One more little sad fluff and then onto family and lovey fluff
Chapter 17: Not Your Fault
Chrom, Robin, and Lucina led the Shepherd's in their escape from the Plegian Castle as Validar tricked them into coming to the castle for a deal. But the Plegian king only wanted the Fire Emblem for himself, and his plans to resurrect Grima. The Shepherds were forced to fight their way out of the castle, and were just about near the exit.
Chrom waved towards the army to keep following him "Alright everyone, we're nearly there. Just keep goi-Hnrgh" A blast from behind cut Chrom off as he was sent flying into his daughter.
Lucina supported Chrom, but the blast left the lord incapacitated. Validar confidently stepped towards the head of the group "Run all you like—you can't escape fate. Don't you know that?" He held out his arm and unfurled his slender fingers "The Fire Emblem. Give it freely, or it will be taken."
Chrom had enough strength that he was able to spit out "Just try it!" However Validar's expression had not changed, even after Chrom's response. Instead his arm merely moved over to the tactician "Heh heh... I won't need to do anything... Robin!"
Robin wanted to spit a cold response to his 'father', but found his mouth wouldn't open. Or any part of his body for that matter. In fact his vision became blurred and tinted red. Even feeling as his conscious was being shoved back and forced to ride as a passenger.
His whole body went limp, and it brought the concern of his wife who rushed to the side of her beloved "Robin? Robin are you ok?" Robin wanted nothing more than to shout out, and reassure his wife. But his body remained immobile and silent.
Validar smiled at knowing his success. He raised his hand behind the main group and more Risen appeared around the lagging Shepherds, and then points his hand back to the lord "Robin...be a good boy and get the Fire Emblem for your father"
Robin raised his arm and with an unknown amount of strength, was able to throw Cordelia off his body. The pegasus knight hitting the wall with a dull thud, but still conscious. Robin turned and walked towards the two lords. The controlled tactician pulled out a yellow tome and cast a bolt that sent Lucina flying away from her father. After, Robin wrestled the shield from Chrom. All the while Robin was screaming from inside his own body.
Robin turned to walk back to Validar with his gift, but felt a tug on his leg as Chrom held onto his friend "Robin. Please. Fight It. You're Strong. Fight it"; But Robin only stared down at Chrom with emotionless eyes. Without any word, Robin raised his other leg and kicked the lord in the face, knocking him out.
Validar clapped as he stepped towards his son, and took the Fire Emblem in his hands "Good work Robin. You've proven your use quite well. Now kill that pestering lord" Validar gave one last command, as he stepped into a magical gate, and disappeared.
Robin unsheathed his sword, and stepped towards the unconscious Chrom. All of the Shepherds were preoccupied with the Risen and had no clue of the danger their leader was in. Robin. Internally Robin was trying to break free from his internal restraints as he was unable to even look away from his soon to be murder of his closest friend. Robin thrusted the sword, but at the last second, someone stepped in between the sword and Chrom. It was Cordelia, the sword protruding from the side of her abdomen. Using all of her strength on holding and pushing the blade from going any deeper, cutting into the palms of her hands.
Robin stared wide eyed in horror at seeing his wife stabbed, and bleeding, but even more so it was done by his own hand. The shock from the view was able to free Robin from whatever spell he was under as he dropped the sword, and held onto Cordelia "Oh gods Cordelia. Oh gods I'm so sorry. I didn't...i had no control." Was putting pressure on the wound as he frantically looked around the battlefield "LISSA! LIBRA! ANYONE! I NEED HELP!"
Cordelia fell to her knees as Robin kept a strong hold on her. Frantically trying to do his best to keep the wound from bleeding "It's ok cordelia! You're going to be ok! I'm so sorry!"
A reassuring hand slowly reached up and cupped Robin's cheek. His eyes moved up from the wound to stare into the burgundy eyes of his wife. Expecting to see a pained and scared expression on her face, instead was more surprised by a calm and comforting look. Cordelia spoke up as she pulled Robin's head close to hers and touched her forehead to his "It's ok, Robin. I know. It's not your fault"
And with that Cordelia lost consciousness and her hand fell limp to her side, leaving a bloody print on Robin's cheek, as he stared horrified down at Cordelia. Out of the corner of his eye seeing two figures on horseback riding towards them, staves at the ready.