Chapter 24: Flames on the Blue

After coming back to the camp, Chrom tells the rest of the company about the revelation behind this 'Marth' character which shocks them. Some doubt especially Frederick about Lucina coming from the future, but the future princess shows her proof in the exact place as their infant princess and her Falchion.

Now it's been three days since then as the Shepherds are on a boat heading towards Valm. On the deck, Chrom Lissa, Robin, Lucina, Reina, Meena, and Kai stands there with their partners, except for Kai, as Robin looks out at the sea.

"Ah, take it all in! Breathtaking…" She says. "Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here."

Chrom nods before having a serious expression. "Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them… I should be grateful the Plegians delivered us this fleet, as promised. But it's my first time on a vessel and my legs… I never fancied myself a sea captain."

"This is my first voyage as well." Lucina smiles.

"As for the three of us, this isn't the first time we got on a ship." Reina says looking at her sister and Kai.

"Yep." Meena confirms.

"I got used to it to travel between islands at Alola region." Kai says and looks at Lucina. "But I'm surprised. I thought you'd had been on a ship before."

Lucina shakes her head as she explains, "In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports."

"Lucina… Something I've been meaning to ask… After you stopped Emm's assassination… Why didn't you stay with us?" Chrom asks.

All eyes are on the woman as she speaks, "I felt I had no choice. I could not risk altering history any more than necessary. I sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return."

Lissa jumps up energetically. "Hey, so wait- what about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if you didn't save him?"

"He would have been gravely wounded." Lucina answers as she recalls that night. "And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come."

"Whoa! Good thing you changed things, huh?"

"If indeed they have changed…" Lucina answers with a grimace. "The river of time always favors its original course. Take the exalt's death… We stalled it, yes, but in the end, I was not able to prevent it."

After a short silence at the mention of the exalt, Chrom is the first to break it quickly, "…You did what you could."

"I was so certain it was over. That I'd saved the world. But time simply found another way back to its course. Perhaps the task is simply too great… Perhaps if I'd done something differently? I replay events in my head, over and over…"

"Don't. You did your best. And you saved me after all."

Hearing his words, Lucina nods. "You're kind, Father. But nothing is certain… Another could take your life. Time could find a way…"

"…" During another period of silence, the Ylissean prince speaks what was on everybody's mind. "…Do you know how I die?"

Lucina shakes her head sadly. "Only rumors… I was told you fell in a great battle, fought to sway your destiny." She pauses with uncertainty before continuing, "…And that you were murdered- betrayed by someone dear to you."

As if on cue, Robin suddenly holds her head as what seems to be another major headache hits her. They look to her in surprise as Chrom calls out, "Robin? What is it?"

"M-My head… I don't…" Robin stammers in shock before getting back up as the wave of pain begins to fade. "F-Forgive me. I'm fine."

They look at the white-haired woman with silence before the future Ylisse princess continues, "After your murder and Grima's return, I took the name Marth and fought back. I prayed to the Hero-King for a small part of the strength he used to save the world. But I need this subterfuge no longer. I chose to fight as Lucina now. The name that reminds me of the strength in the man and woman who chose it."

"A strength shared by the woman who bears it." Chrom says with a smile.

Suddenly, fast-paced footsteps are heard on the deck as they turn to the source of it and sees Frederick walking over to them with Flavia and the West-Khan just behind.

"The pegasus knights report the Vlamese fleet matches ours, ship for ship." The knight reports.

"Your tone tells me this is not good news." Chrom says with a stern look.

The retainer nods. "Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers."

"If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered." The Ylissean prince mutters.

"We've little choice but to try anyway." Flavia says with a determined look. "Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with supplies… including oil." She then glances at the tactician. "Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that."

Robin places a hand on her chin. "Hmm… Perhaps she could."

"If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to. We could-"

"You could roast us all like hams!" Basilio exclaims. "Are you truly eager to die, woman?!"

"Do you have a better idea, oaf?!" Flavia snaps back. "…The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm… How to get the lit oil on their deck without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?"

Robin thinks carefully before a smile forms on her face. "Unless we WANT our ships caught in the blaze…"

The West-Khan shakes his head. "Why in the gods' names would… Well, I know better than to question Robin. Especially not when she has the look in her eyes. Gods save us from what she's cooked up this time- Let's not hope it's not us!"

Robin nods with a smile and glances over to the exalt. "Chrom, I have an idea."

"Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Robin." Chrom grins.

"But, for it to work, we'll need to disrupt their chain of command… Our strongest team would need to board their leader ship and kill their general. As our best captain, I'd have you head the squad, but you ARE the prince, so…"

"Yes, I AM the prince, so no one can order me NOT to go." Chrom says firmly. "I will lead the assault!"

"Then this plan truly stands a chance."

"Heh… So much has changed since we found you that day, lying in the open field…" The captain says with a smile. "Hard to believe you determine the fate of our entire army now… our entire people. Destiny has a strange way."

"…No, Chrom. Not destiny." Robin states as she shakes her head.

"What?" Chrom says in confusion.

"We're not pawns of some scripted fate." The tactician explains with a serious expression. "I believe we're more. Much more."

"How do you mean?"

"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together… Like… Invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength… WE forge these ties. WE strengthen them. If we preserve them or break them, it will be by our choice, not some 'destiny'…"

"…Robin…" Chrom mutters before laughing. "I think this salty air might have gone to your head, hah!"

The white-haired tactician shakes her head with a sigh. "All right, all right- perhaps enough philosophy for one day… There are still details to discuss."

"Indeed there are! And preparations to be made!" The Ylissean prince nods. "Oh, and Robin… If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you."

As Robin grimace and about to speak again, Chrom continues. " Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!"

After organizing their supplies and the soldiers, Chrom and Robin lead a group of Shepherds with them as they sail on one of their ships over to three boats, one of them being reported to have the general on them.

By the time their ship barely reach their enemies', the three smaller Valmese ships immediately surround them. With the railings of both ships getting closer, Chrom gives the signal as the teams, that Robin organized beforehand, jumps over the railings and onto the enemy ships before any boards can be placed over it. With Kai at the front lines, Reina stayed behind sniping off the pegasus knights as Meena mounts with Cordelia having the advantage of helping her comrades much faster than before. As for their Pokémon, Kai brings out a large green gecko*, Reina has Éclair protecting her from other enemies, and Meena has her Riolu by her side.

(*It has a somewhat long neck, and it has two crests on its head. It has semicircular, yellow eyes with red rims. Its lower jaw and a belt-like band across its waist are also red. Along with its back, it has two lines running down the middle and two rows of yellow nodules that are described as seeds. Its tail is shaped similar to that of a palm tree's branch. Both of its long arms have two sharp, elongated leaves and three claws.)

After taking out another soldier, Kai glances around the battlefield. Gaius and his Weavile protect Lissa and her Audino from the enemy soldiers as the two healers heal their members while Lon'qu and his Bisharp fight against a heavy armor knight. Chrom, Robin, and their daughter are making their way towards the general.

"Kai! Get down!"

Instinctively, the swordsman did as he is told and hears a sudden cry behind him. He immediately looks back and sees a cavalry soldier falling to the ground with an arrow stuck in his stomach. Kai looks across the deck and sees Reina rushing over to him with Éclair on her shoulder.

"That was a close one." The female archer says with a relief look.

"Thanks, Reina." Kai says with a smile.

Immediately, shouts are heard across the deck.

"The general is down! All men are to board the Valmese ships as planned! Hurry!"

At this, many of the Shepherds finish what they are doing and rush to the large Valmese battle ship's upper deck or stairs leading to it. IT wasn't long before everyone is on board and they can see the enemy fleets in the distance.

Chrom's voice rings across the deck, "All appointed ships, change course! Head right at them! Ramming speed!"

As ordered, the ships' course shifts till they are sailing straight towards the enemy fleet.

"…Gods and thunder! Any second now!" A Ylissean solder shouts.

Chrom watches carefully. "Steady… Steaaady…" As he says this, they start to see a more detail view of the enemy ships.

"W-we're right on top of them!" The man shouts.

"NOW! JUUMP!" Chrom hollers as the soldiers immediately jump over the railing over to their ship. With everyone back on the main vessel, they watch the scene before them.

"The sea itself is on fire!" Lissa shouts in surprise.

"It worked! It worked!" Frederick shouts at the sight.

Flavia chuckles, "Only you could hatch such a brilliant scheme, Robin. Who else would desert half our vessels and turn them into flaming cannonballs? And there was still enough room on the remaining ships for all our troops. It was so simple, and yet the Valmese never saw it coming. They never consider anyone might be willing to sacrifice half a fleet…"

"We may won the day, but the war still looms. We must continue on seize control of their main harbor." Chrom says.

"Aye, boy!" Basilio says. "I've had enough of the smoke and smell here for one lifetime, besides."

"Full speed ahead for Valm!" The captain orders.

"Now then." Reina says and looks at her bow. "I need to fix this."

"Is there something wrong with your bow?" Robin asks.

"The string was slacking a bit causing the arrows I shot earlier were off targeted."

"Really? They were on target to me."

"To you, but to me they were. For instance, when I shot that cavalry earlier, it was off by three centimeters where I intended."

Robin sweat drops at this. "You really are detailed by your shots… But I'm impressed how you see that far when you shot those pegasus knights."

"Thanks but they were about 100 meters away, that's pretty small in my shooting range."

"Small?" Lissa repeats. "Umm Reina, how far is your range?"

The female trainer thinks for a bit and answers, "About 200 meters or so."

"200!? Wow!"

"Most longbows range is about 180 meters. It's amazing how far your range is." Robin says.

"But I'm thinking challenging myself 300 meters." Reina adds. "Anyways, I'll be in my room fixing this." She says and goes towards her room leaving the rest on the deck.

Soon later, Reina is sitting on the floor inspecting the string on the bow.

"I knew it… The bolt was loose after all." She says and Éclair picks up a tool to help her.

"Pika."

"Thank you, Éclair." Reina takes the tool and fixes the bolt on her bow when a few knocks are heard on the door causing her looks up and calls out, "Come in!"

The door opens revealing Meena and Lu in her arm as she enters the room. "Meena? What's wrong?"

"Can we help too?" She asks.

"Hmm… I might not have enough time to check my arrows… Can you check them for me?"

"Okay!"

Meena then sits next to her and reaches to Reina's quiver to take out the arrows while Lu gets off as it greets Éclair and helps its trainer with the arrows. After checking the arrow, Meena rolls it to see if it's round enough and then her eyes look at Reina's ring.

"How long are you going to make him wait?" She asks.

"About what?" Reina asks as she stretches the string.

"Don't play dumb, Reina. Even I know that you prepared something for Kai."

"Isn't that just your imagination?"

"Then care to explain the ring on your finger?"

Reina stops what she is doing and sighs. "I don't think right now is a good time since were about going into war."

"Really? Even though everyone else got married over the past two years?"

"But we're from another world." Reina points out. "That's this world's rules, not ours." She then goes back stretching her bow.

"Okay, okay, I got it. But I still think you should give it to Kai at any time."

"You're saying that because I'm still nervous, right?" Reina asks as she stretches the string more.

"Well, you are, aren't you?"

Reina smiles and lets go of the string making a snap sound on the bow.

Then they hear knocking sounds on the door before it opens to reveal Frederick.

"Reina, Meena, get ready to leave the ship, we will be arriving at Valm Harbor soon and be sure to be on guard for any attacks."

"Okay."

Frederick then leaves the room and Reina stands up.

"Now then, time to pack things up." She says and looks at Meena. "How're the arrows?"

Meena stands up with the bundle of arrows in the quiver. "Perfect. They are all in top shape."

"Good."

A/N: I hope you're wondering about the pairings for the FE: Awakening characters, I'm going to pair them up when I played the game. (And yes I have played the game before.) For the pairings:
Lissa and Gaius
Stahl and Sully
Lon'qu and Olivia
Vaike and Maribelle
Virion and Cherche
Panne and Libra
Miriel and Ricken
Tharja and Henry
Nowi and Gregor
Sumia and Frederick
Cordelia and Donnel (Never tried this pair)