Hours passed as we looted Fort Steiger and stole as much information on their operations as possible. There was so much information that we had to resort to burning whatever we could not take with us. While the equipment did help improve our own supplies, it was a much more significant blow to an army of a million soldiers that heavily relied on them.
When that was done we began our mass exodus out of the fort with Tiki leading the way. Like Robin predicted, the resistance fighters did not dare show any signs of hostility with her leading us out. By the time night fell we were out of sight of the towering walls we worked so hard to capture. We were all exhausted and the only thing we could do is rest for the night after such a long day. Most of the camp was already asleep while I strolled the grounds with too many things on my mind to think about falling asleep.
"Hey Lucina!" Cordelia cried out and waved to get my attention through the dimly lit torch night air. "Can you help me for a second?"
"What seems to be the problem?" I asked and stepped closer to her.
"I need you to help me move a body." She called out calmly without any sense of urgency or distress which was very strange considering her request.
"Did we lose another soldier to infection?" I replied back fearing the worst. Despite Robin's strategy we still lost over 6,000 soldiers from the siege and ten of our finest shepherds we badly injured.
"No, its nothing like that." She answered and motioned for me to follow her. "You'll understand when we get there."
"... Alright." I nodded and approached her. She smiled in satisfaction and then turned around to head towards the south edge of the camp. I followed carefully behind her and kept my guard up in case any assassins were lurking about at this time of night.
"Phew, thank you Lucina. I fear my strength has left me after such a ferocious battle." She replied gratefully and rotated her shoulders which made a large crack as she finished.
"I know what you mean. I find it difficult just to keep from collapsing to the ground."
She chuckled and covered her mouth with her hand. "You're not the only one."
"Hmm?" I squinted my eyes and wondered what was so amusing but was met without a response. " … Well I suppose everyone is tired tonight."
"Mhm, even Freddie is struggling to find the strength to do his duties which is why I didn't want to ask him to help me with this again. I know Freddiebear says he is fine but I do worry about him sometimes."
"Frederick has always been a devoted servant to the royal family. There was countless times when he saved Owai-" I immediately stopped myself and cursed a thousand times in my head for almost revealing Lissa's child.
"Owai?" Cordelia murmured in a low voice
"Er, one of my friends from my time." I grimaced and tried to think of something else to say to change the subject.
"Oh, I see." Cordelia nodded and smiled back at me. "Freddie has always been so dedicated to helping people. Even when I was in love with … someone else he did not hesitate to be there for me." She looked up towards the sky in wonder for a moment and hesitated before saying, "Lucina, were we still together in your time? I mean, when Freddiebear and I were alive ... did we still keep our vows?"
I grimaced and looked away from her as she asked the question with a soft and sincere tone. I didn't know what to say as she gazed at me with her pleading eyes. Could I mention anything without making things worse than they already were?" Was it safe to tell her, or was it a risk of tampering with something I had no right to interfere with?
…
"Till the very end." I choked out while my stomach violently protested my words.
"Really?" Cordelia's demeanor instantly changed and her posture was much more upright as those few words revitalized her. She bore a giant grin across her face and there was visibly more color in her cheeks despite the darkness of the night. "That's … I am glad." She hummed.
For the next few minutes she spent her time smiling and thinking in her head about what I said while I tried to suppress my own thoughts about the matter. Thankfully she didn't ask anymore questions as we walked through the camp, but I was dreading the possibility of it.
…
"Oh, we should almost be there." She broke the long silence and snapped back into reality. "Henry said he had passed out by Virion's tent."
"Is that him over there?" My eyes caught a dark shadow on the ground just a bit further down the horizon. It was hard to see as it blended in with the long bladed grass, but there appeared to be something laying down on the ground like Cordelia mentioned.
The red haired knight looked in the direction I was pointing at and chuckled very softly, "Yeah that's probably him."
I approached the shadowy figure with caution as I carefully held the hilt of my blade just in case it was an ambush. But when the torch light engulfed the shadow I was surprised by what I saw. The man was sleeping on his back with his mouth wide open and drool flowing down his right cheek with dirt sticking to it. He also made a very soft puff sound every time he exhaled and looked like he was half dead.
"Do you want to grab Robin's legs and I'll take shoulders?" Cordelia asked as she leaned down on the opposite side of me.
"S-sure." I said bewildered trying to understand what had happened. I leaned down to grab his legs while avoiding his bandages to lift him in the air and Cordelia did the same with his shoulders. The tactician was much lighter than I expected him to be and he didn't show any signs of resistance.
"Don't worry. He is fine." Cordelia smiled back at me to try and ease my unrest. She placed one hand on Robin's back to balance him and removed a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the dirt covered liquid off of his face. "His tent is not far from here so this will only take a moment." She added while grabbing his shoulders again to move him like a medical stretcher.
"What happened to him?" I said concerned. He didn't appeared to be injured or poisoned, but normal people don't just pass out during the night.
"I imagine he went to check up on Virion to see how his injuries were, and once he saw that his friend was safe he just collapsed." She said nonchalantly like it was no big deal.
"What makes you think that?"
"Well it's what usually happens to him after a battle like this. He drops from exhaustion"
"What?!" I said in alarm. "You mean this not the first time he has fallen unconscious?"
"Oh heavens no." Cordelia laughed. "Nor will it be the last I imagine. He may be great with the sword, but he has never had much stamina despite his extensive training sessions. Freddie and I think it is because he taxes his brain too much during his fights."
"And this doesn't concern you?" I asked horrified.
"A little, but Robin requested we not bring it up to Chrom or Sumia for fear that the next time he passed out that he would not wake up from it."
"... I can see why he would think that … But why hasn't he done anything to try and stop it?'
"Heh, because the fool doesn't know his limits." Cordelia laughed as a strong breeze cut through the chilly air around us. "He may have the heart of a knight, but his endurance is like that of an archer. He's a lot stronger than he was two years ago, but not enough to be truly handle such a ferocious battle."
"So that is why he wears such light armor in battle despite my father's urging for more protection." I muttered out loud.
Cordelia nodded and said, "If he wore anything heavier than he might not be able to keep up with Kellam in a marathon race."
"I see..." I lowered my head and wondered if this was part of the reason he didn't like showing his friends when he was hurt and tried to hide his problems. He was just that type of person who cared for others more them himself and didn't want to slow anyone down because of it. It was a trait that my father and I shared too. So why don't I remember hearing about him when I was little? My mother especially loved to tell stories about people like my father.
…
It had to be that he died with Emmeryn when she was assassinated. After all there was two assassins attacking Chrom on that night and one of them must have thought Robin was his body guard. If he did lack the stamina to hold off of a long fight two years ago, than surely he died trying to heroically save my father from his attackers.
Granted it was just a theory, but I couldn't think of any other reason I never heard of this man in my time. He was too widely respected by his friends. The only explanation is he died before they had the privilege of knowing him. He was just too likable and honorable to be forgotten. Caring, but also a realistic strategist. Not to mention he was a bit dashing to look at too … … Wait, what did I just-?
"Ah, here we are." Cordelia said relieved.
"Huh?" My eyes rose in alarm and I realized that we were standing outside of Robin's shelter. It was very modest navy blue tent and one of the smallest of the shepherds.
The two of us went inside carrying the tactician over to his bedroll and gently set his head down on an old potato bag filled with hay to serve as a pillow. He must have unconsciously realized he was back in his bed because he turned in his sleep and rested his hands underneath his head to get more comfortable.
"Ennh" Robin tensed up in his bedroll and clenched his teeth like he had been struck by an attack. A moment later he shivered like he was freezing before calming down and snuggling his body in his robes.
"Hehe, I forgot how innocent Robin looks when he sleeps like that." Cordelia mused as Robin slowly curled his legs.
"I don't know about that, he looks distressed to me." I said concerned and wanted to to get closer to him to see what was troubling him.
"He's probably over thinking his strategies again in his dreams."
"Maybe." I whispered absentmindedly.
...
"Anyways, thanks for your help Lucina." Cordelia said gratefully as we both made our way out of Robin's tent. "You saved me a lot of trouble of having to carry him by myself. Not to mention it would look weird if I was alone and came out of his tent in the middle of the night. "
"I am glad I could be of assistance." I politely bowed but I don't think she heard me because she continued to ramble on.
"Ah, the trouble that guy can be. I've never seen anyone quite like him in my life. But I suppose that's why everyone likes him so much."
"He does have a lot of admirable traits." I happily remarked knowing we had such a remarkable man aiding our fight.
"Yeah, and he always ends up with Freddie and I having to drag him away." Cordelia laughed. "I suppose one of these days we will just have to trade him away to some bandits to ease our burden from that pathetic fool."
"What?!" I cried both appalled and disgusted. "Cordelia, how could you say such a terrible thing?!"
"Huh?-"
"Robin has done so much for all of us!" I passionately cried in fierce anger. "Don't you see, without him countless more lives could have been lost to this war. He devotes every ounce of his energy to win this struggle and keep us safe. Collapsing to exhaustion is merely proof of his dedication!" I slashed my hand through the air and felt a fire building throughout my body.
"He is our best chance of stopping the fate looming above us and our greatest asset to this fight! To say say such a horrible thing about such an incredible man is atrocious and beyond compare! Trading him to a bunch of common thieves and treating him like such a burden after the pain he goes through for us is unacceptable and -
"Lucina!" The red haired knight yelled and waved her hands in a panic to calm me down. "I'm sorry, I didn't really mean it that way! I was just joking around."
"Wuh?" I stared dumbfounded in absolute shock and dismay.
"It was just a harmless quip. I would never dream of doing such a thing, I assure you." She said frantically trying to calm down the situation.
"... … B-but why would you joke about such a serious matter." I weakly replied unable to understand her.
Cordelia was equally struggling to comprehend the situation as she carefully searched for the words to say back. "I … I don't really have a reason. I was just joking around and trying to relax for a moment. "
"It was just a joke?" I repeated the words back with a thousands emotions running through me. "Forgive me, I-I've never quite had a good grasp on such things."
"I guess we are all tense from the rough fight so I can understand. Hopefully a good nights sleep will help relax all of us."
I closed my eyes for a second and said, "Yes... I suppose some rest will help."
"Mhm, Robin is ahead of all of us in that category by collapsing to the ground. But I am surprised he didn't wake up after such a loud display. He must really be wiped out." Cordelia laughed hysterically and rubbed the back of her head. "And I am sorry Lucina. I forgot that there are many things different from our world that you are still adjusting to."
"... I suppose its better that I learn them now rather than later."
"Hopefully it will not be as difficult in the future though." Cordelia looked back at me and gave a friendly smile. "Though to be honest, even if I was being serious about Robin I don't think I would have ever imagined hearing such a passionate defense of his character. You must care a lot about him."
I froze after hearing her words and realized that my fingers were still tightly clenched in my palm. Not to mention my body felt like it was about to explode from the adrenaline pouring through my system. Something fierce had come over me and I spoke without even given a second thought to what I was saying.
"I … deeply respect him for what he is done. Working with him lately has let me see a lot more of his true personality."
"Sounds like you have more than just respect for him."
"Huh, what do you mean?" I said confused.
"Welllll... it's none of my business, but it sounds like you have a crush on him." She smiled very warmly. "Even when we were carrying him back to his tent you were sneaking peaks at his face.
"... A crush, you mean like what my mother reads about in her books?" I said in dismay. "Wait, is this another one of your jokes?" I said in surprise trying to figure out her bizarre statement.
"No, I'm being serious this time. I've had my own series of crushes so I am well experienced in this field... Eh heh." She murmured with a half hearted laugh of embarrassment.
"But that would mean that I … care for him more than just as a friend. Th-that can't be right! It doesn't make sense." I said nervously and I found it harder to maintain my balance.
"Well Robin isn't bad looking and he does have a way of making people feel comfortable. You can't blame yourself for finding that attractive." Cordelia smiled. "If it weren't for Freddie or my er... other crush … I probably would have felt the same way."
"He is just a really good friend!" I called out in denial. "Surely, you must be mistaken."
"You do care for Robin's safety and well being right?"
"Well yes, but anyone would care for such a" My stomach stung in pain and a chill run down my spine as I hesitated to say, "... such a great guy"
Cordelia's smile turned into a large and wickedly evil grin as she said, "That pretty much proves it. You have a crush on Robin."
"No! I can't possibly … I mean, he and I … We ...It just doesn't … Argh!" I covered my head with my hands and tried to wake up from this crazy nightmare.
"It's not a bad thing Lucina. It's perfectly natural and is a great part of life... Assuming you don't get obsessed about it of course." she gave another embarrassed half hearted laugh and looked away from me for a moment.
"But I would never fathom of thinking about him in that manner. He is my family's greatest friend and a worthy ally. To … care for him in that manner would be very unprofessional!"
"The heart wants what the heart wants. You can't change that because it is not politically correct." Cordelia added. "Trust me, the worst thing you can do is deny it because the feeling will just get stronger and stronger until you want to explode."
My legs and hands were visibly shaking as I tried to understand how this conversation even started. More importantly, why was I was reacting so poorly to such ludicrous accusations. Surely I couldn't actually...
"E-even if that was the case, I could never see it as acceptable behavior. B-besides, how could I possibly talk to Robin about such an absurd thing!" I laughed hysterically.
"I can't answer that. You will have to discover the right path for yourself. But the worst thing you can do is deny it." She proclaimed very adamantly. "It doesn't mean you have to do anything about it, but it will eat away at your heart if you ignore it."
"But Cordelia! Do you know what you are saying?! I was sent back here to restore our future by Naga herself! The prospect of developing feelings for someone when I don't even belong in this world is unthinkable!
Cordelia sighed and seemed to let up a little bit in her demeanor. "I see your point Lucina, but let me ask you this. Other than your father, is there any other guy you respect as much as Robin?"
"Well no, but-"
"And do you find it pleasant to be around his company?'
"That is besides the point because-"
Cordelia raised her hand and stopped me before I could finish. "Lucina, could you truly say with absolute certainty that it is impossible for you to develop a small crush on him?"
My eyes narrowed and I felt my heart suddenly stop beating in a bitters silence. "N-no." I gulped in defeat and felt an overwhelming coldness freeze my body solid.
"Than I will leave it at that." Cordelia stopped pressing and finally ended my misery. "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone about our girl talk either. Your secret is safe with me."
"O-okay" I said both frantically and extremely relieved that she stopped interrogating me. The conversation was finally over and I could just walk away pretending this talk never happened. It is easy to forget one meaningless conversation at the dead of night, but my feet were still tethered to the ground and unable to move. Something was forcing me to stay there and keep talking.
C-Cordelia" I said shivering in disrepair.
"Yes?"
"How did you stop your crush with Chrom?"
"W-what?! Y-you know about that?" She said shocked and blushed a deep bright red that resembled her hair.
"Yes, I heard stories about it from my mother when I was younger."
She clutched her fists in utter embarrassment and suffered from the same symptoms I was having. But after some time she was able to compose herself through strong and deliberate deep breaths.
"Lucina." She paused and stared intensely at me in sorrow. "I never did lose my feelings for him when I was single. Not until the day I fell in love with Frederick did I ever forget my obsession for your father. There was nothing I could do to douse the flames in my heart. Like it or not, your crush is a part of you and you will have to learn to find ways to deal with it."
"... I see." I lowered my head and sighed. This was yet another burden I had to face in my path and it was the last thing I was ever expecting. It had to be impossible and naive, but I could not deny that I cared for Robin much more than others.
Was it truly possible that I had something as juvenile as a crush during the middle of a war? And of all people, it was the man I most deeply respected?'
...
"Wow mom, you really must of had a major crush on him if you of all people couldn't deny it." Morgan said surprised. "Not to mention you really romanticized about him in your thoughts too!"
"I guess I get that from my mother." Lucina smiled happily and looked back at her husband. Not long ago he was extremely fatigued and struggling to stay awake, but now he looked like a whole different person with a proud look on his face as he stared back in her eyes. "Your father had a way of secretly creeping in my heart, and after such a taxing battle my thoughts seemed to wonder away from my usual concerns."
"I just wish I heard that conversation." Robin laughed. "That would have saved me some time worrying about what she thought of me."
"Did you really sleep through all of that dad? Mom seemed pretty loud when she was yelling from embarrassment."
"Heh, for some reason when you pass out you become a very heavy sleeper. So I really didn't hear any of that until now. Though the next day I was informed about a noisy disturbance during the night. Apparently, Chrom went to check up on it, but by the time he got there the noise had died down."
"Hehe, looks like grandpa missed a very interesting conversation."
Robin grinned back at Lucina and said, "Yes, a very interesting one indeed."
…
Morgan continued to ask questions to her mom and Robin would add in a few jokes as well, but Lucina didn't seem to mind. For another hour they teased one another and enjoyed some family time together that was long overdue.
Though it could not last forever like Morgan wanted it to. Her parents had an appointment with the Tiki and had to leave to discuss something. Or at least, that is what they told her.
"I'll see you later Morgan." Robin waved as he made the way for the door with his wife closely behind him.
"Try and get some rest in the meantime sweetie." Lucina added with a very caring tone in her voice that only a mother could provide.
"Okay mom." Morgan nodded and relaxed in her bed. She would have to find someway to entertain herself in the meantime while her body remained confined to her bed. She could only watch as the door slowly closed in front of her and separated her from her parents.
…
...
"You are looking better." Lucina commented as they walked towards the courtyard to meet Tiki.
Robin nodded silently and said, "Yeah, I feel a lot better now. It seems the curse has stopped attacking me for the time being"
"... Hopefully Lady Tiki will make sure that it never comes back." She replied very somberly
Robin reached out to grab her hand and said with a loving gaze in his eyes, "We'll find a way. I promise you that."
Lucina sighed and said, "I really hope so Robin. It pains me to see you suffer."
"But I am not suffering." Robin said sincerely and genuinely smiled back at her. "I have you to spend my time with. How could I possibly suffer with my wife and daughter by my side?"
Lucina blushed hearing his sentiment and wrapped her arm around him in response. "I just don't want you to ever leave."
...
"Ah newlyweds." A voice called out behind them. "It's such an endearing sight to see."
Lucina immediately let go of Robin and turned around after recognizing the voice. Her face was slightly redder than before and she called out in surprise, "Lady Tiki!"
"Greeting Robin and Lucina. Please pardon my intrusion."
"No, it's okay. We were looking for you." Lucian bowed gracefully and placed her right hand over her chest .
"Though, we might have been a bit distracted." Robin added and bowed in the same fashion.
Tiki smiled and said, "I can see that. It explains why you are still in such fine health despite the circumstances."
"Pardon Milady?" Lucina asked and raised her head to look back at her.
The manakete closed her eyes and calmly spoke with a regal elegance. "The curse on Robin is a devastatingly powerful dark magic. It's purpose is to drain the life from its victim and leave them weak and otherwise defenseless. The fact that Robin is still healthy after how long he has been afflicted is a testament to his strength and the help of his friends."
Tiki paused looked over to see Lucina grimacing in worry. "In order to drain your life, the curse attacks you when you are depressed or let your guard down. Once it breaks your defense it begins to steal your energy until there is nothing left to take. The curse has rarely been used and requires an immense amount of magic, but once it has been cast it lasts about a month before the victim succumbs to it."
Robin put his hand on Lucina's shoulder to comfort her as her eyes widened in alarm. "I see, and my symptoms start about a month ago." Robin responded in deep thought.
"Over two months actually." Tiki corrected. "My best guess is Grima placed it on you as his dying act of revenge. It is untraceable which is why neither Naga or I sensed it during the battle."
"... So why is it not working that well?" Robin asked mystified. "There may be times where I experience what you describe, but afterwards I feel perfectly normal."
"The answer to that lies within your desire to keep living. You are able to dispel the curse from your body for a short time when it tries to attack you. Have you noticed Robin that it is easier to fight off the curse when you are around something you care about?"
He lowered his head and said, "I always did feel my strongest when I was besides my wife."
Tiki nodded and said, "You have obtained a vast amount of friendships and bonds throughout your journeys, but all of them combined does not match the one you share with Lucina. The strength she provides you has undoubtedly aided in your fight."
"She's always been there when I needed her." Robin smiled and leaned closer to Lucina. She was still too speechless to talk, but she did respond by gently grazing his side.
"It may not be enough to stop the curse, but it is the reason you still have most of your energy. With my help I should be able to help treat your problems so it does not affect you.
"Yeah, about that." Robin hesitated and searched for a way to phrase his question. "When you say you can treat it, is that different from curing it?
Tiki frowned and said, "That is correct. Like Grima, my mother does not have the power to destroy the curse he put all of his magic into. She can only place a barrier on it instead of removing it."
"... A-and how long would that barrier last." Lucina asked weakly.
"It is difficult to say. I can promise it will last for five years, but after that it largely depends on how you two handle it. If Robin were to fall into despair it would quickly hasten the effects of the curse against the barrier, but if he was to stay strong than it could last for much longer. Perhaps it could extend your life by as much as fifteen years."
"Fifteen years" Robin muttered unconsciously. "… That would put me at 36."
"Yes, unfortunately this curse will significantly shorten your life span, but at least you will still be able to enjoy the years you have left."
"... .. And after the barrier falls, could I still fight it? Could I keep my strength like I am now?"
"It is possible. For how long I cannot say, but losing the barrier does not mean your immediate death. From that point on it will be a very difficult struggle to survive and it will significantly tax your body until it collapses. "
"But there is hope. However small it may be there would be a chance." Robin said determined.
"Mhm."
Robin balled his hands into a fist and said, "Okay, then what do I have to do to receive Naga's blessing? Name the challenge and I will overcome it!"
"You have already proven yourself through your past deeds." She raised her hand and silenced the tactician. "My mother has been preparing the incantation for the barrier since I identified the curse. In less than an hour she should be able to place her powers in Lucina's Falchion. All you will need to do is have that energy enter your bloodstream. So a small cut from the blade to either your thumb or wrist should suffice."
"That is all?" Robin asked in surprise.
"Yes, my mother can take care of the rest. For the time being you will be safe."
...
"L-Lady Tiki. How could we ever thank you for this?" Lucina said as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't hold it back anymore and her emotions were flooding through her mind.
"By not wasting the life my mother has provided you. This world still has a lot of recovering to do, and it needs two inspirational people like you."
Robin glanced back at his distraught wife and then placed his arm across his chest so it covered his heart. He said with a fierce determination to Tiki with all of his strength. "You have my word Milady. I will not squander the opportunity you have given me."
"I know you won't" Tiki smiled.
"T-thank you so much Tiki. The kindness you have given us is beyond words." Lucina said nearly choking on her own saliva. "If you hadn't come in time to save Robin than I would have lost my best friend. I... I can't thank you enough."
Lucina rested all of her weight on Robin and cried on his shoulder. Without him she probably would have collapsed to the floor unable to get back up as she sobbed.
" … Lucina I should tell you that the reason I came here was not because of Robin. I had no way of knowing that this curse had inflicted Robin because it is untraceable. I came here for another purpose and it was only by chance that I discovered Robin's illness. … Or maybe it wasn't by chance after all." She whispered in deep thought.
"What do you mean?" Robin asked in confusion.
"There has been something troubling my mother lately. It is something even beyond her understanding so we decided to ask Morgan about it.
"Morgan?!" Both Robin and Lucina called in confusion. "You mean our daughter?" Robin said in dismay.
"Yes. Unlike all of the other children her appearance does not make sense. I was hoping to speak with her when I noticed a strange cloud of darkness above your head. It was a surprise to say the least"
"Lately everything has become a series of surprises."
"True, though I imagine Chrom is the most surprised of all of us today."
"Chrom? Milady I don't understand. What does this have to do with my father?"
"Apparently he sent a message yesterday to the Mila Tree to ask for my assistance in an urgent matter. When I arrived today he was speechless as to how I received his letter so quickly. Even though I didn't understand what he meant at the time, it is safe to guess that your illness is that urgent matter.
"Heh, that dastard." Robin laughed. "It figures he would get involved somehow."