It was time. Did he let Chrom take the final strike or did he?
Robin slid his gloves off. He looked to the left that bore his wedding ring and then to the right that was marred with the Grima mark. He was Chrom's husband, one of Lucina and Morgan's fathers, and the only one that could stop this. Forever.
But if he did this, then he might never see Chrom or his children again. No grandchildren. He'd never see a peaceful world. He'd never stand proudly beside Chrom as he was crowned exalt. Everything he'd yet to do would forever be undone. He'd never get to hold his baby girl again.
He knew what he had to do.
Robin clutched Chrom's bicep causing the prince to turn to him. Though his heart hurt, it felt light. "I love you." He kissed his husband lightly shoving his gloves into his hand. "But I have to do this."
"Robin?! Wait, what?"
"I'm sorry." Using his Wind magic the weakest he could, Robin threw Chrom back.
"YOU WOULD NOT DARE!" Grima's voice boomed.
"I would and I will. The evils you would visit on this world are unthinkable. In some way, I." He shook his head. "No, we share the blame. It's only right we meet our end together! For once, I'm glad you and I are the same."
Lucina and Morgan hurried to Chrom's side watching, frozen.
Robin turned to face Grima. "Now I can give my life to protect those I care for and for those that have yet to be born. I will not force my burden onto someone else. This is your last time jump."
He raised an arm into the air. A black and purplish ball of swirling energy formed. Robin wasn't sure how he knew how to do this, probably a memory of Grima's, but he'd use whatever means were available. He lobbed the ball of energy at his counterpart. It ingulfed Grima
Grima glared at Robin barring his fangs. "He loved you and you wasted it." As the last of his body vanished, Dragon Grima let out a death knell cry.
"Mother!" Morgan cried about to race forward. Chrom caught him before he could. He struggled to free himself. "What're you doing?! Mother's."
Bits and pieces of Robin were starting to disappear.
"Fading away." Lucina finished in a soft whisper. She knew this would be the path her mother chose, but a part of her had hoped it would be different.
"Why, Robin?" Chrom asked. "Why did you stop me?"
Robin's smile was watery. "You know why."
Chrom released Morgan and walked towards his husband. He cupped a hand to what remained of Robin's face. "I'm sorry."
A smoky hand touched his wrist. "I'm not. Thank you, for everything. Tell the others it was an honor to fight beside them."
Chrom tried to hug him, but it was like trying to hug a cloud.
"May we meet again in a better life."
"Robin, I."
The last of Robin faded away.
"Love you."
Lucina held Morgan
Once Robin was completely gone, the dragon started to descend at an alarming speed.
"Naga!" Chrom called out tucking Robin's gloves closer to him so as not to lose them.
"I'm here. I have you." Just like before, Naga summoned her power and teleported everyone back to the rest of the army.
As a whole, they watched Dragon Grima plunge to the earth, throwing up a thick cloud of debris. When it settled, they could see the skeleton of a massive dragon.
The slapped together celebration of Grima's defeat was a mix of joy and sorrow. The war was over and the fell dragon would never cause trouble to their world again, but at a great cost.
It was a hard-fought victory, yet felt so, so hollow without Robin to share it with. Chrom knew if Robin was here, he'd be chastised for looking so glum. 'You're the ruler of Ylisse. No matter how you feel, your people should never see you frown'. Randomly, he'd hear groups of people shout 'To Lord Robin' before chugging whatever they were drinking.
Chrom removed himself from the festivities. It would only be for a moment. Surely nobody would notice. He was surprised to find Lucina and Morgan had the same idea and were looking at the stars together.
"Shouldn't the two of you be enjoying the celebration?"
Lucina gave him a weak smile. "I could ask the same to you. Uncle Frederick will sprout more grey hairs when he finds out you're missing."
"He's preoccupied for the moment and probably will be for a while."
Frederick had been doing his best to keep Lissa's mind off the sadness and with Owain's help, Chrom knew she was in good hands.
Chrom wrapped his arms around his children's shoulders and held them close.
"Mother." Morgan spoke hesitantly. "Mother's coming back, right?"
"Of course he is. Naga said with strong enough ties, he'd survive. I believe in him. Robin's out there somewhere and I'll find him."
"We'll find him." Lucina corrected. "Together.
He nodded. "Robin has secured for us all the most precious gift: a future. Now it falls upon our shoulders to protect what was given. We'll give our all to healing the damage this war has wrought upon the realm. When Robin returns, I want him to see what his sacrifice bought." Chrom raised his voice to shout. "Robin, if you can hear me, you will always have a place here with us."
Morgan joined in. "You can't leave us now, Mother. I still have a bazillion question only you can answer."
Despite herself, Lucina laughed. She could just picture Robin shaking his head at their antics before shouting something himself. So, Lucina did it for him. "I cannot imagine a future without you, Mother. Not anymore. You need to live for all those who love you."
The three stood silently together, each pretending the others weren't crying.
"Something's coming." Morgan said after a while, his voice with a slight hitch.
The royals stared at the approaching figure.
"The Risen King!" Lucina breathed. "I thought he'd been killed as well."
"He's the undead. You can't technically kill him." Morgan said.
The Risen King stopped far enough away that they could see each other clearly, but not close enough for an attack.
His right arm rose and the others reached for their weapons. However, his hand didn't go towards his sword, but to his face. He pulled the cloth covering his lower jaw down. Unlike all the other Risen, his mouth wasn't haphazardly sewn shut. He smiled. "Anything." He dropped to his knees as purpalish vapor billowed off his body. "Can change."