The battle was rough. I mean really rough.

'I'm not cut out for this.'

We won, barely.

'I probably have a concussion.'

I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. And it wasn't just because I was out of shape either. My arms ached from lugging around a sword, my head felt weird from all the spells I cast. The spells took an even greater toll on me than the sword I think.

"Chrom?"

'He's known Miriel for a while, hopefully he'll know at least something.'

"Yes Sane?"

'Or maybe Lissa would know, whenever I play her she ends up becoming a Sage eventually.'

"Does using magic hurt the caster? Or rather, leave them weakened?"

We were at the campsite for the night, Frederick was out to bring us our bear dinner. I had bathed as much as I could in a nearby stream, and thankfully was able to rinse off most of the blood from my skin and clothes.

"I've never used Magic," Chrom told me.

"But I've heard from people who do that it can be tiring. In their words, 'One needs a strong constitution as well as high intellect in order to fully and freely use any magical prowess they possess. Then they must have a mind that is not hindered by irrelevant thoughts.'"

I blinked.

'Definitely Miriel.'

"So, if you're like me and lost your memory,"

'More like never had the Avatars ability in the first place.'

"You shouldn't stress by relying solely on magic?"

Chrom shrugged. "Sounds about right."

"But Chrom, Sane was so awesome with her magic! She must be a natural!"

I pondered this. I'm sure I could clear my head while I'm using magic, but then again, common sense dictates that relying on one thing is bad.

'Hmm... What if I just get proficient enough with my sword to block attacks and such?'

"Chrom?" He turns to look at me.

"Another question Sane?"

I nod. "Could you help me practice my swordsmanship?"

Chrom seemed surprised that I would ask him for help.

"I guess, sure."

He stood up and I followed.

"Assume I've never picked up a sword in my life,"

'Because I sort of haven't.'

"And start from there."

Turns out, I wasn't as hopeless as I was expecting. I could at least hold my sword right, with some pointers from Chrom of course. He had me swing my sword at the air for a bit before having me try tohit his sword. Every strike sent harsh vibrations through my arms and soon I had to stop.

"You'll never improve if you quit now."

I sighed. 'Story of my life.'

Chrom took up a fighting stance.

"If you won't go on the offense, I'll force you to defend yourself!"

Chrom swung Falchion at me with all his might. I was barely able to raise my sword in defence and tensed for an impact, but Chrom stopped his swing and frowned.

"If that's how you're defending, you're going to end up hurting yourself."

He took a defensive stance, not much different from my own.

"You want to set your feet further apart, and don't wait for an opponent to strike your blade. Lean into the strike and try to catch their sword with either the edge or flat of yours."

Chrom gestured to me.

"Try it."

We practiced until Frederick got back from his bear hunt. By the time we finished, I was even more fatigued than I had been before and I wanted to hit Chrom. Even though he was willing to repeat himself several times and toned back the power of his strikes when he noticed I was struggling, I didn't appreciate being pushed.

'But I suppose I'd rather be pushed now than on the battlefield.'

As we sat waiting for the bear to cook, a terrible realization settled over me. I had to pee like a Russian race horse.

'I'm stuck in a video game world... Why can't I just magically not pee?'

Deciding that holding it for the foreseeable future was not my best course of action, I stood up and began to walk into the woods away from the campsite.

"Where do you think you're going Sane?"

'Damn, really Frederick?'

"Just taking a walk before dinner."

I didn't have to be facing Frederick to see the glare he was no doubt giving me.

"It's dangerous to go alone."

'Take this.'

"I'll be fine."

"Shall I accompany you?"

I turned around to look at him.

"Look, I just... Have to go, alright? I swear I'll be back before bandits get me."

I turned and continued walking. I only stopped when Chrom called out,

"Don't grab Poison Ivy by mistake. You'd assume that such a nice, wide leaf would be perfect, but it's not pleasant."

I briefly glanced back at him. He had a Cheshire grin on his face, and Lissa was shaking with silent laughter.

"I will hit you."

I told him, and walked off.

'You're a prince sir, have some dignity.'

I finally found a spot away from camp to pee and looked around.

'Um... What do I do now?'

I frowned and squeezed my legs together, as if that would make me magically not have to pee.

'Bwah... How did I do this last time?'

Peeing in the woods wasn't one of my many skills. There've been only two times I've needed to do my business in the woods, and neither time was something I enjoyed.

'Buggar freaking all...'

Thankfully when I returned to the campsite no one said anything about my trip to the woods. Instead we had our bear dinner and settled beside the campfire to sleep. It was uncomfortable sleeping on the ground, but after my exhausting day I would've welcomed sleeping on a bed of broken glass.

'I am never complaining about sleeping on the floor or an air mattress ever again.'

I laid as close to the fire as I could for warmth. With no pillows or blankets it was tough to find a position that would keep me warm and comfortable. I used my time spent falling asleep to reflect on the days events.

'I don't know what the heck today was. This can't be a dream, I would've woken up by now if it was. But how the heck did I end up in Ylisse? And... Does anyone realize I'm gone? Lemeni, are you worried about me? Mommy, are you still watching over me? If this is real, I'm in real danger and I need you keeping me safe now more than ever.'

My troubling thoughts surprisingly did nothing to hinder my slumber and before long I drifted off to sleep. When I next opened my eyes, I smiled.

'A dream after all, I'm kinda disappointed I don't get to travel the rest of Ylisse.'

I was looking at my wall, sunlight streaming in through the window. I sat up and stretched. My body felt strangely sluggish but I was too relieved at waking up in my bed to care. Lemeni was nowhere to be seen, but that most likely means she's raiding my kitchen again. I left my room and started to walk down my hallway but froze. My sister the Egyptian was sitting in the hallway with a strangely familiar camera in her hands.

"Hey sis. I got your camera."

I stared at her. "Uh... What camera?"

The camera was small and pink, with childish stickers decorating the surface.

"You know the camera," She said. "When you were in that mansion? With all those inebriated cat girls? And you had that massive pe-"

"Bwoopoopoopoop! Shhhhhch!" I waved my arms around to silence her.

"Lemeni's here, why would you mention that? And besides, I never told you that part of the dream."

She laughed. "Why tell what the hive mind already knows?"

I stared at her in confusion.

"Okay... More pressing question, why are you in my house?"

More laughter. "I'm not in your house."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Just don't eat all my food please."

I moved past her and went downstairs. On my way I stopped to look out the front door. Outside was rainy and dark. I frowned and called upstairs.

"Yo, sis! Wasn't it sunny like, two seconds ago?"

No answer.

'Fine, be a butt.'

"Lemeni, you down here?"

No answer.

'Why is nobody answering me?'

I walk into my living room and look around. The walls looked weird, I wasn't sure if it was just from me being tired still or what. I felt really cold.

"Sane... Sane..."

The floor beneath my feet was spongy and I felt myself sinking into the carpet. I looked down and gasped as I saw bubbling goo spouting from the floor and pulling me under.

"Help me!" I cried in vain. "Don't let me die!"

I covered my face.

'No... No... No, no, no, no!'

"No... Help me..."

I could feel someone shaking me, as if I were a sleeping person who needed to be awoken.

"Milady... Sane, you must wake up!"

I opened my eyes with a startled intake of breath.

"Fr-Frederick?"

The forest that should've been dark and gloomy was alive with a vicious orange glow. Heat seemed to radiate from all around me and make breathing a daunting task as the scorching air burned my throat.

"We need to run milady, the forest is ablaze and Chrom and Lissa have vanished."

Frederick quickly pulled me to my feet and pointed to a place far behind me.

"That's where Chrom and Lissa must've gone. We must follow quickly unless the idea of burning alive appeals to you."

We took off running through the trees. There was too much adrenaline running through my system for me to feel even the slightest bit worn out and I

actually almost kept pace with Frederick. That is until we came to an open clearing and he stopped in his tracks.

'This must be where we fight the...'

The clearing before us was filled with a small horde of Risen. Their grotesque and soulless faces stared at us as they slowly lumbered forward. Chrom and Lissa came running through the trees behind us.

"Thank the Gods you two are safe!"

Frederick breathed a sigh in relief and tightly gripped his lance.

"What are these creatures?" He asked.

I pulled out my tome and glanced back at Chrom and Lissa.

"I'm not sure," I told them. "But I don't think they're here to sell baked goods."

Chrom raised Falchion. "Whatever these things are, they're hard to kill. Don't let you're guard down until you're absolutely sure they're dead."

I was about to tell everyone how to fight these things when I heard a voice and the sound of a horse approaching us.

"Captain Chrom, wait!"

I hardly use Sully whenever I build a team in Fire Emblem, but hearing her voice filled me with a feeling of strength and safety.

"Hold milady!" Came Virions' voice.

Knowing full well where that conversation was going to go, I paid Sully and Virion no attention and focused on the Risen.

'Five axes, three archers two swords. I'm not playing dodge arrow, I saw that episode of Mythbusters. Sully would have no luck against those axes with her lance, I'll have her and Virion take care of the swords. Chrom and I should be able to handle the axes, leaving Frederick to deal with the archers.'

"Are we ready to fight?" I called.

The Risen were still keeping their distance, but knowing that wouldn't last long I began handing out battle plans.

"Sully and Virion, can I count on the two of you to take care of those things with the swords?" Virion smirked. "My dear, I happen to be an archer, the most archest of archers in fact, and as such I prefer to attack from a distance."

He seemed to size me up before continuing.

"But I can tell that one as stunning as yourself is sure to have just as stunning a battle plan and therefore I will gladly help you in any way."

Sully gestured with her lance towards the risen.

"I'll kick some ass even without Ruffles here. Point me at 'em!"

"Frederick, how tough is that armour of yours?"

He looked warily at me. "It would protect me from fatal harm should my guard falter, why?"

I pointed to the archers.

"I need someone who can quickly get to those archers and take care of them before they have the chance to peg one of us from far away. I'd handle them myself but,"

I gestured to the axe carrying Risen. "Chrom and I are going to take care of them."

Lissa butted in between us.

"What am I going to do?"

Chrom didn't need me to give out orders to know where Lissa was going to be.

"You're going to be far enough from the fight you can't get hurt."

Our time to strategize was over, and the Risen began their attack. Chrom rushed forward and I followed him close behind.

'These guys with the axes are awfully slow, maybe I can fight with my sword here?'

"Sane, I'll handle these things. Keep back a bit and support me with your tomes."

I didn't appreciate Chrom telling me what to do, but I wasn't about to risk anyone's safety just because I didn't want to follow orders. I felt the magic welling inside me before I even touched my tome, as if it knew I was about to call upon it. Chrom swung Falchion with deadly grace at each Risen that dared to approach him. We soon fell into an unintentional rhythm, he would strike at one of the horrid creatures and I would then finish it off with my magic. It seemed like we would finish off the Risen quickly, but sadly I was wrong. More poured from the forest and quickly surrounded us. As far as I could tell, we were facing at least fifteen more.

"Damn them all, will they never end?" Sully shouted.

I looked around nervously.

'She's got a point... This isn't good.'

If I was about to fall over and pass out I knew the others had to at least be slightly winded.

'I don't see any archers...'

"Guys, form up! Lissa, get in the middle!"

Chrom looked at me like I was crazy.

"Sane, I don't think that would be a good idea."

Sully nudged me. "Yeah, we'd be sitting ducks."

Surprisingly, Frederick spoke up in my defense.

"Not quite, I see what Sane is trying to accomplish. When animals are threatened they group together and create a protective circle. The younger and weaker members of the group are on the inside while the older members attack the approaching threat."

I nodded. "Exactly! We might be surrounded, but we're gonna be able to strike at the enemy from all sides and they won't be able to get the upper hand."

The Risen were slowly encroaching on us, soon we'd be surrounded whether it was the plan or not.

"So we gonna do this or..?"

Chrom and Sully looked at me and nodded.

"Let's go then!"

Sully, Chrom, Frederick and I were the outer part of the group with Lissa and Virion on the inside.

'Gods... I hope this works as well as it did in the game.'

I didn't have much time to dwell on my plan, for the Risen were on us. I took a deep breath and focused on the flow of magic within me. I targeted the sword bearing Risen first, not wanting to have to avoid them later. It was unnerving to fight so close to the Risen, gazing into their soulless eyes as they attack without hesitation or remorse. I tried to imagine them as nothing more than a character in a video game. Even that didn't help me. Suddenly, I saw Sully knocked off her horse and land hard on the ground. She tried to land in a crouch but rolled her ankle and was prone on the ground.

'You're not a sniper, prone is not your friend!'

A Risen lumbered her way, raising its' axe to cleave Sully in two. Chrom was fending off his own Risen, as was Frederick. I was striking mine down before they could even raise their weapons, with just a smidge of help from Virion of course. Nobody could help Sully.

'That's why I abandoned this strategy...'

If I didn't do something quick, Sully was going to die. Yeah, she might roll out of the way, but I've lost too many units in the past because of 'Maybe's. But if I left my post, Lissa would be in harm's way.

'But if Lissa's dealing out the harm herself... No, I can't risk that.'

Sully screamed as the axe came towards her neck.

Even if I hit one Risen with my magic, others were rapidly approaching and Sully wouldn't be able to get on her feet quick enough and get away. I thrust my tome at Lissa and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look me in the eyes. She looked terrified, but I didn't care.

"You need to use magic. I know you can."

Without another thought I ran to Sully with my sword drawn. I stopped the Risens' axe a mere hair from her neck. Sully looked at me with raw fear in her eyes, an emotion I never thought could come from a woman as fierce as her. The Risen knocked my sword away, almost completely out of my grip. The tip of the sword landed in the dirt and became partially buried there. The Risen prepared to swing again. Using my sword for balance I gave the Risen a powerful kick right in the face.

'Oh damn, I didn't know I could get my leg that high!'

The Risen was staggered enough I was able to pull my sword out of the ground and kill it. I reached down to pick up Sully, who thanked me. Her horse disappeared, no doubt scared by the fighting without its' rider. Sully staggered when I picked her up, and right away I could tell she wouldn't be able to walk on her own.

"Better leave me, I'm not good like this. I've got my lance, I can hold 'em for a bit."

I was going to tell Sully how crazy she sounded, but a bolt of lightning suddenly striking a Risen behind me caused me to jump. My hunch was right, Lissa was a natural with my Thunder tome. I was able to bring Sully back to the main group and we made quick work of the Risen. Nobody said anything until we were certain all the Risen were dead this time. Then Chrom all but exploded.

"What were you thinking Sane? You left Lissa unguarded and we were left surrounded by those creatures! She could've died!"

I knew he was just thinking of his sister, but I couldn't stand his tone.

"I didn't leave Lissa unguarded, I gave her a tome! Besides, what was I supposed to do, let Sully die?"

I couldn't believe I was getting into an argument with Chrom, he and Robin always get along so well.

'But I'm not Robin.'

"I know things Chrom, and I wouldn't have left Lissas' side for one second if I thought she'd be in danger!"

I was painfully aware of the fact that everyone was staring at Chrom and I. I'm sure he was aware of it as well, because he sighed and calmed down.

"I'm sorry Sane, I shouldn't have yelled at- Hey, don't cry."

'Don't cry?'

I brushed the back of my hand against my face and was startled when it came back wet.

"I..."

Chrom dug around in his pockets and pulled out a handkerchief.

"Here."

I absently dabbed at my eyes.

"Milord, perhaps we should make for Ylisstol now? I doubt any of us will be able to return to sleep after these... Events."

The group nodded collectively.

"I'll need to find that blasted horse of mine."

Sully said jokingly.

'She's cheery.'

"You'll need to get your ankle looked at."

I told her gently. Sully chuckled.

"Yeah, I suppose that won't hurt."

Sully went with Lissa to have her ankle healed. Virion followed behind looking like an eccentric puppy protecting his master. Frederick was taking the momentary lull to inspect everyone's equipment. I leaned against a partially burned tree with my eyes closed. Clutched tightly in my hand was Chroms' handkerchief.

"Sane? Might I have a word?"

Chrom softly asked. I opened my eyes and looked at him. His face was drawn into an apologetic frown with his eyes downcast.

"I am truly sorry for my harsh words. In the past day alone you've lost your memory, fought brigands and horrid creatures. I've no right to yell at you like I did. I can tell you're not exactly the toughest woman in the world."

I tried to laugh, but I ended up making some weird snorting noise.

"Yeah, that makes me feel better."

Chrom placed a hand on the back of his head and ruffled his hair.

"Ahh... Sorry. Believe it or not, speaking isn't one of my strong points."

I tried to chuckle again. "I believe you."

He stood awkwardly for a moment, rocking on his heels.

"Um... Keep the handkerchief as long as you need it."

I absent-mindedly felt the material. It was very soft and silky, like a shirt I used to have years ago.

"Heh... I almost thought I was going to get hit." I muttered.

"Hit? By who?" I looked up at Chrom and frowned.

"Daw... I didn't mean anything by that."

Chrom looked at me with concern but didn't press me for an answer. When Sully was done having her ankle mended, and Frederick done inspecting the weaponry, we set off for Ylisstol.

"So Sully, we still looking out for your horse?"

Peeing in the woods is not fun. I could've spent a good five or six paragraphs describing my misadventures in peeing in the woods, but that wouldn't be appropriate for a story, would it? My Sister the Egyptian is a legit nickname that I have for one of my closest friends, we are sisters in every way except blood. The noise I made in an attempt to stop her from revealing the dream is almost identical to the one Doctor Zoidberg makes.