Chrom, Lissa, Robin, Frederick, Say'ri, the khans and Lucina were the only Shepherds walking up the roots of the Mila Tree.
"How high up the tree is this temple, anyway?" Lissa asked. "I wouldn't be surprised if we were able to touch clouds."
As Lissa whined, Robin's mind was still distracted by the events that had occurred just a few moments ago.
*I still can't wrap my mind around this!* These words wracked around Robin's brain. *Both of these new girls say they're my daughters… but I feel as if I'm missing something here.* Robin thought about it for a moment. *… Wait… Morgan's hair… neither of those colors are either mine or Cordelia's… it's a possibility that she inherited the coloring from Validar… or Tharja raped me in my sleep…*
"The Voice truly lives all the way up here?" Lucina asked.
As they neared the top of the staircase, Say'ri ran more quickly and started looking around the temple at the top in a panic.
"Lady Tiki!" Say'ri tried to call out to the oracle. "Are you here? Prithee answer!"
Just then, a beautiful, green-haired lady with pointy ears got up and yawned.
"Ah, my lady…" Say'ri gave a sigh of relief. "I'm so relieved to see you're all right."
"So you are Lady Tiki?" Lucina asked. "She who speaks for the divine dragon?"
Tiki noticed Lucina. "… Marth? Oh, Mar-Mar, is that you?!"
"… My name is Lucina, milady." Lucina clarified. "Though I did go by the name Marth for a time. Might we have met?"
"… Alas, no." Tiki shook her head. "I'm sorry… You reminded me of someone I knew. But he is gone now. Lost during my endless sleep…"
Lucina remained silent.
"You and your father are of the exalted bloodline, are you not?" Tiki inquired.
"Yes, milady." Chrom answered.
"Do you yet possess the Fire Emblem?" Tiki asked. "It should have been passed down through your family…"
"I… Yes, I have it." Chrom held out the Fire Emblem which he carried as a shield.
"Ah!" Tiki sighed. "What a relief to know it has not been lost. But where are the other gemstones? I see only Argent."
Everyone took a closer looked at the Fire Emblem and noticed that she was referring to the four empty crevasses in it.
"Gemstones?" Chrom asked.
"Yes, there are five of them-Argent, Sable, Gules, Azure and Vert." Tiki stated. "Each holds a portion of Naga's power. When mounted upon the Emblem, they allow one to perform the Awakening."
"The rite by which the first exalt channeled the divine dragon's power…" Frederick said.
"The very same." Tiki nodded. "With the Fire Emblem's power, the exalt was able to defeat Grima. But such power was too much for men, and so the Gemstones were scattered. I kept Azure here with me." Tiki held out a sparkling blue gemstone.
"My kingdom had safeguarded Vert for generations." Say'ri stated. "But the gem was recently stolen by Walhart's men."
"Milady, do you know where the other two Gemstones might be?" Lucina asked.
"The remaining Gemstones, Sable and Gules, are no longer known to me." Tiki replied. "They may have been taken long ago, at the time of the Schism."
"Regna Ferox was founded during the Schism." Basilio pointed out. "As were most all nations in the realm, I believe."
"Wait, does that mean you guys have one of the Gemstones, Basilio?" Lissa asked.
"Ha!" Flavia laughed. "As if anyone would entrust the oaf with such a thing!"
"Actually, it's true." Basilio said. "We did keep one: Gules. Did I never inform you?"
"You most certainly did not." Flavia glared at him.
"Hmm… Must have slipped my mind." Basilio simply said. "Regardless, yes. The West Khans once safeguarded Gules. But it was lost long before my lifetime."
"Here. Take Azure, exalted ones." Tiki handed Azure to Chrom and he placed it in the Emblem. "With it, you possess two of the five Gemstones. Now you must seek out the others and perform the Awakening. Our world must be defended from Grima at all costs!"
"But I'm confused…" Chrom expressed. "I thought Grima's power was sealed away."
"Yes, but ever since, there have been those who would change that." Tiki stated. "Grima's life force grows even now, and with it, the long shadows of despair."
Lucina felt like something had just stung her in the heart.
"When will he return?" Chrom asked. "And where?"
"I cannot know these things." Tiki answered, wrapping her arms around her body. "But I can feel his presence… It looms, closer and closer… This task is a heavy burden, but as he of exalted blood, it must fall to you, Chrom."
"I understand." Chrom said. "Thank you, for all your help."
"We owe you a great debt, milady." Robin said.
"Ah!" Tiki noticed Robin, went up to him and briefly examined him. "You… You have it…"
"… What?" Robin seemed a bit confused by Tiki's words.
"You have power… like mine." Tiki said.
"I do?" Robin asked.
"I… Ah… Forgive me…" Tiki apologized. "I am still groggy from my slumber. My words outpace my thoughts."
"Are you all right, my lady?" Say'ri asked Tiki out of conern.
"I am fine… Just very tired…" Tiki then yawned. "I haven't the strength to join you in the fray. Not yet. But I will call the people together, in prayer, for an end to this conflict."
It was decided that the Shepherds would stay at the base of the Mila Tree for the night. The battle that had occurred earlier left everyone wiped out and the rest was very much needed. While the other Shepherds were off eating dinner, Robin was just lying on the cot in his room, continuing to contemplate the events of the day.
*There have been so many unanswered questions today.* Robin thought. *First, my daughters come from the future and now Tiki says something about the two of us sharing the similar powers… What the hell is going on?! I can't seem to think straight anymore!*
The tent flap opened and Morgan came in.
"Oh, Father, you're not studying?" Morgan asked. "I figured if you weren't eating, then you would have been here reading."
"Normally, but…" Robin let out a long, deep sigh. "I'm just trying to process some things… Morgan, do you remember anything about your mother?"
"I don't remember anything aside from you." Morgan answered. "You and that I inherited this sword from my mother."
She then held out the curved sword she carried around her waist and Robin examined it.
*This sword isn't of Ylissean origin, that's for sure.* Robin thought as he looked over the blade.
(Flashback)
"Aye, we wield a curved, single-edged blade in both hands, so we do not carry shields." Say'ri answered.
(End Flashback)
His conversation with Say'ri the other day came to his mind upon seeing the sword.
*Say'ri mentioned that swords in Chon'sin were curved with one edge.* Robin continued to think. *Is her mother a resident of Chon'sin or did she just happen upon the blade at some point?*
Meanwhile, Say'ri had set up a few training dummies and started practicing her strikes on the wooden targets.
"Why don't you take a break?" A soft voice spoke.
Say'ri stopped attacking the dummy and turned to see Tiki approach her.
"Lady Tiki." Say'ri bowed to greet her. "I need to keep my skills sharp if we are to win this war."
"Training is good, but it's also important to relax so the body and mind can be refreshed." Tiki stated. "Come take a seat next to me. The stars are so lovely tonight."
Say'ri sat down next to Tiki and both of them looked up at the starry night sky.
"… Lady Tiki?" Say'ri spoke.
"Hm?" Tiki replied.
"Something… strange has occurred today. Two girls claim they're from the future and are the daughter of Ylisse's tactician. Even more perplexing is that one girl carries my brother's sword. I know he possesses it still and there's only one such blade, so how did this girl come across another sword that's exactly the same?"
"… I'm sorry, Say'ri, but I can't properly answer that right now." Tiki then yawned. "I'm still a little groggy from my nap."
Say'ri sighed. "I guess simply talking about this has alleviated some weight off of my chest."
"The Shepherds are your friends now. If you have any problems, you can talk with any of them."
A little later in the night, Say'ri had entered Robin's tent while he was busy reading with Morgan.
"Oh, Say'ri, what brings you here?" Robin inquired.
"I… I thought you might have more questions about Chon'sin." Say'ri answered.
"I guess it would be okay, that is if Morgan doesn't mind." Robin said.
"What's Chon'sin?" Morgan asked.
"It's Say'ri's home country." Robin answered. "Their culture is a bit different than that of Ylisse."
"Sounds interesting." Morgan said with an optimistic demeanor. "I wouldn't mind learning about new places."
"I guess that settles it." Robin said. "Continuing from our last conversation, what's the food like in Chon'sin? Is it any different from those of Ylisse?"
"Rice is our mainstay." Say'ri answered. "I told you the other day how 'twas the first time I tasted bread or cheese. Rawfish is also a Chon'sin delicacy."
"Why eat it raw?" Morgan asked. "Wouldn't that make you sick?"
"Only if the fish is fresh." Say'ri replied. "If not… then 'twould be an ugly sight indeed."
"It sounds like our foods are as different as our weapons and armor." Robin said. "It must have been difficult to grow accustomed to life in the camp."
"I find your cuisine to be quite palatable, though I do miss the tastes of home." Say'ri said.
"I'd love to try it myself someday." Robin said.
"Me too!" Morgan spoke up.
"Aye!" Say'ri nodded. "If ever the opportunity arises, it would be my honor to treat you."
After about an hour of talking, Say'ri finally left Robin's tent and accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oof!" Say'ri grunted as she fell to the ground. "I'm sorry about that."
Say'ri then looked at the person she had bumped into and saw that it was Cordelia.
"Oh!" Cordelia exclaimed. "What were you doing Robin's tent?"
"We were only conversing about my homeland." Say'ri replied. "Morgan was there as well. She seemed to enjoy hearing stories about Chon'sin."
"Oh… well, good. I thought maybe you two were doing something else…"
"Hm?"
"Oh, just a rumor going around camp is all."
"This is the second time I heard about gossip around the camp. Might I ask what this rumor is about?"
"Well…" Cordelia rubbed the back of her head, wondering if she should tell her or not.
"I'll tell ya." A smooth voice spoke.
Gaius came out of a barrel that sat right next to the tent.
"I started a silly rumor that Robin has a crush on you." Gaius stated.
"Why would you do that?!" Cordelia questioned somewhat angrily.
"I was bored." Gaius answered. "Anyway, it's just a rumor. I could be wrong… but I could also be right."
Both ladies had befuddled expressions on their faces.
"… Well, I better get going." Gaius stated to leave. "Later."
Gaius left both women as the two remained baffled by his actions and reasoning. After a few seconds, Cordelia had gotten up and was nearing the entrance to Robin's tent.
"You should go get some rest." Cordelia said, though not enthusiastically in any way, before entering the tent.
As Say'ri got up and headed to her tent, she started thinking.
*'Tis all starting to become very confusing.* She held her head as if she was starting to get a migraine.
When Cordelia entered the tent, Robin looked up at her.
"Oh, hey, Cordelia." Robin greeted.
"Robin, I need to know if the rumors are true." Cordelia sternly said. "Is it true that you have a crush on Say'ri?"
Robin groaned and placed his hand over his face. "Damn that Gaius… Cordelia, if you want me to be completely honest with you… I don't know right now…"
"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" Cordelia questioned.
Robin looked at Morgan for a second.
"Morgan, could you leave us alone for a minute?" Robin requested. "The two of us need to discuss something important and I'd prefer it if you didn't listen."
"O…O-okay…" Morgan sulked and left the tent.
When Morgan left, Robin had begun speaking.
"There's something very odd going on here." Robin stated. "I'm not sure if Morgan is 'our' daughter."
"What would make you say that?" Cordelia asked. "Severa said that Morgan was her sister and we're her parents."
"Maybe time isn't as linear as we perceive it."
"Huh?"
"I don't know who, but one of those girls is from an entirely different timeline than the other. In one timeline, the two of us get hitched and have Severa AND Morgan. But in another, Morgan might have a different mother. I mean, her hair color doesn't match either of ours."
Cordelia then slapped her palm on her face. "Duh! It was so obvious! How could I be so delusional?"
"It's okay, Cordelia. I don't think any different of you."
"…"
"How about this? How about the next town we reach, the two of us can go out on a date to test things out?"
Cordelia perked up somewhat upon hearing that. "Are you serious?"
"Well, none of us will know if they're 'our' kids until they're actually born. I know it sounds like I'm just going with the flow here, but I'm not sure what I want yet."
"All right, on one condition. If we do continue this relationship, then you can't go around philandering with other women. Deal?"
"Deal."
Robin and Cordelia shook hands in agreement.
Later that night as the Shepherds were sleeping, Say'ri laid on her cot awake. After realizing that she couldn't fall asleep, she decided to step outside her tent and take a late night walk. She kept walking until she had reached a small stream.
"What are doing up so late, Say'ri?"
Say'ri turned around to see that Tiki has followed her and was rubbing her eyes.
"Lady Tiki, I'm just… I couldn't sleep." Say'ri hesitantly replied.
"When we can't sleep, it's usually because there's something on our minds." Tiki said before letting out a yawn. "Though maybe not in my case."
"Earlier tonight… I heard a man say he spread a rumor that Robin may have a crush on me. When I heard that, I felt… elated for some reason. Though I am not sure why."
Tiki thought about it for a moment. "Perhaps it is much simpler than you think."
"Lady Tiki, how much simpler can it be-" Say'ri then paused as she thought. "Are you saying… I…"
"Like Robin? Perhaps. But I am not you, Say'ri. I cannot tell you how you should live or whom you listen to. If you believe that you like Robin, that is a conclusion you must come to on your own. I'm afraid I cannot help you any more than that."
Say'ri simply stared at the flowing stream, right into her own reflection.
As Robin lay in his cot, he felt a strange, unusual yet familiar presence in his completely dark tent.
"I know you're there, Tharja." Robin said.
"Guh!" Tharja's voice groaned over her presence being discovered.
"What is it you're here for?"
"I'm here to ask questions… Is it true that you have feelings for that swordswoman?"
"First of all, that is none of your business. And second… it's none of your business."
"Those are both the same thing-"
"Well, that means the meaning has doubled!"
"Well… don't get your hopes up."
Robin then felt something warm by his neck and ear.
"Because I swore I'd make you mine." Tharja's voice said.
As he felt Tharja's presence leave the room, Robin tried to go back to sleep.
"… I wonder if Chrom had these types situations before he got married?" Robin wondered. "… Now that I think about it, other people would probably laugh at my situation right now…"
A/N: DONE! Even with Christmas break, I had a hard time trying to type this out! Maybe I'm losing my motivation to write. Hopefully for you guys that's not the case. Anyway, I just want to again point out that this is still a RobinXSay'ri fanfic. I'm just adding an element to make things more interesting for later on. How you may ask? I can't tell you! That'd ruin the surprise! Oh, and by the way, Fire Emblem: Awakening is my Game of the Year Runner-Up, only behind The Last of Us! Just wanted to throw that out there! I'm really going to have to bring my A-game for the next chapter! Until then, enjoy!