The army's march was halted by throngs of unarmed Plegians whom shambled worse than the Risen.
Chrom frowned at the sheer number. "All these strange travelers. What's happening here?"
"When in doubt, ask." Morgan said cheerfully. He walked up to one of the strangers. "Excuse me, sir?"
"...the appointed...time..." The man didn't cease his shambling or even look in Morgan's general direction. "...to the Dragon's...Table... ...our prayers...Grima..."
"Ah, huh, and what's the Dragon's Table? Is it a metaphor or?"
Lucina grabbed his hood and yanked him roughly back. "Seriously? We're in enemy territory and you think it's a good idea to talk to some strange zombie man?"
"It's not?"
Before she could lecture him, Frederick road up on his horse.
"Sires, the scouts have returned with grim news. Validar has moved to a great altar to Grima known as the Dragon's Table. What's more, it seems all the Grimleal in Plegia are headed there as well. It's as if they're being drawn by some unseen force."
Something nagged at the back of Robin's mind. He felt like he knew what the Table was, but the knowledge was just out of reach.
Chrom cursed. "The cataclysm in Lucina's future. This shows all the signs of leading to it. Damn! This destiny is a stubborn business."
"Then we'll just have to be a hundred times more stubborn!" Morgan turned to his sister. "Right, sis?"
"Right." She forced a confident smile she wasn't feeling. "We cannot give up."
"And we will not." Chrom clapped his daughter on the shoulder before speaking to the rest of the army. "We make for this Dragon's Table, and quickly! Come, everyone!"
Validar scowled when he saw the Ylissen and Regna Ferox army force their way through Grima's cattle. They were here faster than he anticipated and with the welp of a prince leading the charge.
"Fools!" He shouted. "Do you know where you've come?"
"Return the Fire Emblem now, and we can end this!" Chrom demanded.
Validar cocked a skeptical eyebrow. "You would end this?"
"Yes, once and for all."
The Plegia king laughed. "My dear boy, we already know how this story ends. You and I both! And yet you rush here. Are you so eager to meet the fell dragon yourself? Or perhaps your own fatal destiny? You would have that realized first?"
"To hell with your destiny. I'll write a new ending." Chrom unsheathed his Falchion.
"So now you believe you can change fate?" Aversa stroked her pegasus' neck. "And here I thought your exalted sister had delusions of grandeur."
"We've done it already." Morgan protested.
"Your victory over sad little Gangrel? Or perhaps Walhart's defeat?" The dark skinned woman tutted. "Those were meant to happen. They were preordained. You are just another fool in motley, capering on the stage!"
"But what about Aunt Emmeryn! Luci helped stop the assassination."
Aversa shook her head. "You changed only the method of her death. Either way, she was planted in the ground."
"First off, that was rude." Robin pointed at her. "And second, that was Gangrel's will. Not yours. Not Validar's."
"You aren't listening." Aversa sighed heavily as if she was speaking to someone who was purposefully being obtuse. "All of this, every word and action, has been orchestrated. Gangrel held the exalt in contempt, yes, so Validar and I used him. In life AND death. The king's demise threw Plegia into chaos. It drove the people to Grima." She gestured to the still shambling people. "Now their life force and rancor can be laid before the fell dragon en masse."
Lucina paled. "You couldn't mean." How is it she was just hearing about this now? Why hadn't Naga said anything? How could anyone give their life willingly to that thing? That monster!
"It is called the Table for a reason, you naive little girl. It is where Grima feeds! The Grimleal have gladly offered themselves to him for ages. Even now, they pray for his return. Today the Table overflows with bounty, and their prayers will be answered!"
"I will never allow that to happen!" Chrom vowed causing Aversa to roll her eyes. "I will stop you! I will stop Grima!"
"Goodness! Now you're starting to sound like Walhart, the big bully. He intended to destroy Grima as well, you know." She easily swung herself onto her pegasus' back. "Our thanks, incidentally, for taking him off the stage for us."
Chrom's eyes widened in realization. "That's why you gave us your ships and treasure but no soldiers. Get rid of Walhart but keep the faithful Plegians to set your god's Table."
"At last, the boy finally gets it. Better late than never, I suppose." Validar turned away. "Aversa, it is time. I must prepare."
"As you command, Master." She bowed her head.
Validar started to hurry off.
"Bastard!" The Ylisse prince made to go after him, but a flurry of dark magic cut him off.
"Master Validar is not to be disturbed." Aversa's spell book glowed. "But fear not." She waved her hand and a dozen new warriors teleported in. "I have brought the Deadlords to keep you entertained. These 12 generals were great warriors in life...and even greater, now, in death!" She laughed kicking her pegasus in the ribs to get it air born. "Struggle all you like, little prince. It won't do you any good."
Hierophant Robin watched Aversa slink away from his perch. The Risen King stood right behind him. "That took longer than expected. I'm disappointed." He pushed himself to his feet. "The second half's about to start." He caressed the Risen King's cheek through the lower face mask. "Shall we go watch?"