"You just had to play on it, didn't you?" Robin shrugged.
"It's not my fault that it's old!" Morgan cried back. "But what are we going to do now?" The young tactician referred to the sagging metal object next to them.
Robin shook his head and sighed. "I'll probably let an usher know that some crazy girl was playing on it later. For now, I need to see who Lucina's competition is so I can give her tips in the later rounds."
"No need to worry about that. Mom's gonna pulverize them to dust!" Morgan cried happily.
"If you don't pulverize the stadium to dust first." He muttered lowly.
...
About an hour ago, Lucina and her competitors were summoned to the players lounge where they were checked for any possible methods of cheating. Although, Robin mused that the competition would need to cheat if they wanted to have a fair chance of surviving longer than a minute against her.
Meanwhile, the two tacticians were left by themselves to wreak as much havoc as possible. In less than ten minutes of Lucina leaving, Morgan already broke something. Not being one to sit in her seat and wait patiently, Morgan used a nearby handrail as a support while leaning all her weight in the opposite direction. The result was her uplifting the beam from the ground, and nearly sent the young tactician tumbling to the ground. Robin, who tried to fix the rusted and old rail, wound up accidentally making it worse. The cement cracked in the foundation where he tried to force it back in place, and he heard the metal pipe howl every time he tried to jam it back in.
As a master tactician, Robin was far better at breaking things than repairing them. A trait that his wife and child also shared. Thankfully, Lucina could craftily fix her mistakes when she needed to. Robin and Morgan, not so much. They did manage put the rail back in its place, but the end was twisted, the middle of the bar was bent, and it was drooping down like a sad mailbox.
So they pretended that it didn't exist while they took the full view of the arena. As a coach, Robin was able to sit at the base of the stadium next to the low wall. This gave them excellent seats to watch the fighting, but also a way for Robin to talk to his wife when it would be her turn to fight.
"Mom's match is coming up soon, right?" She asked excited.
"No, we still have a few late entrants that are fighting ahead of her. So try not to beak anything else" Robin replied while watching the battle taking place. At the moment, two muscular men were taking turns against each other in heated combat. It was truly an impressive display that such brutes could be so precise in their thunderous movements. Each one from countries on the opposite sides of the world.
"Once mom comes in she is gonna tear right through her foes and make them beg for mercy!"
"Of course she will. She is the best around" He smiled back with pride.
"Ah, I can't wait! This is the first time I get to see mom in action!"
"Hmm?" Robin asked interested.
"Oh well, I used to watch you spar together all the time and it was a lot of fun to watch." Morgan smiled back enthusiastically. "I never did see you or mom in a real fight though. Hearing your story has made me even more interested to see what it is like."
"It's something special." He nodded back. "Never have I seen someone both so agile and terrifying in the same instant."
"Eeeee! I can't wait!"
"Ha, well I'm afraid you are just going to hold out for a little longer Morgan."
Not losing her eager smile, Morgan sat at the edge of her seat and said, "Then you will have to keep me occupied before I break something else."
Already summing up the fighters in front of him, Robin didn't see any harm in indulging her, but that didn't mean he couldn't give his daughter a hard time first. "No. I think it will have to wait. "
"Whuh?" Morgan scrunched her eyes not expecting that response.
"The story, it will have to wait until tomorrow. You already had an earful earlier."
"Nnng. That's not fair." Morgan grumbled. "It's hot, I'm bored, and you know I don't like sitting still when I am excited for something."
"I thought the new you was also supposed to be more mature now." He joked.
"I have my moments." She beamed back. "But c'mon, I want to hear about how you two smashed through the enemies in your way!"
Robin shook his head and said, "You will be disappointed because the part doesn't have much sword play in it. It's a little more serious than what you are used to."
"Oh, how so?" She asked, listening intently.
"Well, it goes like this-"
On our way to Grima's dragon form, we encountered a small band of Risen. Although, the battle itself wasn't very noteworthy. It was a small group of very strong enemies so we carefully tackled them in groups of fours. It was only the leader that gave me a chill. I had seen the black and purple armor of the dark flier before. The difference was her face was swapped with one of a decaying Risen. Validar's second in command, Aversa, also sacrificed herself at the dragon's table leaving the Risen form in front of us. I would later learn that Validar manipulated her since the very beginning, but I did not give her much thought at the time of the battle. She was just another enemy in our way.
What was so important about that fight came before it. I could still hear the echos of the conversation ringing through my mind. The same words repeated on a loop over and over.
...
Naga, The other me claimed the dragon and I were the same, yes? If I strike the final blow, he'd be killed by his own hand...
Perhaps. But there would be consequences. Grima's heart and Robin's are inexorably linked. Dragon and man can no longer be separated. Therefore, slaying Grima would also cause the end of Robin's life. His form vanishing as if it never was.
I realize that.
There is...a chance you could survive, but it is small indeed. You have bound your heart to those of many others in this world.
If those ties prove strong enough, they may yet keep you in this reality. But I would not give you false hope. The chance you would live is insignificant. Not even a thousand human friendships surpass the dragon's grip. In truth, you will almost certainly cease to exist.
Robin would cease to be?! No. We'll find another way.
Chrom, wait. You're not thinking clearly. What is one life, when weighed against millions?
And what is the world going to be without you in it? You're a friend to all of us and you have responsibilities to my daughter now! How are you going to look her in the eye and repeat those same words to her?
I ... I don't know.
…
"Hey! There's my trusted comrade in arms!" A strong hand slapped me on the back of my shoulder and sent me lunging forward.
"Augh!" I groaned as I snapped out of my trance and turned around to see my attacker. The bare-chested, blonde warrior.
"Hey now, it's not like the goody two-shoes Robin to lose his guard. Is ol' Teach going to have to start training ya?"
"No." I grimaced ignoring the stinging in my shoulder, "I guess I have a lot on my mind that's distracting me is all."
"You always got a lot on your mind. You must have a headache bigger than the size of Ylisse itself."
"Ha, yeah I guess so." I shrugged back trying to take my mind off of things. "But, have you seen Lucina by any chance? I lost track of her after our battle."
The blonde warrior gave a smug grin and said, "Oh? Is our renowned tactician trying to relieve some of his stress by making out with his wife?"
"What? Gah, no, it's not like that." I shut my eyes and gritted my teeth.
"Come on Robin, there's no need to get embarrassed. It ain't like you've never kissed her before. From what I've heard, you twos snuggle a lot.
"That's none of your business Vaike, I need to speak to her about something important." I replied annoyed. I was also worried that if this conversation persisted any longer he might get worse. "But I swear, if you ever spy on her when she is taking a bath in the spring I will kill you."
"Hey, hey!" He backed up and said strongly. "Ol' teach learned his lesson with the other girls. You needn't worry about that anymore. Vaike is a changed man."
I covered my head and felt like fire was going to rush out from my ears, "Eenng. Sorry, I'm a little stressed out."
"I can see that." He frowned, patting the axe that he remembered to bring with him this time. "But the Vaike is here to help. I'm tired of seeing you get so stressed before every mission."
"Thankfully, that issue will be over soon." I muttered dryly, Naga's words looping in my mind again.
"There ya go again." He struck me on my other shoulder and said, "Come on Rob, you gotta get loose and feeeeel the flow. Try taking off your shirt and giving a big old howl to the sky. Trust me, you will feel better afterwards."
"I'd rather not."
"Alright, then give the Vaike a good punch in the stomach. Go on, the Vaike can take it."
"Sorry Vaike, I don't feel good punching a friend." I replied respectfully.
"Nonsense! Hit me with your hardest blow and knock the wind from me!"
"I'm not punching you Vaike." I sighed not wanting to hurt my hand.
"Gah. You're no fun." He grumbled and beat his chest with his fist. "But I ain't leaving until you get some of that pent-up stress outta ya. It's not good for our leader to be so uptight."
"I know. I know." I balled my hand into a fist and said, "It's a problem, and I will take care of it. I have to stay sharp for tomorrow."
Leaning his weight on his axe like a cane, Vaike pushed further and said, "You're not gonna be sharp if you keep holding it in. Come on Rob! Just give me one loud ear-splitting Roar!"
"Woo." I called out blankly.
"No, no, no! You got to put some energy into it!" He rose his hands to the air and said excitedly. "Cry to the heavens and tell the world who you are!"
"Like I said, I think I will pass."
"You're gonna feel like crap then. Holding it in is very unhealthy, and you don't want to take that stress out on Lucina."
"I would never do that to her." I said seriously, the thought alone made my stomach turn. "I'd rather have someone remove my finger nails with bamboo sticks than ever do that to her."
"Right, because the two of us are gentleman." He smiled back.
I stared at him skeptically for a moment, but shook it off and said, "Anyways, is there any business you need with me, because I have a few things I need to take care of."
"My business is you Rob. It ain't just me, Nowi's worried too. All the shepherds are. We know how much we rely on you and all, so allow me to do my part and help."
I gazed back at his steel weapon and said, "You can do your part by staying alive out there tomorrow. That's all I need from you."
"Gah! I'm not going to let any weak Risen get in my way now. Ol' teach has to be there to watch my rival's back. But this ain't about me, it's about you. You look like your about to burst into a million pieces. So say: I am Robin! And I challenge the world to stop my insurmountable powers. RAAAAAH!" He smiled back and said, "Also, be sure to emphasize the 'rah' part this time."
"I'm sorry Vaike, I really don't have time for these games."
Vaike frowned and said, "Don't be a stick in the mud."
"Would you rather I be a stick in the sand?" I called out harshly. In the back of my mind I could tell something was wrong with me, but I suppressed the thoughts before I let them press further.
Unphased, Vaike hit me on the back a third time and said, "Come on! Lighten up buddy and say it. You know you want to."
"I'm not doing it." I sighed, my migraine getting worse.
"Sure you are, or else you are never going to feel better. You're more uptight than Frederick, and that is saying something!"
"... I'm not that bad."
Vaike frowned and said, "Denial isn't going to help you either."
"Neither is this silly game." I muttered back.
"Bah! I've already told you I'm being serious. You're not going to feel better until you tell the world how you feel. So say it, c'mon, say it and you will feel better afterwards.
"For the last time, no Vaike. Please leave me alone.
"Say it. Say it! Saaaaay it!"
Unable to control myself any longer, I accidentally lashed out at him and said, "Would you please stop?! I'm frustrated okay! There is a lot on the line tomorrow and now I got Chrom on my back for suggesting that I kill Grima. Not to mention I haven't had a chance to talk about it with my wife yet. I don't even know what to expect tomorrow. We could face a million Risen, and we will be facing a dragon the size of a city. A city! I don't have time to let loose with those odds. Too many people need our help tomorrow and I need to be at my best. So let me be stressed by myself!" I cried wildly, my eyes widening as I panted heavily from my rant.
Instead of getting mad, Vaike smirked back proud of himself and said, "Feelin better?
"... Yeah, actually." I whispered surprised. It was like someone dislodged a rock stuck inside my chest.
"Ha, ya see? You have to get that demon inside of you out by giving a good yell. Nothing works quicker than letting it all hang out.
I covered my head since my migraine was still there, but it wasn't nagging as bad. "I guess you're right, and I owe you one for snapping me out of it."
"Anytime Rob. A guy needs to blow off some steam every once in a while. A beautiful wife is great for kissing and all, but when you need to roar, it is best to do it with us guys."
I slouched over a little more relaxed. "Thanks Vaike."
"Hey. That's what friends are for, right? If you ever need anything you can always count on the Vaike here to back you up."
Feeling a little ashamed for doubting him, I said "I will not forget that again."
"Good, cause I can't have my rival falling behind on me!" He cried flamboyantly.
"I'm your rival now?" I asked puzzled.
"Yep! Lon'qu and Chrom are some fearsome fighters, but I've done it all wrong. Brute strength also requires precision, so I've been studying ya more."
"I see, and what have you learned?"
"That you stress yourself out to no end."
"...Fair enough." I sighed back.
He smirked and said, "But that you also get the job done without fail, which makes you are worthy competitor."
I gave a faint smile back and said, "At least I am doing something right. "
"Aye."
My heart settled down, and my tunnel vision went away as things became a little more clear on what I needed to do. My mind was back at work, but it wasn't worrying about the little details. Instead, I knew exactly what I need to do, and how to do. "Thanks again for your help Vaike. Although, If you don't mind, there is someone I need to speak with. Now that my head is a little more clear, I think I know where to find her."
"Of course. Ol' Teach understands, but once this is over I expect a sparring match from ya. I need to test your skills once and for all.
I smiled back and said, "Set the date and I'll be there. I can't have my rival thinking he is better than me."
Ha! That's the spirit!" He grinned happily.
…
It wasn't difficult to track down Lucina when I left Vaike. There was a small stream running down the edge of camp that was similar to the one we faced off in the desert. It held a small patch of flowers and provided a peaceful sanctuary to anyone who saw it. Especially to someone who rarely saw flowers in her time. Sure enough, she was there staring at the moving water. Her hands clasped together while hunched over slightly. As I approached she made not a single movement or a sound. Instead, her eyes were fixed on the water rushing past her.
"Lucina?" I called to her from behind.
Hearing my voice, she turned around instantly and said, "Oh! Um, hello Robin. What brings you here?"
"Do I need a reason to see you?" I asked warmly.
"Huh?! No, it's not that. Forgive me, I didn't mean to imply that you need a reason. You are always welcome to be with me." She cried out alarmed. No doubt, she was struggling just like I was.
"It's okay dear, you don't need to worry today. We need to save our strength for tomorrow."
"Right!" She nodded and said hurriedly. "We have to protect my father while he drives Falchion into Grima."
"Lucina ..." I whispered, a hollow feeling sinking in my heart.
"I mean, it's the only way we will succeed tomorrow. We have to see that my father survives, because it is the only option." She stressed, her eyes directly staring into mine to make the point as clear as possible."
"Lucina, I … I have to try."
She ignored what I said and gave an awkward smile back. "Don't be silly Robin. Once he takes care of things we can finally live in peace … There is no need to do something reckless now."
"But you heard Naga. He could come back in a hundred years or so if things went badly. This situation could repeat itself, and I don't want to put someone like you through this again."
The princess shrugged off the idea and said calmly, "Then we will find a way to kill him after this is over. I'm sure we can think of something."
"But what if there isn't another way?" I asked worried. "Naga doesn't seem to think there is."
"Robin, she brought me here for one purpose. To have my father awaken his sword and end this. We are so close to completing my mission, so now is not the time to second guess ourselves." She replied holding her breath to stay calm. "After that, you and I will have all the time in the world together. Doesn't that sound nice?"
"Still, what if there is someone like you out there in the future." I hesitated looking into her hypnotic eyes and said, "How could I look at myself in the mirror knowing I could have prevented their suffering? Or better yet, your suffering."
Lucina's lips tilted downwards and she glanced at the ground for a moment before returning a cheerful smile, "Please Robin, there is no need to worry about something that takes place so far in the future. Our ancestors stopped him before, and tomorrow we are going to stop him again. That is all there is to it."
"I really wish that was the case." I muttered sorrowful.
Seeing that it wasn't working, she dropped the charade and generally looked frightened. As if she was afraid to see me like this. "Robin I … I don't understand. Do you no longer find me appealing? Have I angered you in any way?"
"Huh?" I asked horrified and immediately responded back, "In what universe would ever make you think that? I love you beyond words."
"... Then why do you want to leave me?!" She cried terrified with her hands shaking nervously. "Must you throw your life away because there is a chance that he might comeback? Am I not enough a good enough reason to stay here?"
"Lucina." I reached out to touch her, but she backed away. "You are the very reason I feel the need to do this. I wished ever since I met you that I could have prevented the suffering I caused-" I shook my head and corrected myself. "What the other Robin caused to you and your family. And now, I finally have a chance to redeem him. I can fix his mistakes and let his soul rest in ease."
"But I don't want you to go!" She yelled in a high-pitched squeal, watering forming around her eyes with her hand across her chest. "I want you to stay with me. I want to wake up and know I can count on you being there."
"That is all I want too." I sighed, my will power wavering seeing her like this.
"I... I knew I would have to make sacrifices. I lost my parents, and everyone I grew up with, so I, shouldn't be surprised by this." Lucina's voice cracked, gagging on her own words with a tear running from hers eye down to her chin. "There are always consequences and sacrifices that must be made to ensure success. I knew that from the very start, and I was prepared for it. Even if it meant killing the man I loved ..."
"Lucina." I whispered without luck to snap her out of it.
She slammed her fist into her open hand and said angrily, "I'm not some naive little girl. I know that the world is cruel, and dreaming things would turn out okay was pointless and silly. Still, I wouldn't let the world laugh at me for trying! I wouldn't succumb to fate, and I would fight it with everything I had. I would show Grima the fury of the Exalted line and strangle him with my bare hands if I had to!"
"I know you would." I smiled back gently. "If all else failed, you would still find a way."
The fire in her eyes dulled for a moment and turned to sorrow as she looked away again. "... But my friends are back, my parents are safe, and we are so close to finishing what we started. Even now I trust that we will win the battle tomorrow. So why now?" She pleaded desperately with hers eyes tearing up. "Why, after all this time, must I watch the person that matters the most to me sacrifice himself?"
"No! It's not fair, and I won't allow it! I absolutely refuse to accept you doing that!" Lucina yelled, her eyes sparking with an intensity that rivaled a burning inferno. "I'm not going to let Grima take you from me!" She rushed over and latched her arm around mine, squeezing it so tight that it was cutting off the circulation. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt one hair on your head! Not now, not ever!"
Losing all feeling in my left arm, I closed my eyes and sighed with deep regret. My voice quivered as I said, "You don't know how much I desperately want to agree with you. It's so tempting to let Chrom take care of things, and not take that risk."
"Then stay" She whispered brushing her body against me. "Please Robin, I don't know what I would do if I lost you too. I've seen too many good people die. I've lost so much because of him. Damn it all, I don't want revenge if it means I must lose you as well. You promised me we would be together after this was over."
With my left arm still in the vice grip of her arms, I wrapped my free hand partially around Lucina's back and held her not wanting to let go. "... I have every intention of keeping that promise. Naga said there is a chance I could come back if my bonds are strong enough, right? Then, who else in this world has a stronger connection than us? A thousand friendship may not be enough, but I know you are worth far more than that to me. There is no one else I trust to watch my back more than the woman I can't stop staring at."
Very slowly, she raised her head to look up at me very unsure. "... What if it is not enough?"
"Then I will find another way to come back. It's the job of a crack tactician to work miracles, isn't it? To do the impossible!"
"... Please Robin, don't say such thing." She frowned, loosening her grip on my arm. "I can't take anymore false hopes. I've harbored too many of them in the past."
Seeing her doubt again, I grabbed her by the shoulders and said confidently, "Lucina, I promise you I will come back. I swear it to you with ever fiber of my being that I will find a way. It's not some random game of statistics, if there's a way home I will find it, and I will come back. You've proven that anyone can fight the odds if they work hard enough. Besides, the last thing I would ever want to do is abandon my beautiful princess."
She paused for a moment, not moving an inch or making a sound as she thought it over. It was like the world stood still giving her the time she needed. "You have to keep that promise you understand?! I will never forgive you if you break it!"
I nodded and said, "I would never forgive myself either."
"Robin I …" She hesitated before embracing me in a strong hug. She squeezed me so tightly that I had trouble breathing. Princess or not, she had a stronger grip than any person I knew.
"It's okay love." I whispered grazing my hands up and down her back. "I'm here. I'm here. And I will always be here with you."
...
Some more time passed as Lucina regained her composure, but when she did, she held that fiery determination that I came to love about her. "Then, I promise to do the same." She declared adamantly. "I'm going to be here. Remember that Robin. Remember how wonderful your life is going to be afterwards. How happy I am going to make you, and … how happy you are going to make me."
"I don't think I will have any problem with that." I smiled back.
She nodded and said, "Good! Because it is true Robin! If you can forgive your selfish wife, then you should know that I'm going to make your life as wonderful as humanely possible!"
"Selfish?" I asked puzzled. "I don't think you fit that description in the slightest."
"I am though." She lowered her head ashamed, "I know why you have to do this. It's the same choice I would have made without a moment of hesitation in the past, but … I want you with me too. I mean, I've made every sacrifice necessary before, but now, the thought of losing you scares me more than him coming back in a thousand years. I know full well what Grima can do if he comes back. I've seen it with my own eyes, but I keep telling myself that a thousand years is so long away that it doesn't matter. So how am I not being selfish?"
I sighed and said, "Lucina, if we are being honest, I'm really scared too. I'm afraid to die. I still have so much more I want to do with my life. Hell, even now I only remember three years of it. The thought of leaving you, the shepherds, or anything else behind terrifies me to no end. Even now something in the back of my mind is screaming at me not to do it."
I ran my fingers through her hair with the edge of my thumb grazing against her cheek. "But then I remind myself about how incredible you are, and how much courage you have. So I won't die as a martyr if I can help it. I want you to be happy, and the only way for me to do that is to still be here. Screw anyone else taking my place, or even the thought of me failing you. Just watch Lucina, I'm going to kick that sorry dragon's ass and be home for dinner! I swear it!"
She stopped and wiped a tear from her eye before saying., "I'm going to trust you Robin. After what happened in the desert, I know better than to doubt you again. I-" She squeezed me again, resting her head on my chest and said, "I'll be sure to prepare the biggest feast ever."
"We better invite Stahl then. I don't think I could eat a feast by myself." I joked while resting my hand on her shoulder.
Lucina's lips slowly crooked up, a small smirk returning to her face. "I guess I will have to share you for the celebrations, but-" She trailed off, looking away a little embarrassed.
"Yes dear?"
Hesitatingly, she returned her gaze and said, "Can I steal you away until it's time for battle? I know you still have some work to do for tomorrow, but I won't get in the way. I want to be with you for as long as possible.
"Of course." I kissed her on her forehead and smiled back. "You can steal me away for as long as you want. Especially after this is over."
…