A/N AP tests are stressful and eat up my time. Still, a double chapter update seems like a good idea. Sorry if this seems a bit rushed. I might go back and write up an actual chapter for this shitty cramming, but not now. It doesn't want to come out. I don't own Fire Emblem or any of its alternate timeline forms.
There had been little time, after the attack on the walls.
With the astronomically increased presence of the Risen, Inigo knew that if they were to act on the plan, it had to be soon or never. So he had prepared for tonight.
He spoke with the Divine Dragon about the spell while Noire and the others recovered in the infirmary. She had agreed to commence the ritual tonight, in one of the palace's massive abandoned ballrooms.
He commanded the remaining palace guard and any volunteers to accompany them, and help protect the Dragon and portal while both were vulnerable.
He arranged everything, and everyone, and by the time the sun fell down, the plan was in motion.
He, for once, felt hope. It was a tainted hope, full of cracks and flaws, but it was a hope nonetheless.
At the end of the room, the Divine Dragon Naga lifted up the Fire Emblem. "I will begin the spell now. Please watch over me as I must concentrate," she called out. Her ethereal voice commanded attention without booming over the low cacophony of the humans. The Divine Dragon then closed her eyes and raised the shield high above her head. The magic began.
Around the great hall, the hundred or so Ylisseans seemed to straighten and ready their weapons with renewed attention. The air seemed to still as Naga first spoke the incantations, but eventually the murmurs returned, albeit a little tense. No one knew how much time Naga required for the sacred ritual, and with each passing second, the chances of the Risen interrupting became more and more likely.
Alongside the other Children, Inigo too felt the anticipation and fear. He rested his hand on the Parallel Falchion, sheathed and strapped around his waist. He wondered if what he was doing was the right thing, if allowing the abandonment of this world was okay if it meant that he and his friends could live. Lissa and Naga… when he had spoken to them regarding the plan earlier, the two were unusually close-mouthed about the entire deal. The blue-haired prince had a sinking feeling that this would be the last he saw of this world.
Would his father be doing the same thing? Inigo was so tired, so exhausted from this responsibility. He'd never asked for this role. He never felt like he was suited for this power. If his big sister were alive, he just knew that she would have treated their people with the authority and kindness that they deserved.
But Lucina was gone.
I must stay strong. I may not be the leader that this group deserves, but I'm what they've got for what's ahead, and I'm going to be damn good at it, he thought with determination. Inigo's eyes drifted to his side and he smiled despite himself. Besides, I've got friends who will help me, every step of the way.
Next to him stood Severa, who had already plastered her trademark scowl as she inspected the others. Inexplicably, she seemed to know where Inigo's attention landed, because she instantly turned and glared at him.
"What are you looking at? Make yourself useful and check to see if everything is ready! Idiot," the redhead huffed. Inigo shook his head at her loudness and went off.
"Severa, pray, tell me the hour! Brady of the Sentimentality should be here by now!" exclaimed Owain, worried for his friend.
"He said he wanted to check on some of the patients and go grab some more healing supplies. We don't know if enemies wait for us on the other side, or when we'll be able to restock," said Severa, calm now. She rested her hand on her sword hilt and frowned. "It's been a while. He should be here soon. Everyone else have their equipment?"
The group of fighters nodded. No one voiced their own thoughts about Brady's caretaking. It had become an unspoken rule to avoid talk of what happen to those that stayed in this timeline. "Then we wait," the ginger-haired commander stated simply.
But the moment's respite failed to ease their heavy thoughts. From their location, several windows overlooked the city and provided them with a view of the sprawling metropolis. Or, at least it would have been a view. Like everything else throughout the years, the buildings had been lost to either time, Risen, or the Ylisseans' movement inward. As the population numbers dwindled, Ylisstol had consolidated until practically everyone fit in the castle. The outside was a ghost town.
That knowledge didn't make the sight of the burning and ravaged buildings any better. The Risen were coming for their final victory.
Owain sighed, and then followed it up with a perky expression that seemed the slightest bit forced. Wordlessly, he sauntered over to his mother who seemed amused by his antics.
Naga began to emit a soft glow.
The other children watched as Owain and the last Shepherd conversed. They were always wary, always watchful. Lissa had taken the news of Say'ri's sacrifice surprisingly well, but it wouldn't be the first time that she clamped up her true feelings. All of them had to be on their toes. She couldn't hurt Owain anymore.
Owain hugged his mother tightly and the group held their breath. Leaning against a cracked column, Inigo kept an eye on them.
The theatrical fighter released his mother and tried to discreetly wipe away his tears. Lissa shook her head and tiptoed to take her son's face in her hands. He couldn't hear what she spoke to him, but Inigo observed as Owain seemed to grow more confident in his stature. Lissa kissed Owain's forehead one last time before leaning away. Owain slowly walked back to the others.
On some level, Inigo felt envious of his friend's experience. Without even looking at his other friends, he knew that they all felt the same. To have a parent that was around and alive to care about you that much… and to knowingly stay behind and die so you could live…
There were no words.
Lissa wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. In one hand she wielded a healing staff, and this she anxiously rubbed with her thumb.
Inigo approached his aunt. Though she wasn't his mother, she was the closest he and any of the orphaned children had when they were children. Over the years, her mind had deteriorated and she could no longer fulfill that role, but that didn't stop him, any of them, from loving her all the same.
He just wished that it didn't have to be this way, that there was some alternative option where he could save everyone and no one had to die for their sakes. But this was the real world, and sometimes, sacrifices must be made. It was for the greater good.
"...Inigo, hello," said Lissa quietly, her eyes glued to her son's retreating figure.
"Aunt Lissa," he responded, bowing. "We are almost ready to go." She nodded, and replied, "We are. Everything is prepared. Once Naga finishes the portal, you will all be free." The blue-haired youth saw the tears forming in the corners of her eyes, and placed a hand around her shoulder in comfort. He dropped his hand after a short while and watched the Divine Dragon perform the ritual.
Around the room, the bulk of Ylisse's armed forces stood bathed in the sea green light of dragon magic. Naga's eyes were closed in concentration as she ran her hands along the shield, chanting ancient prayers and incantations.
"I'm going to miss you. We all will," he said. To this, the princess waved her arm dismissively and smiled cheerfully. "Dont. I'll still be there, you know. Just… younger. Happier. Better. You'll have everyone there."
Inigo shook his profusely. "We'll miss you. Thank you for everything you have done for us." She blushed, then said no more.
Lissa broke the silence first. "Inigo. It shames me, but I must request one last favor of you. " He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Please, it has to be you, I couldn't ask it of Owain. He… I can't have him worry for me anymore and this burden will weigh him down. I'm sorry."
He looked at her briefly, before responding, "Don't be. Whatever you ask, it is my duty as the leader of the Future Children. I will do whatever I can to carry it through."
"Promise me one thing," she murmured. Inigo nodded silently, and the last living Shepherd took a deep breath. "When you are all safely in the past... " Protect Owain with his life? Make sure nothing happens to her son? The possibilities ran through his mind. Though a talented warrior, Owain tended to be more of a danger to himself than his enemies with his theatrics.
She glanced around to make sure no one else was watching, before she very quietly whispered two words.
"Kill Robin."
Robin. The one whose name Lissa screamed the most in her grief-induced fits. The one whose apparition only Lissa could supposedly see. The one who brought the most smiles to the broken princess' face.
Inigo had no idea what this Robin looked like, but seeing what happened to his aunt because of Robin… this person must have been a pretty significant cause of her condition, and that was enough for him. Despite not knowing the reason for why Robin was so important, Inigo's resolve hardened and he acquiesced to her askance.
Lissa smiled at him and patted his arm. "Thank you. I'm counting on you, my nephew. Do whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes," he echoed.
Then she reestablished the distance between them, never looking back as she left to rejoin the other healers. The last he ever saw of the blonde princess was her retreating back. The air seemed to drop a few degrees. In the burning capitol, the young prince felt cold.
Naga had finished her ritual. The room was humming with energy and anticipation. From far away, the sounds of approaching grunts and clanks of armor alerted the Ylisseans that the Risen were approaching.
"Prepare yourselves!" a gruff voice yelled. The remaining fighters thundered their approval and raised their arms and weapons.
Here in the ballroom, they would have their last dance. Soon their shouts would be screams.
Inigo split from the crowd and rejoined the other future children, searching each and every one of their faces for something that would give him a reason to stay. A reason to remain in this hellish world and aid their friends and allies. A reason to not abandon the people he loved.
He only saw determination, and felt the gentle squeeze of a hand.
Naga drifted in front of them, her luminous form flickering ominously. "The… portal is… ready," she murmured. "But… it came at a great... cost of my powers… Children… you must go…" She weakly gestured towards the magic portal, but everyone caught the urgency of the situation.
"Is everyone accounted for?" he asked. Severa nodded her head towards his right.
"I'm here," called out Brady. He looked a bit worse for wear, but that was probably because he was never very athletic. In his hands he clutched a dark sack that was bulging with medical supplies. A dark look clouded the healer's face when he looked at it, but it soon passed.
"You were gone for so long. What kept you?" Kjelle questioned. Brady merely shook his head. "I'll tell you later. We have to go. Now." The others voiced their agreement. Time was of the essence.
Laurent made to enter the portal first, but something made Inigo hold out an arm. Intuition? Instinct? The prince had a feeling that letting Laurent go first would be a bad, bad idea.
The dark-robed mage raised an eyebrow at him and pushed up his glasses. Inigo shook his head. "I'll go first," he volunteered. "Make sure it's safe and all." The prince patted the sheathed Parallel Falchion and offered a crooked grin before stepping in.
Just think about the girls. The past should have scores of pretty lasses, Inigo joked privately, trying to relieve the nervousness.
Then the magic swallowed him whole, and the other Children followed, and the ballroom fell to madness.