DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO NINTENDO.
Naga's Voice 7
A single figure emerged from the cloud of dust.
Confusion washed over the Ylisseans.
A feminine voice called out from among the Shepherds. "You're..."
All eyes turned to Lucina, who was now walking up to the figure.
"Lucina! Stay back!" Chrom yelled. He had trained his blade on the person.
Lucina raised a hand in dismissal. "Father, it's fine."
The man in question had dark brown, slicked hair. He was clad in black armor plating. A large axe hung from his right hand. But among the most eye catching features was the mask he wore over his face.
Robin eyed Lucina, and then the man.
Lucina stood before him.
The man, who's eyes had been obscured, seemed to stare at the princess. Slowly, the man began to move.
The cloud of dust settled to reveal a large wyvern sitting obediently. The wyvern bore a fierce look in its eyes, flaunting its outstretched wings. The wyvern lifted its snout into the air, taking a few sniffs. It hung its head lower, seemingly eyeing the Shepherds. Afterwards, it noticeably eased out of its aggressive posture.
Minerva grew more and more restless, Cherche making efforts to calm her down.
The Ylisseans raised their weapons in anticipation. However, Owain, Severa and Kjelle had gone around urging the others to lay down their arms.
"So that's how it is..." Robin whispered, earning a glance from Chrom.
Chrom stared between his daughter, the man, and the other future children. He put two and two together and sheathed his Falchion.
The man slowly set his axe on the ground, and crouched onto one knee. He grabbed Lucina's hand and bowed his head down. "Princess, I have returned to you all."
Lucina's eyes softened, pulling the man's hand and urging him to stand. "It's been a while, Gerome." she said with a smile.
Gerome nodded, a faint smile on his lips.
Chrom and Robin narrowed their eyes at the two.
Owain, Severa and Kjelle passed in between the men, Severa bumping into Robin's shoulder as she walked by.
Robin shot her a disgruntled look, catching the smug grin on her face.
"Gerome! It's great to safe you're safe!" Owain cheered, patting his friend on the back.
"Took you long enough." Severa said with a smile.
"Good to have you back." Kjelle beamed.
Gerome nodded silently, accepting his friends' welcome.
Chrom walked up to them, clearing his throat. "Might I have a word with the young man?" he asked.
The 'children' made some space for the prince.
Chrom stared Gerome up and down.
Gerome's face remained emotionless and hard to read.
Finally, Chrom extended his hand.
Gerome was hesistant at first. He turned his head to Lucina, who offered him a nod of encouragement.
Gerome sighed, then took the prince's hand and shook.
"I take it you're one of ours too?" Chrom asked, sticking a thumb back at the Shepherds.
Gerome merely nodded.
"The quiet type, huh? Well, no matter. How did you find us?" Chrom asked.
Gerome remained paused before speaking up. "...We noticed... the Risen in the area. We flew over head to survey the area when we spotted your men coming from the west."
"We?" Chrom asked.
Gerome turned to the wyvern. "Hey. Hurry and get out here."
The wyvern retracted it's outspread wings, revealing a second person mounted on it.
It was a young girl with blue hair. The girl shuffled her legs around the seat on the wyvern, dropping off the beast. The girl jogged towards the Ylisseans, but tripped over what seemed to be nothing.
The Ylisseans fell silent at the sight.
'Deja vu,' Cordelia, Chrom, Robin, and Lissa thought simultaneously.
Gerome clicked his tongue, turning away from the girl.
The girl got up and dusted herself off, a toothy grin plastered on her face. She walked slowly up to Chrom, with glossy eyes.
Chrom eyed the girl's hair, feeling his own on the back of his neck stand. "L-Lucina?"
Lucina giggled softly, making her way over to the girl.
The girl, who had been too preoccupied with Chrom, did not have any time to react as a hand came from the side and rubbed her cheek.
The girl turned to find Lucina.
Lucina smiled. "You've still got a bit of dirt there, sis."
"Lucina!" the girl exclaimed.
"S-sis!" Chrom yelled.
"Daughter!?" Sumia wailed as she ran over to the three.
"M-mother!" the girl yelled, immediately leaping into Sumia's arms.
"Ohhh, come here, baby!" Sumia cooed, as she nestled the girl in her arms. "Lucina, why didn't you tell us you had a sister?"
Lucina smiled nervously and shrugged. "Surprise?"
Chrom rubbed his temple. "Surprised is an understatement, young lady. Now, before I have a heart attack, are there any other secrets you've been keeping?" he asked Lucina in frustration.
"No, that's all."
"No more children? No adopted siblings or anything of the like?"
"You have my word, father."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Chrom turned to face the young girl. "Now then, what's your name, darling?" he asked with a warm smile.
The girl let go of Sumia, and grinned at him. "I'm Cynthia. Your one and only pega-pony princess!" she squealed, before tackling him in a hug.
Chrom caught the girl in his arms, "P-Pega... Pony..."
"That's right! You always called me that!" she cooed.
Chrom's eye twitched slightly.
A series of chuckles and muffled laughter rang throughout their forces.
"Sounds like this calls for another poster." Gaius laughed, as he nudged Frederick with his elbow.
Frederick smiled. "Oh, most definitely."
Chrom glared at them. "As your prince, I order you to cease this racket at once." he said lamely.
It was in vain, as everyone had already been swept up in a fit of laughter.
"Come now, dear. I think it's cute!" Sumia gushed.
Chrom turned to Robin. "Robin, take care of this. We need our morale high, after all."
Robin smirked. "I don't know Chrom. This seems like the highest it's been in a while." he laughed, relishing the agony on the prince's face.
Chrom let out another sigh, knowing he was bested. He tuned out the teasing around him and focused his attention on the girl in his arms. "I'm glad you're with us, dear." he said as he kissed Cynthia's forehead.
Basilio made his way to the commotion. "Alright, this all absolutely lovely and all that, but may I remind you we're in the middle of an assault?"
The Khan's words sobered them all. They assumed their original positions.
"Yes, that's right. Chrom, we can save the reunions for later. We've lost quite a bit of time, but if we hurry, we can still pull through." Robin stated.
Chrom turned to their forces. "You heard him! Let's move!"
The soldiers let out their war cries and charged down the slope.
Gerome mounted the his wyvern. He caught sight of his blue headed leader. "Lucina!" he called over the crowd. "Care to fight side by side once again?" he asked her.
Lucina grinned, getting onto the seat behind him. "With pleasure."
The wyvern beat its mighty wings, slowly ascending from the ground.
"Just follow his lead." Lucina ordered, pointing at Robin, who was sprinting alongside her father.
Gerome eyed Robin from behind. "Very well."
"Kill it!" a Cavalier yelled, crawling backwards after being knocked off her mount.
"W-what the hell are they?!" a Knight grunted, forcing back a horde of the undead scourge with his massive shield.
A man weaved around his fellow soldiers, unsheathing his blade and taking out four creatures with a single swipe. "Get your head on straight! Whatever they are, they still go down like any ordinary man!"
The distraught cries of the Valmese echoed around the fortress at the base of the Mila Tree.
They had been met with an unwelcome surprise as the Risen had shambled over to their stronghold.
"General! They've breached the southern wall!" an Archer yelled.
"Damn them." Cervantes grumbled from his position on the tree's staiway. "What happened to our men stationed there!?" he barked.
"T-they were overcome by the enemy forces, sir! T-these things! They don't have any regard for caution. They just keep throwing themselves at us!"
Cervantes spat on the ground. He reached for his axe, and made sure his armor was secure. "Make way. I'll show you how it's done." he said, twiddling the hair beneath his nose as he descended the staircase.
A green haired woman peered out from a small opening in the bark of the massive tree.
She witnessed the ensuing chaos just below. With a soft sigh, she turned and sank back onto her seat on the floor. "To say this does not bring back a memory or two would be a lie." she said sadly. "Those people. The Ylisseans, were they? I do hope they return..." she whispered.
She scanned the area which she had been confined in. The Valmese had moved her into this small room after an apparent invasion the day before.
"No matter the day or the age, it would seem that man is cursed to fight time and again." The woman glanced towards another who had been in peaceful slumber against the wall across from her.
The woman smiled. "What would you make out of all this?" she asked the sleeping figure.
The Ylisseans were in the middle of breaking through the Risen horde.
"Fire!" Miriel shouted.
She and the other mages fired off another stream of Elwind at the Risen in front of them. The gust of wind swept the Risen to the sides as the Ylisseans charged through the opening.
"Woah-ho! This one's still alive and kickin'." Henry said with delight as he finished off the mangled creature with a simple Fire spell.
"Oy, Henry! We kill only those that get in out way!" Sully yelled as she and her mount rushed over to give the mage a ride.
"Oh? Well ya can't kill what's already dead, right?" he retorted, cackling at his own joke.
"Har har, very funny." Sully snorted. She outstretched and arm to him. "Hurry and get on before I leave ya behind!"
"Alrighty, bossy lady!" Henry said with a smile as he took hold of her arm and climbed onto the horse.
Stahl rode up beside them, Kjelle in the seat behind them. "Look who it is. You alright, Henry?" he asked with a smile.
Henry smiled back. "Oh yeah. As alright as you can get being surrounded by all this death, that is."
Stahl let out a brief laugh.
Sully grumbled to herself about 'regretting giving the kid a ride.'
"Father! To your left!" Kjelle yelled.
A Risen Sage stepped out from the crowd to the side and fired off an Elthunder straight for them.
Stahl and Sully tugged on the reigns of their horses, bringing them to a sharp turn to the right and out of harm's way.
Kjelle twisted her body around and took aim for the Risen Sage. "Now, now. We're out of his range already. No need in wasting our breath when our focus is to go straight forward." Stahl breathed, heart panting from the close call.
A hooded man sat upon a large throne in a dimly lit room.
A taller, thinner man entered.
"What of our forces?" the hooded man asked.
The other man walked over and took a seat at the large table before the throne. "Everything is going as intended."
The hooded man offered no response, as he sat in silence.
"Gahh!" Cervantes cried as he brought down his axe on a particularly sturdy Risen Barbarian.
He felt something strike his back. He turned to find two arrows, which had been deflected by his heavy armor, in the ground. Cervantes did a quick scan of the shifting bodies and pin pointed the Risen Archer.
Cervantes charged at the creature, bringing his axe in front of his face to cover the only exposed section of his armor.
The Risen growled, giving up its attempt to reload another batch of arrows. It pulled up an Iron Sword which had been discarded on the battlefield and swung at the the advancing Valmese General.
With his axe, Cervantes swatted away the sword from the Risen Archer's frail arm and slugged the creature square in the face.
The Risen groaned as the fist made impact and threw it to the ground. Cervantes hovered over the downed being and slammed down an armored foot onto it's face. The Risen's head smashed under the mass of the heavy iron, dissipating into a black fog.
"You know, I'm not particularly fond of those who are keen on disappearing acts." he muttered to spot the corpse once laid.
A Swordmaster cleared a path through the Risen on his way to Cervantes.
The Risen now focused on the two men. Risen Mercenaries and Knights threw themselves at the them.
The Swordmaster hopped over a horizontal swing from a Risen Mercenary, bringing down his Killing Edge on its head as he descended.
Cervantes took a sword swipe to the shoulder, the blade bouncing off as expected. He retaliated with an upward slash, sending the Risen flying back with a large gash in its torso.
"Sir, we've just sighted the Ylissean forces!" the Swormaster breathed, blocking an axe strike.
Cervantes cut the arms off the Risen giving his subordinate trouble, before kicking it aside. "So the dastards seek to take advantage of our little dilemma?"
"Aye, sir. A dirty tactic indeed. Those scoundrels..." the Swordmaster spat, as he cut down another Risen looking to take Cervantes by surprise.
"You may... consider it a dirty tactic, but... I would expect no less from an enemy that would... cross the seas to confront us." Cervantes panted as he, swung his axe haphazardly at the Risen before him. "They need... to use all they can... if they want to stand a chance against our Empire."
A Risen that Cervantes had pinned down clawed at the man's head. It's bony fingers left a deep scratch on his forehead. Cervantes grunted, recoiling from the stinging pain. The Swordmaster dug his blade into the Risen's throat, finishing it off.
Cervantes wiped away the blood trickling down his face. "I look forward to finally clashing with them in person."
Gerome and Lucina swooped over the battlefield.
"We're coming down for another run." He called back to her.
"I'm on it." Lucina replied, holding out her Falchion, leaning to the opposite side Gerome was.
The wyvern dive bombed towards the Risen at the front of the Ylisseans' formation. As it pulled back from its descent and into smoothly transitioned in to a glide, Gerome and Lucina hacked away at the horde, while the wyvern kicked and clawed with its legs.
Gerome tugged on the reigns, signaling the beast to climb. As they once again headed back to the skies, Gerome caught sight of another flier catching up from the side.
Cherche offered them a sweet smile as she and Minerva flew beside them.
Gerome frowned at the sight of her.
"Aunt Cherche!" Lucina called over the blowing wind.
"Hello, Lucina. Do you mind if I were to spend some quality time with my son over there?"
Gerome nearly lost his hold on the reigns upon hearing. "...You knew?"
Cherche chuckled slightly. "Your ride was a dead give away. I'd know Minerva anywhere... or anytime" she said with a sad smile as she eyed the much more aged Minerva. She snapped her eyes back to Gerome. "Although, to find that I've mothered such a fine young man is even more delightful."
Gerome ignored her praise, keeping his eyes glued to the battlefield below. "We're going down once more."
"I shall accompany you." Cherche spoke.
"It's not necessary." Gerome replied.
"Gerome." Lucina said with disapproval.
He clicked his tongue. "Whatever."
The two wyverns dove out of the sky and into the crowd of Risen, bombarding them with a flurry of steel and talons.
Lucina cut down an arrow that zipped for Minerva's wing. "Gerome, I'll be making my exit. I'll join up with my father and the others."
"If that is what you wish." he replied, bringing Minerva lower to the ground.
Lucina hopped off and rolled into a slash on an unsuspecting Risen Sorcerer. She turned around to scan the area before running off to regroup with the others.
"My, my. Such unwavering devotion to your lord. You resemble your father quite a bit." Cherche noted.
Gerome shook his head as he urged Minerva to climb yet again. "...I guess it is safe to assume that my birth in this time is certain."
Cherche put a hand to her mouth, a blush on her face. "Now, now. Frederick and I aren't anything official yet, but... if all turns out like I hope, I can say you are correct to believe so."
Gerome scowled at the thoughts he must have planted into his mother's head.
"So what do you say? Care to have a dance with mother?" she asks with a grin, Minerva growling in anticipation for the next attack.
"I suppose I've no say in the matter."
Robin shot a stream of Forsetti at an upward angle.
Chrom rushed from behind, leaping over Robin and into the stream of green wind. The wind thrust the prince skyward, straight for a lone Risen Falcon Knight.
The Risen flier tried to roll out of the the prince's path, but Chrom's Falchion caught the griffon's wing and severed it. Chrom landed elegantly into a roll, turning around to see Robin charging at the downed flier.
The Risen thrust its lance out at the Tactician. Robin hopped over the lance, landing on its shaft as his weight tugged the Risen down.
In a fluid swipe, Robin cut the throat of the flailing griffon before planting his sword into the Risen's chest.
Pulling his Bronze Sword out, he surveyed their progress, noting that they were only a few hundred meters away from the Valmese's fortress.
"We're almost there! Make a break for the walls!" Robin yelled to the troops as he broke into a sprint.
Chrom caught up from the side. "These Risen. They're definitely more powerful than what we've seen."
"I can see. They're not the fodder we faced back home."
"It's like what Lucina said..."
Robin cast a side glance. "What might that be?"
Chrom shook himself out of his thoughts. "I can tell you later. We're arriving at the walls. Can you do something about the gate?"
Robin shuffled through his coat. 'Bolganone? No, if the tree is invulnerable, then I'd assume the roots are as well. I wouldn't be able to cause the floor to rupture.' After a bit of quick thinking, Robin settled for his only other fire spell.
Robin aimed for the large wooden gates. He eyed the many Risen and Valmese clashing in between.
He flipped opened his Tome, charging the magic for extra effect. "Elfire" he cried, slamming the book shut.
A mid sized glob of flame sailed through the air and collided with the gates.
The flame had charred where it impacted, but it was too little damage for the sturdy masses of wood.
Robin notices a section of the wooden gate was still ablaze. He quickly shuffled through his gear to equip his Wind tome.
He aimed the tome towards the small blaze on the gates. The wind blew forward, spreading the flames.
The weaker wind had succeeded in spreading the flames across the rest of the two large doors without snuffing it out.
"How long will it take?" Chrom asked, eyeing the blaze.
Robin swapped his Tomes for his Arcthunder. He payed attention to the amount of smoke pouring out. "Just a bit more."
More and more smoke dispersed from the entrance. Robin, assuming that the blaze had damaged the gate's integrity enough, fired off his Arcthunder.
The bolt zipped across the field, exploding into the gate's center.
The impact cleared away some of the smoke, revealing the wall's now exposed entrance.
Chrom turned back towards the rest of the troops who had been fending off the enemy forces. "The doors are down! That's our way in! Move!"
The Ylissean soldiers pulled back from their fight with the Risen and poured into the Valmese's fortress.
"Father!" Lucina called as she sprinted up to them.
"Lucina. Where've you been?" He asked as he monitored his men passing through the walls.
"I was with Gerome."
Robin's brow raised slightly.
"I see. Looking out for us from above, eh?" Chrom grinned.
"I did a bit more than looking." she replied as she shook off some grime from her Falchion. "I ran into mother and Cynthia on the way here."
"Are they safe?" Chrom asked.
"Yes, they are with Cordelia, Gregor, Maribelle and Vaike.
"Good to hear. Alright, let's make our way in. The Valmese are sure to be expecting us."
"Out of the pan and into flame." Robin commented.
Chrom readied his blade as they approached the smoldering entrance."Exactly. The Valmese will put up a much tougher fight than these Risen. Be on your guard, you two."
Robin nodded.
"Take care in there, Robin. The interior is sure to be tightly packed." Lucina said.
"You too, Lucina. Be safe."
The hooded figure sat quietly.
The tall man was engaged in reading a rather large book.
"Anything of interest?" the hooded man asked.
The other man flipped a page. "Yes, this text is most intriguing."
"Drink in that knowledge, for it will reward you greatly."
"With pleasure, milord."
A soft smile played on the hooded man's lips. He gazed upon the seal like carvings across the floor of the large room. "Hand it over. I wish to see for myself how things are progressing."
The tall man halted his reading, reaching into the pocket in his robe for a large, smooth crystal. He tossed the the stone over to the man.
The hooded figure caught it and rubbed a hand over its surface.
From within, he could make out a small image forming.
"It seems... as if I've been a little too generous with the obstacle I've placed."
The tall man turned to face him. "Oh? But wasn't the idea merely to-"
"Yes, and that's what I'll give them."
The Ylisseans poured into the interior of the Valmese fortress.
As soon as one side had caught sight of the other, they were embroiled in a gruesome struggle.
The fight was long and brutal.
Owain ducked under a swing from large Hammer wielding Valmese Knight.
He crouched on the ground, allowing Severa to run up from behind and hop off of his back. She leapt into the air, driving down her sword into the opening in the Knight's armor.
Blood spurted out from the helm, as the man fell dead.
"Nice work, Severa." Owain said, flashing a smile.
Severa muttered something, cheeks the faintest shad of red. Her eyes widened. "Behind you!"
Owain's sword hand instinctively pulled his Killing Edge behind him. The sound of metal clashing signified he had blocked the oncoming attack. He spun around, coming face to face with a Valmese Hero.
Owain stomped a foot into the man's left knee.
The man cried in pain as his leg locked.
Owain pulled his sword away and sliced him across the chest.
"It would appear that even a hero such as myself is helpless without his heroine." he spoke with his back turned to her.
Severa scoffed, running up and smacking him in the back of the head before heading off to give Olivia some assistance.
Across the courtyard, Cherche and Gerome rode their mounts, both Minervas rampaging through the Valmese forces.
"Mind if I cut in?" Frederick yelled as he rode between the two, impaling a Valmese Barbarian taking aim at them with his tomahawk.
He tugged his lance out from the man and swatted away an incoming Valmese Assassin.
The Assassin was thrown to the ground. He reached for his bow and loaded up an arrow. Before he could take aim at Frederick, who had been dealing with yet another Barbarian, Gerome had lept from his seat on Minerva and dug his axe into the man.
The Assassin writhed in pain before slowly becoming motionless.
"Well done." Gerome heard Frederick remark as he retrieved his axe. He ignored him and made his way back to Minerva.
A distance away, Sumia glided around atop her pegasus, Cynthia in the seat behind her. They flew at great speeds, employing loops and other aerobatics to throw off any ranged Valmese units.
"You fine, dear?" Sumia called behind her.
Cynthia threw a javelin at a Valmese Dark Knight that was giving Lon'qu trouble. The Myrmidon looked up to give them an appreciative nod as he proceeded to the next enemy. "I'm fine, mom. We've flown way more intensely than this, anyhow!" she yelled, recalling the days her mother took her out on rides.
Sumia flew her pegasus towards the the top of walls, doing several runs against the unsuspecting mages at the top.
"Isn't it a bit dangerous to be flying towards mages on a pegasus?" Cynthia asked.
"Of course it is! But if you feel out the enemy for a bit, you can pick out what types of magic they use. And these guys right here..." Sumia's pegasus flew towards three mages who had now set heir sights on them. The mages shot several globs of flame, but the fire was too slow to hit the pegasus, which weaved around the blasts. "Don't have any wind or lighting!" she concluded, slamming her lance horizontally into two, knocking them off the wall's ledge. Cynthia struck a javelin against the remaining mage, who also plummeted from his position.
Below them, Lucina and Chrom fought with backs against each other, repelling the Valmese forces surrounding them.
Robin who had been with them a short moment ago found himself separated due to the influx of Valmese Soldiers from the south.
Lucina fiercely cut down a Valmese Myrmidon, desperate to rush over to Robin to lend him some aid.
Chrom stepped behind her, blocking a slash before it could draw blood. Chrom eyed the Swordmaster murderously. He pushed against their locked blades, sending the man back a few steps. Chrom pointed his Falchion forward in an instant and ran him through.
Chrom felt a stinging pain in his left thigh, looking down to see and arrow had struck him. He grit his teeth as he hurriedly pulled it out. The blow had left his leg sore and a bit less responsive, but it would take more than that to keep the prince from fighting.
Robin had been dodging the Valmese soldiers lashing out at him. He was surrounded. Every second that passed rewarded him with less and less space to avoid attacks, as the Valmese slowly closed in on him from all sides. He was loosing room for footwork, and found himself frantically shielding from all sides. A few blades cut into the Tactician and he struggled to move his body out of harm's way. Despite his agility, Robin knew he could not keep up the routine much longer. The searing pain from the various cuts in his flesh made him aware of that.
Robin quickly pulled out his time, hastily firing a Forsetti downwards. The gale hit the ground, spreading out and pushing back the Valmese. Robin was launched into the air, his Bronze Sword fumbling out of his hands and dropping to the ground.
Robin floated in the air, wasting no time use his now free hand to reach for his Arcthunder tome.
He aimed the Tome at the crowd of Valmese below and fired. The bolt struck the ground, the mere impact sending the soldiers reeling back, as the electricity latched onto the steel of their armor, claiming their lives.
He scanned the battlefield below. He saw a large armored man with distinct facial hair rushing through the crowd. Before he could do anymore surveying, a voice cried out from behind.
"Robin! Look out!" Lucina shouted.
Robin looked to where Lucina was pointing to see an incoming axe spiraling towards him. Robin's heart raced. He was barely descending from the sky as the axe made its way towards him. Instinctively, he pulled his Forsetti tome out front and launched another blast of wind.
The axe's narrow form cut through the jet of wind, slamming into Robin's chest and sending him flying to the ground.
"Robin!" both Chrom and Lucina shrieked in terror. They slashed down whatever was in their path as they sprinted towards their downed Tactician.
"R-Robin!" Lucina cried, leaning down at his side.
The other Shepherds who witnessed the tragedy fought like beasts through the Valmese, making their way towards their friend, fearing the worst. They quickly surrounded the three and prevented any Valmese from seizing any opportunities.
Lucina lifted the torn fabric of his coat, revealing his bloodied shirt.
Robin coughed, bringing his hands beside him to try to lift himself up.
Chrom knelt beside the Tactician, pushing him down. "Easy. Don't move, Robin." he said, trying to mask his worry with a calm tone.
Robin reached for his chest and lifted up his shirt.
Lucina eyed the wound and breathed a sigh of relief. The slice was large, but not deep enough to cause any serious damage.
"I'm... I'm fine... I'm just out of.. breath. Besides... my rear took... the worst of it." Robin choked.
Fortunately for him, the Forsetti had decelerated the axe's velocity enough to render the blow nonlethal. The axe's weight merely knocked him out of the sky.
As Chrom helped Robin sit up, Lucina brought a blue, glass vial to his lips. "Drink up. It'll help seal the wound." she instructed.
Robin cocked his head back, letting the bitter liquid pour down his throat. He gagged at the taste.
"It could've been a lot worse than some vile tasting liquid, you know." Lucina spoke, inspecting his wound.
Robin observed her face sullenly. "I'm sorry."
Lucina lifted her head to meet his eyes. "I'm tempted to use up my wish to send you off to to get some rest." she whispered low enough that Chrom couldn't hear. She stood up, a sad smile on her face. She shuffled through her pouch and handed her father another one of her potions.
Robin mirrored the melancholic expression. "But we can't have that, now can we?" he said, getting up.
Robin realized his Bronze Sword was missing. He remembered it falling off as he escaped the Valmese earlier. That Arcthunder of his was sure to have rendered the blade useless. Pushing back the small feeling of disappointment in losing his trusty weapon, he scanned the weapon littered floor of the battlefield. He picked out a Killing Edge not too far away, and quickly scrambled for it. He snatched the blade and turned to head back to the others. His eyes widened as yet another axe came zooming towards him. But before it could reach him, a large armored figure stepped in front of him, knocking down the airborne axe with his own. Apparently, a lone Risen was able to make its way into the clashing Valmese and Ylisseans. The large man made a sprint for the creature, cleaving it in two.
The man turned around and headed towards Robin, his axe dragging across the floor.
Robin recognized him to be the man with facial hair he had spotted a few moments before. His eyes trailed down to his red armor. "Valmese..."
Chrom and Lucina were now inching closer to the man, Falchion's trained for his throat.
"Wait!" Robin ordered, earning him an aggravated look from the two royals.
"Robin, he's Valmese." Lucina stated.
The man smiled as his eyes traveled between the three.
Robin stared the man suspiciously. "You. Why did you save me?"
The man twirled his mustache. "Because I can't make a proposition to a dead Tactician."
Robin studied him for any ulterior motives. "How are you so sure I'm a Tactician.?"
The man smiled. "Call it a gut feeling, boy. Unfortunately, I've spent some time with another Tactician to know one when I see one. And you're prancing around with Ylisse's prince nonetheless."
Robin was a bit uncertain, but prodded further. "What are you here to propose?"
Chrom snapped his head to Robin. "Don't listen to this dastard, Robin."
Robin's eyes remain fixed on the large man, waiting for a response.
"In truth, I was looking forward to finally doing battle with you all. However, as the situation would have it, I propose a momentary truce between our forces." he said.
Robin was taken back. "A truce? What drove you to make such a ridiculous proposal?"
Cervantes turned and pointed towards the southern end of the circular fortress.
A wave of Risen had made their way past the walls. Among them were several hulking brutes, with what seemed to be sacks covering their heads. They stood at a height nearly 3 times the size of a normal man.
Robin felt sweat drip down his brow. 'That's why all those Valmese came rushing up here?'
Cervantes continued. "And there's more where they came from. I've just received word that a second horde of these beasts were sighted at the mountains to the north."
"Those Risen... they're massive." Chrom said in disbelief, watching the behemoth like Risen cleave a path of death through the sea of soldiers.
"Whatever those things are, after all the fighting we've been doing, they've grossly outnumbered our forces combined. " Cervantes stated.
Robin snapped from his stupor, giving Cervantes a steely gaze. "What do we get for agreeing to this truce?"
Cervantes stared at him in shock. "You're trying to bargain while we face imminent death? That takes balls, boy." he laughed, narrowing his eyes at the Tactician.
Robin smirked, matching his gaze.
"Huh. So you're serious are you? ...Help us see this through and I'll pull back all of the men under my control out of this location."
"What of Lady Tiki?" Robin shot back.
Cervantes grumbled, eyeing the Risen tearing apart his men. "You can have our prisoners as well. As far as I'm concerned, my position in the Empire is far more valuable than whatever the Emperor is planning or trying to prevent with Lady Tiki. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I'm not asking for his permission."
"Heh, it's a shame we're on opposites sides of the fence, boy. I'm starting to like you."
"Save it. Who's to say that you won't just stab us in the back after the Risen are taken care of?"
"Must I show you again? Those things have slaughtering my men since they arrived! As it stand, you have more men than I do at the moment. Even if were capable of taking you by surprise afterwards, it would still call for more casualties on my end. And between you and me, after this whole fiasco with those demons over there, I'd much rather bring back at least half my men to their families."
Robin thought about it. He still did give his trust to who was presumably the enemy General, but he could not deny the incoming threat of the Risen. "So, are we doing this?"
Cervantes nodded in agreement.
Robin turned to Chrom.
Chrom weighed the decision internally, taking glances at Lucina. The terror on her face as she watched the Risen draw closer was enough to persuade him. "We've got no other choice if we want to get out of this alive." Cautiously, he stepped towards who was presumably the Valmese General. He extended a hand, which the man took and grasped firmly.
"It is settled. We battle side by side today. What comes tomorrow is anyone's guess."
"Agreed." Chrom replied.
Cervantes straightened up. "Attention! All Valmese Soldiers! This is General Cervantes!" he boomed over the crowd.
Chrom followed his lead. "Ylisseans! This is Chrom, prince of the house of Ylisse!"
Soldiers on both sides, glanced at the two, but remained on guard.
"I'm issuing a truce with the Ylissean forces!"
"You are to lay down your arms against the Valmese!"
Confusion spread through the fortress interior, several soldiers still pointing their weapons at one another.
"What the hell is this about?" Basilio grumbled, staring down the Valmese Great Knight he had been clashing with seconds before.
"As circumstances would have it, you are to cooperate with the Ylisseans..."
"The Valmese, in order to repel the Risen whose..."
"Forces we have just now learned..."
"Have multiplied!"
A/N: After several shorter ones, finally, a long chapter.
Gerome and Cynthia finally make their entrance!
Also, a truce between enemy forces?
Who is the green haired woman (really?) and the other person within the cell?
Is Cervantes really a bro? Or just his glorious mustache?
Who are these two mystery(or not?) men that are seemingly pulling the strings?
When will this arc come to a close?
You will find out soon!
Lots of back and forth between groups in this chapter.
Although Robin's plan worked for the most part, some unforeseen occurrences just can't be helped.
The massive, Risen mentioned in the later part of the chapter are essentially larger, more powerful Revenants or Entombed (Those sack headed risen from the game) They won't be OP, but well, they'll pose more of a threat than ordinary Risen at least.
I hope this segment has been at least a bit interesting. I'm trying to break away from the usual formula of the game where you simply go to map X and take out X.
However, the overall flow of the game's storyline will still remain intact, save for a few small inclusions.
I look forward to finally completing this arc (or am I?).
Til next time!