Wow. It's been a while, huh? But now, after what seems to have been the longest break between chapters, we have an update!

I really meant to get this chapter out a few months back, but it seems life had other plans. Still, made it in the end.

And once again, I'll reiterate that I'm determined to see this project through to the end. So despite seemingly ever longer gaps between chapters, there will be updates until we reach the end. Even if it takes us a while. Hopefully the next one will be out in less than five months...

Anyway, enough about that. I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!

The usual thanks for everyone who's still here, patiently following and waiting for updates. I hope it was worth the (very long) wait.

And a big thank you to csihawk for going through the tedious task of proofreading. It's always appreciated.


Sumia was standing in her room, waiting. She was excited, sure, but there was also nervousness. Although she'd managed to marry the love of her life, today was finally the day they would…

Sumia blushed thinking about it.

Of course, every girl knew what was to happen during marriage, doubly so for ones who married into royal families. Sumia herself knew all too well the responsibilities and expectations that came with marrying into the line of one of the Twelve Crusaders. But she did so willingly because she was in love! And the thought of bearing children and becoming a mother didn't scare her one bit. In fact, she was quite excited to start a family with the man she loved. If only circumstances didn't keep him from her…

Sumia sighed, shaking her head.

Now was not the time for negative thoughts. Although her husband spent much time warring around the continent, he was back now. And judging by how he reacted when he saw her on his return, Sumia knew tonight would be the night it finally happened.

Sumia blushed again.

Although Sumia didn't quite know what she was supposed to do, she had a vague idea. And that is why, underneath her robe, she decided to wear her fanciest and most provocative undergarments. While it was probably unnecessary, Sumia wanted to see his reaction and hopefully…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the door to their bedchambers opening.

"Ah, Robin!"

"Hello, my love." Robin closed the door behind him and walked over to kiss his wife passionately.

The suddenness of his actions and his lips on hers made Sumia feel lightheaded.

"Gods, I've missed you so much…" Robin breathed, pulling away. "It feels like an eternity since I laid my eyes on you."

"I feel the same way," Sumia replied.

"I am so sorry for leaving you. I would like nothing more than to spend every day beside you, but this war…" Robin sighed in frustration.

"Shhh…" Sumia put her finger on his lips. "Don't think about that now. What's important is that we're together."

"That we are." Robin smiled and kissed her again.

Sumia could feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Sumia…"

"Wait."

Robin looked at her curiously.

"I…I want to show you something," Sumia said, gathering her nerves.

"Very well…"

This was it. Sumia took a deep breath, stepped back, undid her robe and let it drop to the ground, now standing clad only in her thin nightgown and special undergarments she put on just for this occasion.

She didn't miss Robin's sharp intake of breath.

"What…what do you think?" Sumia asked timidly.

"I think you look stunning. Beautiful...ravishing," Robin breathed, approaching her.

Sumia felt her heart beat faster with excitement.

Robin kissed her again, more passionately this time.

"Sumia, I want to..."

"Me too, Robin. Please, make love to me tonight."

Sumia blushed. She didn't think she had the courage to actually say it out loud!

But the deed was done. Her dear husband had returned after too long on the campaign trail and she was determined that this would be the night they would…

Robin kissed her again, his hands going to the hem of her nightshirt.

They separated and Sumia raised her hands as Robin pulled the nightshirt over her head.

"Gods, Sumia, you look so beautiful..." he whispered, lowering her onto the bed.

Sumia shivered as his hands ran over her bare sides, down her stomach and to her smallclothes.

Slowly, deliberately, Robin pulled her smallclothes down her legs, before discarding them to the side.

Despite herself, Sumia blushed. She was now fully exposed to her beloved.

"My love..."

Sumia felt Robin's hands running up her thighs. She slowly spread her legs.

Oh gods. She felt Robin's breath on her legs. He was making his way up. Surely he wasn't going to...!


The scene dissipated as Sumia slowly opened her eyes.

Looking around and seeing that she was in her tent, Sumia closed her eyes and whined.

Goodness, that was certainly some dream!

Sumia turned her head to see a copy of Ribald Tales of the Faith War beside her.

Well that explained it.

Although Sumia would never admit it, Ribald Tales was one of her favorite books. She actually kept a copy of it to re-read now and again before bed. The book had all the romantic trappings of the Jugdral saga, but was much more explicit in its romantic scenes. And re-reading it, with all its graphic and ribald details was Sumia's very guilty pleasure (and why she was horrified when she accidentally lent the book to Robin).

And as with all her favorite novels, Sumia liked to imagine herself in some of the scenarios from the books she read. Mostly she imagined herself in place of the confident, talented heroine who fearlessly took on monsters, bandits, and other evildoers with faith in her abilities and skills. The fact that the heroine also always got her man was just a nice bonus.

And although Sumia liked to imagine events in her novels with herself as the confident lead, she never imagined scenes like her dream! In fact, she never had that type of dream before!

Sumia whined again.

The dream felt so real. And she just had to wake up right when it was getting...

Just out of curiosity, Sumia flipped to the page she was reading before she fell asleep.

Yep. That was the scene where the hero who was totally not Sigurd came back to his wife who was totally not Deirdre and they made love for the first time.

It was a touching and romantic scene. And Sumia almost saw it with herself and Robin.

"Goodness..."

Maybe she should start reading something else before bed.

Sumia looked at her book again.

...Or maybe she should make sure to finish the scene before falling asleep.


"And so, after many trials and experiences of near death, Marth and his merry gang of heroes finally reach the evil wizard's stronghold. Although they are tired from their many ordeals and saddened by the losses they have suffered to get here, they are fired up and determined to end the scourge plaguing the continent once and for all! With one look back at his friends and soldiers, Marth sees that they are as determined as he is to finish this. So he makes a really inspirational speech that I can't recreate, but all you need to know is that it was really, really inspirational! So having said his piece, Marth looks up to where his foe stands. 'Gharnef! Your evil ends now!' he says. And all this suffering and misery will end…in one turn." Morgan looked up from the board with a confident smirk. "Your move, Dad."

"'You fools dare challenge the Dark Pontifex? With your puny little weapons? MWAAAH HA HA HA HA HA! You must not value your lives. Then allow me to indulge you. I will be the architect of your undoing! MWAH HA HA HA!'"

"'Some strong words for an old man against an army,' Marth retorted."

"'Do not believe all that you see for things may not be what they seem…' Gharnef said, smiling deviously. He then opened his tome and began chanting." Robin placed a card on the board. "BEHOLD! I play Reinforcements from the Beyond, which allows Gharnef to summon monsters to his side, the numbers being what I roll minus what you roll."

"Ha! Some puny little monsters won't stop the Hero-King's group!" Morgan said confidently, picking up her die.

"Your overconfidence will be your doom. Now, roll!"

Father and daughter rolled their dice.

"I got…!" Morgan's face fell. "One."

"Prepare to face my armies of…ha!" Robin grinned as his two die both hit six. "Eleven monster reinforcements!"

"I'd be more worried if they weren't just generic monster units with generic monster unit stats," Morgan said as her father put several pieces around his Gharnef. "Also, 'If you think these foul abominations will save you, you are sadly mistaken, Gharnef!' Marth shouted even as monsters sprung out of nowhere to surround him and his army. 'I know that as long as I have my friends with me, we will triumph.'"

"'Fool! This is the beginning of the end for you, you just can't see it!'"

"'Your overconfidence is your weakness.'"

"'Your faith in your friends is yours. But enough of this. Prepare to meet your end!' Oh, I end my turn."

"Yeah, all talk and the best you can do is some generic monsters that my forces will quickly dispatch," Morgan said, picking up and rolling her die. "You sure you're even trying, Dad?"

"You'll see soon enough, Morgan," Robin replied casually, shifting some cards around in his hands.

"And so, the heroic army of justice and goodness and all that good stuff made short work out of these gross monsters summoned by the evil Gharnef. Because of course they did. After all, they're the heroes who can equip special weapons and have plot armor!" Morgan narrated as she rolled her die and cut down the monsters. "And with the last of these monsters gone, the path is open to Gharnef once again and—oh, I've used up all my moves."

"Heh, you were saying?"

"Just you wait, Dad. I'll end this next turn!"

"Oh, but there won't be a next turn, my dear Morgan," Robin said, drawing a card and adding it to his hand.

"What are you planning…?"

"See for yourself. Now, to get into character here…" Robin cleared his throat and cackled. "'Foolish fools! You have wasted so much of your time fighting these expendable monsters that you have missed how you will lose!'"

"'Explain yourself, villain!' Marth shouted."

"Behold! I play Dark Magic Ritual! That allows me to discard the Darksphere card from my hand and sacrifice all but one of Gharnef's health in order to immediately equip his special tome, Imhullu!" Robin grinned and slammed one card down on the board.

"…What does that do?" Morgan asked.

"I'm glad you asked, Morgan. Why don't you read for yourself?"

Morgan leaned in and read the card's description. "…Can only be used by Gharnef…blah blah blah…grants Gharnef immunity from all damage unless attacked by Starlight?!"

Morgan looked up incredulously.

"Is…is this right?"

Robin just nodded, grinning smugly.

"Right and totally legal within the rules of the game. I bet you really wish you didn't lose Linde a while back, huh?"

"Is this why you kept on targeting her throughout the entire game?"

"Yep. Considering one of her special abilities was being able to immediately pull Starlight just like I just pulled Imhullu, you can see why I wanted to take her out as soon as possible."

"But…that was so many moves ago! Are you telling me you were planning this since then?"

"Master Tactician," Robin reminded his daughter, pointing himself. "Thinking several steps ahead is kind of in the job description, be it in real war or in board games."

"Whoa…" Morgan was in awe. "I can't wait until I can think and plan so far ahead…"

"In time, Morgan. In time." Robin smiled. "But for now, you get to watch as I crush your forces."

"…Oh."

"Anyway…" Robin cleared his throat. "'This is the end for you worms! Now the world will end. Cower before Imhullu! I shall—'"

"NO!"

Father and daughter looked to the side to see both Lucina and Owain out of their seats with panicked expressions.

"…Problem?" Robin said, brow raised.

"You bet there is a problem!" Owain exclaimed. "To interfere with history like this will have untold effects on the future!"

"…What?"

"You can't have Gharnef win against the Hero-King and his army! It's wrong and terrible and unjust and a foul villain like Gharnef can't win!"

"I have to agree with Owain, Robin," Lucina said.

"You…do you?" Robin asked, surprised that the usually very reasonable Lucina would be playing along with Owain's antics.

"I have been raised on stories of how the Hero-King saved the realm from tyranny and evil. How he fought for justice and good and all deeds he did during his campaign. To see him and his followers fail when they were so close to ridding the world of evil just seems…wrong! He must triumph over the evil forces threatening the realm!"

"I've been raised on too many stories where the bad guys win in the most gruesome ways. I…I have to say that I like stories with a happy ending better," Noire said timidly, walking up to the group.

"And I like things to be as historically accurate as possible," Nah added beside her. "Having the Hero-King lose to Gharnef is definitely not that."

Robin looked between the assembled future children in confusion. "You…you do realize that we're playing a game, not recreating historical events, right?"

"Ooh, but we totally can recreate historical events!" Morgan exclaimed suddenly, looking very excited.

Robin raised a brow.

"Yeah, yeah!" Morgan shook her head and started rearranging the board and pieces. "You guys can take the role of the Hero-King and his friends and try to follow his footsteps!"

"But who will we be fighting against?" Lucina asked.

"THE DARK DRAGON MEDEUS!" Morgan shouted dramatically, picking up a menacing-looking piece. "That'll be me, by the way."

"That—"

"Deal!" Owain sat opposite Morgan in a flash. "Foul villain, your evil plans and machinations will end today! I swear it by the blood that runs in my veins."

"Owain, do you even know how to play this game?" Nah questioned.

"Bah! Who needs rules when one has history and justice on his side? By this sword hand, I swear we will emerge victorious!"

"So you're going into this without any idea what you're doing." Nah rolled her eyes.

"I'm not—!"

"You're lucky that I've been paying attention and doing some reading on the rules of this game," the manakete said, taking a seat next to Owain. At everyone's astonished looks, she shrugged. "I like to read."

"Ha ha, yes! With our combined might, we will liberate the land from darkness and shadow! Or prevent the darkness and shadow from ever engulfing the land in the first place." Owain grinned. "This is gonna be great!"

"I will join you in your endeavors," Lucina announced, sitting on Owain's other side. "The Hero-King saved the realm and we must do the same to preserve his legacy. We cannot fail and have evil triumph!"

"I'll help too…!" Noire said with quiet determination.

"Oh man, this is great! We got a bunch of people who can play different factions and we can have a giant, continent-wide war! And you will all fall by the wayside in the face of THE DARK DRAGON MEDEUS!" Morgan then laughed manically before suddenly stopping. "Man, Dad, I now see why you always choose to play as the bad guys. Laughing all evil is fun!"

"You can get a lot of improv room with the bad guys," Robin said sagely. "Anyway, I'll let you kids get on with your dramatic history re-enactment…or alternate dark history making, depending on who wins."

"We have the power of friendship, justice, and the Hero-King himself on our side. We can't lose!" Owain said confidently.

"My army of darkness says otherwise." Morgan smirked. "Let's see what you guys got. Draw your cards!"

Robin watched the scene unfold before walking away with a smile.

His little strategy board games with Morgan sure had gotten more interesting ever since they decided to dramatically narrate what they were doing and speak through their characters. So much so that their little matches usually got audiences. And judging by the noise behind him, the future kids were also really into it.

"The Hero-King's forces proudly march into battle, with their weapons sharp and their minds set on their goal, they—"

"Ha! Rolled two fives! Prepare to get wrecked!"

"Wha—? I wasn't finished with my intro battle dialogue!"

"Fear not, Owain, my forces shall come to your aid!"

"My thanks, valiant cousin! With our powers combined, we can—"

Well, Morgan and Owain being really into the dramatic wasn't a surprise. What was a surprise was how involved Lucina was in their little tales. She was usually the first audience member to come when he and Morgan started their little games. And she always got really invested in their stories, sometimes literally sitting at the edge of her seat and watching with baited breath as their armies clashed and did battle on the board of honor (Robin guessed his and Morgan's increasingly dramatic narration helped).

It certainly was a contrast to her usual stoic self. It was also adorable.

Then again, Robin supposed it was a good thing Lucina seemed to have a hobby that didn't involve training or sparring or anything that was combat related. Seeing the usually gloomy and brooding Lucina get so invested into something as silly and mundane as Robin's and Morgan's board game battles was a nice change of pace. Robin hoped that it did her some good and took her mind off her duties and responsibilities, if only temporarily.

Having Lucina lighten up was always a good thing as far as Robin was concerned. Naga knew she needed a lot of doing so…


"So it looks like we're making good progress, then?" Chrom inquired, looking at the map on the table in front of him.

"Aye. We travel swiftly and try not to draw attention to ourselves. So far we have been lucky in that all we have encountered were mere bandits. Should our luck hold, we will make it to Chon'sin without attracting any unwanted attention," Say'ri said.

Robin sighed. "Even with Walhart's main force out of action, we're still stuck sneaking around the back roads…"

"I understand your frustration," Say'ri said sympathetically. "But we must maintain caution. Although it's true that Walhart's main force in the area is no more, he still has the allegiance of the local dynasts and their forces."

"There are still forces left that Walhart didn't incorporate into his army?"

"Aye. Local forces to keep the borders safe, do patrols and other such tasks too mundane for the main army. Walhart allowed these lords to keep a portion of their armies under their control and granted them some autonomy in exchange for their loyalty."

"You'd think they'd break away and do their own thing now that we took care of the main garrison force around here…"

"That would be ideal, aye, but the local dynasts are a self-interested lot," Say'ri sighed. "They will outwardly maintain their loyalty to Walhart until they see that it is against their interests. I would wager that some would commit some of their forces to apprehending us and hand us to the empire simply to curry favor."

"Then I guess we have to give them a reason to abandon the empire," Chrom stated firmly.

"Gods, we could be well on our way if our army was at full force…" Robin muttered.

"It'll get better," Chrom assured. "We'll get through this leg of the journey straight to Chon'sin. And its citizens will gladly assist us in ending the tyranny of the empire."

"For certain. Although it pains me to say it, it should be easier to rally my countrymen to the cause now that my brother has been dealt with."

"I assume that Chon'sin still has soldiers to spare?" Robin inquired.

"Indeed. No country has given all of its troops to the empire, not even the ones most committed to Walhart's cause. I am certain that Yen'fay left enough troops behind to bolster our ranks."

"We can certainly hope…"

Any further discussion was interrupted by Cordelia barging in.

"Greetings, all." Cordelia saluted. "Apologies for interrupting your meeting, but I have some news that require your urgent attention."

"Hail, Sky-Commander." Robin saluted despite himself. "What news?"

"Trouble. Our reconnaissance units report increased military activity in the surrounding area. It seems that the local forces are now actively searching and pursuing us."

"What makes you think they're after us specifically? They didn't seem too keen to catch us before."

"I assume it has something to do with this," Cordelia said, laying down a piece of paper on the table.

Chrom rasied "…We have a bounty on our heads?"

"Well, you and Say'ri have bounties on your heads," Robin observed. "The rest of us seem not important enough to have bounties. Very high ones, from the look of things."

"Gee, that certainly makes me feel better," Chrom said dryly.

"Bah! To put a price on our heads like common criminals! This is a new low, even for Walhart!" Say'ri spat.

"This would never have happened if we were at our full strength…" Robin shook his head and turned to Cordelia. "What news on our pursuers?"

"Seems like whoever's in charge of the land has mobilized their entire forces to look for us. Scouts report a significant force tracking us."

"How significant?"

"Their forces outnumber us by a factor of at least two."

Robin swore under his breath. "How far behind are they?"

"Reports estimate several days, a week at best."

"For a force that's twice as big as ours, their progress in tracking us is impressive."

"Be that as it may, I doubt we are in any position to engage our pursuers," Say'ri said. "Our numbers are small enough as it is from our last engagement. I fear any more losses and there will not be a force to make it to Chon'sin."

Robin nodded. "I agree. Our best bet now would be to try to make our way out of hostile territory and into Chon'sin as soon as possible. We should avoid any unnecessary engagements and save our forces for Walhart."

"I suppose one upside to our small number means that we're nimbler than our enemies," Chrom commented.

"Yes, but that also means we have to watch our supplies, since we can't linger anywhere for long periods of time lest we give our position or destination away…" Robin trailed off. "Cordelia. What's the status of our supplies?"

"Our weapons are sharp and ready for combat, but food supplies are running low," Cordelia reported.

"Of course they are…" Robin switched his attention to the map in front of him.

"We have several villages nearby where we can resupply," Say'ri said, pointing to several points on the map.

"I'd be more up for that if it didn't risk drawing attention to us. The main body of our pursuers may be behind us, but I have no doubt that they have agents on the lookout in every settlement around. Even if we stay away, having some soldiers come and buy enough food and other materials to feed a small army would certainly raise eyebrows. And we'll have to take extreme caution to make sure we're not followed and try to keep a low profile, all the while trying to not dwell in the area for too long…" Robin took a deep breath. "With everyone now on alert, I doubt we can continue to keep a low profile without drawing attention."

"What other options do we have? We can't fight our pursuers and we certainly can't go on with our current level of supplies," Chrom pointed out.

"If only we could somehow…" Robin trailed off and looked at the map. "Say'ri?"

"Aye?"

"What's this giant blank space here?" Robin asked, pointing at the map.

"That is the Desert of Shifting Sand."

"That certainly is an interesting name. Based on the lack of detail on the map, I'm assuming it's uncharted?"

"Aye. Few dare travel there despite ongoing tales of buried treasure underneath the sands."

"Oh?"

"Many have set out in search of the supposed treasure over the years. Only a handful have returned. And they have come back weak, emaciated, and raving."

"Raving about what?"

"About how the desert is cursed. They tell tales of sandstorms that engulf you and transport you to another part of the desert entirely, of villages appearing and disappearing with the sands, of hearing voices in the winds..." Say'ri shook her head. "After such tales, only the brave or the foolhardy dare make the journey to the desert. For this reason it also known as the Desert of Lost Souls."

"So everyone avoids the desert, huh…?" Robin grinned, a plan forming in his mind. "Chrom."

"We're journeying through the desert, aren't we?"

Say'ri's eyes widened in alarm. "With all due respect, is that wise? Can we afford to make such a dangerous journey in such a crucial time?"

"Not all of us," Robin said. "Just us and a few others. The rest of the army will split up and head for the villages."

Say'ri looked at Robin as if he were insane.

"I mean, having small groups of travelers show up in these villages looking for lodgings and supplies will be a lot less suspicious than if all of us going there and risk being seen, which will result in word of our location getting out and us being hunted even more than we are now," Robin clarified. "Besides, it looks like we can make it to Chon'sin in half the time if we cut across the desert."

"While your plan does make sense, I must question whether being discovered by the enemy is really worth risking our lives traversing an inhospitable desert."

"Surely it's not that dangerous," Chrom spoke up. "Wild rumors and tales aside, it's just like any other desert, no? Do we have maps or something so we know where we're going?"

"I…" Say'ri hesitated. "Given how so few people actually ventured from the desert alive, our knowledge of the terrain is limited."

"But you do have something on the layout?" Robin inquired.

"Something, yes." Say'ri rolled out a scroll on the table.

Everyone leaned in.

"That's…certainly something," Chrom said slowly.

"It's not very detailed…" Robin agreed.

"As I said, few ventured into the desert and made it back in one piece. This is what we have based on tales from those who returned," Say'ri explained. "And I am told that getting any information out of them was tricky, as they seem to have left their minds in the desert."

"It's better than nothing, I suppose. And it looks like we have quite a sizeable oasis dead center, so we can resupply and not die of thirst there," Robin remarked before looking over and pointing so several circles on the map. "What're those?"

"Possible villages."

"What does that mean?"

"Those who came back from the desert reported seeing and visiting villages when they were on the brink of death. Villages full of people, appearing as if from nowhere right when the adventurers were on death's door, healing them and taking them in before vanishing in a sandstorm as suddenly as they appeared…" Say'ri trailed off. Looking up and seeing Robin's skeptical face, she raised her hands defensively. "At least, that is what was reported from those who wandered out of the desert. Between them, that seemed to be the one consistent element from all of their accounts."

"So it's basically some magic death desert that's full of treasure and ghost villages, huh?"

Chrom shrugged. "We've been through worse."

"As long as it's not crawling with hordes or Risen or something. Although knowing my luck, I probably just jinxed it…" Robin sighed.

"On the bright side, that also probably means that there's a good chance we'll run into one of Lucina's friends now," Chrom quipped.

"Why can't we ever run into them when we're, I don't know, out quietly shopping or something? Why does it always have to be when we're fighting for our lives…?" Robin wondered aloud before turning. "Cordelia, you get all that?"

"We're splitting our forces and taking a detour though some desert. I'll get the word out."

"Good. We'll draw up the groups and assign supplies and suggested routes." Robin paused. "And leave out the superstitious parts of this briefing, yeah? There's no such thing as ghosts and this desert is definitely not haunted."

"Not that I was going to in the first place, but noted." Cordelia nodded and left the tent.

"That one is a really good worker when she's not giving me grief," Robin remarked. "Anyway, it's all settled, yeah? We'll spit our army and send them off along the routes around the desert to quietly make their way to Chon'sin. They should be small and inconspicuous enough to pass as traveling merchants or some mercenaries or something. Could also get us some nice intel while they're at it."

"As long as they can stay covert and not attract attention to themselves," Chrom said. "We're deep in enemy territory with potential spies everywhere."

Robin nodded gravely. "As much as I dislike splitting our forces, I believe this is the best way forward. Say'ri's forces should be able to lead the smaller groups and do the talking to help them blend in."

"My forces have years of experience in infiltration and blending in. They will lead their groups to their destinations without attracting any suspicion," Say'ri confirmed.

"Good. Meanwhile, we have experience in desert travel, so this thing won't come as a huge shock," Robin continued, looking at the map. "And from the looks of things, this place seems a lot smaller than Plegia, so we should hopefully make quick progress through it."

"Provided we don't get eaten by ghosts or something," Chrom joked.

"Chrom, firstly, why would we get eaten by ghosts? Why would ghosts even need to eat us? Why would ghosts need to eat in the first place? And secondly, ghosts don't exist! The worst we have to worry about is getting lost since we don't really have a detailed lay of the land other than some sketchy maps here and there."

"What of resources?" Say'ri asked. "Surely that will be a concern given we are running low and going to enter an inhospitable landscape?"

"True, but I believe our main concern will be water, which we can find enough of when we reach this oasis, if the maps and stories are to be believed. And given that we're cutting through the desert, our food supplies should last long enough until we reach Chon'sin," Robin said before adding jokingly, "And hey, I'm sure these nice ghost villages will show up if we're on the brink of starvation or something."

Say'ri looked perturbed.

"Hey, we're just hot off fighting near an erupting volcano that supposedly has some kind of angry god sleeping under it," Robin pointed out. "I think we can handle some totally-not-haunted desert."

"I…cannot argue with that," Say'ri conceded. "And your decisions have been sound, despite how unorthodox they may have first sounded. Very well. To the desert, then."

"Glad to have you on board! Now, let's just get a list of everyone we have so we can get the right mix of people in here. Say'ri, do you…


And so, after some careful deliberation and planning, Robin drew up a list of squadrons that their army would be split into. With Say'ri's input, they made sure to have enough of her agents and local members of the resistance in every squad to do the talking and guide them through the land.

With that settled and after telling everyone the news, the plan was put into action. While the different groups headed off in different directions towards the closest villages to resupply, the Shepherds gathered the main chuck of the available resources and made their way toward the desert.

The journey was fast and easy. With tales of the supposed treachery and deadliness of the desert, there were virtually no patrols along the desert outskirts, with the Shepherds essentially able to walk right in. Robin supposed that since so few people actually ventured into the desert and came back, the local authorities didn't have to worry about enemy agents or smugglers doing their business in the area. But that suited them just fine, since no patrols meant they didn't need to worry about being seen! And even if they did, it wouldn't make any difference since they would be reported walking into the desert that killed people and probably written off as dead.

So this desert gambit was clearly the right way to go!

"Oh gods…"

…And not ten minutes in and Robin was already regretting this course of action. Mostly because, having spent his time living and fighting in temperate climates for the best part the last few years, Robin somehow forgot what desert climate was like…or maybe he wiped that from his memory because it was actually terrible.

"It's so hot…!"

With the dry air, the sun bearing down on him, and him sweating like crazy, it was all sorts of terrible.

"Guys, I think I might have made a mistake when I came up with this whole 'go through the desert plan.' I think we have to go back," Robin said, wiping the sweat off his brow and taking a sip out of his waterskin.

"Heh, we barely started the journey and you're already complaining? Seems like a new record," Chrom remarked.

"I guess I just forgot how bad this desert thing was." Robin squinted and covered his eyes to try and block out the run. "Was it this bad in Plegia or am I just misremembering that?"

"Its certainly feels hotter…" Olivia said beside Chrom. "I now understand why Flavia decided to stick with the other groups and take the long way around the desert."

"She was clearly thinking ahead," Robin muttered. "As soon as we mentioned this plan, she started grumbling about how that was the hardest part of the entire campaign. Although I guess that makes sense. Having lived in Ferox all her life, the sudden change from biting cold to burning hot must not have been very pleasant…"

"Speaking of, how are you?" Chrom asked his wife, concerned. "I know you've also spent some time in Ferox. If it's too tough out here for you…"

"Chrom, I may not be the toughest person here, but I'm not abandoning my family just because it's hot or uncomfortable," Olivia said with a determined expression. "I want to do my part and be with my family!"

"You are so passionate. It's one of the many reasons I love you." With Olivia stunned with embarrassment, Chrom pressed his advantage by leaning in for a kiss.

Luckily for both involved, Robin was too busy complaining about the heat and the sand to notice their not-so-private display of affection.

"I think it's bracing."

Robin stopped his complaining to stare wide-eyed at Lucina.

"Is it really that surprising?" asked the princess.

"Lucina, it's like a thousand degrees out there with the sun basically frying us alive. How can you possibly find this 'bracing'?"

"I admit that the temperature and the blazing sun make things a bit uncomfortable, but it's also an opportunity to marvel at the wonders of the desert. The last time I saw one was when I was under my Marth persona and tracking your progress through Plegia. Of course, events then demanded I give my full attention to your progress and didn't leave much time for anything else…" Lucina trailed off. "But now, I feel I can spare some time to at least admire the surroundings while we traverse to our destination."

Robin looked around. "…What surroundings? All I see is dunes and sand and more sand. Blasted stuff, I'd forgotten how much I hated it."

"Does it really bother you that much?"

"Of course! This stupid sand is course and rough and irritating…!" Robin spat some that blew into his mouth. "And it gets everywhere!"

"I will concede the point about sand, but I do marvel about, among other things, the dunes."

"What about them?"

"Do you not find it incredible how tall some of them are? They are like mountains of sand, erected all over the desert. In addition, is it not incredible how the wind seems to have carved such smooth-looking ridges of sand on them? It seems like something out of a painting…"

Robin looked dispassionately at the dunes surrounding them.

"Ah, my apologies. I seem to be rambling about things that do not seem to interest you. It's just that I have never been to a desert before I came to this time so having the time to observe everything is quite special. In my time, there was no sun and the land was engulfed in a perpetual cold, so seeing the sun shining so brightly and feeling the heat on my skin is refreshing, despite the discomfort…"

Robin instantly felt guilty. After all his encouraging her to enjoy life and the mundane, the one time she does so without being prompted is of course the time Robin hates everything about it. Of course, of course!

"…I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Robin mumbled.

"You know, you could be too if you took your coat off," Chrom remarked. "I'd guess one of the reasons you're boiling is because that heavy coat of yours retains all this desert heat."

"It certainly came in handy when we were in Ferox. Again, I can't believe I managed to conduct an entire campaign through Plegia and not keel over in heat exhaustion or whatever…"

"You could always take it off…"

Robin scoffed. "You'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Or burning, dead hands, in this case."

Chrom shrugged. "Your choice. Just make sure you don't die on us before we reach the oasis. It would be a very sad end to an otherwise successful tactical career."

"That would be one of the most pathetic ends I can imagine. For that reason alone I have to make sure to pull through!" Robin declared. He then looked back to the others. "How are you guys holding up in this heat?"

"It will take more than a little heat to fell a knight," Frederick replied.

"A knight in full armor, too," Robin noted, impressive. "Your plates must be burning!"

"A minor inconvenience."

"Sometimes I envy your ability to just nonchalantly plow through life's problems as if they were nothing."

"The Vaike's liking this sun. Hey, maybe with enough exposure Teach'll get a sweet tan!"

"That, or a sunburn," Sully noted dryly. "Don't you think you need to put on a shirt or something?"

"Bah, shirts are overrated. The Vaike prefers to go au naturel!" Vaike paused. "Besides, I'm still feelin' shivers from when we got caught in the rain yesterday. All this sun should fix that no problem!"

Sully rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, genius. Just don't come crying when you get all pink and it hurts to even move."

"Riiiight. So." Robin cleared his throat. "Everyone else doing okay? Managing to not die in this heat?"

"My word, this heat is simply unbearable. How in Naga's name do people actually manage to survive in such circumstances, let alone live?" Maribelle asked aloud, fanning herself.

"A question we may never understand, I'm afraid," Virion answered next to her. "Although this heat does not do any favors to my fine visage. Why, I'm getting drenched in sweat! How very un-noble."

"Do kindly do your sweating at least five paces away, if you please. There are few things worse than the smell of heavily sweating individuals and clothes drenched in their perspiration."

"My dear Maribelle, you wound me! You should know that I, noble Virion, will never let myself fall to such a state—especially if it will disturb one of high standing such as yourself," Virion said, reaching into his pocket and unfolding a very intricate-looking fan.

"You know, Virion, you act like such a charlatan and a cad that I forget that you actually are a man of high breeding," Maribelle remarked. "Tell me, where did you get that fan? The design and craftsmanship look remarkable."

"Well spotted! This was a gift from an acquaintance of mine. Her family were very distinguished craftsmen and she thought it appropriate to gift me this as a show of appreciation after I, shall we say, provided some pleasurable company to her."

"…I don't know whether it's impressive or sad how quickly you manage to turn admiration into contempt."

"I am a man of many talents!"

"…Nobles…" Robin muttered. "Anyway, everyone else? Surviving the heat?"

"As best we can, although I can't say the same for poor Minerva. She never did like hot weather…" At Minerva's weak growl, Cherche patted her wyvern soothingly. "I know it's tough. Just hang in there until we reach the oasis, okay? Then you can take a nice cool bath."

Minerva wagged her tail in excitement.

"How about you guys?" Robin asked Kjelle and (where he assumed Kellam would be). "That's a lot of armor you got there. Holding up okay?"

"I think this just adds another layer of training," Kjelle said. "Wearing this armor in the heat and the shifting sands, I could really make a good training regimen here in my spare time…"

"I, uh, I'll manage," came Kellam's voice from somewhere to Robin's right. "Although it is getting really hot under here…"

"I would highly suggest shedding your armor before you suffer from the effects of overheating and dehydration," said Miriel, suddenly coming into the conversation. "How is your body temperature? How do you feel? Are you keeping yourself hydrated?"

"Well, I…"

"Oh, speaking of, we have enough water to get us where we need to go, right?" Robin asked.

"We should be fine," Morgan pipped up, taking out her notes. "We took all the water we needed and could carry. Given that we were going to trek through a desert, we took a lot!"

"Which is good, since our mounts will be needing a lot during this journey," Cordelia said, coming atop her pegasus. "Although on the bright side, we need less food because of the heat."

"Well that's true. I want to eat a lot less and drink way more." Robin took a sip out of his waterskin. "Eugh, warm water. I wish there was a way to keep our water cold for our journeys."

"An interesting suggestion…" Miriel looked thoughtful.

"Thoughts for another time, Miriel. We still have a journey to make and a desert to cross."

"I admit that this is a new experience for me," Say'ri said, shaking sand out of her shoes. "I had never trekked through a desert before. It is…a different sort of experience than what I am used to."

"It's certainly a lot hotter," Robin agreed. "Come on, let's keep moving. According to these rudimentary maps, the first village should be further ahead somewhere."

And so the group kept walking under the increasing glare of the sun, making their way toward their destination.

"Okay, so the village should be around here somewhere…" Robin looked up, to his map, then back up. "…Where the hell is it?!"

"Peace, Robin. We are not even sure that these villages exist," cautioned Say'ri.

"But it says they're here right on this map!" Robin insisted.

"Again, these are maps based on hearsay and mad ramblings from those who made it out of the desert alive. Their reliability is dubious at best."

"But the oasis is real, right? It can't be the delirious ramblings of madmen when they all claim it's there, right?!"

"I…"

"Careful, Robin, otherwise you're going to be joining those ranks of delirious rambling madmen," teased Sumia.

"You mean he isn't already?" Cordelia quipped.

"Laugh all you want, just note that I'll be rubbing it in your smug faces when we're all sitting nice and not dying of thirst by the oasis. Because it exists. It has to, it has to!" Robin glared at his map. "It should be around here somewhere! I wish we could ask someone for directions…"

"Why not them?" Morgan suggested.

"Wait, what? Who?"

Morgan pointed.

Everyone turned to see.

"Uh…guys? You're seeing that, right? Approaching figures in the distance? It's not just the sun frying my brain, right?" Robin asked uncertainly.

"It's not just you," Cordelia responded, squinting. "There are definitely figures approaching us. And from the look of things, they have fliers with them."

"Odd. No one ventures into the desert with the exception of foolhardy treasure seekers," Say'ri said, looking at the distance.

"That seems like quite the sizeable treasure hunting party," Chrom remarked.

"And very well-armed," Robin noted, looking through his spyglass.

"Should we expect trouble?"

"Chrom, by now you should know it's only good sense for us to expect trouble," Robin responded. "Everyone, we're going to have unexpected company. Stay alert and get ready to draw your weapons in case these people are hostile."

And surprise surprise, they were indeed hostile, although the suddenness of how things escalated actually caught Robin off-guard.

These people made their way toward where the Shepherds were. Just as Say'ri said, they were treasure hunters. Although they were more of the 'bandit raider' sort of treasure hunter. And being bandit raiders, they were all too happy to banditly raid any poor suckers they came across in the desert.

Unfortunately for them, the Shepherds were more experienced and better armed than your average poor sucker and thus managed to repel these bandits with relative ease.

"Ha!" As Robin blasted away the last flier, he exhaled. "Gods, I feel like my body temperature has tripled!"

"It's definitely tougher than what we're usually used to," Chrom panted beside him. "Gods, it's hard to believe that we managed to actually wage an entire war through Plegia."

"I feel their heat was a lot different to this heat."

"…What?"

"Don't you feel it? This desert is dryer and hotter than Plegia, no doubt. It's probably why we're noticing it so much."

"Robin…that makes no sense. A desert is a desert."

"Chrom, don't be rude. Just because all deserts are hot and have sand doesn't make them all the same. There totally are differences between them, making each desert special and unique."

"…I think we need to get you under some shade, Robin. It sounds like the heat is getting to your brain."

Before Robin could respond, he felt Morgan pulling at his sleeve.

"Um, Dad? I think we may have a problem."

"What's that?"

Instead of saying anything, Morgan pointed.

Looking back, Robin inhaled sharply.

"Mother of Naga…"

A huge wall of sand was approaching them alarmingly quickly.

"Sandstorm, sandstorm!" Robin shouted to the Shepherds. "Prepare yourselves! Buckle down your mounts and cover your faces! Make sure you don't get blown away!"

The Shepherds scrambled to protect themselves against the incoming storm.

"Gods, this never happened when we were in Plegia…" Chorm puttered, pulling his cape over his head.

"Told you this desert was totally different than Plegia's," Robin said, putting up his hood and closing his coat. He then turned to Morgan. "You okay, kiddo?"

Morgan stabbed her sword into the ground and put up her hood. "Good to go! Got my hood up to protect my face and got my sword in the ground so I don't fly away."

Robin nodded approvingly. "Quick thinking. You make me so proud…"

"We're, uh, gonna be okay, right?" Morgan asked uncertainly. "I mean, that's a lot of sand coming our way."

"And that's all it is, Morgan. Some sand and a bit of wind." Robin looked back. "Okay, more than just 'some'. But we've faced much worse than this. As long as we keep ourselves together and don't fly away, we'll be fine."

"Right, okay." Morgan nodded, still looking nervously at the approaching storm.

"It's going to be okay," Robin said, kneeling down and smiling reassuringly. "Just hold on tight to your sword, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Here it comes!" someone yelled.

"Brace yourselves!"

The storm hit with the power of what felt like several Arcwind spells (which might as well have been the case, given the strength of the winds). The Shepherds braced themselves as best as they could, covering their faces, protecting their mounts and generally trying not to get carried away by the wind.

After being battered by what felt like ages, the sandstorm stopped as suddenly as it came.

"Gah!" Chrom wiped the sand off his face. "That came completely out of nowhere. Is everyone okay?"

The Shepherds all answered in the affirmative, slowly dusting the sand off of themselves.

"Good. Now let's keep going before another sandstorm hits us again."

"Uh, guys?" Morgan looked around uncertainly. "Did anyone see where Dad went?"


Robin dug himself out of the small pile of sand he was buried under when the storm hit.

"Gods…! Where the hell did—" Robin spat sand out of his mouth. "Gods, this stupid desert. Guys, everyone okay out there? No one blown away by the sudden storm?"

No answer.

"Guys?" Robin looked around. "…Guys?"

Where previously Robin was among his friends before the storm hit, now Robin found himself all alone.

"…That's not good…"

Just as he was trying to figure out what just happened and what his next steps should be, Robin saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he also saw a flash of blue.

"Oh, thank Naga…!"

Robin rushed to help his friend. He may have been alone out here, but at least he was along with Chrom.

"Looks like it's just you and me again out here in the middle of nowhere, Chrom. Have to say that—"

Robin paused as he pulled his friend out of the sand. Only it wasn't his friend.

"I don't think I've ever been buried by anything so fast…" Inigo coughed and spat out sand. When he saw who helped him up, he smiled brightly. "Ah, Robin! Thanks for the help. Coming to the rescue yet again, huh?"


"So everyone is accounted for except for Robin and Inigo," Chrom said.

"That seems to be the case," Cordelia confirmed.

"What do you think happened to them?" Olivia asked, worried.

"I suppose tales of sudden sandstorms displacing individuals were not as outlandish as they seemed…" Say'ri murmured.

"Guess why we know why people call this place the Desert of Lost Souls. This entire place gets you lost on purpose!" Morgan exclaimed.

"You don't seem particularly bothered by the fact that your father has been moved to an unknown part of the desert," Chrom observed.

"Oh, yeah. That. I'm sure Dad'll find his way out. Him and Inigo both," Morgan said dismissively. "You know how he likes to plan for stuff even if there's a slim chance of that stuff happening."

"He…planned for this?"

"Yep! Dad thought the stories about this place were all silly superstitions, but it never hurts to have a plan just in case, you know? So in the name of having a plan just in case, Dad said that our ultimate meeting destination will be that oasis which is supposed to be in the middle here somewhere."

"And how does he plan to meet us there if we're all separated?"

"Well, for one, we all have rough maps of what this place should look like. And also, Dad made sure to hand out specially modified compasses to us to ensure that we totally find each other." Morgan reached into her coat pocket. "Ta-da! Dad had Miriel tweak these so that they have a second arrow that always points to the nearest one of these. Remember? You were there when he was giving these out and explaining what they did."

"I…seem to recall your father barging into my tent and handing me a compass. Not much of the explaining, though. Just basically told me that this way we'd never get lost and to trust him on this," Chrom said.

"That certainly does sound like him," Olivia chuckled.

"So he handed these out to everyone, did he?" Chrom asked.

"Pretty much. He didn't really know how or who or if we'd even be separated, so he just made sure everyone had one, just in case."

"Robin does like to make contingency plans, if nothing else," Cordelia remarked. "And for good reason, too."

"Yep! So with these on hand, Dad and Inigo should have no trouble finding us, even if we stick to the original plan of meeting by the oasis. All we have to do is make our way there and he'll just compass his way right to us!" Morgan said cheerfully.

"I'm glad to hear that they are not alone out there," Lucina said, looking at the vastness of the desert. "With Robin, at least we know that Inigo is in good hands."

"Indeed." Chrom nodded. "While it is troubling to know that they are out there somewhere, at least they have each other to look after one another. And thanks to Robin's planning, they also have a way to find us in this place."

"So what are our next steps, Morgan?" Cordelia asked.

"Well we certainly can't wait around for Dad and Inigo to find us here," Morgan said. "Our best bet would be to make our way toward this oasis I hear so much about. That way, we can at least help Dad and Inigo by drawing them near us and the oasis. There we can all meet up and resupply."

"That sounds like a plan. So what we were doing before the sandstorm hit was trying to find these villages, right?" Chrom asked.

"That's what I seem to remember." Morgan took out her map. "It's really weird there's no trace of anything around. From the tales and our guesses, the villages should be right—"

"Hail, travelers!"

The Shepherds all looked up to see an old man approaching.

"…Was he always there and we just somehow missed him?" Morgan asked.

"I'm pretty sure he wasn't there before…" Olivia replied.

"This desert sure is weird…"

"My, there sure are more of you now that I see you up close," the old man said, approaching the Shepherds. "You all seem armed enough for an army! What brings you over to this side of the world?"

"We are simply passing through on our way to Chon'sin," Say'ri answered.

"You certainly have decided to take an unorthodox route. People usually avoid traveling through the desert."

"Aye. We are here due to some…unfortunate circumstances. Please, pay us no heed."

"Very well, I won't pry. I'm just surprised, is all. It's not every day we see such a large group of people passing by. And usually the ones that do are in search of treasure."

"No treasure hunting for us, I'm afraid," Chrom said.

"Although directions will be greatly appreciated!" Morgan pipped up.

The old man raised a brow.

"Yeah, see, we're trying to get to some oasis that we hear was supposed to be around. You wouldn't happen to know where it might be, would you?"

"I think I might be able to help with that, although my memory may be a bit hazy…"

"Hey, hazy is better than nothing!"

Chrom cleared his throat. "Forgive my asking, but how did you manage to find us here? Also, are you certain it's safe for you to be out here all alone? We have encountered several bandits not too long ago, and there may be more of them out here."

"Really? I can't seem to recall seeing anyone…"

"Well, can't blame you there, what with the sandstorm and all," Morgan commented. "Also, where'd you even come from? I swear we didn't see anyone out here before for miles, and then you show up out of nowhere like some sort of ghost!"

Several of the Shepherds cringed at Morgan's bluntness.

The old man eyed Morgan and the Shepherds.

"What if I told you that I was a ghost?"

"Well then I'd call you a liar."

"What makes you say that?"

"For one, you're not incorporeal," Morgan said matter-of-factly, poking the man. "Everyone knows ghosts don't have physical, corporeal forms!"

The old man was silent before laughing. "You sure are a sharp one, aren't you? And as for your question, I am from the village Sluice, from which you are not too far off."

"Ha! Our maps were totally on point…kinda." Morgan looked around, seeing nothing but desert. "Uh, how not too far off is 'not too far off'? All I see is sand as far as the eye can see."

"That just depends where you look," the old man replied cryptically. "You youngsters seem a little worse for wear. Would you like to visit our village and rest a bit?"

Morgan visibly perked up.

"We don't wish to impose…" Say'ri said.

"Please, I insist. It's not every day we get visitors," the old man said. "And as the oasis is still a ways off, you'll need some supplies if you want to make it without succumbing to the harshness of the desert."

Without waiting for a response, the old man turned and started walking.

Say'ri turned to the others. "Strange as this all seems, he is correct in that we require supplies to continue our journey."

"The stories did say there was a village somewhere here…" Cordelia pointed out.

"Stay alert," Chrom said. "We will take this hospitality at face value, but remain vigilant if this is some sort of trap."

Everyone nodded and followed the old man.


"—as so close to actually getting that pretty waitress to go out for a cup of tea with me, but when I asked her out, she said, 'After your bedtime' and laughed. Can you believe that?" Inigo asked indignantly.

"What I can't believe is that you've spent all this time talking about how much you failed with the ladies," Robin muttered, looking at his compass.

"I know! There are so many pretty young maidens out there, you'd think a dashing gentleman such as myself would at least have some of them agreeing to tea with me, but nope! There's always something or someone out there that decides to come in just as I'm about to seal the deal. You'd think the universe has something against me or something…"

"Maybe all this failure is a sign to stop mindlessly flirting with anything in a skirt and maybe, I don't know, get serious?"

"But I'm always serious in my compliments to the ladies!"

"I'd be more inclined to believe you if you didn't serenade literally every woman you come across with empty flattery."

"What are you saying, Robin?"

"Maybe don't flirt with every woman you come across?"

"But you won't win anything if you never try."

"I never said—"

"And what if the one I didn't flirt with was the one that would've said yes? I'd be throwing my one opportunity away for nothing!"

"…You're hopeless. I'm actually shocked you're not Virion's son."

"Oh yeah. I heard Virion is something of a ladies' man, isn't he? Think he could offer me some tips?"

"I'm not helping you try and get with the ladies, Inigo!"

"You're right. What good will it be if I don't get a date on my own merits? I wouldn't have earned it. I need to charm my way to a date without using someone else's tricks!"

"There is no shame in asking for help when you're stuck, Inigo. It's always good to get another perspective on how to approach a particular problem."

"Really? Huh…" Inigo paused to think. "Okay, what tips can you give me, Robin?"

"…You're asking me for tips?" Robin asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah. You seem like you know what you're doing, directing us with the war and all. I figure that compared to winning wars, winning women's hearts must be a cinch!"

Robin stared at Inigo in stunned silence.

"Besides, your track record suggests you definitely know what you're doing."

"…What."

"Yeah! Like, in the futu…er, uh…" Inigo suddenly trailed off. "…I mean, remember back in that alley in that village? You got two girls ready to take you out with no effort! What's your secret?"

"…Okay, forget what I said earlier. You have to solve your problems yourself. Also, I'm not helping you get better at hitting on women. Also also, I'd be the last person to come to with such a 'problem'!"

"But you—"

"And another thing!" Robin continued, "I don't see why you have to hit on every woman you see. In fact, why do you do that, anyway? Is it some sort of compulsion? Illness?"

"Funny you should ask. It actually started with Mother."

"…If you're going to lie to me, at least try to make it credible."

"No, really, it was Mother's suggestion to help me with my crippling shyness!"

"Whatever, Inigo. If you don't want to tell me, just say so."

"But—"

"Anyway, enough of your tales of failing at hitting on women. Do you know what you could've done in the time you've spent telling me your stories and hilarity and woe? Helped me try and get us out this godsforsaken mess, for one!"

"I mean, I'd love to help in any way I could, it's just…I'm not sure there's much I could do," Inigo said. "I mean, you'd bet I'd be by your side if we were surrounded by bandits or Risen, but out here? And with you seeming to have everything under control with your compass, well…"

"Yeah, you and I are both lucky that I like to plan ahead, although it would've been better if I remembered to disable your compass before we spend all that time walking in circles…"

"Well now that's done, all we have to do is follow where the arrow points until we meet up with the others, right? And I don't think you really need my help with that, so…"

"So you decided to spend all this time telling me about your multiple failed attempts at getting a date?"

"I figured it'd be better than us walking in this desert in silence. A little small talk between guys never hurt anyone, right?"

"I'm sure small talk has to be less one-sided than what you—"

"Aaaanyway, you'll never guess what happened to me when we visited that market in the last village."

"I'm sure I know how this story ends…"

"So I was walking past the stalls looking the wares when…"

"…We'd better catch up with the others soon…" Robin muttered, glaring at his compass and picking up the pace.

As funny as it was listening to the various ways Inigo found at failing with women, Robin doubted he could handle an entire day of this. And this blasted heat wasn't helping any!


"That was sure nice of those villagers to give us all this stuff," Morgan said, taking a sip from her now full waterskin.

"It certainly was," agreed Chrom. "You would never guess such a seemingly remote village would be so rich in resources."

"…How do you think Dad and Inigo are holding up?"

"Worried?"

"A bit, yeah. I mean, we were lucky enough to not be separated after that sudden sandstorm. Oh, and we managed to resupply at that village back there. So I think we're good enough to keep going until we find this oasis. Dad and Inigo, though. They only had what they had when the sandstorm hit, and that wasn't much!"

"Are you doubting your father's abilities?"

"No!" Morgan said immediately. "I'm just, you know, worried. Dad's really good at getting himself out of tough spots on the battlefield, but now he's stuck in some kind of empty desert with low supplies. That's not a situation Dad has experience getting out of…I think."

"You have to have faith, Morgan. Robin is nothing if not prepared and creative. If there is even a small possibility of something going wrong, Robin would have planned for it," Sumia assured.

"And as he constantly likes to remind us, he is always prepared," added Cordelia.

"But how can he be prepared for being lost in the desert for an unspecified amount of time? Does he have like, a gallon of water on his person?"

"You know, I really wouldn't be surprised," Chrom chuckled. At Morgan's confused look, he continued, "What I mean to say is that your father has literally pages worth of plans and backup plans for scenarios that may or may not happen. And he doesn't really tell us of all his backup plans because there are so many of them and most of them don't ever see the light of day."

"What Chrom means is that you must have faith in your father," Olivia said. "We know better than most how he likes to be prepared for all scenarios. And getting separated in the desert is something on the more probable side of the scales. Given that and the scheme with the compasses, you can be confident that Robin is doing just fine."

"…Oh yeah." Morgan took out the compass in her pocket. "I almost forgot about this thing. And I guess since Dad went so far as getting us all of these, he had to have planned for being alone in the desert for an unspecified amount of time."

"I would wager that scenario was on the top of his list of things to plan for," said Cordelia.

"Yeah. Yeah!" Morgan's expression lit up considerably.

"Are you feeling better?" Lucina asked.

"Much better. Like a heavy burden's been lifted from the back of my mind," Morgan answered cheerfully. "Thanks, guys!"

"You're very welcome, Morgan."

"Right! Now that we know that Dad and Inigo are gonna be fine, let's focus on trying to rendezvous with them at this oasis. So based on this map, we should be going…"


Robin was getting really tired of this desert.

After marching through what seemed to be an endless sea of sand for what felt like an eternity, Robin did not seem anywhere near to finding his friends. Now, with the sun high, his clothes soaked with sweat, and his body heavy, Robin felt hot, tired, and sluggish.

Robin brought his waterskin to his mouth only to realize that it was empty.

Oh right. There was also thirst. The ever-growing, now very serious problem of him having run out of water and being stuck in a scorching hot desert with nothing to drink.

That was bad.

Even Inigo was affected, becoming silent and just following where Robin led. The silence was the only benefit to the otherwise dire situation.

"Uh…Robin?"

At least, it was.

"What is it, Inigo?"

"I know you're the tactician and probably know what you're doing and I'm probably stupid for asking, but…you have a plan, right?"

"Of course I have a plan!" Robin snapped. "I always have a plan. Being the planning guy is my thing! I have plans on top of plans!"

"Right. That's good. So…what's your plan for all of this?"

"…All of what?"

"Well, this…" Inigo said, shaking his empty waterskin. "I know we're slowly tracking the others, but I'm afraid that without anything to drink soon, our journey will have a rather sad and premature end. It would be a shame if we were to die here with so much left undone."

"Yes, well—"

"I mean, think of all the pretty girls out there I haven't asked out yet! All those smiles that I won't be able to see!" Inigo laughed weakly. "So, Robin, what's your super secret plan to get us something to drink out here?"

"It's…uh…"

Robin was technically telling the truth when he said he had planned for this. Of course he had planned for this! Being lost in the desert was actually one of the more likely things to happen out here, given all the weird rumors. And Robin appropriately planned for it by carrying lots of waterskins on him and being very conservative with his drinking. The problem was that the whole being-teleported-to-another-location-via-random-sandstorm thing resulted in him losing most of his waterskins during the aforementioned sandstorm. And with the heat and the sweating, Robin was pretty sure he lost maybe his entire body weight in sweat. Gods he hated deserts…

So without immediate backup plan, Robin had to resort to his less than ideal other backup plan.

Robin scanned the landscape in front of him.

"Er, Robin?"

"Shhhh! I'm working!"

Nothing but dunes and sand as far as the eye could see. But that couldn't be right. How could he be stuck in a desert without even a trace of—

"Wait, there! Is that…?"

"What, what?" Inigo asked urgently.

Robin squinted. "You see that over there, right? I'm not just going crazy?"

"See what?"

"There, in the distance!" Robin said, pointing.

"I…" Inigo tried to focus through the blazing sun. "All I see is some kind of green…thing."

"Exactly!" Robin exclaimed excitedly. "That, Inigo, is my plan to ensure we have enough to drink to not die out here."

"Okay." Inigo paused. "…How, exactly?"

"I'll show you once we get to it. You have enough energy to get yourself over there?"

"I…I think so."

"Good. Let's go!"

Maybe it was the excitement of knowing that Naga seemed to have taken mercy on them and threw them a bone, but Robin felt like he couldn't feel the heat and the sweat anymore and they made their way to their destination in no time.

"Ah, so I was right. Inigo, here is our salvation!" Robin declared.

Inigo stared. "…A…cactus?"

"Exactly!"

"But…we can't drink a cactus."

"No, but we can drink the juice that's trapped inside!" Robin took his sword and casually sliced a part of the cactus. "Look at all that water trapped inside!"

Inigo's eyes widened. "Oh gods. Robin, you're a genius!"

"Was there any doubt?!"

Inigo lifted a piece of the cactus to his mouth before stopping. "Uh, this stuff is safe to drink, right?"

"I'm almost certain that it is," Robin said, slicing off another piece of the cactus. "Besides, it's either this or dying horribly of dehydration. Besides, didn't you guys like, eat bugs and stuff in the future?"

"I guess, although—"

"Well, whatever. I'm quenching my thirst right now!" Robin drank from his cactus portion. "Mm, that's nice and sweet."

Seeing Robin happily drinking, Inigo downed what was in his cactus portion.

"Oh wow, this is sweet!" He immediately cut himself a bigger piece and drank.

Robin drank what he had slowly, trying to enjoy every last drop. By contrast, Inigo downed the cactus juice he found.

"Gods, Robin, this cactus juice really hits the spot. Quenches your thirst something fierce!" Inigo sighed in contentment.

"All according to my plan."

"Drink cactus juice. It'll quench ya! Nothing's quenchier! It's the quenchiest!"

"Inigo, what…are…you…" Robin looked over to see Inigo rolling around the sand like some kind of slug. Also, why did the world seem like it was spinning?

"Whoa…how did my hands get so big…?" Inigo asked in bewilderment.

Robin felt lightheaded.

Looking around himself, he saw that the world looked…funny. And not "ha ha" funny. More like "everything is all suddenly all a shade lighter" funny. Was that even a type of funny? What was "funny"? What did it mean to be "funny"? What did it mean to be anything? What was the meaning of life? Why were they all there?

Robin shook his head and took a sip of cactus juice.

This was getting weird. He wasn't here to ponder over existential questions. What he was here to do was—oh. Why was Inigo on fire? Or was it really Inigo was fire and it was he, Robin, that was really on fire?

"Some questions are just not meant to have answers."

Looking to where the strange voice came from, Robin was surprised to see Basilio sitting right next to him.

"Whoa…Basilio," Robin said, before realizing who it was sitting beside him. He then freaked out a little. "Gah! What're you doing here? You're supposed to be dead!"

"Me? Dead? Ha! It'll take a lot more than a giant of a man with an even bigger axe to take me down!" Basilio laughed.

"Wait…so you're undead? Are you a Risen?!"

"Robin, do I look like a Risen to you?"

"Uh…I guess you still have your normal skin and all…"

"So there ya go!"

"But…you can't really be here. Flavia said you died!"

"She may have said that, but have you personally seen my corpse?"

"Well, no. There's no way I could have."

"So how can you say I'm dead when you have no definitive proof? Isn't that what you learned from all them books you've read at your club? Every time someone says, 'There's no way X could have survived that,' X always beats the odds and survives to make a miraculous appearance at the crucial moment to save the day."

"So you're saying that you're X?"

"Exactly! So just you wait. When all seems lost, I'll show up dramatically to save the day! Ha, I can imagine the look on Flavia's face now…"

"How did you even survive fighting Walhart?"

"Khan's secret. After all, you don't get to live as long as I did without learning a few survival tricks."

"That's nice. Got any desert survival tips for me?" Robin asked, sipping his cactus juice.

"Just to keep hydrated. Other than that, I got nothing. I'm more of a winter survival expert, you know? Ferox and such."

"Oh."

"Although I do have a life tip for you."

"Oh?"

"Get yourself a lady friend."

"Wha—?" Not expecting this, Robin almost choked on his cactus juice.

"Yeah. I've seen how hard you work. Work work work, is all you seem to do. You'll go crazy if you don't take a break now and again."

"Okay, first of all, I totally take breaks. Second, my job is to keep my friends alive! I can't just slack off on that. And third, I have plenty of lady friends! Some of my best ladies are friends!"

"You know, you do work with some very fine ladies. So! Do any of them tickle your fancy?"

"Wha—? No!" Robin exclaimed indignantly. "They are my friends, my comrades and my colleagues! I would never—"

Basilio laughed. "Come on, boy! That's exactly why you should be paying attention to them! You've spent so much time together, working, fighting and the rest of it. Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't at least noticed—"

"I have not and I don't plan on continuing this conversation!"

"Bwa ha ha! The look on your face suggests otherwise!"

"Sh-shut up! It's the cactus juice that's making my face all red and stuff!"

"There's no shame in admiring the fairer sex, Robin," Basilio said matter-of-factly. "And you, my friend, are lucky in that you have a lot to admire!"

"Basilio—"

"You know, Robin, you seem like a pegasus knight type of guy."

"...What."

"Yeah, you know, the tight uniforms that hug the body in all the right place,, long-yet-short tunics that cut off just enough to leave something for the imagination, the boots and garters that show off long, slender leg—"

"Damn it, Basilio, I said I was not having this conversation!"

"So you're telling me you've never looked at those pretty pegasus knights under your command and had some, less than professional thoughts about them?"

"No."

"Not even a certain duo?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh ho! I think you do!"

Instead of answering, Robin drank more cactus juice.

Basilio laughed heartily. "I think someone's guilty as charged! And I think I have just the thing for you!"

"Basilio, what the hell are...you…" Robin trailed off, eyes widening.

"R-Robin, what...what do you think?" Sumia asked, blushing furiously. "Do...do you like it?"

The "it" in question was a swimsuit, if it could be called that. Robin thought this because the "swimsuit" consisted of what can only be described as pieces of cloth held together by some very thin string, serving only to cover Sumia's modesty...just about. Which meant that her body was otherwise exposed. And Robin could see everything except for her "naughty bits" as Nowi would have called them.

And seeing Sumia basically almost naked in front of him, Robin's mind ground to a halt. He couldn't form words, he couldn't look away, he could only stare.

"Come on, boy, you can't be looking at her and tell me you don't feel anything."

It took Robin several moments to register that Basilio was talking to him.

"She's got a certain innocence to her, for sure. Seems sweet. But also quite a looker!"

Sumia looked up shyly. "Robin…?"

Gods. Robin had no idea what the hell was going on, but he had to fix it. Already the near naked image of Sumia was quickly burning itself in his mind, threatening to forever change the way he saw one of his best friends. What was worse, his body was reacting by diverting his blood flow painfully south.

"FOR THE LOVE OF NAGA, SUMIA, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" Robin cried frantically, throwing his coat at her. He then turned to Basilio. "And you, turn away now! I don't want to see Sumia like this and neither should you!"

Basilio raised a brow. "Are you sure? Your reaction—"

"Shut up and turn away now!" Robin cried, basically pushing Basilio to face anywhere but Sumia.

"Heh, someone's embarrassed!" chuckled the khan.

"I'm not embarrassed! No one is embarrassed!" snapped Robin. "I just don't want to see one my best friends in such a compromising outfit. And neither should you!"

"Are you sure you don't want to see your friend in a compromising outfit even a little?"

Despite the increasing tightness of his pants, Robin uttered an emphatic "no."

"Oh boy, then I guess you don't want to see what's coming up."

"What's coming up? There's something coming up? Basilio, I swear to Naga if I find, like, Olivia in front of me…!"

"Whoa, Robin! Don't you know thinking like that of another man's woman is bad manners?" Basilio chided.

"Of course I—!"

"Besides, I'm sure you'll be at least a little bit interested to see what's in front."

"What's in front? Why does there have to be something in front?!" Robin asked frantically, looking past the khan's tall frame. He then instantly regretted doing this.

There, in the middle of this godsforsaken desert, was a luxurious-looking bed. But Robin's eyes were drawn to what was on the bed. Or rather, who. Even before his eyes registered, Robin knew that long red hair anywhere.

There, on the bed in the middle of the desert, blindfolded and gagged, lay Cordelia. Cordelia, with her arms tied to the bedposts and a bar keeping her legs spread apart with her feet shackled to it.

Now this would have been a compromising position to find his friend on a good day, but what drew Robin's eyes was the fact that Cordelia was not wearing anything. Not a single item of clothing, leaving her bare as the day she was born.

Robin could see every inch of her gorgeous body as she lay there, tied to the bed and completely helpless. What was more, the bar keeping her legs spread meant that Robin had an unobstructed view of Cordelia's—

Robin's pants felt painfully tight.

He tried to tear himself away. Willed himself to before this scandalous, horrible, embarrassing and not-in-any-way-arousing sight could plant itself in his mind. And yet somehow, this sight had an eerie sense of familiarity to it…

"It's just like that one scene out of that book, ain't it? What was it called? Something about some shades of some color?"

It took Robin a full minute to register Basilio's voice beside him.

Come to think of it, this sight did remind Robin of a certain scene in that book. Of course, what followed was…

Robin inhaled sharply and, using every ounce of his willpower, turned to Basilio.

"Eh? Eh?" The khan, meanwhile, elbowed him with a suggestive grin.

Robin tried to say something. Something to the effect that they really needed to turn away now, but he found it hard to form words as his throat felt dry, and that was not due to the desert heat.

"Come on, Robin, you can be honest with your ol' pal Basilio! You liked what you saw, didn't you?"

Robin opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, trying desperately to not think about Cordelia behind him.

"Or do you prefer your women with a bit of spirit? Because—"

"Die!"

"Whoa!"

Robin briefly registered a flash of blue and gold before his body automatically reacted. Diving to the side, Robin just barely avoided being decapitated.

"What is going on?!" Looking up, Robin saw his assailant. "Lucina, what the hell?! You almost killed me!"

"It seems that I have failed. Let me correct that!" the princess said, before closing the distance between them.

"Ack!"

Robin frantically rolled away as Lucina stabbed the ground where his body was only seconds ago.

"Lucina, what the hell's gotten into you?!"

"It was you!" spat the princess.

"What was me?" Robin asked, taken aback at the sheer venom in her voice.

"It was all because of you. Everything that happens in the future was your fault," Lucina stated coldly.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Robin exclaimed desperately. "Maybe if we both pause and take a deep breath—"

"Liar! Enough of your games! Your treachery ends here and now!"

Before Robin could have a chance to object, Lucina resumed her assault.

"Liar! Traitor! Murderer!"

Lucina accompanied every accusation with a swing of her sword.

"Lucina, please!" Robin begged, only barely blocking her attacks with his Levin Sword. "I don't want to hurt you!"

Why?

"Gods, what now?" Robin looked around for the source of the voice. "Who's there?"

Why must you constantly serve those who are inferior?

"Who is this? Where is your voice coming from?! Gah!" Robin just about managed to block Lucina's next strike.

Do not needlessly restrain yourself. She means to end your life. You must defend yourself by ending hers first.

"Whoever you are, you're wrong! I know Lucina and she'd never purposely try to kill me. This must be a big misunderstanding."

"Die, beast!"

Lucina attacked again.

"…A very big misunderstanding."

Your attachment to these mortals is a liability. It is a weakness that prevents you from reaching your true potential. It will get you killed.

"Who are—"

Rid yourself of your restraint. Unchain yourself from your attachments. Kill those who oppose you.

"Argh!"

Robin looked back and saw Lucina suddenly restrained by purple energy.

Starting with this one.

Beside her, a hooded figure suddenly appeared. A hooded figure wearing his coat!

"Hey, who are you? And what the hell are you doing to Lucina?" Robin demanded.

"Look at her," the figure said, ignoring Robin. "The blood of Naga flows through her veins just like her father. Would it not look nicer spilled across the sand?"

"Hey, I don't know who you are or what's happening here, but you leave Lucina alone, you hear?" Robin warned. "Don't worry, Lucina, I'll get you out of this!"

"You will do no such thing!" Lucina spat, struggling with her restraints. "After everything you've done—!"

"Lucina, I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything!"

"You killed Father!" growled the princess, voice dripping with hatred.

"What? No I didn't! I would never!"

"Liar!"

"The princess speaks true," said the mysterious figure. "It was indeed you who felled your friend. And it felt so good."

"Stop talking like you know me or what I did! I would never do anything to hurt Chrom!"

"Oh, but you would…" The figure grinned, then conjured a blade of energy and stabbed Chrom.

"Father!" Lucina cried.

"This is not your…your fault. P-promise me you'll escape from this place... Please, go..." Chrom managed to say to the figure before collapsing.

"What…I…" Robin looked on, stunned. "What did you do?!"

"Why, Robin, this was all you," replied the figure.

"What…?" Looking down, Robin saw his hands stained with blood. "What the hell…? Just who the hell are you?!"

"Me? I am simply you," the figure said, pulling back his hood and revealing Robin's face.

"No…that can't be true…that's impossible…!"

"Think of me as your…better half," Robin's double said, grinning. "Your rage, your pride, your selfish ways, they give me form and substance. Your bloodlust serves only to feed me."

"This…this can't…you lie!"

"Oh no. I did not spin myself out of the ether—I am you," the other Robin said. "Or rather, what you can be. What you will be. Your destiny. Embrace me and I shall help you eradicate all you stand in your way. Including this one."

Robin watched in horror as his double stabbed Lucina with his energy blade.

"F-father…Mother…forgive me…"

As Lucina crumpled to the ground, the other Robin laughed.

The ground trembled.

Robin's eyes registered movement to his side. Turning his head, Robin saw the sand dunes moving, only it wasn't the dunes. Now, in place of the dunes there was a long, serpentine body moving through the landscape.

Following the body, Robin saw a giant skeletal draconic silhouette behind his other self.

"Accept the inevitability of what you will become."

Six purple eyes slowly lit up on the silhouette.

Robin looked down at the back of his hand.

The same six eyes stared back at him.


"Ouch."

"What's wrong, Morgan?" Lucina asked.

"I dunno. Hand started feeling all prickly all of a sudden," Morgan replied, rubbing her right hand. "Ever have something like that? You walk down the desert, minding your own business and then your hand starts feeling like someone's poking it with a thin needle?"

"…I can't say I have."

"Well, either that or holding it over a candle or something."

"Oh yeah, I've had days like those," Henry waded in.

"Really?"

"Yep. Several days, in fact. You know, just doing your own thing when someone decides they wanna cast a death curse on you."

"Death curse?!"

"Yep! Or try, at least. Some of my classmates weren't very skilled mages back then. They tried to put a death curse on me as a prank but ended up—"

"Wait, they tried to cast a death curse on you as a prank?!" Chrom asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Of course, it backfired when they found out I'm just an awesome counter-caster. Man, sometimes I miss my school days. They were wild!" Henry laughed merrily.

Morgan looked at her hand in alarm.

"I'm certain whatever you're feeling is not a death curse," Lucina said quickly, catching the apprentice tactician's worried expression. "If it was, one of the mages would have definitely caught it."

"Oh yeah, for sure!" Henry added. "You have a premier hex and curse catcher-detector in yours truly. Can smell them a mile away."

"Really? So whatever this is, it isn't something scary or serious?" Morgan asked.

"Nah. I'm feeling nothing, so whatever's wrong with your hand isn't some kind of hex or curse," Henry said.

"See? Nothing to worry about." Lucina smiled reassuringly. "And given Henry is a subject matter expert, you can trust his conclusion."

"You sure can!" Henry said enthusiastically. "I'd sooner part with my hexing hand than see anything bad happen to you, kid!"

"Thanks! Although I'd really rather no one part with any of their body parts…"

"It'd be a small price to pay. I mean, you're Robin's daughter and he'd be really upset if something bad happened to you. And given how I really like Robin, anything that'd make him upset would make me pretty upset too! And that's not even mentioning how upset Tharja would be."

"Well I appreciate your concern. Thanks, Henry!"

"Anytime!"

"Well, having solved that little issue…" Chrom cleared his throat. "Morgan, what's our progress?"

"Let's see…" Morgan consulted her map. "We should be getting close now."

"Close to the oasis?"

"Closer. And according to this, the second village should be here somewhere close by."

"I hope we can locate it without incident this time," Say'ri said.

"At least without any sandstorms."

"Oh, what's that?" Olivia asked, looking up at the sky.

Morgan squinted. "...What's what? The sun kinda makes it hard to see stuff…"

"Up there." Olivia pointed. "It looks like something is circling us."

"Birds?"

"Some quite big birds."

"Not birds," Cordelia said, also looking up. "Pegasi. Scouts, if I had to guess."

"I don't suppose you think they'd be friendly?" Morgan ventured.

"Would be nice, but I wouldn't get on it."

"Great…"

"Oh, looks like they're going away," Olivia said.

"Looks like they spotted us and are going to report to whoever their boss is." Morgan sighed. "Right. Be ready, guys! We may have more bandits on our hands, or someone out here who's probably not friendly. But we won't let them stop us from getting to the oasis and meeting up with Dad and Inigo! Come on, let's keep moving!"


Now go claim your birthright and show the world true suffering!

"ARGH!"

Robin's eyes shot open, frantically looking around. He was sweaty, panicked, confused.

"Ah! You have woken up."

"W-what…?"

Robin's vision was still blurry. He looked up and saw a faint outline of...someone.

"Peace, friend. Please, drink this."

Robin registered something being put to his lips. He drank without thinking and felt some sort of liquid going down his throat.

"There. Please, drink slowly," said whoever it was that found him. "You are quite fortuitous that I happened to find you when I did. Had I not stumbled upon you just now, you might have continued to suffer hallucinations and delirium until eventually expiring due to lack of water or something equally unpleasant."

"Wha?" Robin's eyes focused on the figure and his large hat. "R-Ricken? Is that you?"

"Ricken?" The surprise in the person's voice was evident. "Apologies, sir, but I am not he."

Now that Robin's eyes were getting adjusted, he could clearly see his mysterious savior.

"Oh. Right. Definitely not Ricken, despite the mage hat. For one, you're much too tall to be Ricken."

"Er…" The mysterious mage didn't know how to react to that.

"Gods, my head…" Robin slowly got up, rubbing his temples.

"Slowly, please," the mage said, helping Robin up. "The antidote I have administered to you requires some time to take effect. You have been under the effects of the Acidflower's nectar for an unknown amount of time and so may still experience its side effects."

"Acidflowers? What?" Robin looked to his side. "You mean the cactus juice?"

"Indeed. It is a species of plant native only to this desert, interestingly enough. In this harsh environment it is usually the only source of drinkable liquid one may be able to find. However, it seems that the plant…" And then the mage started talking about the cactus in a way that made Robin completely gloss over the details. It reminded him of times when Miriel explained, well, anything to him. "...hallucinations, among other things. It is why people have started calling it the 'Acidflower.'"

"Uh...right…" Robin said slowly. "Who are you, again?"

"Ah, my apologies. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Laurent, a traveling scholar."

"...Huh."

"Is something the matter?"

"Yeah, I'd have thought that my mind would've come up with a cooler name than just 'Laurent.' Like, I don't know, Chaz, or Rick...scalicur...or Byleth."

"...Byleth?"

"What, it's a name!" Robin said defensively.

"You...you believe that I am a figment of your imagination?" Laurent asked, baffled.

"Well you pretty much said so yourself, didn't you? And thanks for that, by the way. My own hallucinations explaining the reason why they're there is very helpful. And at least you seem normal. Better than seeing ghosts of dead friends and another murderous version of myself…"

Laurent didn't know how to respond to that.

"So come on, Lawrence, you may be some weird cactus juice-borne delusion, but that won't stop me from what I need to do! Oh, I guess the first thing we need to do is find Inigo."

"Inigo?" Laurent's eyes widened. "Surely it can't be…"

"Yeah, he drank some of the juice with me when we both thought we were going to die of thirst. He can't be too far away from here…"

It was only now that Laurent paid attention to Robin's attire.

"That coat, can it truly…? But the behavior is such…"

"Hey, Florence! Come on, I think I see Inigo not too far away from here!" Robin shouted, already moving.

"Hold a moment!" Laurent quickly caught up. "I have introduced myself but don't believe that you have done the same."

"Haven't I? Huh. Well if you must know/already don't know, I am Robin, Grandmaster of Ylisse, winner of wars, and definitely not some evil demonic demon…thing."

"That…at least some of that information seems accurate, although…" Laurent examined Robin, trying to decide whether he was being serious or if the sun had fried his brain.

"Oh hey, there he is."

Laurent looked to where Robin was pointing and (unbelievably) saw Inigo standing in the middle of nowhere, looking blankly at the sky.

"…Today just keeps on getting stranger and stranger…"

"Hey, Inigo? Hellooooo?" Robin snapped his fingers in front of Inigo's face.

Chrom's son remained unfazed, looking up at the sky with his mouth open and a little drool coming out.

"Wow, looks like that cactus juice hit Inigo harder than it did me…" Robin muttered. "Or, less hard, depending on what he's seeing in there."

"It really is Inigo…" Laurent muttered. "Incredible. After all these years, finally I have—"

"Okay, let's see if this won't snap Inigo out of whatever hellish nightmare he's seeing in there!" Robin said, winding up for a punch.

"I would highly discourage such an action," Laurent said disapprovingly. "There are much simpler ways to solve this problem. Allow me."

Laurent proceeded to open a waterskin and pour some liquid into Inigo's still open mouth.

"Aw, that's no fun…"

"There we are. The antidote should begin to take effect, breaking Inigo out of this state, although it will be a while yet until he will be free of the Acidflower's effects."

"Neat. It's a good thing you happen to have more of that stuff on you, Clarence!"

"It is only prudent when traveling through a desert with limited supplies and where the Acidflowers may be one's only source of drinkable liquid. And my name is Laurent."

Robin's reply was cut off by violent coughing from Inigo.

"Ack! I'm downing! Water in my lungs! Can't die…mission…unfinished…still so many women to hit on…!"

"You are not drowning, Inigo," Laurent stated matter-of-factly. "Simply swallow and breathe."

"Wha—? Laurent? What're you doing here? Whoa…!" Inigo looked around in wonder. "When did we get to the middle of the ocean?"

"Wow, looks like he really did have it worse than me…" Robin chuckled before remembering how dark the last part of his experience got. "…Or not."

"Hopefully that should wear off in short order," Laurent said. "Inigo, look at me."

"I was in a tavern just now, surrounded by so many women! A few more lines and I could've…!" Inigo was on the verge of tears.

Laurent sighed. Of course it couldn't be that simple. After years alone, he finally manages to run into one of his friends only to find said friend in not a very helpful state of mind. Moreover, Laurent happens to meet a Robin who matches the description and what Laurent remembered of Robin in the future, only for this one to be...of questionable sanity, to say the least. Granted, that could be because of the effects of the nectar, but the fact that this Robin acted so differently from what Laurent heard and remembered of him…

This entire situation raised a multitude of questions that Laurent couldn't even begin to answer without the right data. And right now, he had almost no data to work with, which was why having Inigo being his normal self would have been very helpful in filling in at least some blanks.

"The movement of the waves is making me sick…"

Yet as it was, it looked like Inigo was not going to be of much use while he was under the effects of the nectar.

And since he couldn't abandon Robin and Inigo now that he encountered them, Laurent decided that the best way forward was to stay with them and try to lead them to safety. And maybe try to pry some answers while he was at it.

"Right. While we wait for Inigo to recover…" Laurent cleared his throat. "We should plan our next course of action."

"Oh yeah. We were totally doing something before we got distracted by the cactus juice," Robin said, taking out his compass. "Okay, great. This thing totally still works. Right, let's proceed as planned, Inigo. The others are moving and I don't want to get stuck out here when night falls. Laurie, you can come with us too, I guess, at least until this cactus juice wears off and you return back into whatever depths of my mind you came from."

"My name isn't—" Laurent didn't get to finish as Robin already began walking. "…Right. Come along, Inigo."

"The wind…"

Laurent shook his head and took Inigo by his hand to follow Robin.


Morgan was starting to think that there was maybe something off about this desert.

First they run into bandits and a sandstorm, then her father gets lost in said sandstorm, then they find a village which Morgan didn't see any evidence of when they passed that area (although to be fair, the village was supposed to be in that general vicinity).

And now it happened again!

They encountered some bandits, beat the location of their main base out of them, and then, sudden sandstorm! Luckily this time no one got separated. And just then, yet another village elder came seemingly out of nowhere and led them to a village that Morgan was pretty sure wasn't there before.

If Morgan didn't know better, she'd have said that this desert was haunted or something.

But then, it couldn't be haunted. For one, ghosts didn't exist. And if they did, they wouldn't be nice enough to give her and her friends supplies and directions to the oasis (which, coincidentally, was about where the bandits made their hideout).

Naturally the Shepherds didn't want to share the nice oasis with a bunch of bandits, so they all decided to make their way to the oasis and take out the bandit camp. As an added bonus, this would also save the surrounding desert villages from roaming bandit raids.

"Right. So that's where their camp is, huh? Interesting…" Morgan mumbled to herself, observing the bandit camp through her spyglass.

"Getting some good intel?" Cordelia asked beside her.

"Oh yeah. This tall dune we're on gives me the perfect vantage point to scout out what we're facing," Morgan replied.

"It is hard to believe that so many rogues would risk their lives in this inhospitable land in search for rumored treasure…" Say'ri shook her head.

"Ah, but you must never underestimate the greed of men," Virion said. "I've known many who have undertaken dangerous tasks for much less."

"I do not doubt you have," Say'ri said, amused. "And I suppose we are lucky that you are not one such person."

"Milady, I am nothing but…"

Morgan tuned out the rest of Virion's sentence to focus on the task at hand.

"How do these people have so many fliers…?"

"Maybe bad men spend all their gold on many pegasi, and now they out here trying to treasure hunt in order to pay off debts from buying many pegasi!" Gregor laughed heartily. "It would be ultimate ironing, no?"

"Bad financial planning, if anything…" Morgan mumbled.

"How's it looking, Morgan?" Chrom inquired. "Think we can take them as we are?"

"Oh yeah. We definitely should. I'll keep an eye out for a few more moments, make some notes and try to draft an overall battle plan. I mean, we gotta clear this place up for when Dad and Inigo arrive, right?"

"Coming only to discover that the agreed meeting place is occupied by armed bandits would make quite the inconvenience."

"Exactly. So we're definitely clearing these guys out. Now to make a few more observations…"


"Gods, all this walking in the sun is sure making me thirsty. I feel it was only a few seconds ago I drank some cactus juice and then bad things happened…"

"Please, allow me to offer you some of my water," Laurent said, handing a waterskin to Robin.

"But what about you?"

"I have ample supplies." To demonstrate his point, Laurent pointed to the bag slung over his shoulder. "I can assure you that I have ample supplies of water and other resources to last us so long as we are prudent in our consumption."

"Huh. You're certainly prepared."

"It is better than the alternative."

"I like you," Robin said, taking the offered waterskin. "You're one of the more helpful cactus juice-induced hallucinations. Thanks, Larry!"

"Robin, how many times must I insist that I am not a figment of your imagination borne out of the side effects of the Acidflower nectar. And in addition, may I remind you that my name is Laurent."

"Like you insisting will help convince me," Robin said after taking a sip of water. "Unless I have evidence to the contrary, I'm treating everything out here as some sort of weird delusion. I mean, before you, I saw Basilio! A dead man! Do you know how real he looked and sounded? Not to mention…"

Robin fell silent as images of someone with his face killing Chrom and Lucina bubbled to the surface of his mind.

"Robin? Are you unwell?" Laurent asked.

"I'm...fine…" Robin muttered, shaking his head and trying to dispel the sickening scene. "A-anyway, after everything I've seen or maybe seen today, I'll just assume that I'm hallucinating. After all, I don't think I can tell what's real and what's a delusion anymore…"

Laurent sighed. He was clearly not going anywhere with this line of questioning. As a man of logic and reason, Laurent could see that trying to convince Robin that he was real would be a useless exercise. The best course of action for now would be to play along until they reunited with the others and Robin got back to thinking normally.

Speaking of normal, Laurent also decided that now would be a good time to try and answer some of the burning questions he had about Robin, given that Inigo was still useless…

Laurent glanced back.

"I have such fat hands!" Inigo cried, looking dazed at his hands.

Yep. Useless. Laurent was surprised that he was still in such a state even after drinking the antidote. Just how much nectar did Inigo drink?

A thought for another day, perhaps. As long as he was following them and had enough water, he would be fine.

Time to begin his investigation…

"Robin?"

"Hm?"

"May I have a word? I have several questions I was hoping you would have answers to."

"If you must," Robin said distractedly, still looking at his compass.

"You are familiar with the Shepherds, correct?"

"Yep. Pretty much the second most important person there. Maybe the most, if you consider that I get to boss around Chrom and Olivia and basically the entirety of Ylisse's royal family."

"I see. So I assume you have been working with the Shepherds for some time?"

"A few years. Got to know some of them really well during that time, although I guess being together through a war would do that to you."

"I take it you mean the war with Plegia?"

"That's the one. My first war. Kind of got thrown into the thick of it right off the bat. Went from being some schmuck Chrom found on the ground to being the leader of basically Ylisse's entire military force during the Plegian assault."

"Chrom found you on…? Surely you must be exaggerating."

"I know! Even I don't believe that story when I hear it. Chrom literally found me lying in the middle of some field somewhere and the next thing I know, he's making me the tactician of his little gang and we're all best friends forever."

Laurent looked at Robin in disbelief.

"You really can't make this stuff up!" laughed the grandmaster.

"...To clarify: you did not happen upon Lord Chrom being set upon by bandits while on patrol and aid him?"

"Oh, there were bandits. Right after Chrom and Lissa and Frederick found me, we were headed to Southtown only to find it being set upon by bandits. Helping them repel the assault was what actually got me my job!"

"An interesting turn of events, different yet similar to what I know…"

"So that's when this whole wacky adventure that is my life kicked off. Chrom took me to Ylisstol, I met everyone else, and the rest is history."

"I see…"

"But enough about me, Lance. Tell me about yourself."

"Me?"

"Yeah. I'm curious to see what my mind conjured up for you. Judging from your robes, I gather you're a mage, no?"

"That is—"

"Also, aren't you hot under those heavy robes?"

"...I will admit that the attire is not ideally suited for this environment, although I could ask you the same."

"Well, yeah. I'm sweating like a pig over here so much that I think my entire shirt is drenched in sweat. It's pretty gross. Also, why do you think I'm drinking so much here?"

"Would it not be easier to simply take off your heavy coat?"

"Probably, although the coat stays. I don't make it a habit to part with my coat unless I'm sure it's absolutely safe."

Laurent looked at the empty desert around them.

"Hey, you never know what may come up," Robin said defensively. "Last time, there was this huge sandstorm that came out of nowhere and totally blasted us! My coat protected me from the worst of it. I don't know what I would've done if I took it off then…"

"I suppose that is a reasonable attitude to have, given the stories surrounding the desert."

"So you've heard about them too, huh? A bunch of baseless superstition, I say. But what's a scholar doing all the way out here? I'd have thought that you'd be cooped up in some library or something."

"While that would have been my first preference, I am in need of funds that I am unfortunately short of. While investigating the mystical tales about this desert were part of the reason I have come here, the main reason was that this desert is supposedly home to treasure of some sort."

"Oh yeah. I think I might've heard something along those lines."

"And while I do not make a habit of pursuing baseless rumors and superstitions, my need of funds and reasonable belief that the tales of treasure have some truth to them have brought me here."

"Huh. Why the desperate need for funds? Buying some fancy books for yourself or something? Surely there is an easier way of making money than making a potentially deadly journey to a desert in search of treasure that may or may not exist."

"I have taken all reasonable precautions to prepare myself for the journey," Laurent assured. "And after some investigation, I have concluded that there exists something out here worth pursuing."

"But is it worth dying for?"

"I have taken all precautions to minimize the chances of such an outcome."

"...You must have your eye on something really important if you're willing to go through all this trouble to raise some money."

"The utmost importance," Laurent said gravely.

"Well don't keep me in suspense."

"My end goal was to raise enough money to hire some sailors to take me to Ylisse."

"Ylisse? Why'd you need to go there?"

"I assumed that would be the likeliest location where I could be reunited with Lucina and the others."

"Lucina and the…?" Robin furrowed his brows. "How do you know about Lucina and the others?"

Laurent raised a brow. "Do you not remember? I have informed you that I was part of the few with Lucina that managed to travel back into the past in order to prevent Grima's rise."

"But that would make you one of the future children!"

Laurent nodded. "Indeed."

Robin stared at the mage before shaking his head. "Stupid cactus juice. First I'm conversing with dead men and now I'm seeing fake future kids. Have to make a note to never drink delicious desert cactus juice again…"

Laurent sighed.

"Besides, look at you!"

Laurent raised a brow.

"I mean, I'm not a good judge of people's ages, but you seem…old. Like, older than Lucina."

"That is because I am, currently in this timeline, older than Lucina."

"Yeah, okay," Robin scoffed. "You expect me to believe you're one of Lucina's friends when you just admitted to being older than her, the oldest of your little gang? Come on, at least try to be a consistent hallucination thing."

"There is actually a perfectly reasonable explanation for the age discrepancy between Lucina and myself."

"Okay, sure. I'll humor you. Tell me what this 'perfectly reasonable' explanation is."

"As you are aware, Naga herself used the last of her powers to send us back to the past in order to save the future."

"Yeah."

"Unfortunately, not even Naga herself could account for all the variables in sending so many of us back into the past. I don't believe it has ever been attempted before, and the magic of the portal was…imprecise, to say the least."

"Okay…"

"Given that you have already met Inigo, who l note looks almost the same as I remember him when we all entered the portal, I theorize that the magic that sustained the portal was unstable and could not place us all in same vicinity or even time."

Robin stared at Laurent blankly. "…What? I mean, I get the vicinity thing, since some of you guys were in Ylisse, Ferox, and others in Valm, but what's that about the other thing?"

"When did you first encounter Lucina?"

"Uh…" Robin tried to recall. "Maybe right before the events in Plegia kicked off? So…like, several years ago."

"I see. So Lucina has arrived at the onset of the war with Plegia…" Laurent said thoughtfully. "You see, while she has been sent back to that time, I, unfortunately, have been sent further than even that. While Lucina has been here for around two years, due to my being sent even further in time, I have been in the past for approximately five years."

"So…even though you're not even born here, due to you being sent back further in time and being here longer, you're technically older than Lucina?"

"I am older than Lucina, at least in terms of physical age."

Robin stared at Laurent for a while before rubbing his temples. "…Time travel makes my head hurt."

"It's quite simple, really. If you—"

"We're not going to be discussing the intricacies of time travel and its resulting paradoxes," Robin said firmly. "I have enough of that already with Morgan."

"Morgan? Who is—"

"Anyway! Your weird paradoxical time travel backstory aside, you said you were part of Lucina's gang, right?"

"One of her comrades, yes."

"Guess I have to know then. If my mind somehow conjured you up from nowhere: who're your parents?"

"My parents are Miriel and—"

"Ha! Miriel." Robin laughed out loud. "That's a good one!"

"Was there something humorous about what I said?"

"Well yeah. Miriel being your mother!"

"...I fail to see anything worth laughing about that fact."

"I've worked with Miriel for several years now," Robin said seriously. "And what I learned about her in those several years is that she is incapable of human emotion."

Laurent frowned. "Robin—"

"Okay, I take that back. I've actually seen her irritated a few times, and curious, if that counts. Mostly about life and its mysteries. And related to that, I have seen her get excited over things, believe it or not. Mostly when I give her things to investigate, like that time I asked her to see if she couldn't find a way to condense all of our spell tomes into one book. Or when I asked her to investigate Kellam's invisibility."

"Kellam?"

"Yeah. She was particularly excited about that one since I think he piqued her curiosity even before I officially assigned her to him as a special project. I think that one also took the longest of all her investigations."

"That is…"

"Oh right. Kellam. You know that guy? Timid, walks around in a huge suit or armor, has a tendency to float in and out of your mind and thus appearing to, uh, appear out of thin air? That guy?"

"I know him very well, in fact, as he is my father," Laurent said.

"Your father…?" Robin repeated before snorting. "Your backstory gets crazier and crazier, you know that? First your mother is Miriel and now your father is Kellam. Ha! Talking to you is really getting right up there with talking to Basilio in the crazy department."

"Is this all really so difficult to believe?"

"Uh, yeah," Robin said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I mean, you with the time traveling being older than Lucina and supposed son of Miriel and Kellam? The former being only interested in science and finding out how things work and the latter being...well, Kellam is actually okay, weird presence issues aside."

Laurent frowned. "Robin, I assure you that that Miriel and Kellam are indeed my parents. Moreover, Mother was more than capable of 'human emotion.' She was as kind and caring a mother as I could ask for."

"…Now I know you're talking crazy. Miriel is kind enough, I guess. Although having her show caring beyond interest in her science projects seems way out there, and don't get me started on love and affection."

"I will admit that Mother was not prone to displays of affection as some of the other women…"

"There we go."

"But that does not disprove anything that I have said thus far."

"Oh yeah, then how about the fact that, even if you were Miriel and Kellam's son, they aren't married. What do you say to that, huh?"

"…They truly have not consummated their union?"

"No. And rightly, I say. I'd have to fire both of them if they showed even the slightest bit of affection, not that they would. They both know that it's strictly against the rules! I told them and everyone else as much during our meeting."

"You told them it is against the rules to show each other affection?" Laurent asked incredulously.

"Yep. Got it down in writing and made everyone sign to show they understood," Robin said proudly. "They are all now contractually obligated to not fall in love and stuff until at least after this whole war thing concludes."

Laurent didn't know how to respond to all this new and insane information.

"So yeah. In conclusion, your backstory could use a lot of work," Robin said definitely. "I wonder what part of my mind you even came from. I'd have thought I'd be a lot more realistic than having someone with such an unbelievable backstory…"

"But if my parents have not truly…how does…?"

"Cheer up, Lars, it's not so bad!" Robin said, putting his arm around Laurent's shoulder. "This gives you the opportunity to make a better backstory for yourself! Besides, you'll be kind of like Morgan in that regard."

"Who is this 'Morgan' you continue to mention?"

"Oh, she's just my daughter. You know her, right? Short, blue hair, wears a coat like mine, has the energy of a small army?"

Laurent stared at Robin uncomprehendingly.

"You know, Morgan!" Robin emphasized, as if it would clear everything up. "My daughter from the future. One in which I apparently get happily married and raise a daughter whose head is basically sunshine, tactics and rainbows."

Having so much new information to digest, Laurent didn't even know where to start. So he went with what seemed easiest.

"You are not currently married? "

"No. Still living the happy bachelor life."

"But…you said Morgan is your daughter."

"I know, right? I don't get it either."

Laurent was slowly starting to wonder if the sun got to his brain and he was the one who was actually hallucinating all of this.

"Anyway, Lucky. I'm guessing you have mad magical powers, right?"

"…I beg your pardon?"

"You know." Robin gestured to Laurent's clothes. "That's some magical garb you have. Classic mage's clothes if I ever saw them. And, you have a pretty big hat."

"And that is relevant because…?"

"Well duh. Everyone knows the size of a mage's hat is directly proportional to his magical prowess. It's why Ricken got himself a hat when he graduated from mage school. And why Miriel always wears hers, which is pretty big in itself! And they're the strongest mages I know! So naturally with your pretty sizeable hat, you must be a pretty powerful mage, huh?"

"I...consider myself to be a reasonably adept mage, yes," Laurent said through his increasing stupor at Robin's questioning.

"You're being modest, right? I mean, look at the size of your hat!"

"That…is not remotely what defines a mage's talents," Laurent felt compelled to point out.

"What? Sure it is! Let me explain…"

And Robin proceeded to explain the "logic" behind his line of thinking that made Laurent question his sanity the longer he listened.

Luckily Laurent was spared any further agony of trying to untangle what the hell Robin was saying by an unfamiliar voice.

"Hey, look what we have here!"

"...Am I the only one who heard that?" Robin asked uncertainty.

Robin's question was answered when he looked around him and saw shadows circling. Then he heard the flap of wings and the sound of hooves landing on the sand. Finally, he saw that he was surrounded by about a dozen heavily armed pegasus knights.

"What an interesting find," said the lead knight with the fanciest armor. "Looks like we stumbled upon some poor suckers all alone out here in the middle of nowhere."

"Gods, finally something interesting after all this sand," said another.

"…I'm not the only one seeing this, right?" Robin whispered to Laurent.

"Unless we are both somehow imagining the same thing, you are not," the mage replied patiently. "I would advise caution; these women do not look friendly."

"Whoa!" Inigo chose that moment to snap out of his stupor. "I open my eyes and am suddenly surrounded by beautiful women! I think I died and went to heaven!"

The pegasus knights looked disdainfully at Inigo.

"Right. Anyway, despite the fact that we are supposed to be scouting the area for any villages or treasure, it's been several hours and you're the first interesting thing we've seen," said the lead knight. "So for lack of anything better to do, hand over everything you got."

"Wait…what?" Robin was not prepared for such a turn of events. "You're robbing us?"

"Well we should've known they were thieves. After all, you've already stolen my heart," Inigo said, winking at the closest knight to him.

For her part, the knight used the blunt end of her spear to hit Inigo in the stomach.

"Ooof! That was some…"! Inigo doubled over, clutching his stomach.

"Keep that up and I'll use the sharp end next time," the knight said.

The leader rolled her eyes. "Your friend there seems to really want to get himself killed. Hand over your valuables and we may spare him."

"I mean, we could, but if you haven't noticed, we're three guys wandering the desert in the middle of nowhere. Not much valuables on us, I'm afraid," Robin said.

"Rea, he's right," said another knight. "Look at them. They don't look like rich types."

"Maybe not, but this one's coat may be worth something," the leader said, pointing at Robin. She then noticed the waterskins. "And they have water. That's something, at least. So hand over your water and your coat if you want to live."

"Like hell I will!"

The leader sighed. "Look, the sun's out, it's hot, and do you really want to die over a coat and some water?"

"You underestimate how much my coat means to me. If you want it, come and get it," Robin dared.

"Robin, do you think this is wise?" Laurent whispered. "We are surrounded and outnumbered. The odds do not favor us."

"Never tell me the odds."

"Listen to your friend," the leader said wearily. "There's a dozen of us and three—"

Inigo groaned on the ground.

"…Two of you. This is your last chance before the ladies and I lose patience and decide to stab you full of holes."

"Oh, well if that's the case, let me just—" Robin abruptly stretched his hands and cast two Elthunder spells, hitting two pegasus knights and startling the rest. "Now there's two less of you." He then quickly unsheathed his Levin Sword. "Who else wants to try and take my coat off me?"

Laurent was unprepared for such a rapid escalation, but he lived long enough for his reflexes to kick in and take advantage of the situation by blasting the knights nearest to him with his own magic.

So then naturally a fight broke out. But it was really only going to go one way, since Robin didn't take too kindly to strangers trying to separate him from his precious coat.

During the fight, Inigo also got over his pain and joined the fight. And that was when the strangest thing happened. While keeping an eye on Inigo, Robin noticed how he took down one pegasus knight and then almost immediately was engaged with another one. If Robin didn't know any better, he could've swore that Inigo just performed the Galeforce maneuver. But of course, that was crazy. Galeforce was a highly technical skill that Inigo could definitely not perform, despite the fact that Olivia was one of its pioneers. Besides, Inigo never mentioned or showed the ability to perform Galeforce before, so him suddenly being able to pull it off now had to be some crazy desert-inspired illusion on Robin's part.

"Well that was an annoying distraction." Robin sighed and took a drink out of his waterskin.

"Sad. I think I would've had a chance with those ladies if they weren't intent on killing us," Inigo said. He then looked over. "Whoa, Laurent! Is that really you?"

"Yes, it is I."

"How did you find us all the way out here?!"

"I have been with you for quite some time," Laurent stated flatly.

"Really? I'm not just hallucinating this like before?"

"You are not, although I am surprised that it took the antidote so long to take effect and cure you of your ailments."

"Yeah, I feel like my head's only becoming clear now. Guess that's a lesson to never drink desert cactus juice ever again…"

"I really wish I knew how far we were from the others. Argh! Stupid desert and its vastness!" Robin kicked the sand in frustration. He regretted it immediately as his foot hit something hard. "Ow! Damn it!"

"Robin, are you okay?" Inigo asked, coming over. He then looked down to see something sticking out of the sand. "Hey, what's that?"

"I don't know, but it's really damn hard…" Robin grumbled, rubbing his foot.

"Curious. For something to be protruding out of the sands like this in no particular area of note…" Laurent examined the object. "This requires further investigation."

"Why?" Robin asked. "Do we really have time to be digging things out of the sand now?"

"I believe that whatever we uncover will be something of value and thus worth the time and effort of uncovering it."

"Fiiiiine. But if this thing ends up being something worthless, I'm putting it on you."

So the three of them got to digging up whatever it was they stumbled upon.

"It's…a staff," Robin observed.

"Kind of a fancy one at that," Inigo remarked.

"Very ornate," added Laurent.

"Great. So we spent all that time for an old staff," Robin said, picking it up and looking it over.

"Interesting. It seems to match the description, but can it really be…?"

"What?" Inigo asked. "This thing something important?"

"It will require further investigation, but my preliminary observations are that this staff seems to match the description of the Goddess Staff."

"The what now?"

"One of the treasures rumored to reside in this desert," Laurent clarified. "An ancient staff containing powerful magic and unknown properties."

"Sounds fancy."

"Sounds useless," Robin said flatly. "What good is a fancy staff if we don't know what it does? We'll be dead by the time we figure it out!"

"Heh, you don't suppose it grants wishes by any chance, do you?" Inigo asked jokingly.

"Given the unknown magical properties of the staff, we cannot rule that out for certain, although I will venture that such a situation will be highly unlikely," Laurent said.

Robin shrugged. "One way to find out, I guess. Hey, mystical staff? If you're listening, please grant my wish for us to be reunited with the others in our group."

Laurent and Inigo stared.

"…What? It was worth a shot!" Robin said defensively. "Anyway, since nothing happened, I'm inclined to just chuck this thing and—"

Just then, the staff started glowing.

"Fascinating. It seems the staff has reacted to something," Laurent observed.

"But to what? Uh, guys? The light is getting a lot brighter…" Inigo remarked with alarm.

"Oh boy. I have a bad feeling about this…" Robin said, bracing himself for whatever came next.

The Goddess Staff then released a powerful burst of magic.


Morgan wiped the sweat off her brow as she watched the scene around her.

The sun was blazing in the sky as Nowi and Nah flew overhead and battled enemy fliers to keep them away from the main ground forces.

All around her the sounds of combat could be heard: metal clashing, men shouting, spells hitting their targets. And Morgan would've been enjoying it a lot more if it wasn't for the blasted heat! Although she supposed the oasis right in front of her was a good a motivator to get this battle over and done with as any.

"Eyes up, Morgan," Lucina warned beside her, gesturing to the approaching bandit.

"You little miscreants. Here I was with my gang hurting nobody and looking for treasure and you come over here and attack us for no reason!" the bandit spat. "Well let me show how—"

The bandit was interrupted by a bright flash of light suddenly appearing in the middle of the battlefield.

"Whoa! Blinding magic!" Morgan exclaimed, covering her eyes. She then chanced a peek when the light subsided.

"That was…weird," Inigo said, a bit dazed.

"A curious development. This definitely bears further investigation…" Laurent muttered.

"What just happened?" asked Robin. "First we're in the middle of nowhere, then a bright light, and now—"

"Dad? Inigo? Some pointy hat mage?"

Robin blinked and saw Morgan standing with Lucina not too far away, looking surprised.

"Morgan? What're you—"

"Hey, you're you and where the hell did you come from?"

Robin looked to his other side and saw a bandity looking man.

"Wait a minute, that staff…can it be…?" The man squinted. "Ha ha, it is! The fabled Goddess Staff! Boy, you'd best hand that there staff over right now if you want to live!"

Robin raised a brow. He then turned to Morgan. "Friend of yours?"

Morgan shook her head.

"Ally?"

Morgan shook her head again.

"…Bandit?"

Morgan nodded.

"Right…" Robin muttered and, without warning, shot a lightning bolt at the now-confirmed bandit. "Why is it that everywhere we go is crawling with bandits?"

"Dad!"

"Hey, Morgan. What's—" Robin suddenly noticed all the fighting resuming around him (after the brief pause from his surprising arrival). "Out of the frying pan…"


So today was just a series of bizarre events in Robin's life. First, some sandstorm sweeps him and Inigo gods know where, then Robin has some serious plant-based hallucinations, then some airborne bandits, a magical staff of some sort, and finally, more bandits (the regular kind this time).

One of the more unusual days of Robin's life, for sure.

"Gods, I'm starting to lose my grip on reality," he muttered after the fighting was done. "What is real and what is an illusion?!"

"Whew, fighting in the sun sure takes it out of you!" Morgan wiped her face with her sleeve. "Good timing, Dad!"

"Thanks, Morgan, I—" Robin paused suddenly and stared at his daughter.

"Dad?"

Instead of answering, Robin poked.

"…Dad?"

"You're…real, right?" Robin asked as he continued poking. "Really here? Not a figment of my imagination?"

"I…think so." Morgan patted herself. "I definitely feel real. Real and solid as far as I know. Why? Was I a ghost all this time!?"

"Don't be silly, Morgan. You're much too cute to be a ghost," Robin said, poking Morgan's nose playfully.

"Heh, you're just saying that since I'm your favorite daughter." Morgan went in for a hug before stopping in her tracks. "…Dad, you reek."

It was at that moment Robin realized he'd been traversing an impossibly hot desert in his coat and sweating profusely into his only shirt. His only shirt that was drenched in sweat…and that he was currently wearing.

"Gods, I really could use a bath right now…"

"Well lucky for you we found this sweet oasis to make camp in. By? …At?"

Robin looked behind him and only now noticed the rather sizeable patch of water and vegetation in the middle of the otherwise inhospitable desert.

"Oh hey, this is just what I needed! Great find!"

"Thanks! Oh hey, what've you got there, Dad?" Morgan asked, pointing to the ornate staff Robin was holding.

"Oh, this? Uh…"

"Well look who decided to show up." Chrom smiled as he approached.

"Fie! It seems strange events have a habit of following you," Say'ri said beside him.

"You don't sound too surprised to see me, considering I was lost for most of the day and showed up completely out of literally nowhere. And yes, I am a magnet for all things strange, sadly."

"Eh. You have a knack for finding your way back to us. I'm sure it was in one of your many plans," Chrom said nonchalantly. "And I take it you being here means that you brought my son as well?"

"Huh? Oh, right. Him. Yeah, he's over there with Lucina."

"I'm glad that out of all the people he could've been stuck out in the desert with, it was you," Chrom said before glancing at where Inigo was. "…Who's the new guy?"

"What new guy?"

"You know? The one with the big hat. By the looks of it, he looks like a mage?"

"What? Lorenz? You mean you can see him too?!"

"Is…that a problem?"

"Uh, if it matters, I can see him three," Morgan informed helpfully.

"…You guys didn't drink some cactus juice while you were out there, did you?"

Say'ri raised a brow.

Chrom looked at his friend quizzically.

"I…have a headache…" Robin rubbed his temples.

"Dad? You okay?"

"I don't know. Need to think it over after I give myself a soak. All this sweat and stink is impeding my ability to think straight. Everyone's okay, yeah?"

"No serious injuries as far as I can see," Chrom reported.

"Just tired from the heat and sand," Morgan added.

"Good. Tell everyone to take it easy and take a wash. I can't imagine how we must smell right now…"

"Wait, Robin, please," Say'ri said. "That staff in your hand, can it be…?"

"Oh, this? We found it buried in the sand somewhere. It may be the reason we're all here, I don't know. Can't think about it too hard right now."

"By the gods, it matches the description of the Goddess Staff down to the finest detail! Is it truly…?"

"Goddess Staff? I swear I heard that name somewhere…"

"Aye. 'Tis an ancient staff rumored to be hidden in this desert. Legends say it possesses powerful and ancient magical properties."

"Oh. Well. That sounds useful. Here."

"Wha—?!"

Without warning, Robin threw the staff to Say'ri, who just about caught it.

"I'm sure you know more about this thing than I do. If not, I'm sure Miriel will have fun poking it. Now if you excuse me, I'm off to bathe."


"Oh gods…" Robin sighed in contentment as he splashed water over his sweaty face. He then got up, and took off his sweat-drenched shirt. He sighed again now that he was free of his shirt clinging to his body.

Robin looked at the water and briefly considered stripping down and going for a soak.

"Ah, there you are," said a familiar voice. "I heard you made quite an unexpected entrance today."

"My entrances are nothing if not…" Robin trailed off.

Cordelia looked at him curiously. "…What?"

"You're wearing your full set or armor, helmet included," Robin stated.

"Yes…?"

"In the middle of this hot as hell desert. Aren't you hot?"

"Boiling," Cordelia sighed.

"So why still do it?"

"Aside from the fact we just came fresh off finishing combat with the enemy, we still haven't finished our sweep of the area to ensure no more unwanted reinforcements arrive."

Robin looked around at the empty desert surrounding the oasis.

"Aren't you the one always telling us to keep our guard up until we're absolutely sure the surrounding area is secure?" Cordelia pointed out.

"I mean, it seems pretty secure to me," Robin remarked. "And despite the sun setting, it's still hot out here. Way too hot to be wearing full body armor unless strictly necessary."

"So I see," Cordelia said, noticing Robin's bare chest. "Decided to finally loosen up, have we?"

"I can't tell you how gross it is to have your sweaty clothes cling to you, continuing to soak up your sweat." Robin shivered. "One of the worst feelings in the world, up there with getting stabbed, getting shot, and wet socks in your wet shoes. How can you stand there in full gear with this nice refreshing water right beside you?"

"I'll manage. It's only a little bit more suffering until I can shed this armor in my tent and make a beeline for the bath tent."

"Or you can do what I do and get some relief right now."

"Oh?"

"Yeah! Shed your stuffy armor and enjoy some of this nice, cool water. I can't tell you how good it feels." To emphasize his point, Robin splashed more water on his face.

"Ahhhh…"

Cordelia chuckled. "As lovely as that sounds, I think I'll—"

"No arguments. I'll pull rank on you if I have to!"

"You'll pull rank?"

"That's right. So are you going to cool off now or am I going to have to make you?"

"Robin—"

"Besides, you've just been doing some fighting out in the sun. You must smell something fierce."

"…You know, that comment might earn a slap from some women. At least."

"If it makes you feel better, I probably smell just as bad."

Cordelia looked bemused.

"So, seriously. Take off that armor that's cooking you inside and, you know…" Robin gestured with his head to the water.

"…This is certainly a strange thing to focus on…" Despite that, Cordelia complied and started unbuckling her armor.

"That's the spirit!"

"Although I'm not getting in the water, if that's what you're thinking."

"Cordelia, please. I want you to loosen up, but not too much."

"Is that what this is about now?"

Instead of answering, Robin took her helmet. While he couldn't really strip and charge into the water (as appealing as that sounded), this was the next best thing.

Robin filled the helmet with water and then tipped it, pouring the water over himself.

"Aw yeah, that's it. It's like being stuck in the rain, only more concentrated and less catching you unawares. Wish we had something that makes a continuous stream of water. Heh, maybe Miriel can look into this…"

"There we are. Much better."

Robin looked up to see Cordelia had taken off all her armor.

"Gods, it certainly feels good to feel the wind against my skin."

"It'll feel better once you feel some water."

"Don't mind if I do."

Cordelia kneeled down and splashed water on her face.

"You have to do more than that. Like this!" Robin poured another helmet's worth of water on himself.

"Someone's enthusiastic."

"I've been wandering the desert under the sun for pretty much the whole day. You can't imagine how sweaty I am or how good some cool water feels over my body."

Cordelia chuckled.

Looking at Robin, it was only now she realized that she never really saw him without his shirt or signature coat. The loose clothing certainly hid the fact that Robin was quite fit. Granted, Robin didn't have Vaike's muscles and wasn't built like Chrom, but he was still lean, with visible muscle on his arms, chest, and stomach. An unexpected and not unpleasant sight, if Cordelia was perfectly honest…

"Enjoying the view?"

"Wha—huh?" Cordelia didn't realize she was staring. Now that she did, a blush duly formed on her face. "I wasn't…!"

"I don't blame you. Not every day you get to see me out of my shirt and coat. Enjoy the view while it lasts, since you won't get another chance barring some horrible wardrobe malfunction or if you walk in on me in the bathing tent."

Not knowing how to answer that (and to hide her increasingly red face) Cordelia splashed more water on herself.

"Feels good, doesn't it?"

"Very much so. Especially after a long day under the sun."

"You know what will feel even better?"

Cordelia turned at Robin's tone only to see him with a full helmet of water and a devious grin.

"Robin, no."

If anything, Robin's grin widened.

"Robin, I'm warning you…!"

"…Okay, fine. Killjoy…"

"Thank you, Robin. I—"

Cordelia didn't get to finish her sentence as Robin suddenly splashed her with water.

"It's best when you don't expect it. Makes it feel better, right?"

Cordelia remained silent, spitting out a stream of water.

"…You're not mad, are you?"

"…Do it again, but slower this time."

"Huh?"

Cordelia sighed contentedly and moved some wet hair from her eyes. "That was actually quite refreshing, the sudden ambush aside. Do it again?"

Robin grinned. "Told you."

Filling up her helmet, Robin walked over and poured it slowly over Cordelia.

"Gods, that feels incredible! Now my clothes and my hair stick to me because of regular water instead of my own sweat."

"It's a much better feeling," Robin said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, Robin! There you are!"

"Hey, Sumia."

"I've been looking—" Sumia paused. "Goodness, what happened to you and Cordelia? You're all wet!"

"We're not wet, we're refreshed!" Robin declared.

Sumia stared quizzically.

"More importantly, you're not wearing your armor."

"Oh, yes. It's just so hot out here I couldn't really wait to shed my armor after the fighting was done. And there didn't seem to be any more enemies around, so I figured it was all safe to be a bit more casual."

"A wise decision." Robin nodded in approval before turning to Cordelia. "See? Sumia gets it."

"Anyway, what happened to you two? The fighting barely died down and suddenly you're soaking."

"Let's just say it was a hot and disgusting day and I really couldn't wait until all our tents were set up to clean myself," Robin said. "And I helped Cordelia cool off too."

"That sounds lovely. To be honest, I'm itching for a wash myself. All this time wandering the desert in full gear really make you feel sweaty and tired and smelly!"

"I'm sure we can all relate. Although, you know what would really help you right now?" Robin said, looking for Cordelia's helmet.

"Yes?"

"A nice, little…"

"Dip!"

It seems Cordelia had the same idea as she came at Sumia from the side and poured some water over her.

"C-Cordelia—!? Wh-wha—?"

Robin was just as shocked.

"It's best when you don't expect it, right?" Cordelia said cheekily.

"I can't believe we had the same thought, and even less that you chose to act on it."

"Is it really that shocking?"

"Shocking that you went with my antics. You usually don't do that."

"I like to have my fun here and there."

"I am genuinely surprised." Robin then turned to Sumia. "Hey, Sumia. You okay? Feeling nice and refreshed?"

"I'm feeling…wet," replied the pegasus knight. "Although this is a much better wet than being wet from all the sweat."

"I know, right? And the wet clothes are less of a bother since it's so hot out here it feels they're already drying."

"That's…one way to put it." Sumia wiped the water off her face. "Robin!"

"Huh?"

"You're not wearing your coat. Or a shirt!"

"Oh. That. Yeah, it's that time of the year where I show you what's under the cool coat. Make sure to take a good look, since you're not going to see this until next year. At least." Robin then struck a pose to emphasize the point. "I think this is what Vaike does when he wants to show off, right?"

"Um…"

"Although I guess he has way more muscle to make this pose work. Although, heh, he has much more to show than I do. Probably why he insists on walking around shirtless."

Sumia certainly didn't think so.

"Uh-oh, it looks like our subject is feeling the heat, with her reddening face and how she's fidgeting with her collar. I think someone needs another batch of water!" Robin said in a singsong voice.

"H-hey, I'm not—!"

"I think you are," Cordelia chimed in.

"W-wait—!"

"Too late!"

And before she knew it, Sumia was again subject to an impromptu waterfall.

"You…you guys…!"

"You're not angry at us, are you?"

"No, just a bit annoyed I don't have my helmet so I can get back at you."

"I can help you with that."

Robin then slowly cast a wind spell in the water, essentially creating a swirling column of water.

"Brace yourselves, ladies, this is going to feel very refreshing."

Robin broke his spell in their direction, letting the column of water wash all over them like a wave.

"Oh my goodness!"

"Wow!"

"Now did that feel good or did that feel good?!" Robin exclaimed once he wiped his face.

"Amazing!" Cordelia laughed.

"I feel like I don't need to bathe this evening now," Sumia said merrily, wringing her hair.

Robin was about to make a cheeky remark when he noticed something. More specifically, he noticed how his two female friend were without their armor and completely soaked. And how, being completely soaked, their pegasus knight uniforms clung to their bodies, hugging them tightly and highlighting certain features.

Robin's mind immediately went to his hallucinations in the desert.

"...eally have something like this. What do you think, Robin?"

"Robin?"

"What? I wasn't thinking about anything!"

Sumia and Cordelia looked at Robin curiously.

"Robin—"

"Yes, well. Thank you for keeping me company here. Have some very important things to do now. See you later? With clothes? Okay! Bye!"

Robin then picked up his coat and scrambled away before Sumia and Cordelia could ask any questions.

Gods, that was a close one. Robin had to get away quickly before he said something stupid or compromising in front of the two women he was definitely not having indecent thoughts about. More importantly, before these two women noticed the bulge in his pants. But that was no problem! He just had to walk it off. Walk it off until his blood reflowed into the proper places. Walk it off…

"Oof, maybe Gregor is getting too old for fighting. Some bleedy wounds will cause much discomfort…"

"Let me help you."

"Oy, is Panne! How you help Gregor? Is Panne suddenly expert in healing magics?"

"No, but I do have some Taguel salve on me that eases discomfort suffered from wounds."

"Sounds like something Gregor would be much appreciating! Let Gregor just lift shirt here…"

"You should be more careful when you fight."

"Gregor is always careful! Is just sometimes not careful enough. Why? Is Panne worried that Gregor will be, how you say, hitting bucket one day?"

"I…will be saddened if I see you hurt. Despite your constant pestering, I have…grown to enjoy your company and jovial outlook on life."

"Oh ho! It seems Panne is opening up to Gregor! This is very welcome development. Now we—ooooh, Panne's healing salve is like soft blanket over Gregor's wounds. Pain Gregor was feeling seems to be going ever so…"

Robin's plan of walking it off was having the desired effect.

"Brady, I'm—"

"But nothin'. What did I tell ya? Get your keister in bed!"

Now there was an interesting sight: Brady yelling at Lucina. Robin just had to see what was going on here.

"What's with all the shouting, Brady?"

"Oh, heya, Robin. Mind helping me convince Lucina here that she needs to take it easy for a bit before she keels over?"

Robin raised a brow and looked over at the princess.

"It's nothing serious, Robin."

"Hey, who's the qualified healer here?" Brady said.

"Are you doing the thing where you overwork yourself and refuse to rest again?" Robin asked.

"Robin, I'm not—!"

"She sure is," Brady confirmed. "I noticed she was a bit sluggish and she confirmed as much. I give her a quick lookover and my recommendations, but she's bein' all stubborn again and insistin' she's fine. Help me talk some sense into her, will ya, Robin?"

"What exactly seems to be the problem?"

"Lucina here's running herself ragged. Her neck's all swollen and muscles inflamed. Slowin' down all her movements and makin' her all sluggish. She goes out on the battlefield like that, she'll get herself killed!"

"Brady, I—"

"Your solution, doctor?" Robin interrupted Lucina's protest.

"I prescribed her some rest and what she could do to ease the swelling."

"Rest? That's it?"

"Yessiree. It's really just that simple sometimes."

"I see." Robin turned to the princess. "Didn't you promise me that you'll take better care of yourself?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"No buts. Your rough-looking friend here probably knows more about health and wellness than the two of us, being a healer and all."

"I mean, I ain't all that…" Brady mumbled.

"Regardless, you have spotted a problem and given a diagnosis. And Lucina here will follow it for her own wellbeing, right, Lucina?"

"Robin, I'm—"

"Don't make me tell your parents on you, Lucina. Because I totally will."

"I don't think they need to be informed about something so trivial…"

"Well they will if you don't do as Brady here says. Actually, you know what? I'm ordering you to rest."

"You're ordering me?"

"That's right. As your superior officer and parents' best friend, I am hereby officially ordering you to retire so that you can heal," Robin said authoritatively.

"And don't you think of gettin' up to do some chores or nothin'!" Brady added.

"I…very well," Lucina relented. "I will retire as you prescribe."

"Good."

"Rest proper, you hear? No trainin' in bed or whatever."

"Noted. But first, Robin—"

"Later, Lucina. Go rest."

"But I have to talk to you about L—"

"This isn't 'going or resting,' Lucina."

"Robin, this is urgent."

"Are we in any imminent danger?"

"No."

"Then it can wait until after you rest."

"But—"

"Go!"

"I…" Lucina looked as though she was about to push the matter before sighing. "You're not going to listen to anything I say, are you?"

"Not until you rest."

"…Very well. If you so insist."

"We're tough because we care," said Robin.

"Thank you. Both of you. I know that I can be a bit stubborn at times, but…"

"We understand. Go. Rest."

Lucina looked like she was about to say something more before she nodded and walked off. She at least could take comfort in the fact that she talked to Laurent and, despite being together with Robin for the good part of the day, Laurent didn't divulge any unwanted information and Robin didn't freak out. Although Lucina had to speak with Robin later about this…

"Yeesh. Not often I gotta fight and tell for someone to take a break…" Brady muttered as he watched Lucina walk off.

"Wouldn't be the first time with her," Robin said. "Anyway, thanks for that, Brady."

"It's no big deal. I just saw a problem and suggested a fix, yeah?"

"Good eye. We all appreciate it. So how're you settling in?"

"Not bad."

"Getting to know all the others?"

"Eh." Brady shrugged. "Not much of a conversationalist. I'd probably bore everyone stiff."

"Come on, you're telling me you haven't made nice with the others?"

"Oh, I dunno. I remember chatting' with that...one fella. The one with the axe?" Brady paused. "...Wait a sec, who do I usually talk to? Gotta be SOMEONE, right? Hells bells, do I not have any friends?"

"I mean, some of the people who you grew up with and who came back in time with you are right here…"

"Augh, it's embarrassing enough without you pitying me! I guess I don't really have much in the way of buddies..." Brady sighed in frustration.

"Again, the people who—"

"What I need is a mentor! Someone who knows how a real organization works and does it all by the book. Yessir, it's ironclad hierarchy for me!"

"…What."

"Yeah!" Brady nodded enthusiastically. "The sort of outfit I wanna be a part of is run by the boys up top. When the saps down below screw up, they get smacked back in line!"

"And I assume you want to be the one on top doing the smacking?"

"Eventually, maybe. But I ain't planning to be the big cheese anytime soon. I'm the new kid. I want somebody who's gonna show me what's what. A guy with gravitas, yeah? Manly and tough, but dedicated. Little fire in his belly! The sorta fella what I can admire."

"Okay…"

"Someone stoic, yeah? Yeah, stoic! Respect for authority mixed with a liberal dose of old-fashioned male bonding! The boss makes his boys into men, and the men defend the boss with their lives!"

Robin had no idea where this came from.

"And I'm hoping to find somebody up for the job right in this here army."

"…Here? Really?"

"Yeah. This army's full of tough sorts. There's gotta be someone here who fits the bill."

"If you want tough and stern, I guess Frederick's your man. He's a tough taskmaster who shows no mercy."

"Frederick, eh? Interesting…"

"Although I guess Gerome would work too, since he's someone you actually know and stuff. Seems like all the stuff you just said."

"Yeah, I guess. Although Gerome's not too big on the whole teamwork thing. Or workin' with anyone, to be honest."

"In that case, I guess—"

"Naw, forget it! This ain't the sort of thing what you can find lookin' for it. It's fate as much as anything else. I'll see who the stars lead me to."

"…Right. Well. Good luck with that, I guess. Let me know who fate leads you to."

That was one of the more surreal conversations Robin had in his life. And that was saying something! Robin supposed that was the day's theme. Luckily it was coming to a close.

So after doing the rounds, checking up on everyone, having dinner and hanging out with Morgan, Robin decided to call it a day and sleep.


"Liar! Traitor! Murderer!"

"What? No I didn't! I would never!"

"Die, beast!"

"This is not your…your fault. P-promise me you'll escape from this place... Please, go..."

"Father!"

"Your rage, your pride, your bloody ways, they give me form and substance. Your vengeance serves only to feed me."

"I did not spin myself out of the ether, I am you."

"F-father…Mother…forgive me…"

"Accept what you will become—it is inevitable."


"Argh!"

Robin woke up in a cold sweat and heart beating in his chest.

It took him several minutes to calm down and realize that he was in his tent, and not…

"Gods…"

Despite the fact that it was a dream borne out of some hallucination in the desert, they both seemed so real, almost as if Robin really did do…

Looking down at his hands to ensure that they weren't covered in blood, Robin's eyes focused on the curious mark on his right hand. Robin never thought about it or what it meant. The mark was just kind of…there. It never really did him any harm or good and as far as he knew, it didn't mean anything. But during his delirium, he specifically focused on his hand and the mark. What did it mean…?

Robin shook his head.

There was no use thinking about it now. Perhaps he could do some research on it when he had more resources available to him.

Robin sighed.

One of the downsides of waking up in the middle of the night was that there was a good chance he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. And when he did feel like he was going to fall asleep, the sun was already rising and it was the next day. And on those days Robin felt like absolute trash since he had to function without proper sleep.

It looked like this was going to be one of those days.

Sighing again and resigning himself to this fact, Robin got out of his cot, donned his coat, and decided to step outside. Perhaps some fresh air would take his mind off…all of that.

It was a funny paradox in the desert, that this intolerably hot landscape during the day actually cooled down enough at night for it to be actually kind of cold.

Robin shivered as he walked past the erected tents, waving to the night patrols before he sat by the extinguished campfire.

Throwing some twigs and casting a small fire spell, Robin leaned against the crate behind him and closed his eyes.

The images of himself, with a devious smile, stabbing Chrom, swam to the front of his mind. So too did Lucina's face, showing nothing but hatred and disgust, even as she crumpled to the ground in front of him, a bolt of energy sticking out of her chest.

Robin tried to dispel these unwanted scenes by shaking his head.

Gods, it was bad enough he saw this stuff when he was asleep, he did not need to see it when he was awake and not influenced by cactus juice!

And of all things, why did he have to see that? Chrom was his best friend! His brother-in-arms! His brother that he never had! And Lucina was Chrom's daughter who Robin liked and respected just as much! Robin would never hurt them. He knew that, they knew that, everyone knew that! So why, then, did he see someone claiming to be him killing both Chrom and Lucina? Why? What did it mean? Did it mean anything?

Robin was so busy grappling with these thoughts that he didn't hear the footsteps approaching him.

"Robin?"

Looking up, Robin saw Lucina approaching. She was wearing a simple blue sleeping tunic and pants, with a light coat over her shoulders. Under the flickering light of his campfire, Lucina looked…ethereal. It wasn't the greatest thing in the world when Robin was trying to bat away scenes where he killed her.

"What are you doing up this late?" asked the princess.

"Rough sleep. Some less than pleasant dreams. Thought I'd get some fresh air to clear the mind," Robin answered noncommittally. "You?"

"Likewise."

Robin raised a brow but saw a haunted look in Lucina's eyes that no doubt matched his own. And given what she'd seen in her life, her 'less than pleasant dreams' were probably a lot more unpleasant than his.

"Heh, looks like it's a long night for the both of us," Robin said ruefully. "Want to join me by the campfire? It's nice and warm."

"I don't want to intrude…"

"Please. It'll be nice to have someone to talk to," Robin said, before quickly adding, "Not that I'm forcing you or anything."

Robin thought that Lucina was going to demur before she slowly approached and sat next to him.

The two sat together in silence.

"…Do you want to talk about it?" Robin said, after a while.

"It…is not something I wish to recall," Lucina replied quietly.

"Ah, right. Of course. Apologies."

"What about you?"

"I…" Images of himself stabbing Lucina flashed in his mind. "…I'll be fine. Hopefully it's nothing."

"I see."

More silence.

"It's lovely, isn't it?"

"Hm?"

"The stars," Lucina clarified, looking up wistfully. "They seem brighter now than they did in the future. I always found it lovely how so many of them illuminated the night sky…"

"Hmm…"

"…I will miss this…"

It was said so quietly that Robin almost didn't hear it.

"Miss what?"

"Being here, with my parents, spending time with everyone."

"Why? You going somewhere?"

"Back to my time."

Robin's eyes shot open.

"After the war, after Grima, after all is said and done, I will have to return to my world."

Robin had many questions, so he clung to the first one that came to mind.

"Is that even possible?"

"I fear I don't know. Naga made no guarantees that we would be able to return to our world once we pass through the portal. For all I know, it could very well not exist anymore now that we have altered the past."

"Well there you go."

"But regardless, I cannot stay."

"Can't you?"

"Even if I won't be able to return to the future once peace is won, I can't allow myself to linger at my father's side. It would only raise questions. Cause confusion..." Lucina shook her head. "No, it's best I lived in shadow, away from Father, from Mother, from all of you to avoid raising awkward questions."

"…And your parents are okay with this…?"

"They wouldn't be, wouldn't they?" Lucina chuckled softly. "But I cannot put them in that position. A mysterious woman clinging to the exalted family's side, neither wife nor daughter? One who bears the Brand that proves her of the exalted bloodline, no less! Surely you can imagine what the people would think."

"I guess when you put it that way…"

"Then the answer is clear," Lucina said simply, closing her eyes.

"So…your parents don't know of your plan, then?"

"I don't think I have the heart to tell them. I told myself before we came here that I will make the right decisions, no matter how hard that may be. And I fear that if I speak to my parents, they will beg me to reconsider and I will not have the willpower to resist."

"So how do you plan to go?"

"I don't wish to make a big deal out of it. Perhaps after everything is settled, I will see Mother and Father one last time and sneak out when no one is looking. I feel that would be the best approach."

"…Well that's just selfish."

"Robin?"

"Selfish and silly."

"I…don't understand."

"Lucina, can you imagine how worried your parents would be if you suddenly up and vanished one day?"

"I…"

"Because let me tell you, if I wake up and find out that Morgan disappeared without a trace one fine day…" Robin shivered at the thought. "I would freak out. And after freaking out, I would stop at nothing until I found her. I'm telling you honestly that I would search every corner known to man and would not rest until I found her and made sure she was okay. I would then hug her, drag her back home, and have a very stern talk with her about her leaving me without any warning. And then hug her some more."

Lucina listened in silence.

"Even talking about this hypothetical scenario is giving me anxiety, Lucina. I love Morgan more than anything else in this world and the thought of her just disappearing without a trace is possibly the scariest thing I can think of. And I'm pretty sure your parents feel the same way."

"But—"

"You are still their daughter despite the fact that there is another version of you back in Ylisse and they love and care for you just as much as they do her. As a parent, I can tell you that your leaving will cause them great worry, harm, and alarm. Do you really want to do that to your parents?"

"I…have never thought of it that way…" Lucina admitted. "I thought I would melt away and they would focus all their attention to the younger version of myself."

"I think it's sad that you either think so little of yourself or your parents. Just because you're from the future doesn't mean you're any less their daughter or deserve any less love."

Lucina looked down thoughtfully.

"Don't do that to them, Lucina," Robin said softly. "They will be so very sad. We all would."

"But even if that is true—"

"It is."

"—I cannot stay with them, Robin."

"Sure you can."

"But—"

"It's not guaranteed that you can go back to your time. Besides, why would you? It sounds like it sucks."

"Robin—"

"Besides, no one will mind if you or your friends stay here with your parents. In fact, I think they'd encourage you to stay."

"No doubt they would, but how can we explain this to the world? Especially when their Lucina grows up? There would be questions of lineage, of succession…"

"Pfft, we can all think of something," Robin said dismissively.

"I think you're not approaching this with the seriousness it deserves."

"Lucina, I've won countless battles against terrible odds, taken on entrenched vested interests and overhauled an entire country's government and administration. Do you really think I'll have that much trouble making up an elaborate excuse for you and the others back home?"

Lucina looked at Robin before laughing softly.

"Thank you for your words, Robin. For cheering me up."

"I do my best," Robin replied cheekily. "So you changed your mind on the whole 'abandon everyone in this time who loves and cares for you' thing?"

"While I wouldn't exactly put it that way, your words have given me pause."

"Only pause?"

"This is quite the serious departure from my initial plans, Robin. I have decided on this course of action for as long as I can remember. To change it now…" Lucina had a faraway look in her eyes. "I think I will need time to consider your words."

"I suppose that's the best I can do for now, although don't think I won't needle you to stay later on. And Lucina? If you do decide to ditch us without warning, I will hunt you down, and kick your ass. Probably with Chrom and Olivia's blessings."

"I will keep that in mind," Lucina laughed. "Thank you, Robin. It seems you are always on hand to allay my doubts and fears. I can honestly say that meeting you is one of the greatest gifts this era has afforded me."

"What can I say? I'm just the gift that keeps on giving."

Robin wasn't expecting to have such a serious conversation with Lucina when he invited her over to sit with him. Truth be told, the main reason he invited her was to reassure himself that she was alive and well, that he didn't kill her, and that she didn't hate his guts with a burning passion. However, this result wasn't unwelcome. Robin managed to get wind of Lucina's alarming plans once they dealt with Grima and made his case for her to…not go through with that. Hopefully his words stuck and Lucina wouldn't really go through with her quite ridiculous plan of leaving them all.

And he managed to cheer her up. That always counted as a win in his book.

Robin chanced a glance at the princess, who gave him a small smile.

That right there was a reminder of one of the many reasons why Robin tried so hard to cheer Lucina up when she was down. Aside from all the obvious ones like helping her through her issues, she was just so pretty when she smiled…

They sat in comfortable silence for a while.

"Lucina?"

"Yes, Robin?"

"Can…can you tell me more of what you remember of me in the future?"

"Robin?"

"I'm…just trying to get an understanding of who I became. And seeing maybe if it can help me know who I was…"

"Ah. I see." Lucina thought for a moment, reaching to happier memories of her childhood. "Well, for one, you were much older."

"Well yes, I'd hope—" Robin began before he saw Lucina with a playful grin. "Heh, making jokes, are we?"

"I thought it would help lighten the mood," Lucina responded. "You already know that in the future, you were…"


"Whoa, it almost looks like what we remember from the future!" exclaimed the girl on the pegasus. "All black and dead and stuff. What do you think happened here?"

"Judging by how everything looks like it burned and the volcano smoking in the distance, I'm guessing the volcano," replied her friend derisively.

"Do you really think our parents came through here?"

"That's what all the people we talked to said. A bunch of Valmese, too."

"Why do you think they did that? Heading towards an active volcano while being pursued by the enemy sounds nuts!"

"Hell if I know. The only thing we do know is that Lucina and the others definitely came through here."

"…Hey, Sev?"

"What."

"You don't think they all…you know. With all the lava and stuff?"

"No. I'm sure we'd be hearing about it now if the Resistance died in some lava."

"Oh, right." The girl on the pegasus perked up. "So what's our next move?"

"We have to follow, although there's no way in hell that we're stepping foot on all this crusty land. It'll be hiding lava underneath for all we know!"

"Then I guess it's aerial reconnaissance!" exclaimed the girl on the pegasus. "Climb on. Let's see if we can't pick up the trail from the air."

"Right. Just remember to stay low, yeah? The volcano's still spewing smoke and the last thing I want is to have a coughing fit in the air!" the girl grumbled as she mounted her friend's pegasus. "Let's make this quick and get out of here. Gawds, it's hot, I'm sweaty, and there's all this gross ash everywhere! I'm going to need a long bath after this…"