Author Notes: Here is the next chapter in my fanfiction. Just for a heads up, if there is going to be any active readers, I don't know how frequently I can post new chapters. Being that I'm in school, I won't always have time. But, I will try to upload new chapters as fast as I can. And if any of them are lazily put together, I'm sorry, I'm going to do my best and keep a standard. With that being said, enjoy.
Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own any Fire Emblem related properties, it belongs to Intelligent Systems
Chapter 1: A Long Day
The endless day of fighting, had finally come to a halt. Silent moments such as this came rarely, but anytime it did, you had to take that opportunity of peace and quiet. Being lost in thoughts all alone, is sometimes needed, but at the same time can be unhealthy.
In his office, staring down at all the paperwork and reports, a knock on door was what brought Robin back to reality.
Walking in and immediately looking over his friend, Chrom broke the silence, "Typical of you to be cooped up in here looking over work… Come on out and celebrate with us, live a little. After all we just defeated Walhart the conqueror."
Finally looking up from his work, Robin with a slight smile sighed, "I know, it's just that… something has been bothering me lately."
Reminiscing over this, a smirked face Chrom responded with, "What is it? The fact that you're not married yet?"
Robin, blushing a bright tomato red and wanting to dodge the question shot back, "No that's not it, but thanks for the reminder... It's about the future that has yet to transpire… Unless we stop it."
Chrom put a hand on his friends shoulder. "Grim and serious as always my tactician... Sometimes you just need to chill, and not worry for at least today… The Shepherds are always ready for danger."
Robin looked into the eyes of his friend. "Think about it! For all we know, it could happen any second. You dieing, and Grima resurrected." He countered.
As if it was contagious, Chrom caught the fever of dangerous thinking. Slowly his smile faded. He walked over to the wall, and leaned on it. *Sigh*
Robin got out of his chair, and looked at his friend solemnly. "I know that face... I'm sorry, it's my fault… Here, you're thinking positively, and I… decide to turn it back to business about war and unpleasant thoughts."
"You know me well, Robin." Chrom shook his head and gestured his hands. "And don't worry it's fine… I should be thinking about the future… You're right, perhaps it's better now to be prepared... than wait for the inevitable."
Robin feeling guilty for draining the happy thoughts away from Chrom, decided to lighten the mood. "Hey, uh… r-remember when Lissa first brought me here? When I met all the Shepherds?... And Sumia... Ha ha! Oh, what a day! ...Actually, that's my first memory, in a way."
Chrom's smiled returned for a second. "Heh, I suppose so. I wish all our memories since could have been as joyful."
"I know" Robin agreed. "... So much needless bloodshed. So many days of pain, doubt, and fighting... We would have never made it without you there to guide us, you know."
Chrom looked puzzled at the comment, before beaming. "Funny. I was going to say the same to you."
"I guess we really are two halves of the same whole." Robin gushed.
Chrom nodded in agreement. And then decided to inform about another subject. "I've sent Frederick to search for Sable, the final Gemstone... And I've been reading more about the Awakening ritual… It seems that whoever attempts the rite must brave Naga's fire. If both body and spirit survive the agony, they are blessed with the dragon's power. Otherwise, the candidate… dies."
A voice cried in fear, from the shadows. "What?! No! ...Er, that is... Father, must you attempt this?"
Chrom shook his head in disappointment, and turned towards the dark part of the room. "Eavesdropping as usual, young lady?"
Eyes shifting back and forth from Lucina to Chrom, Robin pointed a finger, "H-How long have you been there?!... You know what… Forget it."
Slowly stepping out. Lucina seemed ashamed, but then brushed it off. "Forgive me, Father. I didn't intend to... I came to speak with you, but I couldn't find the right moment and—"
Chrom eased his daughter with gentle hands. "It's all right, Lucina… And yes, I'll be all right, too... I will withstand Naga's fire... I'm sure of it."
Galloping noises came from outside the window. The three within the room peered outside. It was Frederick. They stormed outside to catch him.
As they ran outside, Frederick was already coming towards them. Chrom stood in his place and asked, "Frederick? Did you find it?"
With concern and worry in his eyes, Frederick reluctantly answered. "I believe so, Milord… King Validar has extended an invitation. He says Plegia has been guarding Sable, and now… he wishes to return it to you."
Chrom's eyes flickered with a fiery rage. It was as if that name was a trigger word for Chrom. "Validar… that slippery viper…" He hissed.
Frederick looked solemnly at Chrom, and agreed. Then he resumed on with his report. "They sent word to me, milord. They must have caught wind of my search... In any case, Validar asks that you visit him in person, that he might formally present it… Perhaps needless to say, milord, but I don't like this one bit."
Chrom began to ponder. "Neither do I, Frederick the Wary. Neither do I… At best, it's selfish political maneuvering at a time when the world can ill afford it. At worst, our run-in with those Risen last visit was no accident... But we will mean et with him. Send word at once."
Frederick was hesitant, but direct with his words. "Milord, are you...certain that's wise?"
Chrom had a storm going through his head, but went with his gut feeling. "No, but we haven't time to be certain. ...And my sister never refused a diplomatic gesture, no matter how foul smelling. If he doesn't give us the stone, he may at least reveal where it is. ...Don't worry, Frederick. I'm not walking into this blindly. We will make certain everyone is armed to the teeth."
Frederick was doubtful in this decision. He then addressed on another matter. "Then the Fire Emblem, milord—you ought at least leave it behind."
An idea then popped into Chrom's head. "Unless that's what Validar expects, and he comes to steal it with my best men away... No, it's safest with me, for now. We'll learn the truth of Validar's motive soon enough…"
"I swear that bastard of a king, is not even trying to hide the fact he has something evil in store for us." Robin pointed out.
"Are you completely sure about this father? Once we do this… There's no saying we'll come out of this unharmed." Lucina insisted.
"You don't think I know that?… Why of all days, was it today?" Chrom just wanted to be done with it, and stay here at his home with his family..
"Don't worry. Tonight I will be putting in all of my mind and effort into creating a plan to counter anything Validar might have in store… I swear I'll keep us all safe." Robin encouraged.
"I can always count on you… Just don't overwork yourself as usual. We need you in top form. What are we going to do with a half conscious tactician?" Chrom replied.
Frederick rode off to rest up his horse in the stable. Just as everyone was ready to settle back into the castle. A certain Pegasus Knight came from behind the gang.
"Father! Sis! Robin! You wouldn't BELIEVE what Anna just sold me!" Cynthia couldn't contain her energy.
"I most likely won't" Lucina responded with little interest.
"Is it another pathetic legendary claimed weapon?" Robin questioned.
Pouting for a moment, Cynthia continued on. "Ha Ha, very funny. Nope… Unlike the other times, this one is legit. Trust me. It's true pictures of the heroes of legend!… You know, Marth, Ike, Roy, all those amazing heroes." She maintained confidence in her purchase.
Robin rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. And here I have a photo of the legendary Lyndis... This has to be the lowest I've ever seen Anna stoop to."
"C'mon, just look at these pics!" Cynthia urged.
The three gathered around Cynthia, to get a good look at the photographs. The one they were being shown was one with the supposed Marth and what looked like a younger Tiki under a tree in front of the castle of Altea. To it's credit, the picture looked pretty realistic. Marth and Tiki looked like a painting given life. However Robin, Lucina, and Chrom still had their doubts. As if an actual true photo of the Hero King existed.
Lucina was honestly impressed, and almost wanted to believe this was legit. But she didn't want to put her hopes too high, and didn't want her sister to be lied to. "I'll admit Cynthia, this looks as real as can be. But are you sure, Anna didn't just pay a couple of people to dress up as Prince Marth and Tiki for this picture? I mean, you've seen my Marth disguise right, I look pretty close to the paintings we have inside the castle."
"What's this about a photo?" A particular voice piped up from behind.
Chrom tensed up for a second, but immediately cooled down. "Oh Tiki… Um… Is there anything we can be of service of."
With a serious expression, she discussed, "Well… I was going to explain about Grima…The fact that I... I feel Grima's energy slowly rising. Granted not enough to say, he is definitely coming back to life this instance… But I feel it regardless, and I just wanted to give a heads up." Tiki's facial expression then softened. "However, that can wait a little bit, I'm honestly curious in what all of you are so invested in at the moment."
Robin waved his hand down. "It's not a big deal… Anna sold Cynthia this supposed true picture of Marth. While it looks real, I still think it could be a fake..." He interjected.
Tiki looked even more intrigued, and she put out her hand. "May I take a look at it, please?"
Cynthia handed the photo over. Tiki's eyes widened to the point, it looked like they were going to pop out of her sockets. Her eyes then began to revert back to normal size, but then she started tearing up a little. Tiki felt heartwarmed. "Oh those days… I remember when this was taken… I was so happy to get a picture with Marth." She reminisced.
Chrom, Lucina, and especially Robin were flabbergasted. Their jaws gaped open with a loss of words. Finally Robin managed to gain some sense, and squeeze the words out. "S-So that really is a real picture of the Hero King Marth!?… I can't believe it, one of Anna's products was legit?"
Cynthia with a look of pride, looked into Robin's eyes and arrogantly declared, "I told you it was real! Look who's the fool now! In your face! Our dear tactician was wrong, and I was right!" She was so giddy, she did a little victory dance.
Robin's eyes showed a sign of him being triggered, and he uttered. "Well, I suppose for the benefits of the future and the sake of the world, one sacrifice might have to be made."
Cynthia caught the words and her face drained of all color, "Wait! Let's not do something we might regret, Robin!" She stammered.
Unlike Cynthia, Lucina's face lit up. "If these pictures are real, I need one for myself. Wait… Why should I stop there? I need a collection of each Hero! I need to see Anna now!" Lucina announced.
Chrom's face began looking like Cynthia's. He thought to himself, that sounds expensive. Chrom turned to his daughter and suggested, "Uh Lucina… Perhaps we can try being responsible with our gold pieces and NOT spend down the drain?… heh." He was hoping she would at least do it for him.
Immediately Robin put his arm around his friend and joked. "Well, I suppose having no kids has its benefits."
"Don't you have work to do, loner." Chrom jested, while giving the stink eye look.
Robin was about to counter back with some more banter, but decided against it. He ultimately thought he should keep his mouth shut, and just walk back to his room. "What a day. Is there any more surprises that await us all?" Robin wondered.
It was pitch dark, and silent. I felt dead and empty space surrounding me. Was I perhaps, asleep? If so, how am I able to think? Then again, doesn't one have the ability to think during slumber? Not helping was the feeling, that I was falling. It was like, I jumped off of a Pegasus mid flight, just to feel the wind past my body, and the speed build up. I've had a nightmare of falling from a great height. The one questioned remained, when would I land? If at all.
What kind of state was I in. The last thing I could remember was falling asleep in front of my servants. It felt good. Not a care in the world, no regrets and feelings. But all of a sudden, I can feel again.
My memories were slowly filling in. I suddenly realized something. I was alone… None of my friends are here with me. No Jagen. No Minerva. No Navarre. No Tiki. And no Caeda. How I would appreciate their company, I feel so lonely. I want to be home with my family.
This raises a bunch of questions. Where am I? Am I in limbo? Did I die? Do I just wait? What's going to happen? What do I do?
Out of nowhere, I heard a peaceful and light feminine voice call to me. "Hello Marth".
I had no clue what was going on. My mind was failing me to the point that I couldn't decipher from fantasy and reality. Was this voice in my head? I desperately wanted to answer back and ask, "Who are you?" and "Do you know what's happening?" But alas I could not. Thinking was all I had the ability to do.
It seemed whoever could talk to me, could also read my thoughts. The calm and collected voice reassured, "Who I am, will be revealed at a different time... And as to what's happening, you're being reborn into the world of the living... The world needs you to help put it back in order."
Wait… So I was dead? And now I'm being reborn? But why? Why must I be the one to put the world back in order? And I don't like the idea of possibly being a completely different person, when reborn.
As the thoughts were said, the pleasant voice came on cue. "Yes, you died of old age. You're known as quite the legend of a hero, which is why a world in danger could use someone like you to help it... And let's just say this is a good chance to see the new world and perhaps meet certain people... Also, there is no need to worry, when reborn you'll be the exact same person… Although there might be some slight adjustments made to you, that you will have to figure out."
I suppose for the sake of the world, it's time to come out of retirement and help bring peace again. Hopefully I don't get bombarded by people because I would be a living legend. Hmm… Adjustments however, I don't like the sound of that... And wait, am I going through this alone?
And at this point, it was expected that the voice to answer back. "I wouldn't be too worried. There are other heroes who will be going through the same experience as you. And don't worry, you won't be alone. You'll have some of your friends by your side, and a certain one always by your side."
My troubles seemed to have melt away. I started to feel anxious for what was to come… Time for a whole new adventure ahead of me, and some others...
I'm ready.
Just as that thought entered my brain, so too did a white light appear, and it shines brightly, blindingly. I suddenly felt as if I was being drifted away.
As this happened the voice whispered out one last thing. "Good luck to you, Marth."