AN: Apologies for the delay. I needed to take a break and work on some other things, but hopefully now I can get a good pace going again. Enjoy.

Chapter Eleven: Voice of the Divine

Up close, the Mila Tree was a colossal edifice that dwarfed anything I had imagined. The sheer height of it put even the tallest mountains to shame. Such a tree would be impossible if not for the touch of Naga. I felt a deep sense of awe, staring at the enormous creation. It reminded me of the gigantic skeleton in Plegia; but while that was an inimical reminder of death, this was a prospering icon of life.

The tree's roots formed a complicated series of walkways leading up to the base. According to Say'ri, a staircase had been constructed there that would take us up to the branches where the Voice's shrine was located. The Valmese force was deployed right in front of it.

We left Flavia and Basilio in charge of the majority of the army while the Shepherds led the assault. Only a small number of us would be going up the tree once the battle was over, while the rest would remain on guard in case the Valmese army approached. Destin split us into the usual color groups and ordered us to advance up different sets of roots to contain the enemy. He also cautioned us not to get split up. With that said, we began the attack.

The Valmese didn't seem eager to come out and fight. Although they were on the defensive, they didn't have a strong position to hold. Perhaps they were trying to lure us in and then strike with the Pegasus Knights we'd caught sight of earlier. They had to know that they couldn't hold us for long with the forces they had.

Green group, which I was part of, quickly pushed up the right side and made contact with the enemy. The terrain forced the enemy into close quarters combat with smaller numbers than a conventional battle. These were only regular imperial soldiers, and against elites like the Shepherds they didn't have a chance. We broke the first Valmese line without much trouble and made our way further up the roots.

I was mindful of our surroundings, expecting some kind of ambush to occur. As we came closer to the Mila Tree we entered the dome of its immense canopy, which nearly blocked out the sun entirely. It felt as though we were in a dense forest, even if it was only one tree. Each comparatively tiny branch and offshoot was as large as a normal tree. There was a surreal quality to the air, a tranquility that I'd only ever felt before at Mount Prism. This was the blessing of Naga.

A second line of Valmese soldiers blocked our path. I led the charge, my superior agility and sword skill allowing me to swiftly break through them and create an opening for the others. In mere moments we had overwhelmed that position as well. For a moment I was impressed by our speed, and I thought we might have to stay put to avoid outstripping the other teams.

Then I stopped to look at the center and realized that the Blue group had pushed just as far as we had. My father and Destin were both at the front, striding forwards to meet a countercharge of Valmese troops. Three were brought down by lightning bolts flying from Destin's hands before they managed to close the gap, but Chrom was ready. A powerful slash from Falchion killed another and forced the others back, only for a fifth to fall to Destin's magic. The remainder tried to rush the tactician, only for him to casually sidestep and place himself behind Chrom. Their attempts to get past him were unsuccessful, but their retreat only brought Destin out from the other side to drop the last few with more lightning bolts.

It was amazing, I thought, how well they worked together. There was no need for orders or words when the other person understood you so well that they could predict what you'd do before you did it. Chrom was sheer power while Destin was pinpoint accuracy, yet their styles blended seamlessly into a greater whole. The enemy could rain down on them all day and they'd never manage to get past those two.

I wondered if I would ever be able to do the same thing. Of course I'd fought alongside others, even close comrades, but that was magnitudes different than what I'd just witnessed. It would be wonderful to have someone who understood you that well, someone you could trust unconditionally. But regardless of the bonds I had with my friends and family, I didn't really have anyone like that. For some reason the closest person I could think of was Destin, but even then…

Why would I think that? I had only known him for a week or two, and not very well at that. Why would I trust him more than people I'd spent years fighting for survival with? Maybe because I'd seen something in him. That was why I had specifically talked to him about the world I'd come from, and why it was his help that I wanted more than any other when it came to preventing that world. Still, it was a strange thought to be having.

"Lucina! Come on!" Cordelia called.

I blinked twice. I'd gotten so caught up musing that I'd missed my own group advancing. I blushed crimson and hurried back to the front. There were only a few Valmese stragglers to take care of before we hit another line. The imperials seemed better prepared this time, and their ranks were drawn in tighter around where I assumed their commander would be.

We might have been able to break through with a concerted push, but we still had Destin's orders to carry out. He'd ensured that every member of the Shepherds knew and understood his strategy before we'd begun our assault, just so there'd be no miscommunications. Based on the enemy's numbers and the Pegasus Knights we'd seen, Destin had surmised that they were trying to ambush us. But the Valmese commander's plan hadn't just relied on the fliers…

"Here they come," Ricken said, peering back down the slope of the roots we'd climbed. "Just as Destin predicted."

Sure enough, several squads of Valmese soldiers were coming up behind us. I guessed they'd hidden themselves amongst the roots at the very base of the tree and waited for their chance to strike from behind. If we'd charged headlong into the final enemy line without stopping to survey the situation, things might have turned ugly. But while it wasn't a bad plan, against a tactician of Destin's skill it came apart easily.

All three of our groups wheeled around and began a charge back down towards the Valmese ambush troops. They froze in their tracks, caught off guard by our sudden reversal. They might have tried to retreat, but an entire battalion of troops from our main army had followed them up the roots and had set up a blocking position according to Destin's plan. There would be no escape for the would be ambushers.

I led the group as we smashed into the enemy soldiers that had been approaching from the rear. Two fell to my blade almost instantly, and the rest weren't long in following as the others swarmed them. The whole encounter was over in seconds.

It surprised me how little regret I felt cutting down the Valmese. I could remember a time when I hadn't been sure I'd ever get used to killing other humans. How many times had I heard the phrase 'it gets easier' from veteran soldiers? I guess it was proving true. I'm not sure I liked that fact.

In my time, human life was a precious thing. That it was so disregarded here as to be thrown away like trash still offended me, though I would still take those lives. They stood in the way of the world's salvation. As I'd told Destin, I had no choice but to succeed. So I killed, and tried not to think about it.

It seemed as though the Valmese soldiers we'd faced here were the dregs of their military. The invading army we'd faced at sea had been well trained and well equipped, and I couldn't judge the troops that had defended Valm Harbor since I'd sat that battle out. But first the outer defensive lines and now these ambush troops had been rather subpar. Somehow I'd expected more from a conquering empire. I supposed that this force had only been deployed to block the rebel elements, so they hadn't needed any elites. But against us… well, that wasn't enough.

Perhaps it was a side effect of forced conscription. Many of the recruits probably weren't too happy with their lot. They weren't determined or particularly motivated, and they certainly didn't have the experience of a real fighting unit. And here they were, forced into a battle in which they had no stake.

The Pegasus Knights tried their luck just as we were finishing with the ambush troops, but they didn't fare any better. Our archers and wind mages had been held back to deal with them when they appeared, and their mounts were simply too vulnerable to such attacks to last long. With both parts of the enemy's plan taken down, all that remained was to finish the commander and break through to the shrine.

We took our time, regrouping in front and pausing to check equipment and heal minor injuries before renewing the assault. My group pushed on the right side, swiftly eliminating the enemy troops there and flanking the central Valmese force. We charged inward at the same time as Red group did from the other side, falling on the enemy with great force.

Naturally, Chrom was engaging the Valmese commander. He was a large man clad in heavy crimson armor, and though his head was bald a thick mustache gave him a strange appearance. They appeared to be talking to each other between exchanges, but I was too far away to make out what they were saying.

Chrom managed to land several blows, but the man's armor was strong. My father hadn't managed to deal any significant damage with his strikes, which was more than a little surprising to me. I knew just how much force he put into his attacks. If he couldn't hurt his opponent, then…

Chrom leapt back just in time as a spiraling torrent of wind descended on the branch they had been dueling on. The powerful wind funnel seized the Valmese commander, armor and all, and flung him straight off. He gave a muffled shout as he plummeted from sight. I winced slightly. That was quite a fall, especially in heavy armor. I rather doubted we would be seeing the man again.

Destin dispersed the wind magic he'd just used and joined Chrom in moving towards the center of the tree. With the Valmese defeated, it was time for us to ascend the Mila Tree to awaken the Voice of Naga. Carved stairs wrapped around the trunk as far as the eye could see. It only then occurred to me that we were going to climb this tree that was taller than most mountains. Suddenly it didn't seem like such an easy prospect.

Surely we weren't going all the way to the top. The tree was gigantic – it would take us the rest of the day to get that far. The shrine would be high up, but it wasn't as though we were climbing up the side. The stairs would lead us there. It couldn't be too bad.

After half an hour of climbing stairs, I revised my previous opinion. Indeed, if I were to never see another set of stairs after today I don't think I'd miss them terribly. We probably would've lost a few members on the way up if not for Kellam bringing up the rear, gently pushing anyone who fell behind. Predictably, they never even realized he was there.

The sheer natural beauty of the Mila Tree nearly made up for it, though. The further we climbed the more surreal it felt. Many branches of the tree near us were covered in other plants that were growing right out of the bark. This place was an entire forest worth of life condensed into a single tree. I wish I had been able to see it in my own time, though I imagine Grima had probably burned it down like everything else. It would only offend him.

At length we arrived at our destination– it wasn't the top, but the stairs didn't go any further up. Here the branches were so dense that a small meadow had grown around the tiny shrine. The grass was so vibrant it practically glowed, and gorgeous clumps of flowers grew all about. For a moment I considered picking one to keep, but I stayed my hand. This was a sacred place, not some ordinary garden. They weren't for me.

Though the enormous branches of the Mila Tree continued far into the sky to form the crown, there were many gaps in the walls of bark around the meadow through which one could look out for miles. Many of the Shepherds ran to these openings to gaze out over the land in all directions, their exhaustion quite forgotten. It was the kind of view one could spend all day looking at and never tire of.

It was all so wondrous, but we had come here for a purpose. I joined Chrom, Destin, and Say'ri as they entered the shrine where the Voice was supposed to be sleeping. It was a small thing with barely enough room for all of us inside…

And there she was, sitting on the smooth floor in a meditative pose. Flowing green hair no human would ever possess and her sharply pointed ears told me this was who we had come for. She wore a tight red robe with a pink and white shawl arranged overtop. A gold ornament with a ruby inset into it adorned her hair.

I felt like there was something familiar about her. Perhaps, I thought, I had seen her while I was still young in my own time. Assuming that the Voice had joined my father then as well, she might well have come to Ylisstol before she'd died. But that was all it was – vague memories.

"Lady Tiki," Say'ri said solemnly, approaching her. "Prithee, answer."

For a moment there was no sign that her words had had any effect. Then the Voice suddenly yawned hugely and stretched out her arms. I suppose it would be difficult to wake up after a few centuries asleep. Despite that, within seconds she was regarding us neutrally, even if she still didn't seem fully awake. Her eyes narrowed when she looked at me.

"Marth?" She asked slowly. "Mar-Mar? Is that you?"

I admit I had absolutely no idea what to say. I may have used Marth's name and even dressed like him, but somehow I'd never imagined that I'd actually be mistaken for the Hero King by someone who'd been alive long enough to know him. Especially with my hair undone and without the mask. I could almost laugh, if I wasn't afraid of offending the Voice. Clearly she wasn't entirely lucid yet.

"My name is Lucina, milady," I said finally. "Though I did go by the name Marth for a time."

Chrom and Say'ri both looked a little surprised, but Destin seemed like he was seconds away from cracking up. I glanced at him sidelong and he quickly sobered.

"Ah, I'm sorry," Tiki said, stifling another yawn. "You reminded me of someone I knew. But… he's gone now." She hugged herself slightly. "You and your father are of the exalted bloodline, are you not?"

"Yes, milady," Chrom said.

"Do those of your blood still possess the Fire Emblem? It was to be passed down through your family…"

In response, Chrom lifted his left arm. The Emblem itself hung there, golden frame glistening. My father had kept it on his arm at all times since the Plegian War. He'd even taken to using it as a shield. There was no need to tell the Voice about that, though. Was there?

"It is a relief to know that it has not been lost," Tiki said, tracing an idle finger across the Emblem's surface. "But where are the Gemstones? Only Argent is here."

Four of the five sockets stood empty, while a brilliant white gem rested in the fifth. Argent had been kept along with the Emblem by the exalted bloodline. I knew of the Gemstones and their importance from my own world, in which I had feverishly researched the Awakening ritual with the intent of bringing back Naga. But without the Emblem, it had all come to naught.

I listened patiently as Tiki explained the history of the Gemstones and the need for all five of them to be mounted on the Emblem before the Awakening ritual could be performed. When she was finished, the Voice reached into her robe and pulled out a similarly dazzling blue gem.

"I have kept Azure here with me all this time," she said quietly. "In man's time of need, so shall it return." Then she pushed it into the waiting socket.

"The kingdom of Chon'sin had safeguarded Vert for generations," Say'ri announced. "But the Gemstone was given to Walhart as a concession so that he wouldn't bring his armies against the Dynasts. No doubt he still has it."

"That still leaves two," I said. "Milady, do you have any idea where the others might be?"

Tiki closed her eyes. "No, I'm afraid they are no longer known to me. They may have been lost during the Schism."

They couldn't have been lost entirely, or else the Awakening ritual that had brought Grima back in my world wouldn't have been possible. It could be that the Grimleal were in possession of one, but I rather hoped not. Things were going to be difficult enough without having to face them head on in order to perform the Awakening.

"Most of the nations that now exist were founded during that time," Chrom said. "Any one of them could be hiding a Gemstone. I wonder if Regna Ferox had one? I'll have to ask Basilio and Flavia later."

"It is imperative that you gather all five as quickly as possible in order to awaken Naga," Tiki said. "The world must be defended from the wrath of Grima."

"I thought you'd been asleep for centuries," Chrom said with a puzzled expression. "How could you know that? His power was supposed to have been sealed away, right?"

"Correct," the Voice replied. "But I have not been unaware all these years. Even in my slumber I could feel Grima's power rising. His life force grows stronger now, and the long shadow of despair along with it. His servants have come out from all corners of the world with the intention of returning the Fell Dragon to this world. They must be stopped at all costs. It is a heavy burden, but as always it must fall on those of the exalted bloodline."

"I know," Chrom said. "Thank you for your help, Lady Tiki. I promise you we will not fail."

The Voice looked at each of us in turn, but when her gaze alighted on Destin her eyes widened. With him staying out of the discussion, perhaps she hadn't had a close look at him until now. She raised a protective hand to her chest and whispered something that sounded like 'you'.

I watched with interest and a little trepidation. The Voice had seen something in Destin, and she seemed surprised and afraid of whatever it was. To produce that kind of reaction in the daughter of the Divine Dragon herself… just what was it that she saw?

For his part, Destin simply tilted his head and looked at her quizzically. Clearly he hadn't anticipated this reaction either. "Is something wrong, milady?" He asked after a long moment.

"You… have power like mine," Tiki murmured. Suddenly she seemed to remember that there were other people in the room. "Ah, forgive me. I'm still groggy, and my words outpace my thoughts."

"Are you alright, milady?" Say'ri asked.

"I'm fine, just tired," the Voice said, her tone reassuring. "But I haven't the strength to join you. Not yet. I will do my best to call the people together so that we can put an end to this conflict. Mankind has no time to be fighting amongst themselves while the Fell Dragon is stirring."

We left then, gathering up the Shepherds for the trip back down. Many groaned about the idea of confronting the stairs again, but they fell in line quickly enough. A few talked excitedly about things they'd seen from the top of the Mila Tree. As always, most were content to leave the weighty matters to their trusted leaders.

My thoughts were elsewhere, dwelling on Lady Tiki's words. 'You have power like mine' was what she had said to Destin. But he couldn't be a Voice of Naga as well, could he? I could practically feel the touch of the Divine Dragon on Lady Tiki, but I had never sensed anything of the sort around Destin. What else could she have meant?

There was only one other being that needed a Voice, and that… simply wasn't possible. No, I'd already dismissed the idea that Destin was secretly working for the enemy. His words, his expressions, his actions – they weren't false.

Which left… what, exactly? I shivered slightly as my gaze settled on the tactician's form walking at the front of the group, hands in the pockets of his coat and a far off expression on his face. I wanted to trust him so badly, but I also wanted to know the truth. And if I had to make a decision, I honestly don't know which I would choose.