Chapter 3: Fight Night

Robin, Fredrick, and I were running through the fire and the…

"Ahhhh!" A female voice screamed from far away. 'Now is not the time to be making bad music puns.' I think losing and regaining my balance from the shifting earth underneath us. 'We have to get to them, whatever it takes… Gods damnit!'

We were rudely awakened from our sleep by an earthquake. Fredrick panicked that his lord and lady were gone. I panicked because it was the first time I was in an earthquake. Robin almost had to slap Fredrick to get his head on straight. She thought that they shouldn't have gone far because their tracks were still fresh. We then heard a young girl scream and Fredrick immediately started running towards the scream. It is probably Lissa but he didn't need to run off without us, asshole. Anyway, Robin and I had to rush and catch up.

Robin had good stamina, while mine was upgraded according to the letter. We are only a few yards behind him now. Robin was holding onto her tome while I hand a dagger in each hand. We were almost at the tree line. I could see old fort ruins through the trees and a flash of gold being defended from a figure of purple. The purple figure died when Chrom sliced it in the back. Lucina, or Marth as she is known now, stood up straight as Chrom hurried over to Lissa. Lissa looked scared. Lucina decided to shrink away into the adjacent woods. We burst out into clearing as Fredrick called out to Chrom.

"Milord, Milady!" He rushed over to them and started fretting over them. "Are either of you hurt? Where did you go? What were you thinking?" his questions ended with a growl from a purple figure. Risen.

The Risen were scary. The purple skin looked rotten, and each Risen's face was unique. Their eyes were a soulless red. No iris or anything. The moans and growls were honest human. Whenever they opened their mouths it was just all black. No tongues, nothing. They were bigger than normal people, they all stood around 7'00" tall a whole foot above Chrom and myself.

"Are those things common place in these lands." Robin asked staring at the same thing I was.

"Naga, I hope not." I say, flipping one of my daggers in my hand. Robin clutched her tome even tighter. Lissa, who was up and at'em, coward behind Chrom who clinched his teeth holding his sword in front of him. Fredrick was twirling his lance on his horse. Who came from nowhere? 'When the hell did he get that horse?' Robin looked back as well, either confused by the horse or doing a tactical count. Hopefully the second one.

"Chrom you're with me. Lissa you stay with Fredrick and Jordan, make sure they kill risen and not each other." She ordered as we all nodded. Fredrick again was a little reluctant but I hope he'll come around. A growl split through the night sky as we all turn over to the Risen who yelled. He was the chief, bigger, taller, and stronger holding an axe. He looked menacing as he growled at all of us.

"Chrom and I will go after the chief. Jordan, Fredrick and Lissa will make sure we get there. Understo…" she wavered off at the end. She was looking out at the battlefield intently. I followed her gaze and saw abandoned forts. "Chrom are those…"

"Abandoned forts, yes." He replied and interrupts at the same time. Robin sat in thought for some time until she perked up.

"New plan! Fredrick take Lissa to the abandoned fort at the edge of the forest in front of you. Jordan! You will stand outside of the fortress making sure nothing gets in. When nothing is attacking it follow me and Chrom. Understood?" she asked in an authoritative voice. Fredrick nods and helps Lissa onto his horse.

"Got it." Chrom says as he rushes over to her. I smirk and stretch my arms.

"This should be fun." I say with some real and some false confidence. This was easy in my runs of the game, but this isn't my game anymore. Robin smacks me on the head. "Ow… why?" I ask rubbing my head.

"That type of thinking could get you killed." She says very sternly. "Be confident, but not arrogant."

"Yes Mother" I say sarcastically. She just glares at me. I, childishly, stick my tongue out at her. She rolls her eyes. Chrom chuckles a bit at this.

"You two could be siblings." He says jokingly. Robin looks at him, then at me. She sighs and rubs her forehead.

"Sure, but enough banter. Our enemies are coming shortly." Chrom agrees with her and they run forward, towards the chief. Fredrick and Lissa were waiting for me. Fredrick looked a bit pissed. Probably at me for wasting time.

He huffs and talks to me. "We must hurry towards the fort. Are you able to defend milady?"

"We'll find out." I say hiding my lack of confidence with and impassive tone. Not the right words for the situation as Fredrick didn't look pleased at all and Lissa held onto him tighter. I was afraid of failing both of them. I didn't want to. This was a chance to prove myself, to myself and the doubting Fredrick. I start running towards the fort and Fredrick follows.

The Risen notice us and make their way over to us. I holster a knife and pulled my bow out and placed an arrow on it. One risen was charging us head one, most others were on the right of us. Fredrick twirled his silver lance around and rushed forward to skewer the Risen to our front. I run up to his side, stop, and turn to the right. They were charging straight for us. Readying my bow, I took a deep breath. 'Now or never' I think.

"Game, set, match!" I scream out as I let it fly. 'Was that my critical hit line. That kind of sucked.' The arrow flew until it pierced the Risen fighter right in his chest, killing it instantly. 'Nice now the next one.' The mercenary rushed in with his sword. He held it high and swung downwards. I rolled to my left but got nicked on my right shoulder. 'Damnit, that was my good arm too.' I think jumping backwards to avoid another swipe from the mercenary. I had to quickly put my bow back and grab a knife or two. 'Or…'

I threw the bow at him as it went in for another slash. The Risen hit the bow and broke it. I pulled out two knives and threw the one in my left first. It sailed with no spin and landed in his chest. I threw the one in my right with a wince. It wobbled in the air but sunk itself in the Risen's head who vanished into purple smoke after hitting the ground. Its bronze sword clattered to the ground along with my knives.

I sprint to the gear on the ground. I sheath my knives and pick up the sword. I take a practice swing which ended up being a bad idea as I remembered my arm pain. My hand rushed up to my shoulder and felt a wetness. I pulled it back and looked at it. My hand was red with blood. "Damnit, that's not good." I say to myself.

"What's wrong newbie?" A low but feminine voice asks. I jump and spin around. Behind me was Sully. She looked around Chrom's age and was about 5'8"-5'9" a bit on the taller side for women, along with being more muscular than any woman I've met. She wore all read and white armor with a white drape looking thing up front covering most of the front of her body. Her hair was maroon, the same color as my history binder on earth. She wasn't the prettiest women on the block, but she still was quite beautiful in her own, kick your ass if you cheat on her, way. She had a concerned look on her face. She switched her gaze from my face to my shoulder.

"Ahh, your first battle scar." She said with a chuckle. "let's get you to Lissa and get your ass healed up. Hop on." She held out a hand. I grabbed her hand with my left and weakly held my sword with the right. "If I get blood on my armor I'm making you fight me, then clean your blood off it." I snicker and held around her stomach with my left arm. Leaning back so my right arm wouldn't touch her.

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen." I say, looking out at the fire lit battle field. Fredrick and Lissa had made it to the fort. Luckily Fredrick didn't have to fight anymore risen. Virion was here as well. He stood around Sully's height and was fairly skinny. He looked like a noble with his frilly ass clothes. He was looking over the battle field as well with his pale blue hair flowing into his eyes. 'I guess only Chrom can pull that hair blowing thingy off.' I think to myself. 'Shit! Robin's orders!'

"Sully!" I exclaim, startling her.

"What?!" she responded a bit angry. "And how the hell do you know my name?"

"Not important right now. We have to catch up to Chrom and Robin! She told me to meet up with them! They are facing the leader of these things." There were only three left and Virion just shot down one of them. Chrom and Robin were up near the hill battling the chief, and not doing so well. The last one was in our path towards the fort. She looked indecisive. She then looks over towards Chrom and Robin and sees what I see.

"Alright. We'll head over there but we need to take out this damn pest here. It would be easier if someone didn't throw his bow and get it broken." She said through clinched teeth. I sheepishly laugh.

It's not like I could use it now. My shoulders screwed up." I wave my arm and wince proving my point and being and idiot all at once. She gives one laugh and rides towards the Risen fighter.

"We'll get close to it, then do a sharp turn towards Capitan Chrom and the new chick. When we turn, I'll hit it with my lance and you either throw your knife or slice him with your sword. Got it?" she asked. I just force a thumbs-up in front of her face. She swats it away and pulls her bronze lance from the right side of the horse. The risen is charging as well.

"Get ready!" she orders. She switched he lance to the left hand and I carefully switch the bronze sword I had to my left, trying to not get ant blood on her armor. We were about ten feet away now. She narrows her eyes and yanks the reigns to the right. Her horse skids his feet, panting them and trying to switch to the right. The Risen was with in lance range as sully skewered his left shoulder. It wasn't dead yet as he still runs at us. I lean to the left and go for the stab. It literally ran into my sword and killed itself. His axe fell to the ground as purple smoke floods my vision.

That doesn't last long as Sully's horse pulls us towards the last Risen. I look around Sully and see Chrom charge at the chief with sword in one hand to the side. Robin stood off to the right of the duel channeling magic from her tome. An easy duel attack tactic that anyone would plan up. Chrom brought both hands together on the swords hilt and went for a horizontal strike. The chief blocked the strike but couldn't dodge the thunder spell that Robin sent at it. It stumbled to the left Chrom swung his sword from the right to the left at the monster's neck decapitating it. Chrom spun his sword an unnatural amount of times and planted it in the ground looking all badass and such. He sent a nod over to Robin as a thank you. She just shuts her tome and walks over with a smile.

"Why did we need to come over here again? They had it covered." Sully asks me as she slows down her horse to a trot. I lean back from her side and notice that I was leaning into her with my right shoulder. 'Shit. I'm dead. It was fun while it lasted.' I think watching some blood trickle down her back. "Yo. Newbie you there?" she asks turning around a bit to look at me.

"Yea I'm alive. And the answer to your question is that it was orders from the new tactician. Didn't want to screw up on the first day." I say making no eye contact.

"Why aren't you looking me in…" her voice falters as she notices my shoulder. It wasn't a natural looking blood stain. I could tell you that without looking. "You're dead now fresh meat." She says in a deadly tone.

"I know." I sputter out.

Chrom and Robin are walking up to us as we slow down. "Why are you guys over here?" Chrom asks.

"Newbie, here thought that we were needed over here. New tactician's orders or something like that. He was too damn stubborn to be dropped off at the fort Lissa, Fredrick and ruffles were at to get his injury looked at." Sully summarized and threw me under the bus.

"You never made that an option." I argue back rather loudly. Sully was about to retort when Chrom spoke up.

"What happened?" he asked. Robin quickly butted in before I could have started.

"How about we share stories on the way to the fort. Okay?" we all nod. "Good, let's go." She starts walking forward and the rest of us join her. I explain how I got injured and what things I saw in the risen as requested of the Prince. Once we got to the fort, Lissa comes running out to meet us and hugs Chrom. Fredrick rushes out as well but doesn't hug any of us, as expected. Virion walks out as well and fusses over Sully. I ignore it and hop off the opposite side of Virion. Sully was getting pretty pissed now.

"Lissa can you please heal Jordan. He got a cut on his shoulder and by the amount of blood it looks deep." Chrom said as Lissa gasps and rushes over to me.

"Oh my gosh! What happened? Wait Chrom answered that. But any way, take off your vest, and I can get started." She spoke rather quickly but I hear the vest part and comply. Lissa starts her healing magic and it feels weird. It feels like light and warmth rushing over you and I must say, wow. Lucina had rejoined our merry crew and Fredrick started speaking to Chrom and us.

"The creatures have been all been vanquished and this young man took care if the others." Fredrick said and I have to hold in a snicker as Lucina stood there rather awkwardly.

"I never got to thank you… You know for before. So thank you." Lissa stammered out.

"You have saved my sisters life and I am very thankful for that. May I ask for her protector's name? I'll give you mine. MY name is Chrom." He spoke kindly to Lucina who stiffened. She didn't say anything at first but then in a to try hard attempt at a man's voice responded.

"You may call me Marth." She stated simply.

"Marth?" Chrom questioned "After the heroic king of old? You certainly fight like one. Where did you learn your way with a sword?"

Lucina shook her head. "I am not here to talk about me. This world teeters at the brink of a horrible calamity. What you saw tonight was just a prelude. You have been warned."

Lissa shot right up dropping her stave on my mostly healed shoulder. I snort then grunt in pain. "Damnit, it Lissa, really?" I make sure it's in a joking tone so she won't get mad at me. Then in a more serious tone I turn to Lucina as she starts to walk away. "If this is such a big thing where are you going? Are you just dropping a bomb on us like that and not answer our questions? I hate it when people speak cryptically. She is no exception."

"She?" Chrom asks and again I screw up. 'Quick make up a lie.' I think

"Yea, it wasn't that hard to see. Not an overly bulky figure, no adam's apple, and her voice was trying too hard to be deep." I answer. Robin looked pissed she didn't see that. Sully had a look that spoke 'well I'll be damned.' Virion was very confused. His penis was too. It's going to be fun when he meets Libra. Fredrick had an impressed look, about what I don't know. Chrom was curious and Lissa was horrified.

"Why hide her gender though? I don't get it." He asked as Lissa was either still on the Calamity part or was horrified that she thought Lucina/Marth was dashing.

"We will probably see her sometime soon if she is trying to stop the world from ending. Anyone up for some rest or are we booking it the whole night back to Yisstol?" I ask hoping for some sleep.

"If this is as dangerous as she says we should make haste." Fredrick says as I groan. This is going to be one long night. Robin agreed with my sentiments as well letting out a sigh. Chrom just nodded and started walking.

"Let's go. We need to get back before day." He says and what the Prince says goes. We all follow him back onto the road. Fredrick fell back a little bit towards Lissa and me as she was finishing healing my wound. He had my vest in his hand.

"Here." He says handing it out to me. He notices my look of bewilderment and adds. "I know I have not been the kindest towards you." I snicker at kindness and reach out to take it back. "But the way you fought to protect Lady Lissa and to go back to battle even while injured to rush to Lord Chrom's side. It speaks of your true character. So, I am sorry." Lissa had to gasp at that. I just chuckled and threw my arm over his shoulder.

"I knew you would come around." I said with a shit eating grin. Then in a more serious voice I respond to what he actually said. "In the face of battle, you can tell the heroes from the coward's. I know that I will never cower in the face of danger when lives are on the line. I accept your apology only if we can work together from here on out." He just nods and gets out of my grip to go back to Chrom. Lissa had a shocked look on her face. Then she gained a shit eating grin as well.

"I'm going to tease him so hard right now." She concluded and rushed after him. I chuckle and roll my shoulder. I screwed up the Dark Knight quote so bad that it wasn't recognizable to me anymore. 'Do you want to know why I use a knife? You see, guns are too quick. You can't savor all of the little…emotions. In their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way…I knew your friends better than you ever did. Would you like to know which of them were cowards?' I hope they aren't cowards.

AN: I love this quote but I couldn't make it differentenough and be recognizable at the same time, so I butchered it. Quick thing though, Jordan is accidentallydropping big bombs on the characters, like Lucina's identity. I believe anyone would accidentally do that if this were actually to happen. That's it for now. Next time some character introductions and the Exalt not meaning to guilt trip but doing so any way. Maybe the chapter two fight but maybe not. See ya next time.