Tiki hadn't been aware just how short those years would be. As she stood on the back of the falling dragon, and her dearest love faded into glimmering violet particles, she fell to her knees. The world seemed to be pulling her down even more strongly than it pulled the great beast, Grima, to the earth. She couldn't breathe, and it wasn't because of the altitude. She didn't know anything but the spot that had once held her lover, and was completely unaware that Naga had pulled them off the Dragon's back. She was still there in her mind. Still watching him fade, as she had watched all the others before him. Cain, Abel, Barst, Jagen, Bantu… Marth…

Morgan approached Tiki, "Mom…"

Tiki put on a brave face, "It's okay, Morgan… I just… I need a min… Gwaaah!" She fell to her knees, "Robin… Robin!" She screamed to the heavens. Her body ached from the tremors and spasms of grief. It had been such a short time… less than a year of happiness with her lover, less than even the fastest blink in her lifetime. What had she done to deserve this? Any of this? Marth, Robin, all the people she ever loved… why did they have to be taken away!

Morgan looked on as her mother- her only remaining family- rushed away into the caves of Origin Peak.

It was many years later that Chrom stood by his sister, Lissa, in a familiar field. "Whatever you do, Lissa, do not tell him straight away. Do not let him know of what has occurred."

"Chrom… doesn't he deserve to know?" She looked down at her close friend, the Tactician that had been by her side since the journey began, lying motionless on the grass.

"Soon, but not now. We will reveal it all in time. For now, let us make him feel welcome. You remember the plan?" Chrom looked down.

"Of course." Lissa sighed. "Here we go…" She cleared her throat, "Chrom, we have to do something…"

Just as he had all those years ago, the Tactician opened his eyes ever so slowly.

"What do you propose we do?" Chrom asked in return, as the Tactician opened his eyes further.

"I-I don't know!" Lissa exclaimed as the Tactician once again gazed upon the world. She looked down at him and gasped.

Chrom smiled, "I see you're awake now."

"Hey there!" Lissa giggled.

"There are a lot better places to take a nap than on the ground you know." Chrom joked, "Give me your hand."

Robin took Chrom's outstretched hand and stood up. The Exalt smiled at him, "Welcome back, it's over now."

Robin smiled and looked around, "You and your theatrics… how long did you practice that before waking me up?"

"I had to take a second to remember, but it turns out Frederick writes down every word I say, so he even had that." Chrom explained.

Robin raised an eyebrow at the vigilant Knight, "Because that isn't strange."

Frederick smiled, "I often held out hope that my liege might say something inspired, and his napping quote was probably the cleverest thing he had said in months."

"... Yes, of course, Frederick." Chrom sounded unenthused.

Robin scanned about, "Am I to believe that my wife and daughter were not invited on your little trip to find-"

"Come, you must see the state of Ylisse. It's beautiful this time of year- and any time of year, truth be told." Chrom smiled, "It's not far, if we cut through that same forest we passed by on the way here. We can make it there by tomorrow after a quick stop."

"... Chrom. Morgan and Tiki, where are they?" Robin pressed.

"I dare say," Frederick interjected, "We'll be passing through some prime hunting ground. I might take a moment to find us some game."

Robin looked at him, "Frederick- "

"Hehehe…" Lissa laughed wiltingly, "Maybe we can spear something normal people eat for once? Some venison would be great about now, or maybe a fatted turkey? I've heard those are common in these parts! Anything but bear, really…"

"Lissa!" Robin was fighting to control his voice, but his ire was rising. "What are you all hiding from me?!"

Don't… Chrom thought, Don't…

"Tiki and M-Morgan are…" the young Cleric's voice shook, "Th-they're…"

Robin's gaze pierced her, "Lissa, please."

"No one… no one knows. After you d-died… they both disapp-peared… a-and… a-and…" Lissa seemed on the verge of crying.

"A few months after Grima died," Chrom looked back at his friend, "A new, even larger, even more powerful dragon began to torment Ylisstol. Instead of pitch dark, though, this dragon… was a blinding white."