The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 17
A Shadow among Shepherds
Chrom roared as he charged down the hallway in the eastern wing of the Exalt's Palace. He raised Falchion over his head and cut down another assassin. Behind him, Marth easily dispatched a pair of assassins. Her overwhelming acrobatic fighting form overwhelming almost every enemy they encountered. Honestly, Chrom thought she was just going easy. Allowing him a chance at the enemy.
She moves so much faster than before. During their duel in Regna Ferox, she had been blindingly quick. But the pace and ferocity she was using against these assassins was damn close to superhuman. Which stunned Chrom. She seemed as strong as he, a full grown man, was.. And she was much faster than he was. Part of him committed it all to memory. A way to motivate himself in training. To push his body's limits past even what he thought was his breaking point.
Another part of him still found it hard to believe Marth was a woman. The deception, in hindsight, was not the most convincing. In fact, now that he looked back on it all, Marth's deep voice sounded very exaggerated. Chrom frowned to himself. He liked to think he was a decent evaluator of people. After all, he was the one who first met Robin and brought him into the fold. The tactician had proven himself invaluable ever since. Then there was Ben. Chrom brought him into the Shepherd's as well. And now he was arguably their greatest foot soldier.
The title for best horseman still belongs to Frederick though. He thought with amusement. Ben had not taken well to horses. Chrom was sure that could be fixed with proper lessons.
Chrom grit his teeth and parried a surprise slash from an assassin that had been hiding in a closed doorway. He was forced to backpedal. The assassin pressing his advantage. Then Chrom saws a second Falchion cut through the air and sever the assassin's arm at the shoulder. The man fell to the ground. His howling only ended when Marth thrust her blade down into his body. Putting the bastard out of his misery.
Chrom grimaced a little. For how gracefully Marth could be as she flipped and twirled through the air, she was still brutal. No precision strikes or thrusts. Just brutal slashes and chops that aimed to make sure the enemy could not get back up again. It spoke volumes of her combat experience. It was a fighting form that told Chrom that this was not her first foray in a pitched, desperate battle. This was not her first time fighting while someone's life was on the line.
Both paused to catch their breath for a moment. Chrom looked at the hall behind both of them. It was littered with the corpses of Plegian assassins. The first of which lay dead at the doorway that led into from Emmeryn's chambers.
They had managed to get there in record time. Only to find an assassin inside instead of his older sister. Chrom had felt both relief and worry at that discovery. Emmeryn was not dead in her room. But she was still unaccounted for. All he could do was pray to Naga that she was safe and secure.
Chrom cursed to himself. How did the Plegians manage to infiltrate the palace so easily? How did they do so with such massive numbers? It felt like there was an entire company of men storming the building.
They needed to find Emmeryn, fast. If there were more enemies in the palace, then it would not be long before she was found by one of them. Chrom turned to Marth.
"I don't suppose your foresight could tell us where Emm will end up?" He asked.
Marth shook her head, "No, it cannot. The future is always in motion. But the one I know of has been changed drastically with just our actions today."
Chrom sighed. That did not help at all.
"But if I needed a secure location to make a stand at in here," Marth continued, "I'd make for the council chambers."
Chrom's eyes widened. Of course! How did he forget about that? Phila had drilled it into all three of them in their youth that one of the most secure locations in the palace wasn't their own bedrooms but the Council chambers. A room with only one way in, and one way out. One small window for light. Much too small for any man to sneak in through.
Chrom furrowed his brow. Emmeryn was not a fighter. How would she be able to reach the chambers through all of these assassins?
Someone must be with her. He thought before taking off down the hall and towards the stairs that led to the Council chambers.
Marth barreled after him. Both hopped down multiple steps as they moved swiftly down the stairs. They were moving so fast, that Chrom could not stop himself before body slamming Frederick. The Knight had been moving just as quickly up the stairs towards Emmeryn's chambers. The pair crumpled into a heap onto the next landing down.
Chrom groaned and rubbed his head.
"My lord!" Frederick cried, "The palace is-"
"Under attack? I've noticed." Chrom remarked as Marth helped him to his feet.
Frederick glared at Marth as he jumped to his feet.
"She's on our side." Chrome explained.
"Very well." Frederick said, "But I will remain vigilant."
"Direct that vigilance to finding Emm!" Chrom snapped, "Not on our allies."
Frederick recoiled at the Prince's rebuke, "Of course, my lord. I was on my way to her highness's chambers to make sure she was safe."
"She wasn't there." Chrom explained, "But assassins were."
Frederick's eyes widened, "That cannot be good. There must be someone on the inside who let them get that far without us detecting it."
"It doesn't matter now." Chrom replied, "Me and Marth are going to the council chambers. Phila always told me, Lissa, and Emm that it was a safe place to go to if needed."
"I shall follow." Frederick replied.
The trio sprinted down the hall, away from the staircase, then took a sharp right turn into the hallway that led to the council chambers.
Chrom's heart jumped to his throat. The hall was littered with Plegian bodies. A couple of Ylissean royal guards lay dead among the many assassins. The doors to the council doors were wide open. The white paint stained red with splotches of blood and gore.
Chrom legs moved without him thinking. He sprinted past gutted bodies. Ignoring the crimson walls around him.
Please no. He pleaded to Naga above, Not Emm. Not my sister.
Chrom slid into the room. He took one step in then felt steel press against his throat.
"Hold it right there bud." A red haired man wearing black leather armor and a black cloak said. The stick for a lollipop was wedged between his lips.
Chrom could feel his vision about to go red. But then a voice he had not been expecting snapped him out of his fury.
"Chrom!" Ben called from across the room.
Chrom looked and saw Ben standing in front of Emmeryn. His own rapier was stained with blood. Small drops plopping onto the floor with a sickening, wet, pitter patter. His shirt was also bloody. But it was not his own. And he looked tired. Wary and alert, but tired all the same.
Relief surged through Chrom as Emmeryn pushed her way past Ben and flung her arms around her brother.
"Thank Naga you are ok!" She cried as she tightened her hold over him.
Chrom felt the steel lower from his neck. At that same moment, Marth and Frederick rushed into the room. Frederick was about to slash at the red haired man when Marth stopped him.
"He's on our side." Marth said.
"Yes, he is." Emmeryn sniffed as she pulled away from Chrom, "Chrom, Frederick, this is Gaius. A former thief who saved both my life as well as Ben's."
Gaius smiled at them, "It was a pleasure doing so."
"Only because it satisfied your sweet tooth." Ben commented.
Gaius shrugged, "We all have our vices. Mine is pretty harmless."
"Your other vice is rather illegal." Ben replied, noting Gaius's profession.
"Regardless of that, you helped save my sister's life." Chrom clasped a hand on Gaius's shoulder, "And at great peril to you own. You have my unending thanks."
"Mine as well." Frederick admitted reluctantly.
Chrom then saw the knight give an appreciative nod in Ben's direction.
Those two must have resolved their differences. He thought as he recalled Frederick's originally hostility towards Ben.
"Is Lissa safe Chrom?"
Chrom blinked. He had been so focused on finding Emmeryn that he had forgotten about Lissa. His heart began to beat hard in his chest again.
"She's not with you?"
Emmeryn's face paled.
"Frederick! Stay here with Emmeryn." Chrom ordered, "Ben, Gaius, Marth, we are going to the Shepherd's barracks. That was the last place she was at."
"If she's there then she should be rather safe." Frederick assumed, "She'd have at least Vaike and Lon'qu with her."
"I'm not going off of assumptions right now." Chrom said, "If they could almost get to Emmeryn, then the Plegians can break into the barracks." Chrom's grip tightened around Flachion, "Come on. The front doors are the fastest way there."
Ben nodded and sprinted by Chrom's side towards the palace's main hall. Marth and Gaius were right behind him. Through the walls, all four could hear the sounds of battle. Assassins were still on the prowl. But they were meeting fierce resistance.
Ben hesitated. Marth faltered behind him. He could sense her sudden anxiety. He turned around and saw her stumbled before dropping to a knee. Her breaths were short and ragged. Her hand was pressed against her heart. Ben scrambled up to her. Was she wounded? Did she suffer an injury that none of them knew about?
"Marth?"
The blue haired woman looked up at him. There was fear in her eyes. A primal terror. As if her very existence was being threatened.
"Ben, Marth! We can't stop now!" Chrom called back to them.
Marth swallowed hard. She gripped Ben's hand and let the swordsman help her back to her feet.
"We need to find Lissa and Sumia, now." Marth gasped, struggling to take a breath.
Ben nodded. He took a position behind Marth and helped the girl start running again. Using the force, he attempted to sense the cause of Marth's sudden distress. But he could not place it. It did not help that she was stonewalling him from brushing against her mind.
"You took my advice." He chuckled.
"Of course I did." Marth breathed, "I can't just let anyone go walking through my thoughts."
Ben nodded in approval. A cursory sweep over her had revealed no physical injuries. Perhaps it was a panic attack of some sort? Whatever was causing Marth to falter, she was not letting it affect her resolve. Within a few moments, both warriors had caught up to Chrom and Gaius.
As they passed one hall they caught a glimpse of Vaike and Lon'qu cutting through a group of assassins while Miriel provided support with spell fire. Ben reached out with the force. Time was of the essence. Searching the old fashion way would not help them right now.
He felt Sully and Stahl near the east wing of the palace. Both moving fast towards the Exalt's chambers. They would regroup with Frederick soon once they realized that area of the palace had been cleared. Virion was on the palace walls overlooking the courtyard. Kellam, Maribelle, and Ricken were holding the main gate. All three were ready to fend off any more attackers.
That left three Shepherds unaccounted for. Robin, Sumia, and Lissa had to be somewhere in here.
Ben concentered his focus near the main hall. He recoiled as his mind was hammered by a wave of dark side energy. He lost his breath and his steps faltered for a moment.
"Ben?" Marth asked as she ran up beside him.
"I'm fine." He reassured, "Just… a little tired. But we must hurry."
Marth nodded gravely. Then she heard him whisper to him.
"I felt it too."
Ben swallowed hard. The dark side of the force was clouding his vision of the main hall. Something was happening near there. Whatever it was, Ben knew it was not going to be friendly.
….
Robin grit his teeth and ducked beneath another evil spell from his opponents. Before he could begin to cast a counter attack, a second Flux spell slammed into his chest. He flew through the air before colliding with a wall behind him.
The sounds around him were muffled. His ears rang and his head pounded. Robin's mouth felt dry. Like he had sand on his tongue instead of spit. He could feel his hands starting to shake.
The sorcerer, a man named Validar, he was absurdly powerful. Robin had used every trick he knew. Cast every spell he was capable of casting. And Validar had shrugged them off. USed powerful spells to protect himself then launched devastating attacks that Robin had barely been able to fend off.
Through the ringing in his ears, Robin heard Lissa utter a terrified scream. Robin's eyes widened. A black ball of magic was lumbering towards her and Sumia. Validar had managed to maneuver him away from the doorway. He was no longer between Sumia, Lissa, and the Plegian sorcerer.
Lissa jumped in front of Sumia's fallen form. The terrified Princess held her healing staff out in front of her. The small, wooden staff offering little protection against the deadly spell cast at her.
Robin felt desperation fill him. This was Lissa, the sister of the one man who gave him a chance. The sister of Ylisse's Exalt. And he was unable to protect her. Even though he swore, as Chrom's tactician, that he would do everything in his power to make sure no Shepherds fell on th battlefield.
It cannot be like this. He thought. He fell down from the wall and hit the floor. His fists tightened up. Rubble crumbled in his grip. I won't let it be like this!
Robin felt power surge through him. It felt cold. Ancient and dark. A power unlike any Robin had ever used or studied before. Unfamiliar and alien to him. He extended a hand and felt a massive wave of energy rush from him in the direction of Validar's spell.
The wave hit the ball of magic and sent it careening past Lissa and out of a broken window.
Validar's eyes widened. He glared over at Robin as the tactician struggled back to his feet.
"You won't stay down will you?" Validar scowled.
The sorcerer then sucked in a breath. The brat's eyes. They were not brown anymore. They were yellow. Pulsing with magic. Glowing like bright embers in the night.
"Make me." Robin snarled before casting the most powerful thunder spell he had ever conjured.
Validar dove out of the way. This power, where was it coming from? It was unlike any Validar had ever heard of before. The only beings capable of magic this potent, this raw, was-
Validar sucked in a breath. Robin was tapping into his power. And it was not corrupting him. Not yet at least. But the seal had been broken. Robin was utilizing the blackest magic known in all of Archanea. And he was controlling it.
Validar's heart raced in his chest. No! It was too soon for this to be happening. The world was not ready for the return of the Fell Dragon. Ylisse's Exalt still lived. The Fire Emblem could still be used against them. Validar scowled and thought quickly.
The brat was in control for now. But if he tapped into anymore of that power, it would consume him. He looked like he was barely controlling it even now. The pulsing glow in his eyes was evidence enough of that. The boy's body was straining against the power. Trying to contain it's true nature.
All to save the little Princess and Pegasus Knight?
I refuse to die without taking them with me!
Validar flipped to a spell that would devastate the entire palace. One that could consume him and the Ylisseans. An ancient curse that would level it all. His life was insignificant. As long as the Exalt died, Grima's plans would come to fruition. No one could stand in his way.
He started the incantation. Robin's eyes widened across from him.
"Oh no you don't." Robin growled.
He charged a spell. Then he heard a voice in his mind.
You think this is your power? It laughed at him, Do you think you can control it. That you can control me? Foolish boy. I will not allow it.
Robin's muscles went slack. All of that power he had dissapeared. He dropped to the floor. His eyes faded to their normal brown color. Everything was paralyzed. He could barely raise his head to look at Validar. And his eyes widened in fear. A great ball of black magic was building up above Validar's head as he spoke an incantation.
The tactician's gaze turned to Lissa. She looked back at him. Fearful, pleading with him to do something.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
His body was incapable of moving no matter how hard he tried. Whatever power he had tapped into, it had been taken away by an entity unknown to him.
Validar had won. They were all going to die. He had failed.
Robin looked at Validar one more time. The sorcerer had a triumphant smile on his face.
"So much for that power, boy!"
Robin exhaled. So much for that power, indeed. Validar raised his hands.
"Time for all of you to die!"
Robin grit his teeth and braced himself. He was going to close his eyes. But then he saw something. A slight movement in the shadows bending Validar. A flash of yellow eyes before they faded to blue.
Validar uttered a loud laugh of triumph. He opened his mouth to finish the incantation.
Blood sputtered from behind his lips. He uttered a gurgled, choking, noise. Robin's eyes widened as a sword jutted out from Validar's chest. Behind the stunned sorcerer, stood a young man with blonde hair and soft blue eyes. He was wearing the same armor as the other assassins.
"No more death today." He snarled before leaning into Validar's ear.
Validar's eyes widened as the boy whispered in his ears.
"It can't be." Validar breathed.
The spell winked from existence. The sword was ripped out of Validar's chest by the boy. The sorcerer heaved out a pained breath, dropped to his knees, and fell dead to the floor of the palace's main hall.
Robin struggled to life his head from the floor. His mind raced as the blonde boy stepped over to him. Who was this guy? How on earth had he managed to sneak up on Validar like that? Was it over now?
The boy knelt down beside him and reached into a small pouch on his belt. He withdrew a vial of red liquid. A potion.
Robin shook his head, "Not me." He pointed over at Sumia.
The boy gave Robin a puzzled look.
"Get going already!" Robin barked with what little strength he could muster, "I'll be fine. Just… over did it a little bit."
The blonde nodded and strode over to Lissa and Sumia. Lissa's staff was hovering over Sumia's still form once again. The poor princess was exhausted. Her magic stretched to its absolute limit as she tried to keep the Pegasus Knight alive.
"Let me help." The blonde said.
He uncorked the vial, parted Sumia's lips, and poured the liquid down her throat. As he did so, Robin saw him close his eyes and furrow his brow. As if he was concentrating on something. Lissa gasped and dropped her staff.
"I can't-" She sucked in a breath, "No more mana."
"There's no need." The boy replied as he opened his eyes and gave her a reassuring smile, "She'll live."
"How can you know that?" Lissa asked.
The guy smirked, "I just know."
He got to his feet and rolled his shoulders. He made his way back over to Robin and pulled the tactician up to his feet. Robin slumped against him.
"Easy Ylissean." The boy said, "Just put an arm around me. I'd rather you not fall on top of me."
Robin nodded, "Thank you."
The boy shrugged, "Just did what any decent person would do. Besides, that spell Validar was about to cast would have killed me too. And I'm not interested in dying right now."
"Neither am I." Robin laughed as he put his weight on the boy, "What's your name?"
The boy smiled, "Kage. You?"
"Robin."
"Well Robin, I have to say, I was impressed. You held your own against Validar. Not many can say that."
"It wasn't enough though." Robin replied, "If you hadn't come along-"
Kage shook his head, "But I did. That's all that matters. Now, lets find you and the Pegasus knight a healer then-"
A set of doors nearby burst open. Robin looked over and saw Chrom charging into the main hall with Ben, Marth, and some red haired guy he did not know. But judging by the choice of armor, Kage knew him.
"Lissa!" Chrom sprinted across the main hall over to Lissa, who was still kneeling beside Sumia.
The two siblings embraced each other tightly.
"Are you hurt? What happened?" Chrom's asked.
Lissa wiped a small tear from her eye, "We um… charged in after Kage. But we lost sight of him. Then that sorcerer appeared and attacked me. Sumia got in the way and- and-" She threw herself into Chrom's arm and sobbed.
"It's ok." Chrom breathed, "It's ok."
He looked over at Sumia. Ben was by her side. His hand over her face and his eyes closed. He exhaled and nodded.
"She's alive. But injured." Ben reported.
Chrom breathed a sigh of relief, "Good. We'll find a healer as soon as we can. Naga knows, we all took a couple hits tonight." The Prince looked up at both Robin and Kage, "You two stopped the sorcerer?"
"Validar?" Kage replied, "I killed him. Robin stopped him."
"Briefly." Robin breathed. His eyes were half open. Magical exhaustion was starting to grip him, "He beat me in the end."
"But you got in his way." Chrom let Lissa go. He rose and clasped a hand on Robin's shoulder, "Thank you, Robin. Nothing I can do will ever repay what you did for me today."
Robin rolled his eyes, "You know what? You can repay me with a three hour nap time."
Ben laughed, "I think we could all use some rest. Especially you two." He gestured at Chrom and Robin, "I'll help Frederick search for stragglers."
"Are you sure Ben? You kind of fended off an entire group of assassins on your own. Aren't you tired?" Chrom asked.
Ben shrugged, "I'm no more tired than the rest of you. But I'm not injured and I won't be a sit for a bit. So let me work."
Chrom nodded, "Alright." He scooped Lissa up in his arms. The little Princess quickly succumbing to magical exhaustion. "Debriefing tomorrow morning. For now, make sure the palace is clear. Then rest."
Ben nodded and watched as Chrom carried his sister out of the palace and towards the Shepherd's barracks. He stretched out with the force. The other Shepherd's had stopped fighting. Any assassins that had entered the palace had either retreated or were killed. The battle was over.
He nodded to himself. This was an intricate plot. One that would have required tremendous help from the inside. The Exalt's palace was supposed to be the safest place for her. If Emmeryn was not safe in her own home, then where could she be safe. He rubbed his beard with his hand. There was a lot of holes in the story. They would need to be filled in order to discover how such a large force was able to infiltrate the palace without anyone knowing.
"Well, if you'll excuse me." Kage said, "I'm going to find a nice patch of grass to sleep on. Care to join me Gaius?"
"Grass? I'm finding a bed." Gaius snorted before marching back into the bowels of the palace.
Kage smirked and looked at Ben, "If the palace is missing any valuables…". He jabbed a thumb in Gaius's direction.
Ben snorted, "That is the least of my concerns right now. But thank you for the warning."
Kage bowed to him, "See you tomorrow?"
Ben nodded, "Tomorrow."
Ben sighed. He could see a group of healers and knights led by Phila and Edward sprinting towards the palace. Word had finally gotten out about the assassination attempt. He paid them no mind as they rushed by him towards the council chambers. The healers ignored him as they got to work on Sumia. They placed her on a stretcher and rushed her out of the palace. It took Ben several moments before he realized he was alone. He took a deep breath and knelt down on the floor. Memories of the Clone War rushed through his mind.
…..
Kage sighed before sitting down on a soft patch of grass in the eastern courtyard. There was a pair of dead assassins nearby. But he paid the bodies no mind. They were dead. What would they care if he decided to sleep nearby.
But first, he needed to clear his mind. Empty the dark thoughts bumping around his brain and restore himself to looking like the innocent that he certainly was not. His eyes flashed yellow for a moment before he sucked in a sharp breath. The force whirled around him for a moment then was crushed beneath his will.
Much better. He thought.
"Nice parlor trick."
Kage jumped to his feet. His hand flew to his belt and he grabbed a silver hilt from it. His thumb hovered over the activation button. Then he sighed as he realized who it was with him.
"You shouldn't startle me like that." He said as a blue haired woman glared at him from across the courtyard.
Before he could think twice, she marched across the courtyard, reached back, and slammed her fist into his jaw. Kage saw stars as he hit the ground.
"Ohhhh…" He winced and rubbed his jaw, "You still got one hell of a right hook, Marth."
"How the hell did you get here?" Marth growled.
Kage slowly sat up. He kept his mind guarded. There was no doubt that Marth was already trying to brush against his mind and discern his intentions. She could not do it before. And she would not be able to do so now.
He smirked as her face twisted in frustration.
"You should know that my defenses are better than your offense." Kage said.
"Damn you!" Marth snapped before stomping away.
Kage sighed. He hated it when she got this upset, "Lu-"
She spun on her heel, "Don't call me that!" Marth exhaled, "Not here. And not now."
Kage inclined his head in understanding, "Right. Sorry. The rules slipped my mind."
"Rules?" Marth narrowed her eyes, "You were not with the others when I explained the rules of our mission to them. How could you know them?"
Kage shrugged as he sat in the grass, "Common sense. Last thing we all need is our parents learning about our identities. If they do then there is the chance that we go poof."
Marth scowled at his attempted humor. Kage cleared his throat.
"You're mad at me."
"Three years Kage." Marth snapped at him, "Three years you were missing. You and that damn master of yours. We all… I…" She swallowed hard, "And now here you are. In the past."
Kage nodded, "Weird how this all works. Isn't it?"
Marth furrowed her brow, "Where is he?"
"My master?" Kage pressed his lips into a thin line, "I don't know. Disappeared after we arrived in this time period. I've been making my way through the country in the meantime. Doing what little good I can."
"Oh really? That'd be a first." Marth said as she folded her arms.
"It is not a first and you know that." Kage huffed, "Seriously, has your opinion of me fallen so far in our time apart?"
"After what your master did to mine, yes." Marth growled.
Kage froze, "What are you talking about?"
He saw Marth's lips tremble a little bit. She swallowed hard and wiped away a tear that had been brimming in her eye. Without another word, she turned on her heel and marched towards the small cleft in the wall that no one but Chrom and herself knew about.
Kage watched as she disappeared from his sight. He no longer felt weary. His mind was now very occupied. She knew he was here now. And she had managed to contact Kenobi in some form already. He brought his hand to his chin and frowned.
Something happened between her and his master. Something he was not aware of. Something his Master had hidden from him. There was no way he could just ask his Master what happened. If he was hiding a secret from him, then there was no way he would reveal it without a fight. He'd have to play this one safe. Slowly pry the secret from his Master. Learn about what he had done to Marth's master before they both wound up in the past.
A small buzz hit him on his hip. Inside of his pouch, a small metal disk vibrated the chimed.
Kage frowned.
"Speak of the devil." He muttered before grabbing the disk and pressing a button on the side.
A blue hologram appeared. Maul glowered at Kage from beneath his hood.
"Have you succeeded, Apprentice?"
Kage gulped. Yes, he would have to tread very carefully with his elderly master. A Sith did not grow old unless he was truly a force to be reckoned with.
And chapter! Action packed and filled with some reveals! The next few chapters are going to be fun ones to write. I apologize for any missed edits in this one. I'll defintely go back in and clean it up once I have proper interet and access to my actual computer again. I'm typing on my phone and things can get a little jumbled. Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!