Roy bolted upwards from his bed.
"Gah! Ow..." He thought last night was a nightmare, but upon feeling his leg wound, he knew it wasn't.
"Good, you're awake." A voice said.
"Who-" Roy started but was cut off.
"Wolt. Now let's cut to the chase, what were you doing last night?" Wolt said, sounding rather angry.
"I-I was attacked by a creature." Roy quickly said, not wanting to get on Wolt's bad side.
"Not funny, Roy. This is serious. Now tell me, what did you do last night!?" Wolt said, having enough of his nonsense.
"I'm telling the truth! I have never been more serious!" Roy said, indignantly.
Wolt gave him a glare, which soon disappeared and he sighed. "Sorry Roy... Its just that... You could have died out there! I-if nobody saw you, you would have bled out! And I couldn't take that... We already lost bushy beard... I don't want to lose my best friend."
"Wolt..." Roy said. 'I must have passed out...'
Wolt cleared his throat. "I must be going, we are going to have a meeting. Also, I promised Cynthia I would spar with her."
Wolt facepalmed. "What the hell was I thinking?" Wolt let out a lighthearted laugh which Roy returned.
Wolt waved goodbye and took his leave.
'Wait, they're going to have a meeting? Do they expect me to sit here and do nothing?' Roy thought, appalled that they would start a meeting without him.
Roy heard footsteps outside the tent. Another visitor came to see him.
Unfortunately for him, it was Lucina.
"L-Lucina..." How could he tell her about what had happened?
"Roy, how are you faring?" She asked with palpable concern.
"Um... Fine I guess, but..." Roy looked to her face and was met with a frightened expression.
"That creature you saw... What did it look like?" She asked, fear completely taking over.
"...So you did hear... I think it was... A Risen, Lucina." Roy said very reluctantly.
She looked like she just received the news that her parents and the other Shepherds were killed in battle all over again.
"N-no... You must be mistaken!!" Lucina said in denial.
"It had a dark body, red glowing eyes, and when I killed it, it dissolved into nothingness." Roy said, despising crushing her hope.
"No! This cannot be, I-I... Have I brought destruction to this world too...?" Lucina said, barely more than a whisper.
"You have not! We can find a way to win! We have no choice." Roy said optimistically.
"R-Roy... If they are here... Is Grima here too?" Lucina asked in despair.
"I... I don't know. I have no idea..." Roy said, slowly losing hope.
Lucina tried to keep a straight face, but was unable to do so, as the scars from her world were reopening and the memories kept flooding back.
"Forgive me Lord Roy, I may need some time alone." Without waiting for a response, she left the medical tent.
"Lucina! Wait!" Roy said, but stopped. What could he possibly say that could make this situation any better?
Deciding to let her be for the moment, he wanted to go to the command tent. He attempted to get up from his cot, and succeeded.
He soon found out that his wound was worse than he thought.
The bandage ran from his thigh all they way down to his ankle. The Risen had a clean cut. It hurt. Really bad.
'Ngh... I can... Barely walk..." He set his eyes on the blade next to his bed. It would be perfect to use as a makeshift crutch he assumed.
He was somewhat correct.
Once he attempted to use it, he found it was better, but there was risk of him falling if he didn't stick the blade into the ground. Which was another problem.
He was in a tent.
Roy limped his way outside, heading towards the command tent. Upon exiting, he got a wave of vertigo. He assumed he only got a couple hours of sleep, but he came tumbling down all the same.
Roy hissed in pain. His leg was bleeding again. He fixed the bandages, and with renewed determination, vowed to make it to the command tent even if he had to crawl.
Once he made it there, he took out his map, and started to plan the army's next move. Until he heard a rather annoyed Ellen enter the tent.
"Hey! You're not supposed to be in here! Everyone was worried sick about you and you walk out, reopening your wound, and worrying everyone again!" Ellen said indignantly.
"Who else will do this, Ellen!? It is my job, my responsibility, to keep everyone safe. If I failed you guys... Just like I did with Lord Hector... I wouldn't forgive myself!" Roy snapped.
"I-I'm sorry, Ellen. I didn't mean to..."
"You done? Good, now let's get your ass out of here." Ellen said with no emotion.
"Huh?" Roy thought she would be more angry.
"Did you not hear me? I said: let's get your ass out of here! Come on, let's go!" Ellen offered her shoulder.
"B-but I must-"
"Forget it, there is no need. We have Marcus and Lucina. They are obviously good leaders with experience. They can plan our next move."
"But who will check the-" Roy was cut off once again.
"Inventory? Wolt, Cynthia, literally anyone in this army." Ellen responded.
Roy frowned. "I see. So when will my wounds heal?"
"Give it about two hours and it will fully heal." Ellen responded.
"Now come on, Roy. We should get you back to the medical tent."
"..." Roy said nothing, but allowed her to help him to the med tent.
Roy grinned slightly. 'When did I let people talk to me this way? Maybe I should be more strict...?
o - o - o - o
Ellen wasn't telling the whole truth. The wound would not heal in two hours. That was a lie to get him back in the tent. In actuality, it would take two days to completely heal.
He was hit by an axe that was covered in poison, and it needed time to heal before he could do anything taxing.
But Roy was in bed now, and with him out of commission at the moment, everyone else had to take care of his responsibilities as well as their own.
"So, Roy said we are heading to Ostia, correct?" Wolt asked, pointing to Ostia on the map.
The group was currently in a meeting. It consisted of Lucina, Cynthia, Marcus, and Wolt. It was nothing too important, so they decided it would be quick.
"Correct, Sir Wolt." Marcus said.
"We must head west to Ostia so that we can meet up with the rest of the Lycia Alliance." Marcus finished.
"Right. We must pass through the Laus territory on the way there. There are vast meadows and clear streams. It is drinkable water, so we won't have to worry about that. We can also find game in the meadows." Wolt said.
Wolt rubbed the back of his head nervously. "It is a bit iffy, but I may have heard rumors of skulduggery going on. We must stay vigilant. Any questions?" Wolt asked.
"I have a question! How will we march with Roy being injured?" Cynthia asked.
"We can either put him in the carriage with Merlinus, or he can ride on horseback with Marcus. I would think the carriage with Merlinus would be a better option. Anything else?" Wolt asked yet again.
The tent was silent.
"Right, that concludes our meeting. Dismissed." Marcus said.
Afterwards, the group had to take care of Roy's duties, as well as their own.
"Lucy?" Cynthia approached Lucina.
"..." Lucina was silent.
"Lucy, what's wrong? You seem sad... Is there anything I can do?" Cynthia asked hopefully. She did not like to see her sister be so forlorn.
"...No Cynthia, I am fine. If you'll excuse me..." Lucina trailed off. Hoping to be alone for the time being.
"Hey wait! Wolt and I are going to go sparring. You wanna see? I will make you proud sis! I never was able to beat you!" Cynthia said, desperate to cheer up her sister.
It appeared to be working. Lucina gave a soft giggle. "Don't worry Cynthia, you will be able to match my skill in time..."
Lucina looked to the rising sun. "I am sorry Cynthia. It is just that... Recent events have been... Taxing to say the least. I fear that I may be too pessimistic. It might be nothing serious, but I still can't help but worry." She said apologetically.
Cynthia came up with a few ideas. "Oooh, are you worried about Roy?"
Lucina blinked. "Of course I am. But-"
"Do you like him?" Cynthia asked mischievously.
"Yes. He is a valued comrade and-" Lucina began, but was cut off yet again by an annoyed Cynthia.
"No! I mean, do you like him?" Cynthia clarified.
Lucina blushed furiously. "Wh-what? No! Not in that way! I only think of him as a valued c-comrade and friend!"
Cynthia rolled her eyes. "Come on, why are you so buddy-buddy with him then? You obviously like him a lot."
Lucina sighed and looked Cynthia in the eyes as calm and as serious as possible. "Cynthia, I assure you, I am not in love with Roy. We promised to tell each other about such things since we don't have father and mother to give their blessings to us." Lucina said truthfully.
"...Okay Lucy, you win. I believe you." Cynthia said, somewhat dour.
Cynthia brightened. "So, wanna come to our sparring match? After we finish our duties of course." She asked again.
"Of course Cynthia, I would love to." Lucina said, giving a half smile back.
"Great! Meet us at the training grounds after you finish! I'll be waiting for ya!" Cynthia said excitedly.
"Understood. Farewell, Cynthia." Lucina was about to turn to leave until Cynthia ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
"Cynthia..."
"Lucy... I'm really glad we are out of that rotten, miserable place that we called a home... Here, maybe we can have a chance to live..." Cynthia mumbled into Lucina's tunic.
"Cynthia... Me too. I'm sorry we didn't have much time to talk, I will change that. Please forgive me." Lucina said.
"Aw, don't worry about that, sis! You said we can have more time to talk? I will hold you to that!" Cynthia said.
"Of course." Lucina said. '...How can I tell her that Risen are appearing...? I hope Cynthia is right, that we can have a chance to live... I'm tired of fighting all the time...'
The two sisters reluctantly broke away from their embrace and said their farewells.
As Lucina made her way to her tent, she recalled Cynthia's words. 'Do you like him?'
Lucina dismissed those thoughts. Surely, she did not like him in that way.
But...
'He is very kind and helpful. Always doing what is best for everyone else. He will have to endure a lot to defeat Bern... Balancing that with leading an army is unthinkable... I hope he gets better too...' Lucina thought.
It broke her heart to see him injured by a poisoned axe. He wouldn't be able to do a whole lot for a while. She didn't want to know what it felt like doing nothing while others did your work and fought for you.
Lucina shook her head to get out of her thoughts. She needed a clear mind for what may come.
But she then had a chilling thought.
'Don't Risen attack in... Packs? Oh no...'
Lucina sprinted full speed towards the medical tent, hoping to arrive in time.
o - o - o - o
Lucina arrived in time to see Roy stuggling to lift his blade outside his tent as he attempted to fight off a few Risen. It appeared that the battle had just begun.
"Roy! Get back! Let me handle this!" Lucina yelled to him.
"Lucina! Perfect timing!" Lucina sprinted towards Roy and shoved him behind her, eliciting a groan of pain from the young lord.
Adrenaline was coursing through Lucina as she slashed furiously at the Risen, easily downing one every strike as quickly as possible.
The Risen Chieftain had charged at her, swinging his axe around mindlessly. She parried a blow which knocked the axe out of its hand and she thrusted at the Risen's face. It instantly turned into a purple miasma.
'Gods! I've never seen anyone so vicious! She is truly remarkable!' Roy thought.
Immediately upon killing the Risen Chieftain, she turned and ran to Roy, practically tackling him.
"Roy, you're alive! Thank the gods!" She said joyfully.
"Um..." Roy was at a loss for words as he returned the embrace.
They were both silent until Lucina suddenly pulled away, embarrased.
"S-sorry... I... Was just so worried..." She said bashfully.
"N-no, no. It's alright." Roy said as he gave a nervous laugh. She wore a shy look that made him want to hug her again.
Then at that moment, Roy's heart was hit with the force of a hammer. He realized why he was thinking this way.
She was smart, strong, very beautiful, and had been through hardships unmatched by any other.
He had a small crush on her.
It was a silly thought, as love was a foreign feeling to Roy, but he truly liked her a lot. It was nothing too serious, it could pass as high admiration. He wondered for how long he thought of her this way.
He looked at Guinevere and she had almost no effect on him. She was beautiful, sure. But for some reason, she didn't affect him in that way.
Lucina cleared her throat and Roy snapped back to reality.
"Forgive me, Roy. I promised Cynthia that I would spectate her sparring match with Wolt. We should get you back inside the medical tent. I will help fix any bandages that might have come loose."
"Oh. Of course. Shall we then?"
Lucina led him back into the tent and left the medical tent after checking his bandages. It did not help that he put more strain on it, but it would heal in due time.
After she left, Roy looked to the ceiling of the tent. He was going to be bored and guilty for a while. He hated not being able to do anything. Just thinking about it made him cringe.
Eventually, he drifted off to sleep. But not before thinking of his newfound crush.
o - o - o - o
"Hah!" Cynthia locked blades with Wolt.
"Hyah!" Wolt parried a blow.
"Don't get too carried away, Cynthia!" Lucina yelled to her from the sidelines.
"Heh. You know, I never knew you could use a sword!" Cynthia told him as she lightened her blows.
"Ngh! Likewise...!" Wolt made a quick response.
"I thought... Pegasus knights only used... Lances!" Wolt said as he swung his sword relentlessly.
"Not this one!" Cynthia yelled as she prepared for a counterattack after easily blocking his strikes.
"...I hope you're ready... AETHER!!" Cynthia shouted.
At that point, Lucina jumped in to intervene. She took her sister's wrist and yanked the practice blade from her hand, tossing it aside.
"Hey! What're you-" Cynthia started.
"Cynthia, how could you!?" Lucina chastised. "
"You know Aether is a dangerous technique! I told you not to get carried away! Forgive me, sir Wolt, but she would have injured you badly if she hit you." Lucina said apologetically.
"Uh... Sure? Cynthia, maybe we should continue another time? Bye!" He waved to the two of them and ran away quickly, not wanting to get in the crossfire of the sibling's 'bonding time'.
"Lucina... Grab the practice blade."
"Of course."
The siblings prepared for an intense sparring match.
Lucina dashed forward, striking low. But Cynthia, knowing her sister all too well, expected this and parried. Cynthia charged with a thrust, Lucina saw this coming and sidestepped.
"Not bad, Cynthia. But I am just getting started."
"Same here. Prepare yourself! Sacred Stones!" Cynthia borrowed Owain's attack. But it did not hit it's target.
Lucina ducked underneath the swings and backpedaled.
"That was a close one, Cynthia. I would not have guessed that you would use Owain's move. However..." Lucina squatted, preparing for a power jump.
"If you are going to borrow moves, then so shall I!" Lucina jumped into the air and brought her sword down on Cynthia, who narrowly dodged, but grazed her neck.
"Cynthia! Are you okay?" Lucina said, worried she may have made the same mistake as her sister.
"What, this? Ha! It is just a scratch. Regardless, I yield. I am super duper tired right now. can we continue another time?" Cynthia said, breathing rather heavily.
"Oh.. Of course. If you wish." Lucina said.
"See ya sis! I need to help Wolt sort the inventory." Cynthia said.
"Farewell..." Lucina said as a pang of nostalgia hit her.
o - o - o - o
Ylisse, ten years ago.
'Cmon, sis! We have to meet up with the Justice Cabal!' Cynthia told Lucina with excitement.
'Wait a sec, Cynthia. I'm right behind you.' Lucina said, as they giggled.
'And what are my little girls up to?' Said a masculine voice.
The two girls looked at him with love and awe and ran over to give him a hug.
'Daddy! You're home!' We were on our way to meet with the Justice Cabal. But we would rather spend time with you! Right, Lucina?'
'Of course! Daddy is the bestest hero ever!' Lucina said with admiration.
'Heh. I would hope so. I need to be the bestest hero ever if I want to protect my little girls!' Chrom said, happy to have his two princesses. They reminded him of his wife... They were all he had, and he would protect them with every fiber of his being.
'You girls want to look at the flowers in the garden? Daddy has to... Leave again in a while.' Chrom said, tearing up slightly.
'Daddy! Do you have to go? You just got here...' Cynthia said, forlorn.
'Heh, don't worry, my pega-pony princess. I have a bit of time before I leave.' Chrom said, happy he gets to spend some time with them. He supposed it was better than nothing.
'Ok, daddy!' Cynthia said.
The three went to the royal garden and looked at the majestic flowers that were recently watered.
'Whoa! So many colors!' Lucina gasped.
'Daddy! Look!' Cynthia pointed to a group of flowers.
They were Sumia's special flowers that she used for fortune telling. Chrom silenced a sob.
'Hm? What's the matter, daddy?' Lucina asked, worried something went wrong.
'N-nothing, little ones, I'm perfectly fine. How about we look over there?' Chrom said, pointing to a spot away from the fortune flowers.
Their expressions' brightened as they ran over to look at the new flowers. With Chrom trailing close behind.
'Ooh, Daddy, look!' Lucina beckoned Chrom to come closer.
'Did you find something you like?' Chrom asked.
'Daisies!' Lucina responded.
'Daisies?' Chrom asked. He didn't know they grew in the royal garden.
'Yes! Daises are my favorite flower!' Lucina stated.
'Is that so? Well, we have to do something special then... Especially with all of these daisies growing here, good lord!' Chrom said, astounded by the amount of white and yellow he saw.
'Daddy, could you put them in my hair?' Lucina asked innocently.
'Of course. Actually, that was what I was going to do in the first place.' Chrom chuckled.
He plucked some of the flowers from their roots and put a few in Lucina's hair.
'There you go, little one. You look beautiful!' Chrom said honestly.
'Do you mean it? Thanks, daddy!' Lucina said gratefully.
'Ooh, ooh, my turn, my turn!' Cynthia said with excitement.
'Ok, Pega-Pony Princess, show me the flowers.' Chrom told Cynthia.
She pointed to Sumia's fortune flowers and Chrom cringed.
'Uh... Are you sure that is what you want?' Chrom asked, hoping she would say no.
'Yep! ...Daddy, what's the matter?' Cynthia asked. Noticing his strange behavior.
Chrom decided not to tell them. It would make leaving so much harder. He did not want to burden them of that knowledge.
'Nothing... Come here.' He said, moving to sit on the ground next to the fortune flowers.
He repeated the process of plucking flowers and putting them in one of his daughter's hair. Only this time, it was much harder mentally for him. It felt like he was killing a part of his wife's spirit that still lived on.
When he saw Cynthia, he was on the verge of tears. She looked so much like her. With her hair down in a similar fashion and the flowers in her hair, it was heart wrenching to look at her. He hated that feeling. He shouldn't be afraid to look at her daughter because she looked like her deceased mother, should he?'
Chrom stood and looked away quickly.
He felt a hand tugging at his waist and he looked down. It was Lucina. 'Daddy... Where is Mommy?'
He knew he should have expected that question, but it was heartbreaking for him all the same. Reluctantly, he attempted to put on a stoic face as he crouched to look at Lucina in the eyes.
'Mommy is... Busy right now. She is fighting for you two so very hard... She loves you two and wants you both to have a wonderful life...' A life that he knew they wouldn't get. Regret filled his mind.
His broken heart shattered even further when he saw the dejected looks on their faces.
'I miss mommy, daddy.' Cynthia said. 'Will we see her again soon?'
Chrom let a few tears fall. 'Y-yes you will, someday...'
Chrom heard footsteps behind them.
'Chrom, we are ready to leave. Have you said your goodbyes?' A voice said.
Chrom wiped the tears from his eyes and looked toward the hooded figure. 'Give me a moment, Robin. I will be there shortly.'
Robin nodded. 'Of course.' Then the mysterious person walked away.
'N-now, as you heard Robin say, I must be going...' Chrom dropped to his knees to give them both a hug.
'Daddy... How long will you be gone?' Lucina asked.
'Not l-long. We will just beat up the evil old wizard and we'll be back before you know it.' Chrom said.
'We'll miss you daddy...' Cynthia said.
'I know... You two must be strong though. You both remind me of your m-mother. It is okay to cry sometimes. Do whatever you need to do to forget about the bad and to remember the good.' Chrom said.
Chrom reluctantly pulled away.
'G-goodbye, my sweet little princesses... I love you two. More than you could possibly know...'
'Daddy... We love you too...' They both said.
Chrom left the two and went to catch up with the Shepherds, or whatever was left of them.
'You okay?' Robin asked.
'Well, we are going on a suicide mission, my daughters are going to have to go through hell, and my wife is dead. Yeah, I'm okay!' Chrom said bitterly.
'Sorry. That was a stupid question.'
'Really?' Chrom asked sarcastically.
Robin sighed. 'Sorry. Forget I said anything. Let's just go.'
The Shepherds left for the dragon's table in Plegia. They would make a last stand. But it was an impossible task. Many of the Shepherds were killed, morale was low, and supplies were draining quickly. Their deaths were certain. Chrom had to go. He would not want to be a coward while his Shepherds fought and died for him. That wasn't fair to them. Besides, it was his militia, he would have to command them.
'I'm so sorry little ones... I wasn't able to give you the life that your mother wanted... I hope you two can forgive me one day.' Chrom said regretfully.
'I love you two... So much...'
o - o - o - o
Lucina was broken out of her thoughts by tears falling from her face. She rubbed her eyes to get rid of them.
All she wanted was to see her parents again. She was denied that because of Grima. She had buried the pain for so long. She had to when Robin came to give her Falchion after saying her father was killed in battle. In which afterwards, Robin left mysteriously.
'It's okay to cry sometimes...' She remembered her father's words.
"Do whatever you need to do to forget about the bad, and to remember the good." Lucina said. Leaving to go to her tent to do just that.
o - o - o - o
A/N: The feels much? A few things here.
Yes, the flashbacks are in third person too. It may be unorthodox, but I think it is better this way. Well, in my opinion anyway.
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