I was dead.

The first thought I had after I closed my eyes was that. Dead. Death. I was killed. Murdered. If I had a head to look down with, I would have seen the gaping hole in my chest where Grima stabbed me with Parallel Fulmen. I could still feel the electricity coursing through my veins, boiling my blood and making my muscles spasm. It felt as if my mind was unraveling, falling apart. As if the whole world was slowly falling away from me as the last part of my consciousness drifted into the air, a single spirit among billions.

That only lasted for so long, though. After a while, I felt myself coming back together, but not in a way I was familiar with. My eyes perceived light – if I actually had eyes to really see, I had no idea – and slowly, I felt myself floating towards it, like a moth to a flame. A brilliant flash eclipsed my entire being, and after that, I felt sand beneath me.

Sand. What?

I could hear distant waves lapping against a shore. I could feel the coarse roughness beneath me as I raised my right hand-

My right hand!?

It was there, in the flesh. Although, considering where I was, that probably wasn't the right thing to think. I flexed the unfamiliar appendage, watching as my fingers obeyed my command naturally rather than having to be bent and locked into place like my iron one. A giddy smile spread across my face as I looked at it, a small chuckle leaving my lips.

My eyes focused on the sky above me as I got to my feet. It was like looking out into an entire galaxy from across the universe. An uncountable number of stars hung above me, with streaks of color and swirling vortexes curled around each other. It was like looking at a painting given life. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. Not the most beautiful thing, obviously, but gorgeous in its own right.

Cordelia!

My eyes snapped wide open as I frantically looked around, thinking for just a moment that she'd be there with me. As if we'd be able to gaze at the bright sky hand in hand. And I'd feel her lips against my own as we-

But of course, I was dead, and with luck, she wasn't.

"No," I croaked out. "No, this is wrong. This shouldn't be-! No, fuck this!"

I died and kept my oaths, but I had broken my promise. The most important people in the entire universe to me were so inconceivably far away, and there was no way to get back to them. I was dead, after all, and that was a barrier nobody had crossed, as far as I could remember. The entire sensation felt familiar. That indescribable loss that permeated my entire being as the realization truly dawned on me.

I'd failed them. I failed Cordelia and Severa and everyone else. I always told myself that I kept my promises. Well, what was I to say then? There, at an unknown and alien shore, with a hand regained and yet everything lost again. It wasn't fair. I shouldn't have died. I had too much to live for. Way too much to live for.

I paced around, looking across the shore before turning inland. A dark plain greeted me, as unfamiliar as anything else there, really.

"Peace, aberration."

A melodic, gentle voice rang out across the shore, and I felt myself tremble. There was something about that voice that belied the power underneath. And that wasn't even accounting for the fact that, somehow, it felt familiar. Out of everything on that beach, that voice reached to my very core and I felt my nerves slowly steady themselves. I took deep breaths as I looked around.

"Who was that?" I asked, quietly. "Who are you?"

She came out of nowhere. One second, there was nothing behind me, and in the next, I felt someone's presence suddenly flicker into existence. It was like she somehow teleported, although I could be sure. All I knew was when I turned around, I was nearly blinded.

A woman made of starlight regarded me with eyes made of galaxies. Green hair flowed on nonexistent wind, while her dress slowly glided along with it. For the second I looked at her, it felt as if I was staring at the sun. I took a few steps back, grumbling as I wiped at my eyes.

"You and your kind know me as Naga, aberration," The woman spoke, her voice carrying across the land. "And I know who you are, Alexander Jameson Wright."

"You-!" I felt myself kneel without even meaning to. I was before an entity widely considered to be god by everyone I met. Everyone from Ylisse, anyway, and perhaps most of the countries of Valm. And as I knelt before her, I could tell why; the sheer divinity and holiness she radiated nearly made me fall to my hands and knees instead of simply kneeling. "God- I mean, Naga! Why are you-?" I shook my head violently. "Please, forgive me! I shouldn't have-!"

"Curious how you are unable to finish a sentence within my presence. No matter," A faint chuckle floated to my ears, and I felt myself blush. "There is no need for you to kneel. And there is no need for you to show reverence. I am not a god. Nor am I the one you almost referred to. I am Naga. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I," I gulped. "I have no idea what that means."

"Indeed, and I shall not explain it. That is not the purpose of this meeting."

I looked up, wincing a bit as my eyes adjusted to the Divine Dragon. "Then, what is the point of this meeting?"

"I merely wished to see you for myself before you left," Naga explained. "Did you believe your presence went unnoticed?"

Staring back down, I muttered, "I thought you were asleep."

"Asleep, yes, but I still dream," Naga replied swiftly, "You are not of this world, but you are not dangerous. From whence you came, I know not, but that is no matter."

I pursed my lips, refusing to look up. "Then maybe you can tell me why I'm here. What the hell happened? I mean, not like I'm complaining or anything, but since I'm talking to the closest thing to a god, might as well ask."

"I am not a god," Naga reiterated, "And perhaps it is because of that very fact that I do not know why you are here. Perhaps you are here because of an accident. A mistake. If that is the case, then I am delighted to see that it was a happy one."

Stopping myself from uttering a cynical and dry reply, my mind went racing back to Cordelia and Severa and the rest. I needed to get back to them, no matter what. I was standing before one of the most powerful beings in existence; I had to know if she could do anything. Anything at all.

"Can you," I gulped, "Can you get me back? I know I'm… I know I'm dead. I knew the instant I got here. This is the afterlife. I just want to know, can you do anything?"

I could feel Naga's eyes on me. "Alas, I cannot. Bringing the dead back is beyond my capabilities now. However, I believe you won't have to worry about that."

Feeling the near heart-crushing despair slowly ebb away at Naga's last sentence, I finally looked back up to her again. "What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Your wish may no longer be in my power to grant, but this has not always been so. Once, I bestowed an artifact upon mankind. The pinnacle of my craft. It is a thing of unnatural make, and I would not create it a second time, even if I had the means. But that does not mean I erased it from existence. It was sealed away with its first and only bearer, but it has been found again. And through it, it appears you shall live again, at the cost of the others who fell this day."

"I can-!" I felt my stomach drop. "Frederick, Nah, Nowi… they'll stay dead."

"That would be the case," Naga nodded."The artifact will only work once, before it is erased from existence. As it should be; meddling with the cycle of life and death is an abomination, and the one who wields the artifact knows this, for he has seen the effects firsthand. As have you."

I raised a brow before realization dawned on me. "Khadein," I breathed out.

"He has a debt to pay, that one. One that he refuses to cast aside," Naga intoned. "What his destiny is now that he is free of his curse, I know not. But that is not something I will discuss. Your time here is nearing its end, aberration."

I felt a spark of hope, still dampened by horrible guilt but nonetheless alive and well, kindle in my unmarred chest. Something about what Naga said struck me, though. Aberration.

"Before I go," I said quickly, catching her attention. "Why do you call me that? That word, aberration?"

"Because that is what you are," Naga replied succinctly. "You are not supposed to be here. If what I believe happened is true, then it is the result of an accident. That does not mean that you have not found your place here, however. You have irrevocably become a part of this world. For better or for worse. And from what I have seen, I would certainly say for the better."

"Well, that's…" I coughed into my right hand, using it for as long as I could before it was gone. "That's good to hear, I guess. Now that I'm here, I don't think I'll ever leave. Even if I had the chance to. I have too much here."

If my eyes weren't playing tricks on me, I could've sworn Naga's lips curled upward in a small smile. "Indeed," She said, "This conversation has been most entertaining, but that is all the time we have. It is time for you to go."

Just when Naga said that, red light began pulsating and surging out of my skin, as if coming from inside of me. At first, I thought it would hurt, but it was the exact opposite; it was warm, inviting, like a loving embrace. I turned my gaze to Naga one last time, and heard her say one last thing.

"Welcome home, aberration."

The red light engulfed my entire form, and I was no longer on that ethereal shore. As Naga said, I was going home.

The first breath I took in was painful. It was more of a gasp, really, and as it went down my windpipe it burned. It was as if I was breathing in some sort of horrible chemicals, but when it reached my lungs, I felt invigorated. My muscles ached and groaned under the newfound strain as the stiffness left them. My right hand was gone again, I could feel, but my other hand's light groped at the ground as the feeling returned to my fingers. My eyes opened roughly, and a blurry starry sky filled my vision. That sky was real, darker yet still filled with stars.

For those first few seconds, I focused on getting air into my lungs, no matter how much it hurt. The pain began to subside after a few moments, though, as if my entire body was becoming accustomed to being alive again. I heard all sorts of murmuring around me, but I didn't pay any attention to them at first. I couldn't; I was too busy feeling alive again. Besides, their voices were distant, muted. I couldn't understand them either way. My brain felt like mush in my skull.

Slowly, I was able to think. Small things at first, like the strange people around me and how my heart steadied and my chest felt warm after looking at the two with red hair. They noticed me staring, apparently, because they approached me as I shook my head.

One of their voices became clear, and I heard her say, "Alex?"

Cordelia.

Yes, her name was Cordelia, and the person next to her was my daughter. My daughter. Severa. Robin. Chrom. Tiki. Sumia-

In a single instant, my mind was clear. It was like a fog had been lifted and I could understand everything. Every memory, every ache and pain in my newly resurrected body. The coldness of my iron hand as it laid against my side. The scabbard and sword that had been with me since the beginning of the Valmese War. Everything.

Looking up, I tried to speak, but my mouth was still far behind my mind. My tongue felt like a slug, but I was able to utter one word, "Corde… lia…"

She gasped, placing her palms against her mouth as her eyes began watering. Severa's mouth opened before she looked away, as if to try and keep her tears from showing.

I coughed, trying to get my mouth to work as I tried to stand up. Cordelia watched my every move, as did everyone else, but I was solely focused on her. Nearby stood a grey bearded man, but I ignored him, too. All that mattered was my family. I stumbled, nearly falling over as my leg felt as if it was about to give out on me. I remembered how it'd broken, so whatever thing they used to bring me back must've repaired the damn thing. I shook my head, my tongue finally responding to my command.

"Cordy," I was finally able to say. "I-I'm back."

She approached me, then, her entire frame shaking. Her eyes stared up at me, equal parts relieved and furious. Her breath left her in shuddering gasps.

"You…" Cordelia breathed out. "You absolute idiot…!"

For a moment, it looked as if she was about to slap me, but at the last moment she stopped, and I felt her arms wrap around my neck, painfully. She cried, a sad sound that nearly made me bawl as well. What was worse was that I knew I was the cause of it. My death made her that way. It was entirely my fault. I snaked my own arms around her waist tenderly, and ran my good hand up and down her back soothingly. After a while, she pulled back and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"What did you think to accomplish with that stunt!?" She asked loudly, her voice hysterical. "What in the world were you thinking!? No, perhaps you weren't thinking at all! I should have known you would blindly charge in like that! I saw you, idiot! I saw you run up to Grima and I saw his sword stab straight through you! You were dead! We made a promise that we would live!"

I looked down, avoiding her gaze. "Cordy, I'm-"

"No, don't you dare turn your eyes away from me! I want an answer!" Cordelia's hands cupped my cheeks roughly and forcefully moved my head until I was staring her straight in the eye. Tears freely streamed down her face. "What were you thinking, you daft fool!?"

"I'm sorry," I finally choked out. "I'm sorry."

"You're…" Cordelia sniffled. "You're… sorry?"

"I wasn't thinking," I continued. "All I knew is I wanted to save Robin, but you're absolutely right about that. I broke the promise I made to you. That is all my fault, and I'm sorry." I tried my best to keep from shedding my own tears, but judging from the wetness I felt on my cheeks, I'd failed. "This is entirely my fault, no one else's. I'm sorry I broke that promise. I'm sorry that I caused you so much grief. If I could go back in time and prevent it all from happening I would. But I can't and… and I'm here now. Again. Whatever."

"Alex…!" Cordelia cried, gathering me into a crushing hug again. "Never, ever do that again! Never! Never leave me like that, please! I'll do whatever it takes, just please, don't! I'll do anything…!"

"Never," I agreed, feeling my heart break just hearing her say such things. I hugged her as hard and as close as I could, as if that would make the past few hours simply vanish. I didn't know how long we stood there for, just standing there and crying like a bunch of loons while the other stared on. I looked over and didn't see them there anymore, so perhaps they weren't there for very long. I didn't care. All I wanted to do was reassure the woman I loved that I was alive, and that I was never going to leave her again.

I pulled away from her and she looked up at me, eyes wet. Gently, I pressed my lips against hers. The kiss was tender, loving, everything I wanted to convey without any words. I'd give her a thousand more if it made her feel better. She responded in kind, pressing her chest against me as she deepened it. Her hand ran through my hair as her other lightly grasped the back of my neck.

Soon enough, we had to part for air. We stared each other in the eye, breathlessly. And it was only then that I noticed Severa. I looked to the side to see her facing away from us, her arms crossed so hard I wondered how she was breathing.

"Severa?" I called, my voice low.

Her breathing hitched and she nearly jumped, but after that she slowly turned around, her face almost as red as her hair.

"Oh, good. You two are finally done," She said quietly, her voice betraying the anger that was no doubt bubbling in her. "So that's it, then? We just all kiss and make-up? Gawd."

I pursed my lips, looking down to Cordelia for a moment. She stared back up at me, expectantly. Sighing, I said, "Sev, you're upset. I get that."

"Oh, you get that, do you?" Severa replied, her voice reaching new levels of mocking. "Well, I guess that makes it all okay then! We'll just get on right back to the way things were! Of course I'm upset you moron! I just have nothing to say. There's nothing I can say, gawddamnit! I wasn't even here when you got decimated, and I only knew you were dead for around forty minutes before this grey-haired dastard showed up and resurrected you. I've been nothing but highs and lows for the past hour!"

Her words weren't as barbed as I assumed they would, but they still stung a bit. That was my failure, too. And, by Naga, I was going to make it better. Or try to, at any rate.

"Sev, come here," I said. "I'm sorry."

"Good, because what I was looking for was an apology," Severa replied, rolling her eyes as she turned to the side. "You're an airhead, dad, but this is sad, even for you. You know what, I'm not even mad anymore. I can't even summon the will to be mad. I'm just… I'm just so fucking tired."

I raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I'm just so, so tired. Tired of all this crap, tired of all the fighting and the crying and shit. I'm exhausted. I just want…" Severa sniffled. "I just want everything to be normal for once. Can I have that, please? A normal life? I know it'll never happen, but for just a single day, I'd like to-!"

"Hey," I interrupted, walking to her. "Come here."

"What're you-!"

I hugged her, like I'd done so many times before. Severa struggled at first, like she always did, but after a moment, she sighed and returned it.

"I'll always feel guilty about this," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "You deserved better from me than a sword and a heaping helping of issues. I would have never wanted this for you. But that doesn't mean things can't get better. You remember all those times we shared before the Valmese War? Remember that time we made pizza? Whenever I start to feel like you do, I just think of those. That's what I fight for. 'Course, it'd be great to always live those times, but the fact that we don't makes them all the more worthwhile."

"Daddy…" Severa whimpered, separating herself from me for a moment and looking up at me, her blue eyes wet. "I'm sorry I'm like this. I…"

I pat her on the head, chuckling to myself. "Never apologize for who you are, kiddo. I don't think I'll ever be able to express just how much you two mean to me," I looked to Cordelia, nodding. "And… God, I really am sorry. I know nothing I'll say will be able to make this better. Even though I'm back, I've caused so much pain for both of you. From this moment onward, I'll never look back on either of you ever again. I promise."

"P-Promise? You broke your last one…" Severa muttered.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I did, didn't I? My word isn't much, is it?" I shrugged. "But it's all I've got. I'll make it up to both of you. I pro- I know I will. I just wanna ask you to have a little faith in me. Just one more time."

Severa looked down at the ground, her expression desperately trying not to break. After a moment, she spat out, "Fine, you dullard! Fine! I'll give you one last chance! But just know, if you break this promise and die again, I swear, I'll come to the afterlife just to knock some sense into you!"

I laughed. "That's the spirit! Not that it'll ever happen, but that'd be a sight to see." I looked to Cordelia again, my smile slightly faltering. "Cordy…"

She walked up to me, her footsteps echoing in my ears. Her expression was unreadable until she was right next to me.

"When I lost you," She began, her voice fragile, "It felt as if my heart was carving a hole through my chest. All I could think about was what I could have done differently, how I could have just been a step closer or a smidgen faster. What then? What would have happened? I went with Sumia just after the battle, just so I could be alone, and even then, all I could think about was you. I still had the ring you gave me, over a year ago now."

I looked down, feeling as if the guilt would drag me into the ground.

Cordelia raised her hand, and I saw the golden band I'd crafted, along with the ruby inlaid in it. She held it close to her chest. "And now, with you in front of me again, breathing and living… Gods, Alex, I would travel to hell and back just to be with you. You have done so much for me, more than you could possibly know. It still hurts. Gods, does it still hurt. Even then, I will always give you a second chance. I will hold you to this new promise, that from this moment on, we both live for each other, and for our family."

"I promise," I replied, feeling the lump in my throat steadily growing as I held my hand out to her. "I promise, Cordy. I promise."

Finally, her lips broke out into a smile. It may have been dark, then, but that single smile could outshine the sun. She hugged me tightly, as if I'd disappear if she didn't hold on with all her might. I returned in kind, keeping her as close to me as physically possible.

"Don't forget about me!" Severa suddenly said, embracing me from a different side. "I've had enough of you leaving me out of things!"

I couldn't help but laugh as Severa cannonballed into our embrace, latching onto both of us with an iron grip. I felt my spine creak under the strain, but it was worth it. Naga, was it worth it. I had two of the most important women in the world to me in my arms, after all. And it was only through a miracle that I could even do that again.

The phantom pain of Grima's power surging through my body caused me to shiver, and I held them both a bit closer.

"…and that's when it happened," Cordelia said softly. "I saw it happen. Grima's body, gods, Alex, it was horrible. Ghastly. It flew into the air, and the Risen went with it." I could feel Cordelia shake, even though I was only holding her hand. "What disturbs me the most is that I almost can't remember it. It was like the whole battle was a dream. All I really remember is seeing you on the ground, your blood pooling onto the ground, and then…"

"Cordy," I interrupted, squeezing her hand lightly. "It's okay."

Cordelia's lips quivered, and I felt my heart sink into my chest. We'd gone to be alone for a while, before speaking with anyone else. Severa had gone to talk with the other future children, and I had no doubt that the others who were at my – it felt so wrong to say it, but damnit, it was true – resurrection. In that moment, though, all I wanted to do was be with her. To reassure her that, yes, I was there. And I was never leaving ever again, just as I promised.

I had to admit, it was a bit disheartening to hear that Grima had survived. I didn't like the thought of going out on the battlefield. Not again. Not with the Fell Dragon still out there, weakened but still dangerous. We may have had him on the run, but that would just make him desperate. He'd do anything to survive us. Of course, that just meant we needed to hurry. I was hesitant to rush, though. I'd just gotten my life back; I didn't want to lose it again.

I didn't know what our plan was, but I knew what I was going to do: I was going to stay with Cordelia, no matter what. We'd fight Grima's forces together, or not at all. We were so close.

Whatever the case was, I didn't want to make the same mistake twice. We were close once, after all, that day. And look what happened.

Cordelia and I decided to spend the night at the camp, where she told me what happened after I'd died. The morning after, of course. It felt so weird to say that. How many people could say they cheated death like I had? It didn't fill me with confidence, really, or anything good. I didn't regret what I did; if I hadn't done anything, Robin would have died, or worse, been captured, and then we'd have to deal with two Fell Dragons. Then our future would look much bleaker than the ones the kids traveled from, Exalted Falchion or no.

"What did you guys use to revive me?" I asked, still holding her hand. "Can't imagine you just had an artifact lying around like that. Probably wouldn't have just stopped at me, if that was the case."

Cordelia looked to the tent flap, as if expecting somebody to waltz in at any moment. Nobody did, and she turned back to me. "A man came to us, with the Aum staff. Have you heard of it?"

I shook my head. "Can't say I have."

"It was a staff wielded by the Hero-King Marth's sister, Princess Elice," Cordelia explained, placing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It was a staff that was said to bring back the dead, although she never had to use it. Similar to the Jugdrali Sagas, actually, with the Valkyria staff. The man used it on you, and well…"

I rubbed my thumb rhythmically on the top of her hand. "Remind me to thank that guy later. What's his name?"

"Mikael," Cordelia replied. "You likely saw him when you woke- Alex? Love, is something wrong?"

I could feel my face turn pale as a sheet. Mikael. A name I hadn't heard in a long, long time. The lone draconian survivor of Khadein, the one who said he'd pay us back one day. Sometimes, the ruins of Khadein felt so far away, and other times they were as fresh in my mind as if they'd happened yesterday. I shook my head, rubbing my forehead with my iron hand.

"Don't worry about it, Cordy," I replied softly. "I just recognize that name, is all."

Cordelia looked at me, puzzled for a moment, before realization dawned on her. "That's right! He was that creature you said helped you and the others defeat the Pontifex. He, er, he looks very different from what you described."

I shrugged. "Last time I saw him, he said he'd travel the continent. 'Course, I had no idea he'd go looking for a staff that could bring back the dead. Now that, that's one thing to do with your spare time, I guess."

Cordelia pursed her lips. "There's only one way he could have gotten that staff," She said quietly. "Perhaps it is best he keeps that tidbit from spreading through the ranks. I know for a fact some of the nobles would want his head on a spike for it."

"Why? Wait," I shook my head. "Nevermind, I don't wanna know." I took a deep breath and sighed. "I'll still need to thank him later. All that matters to me, though, is that I'm here with you."

Cordelia looked down at our joined hands and a smile spread across her lips. "I am, too, love. I am too."

Suddenly, light funneled into the tent from the entrance. Looking over, I saw Chrom and Robin enter, the former flashing a friendly smile and the latter being completely neutral.

"Mind if we come in?" Chrom asked.

I looked behind him and remarked, "Well, you're in already, so I guess. Heh."

"He's been pacing around all morning," Robin explained. "We just want to know how you're doing. See if there are any side effects. How are you feeling, Alex?"

I looked to Cordelia who gave me a curt nod. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I mean, how do I feel? I don't think I can really answer that. At least, not in a way that's easy." I looked up. "It's not everyday that you die and get resurrected, you know."

"No," Robin said, "You are… you are incredibly lucky, Alex, you know that? I suppose sending you to Khadein two years ago was the right call. If you hadn't gone there, or if Mikael was killed, well, we may not be having this conversation right now."

"Ha! Don't mind Robin. He's still in a dour mood," Chrom laughed. "Still, he's not wrong. How are you feeling, Alex? Any pains, aches? All your senses working?"

I shrugged. "Felt pretty much the same since I, uh, woke up, so to speak. Mentally? Well, that's the hard part I was talking about." I looked over to Cordelia, avoiding her gaze. In return, she squeezed my hand. "I think I know what you want me to say, Robin, and no, I don't wanna talk about what happened while I was… while I was dead, okay?"

Robin held his hands up defensively. "I was not going to ask you that!" He rebuked, "Alex, I may not be the best with people, but rest assured, if I wanted to know what you saw, I would come out and ask you. I'd do much better than this, certainly!"

I blinked before groaning, "Goddamn, man. Forget you not being the best with people; I've read the entire situation wrong. I'm sorry."

"You've been through a lot, Alex. We all have," Chrom assuaged, placing a hand on Robin's shoulder and giving me a warm smile. "Whatever the case may be, it's good to have you back."

I chuckled lightly, "Thanks, Chrom. It's great to be back." I finally met Cordelia's gaze. "Very great."

"Well, that is good. That's all we wanted to ascertain." Robin nodded. "I also think it'd be helpful for you to know that we plan to march within a week. Grima is still out there, after all, and we must push our advantage while we can before he has time to marshal his remaining power and fortify his position. However, considering what has happened, all you need to do is say the word and you won't need to fight."

I looked at Robin, brows furrowed. "What?"

Robin held his hands behind his back. "This is entirely your choice, of course. I'm merely making the suggestion. And, personally…" Robin looked to the floor, letting out a shuddering breath. "Watching you die was probably one of the most heart-wrenching moments of my entire life. I would rather not go through that again."

"Robin…" Chrom said quietly.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to fight before then. Before Chrom and Robin entered. And I'd certainly have taken his offer under most circumstances. But Frederick was dead. Phila was dead. I didn't want Cordelia out there alone, and she couldn't stay with me. Besides, I'd fought and bled with the Shepherds for too long to chicken out just when we were about to cross the finish line. No matter what we thought the finish line would be the day before. It was still close, and that was all that mattered.

But I didn't want to do it without Cordelia. Had she said the word, I would've strapped my ass in Ylisstol and stay like the good dog I was. When I looked at her, however, all I saw was reassurance. Just as I'd comforted her a few moments prior, she returned to comfort me. Her eyes were bright, and a beautiful smile was on her face. Her thumb traced a circular pattern on the top of my hand, and it was at that moment that I'd come to a decision.

"Don't worry, Robin. Chrom. I'm with you guys 'till the end." I looked Robin in the eye, a smirk on my face. "And don't worry about me keeling over again. If I survived the Fell Dragon, I can survive whatever mooks he sends our way."

Robin sighed. "Yes, and all it took was the single most precious artifact known to exist for you to do so. One that no longer exists." Robin almost seemed like he was about to cry. "You won't be there when we confront Grima, I know that for sure. That is a heavyweight fight; a fight you cannot compete in. I know it is harsh, but I am simply stating facts."

"But what if he-?"

"Alex, please," Robin pleaded, "Besides, your expertise will be best used out on the field, keeping his Risen from attacking us from behind. Cordelia and most of the other Shepherds will be with you there as well. Just, please, do this for me."

I opened my mouth to protest, but I found I couldn't. It's not like Robin's request was unreasonable. In the end, I sighed. "Alright, Robin. You win. You just make sure you kick that dragon's teeth in for me, you hear?"

Robin let out a breath of relief. "Of course. I have quite a bit of aggression to sort out, when it comes to that. Well, that's all we wanted to talk about, I think?"

Chrom nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad I could see this, though. I'm glad I made you Robin's knight, Alex. Gods know I wasn't available enough to keep him straight like this. For that, I thank you."

I waved my iron hand. "Think nothing of it, Chrom. Just doing my duty."

"Hmm. Is that so?" Chrom hummed, "Well, Robin's right; that's all we had to say. We'll see you around-!"

"Wait a moment."

Cordelia stood up and marched toward Robin. The tactician stood his ground, although it was clear he was on edge. I almost got up myself to try and hold Cordelia back from whatever it was she was about to do, but in the end, that wasn't necessary.

Cordelia held out her hand. "I wanted to apologize, Robin. What I said to you during the battle was out of line and insulting, and you didn't deserve any of it." She looked down, and although I couldn't see her expression, I could imagine her lips being pursed. "I truly am sorry, for the way I have spoken to you these past months. I should have let go of this long ago, but I couldn't. But right now, I want to put all of that behind us." She paused for a moment before looking up. "Will you forgive me?"

Robin's jaw hung open like it was on a broken hinge. Chrom and I chuckled at that, watching as Robin worked his face into something manageable, and even then, it was comical. It looked as if he was a puppet, trying to come up with words but only succeeding in looking like a dying fish. After a moment of composing himself, however, he took Cordelia's hand and shook it.

"Of course!" He exclaimed before coughing, "Er, I mean, of course, Cordelia. I'm… I'm really glad to hear it."

"The road to recovery will be an arduous one," Cordelia continued, "But I look forward to walking it with you and everyone else."

Robin was silent at that as he and Cordelia parted. "Yes, of course," He said quietly. "Well, this has been a remarkable morning."

"Heh. I'd say," Chrom commented. "What say we leave these two now, though?"

"Ah, yes," Robin slightly bowed his head. "Good morning to both of you."

I waved my iron hand as the prince and tactician left. Cordelia took back her seat and looked at me, her face blushing as I grinned at her. "What's with that look?"

"I'm proud of you. That's what this look is," I laughed. "Naga, Cordy! Where'd that come from?"

Cordelia looked away. "I just thought it prudent that I get that off my chest before we head off to the final battle. The true final battle, that is, not the farce that this one was," Cordelia looked down, ashamed. "I was not lying with what I said, love. I said truly horrible things to Robin when you died. I didn't stop to think for a moment what losing you must've done to him. All I could think about was-"

"Hey, look, it's over now. I feel like a broken record at this point, but I'm here now. See?" I pointed to myself.

Cordelia raised a brow. "A broken record? Hah. Somehow it feels apt, even though I have no idea what that is."

"Whatever." I waved my hand. "Point is, I'm proud of you. It's nice to see you trying, at least."

Cordelia sniffed. "Now you are just making me feel guilty. Not trying? Hmph."

"Okay, yeah, that came out wrong. I'm sorry." I rubbed the back of my neck before shrugging. "Either way, I'm glad it's out of the way." Taking in a deep breath, I continued, "I can feel it in the air. Can you?"

Cordelia looked at me before nodding. "I can."

"We're close. Really close this time," I sighed. "I hope we make it through unscathed this time."

"You made a promise to us already, remember?" Cordelia said. "I believe that you won't break it this time."

I smiled lightly, reaching my hand out. Cordelia took it gladly.

"I'll hold you to yours, too," I replied. "You haven't broken yours yet, at least."

Cordelia was silent. We basked in that silence, for all that it was worth.

All throughout those next few days, I reintegrated myself as best as I could. The camps around and within Ylisstol were abuzz with activity; weapons being reforged and sharpened, armor being hammered back into shape, bodies being healed and strengthened, all that good shit. News of my resurrection traveled fast across the camps. Miraculous as it was, some didn't believe me until I showed up in the flesh.

Vaike, for one, nearly fell backwards and claimed I was a revenant, coming to haunt them all. A quick smack across the back of the head from Sully knocked him out of that, although Sully herself seemed to have trouble believing it. They took to it soon enough, all things considering. Gaius in particular seemed completely nonplussed, almost like I wasn't gutted by an awful Levin sword. The only person I didn't get to speak to was Priam, who was too busy managing what remained of his own men.

I wanted to talk to Ricken, but he was nowhere to be found. Guilt still crawled in my chest, that I was the one who was brought back, when he'd lost the most out of all the Shepherds. If anyone deserved to have a second chance, it was him.

And at the end of a long day, Cordelia and I went to bed. What we shared is not for others ears, but it was perhaps one of the greatest and most heartfelt nights of my life, second only to our first time. I held her in my arms as we slept, and I refused to let her go. She snuggled up to my chest, her arms pressing against my back as we cuddled. The world felt a lot brighter, then. It felt as if the worst of it had passed. That from that point onward, things would get better.

All I wanted was to live. To not have to say goodbye to anymore friends, even though I knew what was likely to happen when we went after Grima once again. Dying only proved to me, though, that I had to live. For the sake of my loved ones. For the sake of my friends. And for the sake of my newborn daughter, waiting for us across the sea. For them, I'd move continents and lift mountains.

And in the end, that would be enough.

Here we go, bois. Hurtling towards that ending. The fic will be done by the beginning of December. I hope you guys have enjoyed this ride as much as I have.

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

See you guys next week!