Awakening of Fate
Chapter IV: Of Monsters and Meetings
Corrin caught up to Robin just as she made it to her tent. The woman was breathing heavily and Corrin could see the faint traces of red on her cheek. He was curious as to why she had run away from Chrom but would wait until she caught her breath before asking. Robin noticed Corrin standing nearby and waved him over to her tent.
"Robin, are you alright?" Corrin asked as they sat down.
"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Robin counter questioned before drinking some water.
"Well you just ran away from Chrom as if you were being chased by wolves. I just wanted to make sure you were OK." Corrin answered before pulling his knees up to his chest.
"Thank you for your concern, Corrin. Everything is fine really. It's just that with my memory is shambles I am having a hard time trying to figure out my emotions and how I should act." Robin explained.
"Don't act, just be natural. You get to be whoever you want Robin." Corrin spoke with a reassuring tone. Robin cocked her head to the side letting her hair fall as she gazed at Corrin.
"You and Chrom are so different yet so similar at the same time." Robin mused as she stood up and turned around. She began to fiddle with her coat before removing it.
Corrin blushed and turned around, giving Robin some level of privacy as she changed. "What do you mean by that?" he asked in regards to Robin's last statement.
"Well you're both princes for one," Robin began and Corrin could hear the sounds of her clothes being removed causing him to blush further.
"You both have incredible charisma as well." Robin continued. "You can turn around now"
Corrin did as he was told and saw that Robin had changed into a different set of robes, similar to what she wore before. There were minor differences in the trimming and shirt but nothing too noticeable.
"How are we different?" Corrin asked, curious to know Robin's thoughts.
"Well you seem to have a better understanding of the commonality between people. I think your experience with both of your families shaped you to understand the grey areas of the world better than most." Robin explained.
"Chrom however seems to have a better understanding of the politics that comes with being a ruler. He is next in line for the throne should something happen to his sister so it's not a surprise that he would understand that world." The cobalt-haired woman voiced her opinions
"What do you mean?" Corrin inquired.
"He takes the advice of others to heart and makes an informed decision." Robin elaborated. "Take today's impromptu training. Everyone had an opinion on the matter and while Chrom could have pushed for his own resolution he saw the logic and wisdom behind everyone else's thoughts."
Corrin nodded and thought back to his own recent choices or lack thereof. For the longest time he had followed the commands given to him by his fake father and adoptive older siblings. His first attempt at trying something on his own had ended in failure. I didn't try to understand their feelings. I wanted them to stop fighting without giving them a legitimate reason too. I'll learn from Chrom and when I return home I will unite my siblings. Corrin thought to himself, clenching his fists.
"There are some subtler differences such as Chrom's hotheadedness and your calm mind. But I think that the two of you make a great balance to one another." Robin told Corrin smiling softly.
"Thank you Robin." Corrin stated, simply smiling back towards the woman.
Suddenly Felicia came bursting through the front of the tent before crashing into Robin, causing both of them to tumble. As both women tried to untangle themselves from one another Corrin began to snicker at the sight. Felicia's outfit had splayed over Robin making it look as though both the tactician and maid were one person.
"Felicia, what is it you came to tell us?" Corrin asked once his retainer had successful made it back to her feet.
"Dinner is ready. Lissa and I found a nearby river that we can use for bathing afterwards." The pink-haired woman answered with a short bow to Corrin.
Corrin nodded and proceeded to lead the way towards the others with Robin by his side and Felicia stepping behind him. The trio arrived at the large bonfire in the center of the camp within minutes. Everyone else had started eating and by the looks of things were all sitting mixed. They joined the group and began eating. Their dinner was joyous with jokes being told and tales of their past exploits or mischief as children. As the night wore on, their fire began to die down and shifts for watch were discussed.
In the end it was decided that Chrom and Azura would take first watch. Corrin would that the second watch with Robin. Frederick would be on third watch with Lilith and lastly Lissa would take the final watch with Felicia. Robin and Lilith headed off to the tent they would be sharing and as they walked Robin stole glances between Chrom who smiled softly at her and Corrin who waved. Entering the tent the two young women undressed in silence before laying down on their bedrolls.
"Hey Robin." Lilith called out softly.
"Yes Lilith." Robin replied.
"Thank you for helping us. I don't know what we'd do without you." Lilith stated.
Robbin giggled softly. "You're welcome. I'm sure that even if it had just been Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick who found you all things would've turned out ok."
Lilith pulled her covers up to her chin. "Perhaps but it was you who saved us all in the end." She whispered before closing her eyes.
Outside on a nearby boulder Chrom and Azura sat next to one another gazing up at the starlit night sky. Chrom turned to gaze at Azura as the moonlight shone down upon her. Azura closed her eyes and began to hum the same melody she had the night before. Chrom was tempted to close his eyes and just lose himself to the tune but knew he had to be resolute in his watch of the camp.
"It's a beautiful melody but also hauntingly sad." Chrom observed catching Azura off-guard.
"It was taught to me by my mother. The song itself has both high points and low points to it. I quite enjoy it and it brings me a sense of calm and serenity whenever I am troubled." Azura replied.
"Would you sing it for me? I think I'd enjoy it." Chrom requested looking deep into Azura's eyes.
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
In the white light, a hand reaches through
A double-edged blade cuts your heart in two
Waking dreams fade away,
Embrace the brand-new day
Sing with me a song of birthrights and love
The light scatters to the sky above
Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone
Lost in thoughts all alone
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Embrace the dark you call a home,
Gaze upon an empty, white throne
A legacy of lies,
A familiar disguise
Sing with me a song of conquest and fate
The black pillar cracks beneath its weight
Night breaks through the day, hard as a stone
Lost in thoughts all alone
The path you walk on belongs to destiny
Just let it flow
All of your joy and your pain will fall like the tide
Let it flow
Life is not just filled with happiness
Nor sorrow
Even the thorn in your heart
In time it may become a rose
A burdened heart sinks into the ground
A veil falls away without a sound
Not day nor night, wrong nor right
For truth and peace you fight
Sing with me a song of silence and blood
The rain falls, but can't wash away the mud
Within my ancient heart dwells madness and pride
Can no one hear my cry
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore, just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
You are the ocean's gray waves
As the last note faded from Azura's lips she opened her eyes having close them mid-song. She was slightly surprised to see Chrom's own irises staring back at her and that's when she noticed the position of their bodies. They were still on the boulder but now Azura was sensually straddling Chrom with one hand on his chest and the other in her hair. A deep blush appeared on Azura's face and she tried to get off of the prince but Chrome held her by the waist pulling the young woman in closer to him.
"I'm sorry Chrom." Azura spoke hastily still trying to remove herself.
"It's alright Azura; you have nothing to be sorry for." Chrom spoke using his most reassuring tone.
Azura stopped struggling then and looked Chrom in the eyes. Ever since he had made the decision to help her and Corrin retake their homeland Azura had begun seeing Chrom in a new light. I can't fall in love with him. We are royalty from two different worlds. It would be too cruel for us to be split by our duties to our own homes. She furiously thought to herself trying to calm her beating maiden heart. The more she tried to ignore it though, the stronger the feelings fought back against her. In the end she could see Chrom closing the distance between them until their noses were practically tip to tip.
"Chrom I-" but whatever Azura was going to say was interrupted by the massive flash of light that illuminated the sky. Having seen this phenomenon only a day before Chrom knew exactly what was going on.
"That's another tear from an outrealm." Chrom spoke drawing his sword as figures began to drop from the hole. This tear was larger than the one that brought Corrin and his friends. It also wasn't just a tear. Chrom could see the magical symbols that floated in place above the circular opening. Unlike the previous tear which was created at random, Chrom instinctively knew that somebody had forced this one open. Figures kept raining down upon the ground and Chrom was already on the move heading back to rouse everyone from their sleep with Azura in tow.
"Enemies!" Chrom exclaimed. "To arms everyone we have a fight on our hands!"
Chrom saw Frederick rolling out of his tent while simultaneously strapping on his armor. Corrin followed suit by springing from the tent but he was still dressed in the same clothes and armor as before. Next, Robin came hopping out her tent on one foot while she tried to get her boots on. Lilith followed after but was mostly prepared carrying both hers and Robin's swords. Finally, after about ten minutes since Chrom's initial alert, came both Felicia and Lissa, both of whom took the longest time to get ready but given their attire it was completely understandable. By the time the two of them were ready; Frederick had already barded and armored his horse while everyone else was finishing up gear checks.
"Where are we going?" Corrin asked looking to Chrom.
The blue-haired prince pointed toward the forest which was underneath the tear. "We have to close that and stop whatever it is that has been dropping from it." Chrom instructed as the group began to rush towards the area in question.
The sounds of combat could be heard as they approached. When the group came upon a clearing they saw a small squad of four combatants facing off against a horde of inhuman, monstrous foes. The choice was clear on who they needed to assist. With the horde circling and enclosing around the smaller group, Chrom and the others doubled their speed to reach them before they were overwhelmed.
"Alright you ashen-faced zombie freaks; which one of you wants to try my lance on for size first?!" a woman with short cropped bright red hair asked from atop her horse. She twirled her weapon of choice expertly above her head before bring it down swiftly into the skull of one of her foes. The creature let out an inhuman gurgle before falling to the ground causing the woman to cheer.
"Ha ha! There is more where that came from. I know just the spot for all of you; right up your freaky undead-" but the woman was cut off as one of the creatures leapt at her. It snarled and raised the sword clasped in its left hand to strike at her.
Before the creature could attack however it was struck with half a dozen arrows in rapid succession. Two of the arrows popped through the back of the creature's skull and out its eye sockets while the other four embedded themselves into the creatures back. From the other side of the clearing carrying a bow walked an elegantly dressed gentleman with light colored grey-blue hair. One of the creatures saw him and tried to hit him with its arm but he avoided the attack with ease before countering with an arrow through the creature's chest.
"Please my dear Sully. Bravado is one thing but life is too fleeting for recklessness. Leave war to the warriors and marry me. The only battle one such as yourself should be waging is the battle for love." The man told the woman.
"Ha, marry you? The must be a joke with my boot in your face as the punchline, Virion." Sully called back as she maneuvered her horse through a throng of enemies.
"I'm not some weak-willed woman. I'm a warrior and proud member of the Shepherds!" Sully exclaimed as her lance perforated the chest cavity her target.
"A warrior indeed madam with such a fine shaped figure, no less." Virion commented as he began to fire more arrows into the horde of foes.
Out of the corner of her eye Sully saw Chrom and the others approaching and smiled brightly. "Captain Chrom, you're safe!" she exclaimed.
"Sully, it is good to see you alive and well." Chrom called back while immediately jumping into the fray. He cut through one of the creatures which resembled grotesque humans. Their skin ranged from shades of mud brown to puke green. All of them wore different styles of armor or just scraps of it. Beside him Azura felled two foes with a single thrust.
"Their numbers seem to be endless. As long as that tear is open they will keep coming through." Azura noted as the rest of their group engaged the enemy.
Chrom surveyed the area and saw two more figures fighting deep within the heart of the horde. They were completely outnumbered but it didn't deter them as they slowly made their way to the north-eastern section of the forest. Chrom followed their intended path and saw one of the Risen, as that was what he intended to call these undead monstrosities glowing. This one was slightly bigger and more muscular than the others.
"That one to the far side of the forest is different." Chrom stated pointing in the direction of the creature with his sword. Sully, Virion, and Azura all caught sight of the Risen and nodded.
"Robin, we have picked out a possible source for the portal being maintained!" Chrom yelled over the carnage of battle. He was attacked from behind but Azura stepped in, deflecting the blow with ease.
Robin was in her element but still heard Chrom's announcement. The flow of combat and routes opened to them flooded the young woman's mind. She knew the enemy forces outnumbered them. But their numbers advantage would mean little in the open area of the forest. Robin's initial priority was to take rescue the two figures fighting in the middle but with the source of reinforcements located she had to switch up her stratagem. Rescuing those two was still important but she knew she had to be practical on whom to send.
Frederick and the woman on the horse seem to be the logical choices because of their mobility but the forest is a bit denser where those two are fighting and might make it difficult for the horses to pass. I need some type of supporting team. Robin concluded as she searched the field for the perfect units to help her. First her eyes landed on an archer who was currently in the thick of combat using his arrows as melee stabbing implements whenever someone got too close to be shot.
"ARCHER, MAKE YOUR WAY TO ME!" Robin yelled at the top of her voice before sending magical blast into a group of enemies to clear the way for the man.
Virion heard a voice call out to him and when a large chunk of enemies suddenly dropped to his right the man could see a beautiful woman waving him over. The woman spoke with another female, this one much younger-looking than she as Virion approached. The young girl who curiously wore a bonnet ran off towards Chrom and the others when Virion arrived.
"Hi I'm Robin and I need you to listen to me." The woman introduced quickly. "We need to rescue those two in the center. Our best bet is with the lady horse rider and Frederick but the density of foliage increases further in and will slow their movements. So you and I along with Felicia will provide them with cover fire." She explained just as Felicia made her way to them.
"Lady Robin, Corrin said you needed me." Felicia stated before throwing a fistful of knives into a crowd of risen.
"Yes I do." Robin stated with a nod. "I've given Lilith instructions on what I need everyone to do. Our job," Robin pointed to herself, Virion and Felicia at this. "is to provide cover for Frederick and-"
"Sully, her name is Sully." Virion interrupted as he noticed said woman beginning to make her way towards the center throng from the south while Frederick moved in from the west.
"We will be stationed southwest of the horde while Chrom and Azura move in from the southeast and make their way to the glowing target. That is our probably source of the portal being held open. Corrin and Lissa will be sneaking alongside the outer northern edge to assist. Once the targets are rescued we will move in and support Frederick and Sully in their escape to the north." Robin finished looking to her compatriots.
Virion and Felicia nodded in understanding before the trio went to work. Robin began to fire off magical shots to take out the first wave of foes. Virion's bow allowed for more versatile attacking patterns as he shot arrows further into the ranks arching them overhead. Felicia was in a similar situation as Robin in that her knives were most effective against targets she hit directly. The trio of ranged fighters kept up their assault while Frederick and Sully slowly closed the distance on their objective.
Sully was having the time of her life. Despite the life-threatening situation she found herself in she was excited to fight a new foe and these creatures provided her with more than a modicum of difficulty. While they may have been shaped like humans and even had some of the same weak points, these creatures were extremely durable. The only guaranteed kill from one blow was a blow to the head that destroyed the brain. Otherwise they would take a lot of abuse before falling.
Sully twirled her lance from side to side like a windmill. The attack either removed an enemies head or crippled them. As she closed in on the center things got more difficult however. The brambles and buses were thicker and forced her horse, who couldn't build up the momentum to leap due to the surrounding creatures, off to the side.
Sully saw that she wasn't in danger of being overwhelmed however as the enemy were being picked off from a distance by Virion and two other women. From what the little girl, Lilith, had told her the woman casting magic was a brilliant tactician and the one dressed as a maid was skillful in combat even if she wasn't much so at domestic skills. Chrom had told her to follow the orders given and so she did, trusting in Chrom as he did the tactician. The results were speaking for themselves however as Sully met up with Frederick.
"So this is exciting, yea?" Sully asked with a smirk as the two of them began to inch closer towards their objective together.
"Exciting, this is dreadful. These unruly creatures are placing Chrom's life in danger." Frederick commented causing Sully to shake her head.
"I'm guessing you approve of this tactician if you're following her orders." Sully mentioned before stabbing her lance into a risen's skull.
"Robin has proved herself capable when it comes to strategy and so I trust in her ability to lead us to victory. As for her stature of character, that remains to be scene." Frederick replied.
The two horse mounted riders eventually made it through to the other combatants. Since they were closer they could make out the features of the two individuals. One was wielding a familiar looking sword with grace and finesse while avoiding attacks made against them. The other wielded a magnificent looking spear, dancing around their foes with light steps. Both of them had blue hair styled in a short manor but the sword-wielding combatant's hair was roughly four shades darker than their partners.
Sully and Frederick could also make out the fact that the two of them wore identical masks. Their fighting style was eerily familiar but Sully put it out her mind to focus on saving them. The duo saw Frederick and Sully approaching and looked to one another before making their way towards their saviors. While getting to this spot may have been tough because of the foliage, once they had arrived Sully and Frederick had a much easier time maneuvering.
It helped that the area had a less concentration of enemies. Their horses were just a notch under full gallop as they approached their objectives. When the two unknown warriors saw that Frederick or Sully weren't slowing down, they adjusted their approached to them accordingly and sheathed their weapons. Running alongside the horses for a couple of seconds the two of them were helped up by the respective riders with Sully taking the spear-wielder and Frederick the swordsman. With their charges in tow both mounted combatants began to head north towards the rendezvous spot.
In the distance Chrom, alongside Azura and Lilith watched as their companions successfully achieved the secondary objective. Chrom smirked and swung his sword diagonally. Compared to what Frederick and Sully had done, he considered the objective Robin had given him to be the easier of the two. Azura, Lilith and he were cutting through risen like a hot knife through butter. After Sully explained the best way to kill these monstrosities, Chrom made sure that each blow was fatal.
He had beheaded or bisected dozens of foes already but still had a ways to go to get to the chief. The creature in question had noticed him and the others only moments before and was making its way towards them. The smaller risen gave it a wide berth as it walked or were simply knocked out the way. Azura rushed ahead and swept out with her spear, beheading three risen with the blade end of her weapon while the shaft broke the necks of two more. Lilith followed up off Azura's attack by stabbing her sword through the stunned risen's necks.
Chrom was impressed with the teamwork everyone seemed to be showing. They hadn't been together more than forty-eight hours and yet with Robin's guidance they were functioning like a well-oiled machine. While he was sure that his Shepherds had acceptable team work with one another they were now joined by a completely new set of people. Robin hadn't really known any of their strengths and weaknesses but was making decision off what she could infer. The tactician's intuition for combat was impressive and slightly frightening.
Chrom cut down another risen just as the chief made it within a couple of yards of Azura, Lilith and himself. Releasing a gurgling roar the glowing risen raised its arms in a show of aggression. In one hand it carried a cleaver while in the other was an axe with a jagged edge. Rushing towards the group with a killing intent the risen chief swung at Azura and Chrom but they were able to easily dodge the attacks. Rather than slow its momentum however the creature continued running before lowering its shoulder.
Lilith whose back was turned as she dealt with other risen was unprepared when the large mass of muscle struck her. The tiny dragon-girl was sent flying several feet into the air before crash-landing face first into the ground. The chief tried to turn around and finish the job but was immediately set upon by Chrom who attacked with a flurry of blows first by stabbing him in the chest twice. The young prince followed the stabs with two crossing diagonal strikes making a bloody "X" shape on the monster's chest.
Chrom prepared another strike but at this opening the chief reacted. He swung both his weapon down on Chrom. A loud clang of metal crashing against metal deafened the area for a couple of seconds as Azura blocked the attack. Chrom acted off Azura's supportive motion by knocking the weapons of their foe to the side, creating an opening which the songstress exploited. Azura quickly impaled the risen in the chest where its heart was located. The risen chief paused for a second, looked down at Azura and then backhanded her across the face before grabbing Chrom by the throat and lifting him into the air.
"Kill…Prince…" The chief gurgled as his grip tightened around Chrom's throat.
Chrom struggled to the free himself from the monstrous grip of the chief but failed. As his body became further deprived of oxygen Chrom felt his vision began to darken.
"This ends now!" Corrin exclaimed as he brought his sword down in a massive arc. The Vallian prince had leapt off a nearby tree and used the extra momentum from the fall to increase the power of his attack. The slash cut clean through the risen chief's arm right below the elbow. Chrom was dropped to the ground, coughing violently while Corrin faced off against the now one-armed risen. Swinging it's cleaver at Corrin's head the chief attacked as if it didn't even feel the missing limb.
Corrin blocked the blow and countered by swinging his sword at the creature's neck hoping to behead it. The risen surprised Corrin when it unexpectedly bit down on the edge of the weapon, holding it in place. The shock of having his sword bitten and stopped left Corrin wide open as the chief kicked him in the chest and sent the young man flying backwards. Corrin was up in seconds however and engaged his target in a sword clash.
The cleaver was thicker and heavier than the Yato allowing the risen chief to press down on Corrin with ease. Clenching his teeth Corrin summoned his draconic strength to assist him as wings burst from his back, his head transformed into helmet-like shape reminiscent of his dragon form, and his hands up to his forearms became armored in his draconic scales. Roaring loudly Corrin pushed the larger creature back and followed up his attack with a multitude of slashes across its body.
Spinning into the creature's personal space Corrin transformed his arm into a spear and impaled the chief on it while also stabbing his Yato into the monsters neck. Before he could follow through with the beheading though the risen chief lifted Corrin into the air by holding his normal arm after which he began to twirl Corrin about and slam him into the ground.
"Corrin!" Azura cried out as she made her way back into the fray. With a mighty heave she launched her spear.
The projectile flew true and impaled the chief in the eye causing it to drop to its knees and release Corrin. The risen chief looked up and saw Corrin standing above him with Chrom and Azura by his side.
"Kill…" The chief gurgled as it tried to raise its arm.
Chrom sliced the limb off at the shoulder before Corrin finished the risen off by beheading it. As soon as it was dead the glow faded from the risen and the portal overhead began to close. The numerous risen that had come though already immediately scattered when they saw their chief fall, running off in various directions.
"We should go after them." Chrom stated but was held in place by Azura.
"I know how you must be feeling Chrom. Monsters have invaded your land and you don't wish to see anyone hurt but for now there are just too many of them for us to fight. Besides we have to make sure everyone is alright here." Azura said resting her head against Chrom's arm.
Chrom looked over Azura and Corrin noting the damage they had taken before turning his attention to Lilith. The young girl was currently being treated by Lissa. The girl in question looked up from her work with a depressed expression on her face.
"Lilith is really hurt you guys. I healed her as best as I could but we should really get her back to Ylisstol as quickly as possible so that the temple can perform full healing on her." Lissa explained as the gathered around her.
Corrin nodded and lifted his unconscious older sister into his arms before walking towards the predetermined meeting area. Chrom, Azura, and Lissa followed after the young prince in silence. As they walked Chrom felt Azura slip her hand into his. Turning to the young woman Chrom noticed the light shade of red on her cheeks and decided to remain silent.
In a matter of minutes the entire group had reconvened together back at the camp. Virion stood with his back against a nearby tree, arms crossed with a cocky smile plastered to his face. Felicia was attending to the newcomers with tea while Robin sat across from the two strangers merely staring at them. In the distance Frederick and Sully could be seen attending to their horses. When Corrin arrived with the rest of the group, the first thing he did was bring Lilith to her tent and order Felicia to treat her as best as she could.
Chrom and Azura situated themselves near Robin. When Corrin returned he went over towards Virion and adopted the man's stance of leaning against the tree with his arms crossed. Sully and Frederick made their way back over to the group and once they were sitting by the bonfire did someone finally speak.
"Thank you for your assistance." The masked swordsman spoke.
"Who are you two and from which outrealm have you traveled?" Chrom asked causing the two masked strangers to look at one another.
"Where we have come from is unimportant. I am Marth and this is Caeda." The spearman introduced pointing to himself and then his partner.
"Marth and Caeda, like the Hero-King of legend and his wife?" Lissa asked looking between the two strangers. "Are you two married?"
Lissa's question was innocent and warranted considering how the strangers introduced themselves but their reaction to her inquiry was quite a shock as they both jumped away from one another.
"Of course we aren't" they cried out at the same time.
"They're twins." Robin noted.
Everyone looked to the tactician with surprise causing the woman to sigh.
"Take a look at them and you'll see the similarities. Hair-color, height, voices, and even the clothes they wear." Robin explained. "Not to mention their reaction when you asked them about being a couple.
"You are correct in your statement that we are siblings." Caeda stated.
"As I've said before we can't tell you where we are from but know that we have come to save this world. It is in greater danger than you could imagine." Marth stated as he adjusted the spear strapped to his back.
"If the world is in danger than you should join us." Chrom stated spreading his arms in a gesture of peace.
"Unfortunately our mission to save the world must be done alone by the two of us." Caeda stated turning to the side.
"Wait, won't you reconsider our offer?" Corrin spoke up hoping to change their minds.
"No, we won't." Marth spoke bowing slightly to the other as he stood. "Caeda, let's go. We have work to do"
Caeda stood with their sibling and together the two masked warriors walked off into the distance. Robin stood and watched their retreating forms with a smile.
"Don't fret everyone, I have a feeling that we will be seeing them again." The tactician spoke.
"We'll have to report all of this to Emmeryn when we get to the capitol." Chrom told everyone as they sat around the bonfire.
"These tears in the outrealm, Grima, and the warning from those two are all too much to be a coincidence. Somebody is pulling the strings here and we have to find out whom, before it is too late." Frederick stated.
"Could it be that Anakros person from Corrin and Azura's world?" Robin asked.
"What do you mean? Lilith said that she couldn't feel the presence of the Silent Dragon void here." Azura replied.
"True but think about it from a broader perspective. When Corrin first came here he said Grima mistook as another dragon, most likely Anakros since you know they're directly related. What if Anakros forced you all to come here so that he could complete his plans in your world." Robin explained.
"If that is the case then we have to make it back home as soon as possible!" Corrin cried out, following Robin's rationale.
"First things first, and that is arming ourselves with knowledge of the outrealms. We don't know enough about them to get you back home safely." Robin countered
"Ylisstol has the largest library on the continent. When we arrive there tomorrow, I'll assign some of the other Shepherds to assist you with the task of researching a way back home." Chrom reassured his fellow prince.
Corrin nodded in understanding before sighing loudly. "It seems as though every time we find out more regarding the enemy there is another wall set in front of us preventing us from acting."
Robin walked over to Corrin and hugged the young man warmly. "Don't worry Corrin; you are not alone in this. You have friends by your side to help you along the way and soon you'll have your Nohrian and Hoshidan siblings as well." Robin said speaking with a relaxing tone. Corrin returned her embrace in silence as the bonfire crackled.
"With that settled I think it prudent we try to get as much rest as we can. We've got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow and I'd like to see my sister as soon as possible." Chrom stated before dismissing everyone to tents.
With the addition of Sully and Virion things would be a bit tight. Lilith who originally shared a tent with Robin now had Corrin inside with them. The young man felt it was his duty to oversee his sister's recovery. Azura, Chrom, and Lissa shared a tent together mostly because Lissa refused to sleep anywhere else. This left Felicia, Frederick, Virion, and Sully together in the last tent. As the laid down on their bedrolls each of them had a different thought regarding recent events.
Who is pulling the strings behind this chaos?
Will we have to go to war with someone?
Why must we fight a stranger's war?
Is it really ok for me to feel this way?
How long can I keep up this façade?
What is it the enemy truly seeks?
Will I be able to stop him when the time comes?
Will I be strong enough to show them my worth?
How can we attain peace when the world itself wants destruction?
Is it my fate to forever be a puppet?