The Chosen Heroine
Day 0
Odin gazed upon the vast plain, his arms and fingers tingling like they would before any good battle. Lightning crackled at his fingertips, and he felt as if the very essence of nature itself was to be unleashed at any given time. But then, looking at Prince Leo who gave him a reassuring nod, he took a deep breath and calmed down. Just as anticipating but infinitely more calm, Niles stared into the distance and analyzed the situation impatiently.
"What's happening?" the archer asked with a turn to Leo. The prince paused for a moment and gave his thoughts.
"Xander ceased the initial charge. He appears to be accepting terms from the Hoshidan leader, though..." Niles and Odin both frowned, though for different reasons.
"B-but the stars foretold a great battle..."
"What he said," Niles said with a roll of his good eye. "Tensions are too high between our two countries just to surrender at a show of force like that. The Hoshidan spirit is too stubborn to allow them."
"I agree," Leo reasoned. "But Nohrian might will pry our conquest just the same." Agreeing with Leo's providence, Odin stretched to relax his tight arms.
"I hope so, I have been waiting for such a fated clash with our foes." Not one to be this set on a singular goal, Odin earned a coy grin from Niles.
"The last time you were this excited was when Selena agreed to go on a date with you. I can only imagine how excited you got later on that night-"
Odin glared at the archer, only receiving a coy smirk from the archer.
"Of course, perhaps Odin Dark doesn't wait till it's dark..."
A lightning bolt with a little too much zing on it shut Niles up just fine.
"You know better than to bring her up in a place like this," Odin warned. Closing his eyes tightly, a little part of Owain faltered.
"That's enough, you two," Leo scoffed, pointing at the strip of land barren of either army. On one side, Xander and his two retainers assembled, and Odin could see Lazward stand against Xander's horse while Pieri leaned on her sword. On the other side, a samurai Odin recognized as Prince Ryoma of Hoshido stood, and behind him were two ninjas, likely his retainers.
"What's happening? I can't really see that far," Niles complained. Leo squinted and tried to assess the developments.
"Looks like a conversation between the two Crown Princes," Leo explained. "But judging by Xander's facial expressions... It isn't a treaty being discussed. It's an ultimatum. And... judging by their faces... I'd ready my arrows and prepare your spells, you two."
"My my, this is going to be lively," Niles agreed, expertly twirling an arrow from his quiver onto his bowstring, a smile back onto his face. Odin pulled out an older tome and flipped through it, reciting words in Old Nohrian and causing lightning to crackle once more on his fingertips. Both prince and retainer gulped as they glanced upon the blonde mage, his eyes darkened and his brow casting shadows upon his previously hidden rage. Quietly, Odin Dark whispered a curse to his enemies.
"I'll incinerate your whole damn country for taking her away from me."
"Why aren't we attacking?!"
Leo and Niles struggled to hold back the sorcerer, thrashing all the while while the Hoshidans and Nohrians alike stared at the scene in apathy. Then again, a few soldiers on the Hoshidan side harbored the same sentiments. Leo noticed Prince Takumi yell an order at a blue-haired lancer, who was pacified by his outburst. Even though the Hoshidans were out of spell-casting range, nearly everyone was suspicious of the ominous atmosphere.
Not to mention the newcomers in the middle.
"Robin, they need to see it."
"We can still talk things through. No need to resort to drastic measures yet-"
Corrin watched blankly as Robin and Chrom bickered back and forth, even with Xander and Ryoma on either side of them a few feet away.
"Must I remind you that two foreign armies are breathing down our necks? For a tactician, one would think you would choose the drastic approach."
"Well, subtlety is a tactician's best garment."
"That made no sense the first time, and now-"
"...Are you done wasting our time? Tell us what fate awaits Nohr, conjurer. My patience grows thin and I have matters that are more pressing than a group of thespians traipsing on my border."
Robin turned to Xander who stood a good head above him even without his horse. He was about to reason with him when the swordsman by the Crown Prince's side did so in his place.
"Lord Xander... please listen to them."
"What is it, Lazward?"
"I have a bad feeling is all, milord," the one named Lazward laughed nervously. "But I would heed their warning in full... at least before we take any irreversible action."
"It was the plan," Xander stated, before turning back to Robin. "Well? Show me proof to your claim. Show me these 'Divine Dragons.'"
Nodding slowly, Robin flourished his tome, chanting an incantation and beginning to glow faintly as the spell began to build.
"What are you doing?" Corrin gasped, backing away. Xander and his retainers did likewise. Chrom and company stood his ground, bracing themselves.
"Noisiv ruo semoceb eramthgin ruoy, Anicul!"
"Whoa there... can you walk?"
Lazward opened his eyes to see a haunting sight. Hauntingly familiar blue hair cascaded on both sides of his periphery as the face of his sister hovered above him.
"L-lucina?!"
"Er... yes? A-Are you alright? You took quite the blow to your head. Owain and Severa had to drag you out of that fight after I ordered the retreat."
"W-what fight... And what are you talking about? Severa's..."
"We thought she was dead too," Lucina admitted, "But Xander and Peri found her after we pulled out. She has a fight within her heart, and it will not be extinguished so quickly."
"Wait, what?" Lucina rose, her eyes and ears tuning out a distant sound from the decayed woodline. Seeing nothing, she turned back to Lazward with a nervous look.
"Come on. We have wasted enough time dallying about. We have to catch up with the others!"
"Others?"
"I'll explain later. Leo and Camilla are keeping the portal open. Elise, Owain, Severa, and Corrin have already gone through. They're waiting for us."
"Explain yourself," Xander ordered, looking at the shorter swordsman after pulling himself up from his position on the ground.
"Xander? It's me, Lucina! That last battle was pretty rough. If it was not for Corrin and Peri, I doubt I could have found you in time."
"C-corrin... What is this? Some sort of illusion?"
"You hit your head pretty hard from that Risen charge," Lucina diagnosed. "Come on, I'll support you and we'll make our way to the portal."
"W-what portal..."
"Looks like you are really out of the loop, Xander. Well, Leo and Camilla are keeping the portal open for now. Come on!"
"How long will it take them to get out of that nightmare?" Chrom asked, looking at Xander, Peri, and Lazward, frozen in place from Robin's spell. Behind him, Corrin was in a similar state, body frozen even as her eyes darted in shock.
In reality, the whole ordeal, from start to end, would take only a few seconds. Robin took three or four channeling the spell, another three casting it, and the subjects would only be locked in Lucina's nightmares for a few more. To the outside world, nothing would seem amiss. Even the Hoshidans on the other side of the parley did not sense anything out of the norm aside from discussion.
"Lucina will guide them through. They'll see what they need to see."
As if on cue, Xander was the first to recover, dropping immediately to a knee and gasping for air. Seeing their crown prince in trouble, the rest of the Nohrian army shifted until the crown prince raised his hand, pacifying them.
"You've... you've made your point, Ylisseans," he rasped out.
Peri was the next to recover. Unlike Xander, she didn't appear that fatigued, though the loss of expression in her normally vivid eye showed enough.
"That was... scary. Please don't do that again."
Then Corrin woke up, immediately looking at Robin and drawing Yato. Rearing back to impale the off-guard tactician, Corrin's eyes had the clear intent to kill.
"What have you-" Glancing quickly around, especially at Xander and the rest of her family, she dropped her blade in shock. "Y-you're... alive? But... I watched you all die..."
Then Lazward woke up, and his expression was the worst of all. He fell to a knee, then the other, and looked at Chrom and someone in the Shepherd's numbers in longing. Rising up, he smiled weakly before giving a thumbs-up to Xander.
"That... was surreal."
Robin, seeing his work was done, closed the tome that contained Lucina's nightmares. Looking at the Nohrians before raising his eyebrows in question, he made his demands clear.
"So. That was a taste of the future. Believe what you will at this point, but know that you can help stop what you just saw."
"Brother, I know this is sudden-"
"I know, Corrin. But I can't trust them. If what they say is true... then Father does not know of this threat. Nohr does not know of this."
He paused, closing his eyes as he determined his possible choices.
"I myself don't believe this... Never in my years of reading the texts have I heard of a 'Fell Dragon.'"
With this, Corrin, Robin, and everyone else seemed to sense Xander's worry.
"Nonetheless, we will muster what troops we can and tail these soldiers. It is a daring plan, but... what I saw... What this Lucina showed me... I cannot rest until I know that Nohr is safe from this threat. No dream I have dreamed, no nightmare I have ever woken up from, has ever felt this real."
Corrin nodded, looking back at Chrom. The Exalt looked at Corrin's brother again in a silent appeal to side with the Shepherds. Corrin stepped in once more, hopeful at Xander's doubts.
"You saw what I saw, right? Let me take the blame... I can't let our family die! Even Father, who I have so many questions to ask... I can't let him fall to this darkness!"
"We both know I won't allow that either," Xander replied, a soft smile on his face. Looking over Corrin's head to Ryoma, Xander pursed his lips slowly.
"Did they see what we saw?"
"No. Not yet," Robin answered. "They will in time, though."
"Know this, Hoshidan," Xander called out, "I will pull back my troops. I pray you do the same."
"I did not muster any troops today, Nohrian. I was merely repelling an uncalled invasion."
Xander's face remained blank but Corrin could see his fists clench as Xander's pride in Nohr started to offset his usually-level judgement.
"And your trading embargoes have led my townspeople into poverty and starvation... But I will not press the issue further." Ryoma accepted that, sheathing Raijinto completely.
"You have not crossed Hoshidan soil yet," Ryoma said after a slight pause. For emphasis, he drew a line in the dirt with his boot where the border ended and Hoshido started. "I pray it stays that way."
"I have nothing but thanks and gratitude, friends. What conflict you two have, I know not of. But I will not pretend to understand the... misgivings between Hoshido and Nohr. But I swear upon Ylisse's crown, my countrymen and I will do our best to achieve our goal."
"Then it seems the Dusk will follow you to revert this... hellish nightmare," Xander stated boldly. "Gods help me, but I will believe you for now." Robin nodded at this and faced Chrom in excitement.
"I will not let Nohr crumble while I know how to stop it."
"T-thank you, Prince Xander," Robin bowed, the relief easily visible on his face. However, Corrin tugged on the tactician's cloak, pointing to the Army of Dawn behind her.
"You have to show them," Corrin begged, gesturing to the Hoshidans. "They need to know too."
"Know what?" Ryoma asked. "That spell you just cast? Have you controlled the Nohrians' minds? Have you controlled Kamui's?!"
Chrom shook his head and looked back at Robin for guidance, who in turn was interrupted by Xander.
"I have been subjected to the darkest of sorcery," the Crown Prince replied, recalling not-too-fondly his trials at Iago's study. "What I saw... was a memory. It was real."
"Very real," Lazward added, unheard by everyone except Peri, who didn't give the words a second thought.
"We'll focus on Hoshido after we establish Nohr's help."
"And just leave Corrin here?" Xander doubted, looking at Ryoma.
"Yes," Corrin affirmed, looking at Ryoma sadly. "I am sorry brother, but if I must stand with neither side to keep you from fighting, then so be it."
"But... Very well," Xander sighed, remounting his horse and turning it around, glancing every now and then at the white-haired princess who stayed behind.
With that, Corrin stayed in the middle while Robin, Xander, and the rest of the Shepherds followed towards the Nohrian side.
"You can still feel an overwhelming tension between the soldiers," Robin worried, glancing at the blond sorcerer in particular on Nohr's side. "Is there anything we can do to relieve any temporary hostility?" Lazward and Xander shook their head, the Prince offering an explanation.
"Generations of blood have been spilled between us. You cannot just turn their hearts with one moment of clarity... I hate to ask you of this, Ylissean, but show them that. It was unsettling to say the least, but... I believed it. I just do not think my countrymen would follow me so blindly... Please. Show them what you have seen, tactician. If their pride in Nohr is even half of my own, they will heed your call."
"Very well, Prince Xander."
Robin beckoned for a small party of Shepherds to follow him, consisting of himself, Chrom, Lissa, Lon'qu, and Olivia. Falling in step behind Xander's horse, Robin and his company were led to the heart of the Nohrian elite force, and he gulped as many new pairs of eyes were on him.
Chrom blurted in, noting something about one of the young men who was probably Xander's guard.
"Your retainer... I mean no disrespect Lord Xander, but he has been doing nothing but staring at Ol- one of my soldiers this whole time."
Xander looked over to a pink-haired dancer who in turn blushed heavily at his gaze. Frowning at Lazward's antics, he waved it off.
"Pay no attention to Lazward; He's the philandering type. No doubt he saw a pretty face he thinks he can sway with his supposed charm, I assume."
Lazward recovered from his reverie and stuttered rapidly at both princes.
"N-not at all, sir! I mean... Yes, she's certainly as graceful and beautiful as I remembered, and- ah... crap." Chrom and Xander turned to him, Chrom more surprised than Xander, but both were still wide-eyed at the young man.
"Remembered?" Xander glared, pausing the company. Robin listened in as well, and Frederick placed his hand on his sword hilt deliberately. Lazward cowered under their gaze, but he cleared his throat and forced his nervous smile away and looked Chrom in the eye.
"I guess I've really done it now, huh." Xander grabbed Lazward's shoulder but the retainer's eyes were still on Chrom, lost in thought.
"What aren't you telling us, Lazward?" The young man took a breath and smiled at the Ylisseans, raising his arms happily.
"I remember, Prince Chrom. I... I suppose the secret will have to be revealed, huh? And Lord Xander, sir... I guess you should hear this too."
"I'm already listening," Xander scoffed, "But do get to the point."
"Remember when you found us? Me and Odin and Selena?"
"Yes. You three appeared at a tournament Father held and dominated the competition that the other noble's tried to impose. You saved me from one of their assassins, even after winning, and you were instated as my retainer as a result. Nearly two years ago."
"Yes... But before that... I never told you where I came from." Xander's eyes widened as he looked between Chrom and Lazward. "I... I can't hide this anymore, now that they're here. Now that you've seen what I've seen."
"You mean to say-"
"My name is Inigo," the future prince of Ylisse claimed, "not Lazward. I was born in Ylisse from the same future that Uncle Robin had the... chance, to show us."
"You're Ylissean?!" Xander blurted, Peri very much interested as well.
"Through and through. While my allegiance will always lie with Nohr, I beg of you, Sir... cooperate with Exalt Chrom. Commander Robin speaks the truth, and... seeing that nightmare again, after all this... I beg of you, I have no intention on subjecting any of us to that hell. Not again..."
"Again..." Chrom repeated, putting the pieces together. Robin jumped in, pointing at Inigo excitedly.
"You're from the same timeline as Lucina then!" Inigo brightened at the name, a smile on his face.
"So she did make it back! Oh gods, at least some of us made it to Ylisse then..."
"How many others were there?" Xander asked, curious as to how the story Chrom had told him was starting to come piece itself together quite literally.
"I cannot say... I won't bolster your hopes up for more. But... if Sister made it to Ylisse safely, then that means the others could've too!"
"Wait. You said Sister," Chrom realized. Paling slightly, he looked at Lazward/Inigo with a wince. "Then when you were staring at Olivia..."
"I believe the word you're missing is Queen," Lazward corrected, bowing to one knee even as Olivia walked up next to her husband, donning her small tiara that marked her as royalty of Ylisse.
"I usually call her by my wife, but you..."
"Queen Olivia is my mother. I remember fondly the last memories I had of her... To see her again, no... To see you again, Chrom. My father. My King."
Chrom was taken aback but grabbed Inigo's hand briskly.
"Y-you're my son!?"
"You never did like me as much as Lucina, but... I loved you and cried so much the day you and Mom died." Chrom softened and Xander looked at Lazward, gaping at the side of the flirt he had never seen before.
"If all this is as you say... we've a bit of talking to do once this is all settled, son." Lazward lit up and nodded intensely, before gesturing over to the cleric in the group.
"Hey Aunty Lissa. Uncle Lon'qu."
The cleric and the swordsman both shared a similar shock, but did not say anything more.
"How'd you end up in Nohr?" Xander asked. "You've proven enough that you're Ylissean by heritage, at least.
"Me and Odin and... Selena. I don't know, sir. We were the last to go through the portal after Lucy... But it was already destabilized from Grima's attacks."
"Odin and Selena?" Robin asked, not recognizing the names from Lucina's stories.
"It's... complicated."
"Then I'll grab my notepad and we'll have a nice chat in my office once this is all settled. Perhaps we can knock out two birds with one stone and have Chrom and Queen Olivia hear it too."
"Yes! I mean... Yes. Thank you, Uncle."
"Uncle..." Robin repeated, not liking his new title very much. "I prefer Commander, now that I think of it..."
The Exalt turned to Xander and they discussed how to tell the Nohrians the recent developments. Robin joined in as Lazward looked once more to his mother, and then to Lissa.
"You're Aunt Lissa..."
The teenager looked at him in surprise, smiling at the greeting.
"Lazward, right? Tell me... Lucina alluded to me having a child that came back with her. Did you ever hear from him? Do I really have someone out there?"
"So, that woman that guided each of us towards the portal back to reality... that was..."
"My daughter. From the future," Chrom answered, wisely withholding 'from the future.'
"Your story has merit now, especially with my retainer's claims. Odin should be able to reinforce your tall-tale, if he is indeed from the same future as Lazward. Though, Selena..." Chrom interjected, trying to piece together Inigo's story to his own.
"Will she be able to help? No doubt she remembers all-" Xander shook his head with a slight motion, recalling previous events.
"She... Selena was presumed killed or missing. A recent skirmish between our forces resulted in her disappearance, and we haven't heard any attempts of prisoner trade either. We are assuming she was slain in the line of duty for Princess Camilla. That's all I know." Chrom scratched his chin thoughtfully and nodded. Robin did likewise, gazing upon the Nohrian army who was approaching by the step.
"Perhaps we should withhold that information from Lucina then."
"Well, first things first. We're about to be face to face with our potential army."
"Here goes..."
"N-no way... Mom?" Odin breathed, at once dropping his hands, painfully closing his eyes as his spells died back down into his fingertips. He winced as he remembered her death, but opened his eyes and looked over at Leo, who seemed to not have seen his realization. He was instead eyeing the newcomers that Xander had brought along, not recognizing their colors nor banner.
"Mercenaries, perhaps? Though I do not recognize their band at all," Niles speculated.
"No," Odin corrected, "They are no mercenaries. They bear no allegiance to Hoshidan or Nohrian governments. In fact, I cannot fathom why they... are here?"
"Who are they then?" Leo asked, curious as to the strangers identities and how Odin seemed to know a thing or two about them.
"Heroes of a world much like ours," Odin began. "Warriors, soldiers, mothers... fathers. They are from the same lands as Lazward, myself and... Sel..." Leo understood immediately, and smiled at the sorcerer knowingly.
"I wouldn't suppose you want to go meet them, would you?" Odin lit up, nearly grabbing Leo's arm before controlling himself.
"With all due respect, Milord, I would lov-" Leo waved him off, and Odin ran in front of the Nohrian army and nearly face planted at Chrom's feet, before prostrating himself anyway at the boots of his uncle.
"My Lord and prestigious Uncle Chrom! Allow me to be the first of many such unspoken heroes to welcome the glorious Ylisseans to Noh-"
"You're like the third, but do go on," Robin said, ignoring the sorcerer's theatrics and continuing along the path with Xander and Chrom, who stepped around the young man nonchalantly. Lissa and Lon'qu stayed behind, Lazward pointing at the sprawled and otherwise thrilled blond.
"There he is. Hoy! Odin! Look at this-"
"Owain! It's always been Owain! And... Mother. You're just as..."
Walking unsteadily to the cleric, the sorcerer lowered his head as tears began to fall.
"You're just as lovely as I remembered..."
Immediately, Owain dropped his act and buried his head into Lissa's shoulder, crying all the while while Lissa merely giggled and patted the man on his back. Lon'qu merely scowled but Owain stumbled over himself to run to the swordsman.
"Father! You came along too! Are you Khan of Ferox yet?"
"...No."
Owain appeared crestfallen but controlled himself, dragging the trio back to Chrom.
"So, Owain, huh," Lon'qu added, not at all amused at the fact that his son was standing in his presence, half naked at that. Owain flinched at the name, but he smiled nonetheless.
"A name I will cherish always, Father," the Nohrian replied, smiling in gratitude to the cold Feroxian. That reaction alone made Lon'qu soften up, and he extended his hand to the boy, offering a handshake. Instead, Owain went in for a hug, catching the myrmidon off guard but not entirely displeasing him.
"A certain redhead likes to scream that name too," Lazward teased. Owain nearly fried the mercenary, before lowering his hand.
"Please... Don't bring up Sevy like this."
Lissa put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a comforting smile. Lazward did similarly, apologizing all the while.
"We'll find her, buddy. No one gets left behind, right?" Owain nodded fiercely and put a determined look upon his face, if only a facade of his true doubts.
"Not for my sake at least... Sevvy deserves to see her parents too."
With two claims of an apocalyptic future, Nohr had joined Ylisse's cause in the fight against Grima. Suddenly, the pieces were falling together: Three strange warriors of great skill showed up at Nohr's borders, not only lost but unaware of the system they had just stepped in. Winning a tournament and proving themselves above the usual rabble, they were instated as retainers for three of the sons and daughters of the Nohrian crown. On top of that all, they shared the same mysterious past, now revealed to be a fallen nation, one where they were initially sent to save. Instead of ending up in Ylisse, their story took a different turn from Lucina's.
With this new occurrence from the Ylisseans, those with the able mind could see what happened. Odin, Lazward, Selena, three of the children from the ruined timeline had rushed through the portal in hopes that they would rescue their parents from doom. Instead, the portal faltered and sent them to Nohr, where their new story began. Robin and his company of Shepherds came by nearly two years later, halting Hoshido and Nohr's war and instead recruiting both countries to their own, putting all political animosities at a brief standstill.
With the hope that his wife was still alive, Owain put aside any rage he held, instead praying to whatever god listening that his wife would still be able to save her mother and change the impending future. And thus, with his own parents behind him, Owain quietly walked back to Prince Leo's side, a new purpose fueling his heart.
Sevvy, I promised you that we would see Ylisse together. You appointed me as your Chosen Hero and your husband, and I will not back down from the vows I swore!
Day 2, Morning
"Milord, we've got trouble."
Chrom looked up from his grindstone to see a pink-haired girl. Discerning her face, Chrom took a while to process the sight before he recognized her as one of Corrin's servants, Felicia. Realizing he was staring too long, making the maid nervous, Chrom tore his eyes and replied meekly in apology.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Some of us were making a supply run to one of the villages outside Ylisstol, and we heard rumors that brigands are surrounding Southtown! They're fearing a raid of sorts coming in a couple hours, maybe less! Commander Corrin wanted you to know that we were already mobilizing a few scouts, but we could use a hand with the reinforcements, just in case!"
"Ah, an opportunity presenting itself for once. I'll go," Chrom replied promptly, fearing he'd miss some action if he didn't.
A second of thought later, he added in a quick caveat.
"And I have a nephew of mine who'd want to stretch out his arms as well... Owain?"
Nearby, the blond sorcerer was practicing with his spells when Chrom called for him, causing him to stop mid-cast and look at the two curiously.
"Yes, Uncle?"
"Put that magic to good use and come with us," Chrom advised, eager to see Owain in an actual fight instead of against the training dummies. "Lis- Your mom... is already out there, so you might as well."
Lissa and 'mom' do not go well together.
"This must truly be a dangerous endeavor that you must enlist my help! Very well, esteemed Uncle! Fair Felicia, my magic and my blade are at your service!"
Without a moment's delay, Owain ran outside the courtyard, already ready for his first adventure on Ylissean soil.
"The kid's decent with a blade, I'll give him that. I'll be with your party as well, just let me finish sharpening these spears..."
Corrin, Robin, Felicia, Lissa, Chrom, and Owain all arrived outside the old village where Robin first began his conquest, eyeing the perimeter for any potential bandits. Cordelia hovered above, clearly visible both as a show of force and to provide a clear view of the area.
"I... don't see anything amiss," Corrin briefed, her eyes seeing a fair degree farther and clearer than the others. "It looks... empty, though. Have they locked themselves in, knowing they're about to get attacked?"
"Smart, if they have weapons among them. They're sitting ducks if not," Robin sighed, rising to creep in closer. "Once Cordelia comes down, maybe we can locate a-"
An accurate flurry of arrows forced Cordelia to the ground as she expertly avoided an untimely end. Pointing her off-hand towards the village center, the Pegasus Knight designated a large band of brigands making way from the small huts, prompting the other Shepherds to instinctively draw their arms.
"Drat, they're already there. I don't see any smoke or bodies though. This couldn't have been your usual raid... Whatever the case, Shepherds, we'd best prepare for combat!"
"Alright lads, the treasure should be here! Start searching!"
Twenty or so bandits stood inside the main hut of the small village, where a few civilians were tied up for insurance. In fact, the entire townhad been pacified, as not to raise alarm from any nearby towns.
"Not in here, you idiots! Outside! Check the wells, fields, and homes! Anywhere you think would be a good place to hide treasure!"
As quickly as they had suddenly come, the bandits had dispersed, spreading from hut to hut in search of the treasure that was rumored to be in this very village.
Suddenly, with a cloud of dark smoke, the right side of the bandits' party was obscured from inside view, and multiple yells and shouts were heard before being quickly silenced.
"Halt, fiends!"
A girl, not too short but still a head below the adult bandits walked from the smoke, both her hands enveloped in magical energies. Her vibrant red hair was kept in place by an old headband, and her right shoulder was bandaged crudely, as if she'd done the wrapping herself moments prior.
"...The hell are you?" the bandit chief questioned, lowering his guard and looking at the oddly-dressed redhead curiously. "Didn't we tie all the villagers up? Hoy! Lads! There's one more-"
"I said stop, you brigands! I will use more than deadly force! Err... Yes! That was right! I will kill you so swiftly, you won't even get a chance to be sent to the hells before you die again! See how my fingers tremble with fell power! Tempt fate once more, criminals, and we shall see what happens when I, Ophelia Dusk, lose my control over this unholy dominion!"
...
The bandits looked at each other in confusion even as the smoke cleared, revealing a number of their company unconscious with magical burns on their still bodies.
"The girl's nuts, but she took out some of our men! We'll see how messed up-"
With a shout, Ophelia shot lightning from her fingertips, roasting the nearest brigand to a jolting mess before retreating into a small hut.
"Get her!"
"Looks like some of the villagers are putting up a fight. One villager, rather," Corrin observed, pausing for a moment to watch the fight breaking out.
"Looks like she can handle herself," Chrom noted, but drew Falchion anyway as he resumed his sprint towards the town. "Hopefully, she'd appreciate the help."
"And I hope she can speak our language," Robin added in, not keen on deciphering Ophelia's manner of speech. Owain was trouble enough...
"That... power," Owain gasped, looking at Lissa and Chrom. "Do you sense it as well?"
"She's just as nuts as he is," Chrom responded, causing Lissa to laugh.
"Well, now's as good a time as ever to save this village," Robin announced, not completely understanding the current situation at all, given Ophelia's antics. "Let's do our thing."
Ophelia dodged an axe gracefully before another blade knocked it aside, and her gaze went up the arm to a seemingly regal figure, clothed in silver and blue armor.
"Are you alright?" he asked, and Ophelia noticed the brand on his arm. "Did they get you anywhere?"
All he got was a headshake in response, which was enough for Chrom as he peeled off to engage another bandit.
"Ah, who are you?! More heroes like myself? Tis' divine providence that you shall join me on my sacred quest to uphold righteousness!" Ophelia dashed and danced between bandits, making her way toward the small Shepherd party. Taking a good look at them, she seemed satisfied with their appearance and headed back into the fray.
"Is... is she one of the future kids?" Corrin wondered, causing Owain to shake his head.
"Not... not that I know of," he admitted, even though he felt some sort of connection to the girl. Shaking it off, he made efforts to stay within sight of the girl, perplexed at his paternal instincts unwittingly kicking in.
Such power! And her hair is like... Severa's?
The Shepherds cleaned up the area rather quickly, leaving the hamlet momentarily to circle around to check for stragglers. Ophelia and Lissa stayed inside to attend to the wounded villagers. With a quick word to Chrom, Owain stayed back too.
"You..." Ophelia began, looking at Owain curiously, "Ah, you were one of the righteous crusaders at my aid! You have my most... humble... humble... DAD?!"
"...huh?"
"Dad! I missed you! I lost my composure when you weren't by my side after-"
"W-what?!" Owain gasped, scrambling away as Ophelia closed in for a hug.
"Hey! Why're you running away?"
"B-back, I say! Were the bandits truthful in their crude diagnosis? Are you truly... 'nuts?'"
"Huh? Of course not, Father! It is I, Ophelia! Come from a fallen Ylisse to save this one!"
"...Are you... mocking me?" Owain asked with a scowl.
"What? Why would I mock you, Father? Why, of all the heroes you have told me about, you are by far the most... heroic! Well, second to mom, that is."
Lissa looked at Owain weirdly, not grasping Ophelia's story either.
"Eh," the princess butted in, "Ophelia, are you... by chance... one of the kids from Lucina's timeline?" Ophelia brightened up, nodding enthusiastically to Lissa.
"Looks like I'm on the right track! Has Aunty Lucina already revealed her grand scheme to the Exalted Chrom?"
"Err..." Owain looked at Lissa again, debating whether or not he should reveal Lucina's plan. Then again, the fact that she knew in the first place signified something fishy.
"Yes, yes she did," Lissa answered in his stead, looking at Ophelia, seeing something off. "That headband... And... Hey, why's your arm bandaged? Doesn't look hurt to me."
Ophelia brightened, slowly unwrapping her arm and showing the two what she was concealing.
"When I came through the portal... This showed up. Truly, fate would have you see it first, Father! I'm not sure what it is, though. It's probably nothing..."
"That certain doesn't look like nothing," Owain gasped, gesturing for Lissa to see. "Would you look at that? Mother, don't you know what this is?"
Ophelia perked at Owain calling the other woman 'Mother,' but kept her mouth shut for now.
"Th-That's the Brand of the Exalt! w-wait, did I ever tell you?"
"This one's of House Ylisse, that's apparent," the sword-wielding magician guessed, not piecing together the clues nor believing Ophelia to be his daughter. "Wait."
"Well, duh, but let's put this together real quick. Say she's your child, and you're my child... and Ophelia... She's of House Ylisse..."
"That means you were of House Ylisse too, despite all your doubts," Chrom joined in, already knowing Lissa's relationship to him but not being knowledgeable of the present situation.
"C-chrom? Look!" Pointing to Ophelia's arm, Lissa showed Chrom the brand, to which his eye's widened.
"That's... the Brand!"
"Wait," Ophelia finally spoke, shaking away from the trio. "Chrom? As in... the Exalt?"
"Er... that would be my present occupation, yes," Chrom admitted, not one to flaunt his status.
"And that would make you... Princess Lissa!" Lissa nodded in confirmation, eager to see-
"Grandmother!"
"Ah..." Owain laughed as all humor left Lissa's eyes as the word sunk in.
"Oh, this is marvelous!" Ophelia rejoiced, "Fate has led me right where I needed to be! Not even a day had I spent in Ylisse and I already find myself in the company of the heroes I am destined to save!"
"This doesn't make any sense," Owain butted in. "We, meaning the company that went with Lucina, came from the doomed Ylisse to save this one. I have never had a child, nor... well... made... a child." Ophelia's eyes sank, as she seemed to lose her spirit.
"I... I don't know. All I remember is going through that portal and knowing that I had to help you and mom save Ylisse."
"So you forgot?" Chrom asked, piecing together Ophelia's story at last.
"I... seem to have lost those memories," Ophelia confirmed. "But strangely enough, I know that you're Exalt Chrom, you're Princess Lissa, and you're my Father, Odin Dark. And my mother is... is..."
"Severa."
"What?" Ophelia asked, not familiar with the name.
"Her name is Severa," Owain quietly answered, knowing that if Ophelia was truly his daughter, that itself was proof enough that his wife was still alive.
