"So, if I am hearing this correctly," Robin started, "We, the Sheppards, have to represent the East in the upcoming tournament in order for you to grant our alliance?"
"Yes," Flavia, the East Khan confirmed. "Then I will have the power to grant Ylisse the soldiers she needs."
Robin groaned. If the miscommunication at the Feroxian borders wasn't enough, now they had to fight in a tournament to get what they had wished. Hopefully the tournament was not held outside, as Robin was still shivering from the cold, despite being inside for quite a while.
"I'll show you to the arena." Flavia said, and everyone followed.
She pushed through the steels doors of the stadium, causing a loud screech noise.
It was an open arena, with a gallery for spectators to watch. Robin saw many warriors there, holding their desired weapons. They all looked pretty tough; most of them wore unsettling grimaces that made Robin nervous.
Can we really win? These guys look like they can rough us up pretty badly…
Lissa gasped loudly. "L-look over there," She whispered into Robin's ear. "see someone familiar?"
Robin scanned the arena. All of them looked like strangers to her. Just men with dangerous vibes. No particular features of any of them stuck out to her.
"I don't get it." She told Lissa.
"Look at the far back, I guarantee you'll see someone."
Robin squinted her eyes, and looked very close at every single detail she could see.
Then she saw him.
Why the hell is he here?
Marth, the swordman who disappeared into the shadows, was standing at the end of the arena. He had a determined smirk on his face, ready to draw his blade.
"Whatever, I'll have him down on his knees in no time flat." Robin stated. "I've seen his fighting style back when we fought those Risen, so I think I've got this battle in the bag."
"…Are you sure about that?" Lissa asked. "He looks strong. He doesn't look like he would back down."
"Trust me," Robin assured the princess. "I'm the tactician. Have I gone wrong before?"
"Actually…" Lissa started.
"…Don't answer that." Robin said.
Robin went head on into the fray. She had Stahl and Sully targeting the archers so Sumia could fly freely, and she had Frederick handle those armoured units. Kellam was the secret weapon, sneaking up on some fighters unnoticed.
With all the other fighters occupied, she saw this as her opportunity to fight Marth. However, when she looked over, she saw Chrom challenging the swordman.
Marth ran towards Chrom, thrusting his sword like a fencing rapier. Chrom blocked the attack with his Falchion. Chrom looked surprised at something.
Marth jumped into the air and slashed Chrom's shoulder when he landed. Marth flinched for some reason, but quickly went back to his fighting position. Chrom could not lift his arm after that hit.
"Tired already?" Marth teased.
"You play dirty, you know that?" Chrom snarled.
"I told you I wouldn't hold back."
Robin stepped in and said, "Let me face him, Chrom."
"B-but Robin," Chrom protested. "You're no match for-"
She put her hand on his mouth to silence him. "Don't tell me I'm no match for him. I've wanted to fight him."
Marth and Robin glared at each other for what seemed like forever.
With every second that passed, Robin became increasingly nervous.
…Looks like I'm going to have to eat those words I said. I came in here so confident, but if Chrom didn't stand a chance against this guy, then what do I have?
Ugh, his presence is tearing me apart. Look at him all cool and collected, not breaking a sweat.
Robin felt the palms of her hands becoming sweaty, and she could barely keep her grip on her bronze sword.
"….W-well, tough guy, come at me…" She stammered. "We haven't got all day."
Marth smirked. "The words that leave your mouth do not match your expression. I thought you were the tactician. If it's a battle with me you want, then you shall receive it!"
Marth charged at Robin with his blade at full force. Robin still felt shaken by his presence, as she barely dodged his assault.
Has something really changed that day since I last saw him? Why does he seem so intimidating to me?
Marth lunged at her again this time, with their swords clashing. Marth's strength caused Robin to tumble back a bit. She looked straight at him, noticing that this fight was nothing to him.
Frustration built up inside Robin, as she grabbed her thunder tome. Small bolts of lightning were conjured from her right hand, and injured Marth, seeing as he yelped out in pain.
However, his injured state did not last long. As soon as Robin turned her back, he struck her from behind. Marth's blade slashed Robin's cloak, causing a small tear.
"Is…that the Mark of Grima?" She heard Marth mutter. She felt Marth's hand touch the part of her cloak that he had just ripped. She blushed.
He's so close…
Ugh, why do I feel so warm…
…What is this…
Marth kept his hand on her back for a couple of seconds, examining the designs on her cloak. "No, it can't be…"
Snapping out of it, Robin saw Marth's confusion as an opportunity to turn this battle around.
She cast her last spell of thunder, knocking Marth down onto the arena floor after he flinched at her move. The swordsman groaned.
"I…am bested."
Robin saw a tear roll down his cheek.
"Good job, Robin!" Lissa congratulated her. "That was awesome, everyone was rooting for you!"
"Yeah, thanks…" She mumbled.
"Hmm? What's wrong, you seem sad about your victory."
"….I just feel like I didn't win fairly." Robin explained.
"Uh… We all saw you strike Marth down with your thunder magic." Lissa corrected.
"Well, Marth froze during our battle. He seemed confused. I feel bad for taking advantage of him."
"…Or, am I hearing someone didn't want to win against Marth because she feels pity for him?" Lissa suggested.
"N-no, I don't feel pity for him! Not at all."
"….Or, poor Robin didn't have the heart to strike down Marthy because she's fallen hopelessly in love with him!...Yes? No? Oh come on, I've been waiting for this!" Lissa teased.
Robin thought about it for a while.
What are the symptoms of love?
What does love feel like?
I do like his swordsmanship, if that's anything.
And his personality.
….and his…voice…
And his…hair…
Is Lissa right?
"Yeah, right Lissa. I'm TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH MARTH."Robin said.
Robin knew that she lied.
Another chapter done.
I accidentally saved over my Awakening file that this Fic is based off of, but I'm glad it still exists here...