Aberration

by RedXEagl3

In the blink of an eye, I was transported across dimensions into a world I'd only seen through a screen. It wasn't a game anymore, though. It was a living, breathing place, filled with people that had their own problems and troubles. The road ahead is stained with blood and laden with bodies, but it's one that leads to a beautiful sunrise. (SI) (Cover by Hidewari/Robin on Twitter)

71. Cities in Dust

Of the days we spent marching towards our ruined capital, I didn't remember much.

My mind was too clouded by thoughts of Severa. And of Gerome and Yarne. I kept going over in my head what I could have done differently to save them. To keep them from being captured by a homicidal abomination with a sadistic streak. What if I'd been taken in their place? What if I was the one being hauled off to Ylisstol to endure Naga knew what? I didn't know. I didn't know how I'd take it. How I'd survive.

Oftentimes, I didn't focus on that, though. There was no use thinking about it. It was unhealthy and foolish.

I also knew it was ungodly selfish of me to think of only my own daughter while Panne lost her only remaining loved one, and Virion and Cherche's son was in the Fell Dragon's clutches as well. Still, my feelings were there all the same.

The Risen could move when we could not. By the time we were able to move the day after the battle of Warreth, the little convoy the Pegasus Knight Deadlord set-up was already long gone. There was no hope of catching up with her. Robin was right.

Instead of focusing on that, though, and spiraling into a depression over my daughter's capture and the death of Phila, I threw myself into making sure our march was as seamless and issue-free as was physically possible. I did everything from taking supply manifests to ensuring our weapons were maintained properly. I even broke up a few fights, mostly among Chon'sinian soldiers, although those slowly petered out as our situation became clear.

We were heading towards Grima's newest and greatest stronghold.

Even with their petty grievances regarding Yen'fay, they had to know what we were about to face, and they set aside their differences and pushed on with the rest of our troops. I couldn't exactly blame them for being antsy those first few days as we marched further into the countryside either; the world we'd left behind had grown just a tad more ugly and savage.

The trees were barren as if it was still winter. The grass was brown and grey. The skies had become dark once more as we traveled further into our conquered territory. It was smackdab in the middle of spring, then. It was nearing my twenty-third birthday.

What a sobering thought that was. Four years I spent there, nearly on the dot. Four years of mostly war. If not war, then preparation for war. The only bright spots being the Shepherds, Cordelia, Severa, and the baby we left back in Valm. Beyond that, my life had been nothing but war.

Just like dad's.

That thought wasn't just cold. It was made of ice as I held it in my mind's eye. I discarded it, tried to bury it beneath other things.

I focused on sharpening Sol. It wasn't something that needed to be done often, but with so much time left to do things that night, I had nothing else better to do. Besides, a little sharpening wouldn't do the blade any harm. It was magical, after all. Hell, it was half the reason I was able to survive some of the battles in Valm, I doubted it would be different in Ylisstol, what with Grima throwing everything he had at us.

"Sir Alex," Someone called. I sighed. There were a scant few people who called me that, and considering Say'ri was too busy doing other important shit, that narrowed it down to just one.

I looked up, my expression blank, "Lucina," I greeted curtly, "To what do I owe the pleasure?" I blinked, noticing two others standing to either side of her. "Inigo? Owain? Never thought I'd see the day where you all approached me willingly."

"Trust me, it wasn't willingly," Inigo groused. "I'd much rather be doing anything else at the moment, such as impressing one of those Chon'sinian maidens, but they, eh, don't seem to be interested. Besides," He looked to Lucina, "She's the one who really wanted to say something. Guess that news from earlier got to her more than anyone else thought."

"It would do you well to silence yourself, my friend!" Owain said loudly, "Was it not you who cried tears at the mere mention of our compatriots' dishonorable capture? Or was that only a lark on the wind?"

I raised a brow, looking on as Inigo blushed and stuttered, "W-What the hell, Owain! Why is everyone spying on me recently!? It's like a new hobby for you guys!"

"Please excuse them, Sir Alex," Lucina sighed, "They both wished to come with me as I spoke with you, and I can only assume they wish to assist as well."

I perked up at that, placing Sol next to me, "Assist me? Guess you mean Severa and the rest," I grumbled, rubbing my eyes, "You should probably say us. If you think Cordy was just gonna take this shit lying down, you'd be dead wrong. She's just as angry and desperate as I am, she's just better at hiding it. And that's not even getting into how the others feel. I'm surprised Panne hasn't taken off running what with Yarne being her only blood relative anymore."

"Indeed," Lucina replied, crossing her arms, "Your emotions and actions were never questioned by me, Sir Alex, and neither of that of Lady Cordelia. I merely wanted to offer you my aid."

"Are you sure about that, Lucina?" I asked, taking a deep breath, "I've already talked with Chrom, so I guess I know how you found out about this. Once we're in the city, me and the others are gonna do everything in our power to find them, wherever they are. You're saying you're willing to come with us? All three of you?"

Lucina nodded, a small smile on her face, "I would never willingly leave one of my friends in the Fell Dragon's clutches, let alone three. I would have gone myself had you not already been planning something."

I snorted, "As if I wouldn't have marched all the way to Ylisstol myself and besiege it. Guess I'm not as good at containing my anger as I thought I was. Thought I got better after Kamui." I looked over the three future children in front of me, appraising them. "The others always seem to flank you, Lucina, you ever notice that?"

Lucina looked to Owain and Inigo, who shrugged, "Mm. Perhaps it is only natural."

"Lucina is our leader, Sir Alexander of the Iron hand!" Owain stated, placing his hands on his hips and laughing, "Is it not proper to show fealty to one such as her? Even in my own greatness, what with my sword hand's unimaginable power, barely held back by my righteousness, do I follow her!"

"It's just always been that way, hasn't it? Nothing wrong with it," Inigo answered, trying not to stare at Owain as he posed.

I shook my head, "You're a leader, Lucina. Strong and powerful and, well, maybe not wise as in those bald old men at the temples," Lucina cringed at that, "but you're smart. Tactically. In the middle of battle."

"I fail to see the point of this, Sir Alex."

I waved my iron hand, "I'll accept your help, Lucina. Naga knows we can use every bit of it. It's just that I have no idea what's gonna happen when we get inside Ylisstol. That place is an absolute hive of Risen, and that's not even accounting for Grima. I'm saying that if I fall, I want you to promise me you'll do everything in your power to keep Severa and the rest safe."

"Sir Alex," Lucina said, warningly as she glared at me. "I do not like what you're saying."

I held my arms out, "I've already promised Cordelia I wouldn't die out there, but let's be real for a second: there's no guarantee I, or anyone else, is gonna make it out of that hellhole alive. I'd like to believe that we will, but as I always say, 'expect the worst but hope for the best'. I'm not planning on dying, Lucina, but planning has nothing to do with it," I sighed, "I just want them both to be safe. Hell, I'll gladly let you come along even if you don't promise me; just consider it a personal favor, alright?"

Lucina looked down at her feet, silently.

"I know you and I haven't always seen eye to eye," I began again, running a hand down my face before sheathing Sol. "Fuck, some of the things I put you through just by not saying anything really comes to mind, doesn't it? But this isn't about me. I know you and Sev are good friends. If you won't do it for me, do it for her."

"Enough," Lucina said quietly as Owain and Inigo looked on in confusion, "I promise you, Sir Alex. No harm will befall either of them. We will make sure of that."

I smiled, then. A small, genuine one. "Thank you, Lucina," I replied, my voice low, "You're a hero, you know that? A goddamn hero. I don't even wanna think about what would've happened had you not come back from the future."

"That is kind of you to say, but-"

I held up my iron hand, "I wouldn't have done a damn thing. It would've just been the same thing on repeat, over and over," I chuckled dryly to myself, "The end of the world on constant loop. What a fuckin' nightmare scenario."

"I'm… afraid I don't quite understand," Lucina said.

I shook my head, "Whatever. It's not like it's important now. Especially now. You two!"

Inigo and Owain stood straight as I lifted myself up from the crate I was using as a makeshift chair.

"Are you two ready to descend into the depths of hell itself to save your friends?" I asked loudly.

"Y-Yes sir!" Inigo replied as if the response was ingrained in his mind.

"No fear! No surrender!" Owain shouted back, a vicious smirk on his face. Not the usual goofy one. "No man or woman left behind! The sword hand shall strike down all who dare!"

I nodded, "That's what I like to hear!"

Lucina looked at me strangely, "Perhaps some things never change."

"Guess I did this a lot in the future, huh?"

Lucina sighed, "Mmm. It almost seemed to be the only thing to give you joy. Although there is something different about it, now. You seem to genuinely mean what you are saying."

"Some things may never change, Lucina," I replied, looking down at my iron hand, "But as you've proven, there's a lot of things that can. You've challenged fate. Now it's up to us to make the most of it."

Lucina's lips thinned as I said that, turning away from me for a moment. After that, she looked back to me and nodded, holding out her hand, "Then let it be so."

I took her hand and shook it.

---

We were only a few days away from Ylisstol, and the sky had taken on a reddish hue beyond the inky black clouds that covered the blue. It was like the sky was in a perpetual state of sunset, or as if someone had thrown lava across the sky. And as we got closer, it almost seemed to pulse, like an ungodly heartbeat. I could see the spire of hatred from where we were. The maelstrom of despair that had engulfed our beloved city.

Encroaching upon the city caught in the dust, we pressed onward.

"Then you're all with me?" I asked the three people standing in front of me.

"Of course, Sir Alex!" Virion stated, wiping his brow as he looked up towards the sky, "I will not have my son become the prisoner of this abomination. Truthfully, I thought as you did; I would have saddled our greatest destrier and rode off after them, had it not been for my lovely Cherche's wise counsel."

"I wanted you to be there, my love," Cherche stated, her voice dangerous. The axe strapped across her back, in the shape of a dragon's wing, almost seemed to glitter gleefully at the promise of black blood being shed. "When we arrive, I will rip through whatever dangers that may come to pass."

"Hmph," Panne huffed contemptuously, "Your heart is in the right place, manspawn, but have you ever given thought as to how you will find them? In what part of the city do you believe they are being held?" Panne shook her head, "I wish to save my son as much as you wish to save your daughter, but we cannot do so if we are traveling around a ruined city with naught a hint as to where they are."

Cordelia came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "We have an idea where they might be holding them, at least. Love, you remember the jail cells beneath the Shepherds' Barracks, correct?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, unpleasant yet strangely amusing thoughts coming up, "Uh, yeah. I think we locked Vaike down there during Chrom's engagement party."

"Yes, you- Wait, what?" Cordelia looked at me, bemused before shaking her head. "Er, nonetheless, that is a good place to start."

"They could very well be held within the castle dungeons," Cherche pointed out, "In fact, that seems the more logical choice. Keep them subdued beneath the seat of your power. Oh, how I will enjoy my axe cleaving through Grima's skull…"

I shivered as Cherche said that, even if I shared the sentiment, "Either or, really. I say we go to the Barracks first. It'd be easier to get to, and who knows, hopefully, Grima isn't that smart."

"He conquered your entire city as our backs were turned," Virion said quietly, "As much as it is a human thing to hope, Alex, I do not believe the odds are good. I will follow you regardless; it is as you said, perhaps this Fell Dragon is not as clever as he believes."

"If they are being held within the Barracks, it could very well be a trap," Panne said, crossing her arms, "Have you thought of that, manspawn? So many Shepherds in one place, ready to release their captured children, only to be beset upon by undead monsters. I have not forgotten what you told me of the undead taguel you encountered at the Awakening. The thought disturbs me, but what frightens me more is the possibility that other, greater monstrosities wait, lurking in the shadows."

I shrugged, "Would you rather let Yarne die? Let yourself be the only taguel again?"

Panne's brows furrowed as she took a step forward, "Do not speak to me as if you know what it is to be the last, manspawn," Panne spat, "You would be wise to cull your tongue."

"I don't know what it's like, huh?" I repeated, airily, "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. My point still stands."

"Of course I will not!" Panne snapped, "How could I!? My own flesh and blood languishes within this abomination's stronghold, and you would say that I would leave him to die!? He is all that remains of… of…" Panne blinked before shaking her head vigorously. "I merely wanted to remind you, manspawn. Do not take my speech as if I am trying to stop you. I will go with you, no matter the circumstances. I only thought it wise that we think of all the possible outcomes, all possible scenarios. I would rather not die on my way to rescue my son. Would you want to meet your end at the tips of a monster's claws before you are able to save your own?"

Cordelia stepped forward, "I understand you, Panne. I do. Alex and I have been thinking about this a lot. It's not just our child being held captive; it's all of ours. But we will get nowhere if we continue to argue like this."

Panne took a deep breath and closed her eyes before regarding me again, "Your mate speaks the truth, manspawn, no matter how uncomfortable it is. We will need to work together to ensure that we are successful."

I nodded, "Agreed. I'm sorry, Panne."

"Do not apologize. I would not accept it. I will only ask that you be better," Panne finished.

My shoulders sagged as I rubbed the back of my neck, "I'm glad you're with us either way. Maybe we'll have a chance."

"Have you proposed this plan of yours to Chrom, Alex? To Robin? He is your liege, is he not?" Virion brought up.

"I still need to talk to him," I admitted awkwardly. "But I have no doubt he'll let us. His own kid is trapped inside that city, too. If there's even a chance that we'll find her, he'll allow it."

"And what of Robin, love?" Cordelia asked softly, "Do you believe he will let us go into the city ourselves?"

I shook my head, "Definitely not on our own, no. But then again, we already knew that."

Cordelia nodded, "We must carve out a foothold. A forward-operating base. From there, we could go wherever we wished. As long as we take care of the Risen on our way, of course."

I leaned forward, looking between everyone, "I've seen you all in action. I know we'll have no problem with that. I'll be the one to go to Robin and Chrom. By this time in a few days, our kids will be safe with us again, and hopefully, Grima will be gone forever."

I didn't want to think about what would have to happen for Grima to truly be destroyed, to be wiped away from existence. Truthfully, only I, Chrom, and he knew about that. We hadn't spoken about it since the Awakening, but I knew deep down that he was likely still thinking about it, and if I knew him best, he'd go through with it.

Guess I'll just have to stop him then, huh?

He didn't need to sacrifice himself, and I didn't want to lose anyone else. I knew, realistically of course, that that was a pipe dream at best, but my hope still stood. On pillars of stone or sand, who could say.

But first, our children needed our help, and I'd've been damned before I left them behind.

---

Robin and Chrom were the only ones really attending war councils anymore. Flavia, Basilio, and Say'ri attended to their own troops for the most part, and ever since Kamui, I hadn't been in-charge of forces on my own. My job basically amounted to making sure our troops as a whole were ready, something that was a bit dull but I took great pride in. Chrom and Robin made sure our rank-and-file were up to snuff, and that our formations would be in place.

Only Cordelia sat with them a few times, to discuss the state of the Pegasus Knights, although even she stopped showing up. The Pegasus Knights would be as good as they ever were what with the death of their previous commander. Cordelia would do an amazing job, I knew she would, but some things would take time rather than talking.

They needed to know about what we were planning on doing, and I decided to be the one to tell them. We already had everything worked out, based off the plans Robin had been throwing around. All I needed to do was ask permission.

I knew Chrom. I knew he'd allow us to do it. I just wanted to make sure.

I entered their tent after a small lull in their conversation. The interior looked like every other war council tent I'd been in; spartan surroundings, with only two chairs. I always did find it odd how there was always a table and a few chairs, no matter where we went.

Chrom looked up to me and smiled, "Alex! Glad to see you stop by. Robin was just boring me with some more troop formations."

"Chrom," Robin said evenly, "These are important. I would not tell you about them if they were not."

"I know that, old friend, and I know what is at stake," Chrom replied, "But come now! They have not changed since we agreed about the final formations a week ago! If I didn't know any better, I'd think this is just an excuse to talk to me."

"Honestly wouldn't surprise me," I remarked, "Robin's not exactly the best at talking to people."

"Whose side are you on, Alex!?" Robin hissed, "You are my knight, are you not?"

I chuckled, "Doesn't mean I can't tell it how it is, Robin."

Chrom snickered trying to keep his laugh under wraps.

Waving my iron hand and pulling at my tunic's collar, I began, "I actually came here to talk to you two about something. Something important."

"Ominous," Chrom commented.

"I didn't even get to the best part," I said, smirking a bit before shaking my head, "I know our plan when we get into Ylisstol. Break through the gates, establish a forward-operating base, coordinate a strike on the castle, yada yada yada. Well, my daughter and two other kids were captured by Grima's forces."

I saw Robin's lips purse and Chrom's expression grow neutral.

"I've talked with a few of the others, and they all agreed to this: we want to go and look for them once we're in the city. Starting at the Shepherds' Barracks."

Robin stood up, "Out of the question."

Chrom leaned back, deep in thought, "That's certainly one place they could be kept. Tucked away from the castle, isolated, almost. A good honeypot trap."

"Chrom? You're not actually-?" Robin asked, aghast.

"I am," Chrom nodded, "They aren't harming anything by trying, Robin."

"Yes they are; they could die," Robin sighed harshly, "I… Okay, I am not, strictly speaking, averse to the idea. There is a window of time in which you could conceivably do this, Alex, along with those you have gathered. I assume they're the parents of the other two taken?"

"For Yarne, the only one left," I whispered to myself, mostly. "A few of the kids also wanted to try. Lucina, Inigo, and Owain."

Chrom frowned at that, "Truly? I should have known…"

"You could all easily die. You know that, right?" Robin asked, his voice firm, "And you have a child of your own, Alex, waiting back in Valm. I – Gods, this is callous, even for me, but – what would she do without her father? Her mother?"

I looked down at my feet, trying to keep my emotions down, "And what will happen to the Severa we've fought and bled with if I just leave her in the Fell Dragon's clutches, Robin? When I think of what they might be doing to her and the rest, my fucking skin crawls, Robin. She's already been captured for days. I can't even-!"

"Alex, peace," Chrom said, "I will allow this. I just want you to promise me two things."

"Name them," I answered immediately as Robin sulked in his chair.

"I want you to try and find Lucina. Our Lucina, the baby," Chrom said, his voice lightly cracking.

Sometimes it was easy to forget that Chrom's own child was in Grima's grasp and had been for months. I chided myself for that, but I knew it was in vain.

"And secondly," Chrom continued, "I want you all to come back alive. Every single one of you. Can you promise me that?"

I looked from Chrom to Robin and to Chrom again. I let out a deep breath, "I promise, Chrom. And I'll add another one to that: we'll be back in time for the final push on the castle."

Chrom nodded, a small smile returning to his face, "That's what I like to hear, my friend. I expect you to uphold that."

"Fuck, man, you saying that really hammers it home," I grumbled, rubbing the back of my neck, "Your own daughter has been in that city for, what, how many months? And here I am losing my shit over Severa being captured for days. Look, Chrom, I'm sorry I came up to you with this. I know it's selfish-"

"Alex, we are both fathers," Chrom interrupted, holding his hand up and stopping me. "I know exactly what you're feeling right now. Truthfully, I'd almost be disappointed if you didn't approach me or Robin about this. If I'm honest for a moment, even I don't know how I haven't fallen apart already," Chrom's face became disturbingly void of emotion, "I know what happens to those the Fell Dragon captures. And with the men we left behind…"

Robin stood up again and rounded the table, "We'll get them back, Chrom," He said, "The Shepherds are made out of sterner stuff than that. They likely fought tooth and nail for Ylisstol, and if I am being honest, I believe they might still even live."

"Gods, I certainly hope so," Chrom sighed before looking to me, "Either way, you have your answer."

I nodded, "Thank you, Chrom. Thank you so much."

"Just make sure you and the rest come back alive, Alex," Robin said quietly, giving me an aside glance, "I'd rather not lose my most trusted subordinate to a suicide mission."

"I came back from Khadein. I came back from Kamui. I will come back from this," I replied, turning towards the tent flap, "And I'll make sure everyone else does, too. You have my word."

I heard Robin sigh as I left. Leave it to him to make me question myself. My path was still set, though. No matter what he said.

We're coming, sweetheart.

---

The day had finally arrived.

Ylisstol stood as a city in the dust, caught in a whirlwind of darkness and madness. The pulsating heart of the city stood sundered and beating, like a diseased heart. The swirling vortex of hate and evil beamed up into the sky, corrupting the world around it. It was a ruin, startlingly intact all things considered, yet broken all the same. It was like staring at a dark reflection or looking at something in a dream. It was hard to believe that the city I'd called home for damn near four years had been reduced to Grima's final stronghold.

I recognized the hill we took our final camp on. It was the same one we climbed over when I first arrived, all those years ago. Just the five of us, in much simpler times. I prayed Frederick was still alive. The last time I saw him, the curse given to him by Bakar was still eating away at him. It took Chrom performing the Awakening to be fully cured. While Frederick's wasn't as potent as Chrom's, that didn't make me feel any better.

The last few hours before we took to the field was fraught with tension and filled with a sense of doom I was unfamiliar with, unlike every other battle I'd been a part of. The waiting. The infernal waiting. That was what got to me. That was what always got to me.

The only thing that made it better was Cordelia. We embraced one last time, just before we set out.

I wrapped my arms around her, almost protectively, while she did the same. I trailed my left hand down her beautiful hair, and the other iron one lightly drew circles in her back. We said nothing; we only listened to the sound of each other breathing, the rhythmic beating of our hearts.

I didn't need to hide my fear. Not from her. Neither did she from me. I felt her lightly shake in my arms, and I held no doubts that she was feeling my do the same.

"It's going to be okay," I said, both to myself and to her, "We're going to be fine. We're going to get Severa and the rest back, and then we'll finally…"

"I know," Cordelia replied before I could finish, looking up to me and placing her hands on my cheeks, "I know we will, Alex. It will be beautiful. I can see it now."

I let out a small, shaky chuckle, pressing my forehead against hers, "D-Damn right it will. And then we'll get our baby, and we'll live out the rest of our days in peace. Cordelia, if I have just one more time to say it, I love you."

"I love you, too," Cordelia whispered, "I-I know this is selfish of me to say, but I am glad you're here. Glad you came here, I mean. To Ylisse, to Archanea. I know that you have not led a painless life here, but know that I wouldn't want you anywhere else but by my side. Ever since you came into my life, everything has always seemed brighter than it did before, and it pains me to think that I will never be able to return that feeling."

"You already have, Cordy," I sniffled, "You already have."

We kissed, then. Deeply. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling for all that it was worth. I knew that it would either be the last we would share before Grima met his end or the last we would have before the world completely descended into darkness, and we were dead.

I stood by Chrom and the others as we stared Ylisstol down, looking upon the city that had been stolen from us. The Risen were mobilizing, crawling around the walls and ruins and fields like purple ants. We Shepherds stood in the front of all of our formations, ready to face down the monstrosities that had sacked our home and killed our people. After that day, there would be no Fell Dragon, no Risen, no purposeless death. There would only be peace and light. I believed that with all my heart, and as Chrom stepped forward, the completed Fire Emblem in one hand the Falchion's glowing blade in the other, I felt it swell with power.

As Grima's vast horde gathered in front of us, Chrom turned his back to them and watched over us all. Men and women from across both continents united to rid the world of the abomination that had settled in Ylisstol.

"Friends!" Chrom shouted, "Shepherds! Warriors of Valm, Chon'sin, and Regna Ferox! Soldiers of Ylisse! The time is nigh! Before us stands the Fell Dragon, occupying my city! But he will not stop here! He will not stop until the world looks as Ylisstol does! It is our duty, nay, our destiny to rid the world of him! Just as the First Exalt and those that followed him laid the beast low, so shall we! Before the day ends, we will wake to blue skies and a bright sunrise! The long night is nearly over, my friends! Today, we ride! Are you with me!?"

A resounding roar came from all of us, even those behind us who couldn't even hear us. Pippin shuddered beneath me as I raised my axe, yelling behind my helmet. Vaike pounded his chest, Sully raised her lance, and every other Shepherds' weapons were raised in unison, all united against the forces of evil before us.

"With me, then!" Chrom ordered, turning back around and pointing Falchion forward, "Ride with me! Against Grima! Against the Risen! Against Fate itself! Charge!"

The battle ahead was certain to be bloody. Brutal. The Risen are not ones for mercy, and anyone who fell was likely to join them. But at that moment, that didn't matter. Not to a single man or woman in our army. We rode forward, charged with all of our might as Grima's forces responded in kind. On the field before Ylisstol, our Fate was to be changed.

When our forces struck, it was like watching an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. Those in the front flattened themselves against the Risen while those of us on horseback moved around to the side to grapple with the Risen who were also mounted. My axe struck true, hitting a Risen cavalier right across the skull and splattering its decaying brain against the grass as its undead horse continued on without it, unbeknownst to the loss of its rider. The infantry, with Chrom leading them and cutting a glowing swath through the Risen's ranks, was absolutely decimating them. Trampling them, even

We Shepherds did not let up. We were perhaps even more relentless than the Risen themselves. Our regular foot soldiers were having a bit of an issue, but they were hardened by nearly two years of war, and even the endless onslaught of the undead could not break them. We pushed forward slowly, but steadily.

The Pegasus Knights and Wyvern Riders took to the air, then. Tangling with their Risen counterparts in the sky. They met in the air and tore each other to pieces. The disintegrating forms of Risen and Wyvern and Pegasus all hit the ground as one. Our own were taking losses as well; their bodies slammed into the ground, acting almost like cannonballs when they slammed into others. The weight of a beast like a wyvern or a pegasus acted as its own deterrent, making us keep our eyes to the sky.

I watched her. Cordelia flew through the sky upon Aurora, a battle angel unlike any of the other Pegasus Knights riding through the air. Her lance was like a blur, piercing through rotten flesh and armor as if it was nothing at all.

I love you.

The battle on the fields was never going to take long. If anything, the Risen didn't seem to want to stop us; they fought brutally, as they always did, but they were too few. We outnumbered them, which almost never happened. It was clear that the true battle was going to take place within the city itself. And that was discounting the role our massive dragon friend was going to play.

Tiki awoke, her dragon form spilling out into the world in a flash of light. Within moments, she was airborne. After opening her maw and chomping down on a stray undead Wyvern Rider, she made her move. The original plan was to use the same thing Robin did when we attacked Wyval, but that didn't last long. Grima was going to throw everything he had at us, thus, why shouldn't we? Tiki had played an incredibly passive role in the previous battle, and with the final one before us, there would be no holds barred.

We'd pushed the Risen back significantly before Tiki did her part. She slammed into the ground near the gate, just as she did when we stormed Valm Castle. Luminescence gathered in her mouth before shooting forth in a brilliant display of power. Stone melted and wood caught fire as we pushed past the last of the Risen. We had sustained minimal casualties, with the Pegasus Knights above clearly taking the biggest hit. Still, we had our in. The shell surrounding Ylisstol had been cracked open. The way inside cooled as Tiki took flight again, rejoining the fight in the skies as Chrom dashed forward.

With each swing of Falchion, a Risen was torn apart. Its holy power was too much for any one of them to get a shot at Chrom. Two Risen met their final end as he stood at the broken entrance into Ylisstol. The whole of our army was with him as he pointed Falchion forward again, setting us against the Risen within the city.

Pippin would not be used by me for much longer, but I did as much as I could while I was still on horseback; my axe cleaved through Risen like a hot knife through warm butter. Their blows glanced off by mine and Pippin's armor, merely chipping the metal. Black blood splattered against me as my axe struck a Risen square in the chest, passing through bone and flesh and rupturing whatever organs it still had left. With another swing, its head was gone.

Call me the executioner.

We knew Ylisstol in and out, which made it easy to plot out our route through the desolate streets. The base we would be establishing and from where we would coordinate our final assault on the castle would be halfway between the gates and the palace itself. And as we made our way through the broken city, I saw Castle Ylisse, or rather, what was left of it.

I felt a pang in my heart just looking at it; I lived there for years. Cordelia and I shared our bed there for the first time. Warm memories that would always be with me were made there. To see it sundered and destroyed was heartbreaking. It was the source of the pulsating vortex that spun into the sky, washing the sky in red and black. I could make out a faint purple in the maelstrom.

We pushed into the city, taking out as many Risen as we could, making our way into the market square. I remembered that place. It was where Stahl and I spoke, although I couldn't remember exactly how that conversation went. Nearby would be the goldsmith I enlisted to help me craft the ring Cordelia and I wore on our fingers. Carving a path through Ylisstol was difficult with all the memories that flooded my head, but I made do. I had to. There was zero room for error, especially with all the Risen about.

Chrom was the first to explode into the square. He was like a walking wrecking ball, battering and slashing through the Risen as if they were nothing but ragdolls. The wrecked marketplace was littered with the remains of over a dozen stalls. Rotten produce and broken goods were strewn across the stone, with the remnants of a well's top half lying upon the ground.

Once we made it, the Risen stopped their assault. They gathered on one side as something stepped up onto the broken well. Piercing red eyes, like so many others, glared at us from across the stone. I recognized the face instantly, though, caught in the throes of death yet grinning sinisterly all the same. It held its arms out as if to welcome us, but I could see the Levin sword it held in its outstretched hand.

Gangrel. What did they do to you?

"Welcome, princeling! Welcome home! I hope you don't mind the new look we gave your city. Personally, I think there needs to be a bit more red. Are you willing to contribute? Bwahahaha!" The thing that once was Gangrel tittered.

"By the gods," Chrom breathed out, "Gangrel!? What happened to you? I cut you down myself!"

"Ah, so you did!" The thing said, dancing a small jig and pointing to his chest, "See, turns out you really should make sure someone's dead before ya leave 'em to the crows! But it wasn't crows what got me. No, nononono! It was the dog! Grima's pet! He took me from my death cradle and gave me to that six-eyed abomination, so he did! Yes, hours upon hours of poking and pulling and cutting and inserting! It was enough to drive anyone mad! Good thing I already was, lest I would've been worse than now!"

Chrom shook his head as our soldier's readied for battle. The war in the sky hadn't let up, either. In fact, if anything, it'd grown fiercer. I prayed for Cordelia as Chrom spoke, "It doesn't matter, then. I'll have to end you now, and finish what I started!"

"That is what you want. But is it what you shall receive? Ohoho, I believe we shall see! But first, let me grant you a token, princeling," Gangrel grabbed something behind him, and held a bloody head aloft, "A warning, if you will. A gift, even! Have at it!"

Gangrel threw the head, and it slammed to the ground wetly, unceremoniously. It rolled a bit before coming to a stop, staring at us with gormless, fish-like eyes. I recognized that face. Those ears. Those-

Nah.

I felt my heart drop into my chest at the sight of Nah's decapitated head, her brown hair tangled and matted and soaked in blood. A future child. One of our own. Dead and desecrated.

I need to find Severa. I need to find her nownownownownownow-

"Dastard!" I heard somebody scream. Lucina, definitely, "You will pay dearly for that!"

"Ah, and so the meddler sees fit to address me, eh?" Gangrel smiled, his smile far more deranged than what it was in life, "As much as I wish it was me, this was not my doing. Oh no no no! This was all the Fell Dragon, friends! This is the fate that awaits all of you at his citadel! She screamed for days, you know. He took his time with her. It was only when she stopped screaming that he decided to end her. I never knew somebody so small, could endure so much pain."

A resounding cry from us silenced Gangrel. I saw him nearly jump before snarling at us.

"So eager to die, then, are you!? Fine then! You will not live to see Grima, fools! You will all suffer and die at the edge of my sword!"

Behind him, Risen surged forward like a wave of bodies. In them, I saw what I hoped to never see again.

Risen taguel.

They shot forward, faster than the human Risen. They slammed into our troops first, a few of them ran straight into our spears, while others successfully made it inside our lines and began ripping and tearing at our men. I remembered how one nearly tore Libra apart, and I felt myself shiver. Pippin shuddered beneath me as I slammed my axe into one's neck, severing it. You had to take them out fast; if they got their claws in you, there'd be no coming back.

I thought I was careful. I kept an eye out the best I could. There were so many Risen and so many places an undead taguel could hide. I had to make sure I didn't gut Panne by accident. My axe continued to strike true, and through it all, Pippin did all I could ask of him.

That made my reaction worse when I was thrown off. A taguel snuck up behind me, grabbing Pippin's hind leg and upending us. I fell to the ground in a heap, the air suddenly thrust out of my chest. I heard Pippin scream as the Risen taguel tore into him, disemboweling him. In a moment, I was up again. I still had my helmet on but my axe was lost, so I unsheathed Sol and charged at the undead rabbit. I struck it across the face with my iron hand, getting its attention. It looked at me nonplussed, Pippin's blood marking its face. Opening its mouth to roar at me, I jammed Sol into its eye. The creature almost looked dumbfounded as I ripped Sol from its stupid skull, only to thrust it through its mouth next. I shouted in absolute fury as I ripped the taguel apart, eventually pushing its body to the side, upon which it faded into purple mist a moment later.

I looked to the ground to see Pippin struggling, trying to get up with his injuries. I knew the instant I looked at him that he'd die, slowly, if I let it. I closed my eyes as I walked forward, the battle raging all around me as I knelt. I'd been through an entire war with Pippin. The poor beast looked at me, expectantly, as if it knew what I was about to do and couldn't wait for it.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, drowned out by the noise, "You were a good steed. I'll miss you."

I took Sol's edge and swung downward, ending Pippin's misery. For a few seconds, I felt lost. The world around me became alien, unfamiliar, as if I was watching through a dream.

That went away within an instant as a controlled fire burned in my chest. I bared my teeth behind my helmet as I blocked a blow from a Risen attempting to catch me with my back turned.

"You wanna go, fuckers!?" I roared, pushing the Risen back before sinking my blade in its chest and pushing downward, "I'll take you all on! Every single last one of you! C'mere!"

I cut through the lower half of the Risen, and it looked at me with its jaw unhinged, I swung upward and cut the upper half of its head off. It slumped to the ground as I moved to the next.

Chrom was sword locked with the image of Gangrel. The Exalted Falchion seared Gangrel's hide, but he didn't let up. A chilling cackle let loose from his broken lips as he pointed his sword forward and a bolt of lightning shot forward. Chrom narrowly dodged it and it slammed harmlessly into the stone. Lucina backed Chrom up, coming up behind him and striking at Gangrel. The Mad King refused to give up, though, even with Lucina's Falchion cleaving through his side. He kicked her off, straight in the stomach, and for a moment the world stopped.

Lucina was poised to lose her head. Gangrel's Levin sword was held high, and the Mad King's body smiled viciously as Chrom charged forward, too little too late.

Only, Gangrel's sword never swung down. It never had the chance to. A spear point through the chest stopped whatever action he was attempting.

An armored man pushed Gangrel down, and the Mad King's body stumbled forward, nearly tripping over fallen stones. Chrom made it to the undead fool and slashed him across the chest, completely bisecting the bastard.

"Fool princeling," Gangrel spat out, black blood flowing from his lips as he looked up at Chrom, "After all these years and you finally finish the job. If only it had been in those damned wastes. But that's alright. I know you will finally get yours. You have no idea what will soon roar over the horizon…"

"It's over, Gangrel," Chrom intoned, pressing Falchion's tip against Gangrel's face, "Trouble us no more."

Chrom pierced Gangrel's skull. The Mad King let out one last cackle, more like a croak in all honesty, before fading away like so many others.

The fight became a bit easier after that. I didn't pay attention to who saved Lucina from getting chopped; I only focused on pushing the Risen out. And soon enough, we did. The Risen stood no chance with their shock troops and leader killed. Black blood splattered across the stones only to burst into steam moments later, along with the bodies of those we put to rest for the final time.

Once proper barricades were set, I let out a sigh of relief. I looked around to see troops funneling in from our entrance, pulling back those injured to safety. I turned to where Chrom, Lucina, and the armored man stood, and my jaw nearly fell to the floor.

Frederick!

I marched forward, calling his name, "Frederick! Frederick!"

"Alexander," Frederick answered, his hands behind his back, "It is good to-"

I didn't let him finish before bearhugging him. The poor man coughed once before easily pulling me off of him.

"This is hardly appropriate behavior for a battlefield," He lightly chided.

"Who gives a fuck! You're alive!" I exclaimed, "We all thought you were- Okay, well, I thought you were gone. Turned into one of those bastards. I'm glad that you haven't obviously! It's just when we found out-"

"Peace, Alexander," Frederick interrupted, "Rest assured, despite my ailments, I am still far from dead. Although for how much longer remains to be seen."

I raised a brow confusedly at that, "What?"

"There is little time. I must speak with milord," Frederick said deeply, "Please, step aside."

"Oh, uh, of course. Sorry about that."

Chrom was a bit busy hugging Lucina until Frederick came along. I stayed and stood beside Robin as he walked up, giving me an inquisitive eye. I merely shrugged.

"Milord," Frederick lightly bowed, "A word, if I may?"

"Frederick, first thing you say when we find you again and it's that? Gods, I should've expected that," Chrom chuckled, "I thought for sure we wouldn't find you. Er, not alive, at least. I am glad to see I was wrong, though."

Frederick looked down, "I apologize that the same cannot be said for Nah, milord."

"Father…" Lucina's voice came out a strained whisper, "I am sorry. I know I have said as such but I…"

"Don't apologize, Lucina. I would have done the same thing," Chrom gently pat her head, "And Frederick, don't blame yourself."

"In any case, I am glad to see you are unharmed as well, milord," Frederick intoned, a small smile across his face, "I am sure little Lucina will be happy to see you as well when we see her again."

"Little-" Chrom shook his head, disbelieving, "Frederick, you don't mean-?"

"Your child is safe, milord. I made sure of it. She was safely carried away before Grima could get his claws on her," Frederick reported.

It was as if a weight had been lifted off Chrom's shoulders. The breath that left him almost seemed to weigh a thousand pounds as he nearly stumbled. Lucina let out a shuddering sigh of her own.

"Gods!" Chrom exclaimed, straightening himself out, "I am… beyond words…"

I looked away, happy for Chrom as I waited. I wanted to see if Frederick knew where Severa and the others had been taken. He'd been in the city; maybe he knew something. Naga, I hoped he did.

Robin pat me on the shoulder, "I'll debrief him later. You go on ahead."

I nodded, walking forward, "Thank you, Robin."

Coming up behind Frederick, I took a deep breath.

"You wish to know where they have been taken, Alexander?" Frederick asked before I could even get a word out.

I let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of my neck, "I guess, considering you knew what I was going to ask, that you know, huh?"

Frederick fully turned and nodded, "I saw them be escorted to the Shepherds' Barracks. They were in the company of one of those Deadlords. You wish to save them, I take it?"

"Me and a few others, before we make our final assault on the castle," I explained, crossing my arms, "And nothing you say is gonna stop us."

"I was not going to stop you," Frederick shook his head, "I know better to stop a father from saving his own. I just wish for you to be careful. These streets are treacherous. Filled with the dead. Who knows what might be lurking within the dark? We have been within this city for months, and I still do not know what, exactly, has been truly done to it."

A deep-set frown formed on my face. A roar, as if carried by the wind, rang in my ears.

It was time to save my daughter. No matter the cost.

---

And Chapter 71 done and dusted. Endgame is well on its way. The end is nigh!

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