The fleet we sailed with back to Archanea was larger than the one we traveled to Valm with.

It was virtually an armada. Our own ships, plus the ones from Chon'sin and what remained of Valm's underpowered navy were all congealed into perhaps the biggest naval force in the world. Maybe even in all recorded history.

We Shepherds were aboard the lead vessel, the flagship, spearheading the charge into Grima's tainted world. The further we moved forward, the darker the sky became. It was as if a volcano had erupted, blotting out the sun with smoke and ash. We could still feel the sun upon our skins, but the days grew dimmer with each passing night.

Even the water itself seemed to be alive. I swear I could see eyes staring back up at me from the murky depths. Something ancient and unknowable lurked beneath the waves, it felt like. As if it was waiting for us to screw up, lose sight of our goal and swallow us up into its gaping maw.

It was during one of those times, where I was transfixed on the water off to the side of our ship that Henry nearly gave me a fucking heart attack.

A crow settled on the side of the ship, looking at me gormlessly for a moment and distracting me. It cawed at me and I sneered.

"Oh yeah? Screw you too, you miserable dastard." I growled, waving my iron hand, "Go and bother somebody else. How the hell did you make it this far off land-?"

"Because I brought them!" A cheery voice pierced my eardrums as a hand slapped my shoulder.

"Dear fucking Naga-!" I shouted, grabbing Sol and readying to unsheathe it before I realized who I was facing. My surprised expression quickly sank into one of open contempt. "Henry. Shoulda known."

"Ah, yeah, you should've," He replied happily, arms behind his back. "I mean, what other sick dastards around here plays around with crows all day? Hehe, if you ever see a murder of crows, you can always aCAWst me and I'll tell ya where they came from! Nyahaha!"

"Naga, please, give me the strength to not pop his little fucking head like a grape," I grumbled, looking back to the ocean. "Please. I beg you."

"Oooh, that's actually pretty creative," Henry mused, rubbing his chin as walked up beside me and followed my gaze. "I wouldn't mind seeing that! Although I guess I wouldn't be seeing much of anything if ya went ahead and did that. Hmm, if only there was a way to send me an image from the afterlife."

"You mean to tell me you haven't figured out how to do that?" I asked, brow raised. "What kind of dark mage are you?"

"Only the best 'round! Ya know, since Tharja went a stayed behind," Henry laughed. "Lemme tell ya, that came as a shock! Would've thought she'd jump at the chance to hex the crap outta Grima! Guess she was more interested in staying behind with her dearest. Think I'll just do it in her place!"

"Be my guest," I grunted, staring at the waves gently lapping at the side of our ship.

"Hmm, whatcha staring at? Ah, I see," Henry chuckled cryptically. "You see it too, huh?"

I looked to him, brows furrowed. "See what? You mean the-?"

"Oh, yeah, that," Henry nodded, his smile faltering just a bit. "It ain't here physically, but it's following us alright. Nyahaha! It's makin' my hairs stand on end! If I had feathers, they'd be all ruffled!"

"What is it?" I asked, taking a step back from the edge, "Whatever the hell that is, it can't get us, right?"

"Oh, nah, not right now, anyway," Henry waved assuagingly, looking over the side of the boat. "Heh, ya ever hear about the Leviathan?"

"'Leviathan'?" I parroted, shaking my head, "Probably not the same one you're thinking about, no."

"Ah, it's an old wives tale, or so they say. Somethin' to keep impressed sailors from jumpin' overboard into the drink," Henry explained, chuckling to himself, "They used to tell all sorts of stories about it back at my old college. Hah, you shoulda seen the sick dastards that place churned out! Ya think I'm crazy? You ain't seen anything yet!"

"Back on topic, Henry, seriously," I growled. "Please, if this is something that can hurt us, I need to know. Hell, Chrom and Robin need to know!"

"Ah, fine, spoilsport," Henry chortled. "They say it used to be a giant beast of war, used during the Age of Sacrifice and the Schism after. Fought on Grima's side, so it did, although it didn't seem to do so willingly. 'Course, nyaha, they also said it used to be a man, corrupted beyond all mortal comprehension! Or maybe it was a dragon? Now, lemme tell ya, that's quite the CAWS for concern!"

"A man?" I questioned loudly, looking over the side of our boat again. "Jesus Christ, that shit's scary."

Then again, I knew all too well what Grima could twist men into. I saw it with my own eyes, after all.

"Nyaha, ain't that the truth?" Henry replied, pacing. "There're all sorts of tales about that monster. Thing is? They never killed it! Never splashed the walls with its juicy blood! Once Grima got sealed the first time, it just up and vanished without a trace! The scholars at my old college, crusty old Grimleal dastards that they were, believed that it would show up one day after Grima came back. 'Course, that was also followed by a lotta speeches about us unworthy mortals with our weak bodies and souls. Those guys weren't any fun, really. Glad I decided to cut loose while I could; it led me to you guys, and you're all sorts of fun!"

When I looked at the water after that, I felt my stomach churn. There was something in the water, not there yet there, and it was following us. The murk below only seemed to deepen with each passing day and the strength of the beast within grew with it.

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind, "You're ridiculous, Henry. Absolutely ridiculous."

Henry grabbed my shoulders and shook me slightly. "Hey, I take offense to that! I'll have you know that we madmen don't like being called 'ridiculous'; we prefer the term 'absurd', or 'CAWmical', if it pleases ya!"

"I'm gonna string you by your entrails along the banisters," I said, deadpan.

"Aha! We talked about that last time we were on a boat, didn't we? Ah, good times, good times! Don't think I'll ever get tired of these little conversations we have! They're cute!" Henry wiped a tear from his eye before his expression suddenly turned serious. "I'm not lyin' though, friend. Some don't like to talk about it, but there's somethin' wrong with the southern sea. Ain't no sailor alive who doesn't know the tale of the Leviathan."

"And what a tale it is," I whispered. "Well, hopefully, it doesn't cause us any trouble."

"Nyaha! It almost certainly will, but I like your optimism!" Henry giggled, patting me on the back. "Anyway, I'm gonna hit the hay. See ya later, alligator!"

Henry left, while my eyes were once more transfixed on the churning waves below.

I need to see if Chrom and Robin know.

Our journey across the southern sea would be a long one, I knew. Even with all the Shepherds to speak to and Cordelia to ensure I never had want for something to do, the days became drearier and drearier as the sun slowly fell out of our lives, hidden behind smokey clouds again. Horrible chilly gales screeched across the ocean as our ships narrowly missed ice-floes and icebergs. The fact that such things were even still around, at the end of March that far south, was disturbing, and was likely another sign of Grima's bullshit.

Nonetheless, one day I finally had the opportunity to catch Chrom alone. Robin had sequestered himself in his quarters unless someone absolutely needed him, even though he occasionally popped out to vomit over the side of the ship. Poor guy had it rough, so I decided to leave him alone and allow Chrom to give him the info when the time came.

The sea beamed up at me, it felt like, even as I walked up the back of the ship to see Chrom staring at the water himself, watching as the swirling track that we left.

"Can't help but stare too, huh?" I asked, walking up beside him.

Chrom turned to me slightly before leaning on the banister and taking a deep breath, "Not so much staring, no. My thoughts have been, er, well, let us say that they have been unpleasant of late. And I don't think the constant rocking is helping with that all too much."

"You're telling me? I still don't think I've grown sea legs either. And Robin, well," I coughed into my iron fist. "The less said about him, the better."

Chrom chuckled lightly, a small smile finally gracing his features. "Mmm. Yeah, he's having a hard time. It won't last much longer, though. I can feel it. Once we take back Warreth and Ylisstol and…"

"And Lucina," I finished lightly. "Is that what's got you so down?"

Chrom scratched at his scalp, propping a hand on Falchion's pommel. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Gods, Alex, the closer we get, the more this dark pit seems to settle in my stomach. I have all of this power now; Falchion is Awakened, the Fire Emblem is complete and within my grasp, and yet I feel as if it isn't enough. I wish all of this wasn't necessary. I wish we didn't have to fight constantly to ensure peace reigns at last. That was one lesson of Emm's I never got behind: peace without violence. Much as her policies seemed weak at the time, even to myself, it's only now that I see that there may have been some wisdom to them."

"You're sick of fighting," I summarized, crossing my arms as I stared off towards the distant horizon, shrouded in dark. "That's something I can get behind. The war's taken its toll, hasn't it?"

"I knew, long ago, that I wasn't worthy of her ideals," Chrom whispered. "Maybe, when this is all over, I can prove that I finally am. When I have my daughter in my arms again."

"For what it's worth, I think we'll get her back," I placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get it all back, and we'll be with you every step of the way."

"Sometimes I forget I have such stalwart friends at my side," Chrom replied, pushing himself away from the bannister. "I believe you, Alex. We'll take it all back, and we can finally rest easy in the knowledge that our children's future will be brighter than the one fate had for them."

"That's the Chrom I know!" I laughed, patting his back. "All that friendship and shit! Gotta be something to them if we've gotten this far. Although, uh," I rubbed the back of my neck as I turned away. "You've heard about the Leviathan, right, Chrom?"

Chrom blinked. "Hmm? Yes, of course. I doubt there's many who haven't. Not that there was much cause for concern before we set sail."

I let out a sigh of relief. "So you guys already know."

"Mhm. Robin planned accordingly." Chrom supplied, before chuckling to himself. "You know, sometimes I forget that you're not Ylissean by birth. Honestly, you've been with us for so long it's hard to remember that."

I shrugged. "Sometimes I forget that I'm American," My expression fell. "Sometimes I barely remember my home. The house I grew up in," I looked down, "The fact that I used to have two, working hands. Naga help me, that actually bothers me a little."

"Well, for what it's worth, you will always have a home here," Chrom replied. "I've already said as much before, I think, but to me, you'll always be Knight-Captain of Ylisse. Heh, sounds a bit presumptuous, huh?"

I shook my head, "It's what I am now, Chrom. And honestly? I'm happy with it. As happy as I can be, anyway." I took a deep breath, "Sometimes it just takes a whole for things to settle, you know? I haven't even thought about my old home for what feels like years. Hell of it is, Chrom? Someday, I feel like I'll forget it entirely."

Chrom's brow furrowed as he searched for something to say. I chuckled.

"You don't need to say anything, Chrom. These are my own unpleasant thoughts. And they're not ones that can be shooed away with words. Not now, anyway. I need to duel with them on my own."

"Heh, so be it," Chrom chuckled, looking back out to the ocean, "We'll be within sight of Warreth within a week; we should probably get some sleep."

I sighed, "Whatever sleep we can get."

"Vaike, I saw you sneaking cards in."

"Are ya callin' Teach a cheater, Alex?"

"I sure as hell ain't calling you a truther," I growled, placing my iron hand on the table. "Put 'em up, Teach. Let's see this bullshit for real."

"Har! Didn't know ya wanted to die today, Alex. But Teach is more than willin' to oblige!" Vaike barked, placing his cards down on the table just as I did mine. "And well, well, well! Would ya look at that! Teach wins, again! And ya couldn't even try and beat me, could ya?"

"It's a game of chance and you cheated," I said quickly, turning to Gaius. "Tell him, Gaius. Tell him he's a cheater and that I'm right."

Gaius made a 'pop' sound with his lips and smirked, "I didn't see anything, Sailor. Maybe you're just seeing things."

"Gaius, you were supposed to be on my side, damnit!" I sighed and hung my head low. "Not even gonna bother asking Sully. The two muscleheads are married; they'll just vouch for each other."

"Ya say that like I wouldn't call Vaike out if he was cheating," Sully snorted, leaning back a propping her feet on the table. "I didn't see anything, so I say he's fine. Quit being such a whiner."

"I may be a whiner, but I'm also a one-man army. Don't piss me off," I boasted.

Sully nearly burst into laughter but held it back just enough to where it only came out as a giggle. "Maybe, ya ponce. But I still remember when you were just a fat thing, wandering around the barracks like ya had a pair! Damn, those were the days."

I shivered, "Those were not 'the days'. I'm pretty sure I've still got a few scars from our old spars."

"Only to be expected from Ms. The Vaike!" Vaike laughed, wrapping an arm around Sully's shoulders. "Even back then, I saw the way she was lookin' at me. Lemme tell ya, Alex, it was love at first fight!"

Sully poked Vaike in the side but didn't remove his arm. "Yer lucky you're passably handsome, ya loon, otherwise I woulda chucked ya overboard."

"Remember when they couldn't even look at each other without blushing like a bunch of mages at a brothel?" I asked Gaius quietly, as the couple in front of us bickered.

Gaius chuckled to himself, waving his hand as he reclined. "It's beautiful, ain't it? Two meatheads finally found each other. Soon enough there'll be plenty of little meathead babies walking about, arm-wrestling each other."

"Dear Naga, that's an image," I snickered. "But what about you, Gaius? Finally seal the deal with Maribelle yet?"

"Hey now, where's this coming from? I don't ask how you and Red are doing, do I?" Gaius replied, acting offended.

I gave him a half-lidded stare. "Gaius, that's the only thing you talked about for months before we got together. Hell, I'm pretty sure that betting ring Frederick talked about was made by you."

"Damn, got it all in one," Gaius replied, taking a lollipop out of his mouth. "C'mon, Sailor, don't give me that look. It was good money!"

"I have half a mind to break your legs but I wanna hear about you and Maribelle now."

Gaius let out a breath, "Alright, fine, you wanna hear about it? We're engaged. That satisfy you?"

"Engag- hot damn, Gaius!" I exclaimed, running my left hand through my hair. "That's- I mean, wow, man. I'm proud of you!"

"I'm not," Gaius sulked. "I'm getting married, Sailor, once this whole Fell Dragon thing falls apart. But not just to anybody. Oh no. I had to go and fall in love with the noblest of noblewomen. Gods, I wonder what her folks in Themis are gonna say when they hear that their daughter's marrying a common thief."

"You're not just a 'common thief', Gaius," I rebuked, crossing my arms as I spared a glance at Sully and Vaike, only to turn away quickly when I saw them locking lips. "You're a Shepherd. The Scoutmaster of the Shepherds, if I remember correctly. That's the title Chrom gave you, right?"

Gaius nodded silently.

"That's gotta count for something," I supplied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And hell, look at it this way: you saved their daughter at one point, didn't you?"

Gaius regarded me suspiciously.

"Don't give me that look; you're the one who told me, nitwit," I growled, shaking him slightly. "Look, all I'm saying is that there's a lot more to you than you're giving yourself credit for. Cordelia's family is technically nobility, but did that stop me from marrying her? Uh uh. No way. Same goes for you, I hope."

"I never said I wasn't gonna go through with it, Sailor," Gaius sighed, "Just trying to air my grievances, feel me? It's not gonna be an easy road for us."

"It's a road you've taken before," I answered. "Just look at your son."

"Gods' damn it all, you always bring that up!" Gaius held his head in his hands. "Maribelle's sweeter than any candy I've tasted, alright? No way in all the seven hell's I'd leave her. I just wanted to let you know about all the crap I'm gonna have to go through, alright? Damn."

I shrugged, "Such is life, I guess."

Gaius shook his head, "There ain't no taking it back now. Not that I would, yeah? But it's all in paper now. Once this war's over, I'm a married man. Never thought I'd see the day."

"You'll get used to it, man," I smirked. "I believe in you."

"Never said I wouldn't," Gaius said. "First we gotta kill us a giant ancient dragon though, yeah?"

I looked up to the ceiling, fiddling with my iron hand, "Yeah, that's gonna be fun. Good to get a few last poker games before we get to Warreth, though. I've got a feeling it won't be pretty."

Gaius whistled, placing his lollipop back in his mouth, "Trust your gut, Sailor. Way things are going now? Nothing's gonna be pretty."

Even during that last poker game, I could feel the weight of the battle's ahead upon my shoulders. There was a tension in the air, so thick I could cut it with my sword. It was always like that, on the days leading to big, carnage-filled battles.

I could feel it in my bones and in my head, ready to snap at any moment and fight to my last breath. Most of the time, I had a hold of it, but it was always at its loosest before battles. Whatever was to happen, I would need to weather it. And if Naga saw fit to shuffle me off this mortal coil, well, I'd have to disagree.

I couldn't die. Not with so much left to live for.

When we were only a stone's throw away from Warreth, with the sky completely covered in black smog and the ocean seeming as if it would swallow us whole at any moment, I spent my final days aboard that ship with my family. Severa was flippant, almost energetic, in a way, as if she was compensating for something. She spent less and less time with us, however, and I could feel the rift forming. Purposefully built, possibly, because she knew she would leave someday, and she didn't want the parting to hurt.

I knew better than that. At least she wasn't acting up in negative ways to get us to fuck off. Perhaps she knew that that would have the opposite effect.

Whatever free time I had before then was spent with Cordelia, and during those last days, almost all my time was with her. We still had duties to perform; Cordelia was ensuring the Pegasus Knights were ready to take flight, while I was doing the same for our soldiers, the rank-and-file troops. We always came back to our shared room, oftentimes with plenty of time to kill.

On what might've been the last day we had aboard that ship, I was in the room, reading a book while waiting for Cordelia to return. Just some trashy romance novel, the same kind Sumia was fond of. I hadn't been able to complete that one series she showed me the last winter and to be honest, I was probably invested a little more than I should've been. It was a romance novel, not an amazing action-adventure piece. Still, it passed the time.

My thoughts were on the battle ahead, still. Because there would be a battle. I felt it in my bones. That oily feeling settled in my stomach even as I read my book.

I perked up as the door to the room opened, smiling as I saw Cordelia enter, her golden armor glittering in the light. She'd been given her own armor ever since she returned to the Pegasus Knights, with shining golden plates and white under armor, and a white scarf around her neck. If she wasn't beautiful enough, the first time I saw her in that armor, I felt my heart skip a beat and my jaw drop straight to the floor.

"Hey, Cordy! You-" I stood up, putting my book down. I stopped once I noticed the pained expression on her face. "Cordy?"

I felt the air crushed out of me as she surged forward, wrapping me in a tight hug as she buried her face in my chest. Instinctively, I hugged her back, my left hand coming up to stroke her red hair. I heard her sniffle as she snuggled deeper into my chest. Her armor poked at me, but honestly, I could not find it in me to care.

"Uh, rough day?" I asked, feeling her nod. "Wanna talk about it?"

"I-In just a moment," She said softly. "Please. I just want to stay like this for a while."

I happily obliged.

Eventually, we found ourselves sitting on our bed. Cordelia released me, but still sat close, forcefully pulling my arm over her shoulders and hugging my side.

"One of those new recruits," Cordelia began to explain. "One of those who joined alongside that mercenary told me to my face that I had no right to lead them. Not when I showed myself to be so irresponsible as to have a child in the middle of a war. To have my back burned in such a horrible way."

My lips thinned as I listened.

Cordelia wiped at her eyes. "Gods, Alex, I regret what I did next. Naga, do I regret it. I never showed what I was feeling, not in front of the other Pegasus Knights, but when she spoke to me like, that, I couldn't stop myself. We had a 'sparring match' then and there, and I won. But she was savaged, Alex. Bloodied and bruised while I had not a scratch on me. I barely even remember doing it. We had to summon a healer to ensure bones hadn't been broken. I can't even…"

"It's okay," I whispered, hugging her closer to me. "It wasn't right, but I understand why you did it. I guess I'm not the only one with anger issues, huh?"

"I don't even remember being angry!" Cordelia protested. "I just, I lost control. When she brought up my injury and Severa like that… Gods, Alex!"

"Cordy, it's okay," I repeated, taking a deep breath. "Whatever the case, it's over now. It's only me here. You've got nothing to worry about."

"Yes… Yes, of course," Cordelia whispered, hugging me just a bit tighter. "I still have you, don't I? And Severa. Our child. She's safe, away from the coming battle."

"What is it you once told me?" I asked rhetorically. "Don't let the past define you? Think that's what it was. Learn from this, and make sure it never happens again."

"Hah, and here I was, thinking you would never use my own advice against me," Cordelia sighed. "Perhaps these wars have affected me far more than I suspected. What I did was not right, no matter which way I look at it. I should not have come this close to tearing her apart over a slight like that, even if it was rather barbed."

I took a deep breath, "Anyway, it's over now, right? Anything else happen?"

Cordelia shook her head. "No. Not even a reprimand from Captain Phila. I just spent the rest of the day training them, all the while they stared at me as if I would fly off into a complete rage once more."

"You are probably the least likely to fly into a murderous rage out of anyone in the Shepherds, Cordy," I supplied, "I'm serious. You do got a bit of a temper sometimes, but nothing above what I'd call normal. Maybe you can talk with them tomorrow about it? Use it as an example to get your emotions under control before and after battle."

"…That's actually a decent idea. Er, not that you aren't capable of giving such," Cordelia turned away. "It might help salvage what's left of my reputation as well."

"Eh, I wouldn't worry about that part. Reputation ain't everything."

Cordelia gave me a pointed look. "Oh? This coming from the man who is hailed as 'The Hero of Khadein'. Not to say that you do not deserve that title, love, I'm merely pointing it out. The ways things are going now when Captain Phila appoints me as her successor, I imagine there will be some amount of outcry. Maybe even within our own ranks."

"Pfft! Let them!" I scratched my chin, "There isn't a single other Pegasus Knight out there worthy of that position like you are. If they wanna try and dispute that, well, we'll see how they handle the shit we go through on a monthly basis, and then maybe they'll keep their gobs shut."

"Gods, listen to yourself, Alex!" Cordelia pleaded. "How can you say such things with a straight face? It's really quite incredible."

I shrugged. "Well, it's the truth. I'm serious, you're the best person to fill in after Phila, no matter what those assholes say. So, let them bitch and moan. They won't change anything. And if they try something, well, I'm sure you can let them down gently."

"I'm not sure if your little speech has made me feel better or worse," Cordelia groused, wrapping her arms around my midsection. "But I appreciate you trying regardless."

I let out another breath. "Yeah, it's rather hit or miss with me, huh?"

"Mm, I wouldn't say that," Cordelia sighed, nuzzling into my side. "You're an amazing cuddler if nothing else."

"So I'm a pillow now, then?" I rubbed the back of my neck. "Here I was, thinking I'd make a good husband, too."

"Oh, hush," Cordelia giggled. "A pillow wouldn't be able to wrap its arms around me as we sleep."

I decided to stay quiet after that. Didn't want to ruin the moment. We stayed like that for a while, the boat gently rocking us. After that, though, Cordelia spoke up again. This time, much more silently.

"These next few battles will be the greatest and most terrible of our lives, won't they?" She whispered.

"Probably."

"I miss her," Cordelia lightly sniffled. "I miss our baby, Alex. We barely had any time to spend with her before we went gallivanting off to this new front. I wish we had more time. More time to play with her, to watch her grow."

I raised a brow. "You're acting like we'll never see her again."

"Of course we'll see her again," Cordelia murmured, grabbing onto my shirt. "It's just… these could be our last days, love. Our last days, and the last days for the world as a whole. I can't help but think of the war ahead and feel this sinking in my chest. I've lost so much to war, Alex. So much. I don't want to lose you or lose Severa. The very thought of losing any of you makes my stomach churn."

I looked her in the eye. "Remember when you told me you wouldn't die? That you wouldn't allow yourself to? Back when I had those nightmares?"

Cordelia nodded silently.

"Then believe me when I say the same thing, Cordy," I continued, holding her close to me. "I love you, all three of you so much. Don't count on any of us leaving you anytime soon. It's not gonna happen."

Cordelia took a deep breath. "Okay. Okay, I'm sorry, Alex. I don't know what's got a hold of me."

"Pre-battle jitters," I answered, grumbling to myself. "I get them all the time. That's just what I think."

"Mmm," Cordelia hummed. "…Alex, love, I know what we agreed on when Severa was born, but… Could we? Just this once? Before we risk our lives in the biggest fights in over a millennium?"

Cordelia grasped my hand as I thought about it for a moment. We didn't want to risk pregnancy, not this time. But with the coming battles likely to be short and brutal, and with the promise of a beautiful future if everything turns out alright, with no future if things go horribly wrong, there really was no point to abstaining. Not then.

If there was any time to cut loose, this was it.

"Alright, Cordy," I said quietly, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek. She leaned into it, a small and fond smile on her face. "Let's just, uh, keep it quiet."

She giggled, "No promises!"

My entire world was pervaded by a sense of warmth I'd missed for some time. The bed Cordelia and I shared was just barely big enough to support the both of us, but we made it work. She laid beside me, her eyes open as she hummed in contentment.

"You're really quite something. You know that?" She asked, her voice low yet happy.

I looked over at her, her modesty barely held back by the sheets that covered us. She looked gorgeous, but then again, I always thought that. Her red hair, not as long as it once was yet beautiful still, scattered around her like trails of silk. Her pale skin almost seemed luminescent in the darkness, soft and warm and inviting. Her smile could blot out the sun, it was so radiant. I reminded myself to protect that smile, whatever the cost.

I smirked back at her, wrapping my left arm around her and placing my hand against her back. "Yeah. Please, tell me how amazing I am. I'm all ears."

"Oh please, don't let it get to your head," Cordelia lightly chided, tracing the scars across my chest with her finger. "Although I'll admit, you really know how to get on my nerves. Why must you draw it out like that?"

I chuckled, dragging my hand across her back, "Wanted to make it last, sweetheart. This'll be our last time before we jump into the fray again; thought you would appreciate that."

"Mm. Idiot," Cordelia lightly yawned, snuggling up closer to me. "You know what I want without me even knowing it. Aren't I lucky I managed to catch you?"

"Catch me?" I asked, raising a brow. "Am I a fish now?"

"You're whatever I want you to be," Cordelia giggled. "I thought you'd realize that by now, love, but I'm only using you for your body. This is just a casual fling, you know."

"You're so mean," I replied, the smile on my face growing wider as I brought her closer to me. "And I'm okay with that."

We slipped into a comfortable silence after that, and I felt myself slowly drifting off to sleep. Perhaps the most restful sleep I'd have until Grima was gone. However, Cordelia wasn't quite done yet.

"Love," Cordelia whispered. "What do we do once Grima is destroyed?" She asked, a slight hint of trepidation in her voice.

I turned my head to her, eyes barely open, "Well, we'll finally get married, obviously."

Cordelia hummed, smiling slightly as she shifted a bit. "Yes, but we've never planned beyond that, have we? I think I remember saying it would be a small thing, and I must be honest, I still quite like the sound of that."

"Yeah, small," I concurred, staring up towards the ceiling. "Probably some of our friends and your parents. It'd still be great to have it be pretty, though, you know. Nothing very fancy, but if it's our special day, well, I'd want it to look the part."

"Oh yes, and the dress?" Cordelia asked, "It's traditional of Ylissean brides to wear blue, you know. It supposedly grants good luck and ensures a happy marriage."

"We won't spare any expense on that, then," I took a deep breath. "Naga, I almost can't wait. I know we keep calling ourselves husband and wife, but to make it official like that, well, I don't know why it gets my heart pumping but it does." I looked to Cordelia again, watching as she raised her upper body and looked down at me. "I love you, Cordelia. I love you and I love our family. I can't wait to begin our new life."

Cordelia sniffled, "Years ago, I could only imagine those words being said to me. I love you too, Alex. I will love you above all others, for the rest of my days."

We kissed again, a deep, loving kiss, unlike the carnal ones we shared only a while before. When we parted, Cordelia wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my chest, while I held her to me with my arm around her waist.

As we drifted off to sleep, I could still visualize our wedding. The way it would look, the warm feelings that would surge through me as Cordelia walked down the aisle. The electric feeling of our lips touching before a crowd, cementing us as husband and wife in the eyes of the world.

And then we would be able to start our lives together in earnest. Our future together would be beautiful, I knew. I felt.

There was just one giant dragon-shaped problem in the way.

No rest for the wicked.

We arrived at Warreth just in time, it seemed. Fires burning within the port city created smoke trails that cascaded into the sky, adding to the cloudy smog cover that kept the sun from shining. Even then, the sound of battle reached our ears, even as far away from the coast as we were. The closer we got, though, the more obvious it was that whatever resistance was in the city was slowly being crushed. If the Risen we saw prowling the docks weren't an indication, the great purple light slowly gathering directly in the middle of the place was. It was like watching a swirling vortex of hatred slowly form. What it was to be used for, I didn't know, but the closer we got the more I could feel it swelling within me. I stood beside Chrom and Robin, who probably looked even more disturbed than I did.

"Gods," Chrom gasped out, his hand on Falchion's pommel. He was armored and armed with the Exalted Falchion and the completed Fire Emblem, ready to smash our enemy into submission. "Robin, this is…"

"It does look bad, yes," Robin replied, his voice betraying little emotion. "But there is still hope, Chrom. I didn't think I'd need to tell you that; usually, it's the other around, isn't it?"

Chrom sighed. "Of course. I'm sorry. Perhaps these long months have finally taken their toll. But I am ready. Guide us, Robin, and we shall follow."

"We cannot ignore that legend. The one about the Leviathan," Robin adopted his usual thinking pose, "I already went over most of our plan during the last war council, but allow me to make a small addition: once our troops are deployed, our ships need to steer clear of the harbor."

"They say it was once spotted in the harbor…" I shook my head, "Fair enough. It really would be like that, huh? What's with the cyclone of misery over there?"

"I do not know, but we should stop whatever it is they're doing before we find out," Robin replied, turning back to Chrom. "We need to alert the captains of this change."

"I'll have Sumia tell them," Chrom replied, "We'll likely be charging within the hour. All the Shepherds should be ready to spearhead a charge into the city, alright?"

Robin nodded, "Just like we spoke of. I will make sure they are ready, Chrom."

Chrom was off, and Robin and I were left alone.

"This is the beginning of the end," I stated, crossing my arms as I looked at the swirling vortex growing within the city. "Whatever happens here will either be remembered for the rest of time or not at all."

"The entire world rests on our shoulders," Robin said, rubbing his shoulder, "And I daresay I am already feeling such a weight's toll. I just have one question, Alex. Are you with me?"

"Do you even have to ask?" I responded, grabbing Robin's hand and bringing it up. "To the death, Robin. To the death."

Robin smiled, then. A genuine one. "Of course."

"Now," I intoned, iron hand on Sol's pommel. "Let's go kick some ass."

We stormed the docks of Warreth with a ferocity only matched by a tidal wave. The Risen were waiting for us, it seemed; the put up stiff resistance, fighting us for every inch we took into the city. Our boats pulled back, just as Robin ordered as soon as the ground teams disembarked. With Tiki as their protector, no matter what came to pass, there would still be hope for rescue. As for us, only a horror show awaited.

I looked up, seeing Pegasus Knights flying through the sky with wings ablaze like Phoenixes. The Shepherds pushed forward as I put my helmet on and drew Sol.

"Good hunting, girls," I rasped, preparing to charge forward with my comrades, "I'll be keeping my boots on the ground."

The streets of Warreth were washed with blood. I could remember clearly how the streets of the city looked before Grima saw fit to have it sundered and bled dry; different people walking about, from across the world over, interacting and laughing and living with each other. That was all over. Or at least, it would be for as long as it took to rebuild. As I cleaved a path through the Risen before us along with the other Shepherds, it occurred to me how long it would take to fully rebuild Ylisse.

I couldn't think on that for long, though, not in the middle of a giant battle. I shook those thoughts away as I stabbed Sol through a Risen's chest and tore it out violently, splattering its black blood across the stone road. It gurgled before falling and turning into violet mist. I flanked Robin on one side, and Vaike guarded the other. His axe cleaved a Risen's skull in twain, splitting the mask as its purple, desecrated body fell to the ground in a heap. Robin was no slouch either; despite Fulmen's depowered state, it was still a magical sword capable of calling lightning forth, and that was exactly what he did as he zapped Risen left and right, turning them into black husks of charcoal and smoke.

Slowly but surely, we made our way through the hordes of Risen. There were desperate survivors who ran past us, searching for the safety our encroaching line provided. Never more than a few people at a time, though, and that was disheartening. I didn't know if there were so few people because so many had died, or if the other were hiding. Soldiers and mercenaries who had been fighting for Naga knew how long joined our front as we pushed forward, straight towards the heart of the Risen infestation.

There were three main squares to Warreth, and we reached one as we moved. It was there that we discovered our biggest group of survivors, led by a man clad in red plate armor and wielding a gold and red lance. I saw him cut a bloody swath through the Risen, alongside several dozen soldiers. It was impressive, to say the least.

Our forces converged there, with the other team led by Chrom meeting us in the middle. It was to be a forward operating base as we assaulted the maelstrom forming further into the city. We fought alongside the red paladin, bolstering his forces and cutting a black bloody swath through the Risen hordes and protecting the clerics he had behind him.

Something was familiar about the paladin, but I couldn't put my finger on it. He had a limp to him, certainly, but there were precious few people I knew who had one-

…Oh shit.

I ignored that thought for a moment as I continued fighting. The battlefield waited for no one, after all.

We began pushing the Risen out of the square, freeing a way for the civilians protected by the soldiers to begin funneling out. They were pointed towards either end of the city, away from the docks. After a while, all that remained were the soldiers who stayed with us, including the red paladin.

I let out a raspy sigh, taking off my helmet and running a hand down my face, "Goddamn, this is rough."

"Don't get too comfortable, Alex," Robin lightly chided, twirling Fulmen in his grasp, "We still have several blocks to go before we reach the source of that light."

I waved my iron hand, sheathing Sol for a moment. "I know, Robin. I get it. Where's Chrom?" I looked around, seeing the blue-haired Lord, clad in shining armor, bisect a Risen as it tried to charge through our ranks. I sighed, "Nevermind."

"As if he would truly need our help," Robin chuckled lightly, "If I so wanted, he would've charged these Risen's lines and won handily. At least, I imagine it that way."

"And not because you wanna see him bare-chested, strangling a Risen, right? Careful, Robin. Tiki might get jealous." I laughed as Robin slammed his fist against my shoulder, only for him to yowl in pain and twirl a bit, holding his injured appendage and hissing.

"Damn you!" He shouted. "You always know what to say! The exact words to set me off!"

"And it's absolutely hilarious," I chortled, catching my breath. "I think there are some healers over there if you broke any fingers, man. As for me, uh," My smile fell, "I've got somebody I need to talk to."

"Oh? Who?" Robin followed my gaze to the red, helmeted paladin. "…Is that-?"

"Yeah," I nodded, walking over. "It'll only take a second, Robin. I'll be back before we make another push."

"Right," Robin replied awkwardly, running along towards Chrom. "I'll hold you to that, Alex."

The red paladin knelt beside a brunette priest, another person I was familiar with. I coughed behind them, catching their attention.

"Been a long time, Edgar," I rasped, watching as the helmeted paladin slowly stood up and turned around.

"Well, if it isn't Alexander," He replied, taking his helmet off and revealing the selfsame redheaded man I met all those years ago. "That it has, my boy, that it has. Come to say hi to us, have you?"

"Alexander! Oh, gods!" Rosalind stood up, brushing off her dress. "You seem taller somehow. Or maybe it's that armor? I cannot say, but it is good to see you! If you're here, Cordelia must be nearby!"

I nodded, "Up there, keeping those flying monstrosities off our backs. It's, uh, good to see you too, Miss Rosalind."

"So you will refer to my wife as 'Miss', but just to me as 'Edgar'?" Cordelia's father grumbled, "Such manners."

I shrugged, "Ain't exactly in the best place to be moaning about etiquette, huh?"

"Aye, that it isn't. Hmm. You've changed, Alexander," The man stated, looking me up and down. "Yes. You stand straighter now. Less afraid of your own shadow. Standing up straight to me, even."

"Don't mind him, Alex. He's had a rough go of it himself," Rosalind said, standing up and slinging her staff around her back. "And to think, all it would take to get you outside and exercise is a giant attack on Warreth."

"What are you two doing here, anyway?" I asked, crossing my arms, "I thought you guys lived up north."

"Our Lord was negotiating the construction of a new estate in this region during the winter months," Edgar explained, shaking his head, "Poor fool. I told him it was not safe to travel in these ghastly times. He was struck down when the gates finally fell to those purple dastards. But, that is not the worst of it."

I rubbed my forehead, "More bad news, then. You guys are out of a job?"

Edgar shook his head. "Worse, son. I have his job now," He grunted, "Before he died he bequeathed his estate to me. He had no children, you see. Killed during the Plegian Crusades. I always knew he would give it to one of his advisors, but to have it thrust onto me so suddenly… Aye, it's enough to make me tremble."

"Dear, you're waxing dramatic again," Rosalind sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "In truth, Alex, before we were rudely interrupted, we wanted to give it to you and Cordelia."

"Wha-" I nearly coughed as I swallowed my own spit. "You wanna what now!?"

Edgar shrugged, "I'm too old to be making decisions that can affect a small field, let alone an entire estate and associated territories. My skills are better put helping others do that. Consider it an engagement gift, if you so desire."

"An engagement-?" I shook my head. "Look, we can discuss this later. After Grima's all done and dusted, alright? Right now, you guys need to get out of here?"

"Hmph, true enough," Edgar grunted. "Rosalind and I shall follow the others, then. Oh, and Alex, one more thing." He held out his red and gold spear to me, but when I got a better look at it, it seemed more like a bident than a spear. Its edge was two-pronged, leading down onto a highly decorated shaft. It looked sturdy, despite the apparent decadence in its design. "Take this. Give it to Cordelia."

"I mean, sure, but wouldn't you wanna give it to her yourself?" I asked.

"I have a feeling we won't be speaking with her until after this bloody war is over. We have our own people to look for, after all. It's a family heirloom, Alex, but it'll strike truer than any other weapon she has wielded. I guarantee it."

I looked down at the weapon in my hands, admiring the etching in its point, and nodded. "It will be done, Mr. Edgar."

The red paladin placed a hand on my shoulder and gently shook it. "Good man! Turns out you have a shred of decency in you, after all."

I carried the spear on my back as I looked to the front. We would be moving forward soon, and I had to get going and join them. "Good of you to say. Godspeed, you two."

Rosalind mock-saluted me. "Go get them, soldier boy!"

I laughed to myself as they left down the road where the other civilians went. Looking to the sky, I felt a sigh escape my lips.

No rest for the wicked.

The farther we pushed through the tattered and broken city, the more desperate the Risen seemed to become. Their attacks became frenzied, animalistic, and they'd use their very own bodies to keep us from getting through before they disintegrated out of existence. This did not go unnoticed by us. Hell, it was expected. We were getting closer to the source of the hateful vortex. Its tendrils flew over us, letting us know we were far away from friendly territory.

"Shepherds, with me!" Chrom shouted, Falchion aglow and held high, "Break through! Cut a path!"

When faced with such orders, what else could we do but obey? With him leading the charge, the Risen's lines were sundered, and we flooded into the square containing the source of Warreth's woes. A squad of Pegasus Knights came forward along with us, gutting Risen that tried to escape. I could see Cordelia among them, commanding them. It looked as if they were in perfect sync; wherever one faltered, another would be there to help them along.

There, in the center, bodies were gathered, melted flesh and sagging skin sloughing off of their decaying forms. Around them were hunched figures, and the closer we got, the clearer a chant sung its way to our ears. It was like an old, Gregorian chant from my old world. In the center, a Pegasus Knight clad in black turned to us. As we dispatched its minions, it regarded us with a savage intelligence glinting in its eyes.

"Chrom of Ylisse. It has been some time since you have stepped upon Ylissean soil, has it not? Yet, it is no longer yours. No, it belongs to Grima now, and your paltry attempts to retake it will fail. If not here, then at your sundered capital." She spoke, her voice like death's whisper on the wind.

Deadlord.

"I don't care what you say!" Chrom shouted back, Falchion pointed at the Pegasus Knight. "Tonight, Warreth is freed!"

"Is that so? Hmm. Broken scrap of it that is, perhaps." The Deadlord hummed, a tome glowing purple in its hand, "Either way, you are too late, son of Naga. The time has come."

I looked up, noticing the light had grown brighter still.

"Guys," I said, turning. "I think it's-!"

It exploded. A shockwave knocked me off my feet and a clattered to the ground, feeling the wind rush out of my chest. Looking up, the pile of gore had vanished, leaving only hollow dust.

What came next was certainly an outcome in Robin's plans. Hell, we'd planned all around it. Yet, even then, when it appeared, I felt the blood drain from my face.

It was a slow rumble at first, barely perceptible. Before long, though, a waterspout of epic proportions spewed forth from the docks behind us. A gaping maw dripping with seawater pulled itself from the ocean, hateful red eyes glared at the world itself, seeing only destruction, with a single red gem-like thing in the middle of its head. Tendrils spilled forth from its back, waving lazily in the windy air.

The roar it let loose drudged up painful memories I'd've rather left forgotten.

A single word escaped my lips as the world around me was split apart by the clanking of steel and splattering of blood.

"Fuck."

And that's a wrap on this chapter. Had a lotta fun with this one.

For the record...

Nice.

Now that we got this infernal number behind us, let's look towards the future. The final battle has begun, and with it, all bets are off. Say your prayers, friends, because nobody is leaving this unscathed.

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