Chapter 16: Bittersweet

Validar looked up with disdain at his son. A horrid son, one who would defy his

destiny. "Robin, why insist on these games? You only delay the inevitable. And besides, the alternative? Have you considered what may happen should I fall? These followers of Naga will spurn you now that they've learned what you are. Kill me, and incur the wrath of the Grimleal as well... Would you truly choose to be so utterly alone?"

Robin only looked down at the man he was supposed to call his father, not even giving the man the satisfaction of an answer. Validar took the silence and continued with his rant to his disgraceful child. "Humans are weak, pathetic creatures... Your 'bonds' with them will only bind you. You are destined for a greater purpose! The GREATEST purpose! You are to be a GOD!"

Robin had had enough and raised his hand to strike down Validar. "...Not your god—not today."

But it wasn't Robin who dealt the finishing blow, as a sword from behind his treacherous father pierced Validar. Everyone held a look of shock, Validar especially, as he turned his head slowly to look upon whoever dealt the blow. "Lord Grima… why?" Validar coughed up blood as the sword retracted from his body with a sickening shlick and then arced through the air, returning to the body to cut off the Sorcerer's head. The now detached head was sent flying with the look of shock and betrayal still etched into the corpse's face.

The culprit used the beheaded body's robes to clean off the sword that committed the act, then stepped forward into view of all in attendance, lowering the hood of their grimleal cloak: revealing a man that looked like an older Robin, smiling and speaking as he sheathed his now-clean blade. "Finally! I've been waiting to do that for ages. Such a kiss-ass and such a headache," he laughed as he finished his gloating.

Chrom hoisted Falchion up at the man. "Validar called you 'Lord Grima.' Explain, now!"

The supposed Lord Grima only looked at Chrom with signs of annoyance and bloodlust, responding by raising his head up to look down his nose at the exalt. "It's as he says. I am Grima, god of destruction. Or is that still too hard for the baby prince to wrap his thick head around?"

Grima raised his hand and a bolt of black lightning shot towards Chrom, but Robin anticipated the attack and his own bolt met Grima's, pushing Robin and Chrom back from the combination of energy. Robin yelled towards his doppelganger. "Explain yourself! Who are you? Who are you really?!"

Grima grabbed the bridge of his nose in obvious exasperation. "Gods, I forgot how daft we were. I've already explained that I am Grima. To be more precise, I am also you.The you from the future who killed Chrom and attained godhood."

"Father?" A shaky, almost silent voice spoke up behind Robin, and a distraught Severa stepped forward, looking up at the future Robin. "But… they said you died along with Chrom. How… how can you… be here?"

Grima looked down at Severa with a soft expression on his face as he stepped forward. Chrom and Robin readied their blades, but Severa still stood frozen with shock. Grima kept walking forward with their arms spread wide open. "My precious child. They weren't wrong. Robin did die that night in this very same tower. I took his place, but that doesn't mean I'm not your father. Just a stronger one." Grima kept getting closer and closer. Severa sunk down to her knees, holding her shoulders as she shook.

Robin ran to his daughter's side, glaring up at Grima, but he never stopped his advance. "Think on it. We can all rule this land as a family. Together again. Think about it, my chil-"

Grima never finished his sentence as a javelin that sailed past his head interrupted his monologue. The spear only inflicted a minor wound, but still took a bit of his ear with it. Grima looked with murderous intent at whoever dared to interrupt him and his eyes fell on a furious Cordelia as she stepped in front of her future daughter. Morgan ran up beside her mother to her sister's side. Cordelia yelled out, "Don't you dare lay a hand on my daughters or my husband, you dastard!"

Grima took in a deep breath and put his previous smile back on his face as he turned to Cordelia. "Oh, my sweet dove. How many nights have passed wondering when I could see you again. I've missed you so."

"SHUT IT!" Cordelia shouted as she held her lance up before her. "Drop the act, deceiver. You are not, nor have you ever been, Robin. You're only using his face and his bonds to manipulate others for your advantage. I won't fall for it!"

Grima's smile immediately turned to a snarl as his gaze darkened at the knight. "You know, the you from my time was so much more fun. She begged and begged for me to let Robin go, and she was foolish enough to believe it the first few times I pretended to be him. Then she just became an empty shell; not giving me any reaction, just looking on with a dead look in her eyes." His snarl transformed into a malicious smile. "As you've already seen, I like to personally dispose of belongings that no longer hold any use to me."

A blast of lightning struck Grima in the chest and pushed him back, leaving a smoking hole in the clothing. Robin stepped forward, shielding his family from Grima's gaze and returning a murderous glare of his own. "It's over, Grima. I rejected my destiny. You won't take control here."

Grima scoffed at the comment, turning his back and stepping towards the dragon-motif table. A dark purple aura appearing around him as he approached it. "You were supposed to choose godhood over these pathetic sacks of flesh. No matter. If you reject the sacrifice laid out for you at the Dragon's Table, then I shall take it in your place."

Robin's eyes went wide with the realization of what was about to transpire, turning towards the remaining Shepherds. "EVERYONE OUT, NOW!!"

Grima raised his arms as clouds swirled around in the sky above the temple. Bolts of lightning struck down around the god incarnate. "Myeh heh ha ha ha! The fell dragon and I are one! And though my journey through time has diminished my power… the life force here shall renew me!"