With the Power of the Almighty Sword

"Hyah!" Vincent yelled as he struck down the nearest Risen. The mountain they were at apparently had some magical place that Chrom had to do some ritual to gain Naga's might.

Vincent didn't know what that meant. He had one job, buy enough time for Chrom. Then get to Grima as fast as they could and kill him…it.

These Risen are pawns. They don't stand a chance at stopping us.

Call it a warm up round.

But that implies that this requires effort.

…Idiot.

Chrom came charging down the mountain. His sword was held high, glowing with magicalness. He ran into a clump of Risen and annihilated them.

Huh…this may be easier than we thought.

Thank Naga that Naga was able to transport us to a port.

…That sentence feels redundant.

Vincent stood on Captain Colby's boat, the Leviathan. It was dark, the sun had nearly set. He remembered what Naga had told them before she warped them.

"My power cannot kill the Fell Dragon, only Grima's own power can kill him."

Vincent glanced down at the mark on his hand. He'd never paid much attention to it until now. Because he now had an idea of what it was. The mark of Grima.

Only Grima's own power can destroy the Fell Dragon…

I have the mark of Grima on my hand… I am Grima's Vessel.

Is it possible, that I could destroy the bastard?

Perhaps…but at what cost? I seem to be connected to Grima by some form of magic. If he dies…will I?

The real question is, are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the good of your friends and family?

Vincent looked out at the waves. He had his answer… and not many would like it.

They arrived at a small island in the middle of the two continents. They could see the Fell Dragon in the air above it. This was where the final battle would commence.

The Shepherds filed out of the ship one by one. Colby and the crew stood by and watched them go. This wasn't their fight. They said they'd fight off any Grimleal they came across though.

Vincent was the last off the ship. Colby nodded to him, "Best of luck to you all. I hope we'll meet again."

Vincent quirked a smile, "Don't be such a depressing person, Captain. Of course we'll be back, I am here after all."

Colby rolled his eyes, but grinned back and got back on his ship.

The Shepherds marched away from the Leviathan. After a few minutes after they left the boat, Naga presented herself to them.

"Remember heroes, we can only seal the Fell Dragon away, we cannot destroy it. Chrom must be the one to land the final blow," Naga said in her misty voice.

"You said that Grima could be destroyed by his own power," Vincent brought up.

"I did, but what of it?" the goddess turned toward him.

"I have his power running through my veins, don't I?" Vincent held up his hand with the mark on it.

"Ah…I should have foreseen this. While you can kill Grima, it would result in your death," Naga said with no change in emotion.

Vincent nodded and stopped talking. He heard what he wanted to hear. "Rest here tonight heroes, you will be of no use not rested. I will awaken you in the morning for the battle." And with that, Naga disappeared.

The Shepherds made camp like usual. Many tracked Vincent down and made him swear he wouldn't sacrifice himself. He lied easily to them. The few he had trouble with lying, were more difficult to deal with.

While a few thankfully didn't question his choices, like Lowell, Syrenne, Matts and Heather, some did.

"Father, I won't let you sacrifice yourself," Remy said firmly. Jessie nodded angrily behind him.

Vincent waved a hand nonchalantly, "Relax, I won't do that. I can't just leave you all here alone."

"Father, everyone knows how much of an accomplished liar you are, don't try it on us!" Jessie said.

"I'm not! I mean it when I say I won't get myself killed!" Vincent faked an outraged expression. It seemed to do the trick. Remy and Jessie both hesitantly nodded. "You two should get ready for tomorrow." They nodded and headed off.

Vincent let out his breath he was holding. He escaped being found out for now.

For the rest of the night, he walked around the general area with a fake grin on his face. This would be his last night in this world. He didn't want people trying to stop him for all of it.

He saw a few people he knew well, Ricken paused in his kissing Maribelle to make Vincent swear not to sacrifice himself. He saw Henry and Olivia. He exchanged meaningful looks with Henry, and for one of the first times, Henry didn't make a strange remark. He simply nodded back and didn't ask.

But when Vincent encountered Morgan ad Inigo, he paused. "Hey Inigo, a word please?" Inigo walked over to him nervously.

Once they were out of earshot of Morgan, Vincent started talking, "Do you still swear not to cheat on Morgan?"

Inigo looked even more nervous, "Yes of course! Don't burn me alive!"

"Good, because after tomorrow, I won't be here to enforce that. Just wanted to make sure you still meant it," Vincent said lightly.

Inigo looked surprised, "You mean…you've been lying to everyone this night?"

Vincent smirked, "Lies are useful. Now, you're the only one who knows. If you tell Morgan, there won't be enough of you left for her to marry you, understand?" Vincent made the throat slitting motion with his hand.

Inigo nervously nodded and began to slowly walk away from Vincent. The Spymaster walked the other way, already absorbed into his own thoughts.

Heh, already setting my affairs in order. Still have to fool Anna though…

Doubt you can do it.

Oh, shut up.

What? A man of…how old are you?

Hmm…I don't know. But I've always put myself as twenty four. I think. Maybe I forgot how old I used to think I was. A lot has happened.

You can say that, I mean, you have children now.

Vincent looked to where his feet had brought him. He stood on a hill above where the Shepherds were training for the next day. Remy and Jessie included.

Imagine their feelings of betrayal when you do it…

Shut up!

"Vincent?" Anna's voice came from behind him.

"Hel…hello Anna," Vincent said, trying to keep any emotions that would betray him out of his voice.

"You seem stressed," she sat down beside him.

"Just worried for tomorrow," Vincent truthfully for one of the first times that night.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"You can't lie to me Vincent," Anna looked at him. "Don't pretend I don't know what your plan is for tomorrow."

Vincent's body went rigid, "…How did you figure it out?"

"Female intuition and the fact that I'm your wife. It's my job to know these things. I'm the secret seller after all," Anna said in a sad tone.

"I'm sorry…but this is the best way…" Vincent said, tears forming in his eyes.

"I know…but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Anna pulled Vincent closer to her.

The two of them sat on that hillside for a long time.