Maps, books, and messy papers were just some of the items scattered upon the floor of Robin's room. The woman herself looked about as nice as her room did: with bags under her eyes, hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in weeks, and a twitching left hand that held a dull pencil. She wiped a few beads of sweat off her forehead as she drew a few more marks into the map of Ylisse and map of Plegia that were laid out in front of her.
"I don't…understand." She muttered. She drew an "X" over Castle Ylisse, and then drew a circle of "X"s that bordered Plegia. "Gangrel basically ruined a quarter of his country in battles with us; if he declares war then it would hurt both countries equally."
She plopped on to the floor, throwing her pencil at the wall in rage. "What am I saying- Emmeryn's going to be executed…There's no loophole. None of us have a safe plan! "
The Shepherds had relocated to Ferox for the time being, until they had a solid idea about Plegia's next attack. Emmeryn should have stayed, but she decided to stay in Ylisstol despite the capital being a huge target. Chrom was now in possession of the Fire Emblem, but he didn't feel comfortable with it in his hands. He would feel safer with it in the true Exalt's hands. Robin assured him that everything would work out in the end, but the pressure of Plegia's onslaught on Ylisseans, and to another extent, the Fire Emblem, had really taken a toll on her. The worst part of this was that everyone trusted her to find a good plan to keep Emmeryn alive, despite her supposed execution being only hours from now.
She knew that they could only face this war head on. Even if she drew out a chart with all possible outcomes, death would be inevitable, and then what would the inhabitants of Ylisse do? A majority of them haven't wielded a sword in their life or any weapon for that matter. It would be pure chaos, and she knew Emmeryn wouldn't live another day to make peace.
Robin's brain hurt at just the thought of Plegia.
She walked into the main hall of the Feroxian palace, seeing Flavia, Basilio, Lissa, and Chrom.
"We have to act now, Basilio," Chrom insisted. "My sister is going to die!"
"Hold on a moment! We can't just waltz in without a proper game plan." Basilio said.
"Well, now we can," Robin yawned. "I…think I have it all laid out, but I also have some doubts."
She laid out her notebook, which contained various notes from battle strategies, to escape routes, and even snarky comments.
After they scanned the books' contents, Flavia slammed it shut and said, "We have no time to make any further changes. We're going with what you have, Robin. Risky as it may be, it could save our lives."
"What a fantastic turnout!" Gangrel cackled as he raised his Levin sword to the sky. He looked over at the huge crowd of Plegians eagerly waiting for the Exalt's execution. "My fellow plegians, today is a historic day! We will finally have our JUSTICE!" The crowd went wild as their king thrusted his fist in the air. "Now, executioner, if you could do the honors…"
A barbarian walked up to Emmeryn, putting an axe near her throat. "This won't hurt one bit."
"Flavia, now!" Robin whispered.
The Khan flung her short axe right at the barbarian, knocking him off his feet and off the cliff.
"Everyone, let's go!" Robin commanded, as she rushed in with the Shepherd's following closely behind.
Wyvern riders charged at her, holding up their axes, ready to strike. The Plegian sand was hard to move in, Robin found herself getting stuck in this situation. "That's smart, Gangrel. Having her execution at an area where movement is restricted…"
She pulled out a wind tome and flung the gusts of wind at the first wyvern rider. She remembered that Ricken had told her that Wyvern's have good defences, but have horrible resistance to magic, especially any type of wind magic.
Although the first wyvern rider was defeated, the second one was still able to inflict damage onto Robin. The axe's impact made a gash in her right shoulder, as it tore right through it. Robin tried to cast another wind spell while clutching her bleeding shoulder. She had conjured it in her hand, but missed due to her lack of focus. The wyvern rider smirked, and lifted up his axe for another strike.
All of the sudden, he was thrown back by an assault of javelins.
"HYAH!"
The wyvern was now left unattended, giving Robin the perfect chance to finish it off. The wyvern fell into the sand with a loud thud.
"Robin, are you alright?" Cordelia, the red headed Pegasus knight asked. "Oh no, you're injured."
"It's nothing," Robin answered. "Cordelia, can you fly me close to the cliff's base?"
"As you command." She said, gesturing Robin to hop on.
Cordelia handled her Pegasus with such precision and determination. No wonder why she was hailed as a genius. While she had the view of the battle field, she noticed a lot of wyvern riders. And archers. Oh no.
"Cordelia!" Robin yelled as she placed her hands on Cordelia's, heaving the reins to the left. They barely dodged an arrow shot by an enemy's iron bow. She sighed in relief as she saw Stahl take care of the enemy, hitting the archer with his bronze sword.
As they flew closer to the cliff, Robin noticed another Wyvern brigade mobilizing. Gangrel sure came prepared for their intrusion, which in hindsight was very predictable. The Plegian general commanded the flock towards the duo, causing Cordelia to move the reins faster.
Robin tried to cast her wind spells again, but the Pegasus was flying so fast, she almost lost her balance. "Cordelia, set me down over there." She pointed to a land with slight elevation.
As soon as she felt her feet on the ground, she continued her barrage of wind spells, but the wyvern riders kept coming back for more.
With every spell, the tome's writing disappeared. Eventually, all the pages of the book were blank as she used every page up. Robin discarded the book in frustration, its pages sinking into the sand.
She unsheathed her iron sword, and decided to strike at the general, as that would be the only solution to get the wyverns to disperse.
Strangely, the general was already in a battle, with a dark mage.
"What in the blazes? Is a Plegian turning against their country?" Robin muttered.
"Traitors don't belong in Plegia! Die!" The general roared as he threw his spear. The mage dodged it, and cast a strong Elthunder spell directly at him, electrocuting him.
"Whatever. I never liked you anyways…" She said in an eerie voice.
"…Y-you think killing me will do anything? It will only fuel our rage…" He choked out in his last breath.
"Robin!" Chrom called. "Now that their general has fallen, I'm giving the signal."
Ylisse's trusted Pegasus Knight squad swooped down near them. "Your Grace!" Phila, the captain, called.
"How did that damned tactician sneak those Pegasus knights in?!" Gangrel screeched.
"Don't worry…I've got something prepared too…" Aversa giggled.
Risen started mobilizing in front of them, their bows locked and loaded, ready to strike.
"I've got a secret army too…" She laughed sinisterly.
"EVERYONE, RUN!" Robin commanded, but it was too late. One by one, each knight fell, and shrieks filled the air. Gangrel took pleasure in hearing their last breaths.
"…Forgive me…" Phila coughed.
Gangrel cackled once again. "Well, it seems like the odds are in my favour now. Now beg for your lives!"
"I'd sooner give up my life than beg for it to you." Chrom stated, with Falchion in his hands.
"Oh, but it is not your life I am referring to…" Gangrel teased. "I have a dozen archers lined up to strike at your beloved sister. Now, you wouldn't want to be responsible for her death, do you?"
"Chrom, don't do anything reckless." Robin advised the prince, putting her hand over his mouth before he could say anything more.
"Yes, listen to your tactician." Gangrel said. "Now, surrender to me or see the Exalt die before your very eyes."
Chrom hesitated. "Alright Gangrel, you-"
"ENOUGH!" Emmeryn shouted.
All eyes were diverted to the Exalt. She turned to face the Mad King.
"Gangrel, is there no hope that you will change your ways?"
"Quiet, you witch! The only hope I have is to see you splat on the ground!"
Emmeryn was silent as she took in his response.
"Emm!" Chrom shouted. "Look, he'll get what he wants. I don't care anymore. All I want is my sister safe!"
"Chrom…thank you. I know what I must do now." Emmeryn said. "Plegians, I cannot mend your pain, but war will bring nothing but suffering and chaos! I ask of you to hear the truth in my words! Free yourself from this eternal chain of war. Know that one selfless act will greatly impact our world…just as I am about to do."
She took a deep breath, and looked from the very tip of the cliff.
"Oh no…" Robin muttered. "NO, YOUR GRACE!"
Every Ylissean cried out all their sorrows, tears staining the Plegian sand. Robin tried to comfort Lissa, but she completely collapsed. No one could move. Everyone felt like they had taken an arrow to the heart.
"Damn you, Gangrel…" Chrom sobbed. "…Y-you'll die right now!"
The Prince charged at the Mad King, but was stopped by Basilio.
"Not now, lad! We have to escape!" He shouted as he dragged Chrom.
"But, h-her body, I have to retrieve it…"
"NOT NOW! Robin, stop him if he does something crazy!"
The shepherds fled, leaving Emmeryn behind. As they turned the corner, Robin noticed a familiar face.
Marth. Trying to hide behind a small mound of sand.
She didn't even get to see her that other day. She had left by the time Robin had searched the entire grounds.
Why was she here all of the sudden?
As much as she wanted to talk to her, they needed to get away from those Plegians.
Robin focused on the road Basilio mapped out for them, and didn't look back.
Sorry for the delay, everyone! This chapter went through the most drafts with about 8 or 9. I really cannot write battles or very emotional moments.
However, we are nearing Gangrel's final chapter, or the end of the first arc. Hopefully my writing for the second arc is better.
As always, reviews are welcome, and thank you for reading!