Chapter 43

The entire group of shepherds, along with their caravans, was teleported to the base of Origin Peak, a large volcano on a small island in the middle of the ocean between Ferox and Valm.

"Huh, she brought all our things here too, how nice!" Nathan muttered upon seeing that the caravans had been brought as well, with all of their supplies inside.

"Set up camp for the night here, everyone!" Chrom commanded. "Ready your weapons, and gird yourselves…we are ending this tomorrow!"

The group was quite lively as they set up their camp, everyone anxious and nervous for the next day's events, and discussing what had happened on Mount Prism. Nathan avoided conversation with the others, torn between the two options presented before him.

On one hand, if he allowed Chrom to strike the final blow against Grima, it would keep him alive, in the world with all those he loved, and couldn't bear to live without. However, it would leave Grima alive, only in slumber, still awaiting the chance to threaten the world again.

The other option was to kill Grima himself, ending his own life in the process. This would put an end to the threat of the fell dragon forever, finally defeating the beast for all time. However, there would be so many people he would have to leave behind, so many people he would let down, if he took this path. The decision was tearing him apart inside. There was still so much he wanted to do in this world, so many promises he would leave unfulfilled, and never getting to see Lissa again…how could he leave her like that, all alone? And to leave Chrom, after all the two had been through together?

The tactician sighed in frustration, nearly pulling out some of his long brown hairs. He felt as though no matter which option he picked, it would be the wrong one.

"Nathan?"

The tactician turned around, looking back at his wife, standing with Morgan and Owain. "What's up?" The tactician asked, doing his best to pretend nothing was going on. His family, however, saw right through the ruse.

"Oh, you know, the usual," Lissa teased, "You, trying to get yourself killed again…"

Nathan rolled his eyes. "I wish it were that simple, but I do suppose this happens a lot…" He admitted.

"Well, we can't know what you plan on doing this time, so…" Morgan mumbled.

"…Can you at least give us tonight to spend together?" Owain finished.

Nathan thought for a moment, before smiling at them. If this was to be his last night, it was best to spend it with those he loved.

"Well, I suppose it'd be a good idea…" The tactician confessed, being tackled to the ground in a group hug by his wife and kids.

"Haha! See, told you we'd get him!" Lissa triumphantly giggled.

Nathan smiled up at them. "Well, as long as we spend time with everyone," He told them. "I do think that's only fair…"

The rest of the night was spent with all of the shepherds going around together, playing games, talking, with Nathan even participating in one of Owain's plays with just the two of them, the rest of the shepherds serving as an audience. The night ended with the entire group sitting together around the campfire, only a few of the shepherds still being awake. Lissa and Morgan had both ended up falling asleep with their heads resting on Nathan's shoulders.

"Nice to see that you're able to stay up…" Nathan joked to Owain, who laughed.

"With your blood swimming through my veins, sleep is but an unneeded weakness!" The swordsman emphatically replied. Nathan grinned at his son. It was only moments after the swordsman had said this, however, that he closed his eyes, yawning loudly, and dozed off, leaning over to rest his head on Lissa's shoulder.

Nathan looked around the campfire, seeing only Lon'qu, Ricken, Donnel, and Chrom still awake. Frederick was off patrolling the camp, still keeping watch.

"This feels…oddly familiar," The tactician joked. Chrom and the others looked around, noticing who was still up, and laughed in agreement.

"We've had quite the adventure together, I suppose." Ricken mused. "And who would've thought that we'd inspire our kids to make their own group to try and be just like us? That's pretty cool!"

Lon'qu nodded, a slight smile forming on his face. "My journey with all of you has been one I will never regret." He acknowledged.

"Yeah, I never woulda gotten half as strong as I am now without y'all!" Donnel added with a grin. "And we've become pretty good friends, too!"

Chrom smiled. "In a way, all these wars have just brought us closer together…deep down, there's a part of me wishing tomorrow wasn't the end."

Nathan shook his head. "Well, it's never truly over, is it?" He muttered to them. "Even if we all go our separate ways after this, we'll always have these experiences together…and, no doubt, our paths will cross once again. They always do."

Lon'qu nodded at the man. "Well spoken."

"We'll always be the Justice Cabal, at least, according to the history books!" Nathan proclaimed. The others smiled, cheering in agreement.

Once it had gotten late enough in the night, everyone headed off to his or her tents, going to bed. Once Nathan had tucked in the rest of his family, he went out for a walk away from the camp, sitting up on a small hill underneath a tree and staring up at the stars filling the night sky.

"I figured I might find you out here, milord." A voice muttered from behind the tactician. Nathan turned his head to see Frederick walk up and take a seat next to the man, also staring up at the countless stars above them.

"I suppose you don't sleep much, either…" Nathan joked, looking over at the man. Frederick shook his head.

"I was watching the camp, but all is well and calm, so I figured you could use some company." The man muttered. Nathan laughed quietly, smiling at the great knight.

"Well, I certainly won't stop you from sitting here…"

Frederick looked down at Nathan's hands, seeing them shaking. He could even see small beads of sweat having formed on the tactician's head.

"…You're nervous. No doubt torn by the decision you will have to make tomorrow." The man surmised. Nathan met Frederick's gaze, giving the man a confused look.

"Since when did you become so good at figuring stuff like that out?" He asked with a bit of a laugh, surprised at Frederick's assessment.

"You've taught me quite a bit, I do confess." Frederick replied. "You, and Cherche, of course. But that does not tell me if my assessment was correct."

Nathan sighed, knowing the man was pressing for an answer. "Yes, Frederick." The tactician confessed, "I'm nervous because I know no matter what I decide, I feel as though it won't be the right decision."

"Ah. I see," Frederick replied with a nod.

"What would you do?" Nathan asked, a tinge of frustration rising in his voice. "If you were in my position, what path would you take?"

Frederick looked back up at the stars, thinking for a moment. "I would sacrifice myself." He answered. "Yes, many may not like or forgive the decision at first, but if given time, they will come to realize it is for the best, and is the only true path to freedom. Everything comes with a cost, and that is one I would gladly pay to see my comrades, and all their descendants, get to live in a better world than this."

"You're right." Nathan replied, beginning to lose hold of himself as his voice began to shake. "This…it's the only path."

"Milord-"

"Thank you, Frederick," Nathan told the man, wiping his tears with a smile on his face. "Your words give me courage, to do the right thing."

"Nathan…" Frederick muttered, staring at the man, "If I may be so bold as to ask, why was it me that you asked? Surely not just because I happened to be here, you could have gone to ask this to anyone…"

Nathan smiled, sniffling as he held back his tears. "Because…because I knew you would give me an honest answer, even if it was the one I didn't want to hear. You always have." He explained. "And because I know, without question, that you won't tell Chrom, Lissa, or any of the others about our conversation, because you know that if they knew what I plan on doing, it would only hurt them. They won't understand. At least…not yet."

Frederick nodded solemnly as Nathan stood up, turning to walk back to the camp.

"Oh! And Frederick…" Nathan called.

"Yes?"

"Take care of them. Lissa, Chrom, Morgan, Owain…all of them. For me."

"Of course, Milord. I promise you that, on my life."

"Thank you."

The next day, the shepherds packed their things into the caravan, which Naga teleported back to Ylisse. Only the shepherds themselves, armed to the teeth, awaited Grima's arrival at Origin Peak. They stood for what felt like hours, watching off in the distance, testing their weapons, and talking quietly amongst each other. Then, in a moment, they heard a fierce roar and felt the winds of massive, beating wings.

"He's here!" Chrom yelled, drawing Falchion, now glowing as it had been imbued with Naga's power. "Get ready, everyone!"

As the fell dragon appeared through the clouds, flying towards Origin Peak, the shepherds disappeared, being teleported onto the back of the Fell Dragon. Their final battle had begun.

The finale of this story will be uploaded on friday. The real question is, would you guys rather I put up both chapters at the same time (As I've already explained, technically it's two endings except the first one leads into the second so I want to see if you folks prefer the story ending after the endgame chapter to leave things open-ended, or after the epilogue with everything wrapped up neatly). Let me know in the reviews. Thanks to everyone for reading, reviewing, favouriting and following, and I hope you all enjoy the finale!

-Nate