It was a blur. All of it. Nothing in my mind made sense except the soft buildings around me and the smell of burnt flesh and hair below me. I didn't look down. I refused to look down. My wife was burned. Was wounded.

Wasn't dead.

She wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead. There was no blood; it was just a really, really bad wound. One that would heal into a scar. A scar I wouldn't care about so long as I could still embrace her and love her. Severa was right behind me, watching me, silently. Her screaming and frantic crying had ended long ago, replaced by quiet, cold glaring.

I marveled at how light Cordelia was in my arms. That was good. It made it easier to run.

We made it to the base we set up within the city, the one I helped burst the doors off of. I ran in, feeling as if the wind was at my back.

"Robin!" I shouted, my voice bubbling out of my chest with ease. "Robin, I need help!"

"Alex?" Robin looked up blearily from the table. "What are you- Gods!" His eyes widened to the size of dinnerplates when he saw Cordelia. "What happened out there!? How did the battle-!?"

"Ask me one more fucking question that has nothing to do with her, and I swear to God I'll throw you out the goddamn window! Help me!"

Robin rushed to the stairs, motioning for me to follow him.

Severa wasn't far behind, still as silent as ever.

Healers were a precious commodity. Many of them devoted themselves to Naga as clerics of the church. That had no relevance, but it was what flashed through my mind as the white-robed man took my wife out of my arms and put her face-down on a soft-looking bed. He didn't ask any questions; just got to work as soon as he was able. The green, sparkling glow of the healing staff the priest had filled the room. I still hadn't looked at Cordelia, it occurred to me, and finally, I forced myself to do so.

Her back was blistered, blackened in some places. Bits of metal had sunk into her once pale skin. Her hair had been almost completely burnt off where it met her back, leaving only a small portion of what it once was to surround the top of her head and back of her neck. What mattered most to me, though, was the fact that I could see her chest rising up and down.

She's still breathing. She's still breathing. She's still breathing. She's alive. She's alive. She's alive.

"Alex…" Robin whispered, putting a hand on my shoulder. "We should let him do his work."

I looked to Robin blankly. "…Yeah. Yeah, alright. Let's, uh…" I looked around, noticing a certain someone had disappeared. "Where's Severa?"

"Let's focus on one thing at a time, okay?" Robin supplied, gently leading me out of the room. "We can check on Cordelia again when the battle is over."

When we were out of the room, my back hit the wall, and I slid down to the floor as if my legs had lost feeling. I ran a hand down my face, attempting to get my breathing under control.

"T-They're gonna be fine, right, Robin?" I asked, my voice surprisingly fragile. "I saw her breathing. They're gonna be alright."

"Of course she is, Alex," Robin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Perhaps scarred; those burns seemed severe, but beyond that, she will live. Wait…" Robin looked at me strangely. "'They're'? Was someone else hit?"

My eyes widened as I realized what I said. Robin always was good at picking apart people's words. I took several deep breaths, yet my heart refused to calm down. I kept thinking about Cordelia, in there, her back burnt to a crisp. Severa scampering off to who knew where was also on my mind. Always on my mind. I was surprised my head didn't slam to the floor with everything on it-

It was going to come out. Both her and your child are in danger, here. No more secrets, boy scout. You reap what you sow.

"Well," I gulped, shutting my eyes tightly. "A lot of people were hit. They bombarded us with fireballs from the castle. The others just weren't as lucky as she was; they didn't have two family members close at hand to bring them here. But I-I didn't mean it that way, Robin. Cordelia, she… She's pregnant."

Robin stared blankly at me for several moments. I swore I could almost see the gears turning in his head. His lips thinned gradually, until he was visibly glaring at me. "She's with child?"

I nodded.

"You knew. You both knew."

I nodded again.

"…Alex," Robin hissed. "Is there any good reason why you would keep this secret from me?"

I looked up at him, a weak, fragile smile on my face. One that could break down into tears at any moment. "No reason. We're both fighters, Robin. We… I think both us knew you'd take her off the front lines if you found out. She didn't want to leave it just yet. T-This wasn't planned, Robin. Having a kid during a war is a fucking stupid decision. It just sorta happened."

"You better believe I would have taken her off the front lines!" Robin raised his voice. "Gods, how long have I put her into danger? How many times has she been a focal point in my plans? All this time, I've been putting a pregnant woman to the fire. This time, literally."

I flinched at that.

"You realize how stupid that was, yes?" Robin asked, seething. "How ungodly stupid it was?"

Looking up at him and staring directly into his angry red eyes, I spoke, my voice quiet. "Robin, my wife and unborn child are in there fighting for their lives. Cordelia will be scarred for the rest of her life, if she's lucky. Trust me when I say, I know how stupid we are."

"…Yes, well, I'd say you both have learned your lesson, but that would be callous, even for me," Robin shook his head. "What was the situation when you left? Can you tell me anything else?"

"Not really, no," I replied, the back of my head bumping against the wall. "Just, fucking fireballs, raining down from the castle, burning and killing everything. I couldn't tell you how many were burned. And we couldn't do anything about it. The Pegasus Knights couldn't get up to the balcony in time to stop them, and by the time they could…" I looked towards the door.

"I imagine they're flying about like headless chickens at the moment," Robin grumbled.

"Chickens don't fly very far, Robin."

"Is now really the time for jokes, Alex? " Robin asked pointedly, crossing his arms.

I shrugged. "What else can I do? I nearly lost everything important to me. I'm not…" My eyes narrowed, unshed tears drying up like pools of water in the desert sun. "No. No, you're right, Robin. Now is not the time for jokes."

"An odd way of saying it, but I am glad we have come to an agreement," Robin replied, looking up when he heard someone marching towards us. "Who's there?"

"Why, noble tactician!" Virion's flamboyant voice echoed through the hall, making my teeth clench. "It almost sounds as if you are displeased to see me."

"Not displeased, Duke Virion, just…" Robin looked down at me for a moment. "Just a bit stressed at the moment. How's the battle looking? Did we reach the castle?"

"That we have!" Virion affirmed. "We broke through the doors not but a few moments ago! I exaggerate, but the castle has been breached. However, from what I have been told, the snakes who dwelt within are nowhere to be seen. They have fled the castle, it seems."

My head rose, eyes focusing on Virion. "No sign of that fat bastard? The Deadlord? Dorion?"

"None," Virion curtly answered. "There are few places they could've gone, however. I believe where they have fled is quite obvious."

Robin's eyes lit up. "The escape route you told us about. The one only known to your family, I remember. You think he's trying to get out of the city using that?"

"'Twould be foolish, but Dorion is surely panicking," Virion said, his face sporting a frown. "A final insult to his legacy, to be sure. He does our entire line a disservice. He is not fleeing to protect the city or the people, but himself. I know where the path leads: a small, covered hole at the city's eastern wall, facing the sea. All we would need is a few Pegasus Knights or Chevaliers and we could easily reach the exit. If he has already escaped, he cannot be far away."

"The castle is secure, correct? Resistance in the city is slowing?" Robin asked tentatively.

Virion nodded, a small smile replacing his earlier expression. "That it has, tactician, and might I say, an impressive display! That spell you used to crack the city's shell no doubt played a part in the low morale and disorganization of these troops."

"Then I approve," Robin said. "The sooner this side of the war ends, the sooner we can rendezvous with the main force in the north."

"Agreed, tactician," Virion replied. "I will only need a small force, perhaps twenty Chevaliers and Pegasus Knights, and-!"

I stood up, my armor clanking loudly as I did so.

"I'm coming with you," I grumbled.

"I beg your pardon?" Virion turned to me, surprised. "Oh, I… have heard of Cordelia's injury, Sir Alexander. Would you not rather stay here with her? Or find your daughter? I imagine she is in quite a state."

"Cordelia's passed out in there," I growled. "And the man who burned her is probably with Dorion. I saw his face. It was Excellus! I am going to fucking murder him. Nail his head to the gates…" I looked to Robin, who seemed ready to object. "You can't stop me, Robin. I am going to go with Virion, and then we're putting an end to this bloody fucking chapter."

"Are you not injured yourself?" He asked quickly, pointing to the gash on my forehead.

"A javelin grazed me; I'll be fine," I rubbed the back of my neck. "I sounded a bit crazed there for a second, didn't I? Still, I'm going."

"I know better than to try and stop you when your mind is made up," Robin said. "We will discuss your… secret once the battle is finished. Virion, I'm entrusting Alex to you for the time being. Please make sure he doesn't go on a rampage."

I gave Robin a dirty look. "Low blow, noodle-arms. Low blow."

"I will endeavor to fulfill your request, noble tactician," Virion looked at me. "Ah, I remember many months ago when we spoke. I said we would fight alongside each other, did I not?"

"You did. Don't get any funny ideas, though, Virion," I paused. "…I doubt anyone is going to be writing ballads about this battle. Even if they do, I don't think I want to hear them."

Luckily for us, several fliers were outside waiting to meet us as soon as we left the barracks. I definitely recognized Cherche and Gerome among them, ready for take off. Or maybe they were resting.

My mind had settled a bit. Cordelia was alive. She was burned, scarred, but alive. As soon as my work was done, I would check on her. But first…

First, you have to avenge her, hmm?

That was stupid; there was no one to avenge. She wasn't dead. And yet I could still feel the anger in me, flowing through my veins. I wanted to kill the person who hurt her, the one who threatened my daughter with the same fate. A part of me knew how irrational and stupid I was being. That awful part of me that always knew better.

I ignored it, and Virion and I approached Gerome and Cherche.

"I know that look, Lord Virion," the rose-haired Wyvern Rider said, unamused. "I can only imagine what you would need me for now."

"Why, dear Cherche, may I simply visit my favorite retainer?" Virion asked. "I must say, when you are riding upon the air, striking down airborne foes with your glimmering axe, it is enough to make my heart skip a beat!"

"I will never understand you," Gerome grumbled. "How is it possible to flirt so brazenly in the middle of battle? I see now why fate saw fit to-"

"We need you to take us somewhere," I interrupted, causing Gerome to glare at me. A glare I returned. "That escape route in the castle. Take us to where it ends."

"Much as my companion is short, he is right," Virion confirmed. "Dorion is trying to escape. We must ensure that does not happen."

"Hmm, it is rather befitting that he would end up scurrying in the dark undercroft of our city like the rat that he is," Cherche hummed. "Very well, come along. Gerome, my dear, would you mind taking Sir Alexander with you?"

"Please do not call me that," Gerome growled, although I could see a slight pinkish hue to his cheeks. "Fine. If it will end this battle faster…"

"We'll mount your cousin's head on the walls, kid," I said. "Mark my words."

Smoke from below rose into the sky like pillars, holding up the faded blue sky. Wyval was mostly intact. A lot of the damage was relegated to areas of intense fighting, such as the walls or castle outskirts. I could see the damage Robin's spell had done, and it looked even more impressive from up high. It seemed as if the wreckage of the gate was smoldering.

My observations were just distractions, though. Something to keep me from thinking about my wife, curled up on a bed with half her body burned off-

Gerome banked to the right, his Minerva's screech nearly deafening me.

"Fucking hell, she's a loud one."

Gerome said nothing.

"Silent treatment, huh?"

"There is nothing to speak to you about," Gerome replied curtly.

"Was I that bad to you in the future?" I asked.

Gerome glanced at me, his mask obstructing any emotion. "What are you talking about? You and I barely spoke. There was no reason to, same as now," Gerome looked back to what was in front of him. "I intend to keep it that way."

I merely nodded and said nothing.

Not long after that, we were beyond Wyval's walls. The endless plains that surrounded the city met us, still tranquil and beautiful despite the chaos that raged just a small distance away. We swerved to the left, adjacent to the wall, looking for where exactly the exit was.

Before long, we found it. A particularly smooth part of the wall cracked and pushed itself out of the way. I couldn't miss that, no matter how fast we were going.

And out they came; a dozen or so men filed out of the opening in the wall, all dismounted Chevaliers by the looks of them. Axes and spears and plate armor, all strutting out like they owned the place. And, of course, towards the back was Dorion. His hair looked a lot more disheveled than when I last saw it, and he deigned to wear armor. A rarity for him, although I doubted he actually planned on joining the battle. At least Virion fought with his men.

Within an instant, we were upon them. Minerva's claws touched the ground, and I practically jumped off, Sol in hand. A handful of Pegasus Knights and Wyvern Riders surrounded the fleeing group, who took a defensive position around Dorion. They were probably in a sworn oath to him or something. At least, that was the only reason why they'd willingly defend the bastard behind them.

"Going somewhere?" I snarled, marching close enough for most of the Chevaliers to point their weapons at me. "Don't have the stones to die with your army, huh?"

"You-!" Dorion stammered but quickly reclaimed his composure. "I should have known you would be waiting for me; I smelled dog the entire way here."

"This dog has teeth."

Virion decided to make his entrance, with Cherche not far behind. "And thus, the curtain falls on your short-lived rule, nephew. Do be sure to keep from antagonizing my friend here. I feel he's quite capable of tearing your men apart."

"Uncle," Dorion growled. "And the lovely Cherche as well. Tell me, is my uncle's cock so great that you must follow him everywhere?"

"Why, Dorion, are you so eager to die that you cannot keep your tongue from waggling? That didn't seem to impress the chamber maids when you ran amok in the castle. How must it feel to fail at every romantic incursion?" Cherche spat back, not even trying to hold back the venom in her voice. "At least Lord Virion has the grace and wherewithal to hold himself back when a maiden deigns to say 'no' to him."

"Arrogant bitch!" Dorion roared, nocking Astra and pointing it directly at the Wyvern Rider. "I will kill you where you stand!"

"Don't do anything you'll regret, fucker," I took a step closer. "The minute you loose that arrow, half your men will be dead and you'll be next. If you don't think I can do it, try me."

Dorion kept his arrow nocked but didn't move.

"I will give you one last chance to surrender, Dorion," Virion intoned, looking down at his nephew as if he was an insect. "Spare the lives of the men who so closely follow you, and retain what little of your honor remains."

Dorion openly laughed. "You think I care for honor, uncle? Even if I surrendered, you would have me executed. Perhaps you might even parade my head through the streets! Surely you'd give the peasants a good show!"

"It'd give me a good show, if nothing else."

Dorion looked to me and sneered. "I'm sure it would, Sir Alexander. I have to wonder why you of all people are here. This doesn't concern you, yet you came along on the back of a wyvern just to have a shot at me, didn't you? Or perhaps it was Excellus? If you must know, the worm turned tail and fled the moment those peasants broke down my doors. Him and that Deadlord used magic to warp themselves out. I should have seen it coming! Before he left, though, he did tell me about what he did. About how he burned your wife, hmm?"

"Say one more word and your life is forfeit!" I snarled, Sol pointed squarely at him. His men anxiously shuffled.

"My life is already forfeit, you dull bastard!" Dorion shot back. "It is a shame, though. What was her name… Cordelia, correct? What a lovely girl. But now that she's been horribly burnt, I've found that I've lost interest. You may keep her, should you wish, though I can't imagine why you would."

"…I am going to kill you," I said slowly, methodically. "I am going to kill you and hang your head from the gates of Wyval. I will have your body stuffed and put on display in Ylisstol. I wonder what they'll say about you. The headless moron who sold his country out to a dragon abomination and then didn't have the balls to stick with it till the end. I think we're done talking."

"Yes," Dorion growled. "I believe we are!"

Before I could even blink, an arrow whizzed past me, launched by Dorion. The Pegasus Knights around us mobilized, descending on the Chevaliers that defended the false duke. Spear met axe on the small battlefield. I joined the fray.

A Chevalier attempted a swipe at me with his axe. Easily blocking it with Sol, I shot my iron hand forward, and heard an audible 'crunch' as his nose was pulverized. He was sent reeling back, screaming as blood dripped from his face. He didn't have long to feel that pain; I buried Sol deep into a weak point in his armor, and he fell to the ground in a heap.

A Pegasus Knight screamed as her mount was shot out of the sky, landing to the ground in a pile of meat, bone, and feathers. A Chevalier was speared through the stomach by another, blood spilling out of his mouth. Cherche showed that she wasn't just skilled with airborne combat; her axe found its way into many men, straight into their chests, their legs, and their heads. More than one skull was split by her. Gerome was no slouch either. An arrow shot straight through a Chevalier's eyes and out the back of his skull. He stood there like a dying guppy, before collapsing to the ground. I winced at that as I fought with another, sparing a glance behind me. Virion stayed to the rear, bow in hand. He was still contributing, even if he stood to the back.

The battle was fierce but quick. Dorion didn't have many soldiers on his side, and when his relatively small line began to falter, I charged at him. The purple-haired false duke stared at me wildly, readying an arrow. It glanced off my shoulderplate. By that point I was already upon him, and he had no room to use his precious bow. He threw it to the side and drew a shortsword from its scabbard, attempting to duel with me.

Credit where credit was due, he put up a fight. He was able to block and parry many of my blows with a simple, well-made shortsword. However, it was clear I would come out on top. In the end, he overextended himself, giving me a straight shot at him. I swung my sword down, right onto his hand.

It cut clean through his wrist, and the appendage fell to the ground. Dorion screamed, clutching at where his right hand used to be. He fell to his knees, attempting to stymie the blood that flowed freely from the wound. I immediately stopped, feeling a phantom pain in my own right hand.

"Gods' damn you!" Dorion shrieked. "Gods' damn you all to hell! I hope the Fell Dragon devours your souls!"

I stood by, watching him scream his heart out until his voice was hoarse. Whatever anger I felt toward the bastard evaporated. Before long, the battle was over, and the other three Shepherds came up beside me.

"What a shame," Cherche remarked idly. "Look at him cry. It is rather sad, isn't it?"

"That it is, my dear Cherche," Virion intoned. "I will end this quickly. Alex?" The purple-haired noble looked to me, his gaze stony. "May I borrow your blade for a moment?"

My jaw clenched for a moment before nodding. Flipping the sword in my grasp, I handed it to him. "Don't cut yourself."

Virion nodded at me, giving me a small smile at my quip. He approached the injured Dorion, Sol in his grasp.

"I wish it did not have to end this way, nephew," Virion said, his voice sad. "Unfortunately, you are right. I cannot allow you to live. Were it not by my hand, I wager the citizens of Wyval would hang you by your entrails and parade you through the streets. Ultimately, however, your fate falls to me. Have you anything to say?"

"…I've always hated you, uncle," Dorion looked up. "And you have always hated me. Haven't you? You blamed me for mother's death. I could see it in your eyes. You have always seen me as the child that murdered her."

"No," Virion responded vehemently. "For years I have tried to turn you into a respectable noble and a decent man, but that was all for naught. You are trying to blame me for sending you on this path, when all I have wanted was for you to avoid it. Do not try to push this burden onto me, nephew. This was all you. I may have left Rosanne in her time of need, but you are the one who sold her soul to the Fell Dragon. A soul that I will reclaim."

Dorion tried to lunge forward, only to nearly fall flat on his face. Held up by only a single hand, with the other one an oozing bloody stump, Dorion's shoulders finally slumped.

"Fine, then," He spat. "Do it, uncle. End me. I have had enough."

I watched as Virion said nothing, but raised Sol. In a single stroke, Dorion's head was separated from his shoulders, and fell to the ground with a wet 'thunk'. His body took a few more moments, as if it hadn't realized it was dead yet, before it, too, gently settled on the ground.

It felt as if the world had been put on mute. Not a single sound echoed across that field for several moments. I stood there, unmoving, staring dumbly at Dorion's beheaded body.

Virion sighed, wiping at his face before looking up to the sky. "It is done," He let out another breath. "Thank Naga. Cherche, dear, remind me to give him a proper burial."

"Are you sure we shouldn't just leave him here?" Cherche asked.

"I know what I have said, but he is still my nephew," Virion said. "It would not do to leave one of the last members of my family here to rot. Even one as dishonorable, cowardly, and stupid as him deserves a proper burial."

"Why, Lord Virion, are you going soft?" Cherche giggled. "I'm joking. I'll be sure to make the proper arrangements."

"What about the people who followed him?" I asked quietly, barely able to talk with so much on my mind. "Should we just incinerate them? They're not worthy of a proper burial, are they?"

"We shall sort this out later," Virion replied, walking over to Dorion's discarded bow. "How odd. I expected to feel elation at our victory, joy at our combined efforts… Yet, it is all bittersweet. Perhaps more bitter than sweet. Ah, Astra…"

Virion picked up the bow. It glimmered in the remaining sunlight, the last of it before the clouds overtook it.

"We will leave this place for now," Virion said quickly. "Alexander, I would ask that you report the end of Dorion back to Robin. Oh, and, of course…" He handed Sol back to me. I stared at the blade as if it was completely different from the one I held before. Virion bowed his head slightly. "You have my thanks for letting me borrow it."

I nodded numbly in response.

The journey back to our base within the city was a quiet one. Gerome was still giving me the silent treatment. Despite that, though, my mind was anything but calm anymore. Cordelia was still burned. Severa was missing. Pippin was missing. In a single day, we'd gone from joking around and hugging to completely separated and degraded. There was still anger. So, so much anger at the back of my mind. But it was reserved for one person, no, one worm in particular. And the moment I found him, there wouldn't be enough of him to burn. Beyond that, though, all I felt was a crushing weight. A deep depression and hole where warmth had been just hours prior.

"…And Virion asked to borrow Sol," I continued on, patting the blade in question. "He approached Dorion, and after a few seconds of conversation, beheaded him. After that, he went to the castle with Cherche and Gerome, and I came here." I shrugged. "And that's all she wrote, Robin."

Robin let out a deep breath. "So, our campaign in Rosanne is nearing its end," He looked up to me. "I'll need to write a letter to Chrom, letting him know of our success. Beyond a few hiccups in the beginning, Excellus and Fauder escaping, and, er…" Robin shook his head. "…Well, it was mostly successful."

I looked down at Robin.

"Is… something wrong, Alex?" He asked tentatively.

"There's a lot wrong, Robin," I grumbled. "But I was thinking you were going to give me a lecture."

"About what?"

"About me getting Cordelia pregnant," I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "You know, you looked like you were about to slap me again when I told you, and then you said we'd talk about it later. It's later, now, and we're talking. So, out with it. Give it all you got."

Robin shook his head. "It was stupid of both of you to keep that information a secret, and foolish still to have it happen in the first place. However, reprimanding you right now would serve no purpose," Robin clenched his jaw. "Cordelia and I have never seen eye-to-eye. And yet, she had been essential to many of my tactics and plans. To know that she was pregnant while all of this was happening…"

"If anyone asks, Robin," I began, my voice gravelly. "If anyone finds out, let them know it was my fault."

Robin looked at me, his expression questioning.

"She already has enough on her plate," I continued. "I don't want her own Pegasus Knights snickering behind her back as she recovers. If Phila finds out, direct her to me, not her."

"…Very well," Robin's lips pursed. "She isn't awake yet, and Severa isn't in the building. I could have someone fetch you when she wakes up while you look for your daughter. Or perhaps take a nap. You look… a little worse for wear."

"I'm going to find Sev," I nodded. "I'm fine, either way. Besides, I think I need the fresh air."

"Just don't get lost out there," Robin ordered. "And don't push yourself too hard. You've been through a lot today."

Wyval was remarkably intact for a city we'd been battling in naught but a few hours prior. The fires from before were quickly under control as we moved in, helped by the rainstorm that had come in from the east. The city had turned from the vibrant colors of the early morning and afternoon to an ashen grey.

I began my search for my daughter. Couldn't help but chide myself; she had slipped away while I was too focused on Cordelia. If I had maybe spared a glance her way, I could've seen where she went, or perhaps know what she was feeling. It was too late for that, though. All I could do then, was find her. I didn't know what I'd do when I did, but that didn't matter to me at that moment.

Asking several people along the way, I was eventually directed to a small alleyway, buried between two small buildings. The roofs were close enough that most of it was dry. Towards the front of the alley sat my daughter. Her knees were pressed against her chest, with her face hidden from view. The fetal position.

Now why would she be like that, boy scout?

"Severa," I called, approaching. "Are you-?"

Her head snapped up instantly, and her blue eyes zeroed in on me. She was visibly shaking, with her skin a deathly pale shade. "W-What do you want?"

"I just wanted to find you," I said quietly, reaching out to her. "You ran off before-"

"Don't touch me!" She hissed. "J-Just go away! Leave me alone!"

She recoiled back, looking at me wildly like she was a scared animal and I was a hunter. I knew that look. I just wasn't used to seeing it from the other side.

"Sev," I continued. "I just want to talk."

"I can tell you're angry," She protested. "I can see it. You're furious. I know you are! J-Just leave me alone and you'll never have to deal with me ever again, I promise! I-I know I messed up. I messed up bad. Mom got… She's…"

Her body was wracked with sobs.

"Severa, I am not angry," I countered. "I could never be angry at you."

"Yeah, right!" Severa snapped, her eyes accusing. "Y-You're just waiting for me to get close and then-!"

"I am not angry," I said again. "You think I'd be pissed at you? You think I'd blame you for your mother's injury? Cordelia is still alive, and that's good enough for me. No, I am not angry at you, Sev, I'm angry at the fucker who did it. Who put her in a position where it was either you or her. You outstretched yourself, I'll admit. You needed backup, but you were holding your own. Nobody could have predicted fire raining down from the sky. It isn't your fault, Sev."

Severa stared at me for several moments, contemplating my words. I said nothing more, instead opting to just sit down. She chose a pretty good spot to sulk, I had to admit. As long as you stayed out of the small area where rain fell, you'd be fine.

"…I got too reckless," Severa said quietly. "I-I think I let you and mom's praise get to my head…"

"I take none of it back," I commented.

Severa looked at me incredulously. "How can you say that? After I…?"

I shrugged. "I meant it. I don't regret saying any of that."

"I don't care what you say," Severa continued. "It was my fault. It was definitely my fault. I should've just stayed on your horse. I should've done as I was told instead of trying to impress you or some shit."

"That's what that was?" I asked. "Trying to impress us, were you?"

Severa nodded sulkily. "I mean, I guess? I don't really remember anymore. It's all just a blur before and after mom was…"

"It was for me, too," I said. "For what it's worth, Sev, you lasted a long time on your own. I was actually on my way to back you up when the fireballs…" I let out a shuddering breath. "I don't think I'll ever get that image out of my head."

"And you don't blame me for it."

I snorted. "How many times do I have to say it? No. I don't blame you, Sev. I never could. What kind of asshole would I have to be to do that?" I looked her in the eye. "I've made a promise to both you and I that I'd never become the person I was in the future. Judging by the way you're acting right now, you expected me to react a whole lot differently."

Severa looked to the side, avoiding my gaze.

"I don't blame you. You lived with that bastard for years," I looked up to the sky, or what little of it I could see. "If he was here in front of me, I'd beat the shit out of him. My little girl deserved a better father than whatever the fuck he was."

Severa sniffled and got closer. "Daddy, I'm… I'm sorry…"

I moved and hugged her close to me. I felt every sob and every tear she shed. I'd been partially lying to her; I was angry. I was furious. Just not at her. My anger was reserved for someone else. With every tear, my rage grew.

"I know who did it, Sev," I whispered. "I know who did it, and when I find him, he will never hurt us again. I'll make sure of it."

Severa was either too distracted to notice or just didn't care. What I said, then, was completely true. Excellus' smile as he burned my wife and put my unborn child at risk was forever etched into my memory. A reminder. Severa's trauma was more fuel for the fire. But it wasn't a fire. No, it was far greater than a fire. Far greater than a simple rampage. When I found him, I was going to make him suffer.

And after that, once everything was over, when the Valmese Empire was dismantled and Grima lay slain for the next thousand years, maybe we'd all live in peace.

I honestly, truly, believed that.

We made our way back to the temporary base. A soldier had come informing us of Cordelia regaining consciousness. The light rain had become a downpour, and what little light remained was slowly disappearing.

Making it inside, I passed by Robin, who nodded to us as we went. A priest met us at the door threshold, his bookish face somehow comforting. He was the same one who took Cordelia off my hands.

"Ah, Sir Alexander," He said, clasping his hands together. "I'm sure you already know, but your fiancée has regained consciousness. She's just inside this room."

I looked down at Severa for a moment before sighing. "How is she? How bad are her injuries?"

The priest closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's lucky. Incredibly lucky to have you care for her. If she had been seen to even a few minutes after you arrived, she might not have made it. As for her injuries… quite extensive. Her back has widespread burns. The worst part is that the back of her breastplate burst when the fireball hit, sending chunks of melted metal into her flesh. We removed them all; none of them hit anything vital. Also… this may not be my place to say, Sir Alexander, but did you know she's pregnant?"

I perked up. "She 'is'? She's still pregnant?"

The priest blinked. "I'll assume that you did know, then. The child is fine, as far as I can tell. As I've said, if she had been taken care of just a few moments later, she and her child could've easily been lost."

"But she's fine, right?" I asked pleadingly. "She'll live?"

"I predict she will make a full recovery, given enough time," The priest answered. "She's a strong young woman. There will be scarring, but that too will fade with time. She will need some amount of exercise for her back; her range of motion will likely be limited for a time. I will leave that to your discretion."

I let out a shuddering breath and put my hand on the priest's shoulder. "What's your name?"

The priest blinked owlishly again. "Pardon, sir?"

"I asked what your name was."

"Er, my name is Gregory, sir. Gregory Wilson."

"Gregory. Okay," I nodded. "Greg, when we rendezvous with the main army, expect a handsome pile of gold at your doorstep."

"S-Sir?"

"You saved my wife's life and the life of my child," I continued, somberly. "Both of those are priceless, but I'd pay you a fortune if I could."

"G-Gracious, sir, that's unnecessary, but…" The priest stuttered.

I pat him once on the shoulder before looking to the door. "Is it okay if we see her?"

"O-Of course, sir," He bowed. "I'll be sure to get out of your way. Blessings of Naga upon you."

The priest hurriedly sped down the hallway, leaving Severa and I alone.

"Do you wanna see her, Sev?" I asked. "I'm sure she'd love to see you."

Severa bit her lip and stared at the door as if it was some unconquerable obstacle. "…No. Not yet," She looked back to me. "I-I can't face her. Not yet. I know what you said dad, but I just…"

"It's okay, sweetheart," I smiled slightly. "I understand. Still, you can come in anytime you want."

"I think I'll just go to bed," Severa stretched. "Today's been a day."

I chuckled lightly. "It really has, huh? Go get some sleep, kiddo."

Severa scoffed good-naturedly, before scarpering off. It was just me, and the door. My heart refused to calm down, constantly pounding against my ribcage as if it was trying to escape. I gulped down a lump in my throat, clenched my jaw, and grabbed the doorknob.

I pushed myself into the room, and saw her.

She was sitting in bed, a white sheet covering her legs. She was looking out the window, at the rain that fell. Her hair was shorter, a lot shorter, but it was still there. Her upper body was naked save for a bandages that wrapped around her chest and back, covering her breasts. Once I entered, her head turned to me, red eyes meeting mine.

"A-Alex…" She whispered, her voice hoarse and exhausted.

Whatever doubts were at the back of my mind were dashed within an instant. She was still alive. I had confirmation directly in front of me. She was alive. Injured, but alive. Slowly, I walked towards her and sat on the bed, bringing my hand up to cup her face.

"Thank God…" I choked out, my voice quivering. "Thank God you're still here… I thought for a minute that I'd lost you. I thought-!"

Her forehead tapped against mine, and I opened my eyes. Tears trailed down her cheeks. "A-Alex, my back. I can't feel my back. Is Severa alright? Please, tell me she's alright."

"She's fine, Cordy," I soothed, wiping away her tears. "She's completely fine. Shaken up, but fine. You saved her, Cordy. You saved her."

"Good," Cordelia shuddered. "Good. Thank the Gods. If she were to fall, I don't know what I would do with myself."

I held her, then. Gently, to not aggravate her wounds. Her sobbing was subdued, quiet, tired, like she'd been holding it in forever. I didn't care that we'd won, I didn't care that Wyval, and by extension, Rosanne, had been liberated from both Valm and Grima. I couldn't give a single fuck about all of that. All I cared about was my family. They were both alive. Or, three, rather.

But I didn't forget. No, I'd never forget. As I held Cordelia, that frozen rage stood silently in the back of my mind. A constant reminder of what caused her pain, what made her bedridden, what endangered both her life, my future child's life, and the life of my unborn kid.

That sinister smirk.

We would live through the war, both the one then and the one that'd come after. But I knew there'd be no victory sweeter than when I had the worm Excellus in my clutches.

CORDELIA LIVES! I HAVE MERCY!

And with that, I think we can close the curtain on this mini-arc. Rosanne was really fun, yet exhausting to write. Luckily, Valm shouldn't last all too long, if my current plan is followed. Current projections put its ending down around the early-mid 60s, and the end of the fic itself in the mid-late 80s, or early 90s if shit really gets out of my control.

In any case, next week is a Xenologue Chapter, and after that I'll be taking a week long break. I can feel the burnout coming, heh. Got to give myself some time off. Still, the fic's going strong, so expect an update around the end of June.

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

See you guys next time!