Chapter 26 Revelations Part 1
"Exalt Chrom! Our forces to the Northeast can't break through due to that deadlord's insane magical powers! We are getting slaughtered out there, sir! What are your orders!?"
The Exalt gritted his teeth as he tried to think of a way to assist their units. They were basically out of units to send. Priam had his hands full with his small army taking on the three deadlords, accompanied by many other Risen, to the west, Cordelia, Lon'qu and Frederick were barely holding the front, and from the new news Lucina and her friends didn't seem to be faring well.
"I will go boy." Flavia volunteered and walked to exit the tent.
"Flavia, I know you are strong individual, but only one unit is not going to save our flank." Chrom state, which caused the woman to stop and look back to him with a stern look that told the Exalt she had made up her mind.
"We don't have time to think about this right now, Chrom. I may just be one, but I can at least get out there and shout orders. If that's not enough, then I will cut down as many of those damned Risen until I can no longer lift my arms." Flavia shot with words that steeled her resolve.
"I understand, but we can't afford to lost you on the-"
"It's nice of you to worry for Regna Ferox, Chrom," the blonde interrupted. "But my men are out there dying for this world. If they are to fight, then I will fight alongside them. If you want to keep me in this tent, then wake that damned tactician of your up and tell him to brew up a plan." Chrom didn't hear another word from the East Khan as she pushed the flap of the tent back and marched into the battle.
Meanwhile, Chrom leaning down on the war table and ran his hands through his blue hair. Out of all the battles he had witnessed these past 3 years, this was without a doubt the hardest one. He never actually realized how much he truly depended on Matthew until today. His role in the Shepherds was truly an amazing one. If the blue head didn't take mini lessons (by force) from Matthew in the past then they would surely be in a bind right now.
"You alright, Capt'n?" Chrom heard the voice of Sully speak from the entrance of the tent where she stood guard.
"Not really." Chrom replied honestly and put his arms down to a crossed position on the table. "I never thought how hard it would be without Matthew around. It just goes to show that the only thing I'm good at is fighting."
"Har har! I can agree with ya there! If Matthew was here right now, I'm sure we both would be out there kickin' some serious arse! Ain't that right Donny boy!?" Sully said and nudged the shoulder of the farm boy who grunted and rubbed his arm from the impact.
"Y-Yea…sure we would." Donnel replied in a melancholy tone that raised the eyebrow of the red head and Exalt.
"You alright, Don? You don't seem like yer in the fighting spirit." Sully asked the farm boy who gritted his teeth and gripped the sword he had on his waist.
"It's just…I want ta go out there an' help the others, but I can't the way I am right now. I can't seem ta get Naomi off ma mind. I don't care what the others saw! Naomi would never do such'a thing!" The farm boy gripped his sword so tight that the blood in his hands threatened to explode from his hand with any more pressure. "I know for a fact it was dem Grimleal fellas! I swear I'll knock those Grimleal fellas dead if they lay a hand 'er!" Hearing Donnel speak violence was a once in a lifetime thing. The farm boy usual never talked down or even wished anything ill of his enemies no matter what they've done. Seeing him angry was like looking at a completely different person.
It would seem that the Grimleal could truly get under anyone's skin if they clawed their way through. Chrom said inwardly.
"Don't worry, Donnel." Chrom said with a voice that showed reassurance. "What's affecting Naomi is the same thing that's affecting Matthew. The only way to free them is to end this Grimleal nonsense. I swear we WILL save Naomi and Emm. It will be tough without Matthew at our side, but I think it's time we graduated from our tactician and show him that we are not so useless."
"Throwing me away already, Chrom?" The three in attendance looked toward the flap of the tent to the pale face of the Shepherds tactician. "From the looks of the battlefield you guys could use my help."
Chrom laughed and walked over to his brother-in-law, giving him a friendly pat on the back. "You look like hell." Chrom joked, but in reality, was actually the truth. The tactician's skin complexion was 2 times light than his original skin tone, and the dark circles under his eyes weren't really making him look any healthier.
"Bout time ya got off yer arse." Sully commented with a smirk and playfully poked the tactician in the back with the non-lethal end of her lance. Instead of speaking, Donnel smiled at the tactician, who smiled back at him, and did a short bow.
"This isn't the time to worry about me or my health," Matthew seriously stated and looked to the blue head. "Chrom, run through with me everyone's position on the battlefield." Not wasting any time, the Exalt turned and walked with the tactician to the war table where miniature figures laid on a map.
"There are a total of 12 deadlords and a numerous amount Risen at their side. Priam and his forces are stationed to take care of the four deadlords to the west. They are struggling, but they seemed to have put the enemy in a stalemate with them. Cordelia, Frederick and Lon'qu are to the north. From the reports, they seem to be getting pushed back and will not last long if not assisted right away. The bigger problem right now is Lucina's group. They can't hold out any longer and are on the verge of being taken out. If their line falls, then that will not only lead Frederick and his team open from an attack at the rear, but that leads us and the injured open for attacks. Flavia went in to help, but I doubt she can change the tide of battle on her own."
Chrom looked to the tactician who was massaging his chin and taking in everything, then a smirk emerged in his face. "…From the look of that smirk, you already have a plan."
Matthew nodded and replied, "We are in a tough spot, but it's not undoable. Do we have any extra fighters on standby?" Matthew asked and was replied with a nod from the Exalt.
"We have about 30 soldiers protecting the medical field, but that's about it."
"Any Shepherds?"
"Hmmmm…" Chrom looked up from the map and to the two guarding the tent entrance. "We have them." Said Chrom and pointed to the redhead and farm boy.
"Perfect." Matthew replied without looking up to the confused Shepherds.
"Sir! News from the battlefield!" Said a soldier was burst through the tent entrance and stood up-straight. News already? Were we losing another flank? Chrom thought to himself.
"What news is it now?" Chrom asked, almost not wanting to hear the answer.
"Sir, there seems to be some type of…reinforcements Far East…but it's only three units, sir!" Chrom and Matthew looked to each other before looking back to the stiff man.
"Are they villagers?" The Exalt asked.
"S-Sir, no, sir." The man replied with a hint of hesitation in his voice. "A-Actually, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you, sir. I still couldn't believe what I was seeing and I was right there." Matthew and Chrom's curiosity seemed to leak out of their heads and they were desperate to know who was entering the skirmish.
"…Who did you see?"
Lucina had never dealt with so much pressure from a Risen in all her life. She had had her fair share of deadlords in the past, but these were on a completely different level. The dead swordsman in front of her left absolutely no opening for her and even with the new help from Flavia, he was still pushing them back. If things weren't bad enough, she was running low on stamina, while the undead creature had an endless supply.
"C-Curses." Lucina muttered and tried to use her sword to push herself off the unbalanced sand, but fell back down to her knees. She cursed and tried to stand again, but her legs refused to continue fighting. "Move damn you!" Lucina barked at her body, but was replied with extreme trembling from her limbs. Through all the many battles that were taking place around the blue head, Lucina was able to focus her hearing right in front of her and to the Khan that had just been knocked down on her back by the enemy swordsmaster. "Flavia!"
Instead of trying to force her legs to move, Lucina began to crawl over to the fallen Khan who was struggling to pull herself up. All alarms in Lucina's head went off when the swordsman raised its sword above it's head to deliver the fatal blow. Lucina used the last of her strength the push herself off the ground and to her feet; pointing her Falchion at the back of her enemy. Within a few seconds, her sword connected with the back of the deadlord. Lucina panted heavily before falling to the ground, her body completely shutting down from that last attack.
Meanwhile, the deadlord turned around and looked down to the human who just inflicted a fatal wound on him; Falchion still in it's back. It's killing intent turned away from the Khan and to the now downed warrior. Lucina looked up to the deadlord that was about to thrust it's sword down onto her, but didn't get the chance as it's head was sliced clean off and rolled around on the desert ground. Within seconds, the deadlord evaporated into a purple mist; Falchion falling straight to the ground and Flavia now standing with her sword to her side and panting heavily.
"Dastard finally *pant* let its guard down *pant*." Flavia stated and stooped down to pick up the blue head's legendary blade, then walked over to Lucina placed it in her sheath while lifting her off the ground and onto her shoulder.
"W-Wait!" Lucina said before the Khan could start moving. "I-I can't leave just ye-"
"Enough kid. Your fight is over. It would be wise to get healed before recklessly charging into battle." Flavia scolded. Lucina knew the Khan was right, but she felt that she must stay and fight alongside her friends than sit out on the sidelines.
Before Flavia could start moving, she cursed as a dozen undead surrounded her. "They just keep coming!" The Khan complained and gripped the sword in her hand. "Come on you dastards! I'll take ya all on!" Flavia got what she wanted and they all charged her. Using only the sword in her right hand, and Lucina in the other, she quickly disposed of the retched creatures surrounding her, but Lucina could tell that the fight took a huge toll on the Khan considering how heavy her breathes were.
Just when they thought they were out of the water, another wave of Risen charged towards the Khan. Trying to show her unbreakable will, the Khan ran forward and sliced through anything that stood in her way. She got about half way through the wave until her body finally gave in to fatigue and she fell too her knees. Lucina looked in horror as more Risen were coming their way. "They just *pant* don't *pant* stop!" Flavia exclaimed through heavy breaths.
Lucina, getting a small portion of her strength back, rolled off the Khan's should and landed on her knees with her hand on the hilt of her sword. "It doesn't look like we will get a break." Lucina said in a matter-a-fact tone. "Sorry Flavia, but if I'm to die, I'd rather it be while I'm swinging my sword."
That sure erupted something in the Khan since she burst into laughter. "I like your attitude!" Flavia stated and stood groggily to her feet. "I don't think I have much left in my system, but I'd be damned if I let a kid out do me!"
Lucina smirked and stood to her sore feet; leaning on the muscular back of the blonde warrior. The two waited for the Risen to storm them, but their attention seemed to be drown to somewhere to the far northeast. Becoming curious to what caught the undead creature's attention, the two women looked to the distance. They were surprised to being cut down one by one by her friends along with silver haired swordsmaster, a man wearing red armor and…was that…Morgan?!
Now understanding that some form of reinforcements were here to help, the blonde and blue head quickly swung their swords at the distracted Risen. Within seconds, the Risen around them was reduced to nothing but purple mist.
…
Matthew and Chrom didn't know what they were expecting to see when they arrived at the east battle field. For one, they expected for there to actually be a battle, but there was mainly few bodies around along with broken swords, axes and arrows. What REALLY took them by surprise was seeing Walhart and Yen'fay standing in front of a group of both soldiers and the future children with their weapons at ready as if the Conqueror and swordsmaster would attack the at any moment.
"Father!" Matthew heard someone call from the crowd of people and out came Morgan who almost tackled her father in a tight hug. "You have no idea how much I wanted see you!"
"Morgan?" Matthew said in surprise and pushed the girl back to make sure it was her. Sure enough, those familiar light brown eyes stared up at him and her smile was as bright as ever.
"Did'cha miss me, father?" Morgan said in a playful tone that caused her father to laugh and ruffle her hair.
"I was just thinking how peaceful it was that you weren't around." Mathew joked and earned him a stick of the tongue from his daughter.
While Matthew was reuniting with his daughter, Chrom took the opportunity to step through the crowd and get to where Flavia stood in front of the two Valmese warriors.
"Why are you two here?!" Flavia spoke up. "Better question, why are you two alive?!" The two didn't seem like they were about to talk, but Yen'fay spoke up.
"We are only here to rid this place of the Grimleal. Nothing more. Nothing less." Yen'fay said in a tone that showed no emotion. "We have no business with the Shepherds. Whatever you decide to do here, we will not interfere."
"And you expect us to believe that?!" Flavia exclaimed. "After everything that happened in Valm, you expect us to believe even a letter that comes out of your mouth?"
"Believe us or not is your choice." Walhart spoke up and turned his horse toward the rest of the Risen to his left. "Right now, our only concern is to get rid of these Risen. We have helped you open a path to inside. If you wish to stop the Grimleal, then, instead of trialing us for our past actions, you should use this opportunity to charge forward toward Validar. We shall help your comrades with the rest of these undead creatures."
Flavia wanted to stop the man from strolling off, but he had a point. They were going to get nowhere fighting him right now and it would be a complete waste of time. If he wasn't a current threat to them, then he could definitely wait until they were done with their business here. Walhart quickly rode his horse toward the battle and Yen'fay was about to turn and go after them, but was stopped by Falchion that was held out horizontal to the ground blocking his path.
Chrom frowned at the swordsmaster that looked to him with a calm face. "Just one question. What exactly brought you all the way here to end the Grimleal? There has to be a reason behind your actions and I would like a clear one from your lips." Yen'fay stared heavily at the Exalt whose gave said he was dead serious about a clear answer.
"…I guess this is the least I can do to repent for my past sins…that is all." Yen'fay didn't say another word as he walked around the sword and toward the battle. It wasn't really a clear answer, but it was good enough. Chrom turned around to see that some of the soldiers didn't really seem pleased with letting the two warriors walk away, but now wasn't the time to worry about that. "Flavia," Chrom called to the Khan who looked to him immediately. "Matthew and I will start heading inside. We don't know exactly what lies ahead, but Emmeryn and Naomi are somewhere in there and we have no time to waste. Go back to the camp and call forth the Shepherds that are on standby."
Flavia smirked and replied, "Taking all the full for yourself, I see." She sheathed her sword and walked away. "I got it. You future kids better follow me back as well. You've fought long enough." The only one who seemed hesitant to follow the Lucina who stared hard at Matthew for a couple of seconds before turning around following the rest of her friends and soldiers.
"I'm going with you guys!" Morgan declared next to her father.
"No you're not." Matthew immediately shot the girl down.
"Wha? Why not?!" Morgan asked her father with a face filled with disappointment.
"Because going in there will be too dangerous for you and I don't want to lose you, Morgan."
"B-But Naomi and Mom and both in there! If you leave me out, then I will be the only one in our family left out of the fight!"
Matthew sighed and said, "Listen Morgan, I know you mean well, but-"
"I will stay with her, Uncle." Matthew, Morgan and Chrom turned their heads to Lucina who walked up to them. "I will make sure to stay close to her side at all times."
Now it was time for Chrom to stop his child from coming along. "Not happening, Lucina. You will head back to the medical tent, and you will do that now." Chrom said in a tone that told his daughter that his decision was absolute.
"But Father!" Lucina complained, but broke at the pressure of the glare her father was giving her. "…Alright." Lucina said in defeat.
"Come on, Matthew. We must hurry." Chrom turned and walked towards the tower.
"Right." Matthew said and followed after. Morgan was complaining and yelling "that's not fair" to him, but he completely ignored her and charged toward the temple. Hold up, Emm, Naomi. We're coming.
Chrom and Matthew were taken by surprise at how low the security was around the temple. There wasn't a single Grimeal in sight no matter how far they'd gone into the place. About halfway into the place, Matthew began to feel the ringing in his head again, but it wasn't as bad as the previous. Chrom asked him if he was okay or if he needed a shoulder to keep him walking, but he waved him off.
When the altar came into view, Matthew stopped and grabbed Chrom by the arm. "Chrom, before we do this, I need you to promise me something." Chrom looked into the eyes of his best friend to see that what he was about to say would be dead serious.
"…Alright." Chrom said, not knowing that he would soon regret that word.
"If Validar somehow takes control of me again," Matthew took a deep breathe before looking back to his brother-in-law with his same serious expression. "I want you to cut me down where I stand."
Matthew could tell that his words were poison to Chrom from the way his face immediately turned to fury and he shook his head back and forward. "You can't say that! No, you can't ASK that!" Chrom said, furious at his friend's request. "I KNOW you can fight Validar's influence over you. You've done it before, and you will do it again damn it!" Hearing those words were oddly relieving to the tactician. It was relieving to know that his friend had so much faith in him, but it didn't change the fact that it COULD happen.
"Please just do me this one favor, Chrom. I can't walk in there without knowing that I will have someone to put me out of my misery before I hurt my friends."
"And I can't walk in there until I know you will try your best to fight this. Now tell me that you WILL fight this, or I will cut you down before Validar even gets a chance to take over!" Chrom really did have a weird way of comforting the tactician, but the brunette just laughed and walked ahead of his friend.
"I promise. Now let's go get our family back." Matthew said, but stopped halfway and turned around. "Come out you two." Matthew called to someone behind Chrom (who also turned around in alarm). Coming from behind a pillar was Lucina and Morgan, who looked to the ground twiddled their fingers, and walked over to the two adults.
"W-We're sorry we disobeyed," Morgan apologized without looking up. "But we want to help our family too!" Instead of getting like the two thought their parents would, Matthew turned away from them and said only two words.
"Stay close."
The two looked up from the ground and to their parents who began walking further into the temple. They smiled before quickly catching up to their parents.
…
Upon entering the main part of the temple and walking toward the altar, Matthew immediately spotted a figure by the front of the altar wearing a black long dress with markings of Grima on it. Matthew's eyes widened and he sprinted toward the altar when he saw the familiar blonde hair of his wife. "Emm!" Matthew yelled as he ran to his wife who laid up-straight against the altar. He could hear Chrom calling out to him, but he didn't care at the moment. All he cared about was his wife who he hadn't seen in almost 2 weeks alive and okay. He was just inches away from her when he crashed into an energy wall that surrounded on all corners. "Emm! Wake up!"
Morgan joined net to her father and began banging on the energy shield alongside him. "Mom! Wake up already! We're here to save you!"
"The poor thing can't hear you." Everyone turned away from the former Exalt and looked to the voice that came from their right. Coming from the shadows was Validar and Aversa close behind him. Everyone gritted their teeth to see the snake of a man and his servant appear before them; well, all but Morgan who kept her gaze on Aversa. "Do you like the dress? It was more fitting than that eyesore of a Naga outfit she wore before."
"What are you doing to her?!" Matthew barked at the man who one smirked at his son's anger.
"Grima I currently accepting her life force. It will take some time to break through Naga's influence in her, but there is nothing in this world that can't be broken. In due time, her life force will be absorbed by Grima and the Fell Dragon will once again hover over this world!"
"You're insane!" Lucina spoke and let her anger flow out. "What will you have to gain from releasing a being that will completely destroy all life as we know it? Have you truly lost your mind?!" Validar only tilted his head back and cackled as if the situation was actually the most hilarious thing in the world.
"Our lord Grima has promised his followers a spot on the throne of this world! When he is resurrected, we will be able to completely take control of these pathetic world and all humans will understand true fear when they see Grima's might! To see the fear in man's eyes as they witness Grima's power is what I've dreamed of!" Validar could hear the sound of swords being unsheathe at the end of his grand speech, but it only made his smirk wider. "Ready to fight me already I see?"
"We have nothing more to say to you." Chrom spoke for the group. "You are a poison to this land, and I will make sure to erase you no matter what it takes."
Validar smirked at Chrom's declaration and walked behind Aversa. "That seems to be some declaration you have there. But before we start, there is trash I must get rid of." Aversa's eyes suddenly widened when the words left the snakes mouth. The silver haired woman paused in shock as pained filled her abdomen. She glanced down to her stomach and her body quivered when she saw a lightning bolt planted in her gut.
"You have outdone your usefulness, traitor." The sorcerer whispered into the woman's ear before pushing her off of his blade and she fell to the ground; desperately gasping for air as she put a hand over to wound to stop the bleeding. Everyone couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Matthew yelled at the man who seemed to still take pleasure from his anger filled face.
"She outlived her usefulness, so she was no more than a treacherous witch. Therefore, I ended her pathetic life. I'm sure she will understand in the afterlife. But enough of the trivial things. I'm gonna have to move you away from one of Grima's sacrifices." The snake of a man raised his left hand and began chanting. Matthew thought that he would run in before the sorcerer had a chance to finish casting, but he was not expecting the energy field surrounding his wife to expand and knock him and his friends back.
Matthew could feel his world spinning as he pushed himself to his hands and knees. He looked around him to make sure everyone was okay. Chrom was next to him and also getting back to his feet, but Morgan and Lucina were now separated from them by a large energy shield that stretched to the sides of the temple and to the ceiling. If Matthew was worried when he saw the shield, then he was even more worried when he saw Naomi in the distance with a spell book in hand and ready to fire at Morgan and Lucina who were still recovering.
The last thing Matthew wanted to hear was that sick laughter coming from his father behind him. "Now, shall we begin the slaughter?"
Happy New Years! I'm late on saying that, but WHO CARES! This chapter was actually a lot longer than I thought it would be, so I had to cut it into two different chapters. The second part WILL be out THURSDAY so look forward to it!
Now for reviews!
Erebus13 : Funny thing about your review. One day, I was writing ahead in this story and the question came to me: how exactly do I want to end this story? Then three hours later that day, POOF! Your review came in and I was like "BRUUUUUUUUH!" I will seriously give that idea thought sometime late January or early February when this story starts to come to an end ^_^
As for why Lucina was granted the position of Exalt instead of Naomi or Morgan would be because, as said in one of the chapters (don't know which one and would probably make me have to read the whole thing to find it :/ ) Naomi and Morgan were run out of their home because of their Grimleal marks, which makes Lucina and Lissa the only two candidates to the throne (Honestly, you'd think Lissa would step up right to be Exalt, right). Plus, don't really know if this counts, Lucina and the twins were born on the same year, but Lucina is one month older than the twins. Hope that cleared things up! :3
Zayvor: I know TT_TT, but I shall get through this! Just need to stay away from more spoilers until the 19th of February! SO HARD!
Guest: Good sir, or madam, I will have you know that it is NOT the ending of the game that makes not want to play it. You see, since I was a young lad I have always liked surprises and have hated it when things are spoiled for me. If someone were to tell me the ending of a movie, or a very important event in the movie, no matter how great it is, I will lose interest in said movie and I will no longer feel any motivation for the movie. I am a man who LOVES surprises and HATES spoilers! (Though I am quite impatient.)
Now that you have seen that you have misjudged me, I will be taking back those points you have seized from my gamers licenses and happily place them back in their rightful place. *takes points back*.
Suguoxxx: *spoiler* I don't doubt that Sakura is more developed than Elise lol, but if I'm going with my inner Loli, then I'm going for the small Norh dark mage…don't judge me! As for Hoshido, definitely the Pegasus knight sister! As for the main wife *cough* *cough* Camilla *choke* *cough* reasons *choke* *choke*.
THE CREATOR: SM4SH IS AWESOME AND I WANTED SNAKE TOO!
Reaction 1 (One Minute Melee): …Finish him…..Fatality…Mecha sonic went too far xD
Reaction 2 (A day in the Office with Captain Falcon): XDDDDDDDDDDDD
Reaction 3 (Tainted Milk): I didn't know whether to laugh, be creeped out, or scared, so I did all three xD
I shall save these videos to my favorites! xD Now, I have videos for YOU to watch good sir! Minecraft fail 18+, Check out buddy when buddy get up, Ronald plays flappy birds, and John Cena Prank Call. At the end of the videos, don't judge how I laugh at things lol.
As always, thanks for the reviews, favs and follows and hope to see you all next time!