"W-Welcome home," Emmeryn greeted with a smile once Chrom arrived in the throne room accompanied by their guests. Pit felt his heart warm with relief and joy at the sight of her, how healthy she looked after her almost fatal fall nearly seventeen years ago. It seemed she still had a bit of trouble speaking and her memory still had a few blanks, but even that was more than he expected even if she survived.
"It's good to be home, Emm," Chrom replied as he kissed his sister's cheek. "How was everything here?"
"No trouble," she said as she turned to the visitors. "Who... are they?"
"These two are called Marth and Pit," he introduced, gesturing to each as he identified them. "I'm not sure where they come from, but they're both incredibly talented in combat and they know a lot about the monsters we face."
"Marth..." Emmeryn repeated as she gazed at the masked warrior, receiving a dip of the head in reply.
"It's an honor and pleasure, Lady Emmeryn." Marth's hidden gaze came to rest on Chrom. "Forgive me, but that is all the time we have for introductions. We must discuss the threat to Ylisse and how to combat it."
"And we will," he agreed. "But first, I want you to meet a couple of troublemakers who would benefit from hearing your guidance." Despite his words, he smiled, and Marth exchanged a quick glance with Pit, who shrugged and nodded. They waited for a few more moments until Rufure entered with two youths following her, perhaps three years apart in age.
"Welcome home, Father," the older one, maybe fifteen years old, greeted with a smile as she approached him, and Marth inhaled briefly but sharply as the other joined them along with Rufure.
"It's good to be home," Chrom said as he returned the smile. "Marth, Pit, this is my daughter Lucina." Lucina turned to the visitors and curtseyed. "And that over there," the Exalt continued, chuckling as he gestured to the boy glued to Rufure's side, "Is our son Morgan." Morgan bowed with a soft "hello" before returning his attention to his mother, likely eager to discuss what she had seen on the road and how she had handled the situation. "These two will be staying with us for a time," Chrom explained to his children. "They're going to help us fight off the monsters attacking our lands."
"Then it seems my timing is astoundingly accurate," a new voice said, and they all turned to find Miriel and a boy following her as she approached them. "You remember my son Laurent, correct?" Laurent, a boy perhaps a year older than Morgan, dipped his head in the direction of the Exalted family. "He is, as you would put, shadowing me today."
"Of course," Chrom replied. "What is it, Miriel?"
"While you were away, messages arrived from both Regna Ferox and Valm," she explained. "It would appear that Lady Say'ri has been nearly overwhelmed by these monsters threatening our lands as well. She has sent out a distress call, and Khan Flavia has suggested a combined force of both Ylisse and Ferox."
"We'd be uniting against a common enemy," Rufure noted. "Valm is still recovering after the ordeal with Walhart, last I checked. They probably still don't have the men to properly fight these things." She frowned. "Then again, can anyone properly fight them?"
"That's where we come in, right?" Pit spoke up, gaining Chrom and Rufure's attention.
"Right," the Exalt agreed. "But hold that thought a moment longer. Frederick should hear what you have to tell us."
"I'll go find him," Morgan volunteered, and Chrom nodded. A moment later, the boy was gone.
"If we head to Valm," Rufure thought aloud, "We could combine our might and dispatch these things one area at a time. It would be better than a single force fighting in different places like we are now. And we can't just ignore Say'ri's request."
"I agree, but can we really leave for Valm while Ylisse is under attack too?" Chrom wondered. "Then again, do we have a choice? The Feroxi wouldn't do well against these monsters, not without proper direction. They'd charge in and get themselves killed."
"If I may," Pit spoke up again, "I know a handful of people who could probably keep an eye on Ylisse while you're away. There aren't many of them, but they're tough and can survive worse odds than this." Marth nodded.
"We could head out to find them while you organize your armies and meet with the Khans," the masked one agreed. "From there, we could meet you at whichever port you'll be departing from. Ylisse would stand a better chance and you could commence your plan of uniting your forces." Before Chrom could answer, Morgan returned with Frederick following close behind, and the older knight bowed briefly.
"My apologies for the delay, milord," he said, and Chrom waved him off.
"Never mind that." He turned back to their visitors. "All right. Please, tell us everything we need to know about these enemies."
"Well, where to begin," Pit sighed as he stretched his arms back. "Probably at their origin. We're fighting the Underworld Army." This bit of news earned him several blank stares.
"What do you mean 'the Underworld?'" Rufure demanded. "Like the land of the dead? It's just a myth!"
"Wrong," Pit said a bit shortly, but smiled briefly. "You're facing monsters created by the god who rules the Underworld- a temperamental fellow named H-Hades." Marth's hand came to rest on Pit's shoulder as he tripped over the word, but no one questioned him. "You could say I've done research," he went on. "Hades wants nothing more than to wipe out anything and everything he doesn't like- humans included. If he gets any further than he is now, we won't stand a chance. And even if we do win overall, our losses would be huge." He paused. "But if you have an idea of how to fight them, then we may stand a chance."
"Then please, tell us what we need to do," Chrom nearly pleaded, his concern for his people evident on his face. Pit nodded.
"First, take your strongest weapons possible. Second, have anyone who can use it arm themselves with magic. Third, for the love of the gods, DODGE. Don't let them hit you. I don't care how well your defenses are fortified or how good your armor is. Don't get hit, and you won't die."
"Blunt, aren't you?" the Exalt said with a frown. "But you make a good point. Please, continue."
"Um... Work in teams- these things are fast and they like to attack in numbers, so have someone to watch your back so you don't get hit from behind. And whatever you do, don't hold back. These are just things brought into existence from darkness and, if I'm right, the souls of those no longer living. They're no longer the people they once were," he added at the alarm on the Ylisseans' faces. "And besides. As far as I know of, they're mostly just creatures of darkness."
"What about mages who use Dark Magic?" Morgan spoke up, and Pit turned to him. "I know we don't have many of them, but still."
"I wouldn't recommend using it on the monsters," Pit replied. "It's probably better if they use something more like Thunder or Fire. Oh," he snapped his fingers, "That reminds me. You know how Pegasi and Wyverns can usually be brought down easily by arrows and Wind Magic?" They nodded. "I don't think those weaknesses apply to these monsters."
"Though a good enough shot from a powerful bow may just do the trick," Marth said softly, and Pit blinked before elbowing his companion briefly in the arm.
"Maybe," he said with a soft smile.
"If I may inquire," Miriel prompted, and Chrom nodded his permission. "You stated a moment ago that these creatures are an army from the Underworld, the mythological land of the deceased led by the god Hades."
"Right," Pit replied.
"I have admittedly spent hours reading stories of these myths," she continued, adjusting her glasses. "It is a fascinating subject, and I find debate of their factuality stimulating. But without digressing, you are claiming these tales and epics are more than an attempt at explaining the physical and magical world around us. I am curious as to the validity of the other stories."
"...Meaning?" Rufure prompted, her eye twitching with slight irritation.
"I have read tales detailing gods other than Hades. Some tell of a powerful and benevolent ruler of the heavens that single-handedly defended the mortal realm from the threat of darkness and evil." Pit fought back against the blush trying to form on his face. He'd certainly never fought anything off by himself- he'd always had Palutena, Kuro, or someone else helping him. Sure, he often struck the final blow, but it was never by himself.
"I'm not sure," he said somewhat quickly. "But if he is fighting out there, then he might be targeting the Underworld itself. We'll have to plan our strategies under the assumption that no divine force will be coming to our aid." He blinked, taken aback by how smoothly the words came to him. It seemed he'd gotten a bit too good at covering his true identity.
"Alright," Chrom nodded. "Miriel, I want you to research the myths and see if you can't find anything interesting. And if you do, bring it to my attention at once."
"Very well," she replied with a dip of her head.
"Frederick," the Exalt continued, "Put together a quick training regimen to help our troops learn to fight without getting hit. Blocking isn't good enough."
"I will do so immediately," the knight nodded.
"Rufure, you and I can start discussing how we're going to tackle getting to Ferox and Valm. Meanwhile," he turned to his children. "Would you two show our guests to their chambers?" He looked up to them. "I imagine you must be tired. We can discuss this more in the morning over breakfast."
"Very well," Marth agreed. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Chrom."
"It's no trouble," he replied with a smile. "I do owe you both for saving us." With that, Lucina made her way to the visitors and turned her head slightly as her brother followed close behind.
"Please come with us?" she beckoned, and Pit exchanged a quick glance with his companion before they both followed the children out of the throne room.
"So where are you from?" Morgan wondered as he scampered along at his sister's side. "How do you know so much about the Underworld?"
"Morgan," Lucina scolded. "Don't be rude."
"It's alright, Princess," Pit said with a chuckle. "But we're just travelers. And while we travel, we've picked up many things. You could say the topic of mythology has always fascinated me." He grinned. "Like this one story about a seed that could grant any wish." Both of the children's eyes widened at his words. "It was said to be guarded by a powerful immortal bird called the Phoenix, deep in a volcanic region. But it turned out the Wish Seed was a fake anyway."
"Wait, why?" Lucina wondered as they made their way down the halls of the castle. "If it was a fake, why was it so heavily guarded?"
"To throw off those looking for it, as far as I know of," Pit replied. "Beyond that, I've wondered that many times myself." They continued on in relative silence, and both of the siblings occasionally glanced back to Marth as they walked. The masked one's lips were pressed into a rather thin line and no words escaped them.
"Well, here we are," Lucina said once they had reached a door in one of the castle's wings. "Um... Father didn't specify whether he was giving you separate rooms or not. But"-
"We can stay together," Pit interrupted. "Marth trusts me with his life and I'd sooner not betray that trust." Marth turned to him, but still said nothing.
"Right," Lucina dipped her head. "Okay. Um... There are almost always guards or vassals in this wing, so just let them know if you need anything." She frowned and shifted her weight awkwardly. "Um... Do you need anything now?"
"No, I think we're okay," Pit replied with a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Princess Lucina, Prince Morgan. We'll see you in the morning."
"Okay," Morgan said. "Good night!" With that, the children departed, and both the companions entered the chamber to find a bed on one side and a sofa on the other facing a fireplace, and the wall across from the door featured a window overlooking Ylisstol. Judging from the light outside, the sun had about set behind the horizon and night was falling over the land.
It didn't take long for Lucina to let out a heavy sigh and bury her face in Pit's shoulder as she embraced him, and he held her tight as he stroked her hair gently.
"If you're going to cry, you should probably take off the mask," he said softly, and she pulled back and did so to reveal her sparkling eyes ready to shed her tears.
"I thought I could handle this," she said weakly. "Seeing Father and Mother again... But..." He pulled her in again as her arms wrapped around his back. "Their daughter was just a baby and Morgan hadn't even been born yet. But they have their own children now. I have no place here as Chrom's daughter." She sobbed quietly as he held her, lost for words of comfort. "The Chrom we just met with isn't my father," she continued after several moments. "That happy child is his daughter. I'm glad she can have a better future than I had, but..."
"It's still painful to see them and think of your own parents, right?" he asked, and she nodded. "To see someone you care about and realize they have no recollection of who you really are to him..." He held her tighter. "I know the feeling." She pulled back to meet his eyes curiously, but he shook his head and she took that as meaning he didn't have any desire to discuss it further.
"Pit... My love," she mumbled. "I need you for this. I blundered last time I faced them, but I don't have that option now. And I'll need your support."
"You have my word, dear," he replied with a smile. "I promise. I won't leave your side."
"Yah!" she exclaimed shortly as he scooped her up into his arms and smiled warmly. "Wh-what are you doing?" she demanded as she locked her arms around his neck.
"You look exhausted," he said simply. "And you need to rest. We both do, but you've had an emotional day." He carried her over and gently set her down on the bed, and she smiled slightly.
"I suppose," she agreed. "You're right. I am tired."
"Hm..." He frowned. "I guess I should take the couch. Or the floor. You know I have a tendency to roll around a little." He chuckled. "Especially when I'm stuck on my back." He started toward the couch, but she reached out and grabbed his wrist. "What?"
"Pit, please," she said as she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "You don't have to go that far. Please, stay with me..." He smiled and sighed lightly.
"I can't say no to that look," he teased as he sat down next to her. "Alright, if that's what you want." He kicked off his boots and she did the same, and he opened his arms. She nestled in against his chest as he lay back and rested his arms around her, and he kissed her hair gently. "I hope Kuro and Ephraim are doing okay... I don't want to imagine what Nem- what Hades has waiting for them."
"Nemo would want you to stop Hades," she said softly. "No matter what, he wouldn't want that demon god to gain power again."
"I know..." he breathed. "I just... Do you think I can kill him?" To his dismay, she didn't reply, and he decided to drop the subject as he stared up at the ceiling as the last light in the room faded.