The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 102
Visions of Future Past
Lucina could not breathe. The air around her was filled with ash and smoke. What little light filtered through the plumes of black smoke came from the fires surrounding her. Screams pierced the air. The cries of thousands falling to fire, steel, and shadow.
Ylisstol burned all around her. Soldiers scrambled through the palace courtyard. Lancers rushed by her towards the gate that barred the way into the Exalt's Palace. Lucina's blue eyes followed those brave souls towards the gate as they slammed into it. Using what weight they had to brace it.
The gate shuddered. Lucina's heart hammered in her chest. Despite the flames engulfing the city, the air felt so cold. The screams outside of the walls around the Exalt's palace turned to shrieks. Ash drifted down like gray snowflakes onto the ground. She glanced up and felt one flake brush against her dirty cheek.
"HOLD FIRM!"
The gate shuddered. Lucina's gaze whipped back to the gate. Limping away from the soldiers bracing the gate was her old Master, Ben Kenobi. Deep lines ran over his brow. Crowsfeet marred the corners of his eyes. He was not much older than forty. But the apocalypse aged him beyond his years. Gray hairs sprouted in his beard a few years ago. Locks of his once brown hair had turned white due to stress long ago. His once brilliant blue eyes were dull and sad.
He marched towards her as she remained still behind the gates.
"Lucina!" Master Kenobi shouted over the shrieks of Risen smashing against the gates.
Up on the walls, ladders hit the battlements. Risen surged up onto the scorched white stones. Few men were left to hold them back. Ylisseans, Feroxi, even a rare Valmese soldier, fought in a desperate final stand. Fought for their lives. Fought against the darkness one last time. Some dropped their weapons and tried to run. But there was nowhere to run. This was it. Ylisstol was their last hope. A hope that faded with each dying breath around Lucina.
Master Kenobi gripped her shoulders and shook her from her stunned stupor.
"We have no choice now." He said, his voice somehow calm despite the hopelessness of the night.
Lucina gulped. No choice… she remembered now. This was the night it happened. The last stand of Ylisstol. The night she and her friends performed the ritual and retreated through time to the past in a desperate attempt to save the future.
That familiar sensation of fear gripped her heart. What if the ritual did not work? What if it failed and Grima stopped them?
A calloused hand brushed a tear from her cheek.
"You need to be strong now." Her Master whispered.
The gate shuddered. Wood splintered. Black arrows zipped through the cracks. Ylissean soldiers screamed as the arrows bit into their flesh.
"MASTER KENOBI! THE GATE!" One soldier cried.
"Ben!" Lucina whipped her gaze at the gate. Sir Frederick's armor had multiple deep gouges in it. Blood soaked his forehead, knuckles, and right arm. He held his blade loose in his left hand. The other remaining shepherd, Anna, stood beside him. A dagger in one hand, a shortsword in the other. She took several, terrified steps back from the gate as it shuddered and sagged inwards. One more blow, and it would fall.
"There is no more time." Ben pleaded with her, "Go into the palace. Bar the doors behind you. Gather the other children and perform the ritual. The gems should already be in place."
A boom hit the gate.
"They're coming!" Frederick roared.
Risen poured over the walls. The last defenders on top of the battlements fell away. Her Master's lightsaber ignited. The brilliant blue color a stark contrast to the ash and fire around them.
Tears bubbled in her eyes.
"You're not coming?" She croaked as one hand tightened around Falchion's grip.
A sorrowful look filled her Master's eyes. A look that made Lucina's throat tighten. Her master rarely showed emotion. He was always so austere in both appearance and attitude. Disciplined and strong. But in this moment, the strength cracked. The discipline gave way to profound grief.
"I'm sorry, my dear padawan." He breathed.
"READY YOURSELVES MEN!" Frederick bellowed in the background, "FOR TONIGHT, WE DINE WITH THE GODS!"
Lucina shook her head. More tears bubbled in her eyes. A choked sound escaped her throat as she tried to speak, "No, y-you can't leave me alone. I-I can't do this on my own. I'm not-"
The gate broke. One half groaned off of its great hinges and collapsed to the ground with a thunderous boom. The other swung inward, knocking over several defenders in the process. Risen surged forward. The last of the Ylisseans leveled their lances and braced their shields against the black tide of masked monsters.
Master Kenobi's eyes flicked back. As the Risen crashed into the shield wall, twelve beings emerged through the ash and flames. Terror slammed into Lucina. All of the Deadlords came tonight. All of them led this final charge. A determined look crossed her master's face.
"I'll buy you as much time as I can, but you must hurry." Her entire body trembled, "This is our last hope, Lucina. You carry that hope now." He gave her a small grin. The first smile he ever showed her, "I know I haven't misplaced it."
The Deadlords slammed into the shield wall, shattering it instantly. Frederick fell as multiple blades slashed through his armor. Anna screamed as a spell slammed into her chest. Master Kenobi twirled his lightsaber in his hand.
"Go." He ordered her. He turned to face the deadlords. Just over the audible shrieks of Risen around them, she heard him say one last thing, "Until we meet again."
He charged. She turned and ran. Her legs bounded up the steps, skipping stairs as she rushed up to the palace doors. Four Ylissean soldiers trembled at their posts near the doors as the Risen rushed towards them.
"Get inside and bar the doors!" Lucina ordered. She wanted to sound stern, heroic. Calm in the face of the end. Instead, her voice came out in a cracked squeak. But it got the point across. The guards sprinted in after her. Two of them spun around and shoved their entire weight against the palace doors. As Lucina spun around and watched the doors close, she saw her master fighting furiously against the Deadlords.
He was losing. A spell hit his right leg. An arrow burrowed into his left. He slashed at two deadlords that made the mistake of getting close to him. They became nothing more than piles of ash as his lightsaber ripped them apart.
Several stray Risen got into the palace before the doors could close. Lucina drew Falchion.
A fire spell shot by her head and hit one Risen. A throwing ax whistled through the air and took out another.
"Lucina!" Brady bellowed as he rushed to help close the gates.
Laurent stood near the ruined throne. Fingers smoking as he charged another fire spell. The rest of her friends emerged in the main hall as well. Inigo and Owain hurried to help Brady. A lightning spell cracked through the air as Morgan felled several Risen in one stroke. Kjelle uttered a furious roar as she slammed into the doors and tried to shove them closed. Cynthia and Sakura flanked Lucina as several more Risen slipped into the main hall. Only to be met by a hail of arrows that zipped through the air and into the horde surrounding Master Kenobi.
"FATHER!" Noire shrieked as she sprinted towards the doors.
Brady spun away from the doors and caught her by the waist before she could get out. Her frail form struggled against his iron grip. The struggling ceased when a roar erupted through the air. The palace shook. Rubble trickled down from the ceiling as the roar rumbled around them.
The Deadlords backed away from Master Kenobi as he rested on one knee in the palace courtyard. Piles of ash covered the ground around him. Blood seeped through his robes. Wounds riddled his body. It took everything in Lucina not to charge out there and save him.
A thirteenth figure emerged from the throngs of Risen beyond the palace doors. One clad in a black and gold coat. Obi Wan Kenobi raised his gaze to meet the newcomer's.
Fire engulfed her Master. White hot flames swarmed over his skin. Lucina's stomach lurched as she sensed his pain through the force. The bond they shared, that frail thread in the force, quivered as he screamed.
Noire wailed. Brady growled at the others to get the damn doors closed as he yanked Noire away from the horrible sight. Lucina's blue eyes never left her Master's burning form as he fell to the ground in the courtyard. Just before the doors closed, the hooded figure raised his gaze.
A pair of burning yellow eyes focused on her. The dark side of the force howled in the air. The Risen shrieked an insidious cheer.
The doors slammed shut. The thread broke.
Lucina awoke in a cold sweat. She bolted upright. Her master's name stuck in her throat. Her blue eyes focused on the chest across the room from her bedroll. The shattered remains of Falchion rested in its scabbard beside the chest. Her leather armor and red cape lay on top of that chest. Her extra sword lay on the ground in front of it. Her gaze roved to the muddy boots at the foot of her bedroll. As the familiar objects came into view, a shuddering breath left her lips.
Only a dream.
Every inch of her body shivered in the night air. The thin blanket wrapped around her shifted as she reached up and wiped a few tears from her eyes. Chilled air kissed her bare shoulders. The night's icy fingers wrapped around her body. She shivered again and squeezed her eyes shut. The image of her master burning alive as the palace doors shut shot through her mind once again.
"Only a dream." She shuddered as she opened her eyes and threw the blanket from her body. There was no way she could fall asleep again.
She reached for a simple blue robe beside her bedroll. Her one hand fumbled with it as she struggled to place the heavy piece of clothing over her frozen skin. A curse slipped from her lips as she dropped the robe to the ground. With an annoyed growl, she picked up the robe and placed the collar of it in her teeth. She then slid her one arm through its sleeve. Once that was secure, she used her hand to pull the rest of the robe over her body. Her fingers clumsily tied the robe closed. It hung loose over her thin frame, mostly because she could not tighten it very well with one hand. But it would have to do for now.
She glanced over at her boots and her extra sword. She slid her feet into the boots and gripped the old, leather scabbard in her one hand. Silently, she slipped out of her tent.
It was still dark outside. Stars twinkled in the sky. A half moon hovered behind some clouds. Not a hint of sunlight pierced the inky blackness.
The sun won't rise for a a couple hours. Lucina let out a heavy sigh. She kept her scabbard in her grip as she trudged through the camp towards the nearby dining tent. Hoping that maybe she woke up late enough that the cooks had something prepared.
A few Feroxi sentries nodded at her as she passed. She noticed a few give her a curious gaze due to her attire before they quickly averted it upon realizing who she was. There were some perks to being the future daughter of Prince Chrom. One perk was that no one dared mess with her, even if they held an advantage when it came to limbs.
Lanterns flickered in the dining tent. A faint flicker of hope entered Lucina as she smelled ham cooking inside of it. A large fire burned at the center of the dining tent. Warming the massive space. Warmth she welcomed as she stepped out of the cold and into the firelight.
"Food won't be ready for another hour." A Feroxi woman grunted from behind a counter. One hand stirred a pot of broth, another grabbed at some spices. She did not even turn to see who entered the tent.
Lucina's hope died a little bit. She cleared her throat.
"Is there tea?" She asked, her voice a quiet whisper compared to the crackling fire beside her.
The Feroxi cook glanced over her shoulder. A sympathetic look crossed the woman's face as she saw Lucina's haggard appearance.
"There be some tea, milady." She nodded over at a table off to the side of the counter, "Water's piping hot for the leaves."
Lucina nodded, "Thank you."
She strode over to the table. Boiling water sat in a kettle over a small fire. On the table was a basket of tea leaves. Lucina plucked a few then grabbed a large mug. She filled the mug with water then placed the tea leaves into it. The water slowly turned dark as the tea filtered through it.
She carefully brought the mug to her lips and took a slow sip. The warm liquid rushed through her body. Causing color to return to her cheeks and feeling to rush through her fingers and toes. She uttered a satisfied sigh.
A feeling in the force interrupted her tea time. Someone was watching her. Probing her even. She furrowed her brow and looked over her shoulder.
"Damn it." She muttered.
Luke sat at a table in the far corner. A mug of tea sat in front of him. His yellow eyes were focused on her. And for a split second, Lucina did not see his yellow eyes. Instead, she saw the yellow eyes of the hooded monster that slew her master.
She shook that image from her mind.
What is he doing here?
She glared back at him. He averted his gaze before running a finger along his collarbone. A slight red tinge rushed over his cheeks.
"You um…" He cleared his throat and rubbed at his collarbone again, "You're slipping."
Lucina gave him a puzzled look. She glanced down at her right shoulder. Her robe was slowly slipping down over the stump. She jumped a little bit, set her mug down, and struggled to pull the fabric back up over her shoulder. She cursed as it slid down again.
Her muscles tensed as Luke rose from his chair and carefully approached her. Without saying a word, he placed the fabric back over her shoulder and tightened the belt around her waist so it would not slip again.
"I suggest," He muttered, "you go to Anna and get a better fitting robe." He kept his eyes focused on the ground as he finished tying the knot, "Then again, you probably aren't used to wearing these things, so maybe you just haven't gotten the hang of them yet. I've never seen you in one before."
Lucina's gaze remained hard as she watched him, "They're easy to get on in a hurry."
Luke nodded his head, "That they are." He took several steps back from her. An awkward silence filled the air between them. Luke coughed quietly, "Um… care for some company?"
Lucina narrowed her eyes at him, "Why would I want your company?"
Luke pursed his lips, "Well…. It's not like anyone else is around at the moment. And from the looks of things, you aren't going back to sleep." He turned on his heel and strolled back to his table. Halfway there, he glanced back at her. As if waiting for her to follow him.
Naga above, she did not want to sit with him. But what else was there to do? Wallow in her own worries and stress alone? Somehow, sitting with Luke sounded less appealing. Nevertheless, she trudged her way over to his table and sank into the seat across from him. Her one good hand set her tea down in front of her. Small spirals of steam twirled up from the boiling liquid.
Silence hung between them. Her fingers quietly tapped against the tabletop. Luke kept his eyes focused on his own cup of tea as the fingers on his right hand trailed invisible lines on the table.
"So," He finally broke the silence, "what woke you up?"
Lucina did not answer him. She did not want to answer him. Just because she decided to sit near him did not mean she was interested in speaking to him. She reached for her tea and sipped it.
Luke shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He flicked his eyes up at her.
"I'll tell you what woke me up." Luke sighed as he leaned back, "Although, you probably won't like it very much. So… maybe I shouldn't tell you." He folded his hands in his lap. His thumbs tapped against the back of his hands as he pondered what to say next, "What kind of tea?"
Lucina frowned, "Same as yours, obviously."
"R-right." Luke stammered, "Sorry, just…" He shook his head, "Naga, when did things get so weird?"
"You know exactly when." Lucina sipped her tea.
A weary breath left his lungs, "I'm not sure how many times I can say I'm sorry." She scowled at Luke as he spoke, "And I know it will never be enough. But I will keep saying it for as long as it takes."
"A simple apology will not change anything." Lucina growled.
Luke nodded a little, "I know that." His thumbs stopped tapping. But she could see one of his knees bouncing up and down. Was he nervous? Scared even? He struggled to meet her gaze even as they sat across from each other, "But I'm still sorry."
"You helped kill my aunt." Lucina snarled. Guilt rushed over Luke's features, "You tried to kill the other Shepherds, including my mother, my father, and my master. Your actions caused Ylisstol to fall even faster in the future. And… and the cherry on top of all of that, you told my little sister I was dead."
"I really thought you were." Luke breathed.
"And now you're sleeping with her." She spat the words out like venom.
He cringed, "That just…" He shook his head, "I've got no excuses for any of it."
"Good, because it is all your fault." Her hand tightened around her mug as more fury built up inside of her, "Naga, why am I even sitting here right now?"
Luke shrugged. He reached for his mug and brought it to his lips, "Nothing better to do than berate me?"
A small laugh left Lucina's lips. One that caught her by surprise. She snapped her mouth closed. A small sparkle danced in Luke's yellow eyes.
"Got you there." He smirked before sipping his tea again.
"Ass." She growled.
He smacked his lips as he set his mug down, "Not denying it. I am trying to correct it."
"From what I have heard from Noire, you aren't doing a very good job."
Luke rolled his eyes, "She'll never forgive me. Just like you. If you actually want an unbiased opinion, I suggest speaking to Brady. Somehow being a drunk gives him a lot more clarity than others."
"Are you saying I'm blind?"
"I am saying your anger is blinding you." Luke replied simply, "And," He spun his mug slowly in front of him with the force, "As someone who knows what that path is like, I'm warning you to get off of it while you can."
Lucina furrowed her brow. Was Luke trying to give her advice? Help her even? If she did not feel so tired, she would have laughed in his face.
"Where was this sagely advice when we actually needed you?" She snarled back before sipping her tea.
"Imprisoned by Maul." Lucina froze as her mug remained near her lips, "That's where it was. Trapped by stupidity and hatred." He pressed his lips into a line, "You could say I was rendered both dumb and blind by my own anger. I don't want to see you go down that road as well." A shaky breath left his lips, "It's damn near impossible to come back from."
"Are you saying you are back from it?" She snorted, "I find that hard to believe."
"I-" He bit back something more scathing. Lucina smirked to herself, "I'm saying that I am trying." Her smirk faded a little bit, "Cynthia has helped a lot in regards to that. So has Yen'fay. But… he's not around at the moment. So, I feel a little vulnerable."
"You feel vulnerable?" Lucina scoffed, "The all powerful Sith Lord, slayer of Maul, and all around asshole, feels vulnerable? Call me surprised."
"Yeah, yeah." He grit his teeth across from her, "Mock me. Go ahead." He shook his head, "You don't even know the half of it."
Lucina frowned. She set her mug off to the side and leaned forward in her seat.
"Well?" She said.
"What?" Luke snarled.
"You expect me to know something. So please," She gestured towards him, "educate me."
She waited patiently as Luke remained quiet. His yellow eyes stared down at the table. His mug of tea continued to spin in lazy circles as he twirled it with the force. His throat bobbed up and down.
"You and Kenobi were right about Maul." He raised his gaze, "He was a monster."
"And you are just learning that now?"
"Will you-" His voice softened from a snarl to a soft whisper as he reigned in his anger, "Please let me finish."
Lucina remained silent as he took a deep breath and collected himself.
"Pain." He began, "Pain is power. The more pain a force adept experiences, the more power they can draw upon."
Lucina quirked an eyebrow as she listened, puzzled. What was he talking about?
"Pain leads to fear. You learn to fear pain. You learn to be terrified of it. The more animal parts of your mind take over in the face of it."
His eyes had a glaze over them. As if he were seeing a different place, in a different time. Lucina's own annoyance shifted to strange curiosity as he spoke. She did not understand what exactly he was talking about. But whatever it was, it had an effect on him. It was as if he was not even talking to her anymore. Just reciting a mantra. A code that had been burned into his mind. A philosophy that governed his actions for so long that he knew it by heart.
"That fear can remain. You can remain an animal then. Powerful, but only so far as the fear lingers. But it is only a fraction of what you can achieve." His voice croaked a little bit. He swallowed hard, "Or… you turn that fear of pain into anger because of the pain. You grow furious at the pain. You focus on the source. The root of the pain. And you turn your power onto it. You harness the pain into anger. And eventually, that anger will blossom into hatred." His voice fell to a whisper, "Hatred… gives you focus. Makes you stronger. Hatred allows you to unleash. To be uninhibited in the face of the pain. The pain becomes your strength through hatred. The pain becomes… good."
Lucina swallowed nervously. This was a philosophy. Realization dawned on her. A pit formed in her stomach. This was what Maul taught Luke. This was all he knew regarding the Force.
"It becomes your one true friend." Luke voice cracked a little bit, "The only one that will be by your side in the end." He grit his teeth. The mug spun erratically on the table, "When nothing else is left, there is pain. And you will survive because you hate it so much." He raised his yellow eyes and stared straight into her blue ones, "You will survive because you hate me."
Lucina's chest rose and fell as he burned holes through her with his gaze.
"Do you want to know what woke me up?" The mug spun so fast it became a blur, "I've been having a recurring nightmare lately. It comes and goes. Sometimes it doesn't appear for several weeks. Other times, it happens twice, three nights in a row." He worked his jaw back and forth, "I see my last night in Ylisstol. In the future. But… I don't see my perspective of it. Instead, I see all of it. I see you and Kenobi on the walls, fighting with everything you have against the Risen. I see Exalt Lissa rushing with her personal guard to the Academy in order to aid Lady Tharja."
He paused, jaw clenched tight. The mug started to hover off of the tabletop. A piercing cold filled the tent. The skin on Lucina's body recoiled from it.
"I see Maul." His voice dropped to a snarl, "I see that monster…leaving Lady Tharja and Exalt Lissa to die."
Lucina's heart dropped, "Wh-what?"
"I see him coming back to me." Hatred filled his eyes, "Acting as if he was wounded. In great pain." Luke scoffed, "He even had blood on his robes. Claimed it was his own. He described how he barely survived the onslaught. H-he told me that Grima and the Risen had become too powerful. That the only way to save everyone was to leave. Then he tells me about a ritual he discovered, deep in the archives of the Academy. One given to the heroes who last defeated Grima. A ritual to be used as a last resort, in case the fell dragon ever returned. He tells me that he knows how to perform the ritual." His fists clenched tight on the table. Cracks formed in the tea mug. Tea leaked out of the cracks. Small drops of it tapped against the table, "And me… in my stupidity, believed him."
There were tears in Luke's eyes. Tears Lucina could not look away from.
"In my stupidity, I followed him." The mug shattered into dozens of shards. The shards hung suspended in the air. Floating in lazy circles where the mug once floated, "I destroyed everything I cared about because of him. And what did he do to reward me for my loyalty? He made me a monster." Luke returned his gaze up to Lucina's startled eyes, "He made me just like him."
The shards dropped to the table. Each one pinged against the wood. They echoed through the empty dining hall. Lucina swallowed hard as Luke's eyes blazed with a feral hatred.
The hatred evaporated away as he realized where he was once again. The snarl on his lips receded. The dark side of the force ebbed away with a reluctant growl. The cold that pierced the air was bashed away by the warm fire once again.
The yellow in Luke's eyes flickered. A familiar soft blue replaced them for a single moment. Lucina's breath caught in her throat as she saw them again. Her heart hammered in her chest. Her old friend was still in there.
The yellow returned just as fast as it left. Luke lowered his gaze.
"S-sorry." He muttered. He moved to leave his seat, "I think… maybe I should-"
Lucina waved her hand, using the force to keep him seated. Luke's eyes widened in surprise. He looked across at Lucina as she reached for a mug with a trembling hand. She wrapped her fingers around the warm mug and brought it to her lips. The warm tea soothed her rattled nerves. She closed her eyes and exhaled through her nose.
"I woke up from a nightmare." She whispered as she hid her lips behind her mug, "It was… the last battle of Ylisstol."
She slowly lowered her mug back down to the table. As she spoke, a group of voices entered the dining tent. The sentries from the last shift were coming in for breakfast. They were relieved from their post. Through a crack in the tent wall, Lucina saw pale streaks of pink light paint the night sky to the east.
"What happened?" Luke asked quietly.
Lucina worked her jaw back and forth, "We were trapped in the palace. The last of our soldiers braced against the gate. The… the only Shepherds left were Sir Frederick, Anna, and Master Kenobi. Everyone else was dead at that point. Only myself, our friends, and a small group of soldiers remained. One last defense against the end." She shook her head, "Everyone was hurt by that point by something. Loss, actual injuries, a hint of madness maybe; none of us were in any condition to fight." Images of that night danced in her eyes. She could see the fire again. Could feel the ash brush her skin, "But, we fought. When we should have dropped our weapons and begged for our lives, we fought. Or… or to be more accurate, they fought." Luke furrowed his brow as Lucina stared down at her lap, "During the last moments of that night, Master Kenobi told me to run. To go perform the ritual. And… instead of standing with him and fighting for my people, I did what he told me to do. I ran." She swallowed hard, "I was the Exalt of Ylisse. I was their leader. I should not even be here right now. I should be-"
"Don't even start talking like that." Luke growled, catching her off guard, "You were in a hopeless situation. I don't give a damn what title you had. Grima won. As soon as he trapped you all in the palace; as soon as Kenobi told you to run, he won. Or at least, he thinks he won. Because by running, you and the others lived to fight another day." Lucina sniffled as some tears formed in her eyes again, "You've given humanity hope again, Lucina. Some might not know it yet. Others may never know it. You might end up an unsung hero, forgotten to time. We may save the future, and disappear from the present because of it. But you are not a coward. You have sacrificed everything… including your own life, for the mission. For your people. Do not lament that decision."
Luke rose from his seat as more soldiers filtered in for breakfast. He flicked his gaze around as Lucina's eyes followed up.
"I don't like crowds." He said with a small shrug. He started walking towards the exit, but stopped beside her, "I admire you, Lucina." He glanced over at her, a small smile on his lips, "I wish I could be as strong as you."
He marched away, leaving her alone with her tea. The din of soldiers filled the dining tent. Dishes clattered, silverware clinked, weary conversations filled the air. None of which she paid attention to. Her mind remained wrapped around her conversation with her old friend.
The smell of fresh soup filled her nose. She blinked and glanced down as the Feroxi cook placed a hot bowl of it in front of her.
"Figured you'd want some, milady." A spoon rested inside of the bowl already, "If ya need anymore, just holler."
"Th-thanks." Lucina whispered as the cook stepped away.
She stared down at the warm broth. Chunks of ham and some peas floated in it. While she did not have much of an appetite, Lucina forced herself to grab the spoon and nibble at her breakfast.
A pair of excited arms wrapped around her neck, startling her.
"Hey Luci!" Cynthia laughed as she hugged Lucina from behind.
Lucina chuckled, "You startled me."
"Oops." Cynthia laughed back. She flopped down in the chair across from her. Immediately, her younger sister noticed something off, "What's wrong?" She leaned over the table, "Luke just left. You talked to him, didn't you?"
Lucina sucked in a breath, "I did." She nodded carefully.
Cynthia nodded, "About?"
Lucina snorted and shook her head, "You can ask him. I'm sure he'll share."
Cynthia furrowed her brow, "You'd be surprised. Sometimes, he just bottles it all up and stays quiet. Worries me a little bit, honestly."
A smile graced Lucina's lips. She swirled her spoon in her soup, "He's lucky to have you."
A grin crossed Cynthia's lips, "Thanks." She glanced down as a bowl of soup was placed in front of her, "Gah! Soup again! I want stir fry!"
The Feroxi cook glared at her. Lucina laughed out loud.
"Just eat."
A calm breeze brushed past Ben's still form. A dull hum sounded all around him. A familiar hum that eased his heart and mind. It was the drone of shuttles and speeders zipping through the air. He could hear it through the thick walls surrounding him.
His eyes winked open. As they opened, he found himself face to face with a meditation chamber in the Jedi Temple. The shades to the room, while normally drawn closed for meditation, were instead wide open. Bright sunlight filtered in from Coruscant's sun. Sitting opposite from him in the sunlight, eyes closed, relaxed and content, was Master Qui Gon Jinn.
Ben's heart jumped in his chest as he saw his old master once again. For a split second, he thought this was real. It felt so real. The air he breathed rushed in and out of his lungs so easily. The ground he sat on felt the exact same way he remembered it. Hard, but warm. Comforting and familiar. He glanced over to the window. Corcuscant's sun was setting. A vibrant orange glow washed over the planet's sky. The many skyscrapers beyond the window became shadowy silhouettes in the face of a descending star.
"You aren't very relaxed." Qui Gon said.
Ben flicked his eyes back over to his old master. Qui Gon took a deep, soothing breath. His hands rested on his knees. His shoulders rose then fell. Any tension in the older master's body left in one silent exhale. Ben felt in awe, even now, of how easily his master could become in tune with the living force. How he managed to be so confident in its will, despite never knowing what exactly the force's will was.
"Is this a vision?" Ben asked abruptly. Qui Gon cracked an eye open, "A part of me hopes it is not."
"A part of you hopes that you are waking up from a dream." Qui Gon replied as he closed his eyes yet again.
Ben nodded.
"This is a vision, Obi Wan." Ben's heart sank a little bit, "But do not let that upset you." Qui Gon opened both of his eyes. A small grin crossed the older man's face, "You have found your place."
Ben pursed his lips, "I don't even know the name of that place."
"Does the name of your place matter?" Ben pursed his lips at Qui Gon's question. The Jedi Master smirked at him, "All that matters Obi Wan, is that you have arrived where the force wanted you to be. And now, you must listen to it even more carefully."
Ben furrowed his brow. This was something Qui Gon attempted to teach him ever since he was just a padawan learner. Trust the will of the force. Listen to it. Let it guide him. Do not worry about the future. Concentrate on the present. Easier said than done, in Ben's opinion. If he was just a Jedi Master, left to simply meditate upon the force in the confines of the Temple, he may have learned how to do that. Unfortunately, he did not have such luxury.
"How?" Ben asked, "How can I just listen to the force? How can I not worry about what is to come?" Ben hung his head a little bit, "There is… so much I care about now."
"And you did not care about anything before?"
Ben jerked his head up, "N-no, I mean-" He sighed, "This is different and you know it."
Qui Gon uttered a soft chuckle, "You have always cared deeply, Obi Wan. Regardless of what the code said, regardless of what other master told you to do, you cared. While other Jedi Masters kept their apprentices at arm's length, you embraced Anakin, even after he was knighted. And now, on a new world, surrounded by new people, you have finally embraced those around you. You have surrounded yourself with people that care about you just as much as you care about them. I am proud of you for that, Obi Wan."
"Proud?"
"Yes." Qui Gon's eyes almost appeared sad as he spoke, "There was a time where I was worried you would never return from despair. I feared that your grief would consume you. I feared that you would remain paralyzed by what happened with Anakin."
Guilt washed over Ben's features, "I still feel like I am."
"If you were, you would have never tried to help Robin." Qui Gon pointed out, "You would have never allowed yourself to rebuild your life. Instead, you found a partner to help you through that grief. You have built yourself a happy life. One filled with close friends. Filled with love, joy, and hope." Qui Gon's features saddened further, "For those reasons, I am here to warn you of what is to come."
Ben's chest tightened as Qui Gon spoke, "He knows… doesn't he?" He swallowed, "Dooku was correct."
Qui Gon gave him a grim nod, "Sidious is coming, Obi Wan. And he is closer than you think. You must prepare for him."
Ben's mind wandered to the world outside of his vision. The Valm War and the terrible toll it had already taken on him and his friends plagued his thoughts. Robin's plight with his out of control abilities sat heavily on his mind, even as he was unable to do anything to help. His worry for Tharja, for Noire, in the battles to come whispered in his ear. Tormented him with terrible possibilities that he had to push through.
"There's another war going on." Ben muttered.
Qui Gon nodded, "An unnecessary one. One that is being orchestrated by something beyond my sight."
Ben's eyes widened, "Beyond your-" He frowned, "What are you not telling me?"
A grave look came over Qui Gon's features, "There is a shadow, playing with the strings of power around you Obi Wan. The Valmese did not enter this war without prodding. Neither did the Ylisseans or Feroxi. All of it is being orchestrated. All of it is-"
The entire vision darkened. Qui Gon's voice faded away into the blackness. Ben's heart thumped in his chest as a beast snarled in the deep shadows that consumed the meditation chamber.
"Qui Gon?"
He was gone. The spot across from Ben was empty. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the air turned cold. The Dark Side of the Force hissed and snarled around him. It's long, frozen fingers gripped his body. Ben squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to somehow wake himself from the vision.
"Wake up, Master Jedi." A voice snarled at him, "Open your eyes."
His eyes were forced open. He hoped to see Qui Gon once again. Instead, he saw a man. His features were hidden beneath a gold and purple hood. A heavy coat sat over thin shoulders. Pale hands with long fingernails were folded in his lap as he sat cross legged in front of Obi Wan. In the shadows of the hood, yellow eyes glowed like burning coals.
"That fool of a Jedi was talking far too much." The man snarled.
An amorphous shadow crawled up the wall behind the man. It swirled and twisted. A deep, evil chuckle sounded throughout the meditation chamber. Cold sweat beaded down Ben's brow as the dark side of the force turned into a whirlwind around him.
"But, you wish to know what is coming?" The man chuckled low. One pale finger stretched towards Ben's face, "Let the dark side in, Master Jedi. It will show you the truth."
His cold finger pressed against Ben's forehead. The mediation chamber fell away. Images became a blur in his vision. He saw fire and ash consume Ylisstol. Risen swarmed over the once peaceful city. Twelve powerful monsters led the black hordes towards the barred palace gates. A harrowing roar echoed all around Ben. His gaze was cast to the sky. Towering over the city, black wings spread wide, blotting out any starlight that could possibly pierce the smoke, was a dragon. Six blood red eyes gazed down upon the burning city. They sparkled with delight as thousands perished before its might.
The roar reverberated in his mind. Bounced through his thoughts even as the images flew around him faster and faster. The roar turned into a mocking laugh. Then that laughter fell away.
He was left in darkness. Alone, without either Qui Gon or the evil entity that invaded his thoughts.
A harsh inhale. Long and labored. As if someone was struggling to suck in air through a straw. A low exhale. Loud, low, artificial.
An orb appeared in front of Ben. A black, metallic shell. It cracked around the center. The orb was a chamber. It slowly hissed open as pressurized air erupted from the crack.
Inside sat a man. No… a machine. Or perhaps both. Ben could hardly tell. His pale head was hairless. His sunken eyes were squeezed closed. Gloved hands were clenched tight around the armrests of a large chair at the center of the pressurized chamber. The dark side of the force whipped into a frenzy around the thing in the chamber. Ben's heart hammered in his chest.
Its eyes opened. Blazing yellow irises focused on him. The thing opened his mouth to speak. A hoarse, barely audible whisper came from his throat.
"You are alive."
Ben's eyes snapped open. A gasp rushed from his lips. His chest rose and fell in harsh, ragged breaths. Cold sweat covered his body. His heart continued to hammer in his chest as remnants of the dark side's power flickered all around him. Panic seized his heart as he struggled to see his surroundings in the darkness. Was this another vision? Another nightmare?
He felt a warm, slender arm over his torso. Warm breath brushed against his neck. Locks of silky, black hair ran over his right arm. The arm Tharja decided to use as a pillow for the night.
The panic faded. The fear receded as Ben realized that he was awake. The visions were over.
Thank Naga. He thought to himself.
Ben ran his left hand over his face. He massaged his eyes and let out a long exhale. Once he gathered his bearings, he glanced over at a small crack in the roof of his tent.
Pinks washed over the once dark sky. Oranges chased after those vibrant streaks. Stars winked out as the sun began to lumber up into the morning sky. No more time for rest. Not for the army's general turned tactician.
He gently removed his arm from beneath Tharja's head. The Dark Mage hardly stirred from his movements. She always was a heavy sleeper. He smiled a little in the darkness as he brushed a lock of dark hair away from her face. He placed a small kiss on her forehead before rising from his bedroll.
Ben rolled his shoulders as he stood up. The muscles and tendons popped. A low groan left his lips as, for a small second, the stress and tension in his neck subsided. Only to return just as quickly when he realized the march would start again soon. He trudged over to his little chest at the foot of his bedroll, sat down on top of it, and threw his boots on his feet. Once those were on, he grabbed a loose, white shirt and pulled it over his head. He would have time to get properly dressed later. For now, he needed to eat a small breakfast, then gather the reports from last night's sentries and scouts.
Frederick probably already has them.
He trudged his way out of his tent. The camp was buzzing with activity. Soldiers emerged from their tents. Bags packed, armor on, all of them ready to tear down their tents and march further west.
Ben made his way towards the dining tent. None of the other Shepherds were inside when he arrived. So he quietly grabbed a small mug of tea, drank it, ate a bowl of soup, then left. As he left, he caught sight of one of the medical tents as he tried to find Frederick. The same medical tent that housed Cordelia.
It has been a while since I checked up on her.
Ben marched through the mud and dirt towards the tent. Mages and healers already buzzed around it. All of them gathering medical supplies as they prepared to march west with the rest of the army. It was better to keep the wounded near the army. Staying with the bulk of the army offered better protection than lagging behind them. The Valmese legions were vast and powerful. Ben did not dare to leave any stragglers behind him. With their small numbers, the Archaneans could not hold much territory for very long. Not once the Valmese organized an effective counter assault. One he hoped to mitigate by moving fast to the heart of the continent.
As he approached the medical tent, Libra emerged from it.
"Good morning, Ben." The priest nodded with a gentle smile, "I hope you slept well?"
Ben winced, "It could have been better."
A concerned look crossed Libra's face, "Shall I prescribe a sleep aid?"
Ben snorted out a small laugh and waved his hand, "No, no. Just… nightmares. Nothing more. They'll pass with time."
Libra gave him a small nod, "I assume you are here to check on the Wing Commander."
Ben nodded.
"I'm glad you are." Libra continued, "She is awake."
Ben's eyes widened, "She is? When?"
"Just a couple hours ago. I've been feeding her a mixture of soft foods and elixirs in order to help her regain some of her strength."
A grin formed on Ben's lips. Cordelia was awake. His friend was going to be okay. When Sumia brought her broken body back from the battlefield, many of the Shepherds feared that she would not recover. That her injuries would worsen and eventually kill her. Not many Pegasus Knights survived being shot down at the speeds Cordelia had been flying at. To hear that she not only woke up, but was also recovering some of her strength, was wonderful news.
Ben took a step past Libra. The priest raised a hand and stopped him.
"Ben," Libra took a deep breath, "I need to speak with you a moment longer."
Concern flashed over Ben's face, "What is wrong?"
Libra's eyes darted towards the tent's entry. A long sigh left his lips, "Cordelia is awake. And she will survive her injuries. But… those injuries were extensive. I had no way of testing her full condition until now and-"
"And what, Libra?" Ben asked, his concern growing.
Libra shook his head, "The crash broke her back. I did everything I could to heal her. But… when she woke up, she complained about not being able to feel her legs." Ben's face paled, "I'll continue to do what I can. But with how long it has been, I'm not sure how much more I can do."
Ben swallowed hard, "Is she aware of how serious this is?"
Libra nodded, "I did not mislead her. So… it is good she has a friend stopping by to talk to her. She could use the distraction." Libra took a step away, "Oh… be a little quiet while you're in there. Some of the other patients are still asleep. And Severa is also still asleep near Cordelia as well."
Ben nodded. He entered the tent.
Various healers still quietly milled around the tent. Some focused on packing up their medical supplies. Placing vulnaries into their proper containers, storing various healing herbs and plants into their proper crates. Some focused on healing the various wounded soldiers occupying the tent. The wounded lay in small cots. Most were still asleep. The ones that were awake were either silent due to the pain, or quiet due to their own exhaustion.
Ben quietly made his way to the far end of the tent. He saw Severa sleeping in a chair beside the last cot on the right. Her head rested on the small table beside the cot as she snored quietly.
Laying in the cot, somehow quieter than the rest of the tent, was Cordelia. White sheets and blankets covered her broken body. Bandages were wrapped around her head still. Her red hair was pulled back away from her face as she lay still in her cot. The Pegasus Knight's eyes were focused on the tent wall. Ben wondered if she even noticed him arrive.
"I wondered who would be the first person I'd see today." Cordelia said, her voice a quiet whispers as she struggled to talk. She struggled to turn her head and looked at Ben, "Other than Libra that is."
"And Severa." Ben replied with a slight smile as he stood beside her cot.
Cordelia's eyes darted over to the slumbering warrior. A small smile formed over her lips.
"I guess that solves the mystery of who one of her parents is." A sad look replaced that smile, "Hopefully she does not have to see me like this very much."
Ben closed his eyes, "Cordelia-"
"Libra must have told you already." She continued. Her voice came out in a quiet croak. She tried to clear her throat, "S-sorry, talking hurts a little bit."
"You don't have to talk at all, Cordelia." Ben replied.
"I want to." Cordelia quickly replied, "It… it at least helps me think all of this through." She gulped, "Helps me to realize that this is all real. Helps me realize that I am awake. That I am alive."
She winced as she tried to sit up in her cot. Ben raised his hand and gently used the force to keep her lying down.
"Rest, Cordelia."
"I have been resting for the past week." Cordelia hissed, "Let me sit up." She swallowed hard, "It seems to be the only thing I am capable of doing anymore."
Ben hesitated. Determination filled Cordelia's eyes. Reluctantly, he relented. Cordelia winced again. She bit back a curse as her weak arms slowly propped her frail body upright. Ben reached over and adjusted the pillows behind her back. Helping her stay upright.
"Thanks." She croaked. Her eyes fell on her legs, which did not move beneath the sheets, "I keep trying to wiggle my toes." She let out a small scoff, "Sometimes, I think that maybe, just maybe, the sheets move when I tell them to move." Tears formed in her eyes, "But they don't." She gulped as one tear trickled down her right cheek. She glanced at Ben, "I'm… I'm never going to be able to ride again."
"Cordelia-"
"I-I'm never going to be able to fly again." Cordelia's words shuddered as she fought to maintain her composure. Her hands tightened around the sheets, "I-I-I'm never going to be able to take care of m-my pegasus again. I can't fight anymore. I-I c-can't walk. I can't even move!"
Ben knew that if she had even a fraction of her former strength, she would have been shouting. But with how frail her body was, she could only manage a loud whisper. Her lip quivered as more tears trickled down her cheeks. Her eyes slowly turned to look at Severa as the child from the future murmured in her sleep. Any color in Cordelia's face rushed away.
"I'm never going to be able to have her."
Ben's heart sank, "Cordelia don't-"
"How can I?" Cordelia sniffled, "I won't be able to take care of her, even if I do manage to-to have her." Panic filled her eyes, "She-she can't see me like this. No, no she can't. Not like this. Not-"
Ben closed his eyes. He brushed against Cordelia's mind. He sent a wave of calm through her thoughts. Slowly, Cordelia's panic faded. Her chin stopped quivering. Tears still ran down her cheeks. But at a slower pace. Her grip on the sheets loosened. She turned her gaze away from Severa and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry." Cordelia whispered.
"You have nothing to apologize for." Ben quietly replied. He knelt down beside her cot, "Cordelia." She raised her eyes to meet his, "You will make it through this. And all of us, every shepherd, every pegasus knight, will be right beside you along the way."
Cordelia swallowed hard. She wiped at the tears dripping down her cheeks. As she regained her composure, Severa muttered again. The girl raised her head and smacked her lips together.
"Ugh…" She yawned, "Gawds, that table is uncomfortable." She blinked her eyes and focused her sight on Cordelia.
Her eyes widened. An enormous smile rushed over her face. Before Cordelia or Ben could do anything, Severa threw her arms around Cordelia's neck. Cordelia winced as pain lanced through her body. Severa froze and quickly pulled away.
"Well erm-" Severa cleared her throat, "It's about time you woke up. Gawds, its like you just wanted to keep me worried forever."
Ben arched an eyebrow. Cordelia however, gave the young girl a soft smile.
"It's nice to see you too, Severa."
Severa's cheeks reddened. She struggled to meet Cordelia's gaze. Before she could reply, a cheerful voice cackled through the tent.
"Good morning, Lady Venator of the future."
Severa's face screwed into a scowl as Henry sauntered into the tent, two cups of hot tea in hand. He stopped beside Severa and held out a cup to her.
"Your usual wake me from the dead concoction. Nya ha ha! Get it. You sleep-"
"Like the dead, I get it." Severa deadpanned. She swiped the cup from his hands and took a sip, "And quit calling me Venator."
Henry's grin widened, "But it's so much fun." He turned to look at Ben, "And good morning to you, General Kenobi."
Ben shook his head and laughed under his breath, "Good morning, Henry."
Henry whipped his gaze over to Cordelia, "I see I should have brought a third cup. Turns out this morning will not involve any further mourning." Henry hummed to himself, "I'm not entirely sure if that is a good thing or not."
"It's a great thing you idi-" Severa caught herself yelling as several healers glared at her, "I-I mean, it's alright I guess." She shrugged and sipped her tea, "Well," She nodded at Cordelia, "S-since you're finally awake, I can get going now. Maybe I'll finally catch up with Sakura. We haven't really had a chance to talk since she showed up." She sipped her tea one more time before setting it down on the table, "I'll stop by later. Try not to die while I'm gone."
Cordelia frowned a little bit as she walked away. Henry cackled.
"No promises!" The dark mage waved.
"That girl confuses me." Cordelia muttered.
"Welcome to our world." Henry snickered.
Ben arched an eyebrow, "Our world?"
"Well not everyone can know the intricacies of the female mind like you, General Kenobi." Henry remarked. Cordelia started to laugh as a flustered expression crossed Ben's face, "I hear you have seduced at least four noblewomen in the past three years and then decided to bed a dark mage-"
"F-four n-noble-" Ben frowned, "Gaius or Virion?"
"Oh?" Henry replied.
"Which one started those rumors?"
Henry cackled, "That's for you to find out." Cordelia laughed quietly in her cot as Henry smirked at Ben, "I will say, he knows a lot about the art of love-"
"Virion." Ben nodded.
"You couldn't leave it a fun mystery, could you?" Henry sighed.
"Not at all." Ben sighed, "And it appears I will have to add speaking to that damn archer to today's to do list. But first… reports with Frederick."
"Sounds fun." Cordelia remarked sarcastically, "That's maybe the one thing I'm glad to be missing out on."
Ben rolled his eyes, "Loads of fun. After that, I'll probably have a meeting with the other commanders. Which means I'll have to act like a general." Ben sighed, "I best get going. This army is not going to run itself. Wish me luck."
"Break a leg." Cordelia replied.
Henry threw his head back and laughed loudly, "I like her humor."
Ben paused, shook his head, "Rest." He ordered Cordelia, "I'll check back on you in a bit. And I'll see if Tharja can stop by. She might have some remedies to help with any pain."
"That would be appreciated." Cordelia winced.
Ben gave her another small smile then quickly exited the medical tent. Just as he exited the tent, a messenger ran up to him.
"General, Sir Frederick is looking for you. He is-"
"Already with the Khans and Prince Chrom?"
The messenger blinked, "Y-yes sir. He said that you-"
"Better hurry up or they will start the meeting without me?" Ben sighed as he started walking towards Khan Basilio's tent. The messenger nodded. Ben shook his head and picked up his pace.
Never a moment of peace in this army.
And chapter! Another character and relationship building chapter. A few bits of setup thrown in there as well. This was a very fun chapter to write. Especially the first two parts of it. I've never really shown how Lucina feels about the future she came from. And the game never really goes to far in depth on it either. So it was kind of fun showing not only the horrors of the last days of the future war, but also how it impacted her. Even it was only a small sliver of detail, it was fun to write. Next chapter, we're going to get this plot going again. It's about time Robin and Dooku reached the Mila Tree, in my opinion. And they are on a collision course with some unpleasant people, if I remember correctly. This will be interesting.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chatper! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!