The Force's Shepherds

by TheBobcat18

Obi Wan thought he was dead. The Empire had found him and baby Luke as they sped away from Polis Massa. Yet here he is now, alive, breathing, and force knows where. Desperate to find the baby boy, he finds help in some of the unlikeliest of people. All the while, a calamity brews on this strange planet that he now calls home.

100. Onward

The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 100

Onward

The dawn air held a chill to it. One that reminded Chrom vaguely of winters in Ylisstol. While nowhere near as biting as Regna Ferox, the winters of his home had their own hardships. Wet and soggy lands, mud covered roads, dreary skies. At least the Feroxi had blinding snow drifts to brighten their days in the wintertime. He did not think it was winter here in Valm, but this morning, it felt like it.

A gray fog hung over Charlet. Soft mist drifted in from the sea. Brushing droplets of water and salt air against his skin as he stood on the scorched beach. One hand rested on Falchion's pommel as it sat still in its scabbard. His blue eyes stared out at the ocean. A grim look rested on his face.

Robin and Dooku disappeared yesterday. The Shepherds put off any get together they planned on having in order to find them. Ben even hopped in on the search, despite his new duty as the Archanean army's main tactician. But nothing turned up. Nothing except a pair of empty tents, missing supplies, a strange request from Dooku to Anna, and two missing horses.

At least they didn't steal a ship. Chrom thought with a heavy sigh.

He did not know what went through Robin's head to think that he could just up and leave like that. Maybe it wasn't his idea. Ben believed that Dooku was the one behind their sudden disappearing act. Then again, Ben never fully trusted the old man. And as much as it grated Chrom, perhaps Robin leaving for a time was for the best. Especially after everything that had happened in the battle just over a day ago.

The Shepherds were still reeling from their losses. Stahl, Gregor, and Miriel, they were all members of their loosely put together, dysfunctional family. Miriel and Stahl had been original members of the Shepherds. They both grew up alongside him and Lissa. And all of the Shepherds viewed Gregor as a kind old uncle. Even if they couldn't understand what he said most of the time.

A light chuckle left Chrom's lips as he kicked at some west sand. He would miss them. All three of them. And when this war was actually over, he'd have time to properly mourn them. Just as he mourned Ricken and Emmeryn before them. A bitter breath left his lips. Only two battles into this war, and the Shepherds had already lost so much. He knew morale was low. Not only because of the losses, but the manner in which they happened.

Whatever Grievous was, he put fear into their hearts. The monster slaughtered three Shepherds now, even though Ben and Nowi obliterated him back in Plegia. Somehow, he still lived and terrorized them, even in Valm. The fact that such a creature not only possessed great power, but also a cunning tactical mind (judging by the destruction from their invasion of Charlet), caused great unease to sit inside of Chrom. He made sure to let all of his friends know that if Grievous was on the battlefield, avoid him. Let Dooku and Ben take care of him.

Well… I guess only Ben can deal with him now.

Then Miriel's death. Gods, Miriel's death. Chrom closed his eyes as he tried to rein in his own emotions. He did not know exactly what happened. No one really did. The chaos of battle masked so much. One moment, Miriel was rushing to help Robin, since the tactician entered a horde of Valmese soldiers on his own. The next, she lay dead. And Robin was kneeling beside her, tears in his eyes, fear on his face.

Almost immediately, Robin claimed he did it. He killed her. Chrom did not believe it at first. Until he saw Robin's blade in Miriel's chest. There was no denying what happened then.

He just did not know what to do about it.

Some of the Shepherds viewed it as a terrible accident. An unfortunate occurrence caused by the chaos of war and the unholy nature of Robin's abilities run amok. Ben sat in that camp with Dooku. The pair made it their goal to figure out what was going on with Robin and attempt to fix it. A few Shepherds just wanted to move on from the tragedy. He knew Vaike felt that way. The Prince did not know if Vaike blamed Robin for what happened. His old friend never said a word about the matter. And Chrom did not press the issue.

And finally, a small number of Shepherds viewed Robin with extreme wariness. Twice now, the tactician had lost control of his powers on the battlefield. The first time, he nearly killed some of them. The second time, he did kill one of them. He already knew Frederick, despite how much he appreciated Robin's brilliance, regarded him with caution. But that's par for the course with Frederick. He viewed everyone except Chrom, Lissa, and Sumia with caution. Laurent certainly appeared wary of Robin, when he wasn't mourning or with his friends from the future.

If this situation was not handled carefully, the Shepherds could fracture again. Only this time, there was no peace to contain the consequences. The Shepherds needed to remain united in this conflict. The Valmese were the most dangerous enemy they had ever, and possibly will ever face. That much had been proven on two battlefields now.

Yes, perhaps Robin leaving with Dooku was for the best. Although, Chrom wished he could have sent a pair of Shepherds with them. To help Robin stay comfortable and in the loop. Perhaps he would have sent Gaius and Panne. Those two seemed the most comfortable around their shaken tactician. But Chrom could not do anything now. He did not even know in what direction Robin and Dooku left.

Maybe they'll turn up soon. He thought to himself.

He ran a hand through his hair as another chilled breeze rushed in from the sea. He shivered a little then pulled his cape a little tighter around his shoulders. Footsteps brushed softly through the sand behind him.

"Chrom?"

Chrom glanced back to find Sumia quietly approaching. She did not wear her armor. Given they were no longer in a battlefield, he did not mind too much. She probably just woke up, given the frazzled nature of her long brown hair and the heavy sleepiness lingering in her eyes. That, and the white nightgown over her body that she fell asleep last night.

Sumia rubbed her bare arms and shivered a little bit from the wind.

"You're up early." Chrom said.

"So are you." Sumia muttered, "The sun hasn't even started to rise yet." She wrapped her arms around his back, clasping her hands in over his chest. Her head rested against his back. A soft sigh left her lips, "What troubles you?"

Chrom grasped her hands with one of his own, "Robin." He turned around, still letting her arms remained around him. She let her head rest against his chest, "I'm worried about him."

"He's your best friend. I think it's alright for you to worry." Sumia smiled back. Her smile wavered a little bit, "You're worried about how everyone will view him?"

Chrom nodded, "Like it or not, what happened to Miriel happened. And Robin blames himself. He is… harder on himself about it than anyone else. Yesterday he resigned his post, then asked to be put in a support role, then he just leaves with Dooku."

"I'll admit, it doesn't look all that great." Sumia sighed, "But if there is anyone that can help Robin, it's Dooku. Even Ben admits as much. Albeit with his typical dismissive snark regarding the old man."

Chrom chuckled a little as he brushed his fingers along her right shoulder, "Those two have an odd relationship, that is for certain."

Sumia hummed as she closed her eyes in his embrace, "Why do you think that is? They act like they're enemies turned reluctant allies."

"Maybe because they are in a similar situation as each other. They sympathize and understand each other better than any of us ever could." Chrom shrugged, "I mean, both of them are aliens after all."

"Hm… yes, alie-" Sumia's eyes popped open, "Wait what!?"

Chrom arched an eyebrow, "I didn't tell you that?"

Sumia stared up at his face, "Uh… no, you didn't. Do you mean to say Ben and Dooku are from the stars?"

Chrom gave her a sheepish look, "Well, now you know."

"And this isn't some mad thing you're repeating?" Sumia asked.

"Robin believes it. So does Lucina. And Tharja, of course." Chrom replied.

Sumia gaped at him, "Why hasn't Ben said anything?"

Chrom shrugged again, "Fear, mostly. Would you have believed him if he came right out and said something like that." Sumia frowned back, "Er… perhaps you are the exception then." Chrom gulped, "But, I told him he could let the others know in his own time. I'm sure that time will come eventually." He let the embrace end, his fingers dragged along her arms briefly before he cupped her cheek with his left hand, "I think we have more important things to worry about for the moment."

Sumia closed her eyes and uttered a heavy sigh, "I'm going to have to lead the Pegasus Knights with Cordelia out of commission." Worry washed over Chrom's face. Sumia shook her head and laughed a little bit at his reaction, "I can handle it love, don't worry so much. You'll go gray if you keep it up."

Chrom snorted out a laugh, "Now I know why I remember my father having gray hair instead of blue." He let out a weary sound, "Politics, wars, and the day to day of ruling Ylisse, I'm surprised we haven't had any mad Exalts before."

"Your ancestors were chosen for such things. Just as you have been chosen, Chrom." Sumia replied, "And I think you have done a wonderful job so far. I'm certain all of them would be proud of you. Especially Emmeryn."

Chrom gave her a sad smile. He leaned in brushed a kiss against her lips.

"Thank you." He whispered as he let his forehead rest against hers.

Sumia smiled back, "Come on. You insist on being awake, I think we should both check up on everyone. Since we didn't really have the opportunity to do so yesterday." She gripped his hand and spun around. Chrom followed her up the beach, "I'm sure Frederick is already awake."

"He doesn't sleep." Chrom chuckled back, "No wonder we go through so much coffee while in camp."
Sumia laughed lightly, "Maybe he sleeps while doing his tasks?"

"Active sleeping?" Chrom chuckled some more, "It wouldn't surprise me at this rate."

They both marched up the stone ramp onto the road running along the edge of the beach and into the main camp. Feroxi soldiers started to wake up. Most were busy packing their gear. The war council agreed to start marching out from the city this morning, after breakfast. Both Chrom and Sumia could smell the army cooks frying bacon and scrambling eggs for the soldiers. Chrom's mouth watered a little bit as his stomach growled.

"Hungry?" Sumia asked as she took his arm with her own.

"A little bit." Chrom admitted, "Shepherds first though."

"I'm sure some are already at the mess tent." Sumia replied.

The mess tent sat closest to one of the large inns on the road. The innkeeper agreed to open up his kitchen for the Archanean army to use in exchange for protection and a hefty bag of gold. Conditions Chrom had been more than happy to oblige. A large white tent sat out in front of the inn. Small tables lined the inside of it. Some Feroxi foot soldiers mingled with Ylissean soldiers as they traded stories and gossiped.

Chrom and Sumia moved past the foot soldiers and into the main inn, where the officers mess was located. Several cavalry officers were already awake and having a cup of coffee. Among them, Chrom spotted Frederick.

"Milord." Frederick nodded before walking over and handing Chrom a steaming mug, "I had a feeling you would be awake early."

Chrom eyed Frederick, "Do you have a sixth sense designed for me?" He sipped the steaming liquid and let out a satisfied hum. Sumia took a mug from Frederick as well.

"Hardly milord. I have just been around you long enough to know your habits." Frederick replied, "Some of the others are already awake as well, they are waiting in the great room for you and milady."

Sumia chuckled lightly, "You don't have to be so formal, Frederick. I'm still-"

"You're a queen now, good luck convincing him not to do it." Chrom laughed.

"Quite right." Frederick nodded then lead the pair into the inn's great room.

A large fire burned in a massive brick fireplace. A bunch of chairs were huddled around the fire. The two closest chairs occupied by both Henry and Tharja as the Plegian mages struggled to fend off the surprising chill in the air. Henry had that unnerving smile on his face, as always. Tharja's dark gaze flicked over to Chrom and Sumia as they entered. The dark mage gave them both a small nod, then returned her attention to the flickering flames a few feet away from her.

Sully leaned back in a rocking chair. A cup of mead rested on her knee. A loud yawn left her lips. She gave Chrom a small wave then smacked her lips and brough the mead to her lips.

"Drinking already?" Chrom asked her as he sat down on a bench.

"You know it." Sully snorted.

"Utterly repugnant." Maribelle huffed as she crossed her legs in her own seat, "It is not even sunrise."

"Mead Maribelle?" Donnel asked as he strode over to her from where the food and drinks were being distributed, two frothing mugs in hand.

Maribelle blinked, let out a long groan, and buried her head in her hands.

"Why not." She grumbled reluctantly.

"That's the spirit, Twinkles." Gaius cheered as he gulped on his own drink.

"Twinkles?" Panne arched an eyebrow as she lay curled up by Gaius's feet.

"She's always wearing shiny colors, like pink. So yeah, twinkles." Gaius nodded.

"Consider yourself lucky." Tharja hummed. She rubbed her hands and held them near the fire, "Your stupid nickname is not an ironic one."

"I heard that, Sunshine." Gaius chirped.

"Ha! Sunshine." Henry guffawed. Tharja threw him a dark glance, but the other dark mage smiled back.

"You all are surprisingly chipper this morning." Chrom muttered before sipping his coffee.

Gaius shrugged, "Felt like waking up early, right Whiskers?"

"I carried you here so you would actually be on time for breakfast." Panne hummed as she lounged on the warm floor.

"Farm work will make ya like the mornings." Donnel sighed as he leaned back in his seat, one arm around Maribelle, "That and working for a city as big as Themis. Lots a stuff has to get done in the day."

"Quite correct." Maribelle nodded, sipped her mead, cringed, then set the mug on the table behind the bench, "I am most surprised to see you awake Tharja. I have heard of your reputation for being a heavy sleeper."

"Not with Benny waking her up." Gaius snorted.

Tharja eyed Gaius. The thief gulped and buried his nose in his drink.

"I like mornings." Henry smiled, "Warm sunshine is just as lovely as all encompassing darkness. Hell, the heat often makes corpses smell even more than in the darkness."

Sully's mouth fell open as she stared horrified at Henry. The Dark mage let out a small laugh.

"Besides, I had to wake up and check on Cordelia."

"You checked on Cordelia?" Tharja asked, some surprise in her usually quiet voice.

Henry shrugged, "I consider her friend. I mean, we both plotted Lucina's murder together."

Sumia spat out her coffee, "You did what?"

"Before we knew she was your daughter." Henry cackled quickly.

"Oh." Sumia blinked, "Older Lucina. Right."

"I mean, I could come up with a succesful way to murder-"

"Henry, for the love of Naga, no." Ben said as he marched in, two plates in hand. Both plates had some eggs, bacon, and a biscuit on it. He handed one to Tharja, pecked her cheek, then took a seat on the floor beside her, "Good morning, Chrom, Sumia."

Sumia smiled back, "Good morning Ben. I trust you slept well?"

Ben shook his head, "About as well as anyone suddenly thrust into a tactician's role can." He shoveled some eggs into his mouth, chewed, then swallowed. He picked at his food with his fork for a moment, "It's a good thing I'm used to it."

"How are you used to it?" Sully asked as she sipped on her mead.

Sumia blinked and stared back at Ben. Ben slowly chewed another bite of his breakfast.

"Well fighting a galactic war certainly helps with that." Ben said nonchalantly.

Tharja froze in her seat. Henry's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Chrom paused as he brought his cup to his lips. Donnel's jaw fell open. And Frederick's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Sully sputtered on some mead. She coughed and cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, galactic what?"

"Good morning everyone!" Lucina strode into the room. Noire, Owain, Brady, Cynthia, and Luke followed her. She paused as she noticed the stunned looks on everyone's faces.

"A good morning it indeed is!" Owain declared, "Even our brave comrades are in awe of-"

"Tone it down, Owain." Luke quickly said.

"I don't think he's wrong." Cynthia said out of the corner of her mouth.

"He's very wrong." Brady muttered before taking a long swig of firewine from his flask.

Ben glanced over at the group, "Oh good morning. How are you all doing?"

Sully jabbed her mug of mead at Ben. Some of the amber liquid splashed out due to the sudden movement.

"Ah ah! No deflecting! You said something there." Sully snapped.

Lucina flicked her gaze over to Ben. Noire paled considerably as she eyed her father and mother. Her mother's eyes narrowed at her, but then her dark eyes returned to her father. A relieved sigh left Noire's lips.

Ben paused as he bit into some bacon.

"Oh…" He muttered. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, "Lucina, I believe you would refer to what just happened as a Cynthia moment?"

"Hey!" Cynthia cried.

Lucina gulped, "Did you-"

"Apparently I did." Ben glanced over at Chrom, "Although, it had to come out eventually." He set his plate to the side and got to his feet. He quickly wiped his hands on his trousers and cleared his throat, "I am not from this planet everyone. In fact, I am actually from another planet known as Coruscant. And, before you all dismiss me as crazy or mad, consider that we have children, our children, from the future standing among us as I speak."

Everyone stared at him. All of them, except for Tharja, Chrom, and Sumia, were utterly shocked. Gaius froze mid lollipop unwrapping. Panne's usually calm and collected facade had been reduced to a stunned look. Her own mouth agape as she looked at Ben. A series of small cackles escaped Henry's lips as he looked at Ben with fascination.

Noire remained frozen where they stood.

"Y-you're-," Noire gulped. "You can't be serious."

Ben looked over at her. A soft breath left his lips, "I am."

Noire shook her head in disbelief, "I-" She glanced over at Lucina, "Did you know?"

Lucina gulped, "I only found out very recently."

Noire's eyes widened. She wheeled around to face Luke.

"And you?"

Lucina blinked. Did Luke know the truth?

Luke shifted uncomfortably where he stood, "I um… I think I'm going to go grab some breakfast."

"You did know!" Noire cried.

"Quit with your hysterics." Tharja suddenly hissed, silencing Noire, "It does not change who your father is. Grab some breakfast and sit down. If you have questions, you can ask them later."

Noire opened and closed her mouth. She shrank beneath her mother's stern gaze. A sharp breath rushed into Noire's lungs. She turned on her heel and marched out of the mess.

"Noire…" Ben sighed. He gave Tharja a weary look.

Tharja flicked her eyes back and forth as a shot of guilt hit her, "Don't look at me. She's overly sensitive."

"No doubt thanks to our wonderful parenting skills." Ben sighed. He turned to Chrom.

"Go." Chrom nodded, "I'm sure everyone else will hound you with questions later. Just make sure Noire is alright."

Ben nodded his thanks and quickly exited. As he left the inn, Chrom let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his seat. He brought his mug to his lips and sipped his coffee again. Savoring the warm liquid that helped wake his weary mind from its slumber.

Lucina inched her way over to a seat beside Sumia. His future daughter flicked her eyes nervously around to the other Shepherds, all of whom were still mostly gawking at her and at Tharja. Their gawking turned to cautious stares as they watched Luke sit as far away from the others as he could. He kept his yellow eyes averted from the other Shepherds. Chrom narrowed his gaze at the young man. If he was not so important to Lucina, he would have gutted him on sight. Or he would have allowed Frederick to do it.

Brady and Owain took a seat near Sully. Sully clinked her mug to Brady's flask before both took a long drink. Whenever Maribelle looked over at them, mildly disgusted, Brady would quickly avert his gaze and try to engage in conversation with Sully and Owain.

With how much he drinks, Chrom thought as he watched Brady, He could be Sully's.

Finally, Cynthia took a seat beside Chrom. The blue haired girl took a deep breath.

"So, while we're on the topic of surprising revelations," Chrom gave her a suspicious look. Sumia glanced over as well. Cynthia gave them both a wide smile, "Hi Dad, Mom!"

Lucina smacked her hand to her forehead. Sumia choked on her own breath. And Chrom's coffee mug clattered to the floor.

---

"Noire!" Ben called as he rushed out of the mess tent.

Naga above, she was elusive. One moment, he saw her stride out of the inn and mess tent, the next she disappeared into the crowd of Feroxi and Ylissean soldiers.

Then again, it would be difficult for anyone to find a small, young girl in the chaos of an entire army packing up camp and readying to march. Horses whinnied, snorted, and stamped all around Ben. Carts loaded with supplies rumbled along the cobblestone roads. Formations were forming in the streets and on the sandy beach as the sun peeked over the horizon.

Ben cursed under his breath. He brushed past a group of heavily armored Feroxi Lancers, weaved his way by Ylissean archers, then had to screech to a halt as a squad of Pegasus Knights trotted swiftly up the road towards Charlet's main gate.

Ben's eyes scanned the crowds. He still saw no sign of Noire. As he felt some mild panic rise in him, he smacked his forehead.

"She's my child." He reminded himself before closing his eyes and delving into the force.

It took a couple of minutes for Ben to find her. The chaos of the world around him muddied the waters of the force. Now more than ever, he felt slightly out of practice. Dooku constantly berated him about his skills falling off since the end of the Clone Wars. And honestly, Ben was starting to agree with him. It should have been easy to sense Noire's presence in the force then follow it to where she actually was. Instead, he really had to concentrate. Sift through the many lives inside of Charlet. Comb through the vacuum left behind by the recent dead. Block out the fog of darkness generated by the war and by the young Sith Lord sitting awkwardly in the mess tent.

Noire's presence felt like a flickering candle. Small and shy. Wavering with the smallest of winds. Ben opened his eyes and let out a small sigh. He followed her presence up a flight of stairs to one of the rooftops in the markets.

Noire sat on the edge of the roof, facing the sea. One leg curled to her chest, the other dangling over the edge. The sun rose in the east, bathing Charlet's harbor and markets with warm rays of orange light. The sea itself sparkled like millions of precious gems. An awe inspiring sight that would send waves of calm through any person. Which was likely why Noire retreated up here.

Ben quietly sat down beside her. Noire blinked in surprise, gave him a quick glance, but said nothing.

The loud clanking of armored men drowned out the ocean waves washing up on the beach. There was nary a moment of silence to think in this city.

Ben let out a sigh.

"Your mother will come around eventually." He said, finally breaking the silence between the two.

Noire shook her head, "Are you sure?"

Ben let out a small laugh, "It could be worse. She could see you as one of her Urchins from the Academy." Noire paled a little bit. Ben chuckled some more, "Tharja is just an abrasive person at first. Trust me, I'm more aware of that than most. There are layers you'll have to break through. Besides, I think she is a little alarmed that she is technically a parent now."

Noire arched an eyebrow, "And you're not?"

Ben snorted, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. Living the life of Jedi does not prepare one for that responsibility. We all deal with situations differently. Tharja is still…processing, I think that'd be the right way to put it."

"So you'd advise patience?"

Ben nodded, "In this instance, yes."

Noire bit her lip, "I just-" She let out a shaky breath, "What exactly did I do wrong?"

Ben furrowed his brow, "You did nothing wrong. You were surprised and rightfully alarmed by… by everything. Tharja is not the most sensitive of people. That comes from her upbringing in the Grimleal. And as I said, it will just take time and patience for her to open up more to you."

Noire sniffled a little bit then nodded. She glanced up at the shimmering sea in the distance, "Everything is so different now."

"How so?"

Noire shrugged, "Well, I don't know. In the future, mother and I had a close relationship. You and I did not." A regretful expression crossed Ben's face at her admission, "I mean, mother was still just as abrasive in the future. But it feels different now. I can't really explain it." She snorted out a small laugh, "Hell, you two are way different now than before."

"Oh really?" Ben asked, brow raised. Curiosity piqued.

Noire nodded, "You both were never so lovey dovey with each other. I'm fairly certain I'm the result of a one night stand at some point. You were never so… so open with everyone. Not even with me or Lucina. I don't even think you were that open with Mother. None of us knew who you were before the Shepherds. Hardly anyone knew what you were like outside of the battlefield."

Ben frowned a little bit, "I sound like a rather cheerful person in the future."

Noire snorted out a small laugh, "You do still have the dry wit. That hasn't changed." She bowed her head again. The fingers on her right hand picked at a hangnail on her left hand, "Here is the past though, everything has changed. You are genuinely in love with mother." She paused, "Gods, I make that sound like its a bad thing." She laughed under her breath in disbelief, "I dreamed of that scenario as a kid." She rubbed her hands on her legs, "And not only that, but you are open with everyone now. Even to the point of admitting that your from another planet."

Ben cleared his throat, "Well, that took a lot of work on my part, on your mother's part, and on Chrom's part. He'd probably say that task was like pulling teeth." He folded his hands in his lap as he legs dangled off the side of the building, "It sounds like I was not a very good father, or friend for that matter."

Noire cringed a little bit, "Well, I wouldn't say that. But," A long sigh escaped your lips, "Yeah, you could have been better. But… there is no changing that now."

Ben furrowed his brow, "I think there is." He got to his feet and extended a hand to her, "But we cannot do that here."

Noire closed her eyes and took a breath. She gave him a small nod, took his head, and rose to her feet.

"So," Noire breathed, "If we are going to have a better… relationship now, how do we start?"

Ben gave her a soft smile, "We start by just talking more." The pair moved towards the wooden stairs that led back down to the street.

Noire flicked her eyes over to her father. She remained silent for a second.

"So…" Noire wrung her hands in front of her, "What do you want to talk about?"

Ben blinked as they reached the street, "I was kind of hoping you had something."

Noire gulped, "Oh well, um…"

What to talk about? Noire had no idea. Her father had never been so forthcoming in the future. And now that she finally had the opportunity to speak to him as a daughter would actually talk to their father, she did not know what to do. So many different ways she could take this conversation, none of them she wanted to do. Should she just make small talk? Ask about the weather? No, too trivial. Perhaps she should try to learn more about her father's past? But her father in the future ignored or resented such questions.

Maybe I can ask what his favorite food is? Noire thoughts before quickly discarding that idea as well.

"You're nervous." Ben chuckled as he walked alongside Noire, "Take a deep breath."

"S-sorry." Noire stammered.

"You don't have to be sorry, Noire." Ben stopped walking and turned to face her. A group of Feroxi Lancers marched past the pair. All of them in full armor, their lances sharpened and ready for battle, "Anything you ask will not be wrong."

Noire gulped. One hand brushed against her talisman, "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Ben nodded for her to walk with him further into the city, where less soldiers mingled around.

"Okay." Noire exhaled, "Um… so, what is Coruscant like?"

She braced herself for the look. The look that told her she asked the wrong question. That she would not get an answer ever. Instead, she found herself looking at a slightly caught off guard Ben Kenobi. But not one that would shut down her question.

"Well, how best to explain Coruscant?" Ben said, "What is the biggest city you have ever seen?"

Noire arched an eyebrow, "The future was a wasteland, including Ylisstol. So… this city would probably be the biggest one."

"Oh." Ben replied, "Well, um, Coruscant is a planet sized city, so to speak."

Noire's eyes widened, "Planet sized city?" She whipped her gaze around to the buildings around her, "So the entire world is like this?"

"N-no, not exactly." Ben replied, "Um, well the technology of the world makes Coruscant extremely different than Charlet. For one, the tallest building here in Charlet would be one of the smallest buildings on Coruscant."

"Really?" Noire gasped, eyes wide fascination.

"There are some towers on Coruscant that reach above the clouds and into the atmosphere." Ben explained.

Noire stared up at the white clouds above them. A building that reached that high up into the sky? It seemed utterly impossible. Fantastical even. How could a building possibly be that tall? She remembered seeing the Exalt's palace for the first time in the future and being amazed by the sheer scale of it. The massive rooms with ceilings that seemed impossible to reach. What her father just described were buildings that dwarfed the Exalt's palace. It boggled her mind.

Ben chuckled a little at the look of utter disbelief on Noire's face.

"It is difficult to accurately describe." Ben stated, "You would have to see it in order to understand it all."

"Will I ever get to see that?" Noire asked.

Ben shook his head, "There is no way of getting there from here. That and I am galactic fugitive."

Noire blinked and ground to a halt as they neared Charlet's main gate, "Fugitive?"

Ben glanced back at her, "Yes. I am a Jedi, and the Jedi were wiped out by the Galactic Empire." A sad look crossed Ben's face for a split second, "As far as I know, I'm probably the only survivor of the old Jedi Order."

Noire's mouth fell open.

"Is that…why you were so aloof?"

Ben let out a heavy sigh. He nodded his head.

"In the end, yes. And, from what I have learned about myself, it sounds like I did not open up to your mother in the future."

Noire nodded, "Yeah, you didn't. Mother explained her relationship with you once to me. It seemed more like she wanted to study you rather than be romantic with you."

Ben blinked, "To be fair, that is how it all started off. It just… diverged somehow."

"Perhaps due to Lucina and the rest of us arriving in the past? What we did shifted the future?"

Ben gave her a small smile, "I would think so. The future is never certain, Noire. Never forget that."

Noire nodded. She opened her mouth to ask a second question, but the words got lodged in her throat as she stared at something utterly disastrous near the main gate.

Tharja stood near the main gate, arms wrapped around her black tome. And speaking to her was a young man with wavy gray hair, blue armor, and a charming smile.

"Oh no…" Noire gasped.

Ben furrowed his brow, puzzled. He followed Noire's eyes over to the main gate. At first, he was not too concerned.

Tharja's eyes narrowed dangerously at the young man. Ben froze. He knew that look. She often got that look when Gaius crossed the line. When she finally had enough of someone's shenanigans and decided to hex the ever living crap out of them. She was relentless at hexing her friends, how dangerous would she be hexing a stranger?

Both Ben and Noire glanced at each other.

"Kriff."

---

Tharja sighed as she walked through Charlet. She hung around the inn for a few minutes after Ben went chasing after Noire. Nothing interesting really happened after that. Most of the Shepherds engaged in meaningless small talk that did not interest or concern her. Henry did spark a small conversation with her about creating a poison using certain native Valmese plants, once they both could get their hands on some. But even that conversation died off as Tharja preferred to read her tome.

But even as she read her tome, something felt wrong. She felt off, in the most disconcerting of ways. At first she thought she might have eaten something bad. Dinner last night had been a tad, unappetizing for her. Mostly dry, salted beef and even dryer crackers. Not many cooks were ready to prepare a full meal in the wake of a massive battle after all. But she did not feel nauseous. In fact, she did not have a stomach ache at all.

She then figured it had to be some sort of illness. Perhaps she caught a cold? Then she took a deep breath through her nose and remembered she was not having any problems there. A startling thought entered her mind after that. Did someone hex her? Was Henry playing games? There would be hell to pay if he was.

No, that could not be it. Henry had been nowhere near her until she and Ben arrived in the mess at the same time as him this morning. Unless he managed to cast a long range hex without her noticing, an impressive feat if he managed to do it, then she was not hexed.

She discovered the origin to her ailment when Lissa strode into the mess, small smile on her face, and asked if she had seen Ben at all. Tharja promptly replied that Ben went after a rather upset Noire. That's when Tharja really felt the strange, churning in her chest hit her again. That's when she abruptly slammed her spell book closed, got to her feet, and marched out of the inn, grumbling under her breath the entire way.

Did she feel guilty for what she said? Impossible, she said nothing wrong. Noire was overreacting. She was being a dramatic child in the face of her father's true past. The melodrama grated on her nerves. Nothing Ben said was that startling. If anyone had half a brain and the ability to pay attention, then they should have been able to figure it out given enough time. She figured it out.

She clutched her tome closer to her chest as she quietly strode down one of Charlet's main roads. Her dark eyes flicked all around her as she tried to spot both Ben and Noire.

Then again, it took me strolling through Ben's memories in order to realize who he really was. Tharja let out a long sigh.

Perhaps there was a different reason for her displeasure with Noire. Although, for the life of her, Tharja could not figure out what it was. And she wanted to know.

How did we first meet?

Oh, that had been eventful. Tharja recalled Noire approaching her at the bottom of the gangplank at the end of the battle. The girl trembled with every single motion as Tharja glowered at her standing beside Ben. In fact, it had been Ben that introduced her. Then, when Noire could hardly speak, Ben clarified that she was their future daughter.

Tharja blinked as she stopped near the main gate.

Is that it? Is that the reason she felt guilty about the way she spoke to Noire? Did she really already hold that strong of feelings for the nervous wreck she barely knew? She squeezed her tomb tight to her chest. Trying to find comfort in the familiar leather in her arms and the smell of ink and pages near her face.

No, that could not be the only reason. It seemed far too trivial.

Was her problem not just with Noire's attitude, but her mere presence as well? Tharja furrowed her brow as she pressed her back against the stone walls of Charlet and took a breath.

Now that she thought about it, that seemed the most logical explanation. To have her daughter from the future suddenly appear was… unsettling.

During her upbringing in the Grimleal, children and a family were very distant thoughts in her mind. They weren't even dreams to aspire for. When she served Grima, she dreamed of becoming the most powerful sorceress that ever existed. She dreamed of growing so powerful, no one would dare stand against her. She could finally be independent. Not beholden to anyone's will that way. She could avenge her parents. Avenge herself. Those had been her goals. Her aspirations and dreams revolved around power.

Then Ben came along, and she got to know him. Suddenly, all of that faded away. She found herself wanting to grow alongside him. There was a strange… magnetism to him. She felt drawn to him for some strange reason. Not just because of his powers in the force, although that was certainly a factor at first. She found him fascinating as a person. That fascination blossomed as they grew closer. But even as they both realized their feelings for each other, becoming an actual family, having children, those were never thoughts that entered her mind. It still sounded like such a stupid fantasy. Unrealistic and unreachable. Hardly desirable. Having a child would prevent her from being able to pursue her research. It might even prevent her from properly instructing students at the Academy. A task she greatly enjoyed, even though she did not show her enjoyment very often.

Noire shattered all of that. It brought a stark reality right to the forefront of her mind. Tharja, or her futureself in this case, was a mother. Noire looked at her that way. She could see it in the girl's blue eyes. The same eyes she shared with her father. And Tharja could not help but feel hopelessly uncertain about the situation.

She brushed a lock of black hair from her forehead as a small breeze drifted in from outside the main gate. She looked down at her feet as she drew circles in a patch of dirt with her toe.

"I'm a mother." She thought to herself.

Tharja shook her head. In a way, it wasn't just that fact that bothered her. She did not feel worthy of being such a thing. She was a Grimleal mage. The amount of lives she had tortured and taken during her days with the Order had been many. Who was she to suddenly find what many people considered the greatest treasure in existence? How could she deserve such a thing?

A ragged breath left her lips as she recalled the look on Noire's face the first time they met. The look that bordered on hurt and surprised at Tharja's reaction. She must have expected a hug, or some words of love. Instead, Tharja glowered at her, turned on her heel, and left.

What kind of mother does that?

Tharja shook her head again. Before she could dwell even further in her thoughts. Some surprised shouts from the sentries guarding the walls caught her attention. Tharja blinked, happy for a sudden distraction.

She turned her gaze to the road beyond the main gate. Striding down the road were three figures. A young man with wavy gray locks and a confident smirk on his face. He carried himself with youthful arrogance. Shoulders raised so far back that it almost looked like he sauntered instead of walked. A simple longsword rested on his hip. And his outfit, despite the mud caking his boots, looked impeccable. Not a scuff of dirt on it. Some of the village maidens that worked in the stables beyond the Charlet walls saw him and reddened at the sight.

Tharja just rolled her eyes as that cocky boy smirked back at those women.

The second person was a girl. A young teenager, about the same age as Noire, if Tharja were to take a guess. Her hair was chestnut colored. It sat long over her shoulders. She gripped the reins to a horse behind her. A great, proud stallion that eerily reminded Tharja of Frederick's horse. Cavalier amor rested over her small form. Something Sully would not doubt be proud to see.

And the third person, that one made Tharja's jaw fall open.

"Mustafa?" She breathed.

The disgraced Plegian General walked in between the two teenagers. A weary look on his weather, leathery face. His beard looked much longer. No longer just covering his chin, but extending to a length that would make some of the old, miserly wizards at the academy jealous. He did not wear the berserker armor of wyvern bones and leather, as is common in the Plegian army. Instead, he wore a simple dark cloak over his bare torso to protect himself from the elements, and a pair of leather trousers. Heavy boots caked with mud trudged up the road. And a massive battleaxe was strapped to his broad back.

He glanced up as the Feroxi sentries leveled their spears at the trio. The girl gulped and kneaded the grip of the sword sheathed at her hip. The cocky young man's smirk faded ever so slightly. Mustafa simply stood still.

Before the sentries could do anything else, Tharja's voice rang out.

"Leave them be." She saw Mustafa's eyes widen briefly as she stepped forward beyond the walls, "They are not foes." She smiled a little bit at the old, ex-general, "Mustafa, it has been some time."

Mustafa furrowed his brow. She could tell he was on edge, suddenly.

"I don't recall knowing you, Grimleal." His gruff voice replied.

Tharja chuckled lightly, "I'm not surprised, I was not very high in the ranks."

"Was?"

"So," The young man said as she strutted forward. He flashed a shining smile at one of the Feroxi sentries before stopping in front of Tharja, "This is what a Grimleal mage looks like?"

"Inigo, don't be stupid." The girl warned as she tightened her grip on the reins to her horse.

"What?" Inigo glanced back at Mustafa, "You told us Grimleal were to be feared." He turned to look at Tharja, "You didn't tell me that the fear should come from how lovely they looked."

Mustafa's shoulders sank.

"Kid, I wouldn't-"

"So," Inigo reached out and leaned up against the walls. He put on a charming smirk, "What's your name gorgeous?"

"That rose has thorns, dumbass." The girl quickly said as she carefully guided her horse towards the gate.

Inigo's smirk twisted into a look of mild annoyance for a split second.

"Don't pay attention to Sakura. She could not possibly understand feminine beauty like yourself."

"I am a girl." The young rider quickly snapped.

"Exactly." Inigo replied. He flashed his smile at Tharja again, "So," He chuckled lightly, "What is your name?"

Tharja narrowed her eyes at him. This boy was already starting to test her patience. She did not appreciate his boldness at the moment.

Some excitement built up in her as she thought of a way to curb the guilt she felt from earlier. Perhaps a little hex would remedy her sour mood. She flashed a dangerous smirk back at Inigo then started muttering under her breath.

"Oh, don't be so shy, my lady." Inigo said, "You can speak louder for me."

"Inigo, she's not trying to talk to you."

"Shut up, Sak."

The girl's eyes widened as she stared furiously at the boy, "What did you call me?" She glared over at Mustafa as the large man passed by her, "Aren't you going to stop him?"

"And miss the chance to laugh my ass off?" Mustafa grunted.

Sakura blinked, "Oh right, I forgot about that." She whipped her gaze back over to Inigo, "Keep going, dumbass!"

"Don't pay her any mind." Inigo shrugged, "How about you and I go to a tavern nearby? Get a drink. Sit down and… get to know each other."

"Tharja!"

"Mom! Don't hurt him!"

Inigo's grin shattered at the same time as Tharja's excitement died. Tharja sighed and glanced up the road. Both Ben and Noire were sprinting towards her.

"N-Noire?" Inigo sputtered. His gaze creaked back to Tharja. His face paled immediately. Tharja started to snicker.

"So… you're one of the future children as well?" She started her muttering again.

Behind Inigo, Sakura doubled over laughing. She gripped her stomach as she wheezed out laughs. Her horse snorted beside her. Stomping a foot and shaking its mane with her.

"Oh you are so dumb. It's like your brain is just your dick." Sakura roared.

"Well at least I have a dick!" Inigo cried.

Sakura fell backwards, kicking as she howled with laughter. Beside her, Mustafa chuckled a little bit, still not entirely sure what just happened. Her horse snorted again and let out a small cry, rearing its head back as if it shared in Sakura's laughter.

Ben and Noire screeched to a halt.

"Tharja," Ben breathed, "please don't hex a-" Tharja stopped muttering. And Inigo bellowed out a loud sneeze.

"Took late now." Noire sighed.

Inigo sniffled, then sneezed again.

"That is your warning," Tharja breathed, "Inigo."

Inigo sneezed hard, sniffled, and wiped at some boogers coming from his nostrils.

"Y-yes ma'am." Inigo sniffled.

Mustafa still chuckled a little as he walked over to a still wheezing Sakura. He reached down and picked the girl up with one easy jerk. The girl guffawed even more and leaned against her horse. Trying to stay upright and not fall to the ground laughing again.

"You flirted with one of the parents!" Sakura laughed.

"I-I didn't know!" Inigo cried defensively.

As the pair fell into bickering, Mustafa let out a weary sigh.

"I have been dealing with this," He nodded back at the teenagers, "for several months now." He sighed and looked at Tharja, "You couldn't have hexed them both into silence?"

"Don't tempt her." Noire squeaked.

Ben chuckled a little bit, "General Mustafa," The burly man turned to him, "I did not expect to find you all the way out here. Aren't you supposed to be in exile in Plegia?"

Mustafa gave Ben a friendly grin. He chuckled a little bit, "Just in exile." He looked around, "I don't think I can get more in exile than going across the ocean. And I am equally surprised to see you here, Ben Kenobi. Although, both of those children insisted that you and the other Shepherds would be here at some point."

"And we were right!" Both Inigo and Sakura said at once. They glared at each other.

"Hell no! I was right!" Sakura declared.

"You only wish you were intelligent enough to be right about that." Inigo sniffed.

"Says the one who thinks his brain is between his legs." Sakura huffed and folded her arms.

"If both of you do not silence yourselves, I'll do it for you." Tharja hissed, quieting both feuding teens. Inigo sneezed hard, then bit his tongue. Trying his best to stay completely quiet. Tharja rolled her eyes at both, "I assume you want to meet up with Lucina and your friends." The both sucked in sharp breaths. Sakura slowly nodded, "She's probably in the mess tent near the harbor still. Just look for the inn with a large tent in front of it."

The two teenagers dumbly nodded then quickly raced away from a very annoyed Tharja. As they raced away, Tharja heard the pair start bickering once again. Mustafa uttered a weary sigh.

"Peace and quiet." He breathed, "I have not heard it in a lifetime."

Ben chuckled, "It looks like you had your hands full."

"You have no idea." Mustafa grumbled, "Those two are always bickering. One snide comment after the other. And then there are the other issues." He glanced at Tharja, "You were subject to one, unfortunately. And I'll apologize for the boy."

"Don't apologize, he got what was coming to him." Tharja hummed as she folded her arms.

"Agreed there." Mustafa nodded. He looked around, "I don't recall Feroxi having such a large presence in Valm. The rumors of war are true it seems."

"They are." Ben nodded, "We landed only a couple of days ago." He eyes flashed as an idea hit him, "General, I think you and I should go speak to Chrom and the Khans."

"May I ask why?"

"Well, I think they will take whatever expertise they can get." Ben shrugged, "What do you think Tharja?"

"From what I remember, Mustafa was one of the few decent Generals in the Plegian army." Tharja hummed, "He wasn't a glorified marauder like the others."

"Not in the later days, no." Mustafa sighed, "And I appreciate the offer, Sir Ben. But… I'm not a commander anymore. I'm a wanderer now."

Ben nodded, "Well, at least stay with the army. We have food and shelter for you. I'm sure Chrom will not mind given the mercy you showed us in the desert all those years ago."

Mustafa nodded, "I think I shall take you up on that offer." He looked back up the road as he heard Inigo and Sakura shouting at each other now, "If you'll excuse me. I better rein in those two before they piss off the wrong person."

"Have fun with that." Ben chuckled lightly.

"Let me know if you need help." Tharja snickered, "I'd gladly make them my test subjects."

"Mom… not my friends." Noire gulped.

Tharja snickered some more, "Oh don't tell me you haven't been tempted to do the same." She glared up the road, "Those two, especially that fool of a boy, seem utterly insufferable."

Noire kicked at some dirt, "To be fair, you viewed almost everyone that way in the future." Noire bobbed her head back and forth, "Although, Sakura and Inigo definitely deserved it on occasion. We all did really. And-"

Tharja narrowed her gaze at Noire. The girl started rambling. Nervous, inane rambling that led to nowhere. A reflex brought about by fear. But of what? Tharja frowned.

"Am I that intimidating?" She suddenly asked.

Noire blinked. She looked up. Her mother had a stern look on her face. But, it seemed oddly different. She did not appear upset or annoyed. Instead, she looked rather sad. In the only way her mother could appear that way. A slight frown and a miniscule amount of softness in her gaze. Noire gulped.

"You haven't lost that directness."

Tharja inclined her chin, "I'll take that as a yes."

"Tharja…" Ben sighed.

Tharja raised a hand, silencing him. Ben shook his head as Tharja's eyes locked onto the talisman around Noire's neck. She hummed to herself.

"Nice necklace." Tharja breathed before quickly walking away, following Mustafa back towards the harbor.

Several Feroxi captains bellowed orders. Recon companies were about to move out. Several formations formed on the road, the lead formation made up of a group of Ylissean cavalry. Ben uttered a small sigh as he watched Tharja stride into the mass of soldiers and disappear once again.

"Is that her coming around?" Noire asked, her voice quiet.

Ben glanced over at her.

"That was a layer."

---

Robin's head nodded as his horse slowly trotted along the western road out of Charlet. His head felt heavy. His eyelids felt even heavier. Every moment was a struggle in remaining awake. That struggle was interrupted by brief moments of blissful unconsciousness.

Then the nightmares would crush the bliss. He would see it all again. The beach, the smoke lazily swirling high into the sky above Charlet, the stench of decaying bodies all around him. The seductive whispers that entered his mind during those horrible moments bounced around his skull. The growling voice of whatever beast that emerged whenever his control slipped. The image of Miriel, jerking as his sword ripping through her chest, replayed over and over in his mind. He could not get it out of his head. The look in her eyes, of both shock, betrayal, and sadness as he ended her life, it lingered with him. Incessantly haunting him, forcing him to snort awake from the nightmares.

And the cycle would continue, even as the sun rose in the east, signaling the start of a new day. Another sleepless night. Not that it mattered much anymore. He was no longer tactician of the Archanean army. And for good reason in his mind. Mentally, he could not do it. Not with his powers threatening to run amok at any given moment.

He raised his exhausted gaze up ahead to his lone companion on the ride west. Dooku rode tall on his black steed. The older man easily adjusted to the saddle and the gait of the horse, despite his unfamiliarity with the beast. He looked like a natural rider. Comfortable, completely at ease with the steady pace he set. Utterly regal looking, which made sense given his position in Themis's court. Maribelle probably settled for nothing less.

Then again, her and Donnel are a thing. Robin thought wearily.

"You should rest while riding." Dooku chided from up ahead.

Robin groaned, "You've said that for how many hours now? And I shall give you the exact same answer. I cannot sleep."

Dooku clicked his tongue, "That is not true. You just won't allow yourself to sleep."

Some anger flashed in Robin's mind, "Won't allow myself to sleep?" He growled, "Believe me, if I could actually stay asleep, I would. I feel like the back side of a horse right now." His steed snorted and shook its mane, "No offense." He finished.

"Speaking to the steed now?" Dooku shook his head, "You cannot hope to absorb what I have to teach you if you are not in the right state of mind."

"I thought the entire point of us leaving and you teaching me is that I already am not in the right state of mind." Robin drawled.

Dooku scowled back at him, "You've inherited Kenobi's sharp tongue. Hopefully that goes away. Otherwise, I may have to beat it out of you."

Robin rolled his eyes, "Crotchety old man." He reached for his waterskin on the side of his saddle, uncorked it, and brought it to his lips. The cool liquid rushed down his throat and helped stir him awake for a moment. He smacked his lips together and let out a long breath, "We've ridden through the night, Dooku. How much further will we go?"

"We will not stop until we have a respectable distance between us and the army." Dooku replied, "And even then, it will only be a brief respite for the horses before we continue on to the Mila Tree."

Robin furrowed his brow, "You sure seem determined to get there." He put his waterskin back against the side of his saddle. The reins to his horse rested leisurely in his grip as he trotted up to ride alongside Dooku, "May I ask why?"

"I already told you." Dooku replied, "The Mila Tree is the most likely centerpoint of your friends' campaign against Valm. It is also a relatively safe distance from the rest of the army. Armies move slow, it will take them much longer to reach that point than for us. I estimate we can reach the Mila Tree within the week if we keep riding. Meanwhile, a slow moving army, burdened by numbers, possible small skirmishes, and need for rest, will take at least double the time."

Robin nodded, "All things I am-" He yawned loudly, "Aware of." He swallowed as he struggled to remain awake once again, "But I know you, Dooku. Your motivations are never that simple."

"You hardly know me, Robin." Dooku drawled.

"Then enlighten me." Robin snarked back, "Both on you, and on whatever you have planned."

"The student should not question the master so."

"The student is also capable of destroying the master if I get mad enough."

Dooku snorted out a sarcastic laugh, "The master cannot be killed. Or have you forgotten that?"

Robin raised an eyebrow, "Just because you have an inexplicable tolerance for pain and suffering, does not mean you cannot be killed."

"Lucina said so herself." Dooku reminded him, "I am something called a Deadlord now. I am not fully aware of the implications of that title. But I do know what that means, is that I am damn difficult to destroy. You can ask that petulant boy, Luke, if you want further evidence."

"Got an ax to grind with him?" Robin asked as he slouched in his saddle.

"Not necessarily." Dooku replied, "He and I came into conflict before we met you and Kenobi."

"Why?"

Dooku frowned but said nothing.

"Fine, keep your secrets." Robin huffed, "So?"

"Hm?"

"Keep talking."

Dooku's frown deepened, "You are just looking for ways that I can help you stay awake."

"Maybe." Robin shrugged, "But I also am curious."

Dooku snorted, "The youth and their curiosity. Such things can and will get you killed. That curiosity needs to be tempered lest you make costly mistakes." Dooku sighed, "But I suppose, given our current relationship, it is only natural. I'll answer a few questions."

"Why are we going to the Mila Tree? The real reason too." Robin swiftly asked.

Dooku scowled, "Even when weary you are as sharp as a razor." He shifted in his saddle, "Last time I was at that blasted tree I encountered someone. A very powerful person that I believe can help a little bit."

Robin's eyes widened, "Really? Who?"

"Do you think I know the answer to that?" Dooku remarked, "Before we could really chat, she blasted me off of the tree with dragonfire."

Robin sputtered, "You mean… there's a Manakete on the Mila Tree?"

Dooku nodded, "Yes."

"And you think she can help me? Why?"

Dooku furrowed his brow, "Because… there is something else at work right now Robin. Something I don't fully understand. Something lingers, not just in your mind, but in your very essence. Something that is very good at hiding from any of my attempts to investigate it. I'm sure Tharja and Kenobi have sensed it as they tried to solve this issue. But they are not as well versed in the Dark Side as I am. And whatever lurks in your mind is clearly something far beyond what they are capable of understanding."

Concern filled Robin, "There's something inside of me? What? Do you have any idea?"

"It is merely a theory, Robin. Nothing concrete." Dooku hummed back, "I do have a question for you now."

"Okay?" Robin tried to suppress a yawn, but failed. He brought a hand to his mouth and waited for Dooku to speak.

"When these powers take over you, how does it manifest in your mind?"

Robin cocked an eyebrow, "How does it manifest in my mind?" Robin furrowed his brow. He tried to think of how, but his brain felt so tired that he struggled to put his thoughts together. He sagged in his saddle and uttered an exhausted sigh, "I don't know. But… its like I hear a voice."

"A whisper?"

Robin shook his head, "No." Dooku furrowed his brow, "A growl. Like… a beast. I don't know. I sound crazy."

"No." Dooku muttered, "Not crazy at all. Just very observant." He glanced at Robin's hands. Out of the corner of his eye, Dooku spotted a strange marking on the back of Robin's right hand. A strange emblem, almost like a tattoo, made of six eyes. An uncomfortable feeling formed in Dooku's gut as he gazed upon the mark, "That mark on your hand, when did you get it?"

Robin frowned as he looked down at his hand, "What, this? I don't know. I must have gotten it before I lost my memories. I had it when Chrom found me near Southtown." Robin shook his head, "And before you ask, no, I don't know how to get my memories back. I've considered such a thing a lost cause at this point."

Dooku pressed his lips into a thin line, "I believe I saw a similar marking once in one of Tharja's tomes she was studying"

Robin blinked and stared surprised at Dooku, "What are you saying? That," He raised his hand and beheld the six eyed marking to Dooku, "this has something to do with the Grimleal."

"Not just that. But you as well, my boy." Dooku hummed. He did not miss the perplexed, extremely concerned look on Robin's face, "Oh come now. Don't tell me you are that oblivious. You are far too intelligent for that. Notice the colors of your coat? What are they?"

Robin gulped, "The colors of-"

"The Grimleal, yes." Dooku nodded, "Dark purple, black, and gold. The colors of the Fell Dragon Grima. And before you give me that same idiotic look of utter confusion, I will have you know that I studied this world's history during my free time. I do not like to be blind of a world's culture or history. Given Themis's proximity to Plegia, I felt it only prudent to study up on Ylisse's main rival. Tharja and Henry sport similar colors in their attire. Tharja a little less so due to her… rather interesting choice of dress."

Robin chuckled a little bit under his breath, "Good luck trying to change it." He furrowed his brow as he pondered what Dooku was saying, "Dooku?"

"Hm?"

"When I went to meet Plegia's new king with Chrom and Ben, we… we met someone, a Grimleal Hierophant."

Dooku visibly stiffened in his saddle.

"I was not aware of this." Dooku said carefully.

"We didn't really have much time to discuss what happened, did we?" Robin muttered as he struggled with sleep once again. Every so often, his eyes would remain closed as he tried to gather his thoughts, "Anyways," He yawned again, "the um… the Hierophant… looked like me, but with white hair and yellow eyes."

Dooku did not react.

"And he also shared my name. Which was probably the least believable part of it all." Robin shook his head, "I still don't know exactly who that guy is. Hell, I don't even know who I am. For all I know, I took my name from him instead of remembering my own name."

"Robin, may I ask you a strange request." Dooku said.

Robin nodded sleepily.

"Don your hood."

Robin smacked his lips together and yawned again, "Afraid I'll get sunburned?" He said sleepily, "How sweet of you." He drew his hood over his head.

Dooku could not hold back the sudden intake of breath rushing into his lungs. He quickly cleared his throat, doing his best to mask his sudden alarm. And thankfully, Robin failed to think anything of it. The boy's mind too distracted with trying to force the body into a slumber.

"How do I look?" Robin said with a light laugh as his head nodded forward.

Dooku did not reply. And before long, he heard soft snores coming from the tactician beside him. He would awaken soon. The boy's nightmares would not let him rest easily. And if he did not learn to push through such obstacles, he would never fully recover from the Battle of Charlet.

But for now, Dooku's mind was no longer preoccupied with Robin's stubborn refusal to drift off. Now, his mind lingered on the young tactician to his left, restlessly sleeping in his saddle. Dooku grit his teeth, reached over, and threw the hood back from the boy's head.

As I feared. Dooku thought to himself.

He looked up the dirt road. Endless plains stretched out in front of them. But at the end of this road, stood the Mila Tree. Within a few days, they would be able to see it.

He did not forget his lone conversation with the original Master that raised him from the dead. The one that wore a hood and coat eerily similar to Robin's. A Master whose power made Dooku worry. Someone with mastery over life and death was not someone to be trifled with. And yet, Dooku had a feeling that he was about to do just that. And if he was going to trifle with a being of such power, he would need an equally powerful being by his side.

His mind turned to the Manakete atop the Mila Tree. Held there in a flimsy prison by the Valmese. Lady Tiki held a power greater than many Dooku had felt in both life and death. A power similar to the force, perhaps even the force but manifested in a different way. He was not entirely certain. He remembered being on the receiving end of just a fraction of her power. And he hoped that maybe the ancient being would have some idea as to how to handle Robin.

The Master he once answered too had designs for Robin, he felt certain about that now. The resemblance they bore to each other was absolutely uncanny. That could not be a coincidence. But what those designs were, Dooku could not discern. The Force clouded the answer from his sight. Rendered him blind and prevented him from digging any further. It was as if the Dark Side itself was denying him from divining the answers to such pressing questions.

His grip on the reins tightened. Robin snorted and slid to the side in his saddle before unceremoniously slipping from his horse and falling to the road in a cloud of dust. Dooku sighed and clicked his tongue. His own steed came to a stop.

Dooku glanced up at the sky. The morning sun drifted lazily overhead. A few more hours and it would be noon. They had nearly a twenty hour head start on the Archanean army. If Robin could get a proper rest, then they could put even more distance between them and the others.

More distance, less risk.

Dooku looked down at Robin as the tactician groaned on the ground.

"I hit a rock." Robin mumbled, "Why do I always fall asleep on a rock?"

Dooku raised his brow. He could not afford for Robin to fall of his saddle again. That would just waste time. He watched Robin wearily mount his horse again. The tactician absently snapped the reins and trotted out ahead, body swaying too and fro as sleep began to claim him again.

Dooku frowned.

Do I have any rope?

And chapter! THERE IT IS FOLKS! Chapter 100 is officially here! Wow... one hundred chapters. That is honeslty kind of surreal to me. This is without a doubt the biggest story I have ever written. And so far, every single one of you reading this story have made it an absolute joy to write. So I do want to thank you all so much for the support, the criticism, and the advice. Without that, none of this would have happened. I also am going to shout out several other authors, namely Narwhal Lord, Recursive Logic, and RedXEagl3; who all helped with many creative aspects in this story. Now, before I conclude this long winded AN. I will also say that I am part of a writing discord (been part of it for a while now actually) that has a bunch of other Fire Emblem fans and fic writers in it. The link is: discord . gg /9XG3U7a (Add https and : / / to the front of the link and ingorne the spaces. Fanfic hates links for some reason) It is known as the Treehouse. Feel free to stop by, say hello, talk Fire Emblem or even other fandoms and fics.

Anyways, thank you all again. I have a blast writing this story and I hope to continue delivering a great story for you all. Let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!