Chrom took a moment to study his opponent as he began to draw Falchion, as he did his eyes widened "There's no way…" his opponent stood there with an identical Falchion in hand and as he took up his usual stance his opponent took the same one, they both struck at each other their falchions constantly blocking each other however at the end of each exchange 'Marth' seemed to be gaining a small bit of ground, Chrom grit his teeth and lunged forward trying to throw his opponent off however his opponent seemed to have the same idea their blades barely grazed each other "Tell me…." as Chrom spoke 'Marth' watched him carefully as he did he noticed that Chrom moving carefully before leaping up and delivering a spinning downwards slash in an attempt to end it, however 'Marth' caught the strike with practiced precision "Who taught you to fight like that?" Chrom pushed hard against his opponent but couldn't quite overpower him "My Father!" as 'Marth' responded he pushed Chrom back and in that moment he leapt up delivering a similar downward slash only to have it blocked by a golden sword.

'Marth's' eyes widened as 'his' Falchion met the edge of Yato, time almost seemed to stop as the two divine blades met in earnest, 'Marth' did 'his' best to disengage and stand ready to face 'his' new opponent as he did Chrom looked over to his defender "Corrin!?" he seemed surprised at the speed Corrin had arrived at.

"You okay Chrom?" Corrin focused on her opponent.

"Yeah thanks for the save" As he spoke Chrom readied himself.

"I know you started this but allow me to fight this enemy, it's clear that he knows every move you're going to make somehow so allow me" Corrin flourished Yato and stared into 'Marths' mask.

Chrom begrudgingly nodded at Corrin's logic "Just be careful" he gave her a serious look, both of them knew that if Corrin took a hit from Falchion it could prove dangerous due to her draconic nature however Chrom could tell just by looking at Corrin's determined appearance that he would not be able to talk her out of this with that last look he went to assist the Shepherds with their skirmishes leaving 'Marth' and Corrin alone.

"Answer me this 'Marth', why are you holding back?" Corrin relaxed her stance and carefully watched her opponents from, looking for the slightest break in 'his' exterior, it was a trick that both her older brothers and Camilla had used on her when they had been sparring, although with Camilla it was just her way.

'Marth'… froze 'his' body tensing she had seen right through 'him' it was 'his' mother after all but… Had 'he' really been that oblivious? Mother… how is it you have always been able to see through me… even when something was bothering me you just knew… but I can't hold back against you! "I wasn't holding back I was simply testing him… Now I guess it's your turn, do not expect any mercy" 'Marth' mentally sighed 'he' knew 'he' had almost given in and told her everything but this was 'his' chance to face her, she had never wielded a sword after… well… after certain events so this was 'his' chance to face.

'Marth' assumed the stance 'he' shared with Chrom as 'he' did Corrin took her own ready stance the Yato held gracefully at her side her left hand poised in front of her stomach, sharing one final glance the two of them rushed forwards 'Marth' thrust Falchion towards Corrin looking to end the fight in one well-placed strike however Corrin moved her left arm forwards as she did it became a long bladed appendage which she stuck into the ground and used to vault towards 'Marth' whose eyes widened as 'his' face connected with Corrin's foot before 'he' stumbled back quickly grabbing at 'his' now cracked mask 'his' eyes were wide if the mask fell away things would be hard to explain and 'he' didn't quite have the words to explain it yet it didn't help that the Dragonstone around 'his' neck felt warm against 'his' chest it was resonating with Corrin's this needed to end.

Corrin was thinking the same thing as her Dragonstone began to feel like a hot coal against her chest with a low growl she pointed the Yato at 'Marth' as she did it gained a silver aura "I make my own fate! And I refuse to let my path end here!" 'Marth's' eyes widened 'his' mother had stated 'his' exact beliefs and was about to use an ability that 'he' had heard stories about 'he' quickly braced 'himself' as her Yato became a blur and even as 'he' blocked the viscous combination of strikes it felt as though the Yato was still striking 'his' body with as this assault came to an end Corrin's eyes narrowed "This ends now!" the fifth and final strike came in the form of an upward slash that normally 'Marth' would have endured but throughout the two one on one conflicts 'he' had been in Falchion was beginning to burn so 'he' was thankful as it was knocked from his hand, he quickly raised 'his' hands in surrender keeping 'his' dominant hand clenched in a fist while trying not to tremble due to the pain "I yield… Your… Impressive and surprising..."

The rest of the skirmishes that had broken off were coming to an end thanks to Chrom and Robin teaming up with each shepherd making it a four against two situation in most cases, as the last of the Feroxi surrendered Corrin looked at 'Marth' "Let me see your hand"

'Marth's' eyes widened "I…I'll be fine"

"No, clearly you're not…" Corrin sighed and stepped closer 'Marth' felt his face heat up 'he' knew his mother was attractive but being this close to her really allowed 'him' to see what 'his' father saw in her "I know when someone is shouldering the weight of the world and I know the price of doing that for too long… don't make the same mistakes I did, now let me see your hand"

'Marth' could feel 'his' mask beginning to slip 'he' so desperately wanted to tell her everything and wrap her arms around her mother while just letting her mother tell her everything was going to be fine however she begrudgingly showed her mother her hand as she did she could feel her mother's disappointment in her.

"What happened?" Corrin looked over 'Marth's' hand the glove he wore had been burned through somehow the hand beneath was red and looked like it had been held in a fire, as she a waited a response she began applying healing magic.

'Marth' thought for a moment before speaking "That sword I wield… it slays dragons…" 'He' lowered 'his' voice "I… have draconic blood courtesy of my mother… I don't hate her for it in fact despite the hardships it gives me I love it… it's a little part of her that I carry with me" She had wanted to tell her mother this for years but due to the her mother disappearing she hadn't got she chance.

"I see… Your mother left you some troubles but you don't hold them against her… that's a mature outlook to have however, don't go growing up too fast I'm sure she wants more time with her child…" Corrin took some cloth from her cloak and wrapped it around 'Marth's' hand as she did she thought back to all the children that has fought alongside her and her army in the fight against Anankos as well as the things she had learned from Odin, Laslow and Selena when they had been drinking after the war and in this moment she felt responsible for this young swordsman it was something she couldn't explain.

As the two of them stood there they tried to ignore their burning Dragonstones, both of them were thankful when Chrom approached "Marth, Corrin you two seem to be getting along" He couldn't explain why but he felt a pang of jealousy looking at Corrin binding the younger swordsman's hand "Marth would you mind answering a question"

The young swordsman seemed to shut down any opening Corrin had made in 'his' defences "…"

"I'll take that as you don't mind" Chrom felt uneasy with his silence but pushed on "Who is your father?"

'Marth' sighed "I fear I've said enough for one day, sir." It pained 'him' to hold back but if 'he' revealed too much it would cause chaos.

"I see..." Chrom looked deep in thought as 'Marth' left.

Once 'He' was out of eye sight 'Marth' removed her cracked mask letting her blue and silver her flow, after a minute of silence her tears fell freely her mother loved her without knowing and her father despite his cluelessness was as skilled and obliviously smitten with her mother as the stories had said she was, she laughed a little he had seemed jealous when her mother had wrapped her hand up, despite the fact that Falchion hurt to wield if she used it for too long it was her burden and as she replaced her mask and fixed her hair she made her way out of the arena heading for her next destination.

Once 'Marth' had left Flavia entered the arena "Well fought! You have my respect. And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance. I will provide Ylisse with the soldiers she needs." She seemed quite happy which was to be expected.

"Truly? Thank you, East-Khan." Chrom bowed his head slightly to show respect for the gesture.

"I should thank you! It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!" Flavia smiled "And you shall attend as guests of honour before you return to Ylisse!"

Chrom looked to Corrin who shrugged why they couldn't rush back to Ylisse tonight that didn't mean that Chrom wasn't concerned the longer he left Emmeryn the more anxious he became especially with the risen and the Plegians looking to attack the Halidom.

As the ruling Khan left a deep voice boomed "Bah! Any excuse for a party and Flavia jumps on it..." the group looked over and saw a large, bald, dark skinned man walking towards them, he looked disappointed but not in an angry way in fact he looked eager.

"I'm sorry, have we met?" Chrom asked the newcomer carefully after all he was sure this man could split him in half with a single swing.

"I'm Basilio the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power! You're handy with a sword, boy. I thought for sure I'd picked the stronger man." The West-Khan smiled as if sensing how uneasy he had made Chrom.

"What do you know about him?" Chrom homed in on the opening to get more information about the mysterious swordsman they had crossed paths with.

"You mean that "Marth"? Bah! He's just some sellsword with delusions of grandeur. All I know is that he turned up one eve and knocked my old champion flat. It was love at first sight, and I'm generally too old for such things! Baha! Anyway, he's gone now. Up and fled the moment the tournament ended." Basilio smiled as he spoke for someone who had lost a tournament he seemed pretty jovial.

"He's so dark and mysterious..." As Lissa sighed at the end of that sentence Corrin chuckled while Chrom's big brother alarms were going off.

"Sounds like Marth's got at least one fan..." Corrin couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire of Chrom's protective nature.

"Well, I mean, c'mon... He IS sort of dreamy, isn't he?" Lissa eyed Corrin as she spoke and smiled as she watched the dragon turn a light shade of pink.

"And YOU'RE sort of dreaming!" Chrom glared at Lissa in a warning manner.

"Yowch! Lighten up, Big Brother. I was just kidding." Lissa decided that maybe this joke wasn't worth pursuing.

"Milord? Milady? If this fascinating discussion is over, we'd best return to the quarters that Khan Flavia has offered us and prepare for this celebration judging by the time it shan't be long until the festivities begin in earnest judging by what Khan Basilio has said" Fredrick intervened much to Lissa's joy.

"Right as always Frederick." Chrom sighed heavily; he knew Emmeryn would encourage them to celebrate as it would be rude to turn the invitation down.

"Hold, boy. Before you go, I have a little present for you." Basilio gestured as he spoke and a man entered he had messy brown hair and sharp features, he wore a calf length blue coat with a high leather collar and thick fur at the end of his bicep length sleeves, his forearms were covered with elbow length leather gauntlets that were fur lined around his waist was a red leather belt seemingly wrapped around his waist twice it was held in place with an intricate buckle to complete this ensemble he carried a killing edge and wore white trousers with a pair of fur lined boots.

"..." the man simply stared at the group.

"This is Lon'qu, my former champion. Not much for talking, mind you, but he's peerless with a sword. As good as Marth, in my mind. To be honest, I can't figure out how Marth bested him so quickly." Basilio looked at Lon'qu as he spoke with his hand upon his chin in thought.

"Marth beat him? But he looks so big and strong..." Lissa spoke dreamily as she approached the stoic swordsman.

"Away, woman!" Lon'qu leapt back surprisingly fast placing Basilio between himself and Lissa.

"Hey! Wh-what did I say?!" Lissa looked surprised and slightly hurt at the swordsman's reaction to her.

"Ba ha ha! Let's just say that ladies tend to put Lon'qu on edge. Nonetheless, he is capable. Perhaps he even has the makings of a khan. Consider him West Ferox's contribution to the Ylissean cause." Basilio looked at Lissa with a broad smile.

"You're certain about this?" Chrom looked at Lon'qu wearily.

"Yes, yes. He's your man now." Basilio seemed almost dismissive as he spoke clearly not wanting to stay on this topic.

"And Lon'qu? You have no objections?" Chrom wanted to make sure this was voluntary and that this swordsman wasn't being forced.

"He gives orders. I stab people. I think our roles are clear." Lon'qu stared at Chrom as he spoke not even smiling as he made such a statement.

"..All right then. Welcome aboard." Chrom nodded a little uncertainly towards their new ally before heading to prepare for the party.

A/N: Sorry for the long delay December was pretty busy for me I hope this long chapter makes up for it I'll make sure to get back on track as soon as! Also Happy New year Guys thanks for sticking with me ^_^ – R.J