Dear Florida Readers. I am sorry for your loss and I want you to know that the world has your back. Those 17 people will never be forgotten. My thoughts and Prayers go out to you.
Parkland, 2018.
Chapter 12: Emotional Scar Tissue
"So… you're in a coma? And a coma is being asleep and not being able to wake up, but not like death?" Chrom asked me. We finally made it away from the Plegians, but I told him about Midmire. He had the Shepherds get checked by Libra, and Maribelle. It was getting dark and clouds were rolling in. I was still over Basilio's shoulder and talking to Chrom and Robin behind him. None of the other Shepherds have come back to talk with us or me yet. We were only walking now.
"Yep."
"So, after you hit your head on the… hardwood?" He stops as if asking for confirmation which I give him. "Hardwood. You woke up eating dirt and Fredrick almost spearing you?"
"Pretty much." Chrom and Robin walked in silence for a minute before Basilio asked a question.
"But I remember having to announce you as the Hunter of Ylisse in the arena? Where did
that come from?" I sigh.
"I have two backstories in my head. One is for earth and the other is for here. Don't ask me about it because I don't know what the hell is going on with that, but the one thing I do know is that they both are real in their own way. On earth I was studying journalism at the University of Oregon. Here I am the hunter of Ylisse. My parents were killed, and my sisters and I had to run away. We stayed at my mentor's house and that's where I learned how to use a bow and arrow along with a sword. I don't get why I have this, but I guess it's a way to make sure I'm not here unprepared." Chrom just got more confused. He started to say something, but I cut him off. "Don't worry I'm still confused." He closed his mouth and took on a contemplative look.
"Okay you still haven't answered my two questions." Basilio said.
"What was question one again?"
"Explain yourself."
"Not a question." Basilio took a deep breath and exhaled. Robin shook her head.
"If you want to have at least a one percent chance that I let you see my daughter again you will not be a smart ass for at least the next thirty minutes boy. Understand." I was feeling too distressed to answer with a smart-ass remark like I would have normally done. So, I grunted out a yes. "Now let me phrase it as a question. Explain why you lied to us about your origin."
'Also not a question' I think. I let my head fall and stare at the ground. This was a question I needed to answer myself. Why did I lie? Because I was scared? Yea I was but off what? Maybe a repeat of Arron. That was that bastards own fault, but also mine. I sigh, I've been doing that a lot lately. I look back to Robin and Chrom.
"I wish I knew the answer." I say. Robin and Chrom both adopted the same expression of 'you can't be serious.'
"That's a load of bullshit and you know it!" Basilio exclaimed.
"What would you want me to say?! I could make up some believable thing but that's not what you want huh? You want the answer that would be good enough to ban me from seeing Olivia again? Is that it?" Basilio sighed but didn't say anything. "Probably a good reason would be that I didn't want to change the game, which is partially true. I felt like if the story went off the rails I wouldn't be useful too you anymore. I was scared of being used again. Like on earth." I pause. They wouldn't do that. They are all to morally righteous to do something like that but then again this wasn't in front of a screen. I was being lugged across the country over the shoulder of my future father in law. I know I am making some presumptions here but come on. It's pretty obvious.
I sigh and let my head drop again. "I do wish I told at least her, instead of hiding like a coward."
"Cowards run and don't think about their actions. You did at least one of those." Robin said.
"Cowards hide behind something. I was hiding behind added charisma and charm to talk my way out of a situation. Truth is, I'm not this extroverted. I like being by myself and I like quiet. This isn't even my personality."
"It's a part of it. You just decided to showcase it to us to win us over and make sure you had a spot in our group." Robin said.
"When did you study psychology?" I ask.
"When trying to figure out why you lied. Speaking of why, can we go back to the part of being used? What makes you say that?"
"I was going to ask that after you were done talking. I am curious as well." Chrom said. "How would we have used you?" I sigh.
"Emmeryn would have died today in a normal run through of the game." Chrom's breath hitched and Robin stiffened. "In a normal run through she sacrifices herself as a martyr for peace. She knew that to end this war and save you, Chrom, that she would have to fall." Chrom looked past me. I tried to turn but it was impossible and Basilio tightened his grip. "My presence alone changed that. Along with Lucina and Olivia. They weren't supposed to join this early. You two were supposed to have her first." Chrom coughed and Robin blushed. I raised an eyebrow. "I knew it was going to happen. It was plainly obvious."
"Does it happen in all of the time?" Chrom asked.
"No. Sometimes Robin is a man." I say. Robin's eyes bulged out from her head.
"Wha…what… how… I… what?"
"Think the Outrealms. There is one Outrealm out there that you are a boy."
"That's still confusing." She ran a hand through her hair. She shook her head. "Back to what we were talking about before."
"What else would you like to know?" I ask.
"I know you haven't answered the question about you saying you have been used. Please answer that." Chrom says. I grimace. That's not something I like to go into like at all. But if I have to win them over by telling the truth.
"I know some of these terms won't make any sense. Just keep that in mind. I was bullied all throughout middle school and never really had any friends." Chrom raised an eyebrow.
"Bullying?" He asked. I stare at him with a blank expression.
"Really? How do you not know what ohh…you haven't gone through middle school. That's right. Bullying is when kids with self-doubt or insecurities pick on other kids to try and make them feel better about themselves. On earth it's the worst with children. Adults are a lot more subtly with their jabs and attacks. With kids, they just throw it out there not caring what happens. I was called gay, a nobody, a screw up, not good enough, a failure, ugly, a pest, a loser, a whiney bitch and that's just to name a few."
"We say that stuff all of the time to motivate warriors. Maybe you're just soft." Basilio said.
"I am not soft! Don't say that about me again!" I shout. I was not soft. I work hard for everything I have or had, and I won't let that work and effort be taken from me. Basilio stiffened and I realized what I said. "I'm sorry Basilio. That was one that got to me the most and I don't know why." I did know why but that's for another time. I shake my head and get back on track. "I understand that those words can try to be motivation but when people you don't know saying it over and over again, every single day, it becomes your identity. What you see yourself as. I wasn't prepared for it and along with my parents' splitting apart I wasn't ready for my next phase of my life.
"I thought it had gotten better once I was in high school. I found people who I thought were friends. We hung out together, played basketball together, and we did a lot of things after classes ended. But the whole time I was hanging out with them I felt like I wasn't a part of the group. I was just there. They barely ever invited me to do things on the weekend or during summer. I was just there.
"Once my junior year rolled around… sixteen years old. The so-called leader of our group, his name was Arron, he said and did some pretty awful things. First, he was asking girls around 13-14 years old for sexual favors." Robin and Chrom immediately recoiled with disgust. "I know, that was my reaction too. What was worse was that it was right in between my sisters age. My youngest sister was 13 and my other sister was 15. So that hit me hard. I then said some things to him that I now wish I didn't say because it's not me. He then retaliated hard. He said things like how they only kept me around to pick on me. The reason I never got to play was because I sucked, and that he was the only reason I was on the team. He also said some fake and vulgar things about my sisters. I almost punched him in the face, but I didn't. I drove home and punched my bed several times. He had me so angry and ahh!" I was getting frustrated just thinking about it. He was such an asshole! I ran a hand through my hair and gauged both of their reactions. Chrom had rage on his face. I'm one hundred percent sure he was thinking about his sisters. Robin was staring blankly at me. She was making faces and couldn't quite land on one.
"The worst part was that even though he didn't apologize he had the balls to say that we should work it out as a group. I agreed and when I sat down with them to 'work things out' we did jack shit. We sat there and ate lunch like we used to. I never hung out with them after that. The worst part was that the other guys in the group didn't even act like anything had happened. They went on with their normal lives. They instigate it by not stopping him. That whole situation was a shitstorm." I grunt and look to our surroundings. The clouds were rolling away, but it was dusk now. No rain storm I guess.
"You were betrayed… not used." Basilio said.
"I'm sorry."
"You were betrayed. The people you called friends, they gained your trust and then proceeded to stomp on it. Being used and betrayed are two different things. What you described, the way you described it, was close to what Olivia told me with the orphanage. And you are going through the same thing she was. You are scared of being betrayed again." We then walked in silence.
Betrayal… that was betrayal, not being used. Where did being used come from? From a different situation that's where. I was so used to being used by my parents as a bargaining chip in the Naga forsaken thing called divorce that I thought everything that hurt was like that. Holy shit. I'll start a counseling firm with Basilio. We'll call it B J couns… yea never mind.
"He's right." Chrom said. "I may not know the specifics, but what you told us was betrayal."
"You were afraid to tell us cause if you did you might be betrayed again and used to make this…" Robin motioned to world. "…go by faster."
"I'm sorry." I say solemnly and let my head hang. My neck hurt.
"I know." Robin said. "I still have one more question."
"Shoot." I say. Quiet. I look up to see Robin confused. "Ask." Robin made an "O" with her mouth.
"If this…" She motioned to me. "Is not your personality, then what is and why hide it away?" How does one describe themselves? That's not easy.
"I uhh…. I am introverted. I'm quieter than what I have been. Less outspoken. Uhh what else?" I rack my brain for any differences but wasn't really finding anything. Everything was really the same except my level of input in a conversation. "That's actually about it."
"So you were just more outspoken here?" Robin asked. I nodded. "The snarkyness and the care were all actually you?" I nod again "You didn't change that much then. You either felt a sense of comfort here or you were trying to fit in." Leave it up to professor Robin.
"Most likely the second one…" I remember what I first though of the group and the way I reacted. I didn't immediately hide myself or stay quiet. I was talking to a lot of them and trying to make friends. I was trying to fit in, but I think the first one comes before the second one. I felt comfortable enough to do so. Why did that scare me so much? Shouldn't I be comfortable here. "It was the first one. Feeling comfortable can help you fit in better. But…" I start but can't find the words to finish.
"But what?" Chrom asks.
"Why do I feel like becoming comfortable with you guys is a bad thing?"
"Because your brain is trying to tell you we aren't real?" Robin asked.
"But you guys are real! You're real right now! I'm being carried by Basilio across the damn country! No one else can say that they almost got executed on top of a giant dragon bone. No one! These are moments I shouldn't have had happen to me, but hey… they did. Why can't I accept that? Why can't I? More fear? Shouldn't be. Is it because this wouldn't happen on earth? Is that it? Because this ain't earth? Because my mother and father aren't here? Because Grace and Kelly aren't here? Because they are suffering back on earth? Me, their only brother and son, stuck in a coma but living it up in Ylisse. Kicking Risen ass and chilling with a prince. I shouldn't be doing that. I should be in pain like them. I shouldn't be enjoying my time here while they are hurting for their son that might not ever wake up again. I shouldn't…" I feel tears fall. When did I start crying? Who knows. All I know is that I got to the root of the problem. Guilt. I feel guilty for enjoying it here. I heave another sob and let my tears fall. "I… I want them 'sob' to know that… that I 'sob' that I am okay. That th-they shouldn't worry 'sob'."
"You truly miss them, don't you?" Basilio asks.
"I miss 'sob' I miss them so much." I cry. "I want them to know that I…I 'sob' I love them. I love them so much." I feel myself being lifted. I was softly put down on the ground and steadied by two giant hands. I was staring straight down at my shoes.
"Son, look at me." He said softly. I wipe tears out of my eyes and slowly met his gaze. He had a concerned look on his face. His one eye had the slightest amount of regret in it, of what, I don't know. He looked me square in the eye before pulling me in for a hug. I went stiff as stone. Why?
"Listen son. You just laid out your deepest feelings in front of us and whether it was for Robin, Chrom, Olivia or me. We all appreciate it. we may still be a little bit pissed, but I now realize that this was tearing you apart on the inside. Kid…" he pulls back and looks me in the eye. "…I believe if your family knew you like I did they would want you to be happy here. They wouldn't want you to suffer." I tear up some more. "If anyone of them were in your situation you would want them to not suffer. Cause kid I like you and I sure as hell know that Olivia does as well. And if we want you okay then well…" He didn't need to say anymore. I threw my arms around him and cried into his chest. He was right. He was right damnit but I still feel guilty. I don't think I could ever shake that feeling but I shouldn't let it bother to much. I should be strong, for me, for them, for the Shepherds, for Olivia.
He patted my back as I let it out. I didn't take into account that we had stopped walking or why. I just let my emotions go. After a while I calmed down and took a step back, only to fall on my ass because of this Naga forsaken leg. "I hate my leg." I mutter. He laughed and offered me a hand up. I took it and was pulled up. Robin stepped around him with a sad smile and Chrom was still uneasy around me but less than before. Robin gave me a hug as well. She clenched me shirt and hugged me tight.
"Please don't hide your emotions inside anymore. Please talk to me or someone else." She whispered before pulling back. "Just talk to someone." I nod. Chrom awkwardly walked up to me. He stopped and looked me over. He then patted my shoulder and gave a small smile and walked by me. I turn to see that the Shepherds have stopped. Chrom pushed his way to the front. Basilio followed and Robin helped me limp to the back of the group. Looking around I say a couple new hair colors. Long, bright red hair. Dark brown hair with rabbit ears attached. A reddish-brown color. And I see a little bit of light green in front of said reddish-brown color. Cordelia, Panne, Gregor and Nowi were all here. Terrific. Robin tried to brush past them, but it was harder to do with a 190-pound teen draped over her shoulder, so she stood back.
"Ylisseans!" A deep voice boomed out. We were encountering Plegians already? "I offer you mercy! Surrender the Exalt and the boy to me now and the rest of you shall live." That's not good.
"Surrender the Exalt? Ha, you must be out of your damn mind." Basilio shouted back.
"What about the boy?" The voice said. He had a name, what was it? It was close to a Star Wars planet I think. Naboo, no that sounded to Zelda. Uhh must… I got it Mustafa. Ha! Go useless knowledge of planets in Star Wars. No I'm scared. Why did I name the prequel planets first?
"Not him either! He is not from Plegia and is not a traitor!"
"Even so I must bring one back. It's either that or battle. Which do you decide?" Mustafa said.
"Push forward." I tell Robin. She looks at me quizzically but complies. Once Robin tapped on Vaike's shoulder he looked back at us. His eyes widened, and he shot backwards into Miriel who complained up until she saw me. The others turned at the sound of complaining then made a path for us to walk. Chrom noticed this when he turned around. We hobbled up right next to him and Basilio.
We could see Mustafa across the way. He was as intimidating as Basilio. Standing roughly the same height nut a little less bulky. He only wore red pants that looked like they were held on by a weird belt suspender looking thing. He had some bone shoulder pads on that look like it would be really awkward to move your arms in several directions. He had a long black beard. He was standing in front of a Plegian squadron of barbarians and soldiers. A couple wyvern riders were on the ground. Mustafa looked us over in skepticism
"Who is this?" Mustafa asked. Robin immediately smirked. She had him beat.
"He is the so called Plegian you were going to execute today." When she said that the Plegian soldiers whispered to each other. Mustafa winced. "Does he look like any assassin you have worked with general?" Mustafa muttered a few things before straightening himself.
"No. I have never seen this boy before in my life." He said honestly. He knew he was beat.
"Why would the king want to kill an assassin who has never worked for him?" Chrom asked this time. He caught on to what she was doing.
"I do not know my king very well, so I would not know." He answered.
"Exactly my point." Chrom stepped forward towards the middle of the empty space in the middle of both armies. "Your king believes in cruel and malicious ways including attempting to kill someone who was rumored to be one thing but wasn't that entirely."
"But he is with you!" A Plegian soldier said.
"True but who aggravated the war?"
"You!"
"No! Your king ransacked a village and kidnapped the daughter of a duke, and then tried to blame the war on her. He was the one that did." Murmurs started up again. "We did not start this war and we do not want to continue this war. We want this to end. Whether that is killing the toxic king in command right now or defending ourselves till he wears out, we will do that. All I ask is that you ask yourself who's war are you fighting. Plegia's war against us or Gangrel's war against us." I almost felt like applauding after that. Robin gave Chrom a push in the right direction and he rolled with it until.
Mustafa looked around at his soldiers. Many of them were talking among themselves. He looked back at Chrom. He stared at him before planting his axe in the ground and walking towards him. Fredrick immediately rushed forward, only to be held back by Sumia. Mustafa met him in the middle and they started talking. We couldn't hear anything at all. They kept their voices low. Chrom pointed back to Robin and myself and Mustafa then nodded.
"Do you know why that happened?" She said, and I snickered remembering back to the cliffs. That seems so long ago. Mustafa pointed to his group and Chrom nodded. They shook hands and Mustafa walked back to his axe. Chrom walked back towards us. He stopped in front of us and scanned over us.
"In order to save time and men, General Mustafa and I have agreed to a duel." The Shepherds gasped while Robin went rigged and I raised an eyebrow. "If he wins we hand over Jordan." I feel all eyes on me. I gulp and keep my eyes on Chrom. He looks at me with nervousness. "If I win we go free. We have both agreed to spare each other's men when a victor is decided."
"Milord! If you lose, it would mean death." Fredrick said.
"To keep most of you safe…" He looked at Robin. "… It's worth it."
"Chrom don't do this!" Lissa screeched. She rushed and ran to her brother, enveloping him in a hug. Chrom Put a hand on her head and pulled her close. Emmeryn gracefully rushed her way to him as well. She put a hand on Chrom's bare shoulder. He looked at her with sadness.
"I can't think of any other way." He said.
"Ask Robin! She could come up with something! Anything! Robin please!" Lissa begged franticly. Lissa looked away from the hug towards us. Robin was still stone cold stiff. I poked her arm, but she didn't budge. I sigh and answer for her.
"Lissa… this is the best option. This eliminates the extra bloodshed and loss of life." I say.
"How can you say that?" She screamed. "You would most likely die too. Aren't you afraid? We just got you back!" That last sentence broke my heart. She was so much like Kelly it's crazy. She cried after my three days visit back to Colorado for my grandma's funeral. She said the exact same thing. She was probably saying it now. I shake my head.
"That is if you don't have faith in your brother to win." I say and Lissa looks at me confused. "If I believe that I know and trust your brother with about one eighth of what you believe in him then I should be safe, and he should too." Lissa looked back at her brother. He smiled and ruffled her hair. She pouted with tears but pulled away.
"I'll be fine. Remember that promise I mad you on your fifth birthday." Chrom said. Lissa was quiet for a moment before answering.
"Yes"
"What was it?"
"You would always be there for me." Chrom smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I intend to keep it." He said and stood up straight. Robin then unhooked herself from me and walked over to him.
"I hope you know what you are doing." Emmeryn said.
"I do." Chrom said.
"Please be safe." She said.
"Safe means being alive, so I'll win this to be safe." Chrom said. While Emmeryn wanted to scold him, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"You must win then." She said. Robin was standing in front of him now. He looked at her with a sad smile.
"Robin I-"
"Stop." And he did. "I get why you are doing this and logically it's sound. But if you don't come back alive I will drag you from the depths of hell then put you back in hell. Understand?" Chrom shuddered. Angry Robin was a scary Robin.
"Ye-yes." He said.
"Good." She then pulled his face down and kissed him on the lips. Gasps from everywhere behind and in front of me and then Vaike's laughter.
"Daaaaaaaamn!" Basilio and other guys snickered at that. I just watched with a smile. This was going to happen so why not let it. I'm going to threaten him later. I swore I heard crying somewhere behind me. Poor Cordelia. They separated and Chrom was the one blushing. Robin smirked.
"Now go win your highness." She said and all Chrom could do was nod. He then smiled and turned on a heel. Mustafa was watching us from his army. When he says that we were done he put his axe on his shoulder and walked out. Chrom put a hand on Falchion and walked out to meet him. They meet in the middle. Talked a little bit and then Chrom pulled out Falchion and the fight began.
Chrom started on the defensive. Mustafa went for a downward chop and then a slash to the left. Chrom blocked and jumped back. Mustafa charged and went for another downwards slash. Chrom jumped back again. Chrom then charged and went for a stab. Mustafa brought the flat of his axe down to block it. Chrom's sword bounced off and he went for a slash across the chest. Mustafa jumped to the left and went for a quick attack. Chrom deflected it and went for a downwards slice. Mustafa put both hands on the handle and caught Chrom's sword with the dip on his axe head.
They stayed locked in this position to get the average weapon lock words in of any action movie. Chrom then pulled back and slashed upwards. Mustafa wasn't expecting this. While he jumped back, his right wrist got sliced by Falchion. Chrom then pressed the advantage. He pushed up and jumped into his attack. Mustafa went for the block but the cut on his wrist affected him more than I thought. Must have sliced a nerve or tendon because his hand was limp and weak. When Chrom's sword clashed against Mustafa's axe, it fell out of his hands and Chrom kicked him in the stomach. He went flying back and fell on his ass. Chrom pointed the sword at his throat.
They were both painting heavily. Chrom's entire body heaved with every breath as they stared at each other. Mustafa said something then Chrom did. Mustafa shook his head and said something else. Chrom's body sagged a little. He shook his head, said one last sentence and stabbed him through the chest. Everyone gasped, myself included. Chrom kneeled down beside him and laid him back. Mustafa patted his pocket and said one final thing before his final breath. Chrom let his head fall and the whole battlefield went silent.
Chrom pulled something out of Mustafa's pocket put it in his own. Chrom then closed the man's eyes and stood up. "Plegians! Please, out of respect for your general, leave. We did this so no extra blood would be shed. If Gangrel never started this war this honorable man would not be dead. This is what war causes. Good men die under bad rulers. I know this all too well. My father crusaded against your country and it was a tragedy. The Ylisse the Exalt and all Ylissians want is not one where we are defined by war. We want a realm of peace. Please think to yourselves, is that what you want for Plegia? Because it's not what he wanted. It's what Gangrel wanted."
The Plegians started leaving in groups. Some of them walked past us and some in the other direction. Many did not look at us while they left. The ones that did, their expressions were filled with confusion and hurt. I for one could not blame them. After they had all left Chrom started walking towards us. Lissa didn't wait and ran to her brother. She jumped and Chrom caught her with open arms.
"Why was I worried!" She exclaimed ecstatically. Chrom laughed and hugged her close. The rest of the shepherds ran out to him as well with Robin and Emmeryn leading the charge. Hooting and hollering was heard, and praises were given.
"I could not have said that better myself." Emmeryn said.
"Ole' Teach has been teaching you how to deal with axe wielders. You should be thanking me." Vaike said.
"Captain that was terrific." Sumia exclaimed.
"Ya really show'd him you royalness." Donnel cheered.
"There was a less than one percent chance that you would have failed." Miriel blandly stated.
"I knew you would kick his arse. He was no match for you Chrom." Sully said clapping him on the back.
The whole time this was happening, Robin was attached to him at the hip. I'm surprised that she didn't brutally murder his face when he was done. I smiled and stood there. I will congratulate him later. As for now, I am stuck because I really can't move. The clouds have gone away, and the moonlight beamed down directly on him. This was a picturesque moment that I couldn't experience if I just played the game or kept to the story line. This was a family moment between the Shepherds and their captain. Our captain. I just can't walk.
I hear wagon wheels and pounding footsteps. I turn to see a face full of dog. I yelped and fell on my butt with Ridley licking my face over and over again. "Blegh… girl stop… blah… girl please… Ahh girl I missed you too." I sat up and rubbed her all over her cute face. She licked me again on the cheek. I laugh and pull her close to me. I couldn't get her to sit down and her tail was whacking me in the back.
"Ahh! Where did she go?" I hear the voice of an angel say. My heart skipped a beat and my breath caught in my lungs.
"She couldn't have gone far." Another voice said. I look up and see Lucina slowly walking up with a wagon and Olivia coming around the back. Lucina stopped walking and the cart stopped as well. She was a good thirty yards away, but I could feel the tears start to build up in her.
"Lucina… why did we sto-" Olivia cut herself off as she followed Lucina's eyes. My heart pounded in my chest. This would be the hardest to explain and I was willing to work hard to get her back. She looked as beautiful as the day I met her. Even with a ratty brown cloak over her she still was… just wow. Her shocked look turned into relief mixed with fear. I closed my open mouth and gave her a sad smile. She took a step forward, but Lucina took off running and barreled into me. She accidentally landed on my leg. I hiss in pain.
"You're okay! Thank the gods you are okay!" She cried and buried her face in my shoulder. I wrapped my right hand around her and shifted her weight of my leg with her left. She looked up. "What's wrong?" She cocked her head just like Robin. I smile and look down at my leg. Her gaze follows by a gasp and quick shuffling to get off of me. "Oh my gods! What happened?"
"Gangrel broke my leg." I say. She winces in pain and bends down. She traces the part of my leg that looked out of place very lightly. A tear drop fell on my leg.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She says and looks into my eyes. I smile sadly and wipe away a tear.
"I mean this with all sincerity. It's not your fault. If you weren't thinking that then… I appreciate it." I weakly answer that. She laughs lightly.
"First one." She said before she stands up and offers a hand. I take it and balance my wait on my right. Once I'm up my eyes meet Olivia's. She walked closer during that whole conversation. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her hands were nervously twiddling in front of her chest. We stood in silence, just staring at each other.
"I'm sorry." I say. I really am. I could have counted on her for anything. She would have been there. She wouldn't have used or betrayed me. In the short time we spent together, I loved every second. She makes me feel like no other person has before. I want to hold her tightly and never let her go. I want to make sure her world is perfect, make sure nothing hurts her. I want to get married, have children, grow old and die together. I feel the tears coming. I missed her. I missed her scent, her face, her face, anything really. I wish this was on ea- Don't go there! Here is here. Earth is Earth. I have her here so I'm going to act on it here. She was real. This was real. This was love. The tears fall.
"I am so sorry. So so sorry." I say and hobble towards her. She rushes into my arms and I embrace the woman I love. I embrace my battlefield partner. I embrace the shy girl I saved one Sunday night. I embrace the beautiful girl I took out to visit Ylisstol. I embrace my future kids mother. I embrace my future best friend. I embrace my future in Ylisse.
AN: Woah buddy. First of all how are you guys? I hope you all are doing well. Second of all, I finally bought Fates and I must say I love Felicia and Kana so much. I want to protect them. They are so cute and pure. Anyway now onto the story. First: If you are gay or lesbian. When I say that he was called gay in middle school, I do not mean any ill will or harm to you. It affected me in middle school so I wrote it there. I'm sorry if I did, I did not mean to. Second: I hope Jordan's big fears were reasonable. I believe that if anything like this would happen to any of you, you would feel guilty for enjoying it full well knowing that your family is in great pain. That is the last thing he has to overcome to be fully enveloped into this world. Third: I will be trying something new when writing my next chapter. I learned about a cool little trick in my Writing class, so I am going to try it out. When the chapter comes up please let me know if it worked or not. Fourth: With Emmeryn not dying, someone had to make a speech to end it quickly. I wanted to use Mustafa more but i couldn't work him in and I took the duel idea from another fanfic and a video I watched on how to fix the Star Wars prequels. Fifth: I feel like I need to set a hardcore date off when he came into Ylisse. Because I don't want to keep making references to stuff that he would have no clue about. So, that date is November 14th. Anything before that is free game for references. Next chapter will be mostly Jordan and Olivia talking. It will range all over and might be shorter that the other ones. This one was the longest besides the CS and I wrote it all in a day. Now I wish you a great rest of your week and see you next time. -3008
Thesaiyan21(CH.12): He ain't dead yet. Anyway thanks for reviewing. I always look forward to your review. I agree with you on that and I promise there will be more Grima to come. She will be fun to write. I thought about writing Jordan and Olivia's conversation in this chapter but this was already my longest chapter besides the CS and my brain is running low. These are the serious chapters and plot. The fun and funny stuff will be coming shortly. Have a good day and see you next time.
