"C, 3" Robin called out.

"Miss" Morgan said and took her turn, "F, 11"

"Miss." Robin calmly replied. She frowned, and put a white peg on the area of the grid.

...

After Robin and Morgan ate dinner, they decided to play their evening board game. Tonight's activity revolved around a tactical guessing game called 'Warships.' Each player had a 12 x 12 grid to place their six ships on. The opponent could not see where the other person placed their ships and had to guess their location. The two players would take turns calling out a coordinate that the enemy ship could be on, and try to sink them with a barrage of flaming arrows. So far, Robin had sunk Morgan's frigate, brig, dhow, caravel, and sloop. Only her long ship remained, while Robin still had his sloop.

"H, 5" Morgan cringed hearing the words and there was a long silence as Robin waited for a reply. "H, 5" Robin said again.

Morgan lowered her head and sighed. "Hit." she muttered in disappointment that her final ship had been spotted. "E, 7" Morgan guessed as she anxiously awaited to hear the response. She needed to find Robin's ship now or she was in trouble.

"Miss." Robin grinned, and Morgan felt a cold chill shiver down her spine.

"H, 6"

"Hit." Morgan frowned and her heart raced in panic as Robin only needed to hit one more area in her ship's hull. There was only two possible places left that Robin could guess, and Morgan needed to find his ship immediately. She had one last chance to find his ship or her boat would be sunk. "D, 8" Morgan said in grief expecting the worse.

There was a silence before Robin replied, "Hit."

A surge of hope overcame Morgan as she heard those glorious words. If Robin called the wrong spot in his next guess, than Morgan would win. She was certain that she could sink his sloop by calling D, 9. She could still win, all she needed was one more turn!

Robin debated his options for a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity to Morgan. She waited in agony as Robin slowly deliberated his two choices. After giving it a tremendous amount of thought, he finally called out his attack. "H, 4"

Morgan's body was slammed back into her chair and she felt her soul rip out of her. She groaned in sorrow and muttered those terrible words, "Long ship hit" She sighed and felt a lump in her throat, "Long ship ... Sunk."

"Good game Morgan." Robin said as he grinned in triumphant, and extended his hand.

"Good game." Morgan sighed before she accepted her father's hand, "But I want a Rematch!"

Robin smiled, "Very well, I can sink your ships again if it will humor you."

She waved her fist in the air protested, "You won't get me this time!"

...

After a long and tiring naval campaign that destroyed the world's fleet, it was time for Morgan to go to sleep. She hopped into her bed and fell on her soft mattress. Robin watched Morgan rock back and forth trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep at.

"Wow, I can still breathe!" Morgan said in surprise.

"What? asked the confused tactician.

"Mom usually tucks me in. She always pulls the sheets so tight that I can barely move."

Robin chuckled. "Heh, she has to do that when you go through one of your energy spikes or else you would be running all over the place."

"Tee hee."

Robin grabbed the sheets and pulled them over Morgan's body. "Don't worry, Lucina will be back tomorrow to choke you to death."

Morgan smiled and rested her head on her fluffy pillow. "Do you think mom had fun with her parents today?"

"Of course, I am sure she had a spectacular day." Robin moved his hand over her face and tugged on Morgan's nose with two fingers. "But they did not have as much fun as we did."

Morgan smiled from ear to ear and showed her sparkly white teeth.

"Goodnight Morgan." Robin said sweetly and headed for the door.

"What!?" She cried in panic, "What about my story!?"

Robin stopped and turned around, "Hmm? I told you tonight's story while we waited for dinner to cook."

"But that doesn't count!" She fiercely objected. "That was just to pass the time while we wait for our chicken to bake."

"It was still part of the story, but don't worry, I'll continue again tomorrow."

"But!...But! ...But Daaad!" She pleaded and stared at him with her big blue puppy eyes.

Robin tried to look away, but he could not break the dreaded gaze of his daughter. He sighed and said, "...Alright." He grabbed a chair and sat down next to her bed. He leaned back in the chair and began reminiscing once again. *Ahem*

Time stood still for an eternity as I gazed at Marth in awe. However, my trance was violently broken as time returned to normal. Chrom gutted the second assassin and turned around. His jaw dropped and he gasped at the new revelation.

"You're..." He stuttered in disbelief "...Y-you're a...woman?

She grimaced, but quickly regained her composure, "We can discuss that later, but we need to get to the Exalt now!"

"Right! Emm is in danger, Robin we need to hurry!" Chrom yelled at me in fear.

I stopped staring at Marth, but my jaw had dropped as far as physically possible. My jaw was locked into position and I needed to close my mouth with my hand. Shaking myself out of it I said. "I-I am right behind you!"

…

We ran as fast as we could to Emmeryn's throne room. There was an eerie absence of guards and the assassins had penetrated further into the castle than we thought. Chrom was yelling at the top of his lungs calling to an empty castle and it only made us more nervous as we sped through the corridors. At last, we reached Emmeryn at the throne room with Frederick standing by her side.

"Sis! You are in grave danger, we need to get out of here immediately!"

She gasped and put a hand on her mouth "What?!"

Frederick immediately grabbed his spear and stood in front of her. "By who?"

"Assassins, they will be here any second." Marth answered.

Frederick gave an odd look at her, "How do we know we can trust her words?"

Marth was uneasy, but Chrom spoke up for her. "Marth has earned our trust. She enjoys her secrets... ...Like her gender. But she's also saved our lives. Twice. And that's enough for me. "

She was relieved to hear his approval, "Chrom... Thank you."

Before anyone could reply, we heard a lot of noise and someone shouting orders.

"Chrom, get Lissa and escape as fast as you can!" Emmeryn said in fear,.

"No! We are not leaving you Sis."

"Chrom, please! Flee while you still can! You each have but one life, and I do not wish it weighed against mine!" she cried desperately."

Chrom ignored her, pulled his Falchion out, and turned around hearing the noise of footsteps further down the hall. "Damn! They are already here. Robin what do you suggest we do?!"

I took a second to survey the area and looked for any advantage we could find. There was two options, either we fight our way out of the castle and leave ourselves vulnerable, or the four of us defend this throne room. There was three possible ways to enter the area; one to our south, and one on both of our sides. If anyone of them were left undefended then the Exalt would be easy prey for a stray dagger.

I had no time to think on it and made my decision. "We stand and fight every last bastard that tries to come our way."

I took a deep breath and pointed to the main entrance. "Assassins are not known to take the direct approach. We can expect the least resistance at the front door. The enemy should flood from our right and left. It is a short passage, and they will be bottlenecked at the door. Chrom, Marth, can you handle it?"

Chrom nodded and Marth said. "I will not let anyone get past me."

I heard more footsteps come from behind us and the faint sound of men barking orders. "Good, Frederick, you're with me. We will hold the front."

Frederick did not hesitate and already charged to the main entrance with his spear cutting the air in front of him.

"Chrom and Marth, if you need help then call on Frederick. I'll hold out as long as I can alone, and there shouldn't be many enemies attacking us anyways."

Marth pulled out her sword, and it shined a bright blue. Chrom and I looked at it in puzzlement until I finally asked. "Why is your sword glowing? Is something wrong?"

"It's not your concern."

"Seems like nothing ever is with you." Chrom said skeptically.

We heard the sound of steel cutting through flesh and a man groaned in pain. It appeared there were still a few guards left on patrol, and they were unfortunate enough to be sighted by the heartless murderers.

The footsteps were getting louder and I said. "We can discuss it later, but if it doesn't matter then we better focus on the current threat." They raised their two identical swords in the air and anxiously prepared for the fight.

...

We waited as a bitter silence swept the area. I could feel someone staring at me and it only made me more restless. I unsheathed my iron sword from its scabbard, held my fire tome in my other hand and loudly shouted. "Come and get us you cold-hearted criminals."

A dagger whizzed past my face, and I saw a faint movement in the shadows. I hurriedly chanted a spell and a fire-ball surged at the empty hallway. The brief flash of light showed five assassins in brown cloaks heading towards us, while one of them had their attire on fire and it covered their entire body. He panicked and rolled on the ground helplessly as the flame consumed him.

Frederick charged forward and sent his silver spear into one of the swine's chest. The other three followed quickly behind and viciously attacked Frederick's spotless armor. He held strong, while I tried to support him and block a few blows.

The fighting continued and I was able to stab an assassin in the back before Frederick took care of the rest. It gave me just enough time to glance behind me. Marth was holding off two assassins at once and easily out dueling them. However, when I looked at Chrom, I was perplexed by what I saw. He was talking to a hooded figure. Judging by his appearance, I assumed he was a thief, but why would Chrom waste his breath on a low life?

"Robin, Frederick!" I turned back around to hear a voice, and I was relieved to recognize it.

"Sumia is that you?!" I called out to the veil of darkness

A shadow moved through the dimly lit hallway, and eventually we saw Sumia cautiously run towards us wearing her night-gown. "I heard a commotion outside, what's going on?"

"Plegia is trying to assassinate Emmeryn. Stay close to her Grace, and we will protect both of you."

"No." She cried, "Let me help!"

"You are not wearing any armor, and you lack a weapon."

Frederick calmly replied, "I have a javelin she can use." Frederick took his spare arm from his back.

Sumia immediately grabbed the lance and ran behind us before I could object. I hated to put her in danger without some form of protection, but I didn't have much of a choice.

*Sigh* "Sumia, go help Chrom. That is a wide corridor, and I am sure he could use a hand." I pointed to his location.

"On it!" She sprinted hearing Chrom's name.

I did not have time to dwell on the matter as I faintly heard metal clang against each other and boots trample towards our line.

"Frederick! Wave two is coming, I hope you're ready."

The battle continued as more and more enemies filled our sights. One of the vermin got lucky and cut a large gash on my left arm, but Frederick sent him spiraling to the ground. My cut was bleeding pretty bad, and I needed to take a minute to put a vulnerary on it, but Frederick had the passageway covered in my absence.

...

I returned to Frederic when The third wave came, but my arm was severely hindering me. The assassins blade must have been coated in poison because every part of my body felt weak. I could barely focus as my blood started to boil, but I had to keep fighting to protect the Exalt.

As more time passed, I could barely see in front of my face, and I nearly collapsed to the ground. Frederick was dealing with another assassin when he saw me fumble around."Robin, are you wounded?"

"I-I am f-fine. Have to protect-."

I felt a hand wrap around my back and someone helped me stand up straight.

"Robin, just hold on, I can cure the poison"

I couldn't see the blurry face next to me, but there was no mistaking that sweet and peaceful voice.

"M-milady, go back to the throne...it's not safe."

"I will, but you need to come with me." She said worrying about me as my face turned pale.

"No, I need to..."

Frederick yelled back at me while skewering another rogue. "I got this covered Robin. Do as the Exalt says."

Emmeryn helped me walk to the center of the throne room, and she slowly set me down on her royal chair. I tried to get back up but she gently pushed me back down. "Relax." She waved her staff over me and a light overcame my eyes.

...

I woke up moments later with my body starting to regain its strength. The exalt was looking right into my eyes in concern as I groggily regained my bearings. I tried to stir from the chair but she stopped me, and I did not have enough strength to try to convince her that I was fine.

There was nothing I could do but watch as the battle unfolded.

Marth would not let anyone come close to her door. Her gleaming sword effortlessly cut through the assassins and thieves. Her fierce determination and will to stop anyone from reaching Emmeryn was frightening. She could kill someone just by looking at them as she sliced the enemy without mercy.

Frederick, well he was just being his natural self. He wore a smile as he plunged his lance into another victim's chest. I did not know which was more terrifying, his skill, or the fact that he was grinning like a mad man.

As for Chrom, he was more occupied with his allies then the enemy. I could barely believe it, but a thief was helping Chrom fight the enemy. Although he appeared to be bothering Chrom with something about jaw breakers or rock candy. As for Sumia, she did not get too much action as Chrom constantly pushed her out of the way fearing for her safety. She was only able to throw Frederick's javelin a couple of times, but each was a fatal blow to the enemy. However something else bothered me; I thought I saw a giant beast sprinting through a hallway and smashing head first into an assassin, but it must have been the poison affecting my sight.

It all ended a few minutes later. The leader of the bandits was sent to his death by Marth's sword, and it was finally over. Curiously enough, her blade stopped shining the second it entered the heart of the leader. To make matters even stranger, the blood from the leaders chest was burning as it touched her blade. The sword vaporized the putrid blood off its steel edge like holy water purging a demon.

I took a second to look at the hideous face of the leader. Marth searched him to see if he was holding any types of documents, but we knew he was obviously Plegian. I could only stare at disbelief as the face haunted my soul. Why would want to kill the Exalt? She is so nice and yet there is a whole country willing to throw away their lives for a worthless cause.

…

"Sis are you alright!?"

"Yes, I am fine."

Chrom sighed in relief, "Thank Naga." He turned his attention to a pale and fragile figure whose face was green. "Robin! What happened!?"

"I believe I have food poisoning, I think one of your cooks is trying to kill us." I smirked. "The Exalt was kind enough to cure my upset stomach."

Chrom patted me on the back and smiled knowing that I would be okay, but focused back on the current situation.

"Emm, we need to get you out of here. It's not safe."

She shook her head, "No, I can't abandon our people. War is upon us and they need their leader."

"They also need a leader that is alive!" He protested.

"Chrom, I cannot leave or our people will lose hope... We are not ready for war, and I fear Plegia has a head start on us ... Chrom, you must go to Ferox and ask for aid." She sighed in immense pain knowing the situation, "We will need more than the five hundred men they sent us."

"Have Phila or a messenger send the request! If you must stay here then I will not leave your side!" He raised his voice.

"Chrom, we need a member of royal blood to ask for aid against a war. It has to be you."

"But Emm your life is in danger, I will not risk-"

Frederick interrupted, "Your Grace, perhaps you might move to the eastern palace for the time being? Plegia knows nothing of it. You would be safer there, and perhaps it will ease Milord's fears."

Chrom agreed, "Yes, please. At least that. I can't leave for Ferox with you in harm's way."

She hesitated and frowned "I...I can't leave our people."

...

"What if-" I stood up from the chair and felt a little dizzy. "What if the Exalt comes with us to Ferox? Ylisse can take comfort knowing their leader is seeking aid to protect them, and Chrom can defend you.

There was a long silence, but eventually everyone agreed to the plan. Chrom relaxed and said, "Thank Naga that Marth was able to-" He widened his eyes and hastily looked around. "Robin? Where's Marth?"

I looked back to the dead corpse of the enemy leader, but there was no one there "...She was here a minute ago." I replied confused at her disappearance.

Everyone looked for her and searched the castle carefully in case there was an enemy straggler. I was going to join them, but a hand tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see Emmeryn looking at me in immense grief.

"I am deeply sorry you got hurt Robin."

"...Don't mention it your Grace. I know the risks of fighting."

She took a deep breath and a giant burden seemed to weigh on her chest, "You were poisoned with a deadly nerve toxin, but I managed to stop it before it could do any permanent damage."

I sighed in relief knowing my weariness would pass. "Thank you Milady. I owe you my life."

"No, I owe you mine Robin ... and I must ask something of you." she said sorrowfully.

"Anything your Grace, just name it."

"...Chrom, and Lissa, they mean everything to me. I fear this war will hurt both of them in more ways than they can imagine. Please Robin, we ask too much of you already, but look after my brother and sister. They are still young and do not understand how terrible a war can be."

"You have my word your Grace. I'll be there for them"

"Thank you." She said and her burdens were lightened.

"No thanks are needed. I am honored to serve you, your Grace.

"Please Robin, call me Emmeryn."

"...Okay, Emmeryn."

I was about to say something but Chrom ran over to us and said, "I think I know where she is."

"Huh? Where?" I asked

"Just follow me."

I nodded back to Emmeryn and I followed behind him.

…

Chrom ran back to the courtyard where we first met her. I was struggling to stay at his pace since the remainder of the poison was attacking my lungs, but I was able to keep up. Sure enough, Marth was there and she was standing in the courtyard gazing at the shattered remains of her mask.

Chrom casually walked in front of her, "Going somewhere? You have a bad habit of leaving without saying good-bye, you know."

She tensed up in shock and immediately looked away from him. "There is no point in announcing my departure."

"Marth." He tried look at her face, but once again she refused to show her eyes. "You have saved both of my sister's lives, and my own. We owe you a huge debt."

"You owe me nothing, I have already have what I have came for."

"Which would be?" I asked curiously

"History has been rewritten and a terrible future averted."

Chrom stammered, "W-what kind of future?"

She grimaced as bad memories plagued her mind. "A future where Emmeryn is assassinated. Her killers steal the fire emblem and use it to cause a world war; which leads to the destruction of man kind."

Chrom's jaw dropped in astonishment. He could not comprehend the severity of these words.

"I suspected you wouldn't believe." She frowned

Chrom closed his mouth and said, "You have given me no reason to not believe you Marth...I cannot thank you enough for saving my sisters...and the world. I hope to repay you one day."

"Perhaps one day you shall. Until then." She started to walk away, but glanced back at me. She stared at me intently, and it made me very nervous. I tried to smile to ease the tension and she shrugged off whatever she was thinking. However, as she moved away from us I found myself lost in thought as well.

...

The story she told Chrom contained some new information, but most of it she told me from our conversation at the arena. The Armageddon, the death and destruction she spoke of. It was over, and there would be no need to worry about it anymore. I sighed in relief, but that only made me more confused.

She did not prevent the war, or stop the Risen, yet by saving Emmeryn and the fire emblem, she saved the world? What is so special about this Fire Emblem? What power does it hold that could destroy the entire haildom? And how does Marth know what was supposed to happen?

My thoughts went unanswered as the moonlight reflected something metallic in my eyes. Looking at it only gave me a thousand more questions.

"Marth!" I called out.

She stopped walking and turned around. "What?"

"You forgot your mask."

She looked back at the remains of it on the ground. "I have no need for it anymore."

A minute later she was out of sight and I feared I would never see her again. A hundred thoughts filled my mind, but all I could do was gaze back at the fragments of her mask. Through this veil of enigma hid an even more mysterious woman. I stared at it intently and unconsciously let my knees fall to the ground. Chrom looked at me in bewilderment as I slowly moved the shards of the mask together back to its original form. It was still cracked and chipped, but I looked at it trying to decipher a hidden message.

"Chrom, what does this mask looks like to you?"

He glanced at it with great concentration, "I have no idea."

"I think..." I tilted my head and finally saw a resemblance. "I think it's a butterfly."

I looked up to him, and he squinted his eyes at it. "Now that you mention it, it does look a little like one, but what does that mean?"

I shook my head, "Beats the heck out of me."

…

"...That silence means it's time to go to bed right?"

Robin chuckled, "Yes."

Morgan sighed and tugged on her pillow. "Fiiine."

"Well, if it is any consolation, Lucina will be back tomorrow."

"I know you are thrilled about that." Morgan teased

"Heh." He smiled, "Guilty as charged."

She rolled her eyes at her dad, grabbed her blanket and said, "Good night."

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

"Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the Risen bite... because if they do, then you will be left with quite a fright. But do not fear the twilight, because tomorrow will be very bright, as the sun gives us its warming light, and it will end your dreadful plight."

Morgan stuck her tongue out at her father, in spite.