Watery Grave
Lucina's head slumped from crossed forearms, jolting her awake as she righted herself. Muffled voices from above deck, footsteps coming up the hall. The crack under the door before her bore light. Must be morning.
"Lucina."
She looked around, blinking away bleary vision as her father approached.
Chrom stopped before her, looking to the door, then slid down the wall beside her.
"Hey kiddo."
"I'm going to talk to him…" Lucina began, staring at her feet, "I'm just… Not sure what to say yet."
Chrom nodded, staring at his own feet. "Often the most powerful expressions aren't words, but actions. My sister… She spoke of peace all her life. But it wasn't until her sacrifice that others finally began hearing it."
He looked at her, and rose. "Whatever it takes."
Chrom turned to knock on the door, giving a moment before opening. He stepped in and froze, staring. Lucina leaned from where she sat but he quickly closed to door behind him.
"Most people just close the door. Without walking through it," Robin commented, raising an eyebrow. "Now it's just awkward for everyone."
"Almost everyone," Tharja mumbled, half asleep. She scowled at the open window before burying her face under Robin's arm.
"How did… What…" Chrom stared between the clothes on the floor, the feet protruding from the sheet covering the two naked people on the bed, and then to Robin. "You're paralyzed."
"I got better."
Chrom stared as Robin wiggled his toes.
"How did you…" Chrom mouthed wordlessly, brimming with emotions as he covered his mouth. The door cracked open and he slammed a palm against it.
"Father?"
"I thought you wouldn't walk again…" Chrom muttered, striding to the bed.
"C'mon, a little creak in my neck keep me down? I've got healing… mojo. Or something. Right, Tharja?"
"Hggh," she groaned into his arm before waving a hand in Chrom's direction. "Go away."
Chrom ignored her, standing at the edge of the bed to look Robin up and down.
"This is real. You're okay. I've been so… So worried about you. I didn't know if you'd survive, and you're… Gods," Chrom muttered incoherently, shaking his head as he leaned forward to embrace him.
"O-oh okay, this isn't weird," Robin stated as he used his free arm to return the hug, other still trapped under Tharja who made zero effort to move.
"Can you move around? I mean, leave the bed, walk?"
"I… Can," Robin suggested, rising slowly to test the resistance of the weight on his arm. It didn't budge. "I can not," he corrected.
"R-right," Chrom muttered, finally seeming to notice Tharja. "So is this a… Thing, now?"
Robin shook his head wide eyed, transitioning to an affirmative nod as Tharja stirred. But she merely stretched, unconcerned by modesty as she yawned and returned to the shadow under Robin's arm. Robin checked on her, then looked pleadingly to Chrom.
"Actually… Something's come up. I need you Robin, as soon as you're able."
Robin made the Okay sign with his fingers and winked, Thank You.
"Really. It's important so… Get dressed and report to the study."
"Well the man says I gotta get up so," Robin slowly rose as much as he could without the use of his pinned arm, raising his eyebrows expectantly. Tharja snored softly in response.
"And Lucina wants to see you," Chrom added, turning to the door, "I can tell her to wait‒"
"No no, send her right in!"
Chrom turned at the suspiciously excited tone and saw Robin tilting his head at Tharja. He noticed a sliver of reflection under Tharja's eyelids as her fingers dug protectively into Robin's chest. He shook his head and left the door open as he departed.
Lucina walked in and doubled out.
"Chrom said you wanted to see me?" Robin called, failing to keep his face straight.
It took Robin longer than expected to reach the study, first trial being extracting himself from Tharja's kraken-like grip, then when he actually reached the halls being stopped half a dozen times by comrades amazed to see him about.
Finally he arrived at the doors, pushing them open to see Frederick briefing squad leaders on the invasion. Chrom wasn't there, but Lucina stood along the wall and Robin closed the door quietly before sliding beside her.
"The routed soldiers will attempt to flee north to regroup at their nearest fort, where our cavalry sweep up the stragglers on the flatlands." Frederick cut across a section of the map with a knife hand, "Without proper garrison the fort will be ours by fifth nightfall, giving us a base of operations to continue the invasion."
"How does he make it sound so boring? That was killer when I wrote it," Robin whispered out of the side of his mouth, exchanging a small smile and nod with Sully who was grinning at him.
"Robin, I…" Lucina muttered, staring at the floor, "I don't know how to say…"
"What?" Robin asked, looking at her, "Lucina, there's nothing to say. Are you listening to these plans? Genius speaks for itself."
"...the auxiliary to protect the supply lines will be established along these roads…"
"Unless Frederick's the one conveying it. Then I could understand your doubts. How's your side by the way?"
"What?" she asked, confused as he gestured to her side, and remembered the injury she took aboard the dreadnought. She'd completely forgotten about it, Lissa's magic mending the area within minutes. "F-fine, I'm fine."
"Good."
"Listen, the other day… About Gerome…"
"Who?"
"Gerome…?" Lucina stared at him, eyebrows raising the longer the pause extended. She half-shook her head.
"Who?"
Lucina exhaled as the door opened, Chrom entering and beckoning to Frederick. They conversed quietly for a moment before the knight turned to the squad leaders, "We'll continue later, dismissed."
Other knights filed out the room, a few stopping to greet Robin. Frederick was last in line, nodding once to Robin with indifference.
"Good to see you're well, Robin."
"Thanks! I'm also walking. Pretty cool, right?"
"I actually preferred you confined to a bed, where your devastation could be contained to a single room."
"That's not very nice, but your reasoning is sound," Robin admitted as the knight stooped to exit the door.
"We've got a situation," Chrom started the moment the door closed, "And I sure hope you found something on the dreadnought that'll help."
He directed their attention to the window across the back wall, and they moved to see what he spoke of. Robin's jaw set as Lucina stiffened beside him.
"Shapes on the horizon…" she murmured, eyes narrowing.
"I think we're gonna find out soon enough exactly what happened to the dreadnought," Robin commented, attention shifting upwards.
"Pass a message to the scouts to spread to the other ship, I want us in close formation," Chrom directed to Lucina. She glanced at Robin but Chrom shook his head Later, and she departed. He turned back to Robin.
"What are you thinking?"
Robin didn't blink, still staring skyward. "Tharja… Would be a terrible mother."
Chrom looked down, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm glad you realize that. I pray you don't have to witness it firsthand."
"Just… Awful, no nurturing instincts whatsoever. She bit me," Robin pulled his collar wide to show the mark on his shoulder.
"Robin," Chrom put a hand on his shoulder, covering the mark and meeting his eyes, "Focus."
"I feel used, Chrom. Am I just a… Walking 'seed' dispensary?"
"Biologically speaking, yes, get over it," Chrom gave him a little shake and faced the window, "Now what do you think about that?"
"Afterward she just threw me a towel and told me to get cleaned up…"
"Robin!"
Robin looked out the window, to the distant horizon, and to the sky again before turning to leave.
"Looks like rain..."
"Yeah I'm not done," Chrom stated, following Robin into the hall. "You haven't answered my question, what did you and Lucina find on the dreadnought?"
"More questions than answers…" Robin muttered, taking the stairs up and out of sight.
"Okay, like?" Chrom asked, growing irritated.
"Dammit, Chrom I'm trying to be dramatic."
"You're being an idiot. We're on the same ship, you're not going anywhere, stop withholding information."
"Whatever that is, it happened to the dreadnought, and sunk the escorting fleet."
Chrom stared at him, then to the sky where two pegai were silhouetted flying east.
"You sent scouts?" Robin asked, standing beside him.
"Just to observe from a distance," Chrom replied, frowning as the captain leaned over the rail above to address him.
"Oi, you talkin' about the island that's been following us all morning?" The large man spat angrily, glaring past him at Robin, "I knew it, second I laid eyes on you, knew you'd be bad luck on all of us. Never bring a mage aboard yer vessel, monsters smell magic, y'know."
Robin rolled his eyes.
"Monsters, captain? How old are you?"
"Old enough to know islands don't move faster than ships!"
"It's not‒!" Robin turned to glance at the form on the horizon, "Oh would you look at that..."
The captain spat overboard and barked something at a twitchy-looking crew member who was staring at Robin. Robin looked up to the sound of thunder, light rain beginning to patter on the deck.
"A storm's comin', batten down the hatches and secure cargo," the captain ordered before turning to Chrom, "My advice, throw this omen overboard, let the sea take what it wants."
"Sound advice." Chrom nodded appreciatively, glancing at Robin and turning to the stairs.
Robin looked out over the water, seeing the other ship a hundred meters out. The waters were getting rougher, rolling against their bough with more force by the minute.
Suddenly hands appeared on Robin's shoulders, three men attempting to force him towards the rail as he struggled against them.
Robin headbutted backwards, hearing teeth clack and two hands release him, but the others succeeded in pulling him chest high as they neared the edge of the ship.
"Release him."
The struggling ceased and Robin twisted his head to see Falchion along the sailor's neck, Chrom on the other side looking displeased. Robin was set down and Chrom pulled him away from the sailors, one spitting out a tooth.
"Wha's going on here?" The captain bellowed appearing to shout at the men.
"A very foolish mistake," Chrom answered, standing between Robin and the men. "Control your men, captain."
"But the captain‒"
"Shut yer hole, and get back to work! Anyone else lay a hand on our guests, yer the one's going overboard!"
Chrom's eyes narrowed as the captain turned from them, and he ushered Robin below deck.
"I can't leave you alone, can you go back to your room‒"
"No, no!" Robin grabbed his shoulder, "Not... There."
Chrom rolled his eyes. "Why did you sleep with her."
"Because she was really nice to me and… Hot."
"You're pathetic."
"I know…"
"Fine, where is your babysitter, then…" Chrom wondered aloud, looking down the halls to see Frederick approaching.
"Couldn't tell you, before you came into the briefing room I was telling her about the time Frederick walked in on her conception."
"You did not," Chrom placed a hand on his brow as Frederick closed his eyes in shame.
Robin's lip trembled, and Chrom glared stonily at him.
"I can't do this with you right now," Chrom muttered, turning to his bodyguard, "Frederick, please see Robin safely to his cabin."
"The study!"
"The study," Chrom corrected, nodding in the direction and departing.
Frederick stood, blocking Robin's vision of the hall, and he gestured politely for him to begin walking.
"So I heard you went on a date with Cordelia?"
An hour later Robin was pacing the study, glancing out the window. Definitely getting closer.
"And I think you'd make the cutest couple. I mean look at all the things you have in common!" He continued, "You're both madly in love with Chrom, which would normally be an issue in a closed relationship but in your case given the codependent nature of your mutual obsession I prefer to actually think of this obstacle as an benefiting factor. What do you think?"
Robin finally looked over, seeing Lucina leaning against the door. He blinked.
"Where'd that one guy go?"
"Captain Frederick?"
"Sure."
"He left."
"Wh-when? I've been giving out gold relationship advice!"
"You seem to be a font of knowledge in that field," Lucina acknowledged, raising an eyebrow.
"Jealous?" Robin quipped, playing ball.
"What." Her expression shifted instantly.
"I mean it was hard to see your expression, you ran out of the room so quickly this morning but I thought I saw a bit of green in your eyes‒"
"Illness, I assure you," Lucina answered, scowling at him.
"It's perfectly normal, as you can see I'm a rather desirable male specimen‒"
"Please stop."
"Strong genes; women are like, super into those, right?"
"No."
"Lucina, why are you denying what's only natural? It's okay to have a crush on your dad's cute friend."
"Stop talking, or I will make you stop talking," Lucina offered in a tone that actually made him quiet for a minute.
Robin sat in a chair, looking to the ceiling.
"You say I die alone and unloved, right? Do I have any kids?"
Lucina looked at him. "Do you want kids?"
"Please just tell me, did I…?"
"You did not impregnate Lady Tharja," Lucina answered, half-smirking as he exhaled in relief holding his chest.
"Oh my gods… I've been terrified all day. Do you know how bad parents we'd be? Our kids would be messed. Up."
Lucina allowed a small smile, folding her arms. "I cannot argue with that."
"You and Gerard ever talk about kids?" Robin caught her expression and looked back to the ceiling as boots dragged something heavy across the deck. "C'mon, you guys obviously had a thing."
Lucina stared at him, but the earnesty in his curiosity made it difficult to rebuff. She cleared her throat.
"No. Thinking about the future was a distraction, every day required absolute focus to reach its end."
"Sounds sucky. Well if things are different now, I think you'd be an okay mother. I mean, not mom-of-the-year or anything… But not bad."
"I can't say I've made it a priority," Lucina replied, returning his playful grin with a small smile, "But thank you."
"Still gonna kill me?"
"Eventually," Lucina answered solemnly. He snapped his fingers Drat and stood up to walk around. She took a deep breath.
"But on that note… I do need to apologize to you, Robin. For the actions of Gerome, mirroring my own."
"That's sweet, but I'm okay now," Robin lifted his leg and wiggled his foot, "See?"
She stared at him. "Just… Like that…?"
"Too soon? I can try to be mad if you want, but I've never seen grudges help anyone make good decisions."
"Your forte."
"Hey, I'm human. But I try my best, alright?" Robin defended, folding his arms and looking at her. "Just like you."
Lucina looked away. It felt like he was trying much more than she was at being a better human. He forgave attempts on his life like water being spilled on him. She took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing what she'd needed to say for some time now.
"I did not wish for harm to come to you." His head cocked and she quickly added, "Do not mistake me, there will come a time when I must strike you down… But I will do so unwillingly, and with honor, and will face justice afterward. I can see you are a valued member of the Shepherds, and a true friend to my father. I don't understand what happens that turns your blade on him, or if you even do so by choice, but I can't let it happen again."
"I respect your honesty. If I had to kill someone I'd probably wait for them to be sleeping. Then pay someone else to do it."
She shook her head. "I'm serious."
"And zealous in what you think is right. I can't fault you for doing what you believe is good; whether or not I agree is irrelevant."
Robin hated being serious for more than seconds at a time, but for whatever reason Lucina seemed to seek his validation and he would do whatever he could to comfort her and relieve himself of that burden.
She continued watching the ground, shaking her head once more before she spoke.
"I truly am sorry. You are a good man… Despite what you would have others believe."
He sighed. "And I'm sorry you feel that way." She looked up at him and he shrugged, "Probably way easier to have to kill someone you don't have a crush on."
She choked back a laugh just as the ship hit a large wave and Robin stumbled forward. She caught him, back to the door as he found his footing. Deja vu brought her back to last night, her standing in the exact position Gerome had been.
Like Gerome, she stood motionless, staring at him, waiting.
Like her, Robin straightened, realized their distance and separated.
Robin cleared his throat, taking a seat to keep his balance and facing the window. "Sounds like the water's getting rough. Likely thanks to our new friend out there…"
"It's been the same distance all day. It's waiting," Lucina muttered, refocusing on the horizon as the color faded from her cheeks. "For nightfall."
"If it was invincible it wouldn't wait."
Robin leaned back to give her an open-mouthed smile. His confidence was encouraging, and she smiled in return.
"Sir, the other captain is requesting orders," Frederick reported to Chrom standing at the bridge, "Do we hold formation?"
Chrom thought for a moment. He'd dispatched Robin's plans, the Mamluke should be able to operate independently from this point on. Still, he preferred help within shouting distance until their shadow was resolved.
"Stay near, separating would be the worst plan of action right now..." Chrom turned to their captain, "How much longer until we reach Valm?"
"Another day, at least." The captain shook his head, "But with this weather? The worst has yet to come."
"Whatever's following us, it'll gain quickly if we leave the tradewinds," Chrom muttered to himself, looking over the railing to the east, "Too late to make for land north…"
Two pegai took off from the northern boat and made east as Chrom watched.
The skies were gradually darkening, a combination of the oncoming storm and waning sun. The two scouts flew over the anomaly, circling lower. It was closer now, water spraying as it met the rocky outcrops pushing through the waves towards the ships.
"What do you think we'll find that wasn't in our first report?" Cordelia shouted over the wind to Sumia, who squinted at the rocky sandbar.
"Let's land."
"Let's not?"
"Lord Chrom's expecting something different, so we need to take a closer look!"
Cordelia exhaled in frustration as Sumia plummeted. The head scout was struck by a thought and flew higher, intent on getting a better view.
The pegasus kicked up sand as it slowed to a halt. The surface was perhaps fifty meters in width, twenty in length. Sumia dismounted, kneeling to push damp sand aside. After several armfuls she reached a rocky surface, gauntlets scraping against stone. Taking the knife from her belt she stabbed at it. It chipped easily. Not stone, calcification. The island rumbled and salty spray washed over her as the ocean rose suddenly.
Cordelia's eyes widened as she saw it. Massive tendrils trailing behind the landmass, barely visible below the surface.
"Sumia!"
But the scout and her pegasus plunged into water. The pegasus emerged first, flapping and flailing dangerously before Sumia surfaced beside it, struggling to remove her armor.
Sumia pushed upwards once more, taking a huge breath before giving up on staying afloat to concentrate on clasps and buckles. The breastplate slid free and she broke the surface with a gasp, able to tread water much easier now.
It was quiet save the softly rolling waves. She frowned, looking around.
Her pegasus was nowhere to be seen. Plunging her head beneath the surface she looked around, seeing nothing but blurry shafts of light in every direction…
Then, far in the distance below her, two great white orbs. Unblinking, locked on her with palpable hunger. They began to rise.
Breaking the surface again she felt the onset of panic.
"Sumia!"
She looked up in time to extend her hand and catch Cordelia's, pulling her from the water with practiced efficiency. Sumia clambered into the saddle behind her as they made for the ships.
"What happened, what did you see?!" Cordelia asked as Sumia clutched her tightly.
The other girl only shuddered, staring at the calm water behind them.
Lucina looked up before the knock at the door made Robin turn from the window.
Chrom and Frederick stood in the doorway, seeing Robin's view.
"Sumia okay?" Robin asked, and Chrom nodded.
"You saw that?"
"Unfortunately..." Robin admitted, resting a forearm on the window again.
"Sumia reported seeing something under the water when she fell in. Something big," Chrom explained, moving to the table and pulling out Robin's map, "If we're here, land is still a day's journey in our current heading. I need ideas, because if whatever that is catches us out here, this invasion is over before it begins."
"We separate our forces," Frederick offered, pointing to the two landing sites, "The royal family will move to the northern ship. It'll reach land before the others and a pegasus rider can carry you to safety if something befalls us."
"And what of the ships to come? The rest of our forces are halfway across the ocean right now with no way to receive warning." Chrom shook his head, "We need a permanent solution."
Lucina stared at the map with narrowed eyes, shaking her head slowly.
"Behind us we have the largest navy any country has ever boasted‒" Frederick began before Chrom interrupted.
"Maybe before, but something's changed the game out here. The Valmese navy was crippled, and I expect ours will fare no better unless we…"
"Something's changed," Robin murmured to himself, watching Chrom's mouth move but not hearing words.
He rocked slightly with the boat and turned back to the horizon.
"Something…"
Something Lucina hadn't known of. A deviation from history, or she would have recalled some retelling of it. A deviation, as she herself was.
If she'd traveled through time to change their fate, why couldn't someone else have done the same to secure it? But why… Who other than Grima had to profit from their destruction? Plegia couldn't hope to fight off the Valmese single-handed. Walhart wouldn't have destroyed his own ships.
There was another actor here, a player he didn't know was in the game. And the realization settled on him, the deviation: They weren't needed anymore.
Whatever dark machinations spun them into whatever actions from Lucina's time, something changed. Whatever came back to help the other side, didn't need them. If there was a dark guardian angel protecting them from darker forces last time through history, it was gone now.
Suddenly his plot armor felt considerably less reassuring.
"Yes, Robin?" Lucina's words penetrated his thinking as she met his gaze unabashedly, "Can I help you?"
He shook himself out of it, not realizing he'd been staring at her. He looked to Chrom.
"Alright, I've got a really, really aweso‒"
"Terrible idea," Chrom shook his head wiping the rain from his face as he stood aboard the bridge. "I know."
The storm was setting in, ship breaking over large waves with unsettling rolling motions. Lucina stood beside him, captain at the helm shouting over the rain.
"The sails'll be torn to shreds if we dont reef 'em!"
"Keep them open, it's the only way we'll stay ahead!"
Chrom looked down to see Robin orchestrating the mages. With synchronized motions they channeled wind overhead, pushing the sails forward. The ship regained a sense of balance as they drove forward with newfound speed, driving through the waves and cutting across the water faster than with clear weather. Faster, at much cost to the durability of the ships.
"Will it be enough?" Lucina asked her father as he looked over their shoulders. Still no sign of the landmass since it'd submerged.
"What else can we do," he answered, looking to Frederick. "The sun's set, I want the other ship far enough that we don't run into each other, close enough to help if either of us get attacked. We rotate mages every hour, keep them fresh, keep the pace, raise a flag if they see anything."
Lightning forked in the distance, illuminating rain and crashing waves between them and the black horizon.
"I recommend tying yourself to something," the captain called from the wheel, nodding to the crew who were looping rope tied to the nearest mast around their waists.
Chrom ignored him, catching himself as the ship rocked suddenly. He made his way down the stairs to Robin.
"Will the mages be too tired to fight when we land?"
"If I say 'yes,' can we just chill on the ships?"
"No."
"Father!"
They both looked towards Lucina's voice. Lightning flashed twice in the far distance directly ahead, illuminating a vast shadow rising for the split second it was visible. It loomed like a mountain before crashing into the waves.
"Then I guess I'll see you on the battlefield," Robin clasped Chrom's shoulder, "You'd better ready a pegasus, just in case things… You know."
"You know me better than that," Chrom rested a hand on his shoulder. "I won't leave you to die."
"Please, you know me better than that." Robin met his eyes for a second too long, and brushed the hand from his shoulder, "Don't touch me."
Chrom rolled his eyes just as a panicked scream cried over the storm.
"Flags off starboard!"
They looked in time to see the water surge up between them and the Mamluke, thick tentacles splaying over the deck to pull a wide, crab-like body against the other ship's hull.
Robin appreciated the opportunity to study it at a distance, because it was massive. These capital ships were large enough to be considered feats of naval engineering, but this creature trying to climb aboard was easily the width of the deck.
Short spindly legs scrambled, trying to find footing to pull itself onto the ship. The vessel leaned heavily the more of the monster left the water.
Screams and shouts were audible from the distance as the storm raged and the creature's many limbs began wreaking havoc. Countless stubby legs clicked and scraped against the wood as a dozen long sinewy tentacles grasped for everything in sight, trying to pull the broad side of its body clear onto the deck.
"Swing right!" Robin commanded, "Take us alongside the Mamluke!"
The Ghazi swerved, mages giving it a boost of speed as it rushed towards the Mamluke on intercept path.
"Brace!" the captain bellowed, leaning over the rail with wide eyes as they crested a rolling wave.
Both ships rocked violently as the monster's carapace broke the impact of the collision.
Robin could see cracks lining the shell as the tentacles went limp, slithering backwards as the creature slid down when the ships parted.
"Is it dead?" someone shouted, but no one answered. Everyone scanned the churning water for signs of life as Frederick turned to Chrom, Robin reorganizing the mages.
"The Mamluke's sustained minimal damage, we should use this opportunity to cover as much..."
Robin looked to where the knight stared. A rolling mountain of water loomed ahead of them. Obscured lightning flashed, revealing the writhing tentacled silhouette inside.
"Oh shit," Robin muttered.
"Get to the Mamluke!" Chrom bellowed, wind whipping his cape as he pointed, "Captain, get us‒!"
But the rest was drowned out by a deafening crash of water and thunder, creature bursting from the wave to pounce directly on the ship. The ocean rose dangerously high as everyone dropped to meet the deck, before the nose of the ship dipped into the wave and a wall of water rushed to meet them.
Robin smashed into a railing and clung on for life as freezing ocean swept through him, blinding, deafening, suffocating. After seconds that felt like minutes he gasped for air, blinking away salt water and rain.
Chrom and Lucina rose from Frederick's protective embrace, but only most of the sailors stumbled to their feet. Empty hoops of rope settled to the deck as water rushed to the edges.
But a larger, much more aggressive concern pushed to the forefront of Robin's attention.
The creature barely fit on the huge deck, ship pressing dangerously low into the water with the weight of it. The body was flat and broad, two white orbs on short stalks roaming over them with blind hunger as the dozen fleshy tentacles from its sides flew rampant.
It was regaining its balance from the wave, two tentacles wrapping around the rear-most mast that cracked under the strain. Robin didn't yet know the full toll, but he knew the Ghazi most certainly would not survive this encounter.
"Captain!" he shouted, climbing the stairs to the upper deck, seeing the captain snarling to keep the helm steady, "The Mamluke! We need to evacuate!"
The captain glanced at him, opening his mouth, and disappeared as a tentacle swept him overboard. Robin cursed, running to take the wheel as another crew member cried out, cowering beside the stairs.
"How's hiding on another ship going to help?! We're dead, you're dead‒" words became incoherent screaming as a tentacle lashed his ankle, dragging him across the deck before an axe cleaved it short.
Cherche yanked the axe from the floorboards and pulled the babbling man to his feet. "Compose yourself."
If the creature noticed it was missing the end of a limb it didn't show it, shortened tentacle grasping wildly for the sails and spraying black blood across the ship.
The Mamluke appeared between waves and Robin leaned into the wheel, trying to make the meeting gradual.
Winds tore Tharja's hood down as she called lightning from the sky, striking the creature which hissed, frothing mouth turning in her direction. Tentacles shot at her, Cherche and Lucina appearing to help fend them off just as the two ships collided.
"Keep it steady!" Chrom shouted at Robin, climbing to his feet and gathering others to get to the other ship.
"Are you…" Robin couldn't finish the incredulous thought as another wave separated the two hulls and someone fell into the waves. "You're welcome to give it a shot!"
A gangplank lowered between the vessels and soldiers began moving to the safety of the Mamluke, Chrom guiding their crossing between waves. Robin shifted his focus back to the monster, scanning for weaknesses.
The main body sat in the middle of the ship, now blocking access to the crew decks and trapping who knew how many allies beneath. Each of its arms seemed to have a mind of their own, a mind intent on sowing as much destruction as possible. The Ghazi wasn't going to reach Valm, the only difference was going to be how many of them did.
"Chrom, help me!" Robin shouted, calling his friend to the bridge. Chrom ran up the stairs and stood beside him, bulging sleeveless arm telling Robin he had control of the wheel. "Thanks."
"Where are you going?!"
"Remember that terrible idea?"
"No!"
"'No' you don't remember?"
"'No,' I'll get someone else to do it!" Chrom flushed at the disbelieving look on Robin's face, "I'll do it."
"Sorry, but someone's gotta hold the wheel." Robin grinned and disappeared down the stairs.
"Robin!" Chrom shouted angrily, taking a step after him before the wheel turned against a wave, "Dammit. Robin!"
Chrom had a right to be angry, Robin knew, but that random crew guy had a point. Getting to the other ship would spare them about five minutes, they still needed a day to reach Valm.
He was pretty good at distracting. He could buy them that much time. No sense having someone else do it, when something needed to get done right he preferred knowing he was in control of it.
Robin spun under a tentacle, swiping up a sword and driving into the monster's… Armpit? He wasn't sure what that was called, but it noticed, and it didn't like it. The body swerved, backing away as the attention shifted to him. The hulking body lifted from the hatch to the crew's quarters and Shepherds and crew poured out.
"Get to the other ship! Leave everything behind, go go go!" Frederick shouted as the monster lumbered towards Robin now.
He led it in a wide circle, cutting or electrifying tentacles that came too near until the second hatch to the cargo hold was visible. Two meters before the creature's maw.
Robin licked his lips, gauging the distance. He looked to the crowd at the side of the ship, still boarding the Mamluke. Now was as good a time as any.
He sprinted forward, creature's tentacles encircling him as he made directly for the spiny mouth, mandibles clicking excitedly by his approach. The milky eyes focused on him, body lunging forward as Robin slid under the mouth, tumbling down the stairs below deck.
He lay at the foot of the stairs for a second, catching his breath and letting the sword drop to the floor. He stumbled to his feet and laughed as he staggered down the hall. Above him wood splintered as the monster tore up planks, digging under the floorboards to reach him.
He reached the bottom deck and stopped before his secret weapon. He'd planned on weaponizing this somehow, give them an edge of surprise in the coming campaign. But he supposed killing this thing and saving all their lives was also a good cause.
Two wall casks of Feroxi Vodka sloshed as the boat rocked in the storm. Robin kicked the tap off one, clear liquid guzzling out to seep across the deck. He strode to the stairs, listening intently. More ripping wood. Most of the others should be off by now…
Robin took a deep breath, not sure how this would play out. He'd have to keep the creature busy, if it escaped to the water they'd miss their shot. He snapped his fingers, flame appearing over his hand. He tossed the ball of fire onto the floor and made for the stairs as the blue flames spread just as quickly as they had at the tavern at Port Feroxi.
He ran to the stairs, seeing the open sky above him. Not good.
The monster had turned back to the stragglers escaping. Robin grabbed a splinter of wood and plunged into its side to get its attention. It spun quickly, knocking him to the slick ground as it hissed and bore down on him. Past it he could see Chrom abandoning the helm. He'd only do that if everyone else was evacuated.
Robin scrambled backwards on his hands and feet, pursued by the monster before he collided with a mast. He turned and punched the wood with an electrified fist.
Thunder crashed immediately, lightning splitting the mast in two just as Chrom appeared beside him.
Robin didn't have time to think, first instinct being to thrust his friend away before the world disappeared behind a smothering blanket of sails.
Chrom stumbled back, slipping on the deck and cracking his head on the railing. He slumped to the deck, head lolling with the ship.
Robin fumbled under the heavy cloth as he saw armored boots dash to Chrom. He called out but the storm drowned his voice. He exhaled in frustration, yanking at the sails trying to find an opening, suddenly aware of how cold it was and how clumsy his numb hands were. Lucina might have been onto something, a knife would have made a difference here...
He felt a gust and kept pulling, reaching a part in the sails and putting his torso through. Chrom was gone.
What was present was smoke, and heat.
Robin twisted to see flames licking through the sails, below deck evidently sharing the same fate as the Feroxi tavern. A deep hiss made him arch his back to look behind him, staring directly into the drooling maw of the beast. Its left tentacles and legs were pinned at the base by the larger half of the mast. It tugged, but the heavy wood barely lifted. With this leverage the size and strength counted for nothing. While it could probably have ripped its limbs free, it seemed content to wait, knowing a wayward wave was all it took for freedom.
That was lucky.
He looked down, seeing the smaller half of the mast across his abdomen. He coughed.
That was less lucky.
Robin heaved but he wasn't going any further than the monster behind him. He took a shuddering breath, light headed thoughts slow to process the situation.
He'd either be burned alive or drowned. A snap from behind accompanied by cold breath reminded him of his third possibility.
What options. None seemed like particularly attractive ways to go. In fact, they would probably have filled the top three spots of ways he'd prefer not to go.
A presence hovered beside him and he blinked through the rain to see Lucina.
"Oh thank gods, Lucina you were absolutely right, I should have a knife."
She nodded in acknowledgement, Falchion drawn. She looked up and down the mast, then to the monster behind him. Robin coughed.
"I'd get up to embrace you, but I'm a little encumbered at the moment," Robin chuckled, looking pointedly at the wood trapping him.
Lucina hesitated, kneeling to test the wood. It didn't look like she strained much. She met his gaze, and he stared at her.
"Oh you bitch."
"Do you love my father?" she asked simply, eyes narrowed from rain, water dripping from her brow.
"Do I…?" Robin blinked, "Not like in a gay way or anything."
"Do you love him?"
"Why do you have to phrase it so‒"
"Do you?"
"Yes!" Robin coughed, "But not in a‒"
"You knew how this ended. I've never hidden my purpose from you. I've never deceived you."
"You must be trying to convince the monster," Robin craned his neck, "You buying it? She sure isn't."
"Robin, please. This goes against everything I know is right. But I do it, for good."
She stood there watching for his reaction. Her chin rose and she steeled herself for his words. When none came she continued.
"If you've seen the things I've seen, witnessed the future you herald… Even if unknowingly. My actions would not warrant a second thought."
"The right things..." Robin took a shuddering breath, "Never do."
The deck was fully illuminated now, bonfire behind them visible for miles. Smoke billowed into the air but was quickly dashed by storm. Lucina looked down, taking a deep breath and nodding. "I don't expect you to forgive me this time."
Lucina unbuckled Falchion and dropped it to the floor, taking a seat against the fallen mast, back to him.
"But I hope you'll believe me, I will face justice," Lucina explained, staring at the dark horizon as she clutched Falchion like a child holding a doll, "I do this for the tomorrow neither of us will see. For the future neither of us belong in."
"Lucina, get to the‒"
The ship buckled and he guessed the Mamluke had pulled away, unaware of their fate. Robin leaned back, sheets of rain falling across the deck.
Lucina closed her eyes. "I've killed more people than I've known. Lost more friends than I can remember having."
"So you're giving up."
"I'm completing my mission," Lucina looked at him. "And I will not send another good man to die alone."
"Aw, what makes me special?"
"The word of Naga."
Robin blinked, surprised by the immediacy of her answer. He looked at her but she fixed her gaze on the horizon.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Lucina said nothing, only offered her hand as the deck below them began to heat.
"No, what does that mean? C'mon I'm about to die, promise it's coming with me to the grave."
But she said nothing. He knew it didn't make a difference at this point.
If this was to be his end, he found it immensely unsatisfying. Since meeting her he'd always hoped that she'd make it, survive all this conflict, and start living. Chrom's child, his legacy, fulfilled and happy. That's what Robin hoped for her‒ not this. If he had regrets they were of her. Failing her, once again.
He took her hand and squeezed it. She squeezed back.
"Goodbye, Robin. You were… Not the monster I imagined."
"I still got time."
She smiled weakly before tilting her head. "What is that?"
Small pops were audible under them. Robin thought for a moment, list of inventory running through his mind of what the fire could be reacting with.
"Ah…" he realized, laying back down and tugging the sails over him, "That would be option number four: explosive combustion. That's… actually not bad. Preferable, even."
"What are you‒"
"Y'know how mages tear pages from tomes to augment offensive magic?" He didn't wait for her to comprehend, "Well there are about two hundred of those on the third deck."
"Pages?"
"Tomes."
She stared at him, and he offered a bit of sail to her.
The Ghazi hit a wave of water, sliding the masts free and the creature towards them as the waves met flames creating an eruption of steam, and a searing flash of light shattered the Ghazi from the inside out in silence.