'm just joking around."

Vivien blinked before shaking her head. "Ah, forgive me. I'm still becoming accustomed to his 'humor' business."

"Keep working at it, champ," My eyes narrowed as I saw something flicker in the distance.

"I will try," Vivien affirmed. "It will be- Gods, what is that?"

The yellow light of Thoron sparked where Robin was, just a bit farther south of our position.

"…Sir Alexander, what is that?" Vivien asked slowly.

"That's our signal," I replied curtly.

The light steadily grew, like a gold piece slowly magnified. From where we were, I could see every crackle, every spark of lightning and light that came from it. My eyes widened as the light took on a crimson hue, growing ever further and shining brighter than ever. It was like a second, red sun had fallen from the heavens and slammed into the earth. Like a star.

Whatever spell Robin had inadvertently created went off.

A beam of red, ungodly power shot forward like a bullet. The ground below us shook and cracked as that sound, a sound I would never forget echoed across the entire world. It was like the air itself was screaming. As if the weight of the spell being cast was cutting the world apart around us. The beam smashed into the gates of Wyval, blowing clear past them on its path as if they were simply a speed bump. The sheer force caused the walls around where the gate used to be to crumble and buckle, like they were succumbing to some immense pressure.

At last, the beam sped past the city, flying into the sky until it disappeared, but not before clipping Wyval's castle, singeing the roof off of one of the towers surrounding it.

Once it was gone, a pressure was lifted. I suddenly felt lighter, and Pippin below me seemingly couldn't wait to charge forward with reckless abandon.

Despite everything, despite my mounting worries and nervousness, I smiled.

"Goddamn, Robin…" I whispered to myself. "You crazy son of a bitch!" I laughed, turning around. "This is it, men! Our tactician has given you all the opening to retake your country! Come with me, so that we may purge their last stronghold of Valmese rule and Grima's filth!"

A resounding shout from the army behind me made my ears ring. Turning around once more, I pointed my lance forward.

"CHARGE!"

I pushed my faceplate down, and Pippin carried me across the plains towards the hole in Wyval's walls. I could feel the wind whip past me, whistling in my eardrums. Others rode with me, ready to break against the Rosannean ranks and into the city proper.

Just before we pushed into the city itself, I saw several soldiers strutting about the opening in the walls. Either they didn't know we were coming, or they were ordered to attempt to hold the line.

Pippin paid them no mind as he broke through them, easily bypassing the shield wall they tried to erect. The splintering of wood was only drowned out by the sound of screaming and screeching horses as my men broke through their line as if it was made of broken shields. My couched lance struck a man in the chest, flinging him several feet before he came to a rest against a wall, his blood splattering against the stone.

The men on foot shortly followed, cleaning up after us as we ran through the streets. Wyval looked as if it used to be a beautiful city. Nothing compared to Ylisstol, but beautiful all the same. That was clearly no longer the case, though; the buildings looked as if they hadn't been cared for in a long while. Ramshackle, piecemeal shacks lined the streets, housing the poor and homeless. Or they did, until we came charging in.

We struck down line after line of soldiers. No doubt our men on foot were already scaling the walls, punching a hole through the archers on the parapets and allowing the Pegasus Knights and Chevaliers into the city, granting us useful air support.

In my mind, however, I only focused on the battle. My lance crunched through armor and flesh alike, running people through with ease and sending them through the air as if they were little more than empty sacks of cloth. Even Pippin seemed to be galvanized as we made our way through the streets, running roughshod over the dazed and confused Rosannean soldiers.

It made it difficult to remember that many of them were conscripts.

After several minutes of near unchallenged advancement, we finally met organized resistance. A haphazardly constructed barricade armed to the teeth stood between us and the inner portions of Wyval. I elected to lead us down a different path before we crashed into it, deciding to follow Robin's orders once we had gone as far as we could.

A large, defensible building near the barriers the Rosanneans set up took up its own portion of city block. Surmising that they were some sort of barracks, I pushed forward with all the men still with me.

"Men!" I shouted, my helmet muffling my words a bit. "With me! Clear this building! Form a line!"

The remaining cavalry with me, as well as several men on the ground, did as I said. My lance continued to strike true, blindsiding one poor bastard and sending him to the ground with a shattered rib cage. All that time, we weren't without our own casualties. While not as high as they could've been, I still lost a fair few men on our way through the streets. A cavalryman was crushed by his own steed when a Rosannean came upon him from the side, cutting his horse's hind leg to the bone. Another foot soldier had his face caved in by a Rosannean wielding a mace. That was the entire reason why I usually wore closed-face helmets into battle. Never knew when someone would go for your face.

And that was only when we were clearing out the surroundings of the stone building we came across. We still had the inside to deal with.

Dismounting, I left my lance with Pippin and unsheathed Sol. The doors were locked shut, barring access.

"What do we do now, sir?" One of the men asked.

I turned to him, silently. After a few moments, I spoke. "Well, I guess we should head back and call it a day. It's not like we can break through this door or anything- We're going to break the door down, ya fuckin' idiot. On my mark!"

I gathered the biggest men I could and ordered them to charge with me. We ran at the door as one. The door itself didn't shatter or splinter or anything glamorous as that; it busted off its hinges and fell to the floor with a mighty 'boom'.

"T-The Ylisseans are here!" A panicked voice shrieked from inside. The building itself was unremarkable on the inside; basic furniture, with weapon racks and armor stands lining the walls. I was right; it was the barracks. One of the many that probably dotted the city.

"Clear this building!" I ordered harshly. "If any of them surrender, disarm them and lock 'em up! Go!"

One of the Rosanneans charged at my wildly, sword in hand. I blocked it with my shield and shoved his weapon to the side and countered by thrusting Sol into his gut. I kicked him off my blade and he fell to the ground in a heap. My men quickly followed suit, fighting anyone who resisted and capturing those who surrendered. Within around fifteen minutes, the barracks were ours, and we'd won ourselves a forward-operating base.

I coordinated and commanded the attack as best as I could while Robin was absent, sending soldiers out to whatever part of our front needed it the most. Without the element of surprise and stupidly powerful magic on our side, the Rosanneans had mounted a scattered but commendable defense. They kept us out of the deeper parts of the city, surrounding the castle. Based on reports, we were only fighting people, not Risen. I knew better than to think that was a good thing. We were burning the bodies of the dead as the battle of attrition began, making sure they couldn't resurrect at the drop of a hat.

Overall, we were doing much better than I expected, but less than I'd hoped. I held the fort down while Robin was away, praying with every second passed that he'd come through the broken door and take command; directing the course of battle wasn't exactly my strong suit, after all. That was more his thing.

"Huh, you're actually not that bad at commanding people, huh?" My daughter said nonchalantly as she walked through the door, bloodied sword in hand.

I looked up from my set up, eyes wide. I turned to men surrounding me, who nodded.

"God, Sev, think you can be any more blasé?" I asked, approaching her.

She sniffed. "Why shouldn't I be? We've been mowing these guys down. Hell, I think I've cut down several dozen alone."

"Yeah, well, these guys aren't exactly trained, professional soldiers, are they?" I commented, chuckling. She squeaked as I hugged her. "How are you doing? Any damage?"

"Dad, I'm fine! Let go; you're embarrassing me!" Severa weakly protested. "I think your armor is doing more damage to me than those guys did, honestly."

"Your complaints are futile," I informed her, squeezing just a bit harder. "It's hug time, armor or not."

"We're in the middle of a battle, damn you!" Severa nearly shrieked.

"Yeah, and I've been coordinating it for the better part of a fucking hour. Let me have this, please."

Severa sounded as if she was about to complain further, but fell silent after a few moments. I sighed and let go of her, and she let out a deep breath.

"Alright, I'm good now," I laughed. "Nothing like flustering you to get my spirits up again!"

"Gawd, you are so daft," Severa mumbled.

"Damn right I am!" I replied, smiling. "Anyway, do you know where Robin is? Is he on his way? I'm getting sick of waiting for him."

"She wouldn't know because I haven't told her," A voice came from the doorway. "Sick of waiting for me, are you? I'm sorry that I was busy recovering from having almost all the magic in my veins violently shoved out of me."

I cringed at that mental image as Robin steadily walked into the room, followed by Tiki. "Well, uh, you can barely notice."

"It was quite exhilarating, if I'm being honest," Tiki supplied absent-mindedly. "It was an experience I won't soon forget. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it, Robin."

"We will be using it again, I wager, so it's a good thing you enjoyed it," Robin replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Now, Alex, tell me. What's the situation?"

I went over everything I knew, from the reports and the directing I'd done in his absence. Robin nodded silently along, listening to every word I said.

"Not a bad job, Alex," Robin said after I was done. "Perhaps not exactly what I would have done; it was more defensive than I had thought, but this means the battle is in our favor. All we need to do is break through the enemy line and take the castle."

"I do have some questions, though, Robin," I stopped. "Where's Virion? Priam? Cordelia? Cherche? Gerome? Where's the air support?"

I hadn't heard the screeching of Pegasi nor the roaring of Wyverns in the air. It made it difficult for me to make decisions when I didn't know if we were being covered.

"They should be here shortly," Robin informed me. "I ordered Cordelia in particular to follow me. I have a job for both of you, er…" Robin's gaze trailed towards Severa, who gave him a dirty look. "… for all three of you, I should say."

I perked up. "And what would that be?"

"This battle of attrition cannot afford to last forever. For either side," Robin began to explain. "We need to carve a path straight through to the castle and cut the head off the snake. Dorion is holed up there, along with the Deadlord and the enemy tactician. I want you, Severa, and Cordelia to spearhead that push."

I almost agreed without thinking. I'd been on so many missions for Robin that it was basically second nature to me. Something stopped me, though.

She will stop fighting after this battle. She will be safe.

"…Are you sure Cordelia can't be used elsewhere?" I asked quietly. "I know she's an excellent leader, but…"

Robin gave me a sideways glance. "Of course. I thought you'd be happy that she'd be with you during this fight. Is something wrong?"

Severa glared at me from behind Robin, and I shut my trap. "No. Nothing. Nevermind. Will Virion be joining us too?"

"Yes," Robin nodded. "He will be some ways behind you, but with you all the same. He requested that he be the one to deal the finishing blow to Dorion, after all."

"Alright," I walked towards the broken exit, Severa in tow. "I'll see you on the other side of the castle, then."

"Gee, dad, way to almost blow our cover."

"I can't help it, Sev," I sighed. "Something's got my gut all messed up. Just ignore me."

"That isn't hard," Severa snorted.

Whatever retort I was about to fire back was drowned out by the sound of wings beating against the wind. I looked up to see the Pegasus Knights fully mobilized, with one crimson one slowly coming down to meet us.

Cordelia dismounted and rushed towards us, enveloping us both in an embrace. "Thank the gods you're both safe!" She exclaimed.

"What is it with you two and hugging me in full armor!?" Severa struggled.

I was silent as I returned her embrace. It wasn't long before I informed her of the plan. Cordelia looked pensive, caught somewhere between frustration and understanding.

"I don't much like it either, really," I grumbled. "Although I can see the logic in his plan. Just one push, clear a path to the castle, and the battle is over."

"Oh, I understand, love," Cordelia sighed. "Forgive me. I'm just…" Her hands hovered over her stomach for a moment. "Nevermind. We shouldn't waste any time."

"Yeah, I'm sick of standing around anyway," Severa said, crossing her arms. "I wanna get this battle over with already."

I climbed upon Pippin, with Severa behind me on the saddle. It actually worked well since I could only use my left hand, and she used her right; we were covered on both sides. I gathered all the men I could and mustered them near the barrier between us and inner Wyval. With my lance in hand, I turned back to my men.

"This is it, soldiers of Rosanne and Ylisse!" I shouted. "The enemy has put up a fight! A long and arduous one, but it will not last forever! Here is their last defense, their last stronghold! We shall break through their lines with impunity, with perseverance and courage! With me, now! Charge!"

I found that I was getting pretty good at galvanizing people; my soldiers, cavalry and all, charged with me with equal or more force than I. I heard Severa snicker behind me.

"Great speech, dad," She said, sardonically.

"Thanks, kid. One day, I hope you'll take up my family's long-held tradition of speech-giving."

Severa snorted as we rode. Before long, the barricade was in sight. Pegasi screeched and flew through the sky like leaves. I heard people shouting and screaming in front of us. Several cavalrymen in front of me hit the barricade first, causing it to shake and buckle. I was right; had we charged earlier, we probably would have been stopped. With nearly triple the men we had then, though, the barricade didn't stand a chance. A shout echoed through the streets as the haphazard fortification splintered and broke down, scattering wooden chunks and splinters across the street. The soldiers behind the barricade were quickly cut down.

What followed was a mad dash towards the castle. Many of my men fell, crushed underneath their horses when they came across a Rosannean with a polearm, and many foot soldiers were slain just as easily as we did them. However, we made progress either way. Severa slashed the head off some poor bastard, and more than one Rosannean met his end at the tip of my lance.

Eventually, however, we made it to the castle's courtyard. Or what I assumed to be its courtyard. A stone square fell in the shadow of the castle, and it was there that the largest concentration of soldiers were.

"Alright, that's it!" Severa shouted, jumping off Pippin and onto the ground. "I'll take these guys on myself!"

"Severa!" I snarled, too late. I didn't have time to try and go back and protect her back before and I was locked in battle with several soldiers, all trying to gut me with their polearms. Pippin whinnied and charged through them, and I tried my best to get him under control.

Despite Severa brazenly jumping off my horse like a wannabe badass, the battle was going well, all things considered. Our forces were steadily pushing the Rosanneans back, straight towards the castle's doors. I looked up to the balcony overlooking the square, thinking I saw someone up there.

That was a mistake.

Before I knew it, a javelin flew and struck me square in the head. Even though I wore a helmet, the force behind it had me recoiling. I shouted, my head violently thumping before I fell backwards..

I hit the ground, my armor clanking violently and the breath in my lungs forcing itself out of my mouth. Coughing harshly and hearing the sound of my lance clattering to the ground, I attempted to stand up. Pippin was gone. I was on my own. The world was a disorientating swirl of noise and blood. Bodies lined the ground, bodies soaked in blood and static and-

I fell back to the ground, allowing myself a moment of reprieve. I gathered myself, putting myself back together. Nobody disturbed me, and the battle felt far away.

After a few moments, I came back to reality, and pulled myself off the ground. I couldn't have been there for more than a few minutes; the battle looked largely unchanged. I heard the sound of fire, and looked up again.

A fireball tore through the sky and scorched a poor sap nearby. Before long, several more followed. We were being pelted in raining flames. I looked around, sweat on my brow and breathing heavily through my dented helmet. Severa was there, nearby, fighting for dear life.

No. NononononononononononononONONONONONONONONONONONO

The fireballs kept coming and they were getting closer to her and they would burn her and burn the world down. I couldn't let that happen. I refused to let that happen. I would not have my family be taken away from me again, not after I finally found them. I unsheathed Sol, savagely striking down any enemy that got too close. The sound of frantic wing beats soared above me, faster than me, but I refused to look up. The fireballs came from there.

I wasn't fast enough. Fire from heaven itself surged from the sky and towards my little girl. She was too busy dueling with a soldier to notice in time.

The fireball struck something. Not its intended target, but something, someone, all the same.

It hit her in the back, burning through her armor. Her Pegasus shrieked as it narrowly avoided catching itself in the inferno. Her crimson hair was singed, burned, and the smell of burnt flesh reached my nostrils long before I reached her. She fell to the ground in a heap, the sound of Severa screaming and her melted armor falling to the ground was all I could hear.

Cordelia had been struck. My wife had been struck down.

My eyes looked back up to the balcony overlooking the square. There stood a man in a red cloak, a vicious, ugly grin on his round, fat face. I seared that face into my mind then. I vowed to remember it. And I vowed to tear it off his skull.

What happened after that was a blur to me, whether from the blow I suffered, or from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. What I did remember, however, was Severa weeping and trying to carry Cordelia's burned body out of the way.

I also remembered helping her, and the anger that pulsed through my veins.

I'm sorry.

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