Warning
This chapter may trigger some. Implied manipulation at the end of the chapter. A * will be placed if you wish to skip it. You have been warned.
Chapter 10
A Step in a Better Direction
"To the Shepherds!"
"TO THE SHEPHERDS!"
Mugs clanked with Ylissean and Feroxian alike, ale spilling as soldiers, stewards, and even maids joined in on the festivities. A long table toppling with food from around the continent was enjoyed by all; no manners to be found as everyone danced and cheered along to the music playing in the background of the Arena (cause what better place to have a feast than the middle of an arena where men and women bled not too long ago).
The Shepherds did not waste the celebration in their name.
Lissa danced in sync with the aggressive rhythms produced by the Feroxian musicians with Frederick accompanying her as her 'unwilling' dance partner. Vaike was currently arm wrestling another Feroxian, Sully and others egging the duo on. Stahl indulged himself with food aplenty next to a suit of armor while Virion tested his charms on the only two redheads in the Shepherds on the sidelines.
Even the Exalt was not beyond the Feroxian's hospitality.
Sitting next to the newly instated Khan of Regna Ferox with Phila hovering over them with features closely mirroring panic, Emmeryn found herself with an arm draped over her shoulder and a mug of ale in her hands. Flavia was, in fact, a Khan of her word. Emmeryn hoped one drink would be enough, but Flavia was persistent, and the crowd surrounding them made her, embarrassing as it is to admit, kneel to peer pressure. In the end, she brought a second mug to her lips.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
By the fifth, any hesitation she had died along with most of her thoughts that weren't whatever was directly in front of her.
Like the many shirtless, dripping men and their scantily clad counterparts serving them food and drinks...
Maybe Feroxian culture wasn't so bad after all...
Chrom did not share the joviality of the party. His defeat at the hands of Marth constantly tore him from within. If it wasn't for Robin, they would have surely lost, and he knew it.
Yet Sumia sat at his side, an arm hooked with his, speaking constant reassurances he wasn't so sure he wished to hear. Eventually, she succeeded in getting him out of his thoughts, the two now dining on the delicacies provided.
It was truly a time to be alive.
Sitting high in the stands, Robin peered down at the celebration with hollowed eyes.
They had won. By the grace of Naga, they had won. Somehow, someway, she had made the impossible possible. She could still remember the silence that followed after she'd, quite literally, blasted their adversary out of the Arena, the hole still present in the ceiling acting as proof it was not a dream. She remembered the claps and cheers that followed after the announcement of their victory. She remembered looking at her palm to find... to find...
Everything was a blur after that.
She vaguely remembered standing in the middle of the Arena with Flavia holding Chrom and her own arm high as the crowd chanted their names. She recalled suddenly standing with Lissa and the rest of the Shepherds who weren't currently unconscious after the arena had cleared out. She recalled maids and warriors cleaning and setting a feast smack down in the middle of the place they'd just fought.
And now she was in the stands, the details of what had happened within those 8 hours of haziness remaining a complete mystery to her.
"Gald for your thoughts?" Robin nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice. Red met her vision upon turning. The smile of a familiar face registered next. Gods, she didn't even hear her coming. "You showed extraordinary skill out there, ma'am. I have to admit, I'm kinda envious."
The tactician blinked, a chuckle leaving her after the moment of deja vu, "I didn't think you'd remember what I said word for word."
"It was a special moment for me," Cordelia admitted, stepping over the seat to sit next to her friend. "Is there a reason you're not down there with the rest? You are technically the Star of this celebration."
Robin's fist tightened, her smile becoming strained. "Any reason you're not down there?"
"I was, but my best friend is currently occupied with her fiancé while my only other friend is sulking by herself."
Robin raised a sceptical brow at that, saying, "I'm sure you have friends other than me and Sumia." The solemn look the redhead gave said otherwise, Robin suddenly feeling as if she'd chosen the worst possible reply.
"The Shepherds are my friends, yes. Sumia has introduced me to them, and I do get along with them for the most part. However, outside of group gatherings, I do not interact with them. Even in my division, I, am not very popular. You and Sumia are the only friends I've gone out of my way to speak to. It, may sound pathetic, but you two are the only ones I feel I can really talk to about anything."
Robin stared, shocked at the admission, "But, you're practically a genius! Why wouldn't anyone-" she caught herself upon seeing the woman's frown. "Sorry, didn't mean to use the 'G' word."
"It's fine," the redhead laughed good-naturedly. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing for being so sensitive... However, you never answered my question. If not for you, this celebration wouldn't be possible, and we'd all be sulking in the infirmary."
Robin looked down to her lap, her hand once again becoming the focal point of her thoughts.
"Does, it have something to do with what you did back in the arena?"
Her silence and tightening of her fist were answer enough.
"If you're worried about how people may treat you because of your practice in the dark arts, then please, allow me to ease your worries." Robin jolted at the feel of the redhead's hand suddenly touching her own. The redhead thought better of her action and opted to continue speaking instead. "Ylisse may not dwell in that form of magic, but we would never judge you for it. Especially since you're now one of us. You have been here for so short a time, but the Shepherds, and even myself, consider you one of us."
Robin finally looked up to her friend, a vulnerability she'd never allowed anyone to see showing in front of the woman before her. A smile crossed Cordelia's lips as she slowly reached out once again. Touching the hand gingerly, she engulfed the hand with both of her own upon not being rejected. In her head, Cordelia desperately hoped her time consoling Sumia would work here as well.
"Please, if there is anything plaguing you, anything at all, please speak to me. I will always be there to listen."
Tears threatened to leave Robin's eyes. The reassurance was tugging at her heartstrings, even if what she suspected it wasn't exactly what aled her.
But, maybe.
Maybe, if she told someone. Maybe, if they knew of her situation, they would be understanding? Maybe, just maybe, they could help? It was wishful thinking, but would it hurt to try? They were her friends. They never gave a reason to doubt them. They were not the Grimleal.
Looking into Cordelia's eyes, the same eyes that had always looked at her with kindness and friendship, she dared to hope. Hope that she would not shun her like so many had before.
"Cordelia," her other hand joined the poor, her hands suddenly feeling damp amidst her nervousness. "I... I'm-"
"YOU!" The duo jumped apart as their attention was suddenly drawn to the stairs leading to the stands' exit. At the top, a blonde revealed herself - anger clear and possibly the last person Robin wanted to see. She descended the stares in angry strides, stopping at their row before stomping exaggeratedly their way. Ignoring Cordelia completely, she stood before the tactician with a sneer and shaking finger pointing between the albino's eyes. "You, you dirty CHEATER!"
Robin blinked. "Uh, pardon?"
"Don't you DARE think you beat my Dad, CHEATER! He, he was just caught off guard! Yes, that's it! If not for Lucy, then he would have definitely kicked your butt, Dattebayo!"
Robin stared at the blonde with astonishment. There was anger, but not for what she thought it would be for. Where was the grief? The blame? Did the girl just not understand the significance of what she had done to her father? Was it, denial?
"Do you know each other?" Cordelia stepped in, unaware of the bomb in front of her.
"She's, the daughter of, um, an acquaintance." Robin answered, to which Cordelia inspected the blonde in an attempt to map out who the girl's father could be from her features alone.
An observation Morgan saw and immediately took the opportunity for what it was.
"Heh, noticed my greatness, haven't you? Well, that is to be expected. I AM the daughter of the greatest shinobi to ever live, after all."
"Really?" Cordelia spoke, curiosity lacing her tone before a significant jump in pitch followed her next words. "I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of speaking with a native of Valm."
"Wouldn't exactly call myself a 'Native', but my Dad and I visit quite a-" Morgan suddenly paused to stare open mouthed at the redhead. "Y-you speak Valmese?"
"It is not my first language, but it is the birthplace of my mother. She taught me much as a child, so I naturally inherited her mother tongue."
Morgan stared flabbergasted, the dialect in her voice so perfect it was like speaking to an actual Valmese citizen. Soon, the excitement became too much to hold in, and Cordelia was forced to lean back as the blonde suddenly appeared right in her face. "That's so cool! You sound completely different! Even the way you leave out the C's and F's is fluent and natural! My Dad once said my Mom also knew how to speak Valmese and could-" The girl suddenly gasped in what Cordelia thought was an overexaggeration. "Could, could you possibly be my MOM?"
The Pegasus Knight suddenly became the color of her hair. "Wh-where did you get such an idea?"
"My Dad always said my mom was smart, hot, busty, and strong! Seeing that you are at least, hmmmmm, 3 out of the 4, you HAVE to be a candidate!"
"I-I don't think-"
"Are you single?"
"Wha-"
"Are you?"
"Well, yes, but I-"
"Great!" Cordelia yelped at the small girl suddenly yanking her off the bench and to her feet. A single blue orb stared at her with a joy she could not understand. "I'll introduce you! I promise you won't regret it!"
"I-I don't believe-"
"Don't worry! I'll even be your wingman! After tonight, you'll no longer be fine and single, but taken and fine! Plus, I'll finally have a Mom! A win/win! Chop chop! Move those legs! There's no time to waste!"
Morgan pulled a protesting, stumbling Cordelia through the stands, up the stairs, and out of sight. Alone once more, Robin honestly didn't know what was the weirdest part of that entire interaction: the fact the girl basically ignored her after her interest shifted, the fact she was about to introduce her friend to a yet-to-be identified corpse, or the fact they didn't realize she could understand every word of that conversation.
"My prince!" Phila stopped before Chrom and Sumia, sweat on her brow and desperation clear to see.
"Something wrong, Phila?"
"My Prince! Please, I implore you! Please speak reason back into your sister!"
...
"I tell ya, Flavia, all dose old men eva do is complain, complain, complain! Yer Grace do dis, yer Grace do dat, dis, dat, yadadadadada, it gets so annoying at times! I'm da Queen, not YER babysitter! Fix yer own probwems fer once!"
"Ahahahaha! That's just the price of Queendom, Emmy! All those old men want ta do is breathe down yer back, or blow it out at other times."
"But I neva wanted ta be Queen! All I eva wanted was ta get married and help people! The Crown was sappose ta go to Chwom! How will I ever fin' my beloved if I on't leave dis rock! At dis rate, I'll rweally die alone!"
"Aaaaaw, don't worry you poor, poor thing. When this war business is done, Sister Flavia will find you the perfect man. I swear on my name as Khan."
"*Sniff* Y-you really mean it? You'll rweally do that fer me?"
"I said I'm a Khan of my word! By the end of this year, you'll have so many great options lined up you'll want em all!"
"Flavia, *Sniff* yer the bes' big sister I could eva ask fer!"
"Ahahahahaha! Here! To love and alliance!"
"Ta love!"
Chrom honestly couldn't process what he was seeing. His sister, wise, kind, selfless, and unbreakable, snuggled in the arms of a Khan, ale in hand. What has this world truly come to?
Watching ale poor from the sides of her mouth to land on her immaculate robes was all he needed to see to put an end to this. Stepping past Feroxians and fellow Shepherds, Chrom intercepted the mug coming to his sister's mouth once more to place it firmly back on the table. Looking up, her face jumped from confusion to joy upon seeing her brother.
"Chwoooooom!" Emmeryn exclaimed, arms outstretched towards the bluenette like a toddler wishing to be held. The fact that Chrom was forced to catch the woman as she leaned forward was more than proof that his sister had gone and surpassed her ale intake.
Making a big brother decision, he grabbed onto her firmly while using his other arm to sweep her legs. Emmeryn fell effortlessly, blinking in surprise at the princess carry she found herself in.
"Oi! Ya can't just take my drinking partner like that! I promised ta show her a good time!" Flavia protested, her tone more teasing than aggressive.
"Sorry, Khan Flavia, but I think my sister has had enough for tonight."
"Wah - but I'm not don' yet!" The Exalt cried, her treacherous brother ignoring her plight and bringing her closer to the exit. Looking over his shoulder, Emmeryn locked eyes with her new sister, hoping for a timely intervention. A mug was raised instead, a shout of 'Have sweep dreams' coming from her fellow blonde before leaving her to her fate. I'm drunken desperation, she turned to the only ally she had left in a room full of traitors.
"Phila! Please do somethin'! I'm yer Exalt an demand you rescue me!" Walking slightly behind them, her Pegasus Commander met her eyes. Her loyal knight, confidant, and sister, turned away.
For the first time since her knighthood, Phila ignored a direct order.
A breeze met Robin upon reaching the rooftop. For once, the sky was clear of any and all clouds, giving a clear view of the full moon above. Stars filled the sky like a painting-the atmosphere filled with wavy green lights that portrayed a view the tactician had to admit was more beautiful than anything she had yet seen.
Coming to the edge, Robin looked over the rounded structure. Despite it being below freezing, lights from stalls and vendors shone. People, both Feroxian and foreign, lined the streets and stalls, the sound of cheer mixed in with music and laughter filling the air.
It was... Beautiful. Peaceful. Something she hadn't felt in weeks. Looking to the back of her gloved hand reminded her why. The unfeeling cold wind against her skin was another reminder that she was not like the people down there.
A sigh left her lips before her head fell into her arms.
"What the hell am I going to do..."
"Please tell me you're not about to jump."
Robin was standing straight in a fraction of a second.
Sitting over the edge just feet away from where she once occupied was the back of a blonde. Immediately, her heart jumped in speed, and her mana became erratic. Turning to meet her eyes only confirmed the impossibility of it all.
"If you're gonna jump, can you do it after we've had a chance to talk?"
"Oi! Bout time ya showed yerself, Oof! Thought you'd stay sulking in yer corner!"
Basilio's laugh boomed as he stopped before his fellow ruler. "Get one win in years and ya think ya suddenly got balls? If it weren't fer that woman of yers, I'd still be Khan and you'd still be second rate!"
"What's that? Sounds like the barking of a dog with no fangs! If ya want ta bark, then check the city. I'm sure there are plenty of lassie's willing to rub yer head and whisper sweet nothings into yer ear."
"Ha! As insufferable as ever!" Basilio paused their banter to have a look around the hall. "Where's that Prince of yers? Need ta have a word."
"Just missed em, I'm afraid. But don't worry. Whatever message ya got for my Champion ya can personally give ta-" Flavia stopped her train of thought as she finally noticed the Khan wasn't alone. Behind him, mask off and bandages wrapped around his head, the West Khan's champion stood unbothered. "Oh shit, yer still alive?!"
'Haku' smiled, "Fortunately so. My landing was rough, but considerately softer than I expected. Can't say the florist vender was too please, though."
"Harharhar! Got blown out the competition and can still jape! Its love, I tell ya! I'd had claimed em as a son if he hadn't lost!"
"You are too kind, Khan Basilio, but I believe it's rather fortunate that we lost. Now the people don't get to see you in your small clothes."
Flavia choked on her ale.
"Y-your supposed to be-"
"Dead? Yeah, I get that a lot. I thought those eyes of yours were special. Saw right through me even back then." The man turned his body to face her, to which she instinctively backpedaled. She would have registered the pout on his face if it weren't for the all encompassing terror in her heart. "You have any idea what you did to me back there? Would have been back to kick your ass if I didn't have so many people's memories to erase! What do you have to say for yourself? What are you going to do about my pain and suffering, huh?"
Silence met his rambling.
"Tsk, kids these days. Eh, that's not why I'm here anyway." Hopping off his perch, the blonde proceeded forward to the horror of the albino.
"Stay back!"
Naruto stopped on a dime, more from the genuine terror in the woman's voice than any need to oblige her sudden order. On closer look, the woman pale (well, more than usual) and sweat could clearly be seen on a face wrought with fear. He was sure the hand outstretched towards him was not meant for any purpose other than eviscerating him; again.
In a show of universal surrender, Naruto lifted both hands, hoping to come off as non-threatening as he approached. " Woah there. No need to be-"
"I said STAY BACK!"
Reminiscent of the scene that had taken place not half a day ago, runes blinked into existence around the albino, followed by a purple haze that shot a stream of concentrated dark energy towards the blonde. Unlike in the Arena, Naruto had no reason to take the spell head-on and got the hell out of dodge.
The spell traveled far, but lasted only a fraction of a second. That fraction was enough to evaporate the snow around and in front of her. Though both roof occupants were shocked into silence, the victim was all too eager to make his displeasure known.
"W-WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, WOMAN! YOU TRYNA KILL ME!"
Instead of answering the blonde vocally, Robin turned her outstretched hand towards him once more, the clear threat dousing his anger like a wet rag.
"T-that was a warning. Come any closer, and I swear to not miss again. And this time, I'll make sure there's nothing left of you." Robin made sure to peer into the man's eyes as she made her threat. For once, she was the one making the threats. She'd be lying if just a bit of her new found power wasn't going to her head.
A long breath left the blonde's lips as he massaged the back of his neck. "Ok, kid. First things first, let's be real here. You and I both know you can't control that power."
"I can control it enough." She immediately countered.
"Rrrrriiiiiiight... And second-"
A sudden rise in the blonde's presence shook the albino. In but a moment, she was on her knees, vomit leaving her throat as her nerves became deathly unstable. Every part of her shivered, her breaths coming in short gasps despite her heart drumming in her ears. Her limbs felt weak to the point staying on her hands and knees was beginning to become a chore.
When it vanished, she was able to regain control of her body but not her mental fortitude. When she peered back up at the blonde, her fear of the man returned with a new flame; any vibrato she once had with her new found power was all but forgotten.
Blue eyes stared into her own, uncaring.
"Don't for a second think that just because you got in one good hit means you are anywhere near my level, kid."
Yes.
A kid.
She was a kid.
A kid stepping up just to be reminded who the adult was in the room.
"Now, are we going to talk like adults, or do you need another demonstration?"
"BULLSHIT!" Flavia massaged her arm, ignoring the laughter around her to glare at the smiling cheater before her. "Ain't no way in hell I'm acceptin' this!"
"I never took the Khan of the East to be a sore loser." Haku mocked, his gentle smile almost smug. "Is it that unfathomable to think I am capable of besting you in a bout if strength?"
"Damn right it is! I'll believe pigs fly before I believe ya beat me with those noodles of yers! Ya gotta be cheatin'!"
"Maybe, or maybe I just found the trick to the game."
"Like hell ya did!" An arm slammed on the table, the Khan's hand flexing in challenge towards the ravenette once again. "Come on! One more time! Winner takes all!"
"I would, but I don't believe I will." Flavia's jaw slackened at the refusal. "I've nothing to gain from proving myself a third time. If I win, I win nothing, but if I lose, I lose my pride. As someone who revels in his self control, I will take my victory as is and dismiss my-"
Before he could even stand, Flavia's hand was wrapped around his wrist. Looking into her eyes, that same challenging glint she first had when daring him into an arm wrestling bout returned. "Then how's this," her grip tightened, "You, me, the closest Inn. Settle this once and fer all under the sheets. That sound like a bet worth yer time?"
Haku blinked, confusion taking over his face before his smile revealed itself once again, "I didn't know defeating you would end up with a reward, Ms Flavia."
"Ain't a reward, dastard. More like another challenge. First ta quit, loses." Any non-Feroxian listening in may have thought the interaction was a joke. No one in their right mind would put their body on the line just to satisfy their pride. If so, then they definitely did not understand Feroxian culture. One look into the Khan's eyes proved she was very serious. "So? What's it gonna be, girlie dastard?"
The obvious insult was enough for the man to concede. "Careful, ma'am. I am anything but a gentle lover."
Robin sat quietly, listless in her thoughts. Kneeling before her, the blonde inspected the brand on her now-uncovered hand. The two haven't spoken since the blonde asked her to remove her glove. She complied without fuss; whatever fight she had vanished upon being put in her proper place.
"Are you Grimleal?"
The sudden question made the man pause in his ministrations. "I'd appreciate it if you never associate me with those people ever again. I may have questionable views to others, but don't hate myself nearly as much to be caught dead in those robes. I like to stick out, but not in the 'I'm evil and I want everyone to know it' way." His peace said, the blonde continued his ministrations unperturbed.
"...Why haven't you killed me yet?" The blonde did not stop this time. It was a question that had plagued her since the day they met. He was more than capable of doing so no matter who was in his way, so why was she allowed to live this long? "You know what I am. You know what I am prophesied to do to this world, so why keep making these threats? Why not just kill me and save the world the trouble?"
"How about you answer a question of mine before I answer another one of yours? Deal?"
"You and I both know by now that I don't exactly have a choice in the matter."
"We always have a choice. We simply choose the ones that are easier or less likely to get us killed."
Robin remained unfazed. "...Fine. What do you want to know?"
"When exactly did you gain those memories of yours back?" Robin stared blankly, unsurprised. "And don't play stupid. The way you look at this seal says it all. You look as if you know exactly what's going to happen to you - soon, at that. I've looked through your things, and there are no books I could find that explain your situation to a so called 'amnesiac'. The only conclusion is that you somehow regained cognizance of your pass."
Blue eyes looked up.
"And don't know if you know this or not, but your eyes are red."
A hand weakly came up to her face. She'd like to say she was surprised, but considering her situation...
A resigned sigh left her lips.
"It was recent," she confessed lowly, not caring if the man heard or not. "Back in the arena, when I used that spell, it was like I'd opened my eyes for the first time. Memories of a life I once lost all rushed me along with a past I now remember clearly." Her mood dropped further as the memory of her life once again played in her head—specifically, the bad. "If I were being honest, I wish I never remembered."
"Sounds like you had it rough." Came his not-so sympathetic tone. "And honestly, I suggested it—killing you, that is. Fortunately for you, you have friends in high places."
Something caused the blonde to pause—a hand coming to massage his chin as he squinted down at the moving eyes on her hand.
"If that lizard wasn't awake before, he definitely is now." He stated, standing to his feet at the conclusion of his evaluation. Robin's eyes absently followed his movements as he pulled out what looked to be some kind of rolled up parchment from his pouch. Unrolling it, he tore a piece relative to the size of a piece of paper before stashing it back into the pouch. A pen appeared in his hand shortly after, something being written down out of her view. "So, good news and bad news. Which do you wanna hear first?"
"...Would it really matter? Not like either will be a solution to my problem."
The man blinked, his pen stopping only shortly before continuing, "I haven't even said anything yet."
Robin snorted in derision, "I've known since I was young that there is nothing anyone can do to change my fate. It is fate that the Fell Dragon takes control over my body, and it is fate that will allow him to walk the land once again. My own mother, a high priestess of the Grimleal order, couldn't even do it. I tried all my life to break this curse, ultimately costing her her life. I don't know who you are... Or what you are, but whatever you do, the result will be the same. There is no escaping this cursed existence."
"Mmmhmmmmm," the man hummed, the albino having to admit the way he so casually dismissed her words being a bit frustrating. "As I was saying before, the bad news is, the seal is broken. Whatever spell you used back there seemed to be enough to crack it wide open. That lizard's chakra is now flooding your body like an open faucet. I'd give you 3, maybe 4 days before it completely takes over your body. Two if you use that spell again."
The revelation did more harm than good, Robin's mood sank even deeper into despair.
"I can fix this."
The words did not process with the tactician at first. When it did, her eyes widened. A cross between confusion and hope lit her face upon staring back at the blonde.
"You, can what?"
"Your seal. The good news. I can fix this. Whoever made this was a master of his craft. Anyone who can create a seal strong enough to hold a God is worth speaking about. Luckily for you, I've studied seals since, well, can't remember that far back. Just know I consider myself decent enough to fix your problem."
Despite the surprise on her face, Robin did not believe the shinobi in the slightest. To her ears, his words were too sweet; too convenient. It was all too good to be true. "And I'm supposed to just take your word all of a sudden? After all the threats?" The look of genuine confusion on the man's face caused her pause. He was puzzled, but in a way that spoke, she was the one in the wrong.
"The hell are you talking about, woman? This is the first time I've even spoken to you, and seeing that you literally tried eviscerating me, I'm pretty sure my threats were justified!"
"Cut the bullshit!" The tactician roared, standing to her feet to be eye level with the blonde. "Back in Ylisse, you told me that you'd always be watching! Waiting for me to mess up! You even reminded me that it was my fate to fall! Don't think for even a second that I'm so easily manipulated!"
"Woah woah! Calm down! If you release that much, the seal won't work anymore!"
It was only then that she realized the mana flowing off of her. A purple so bright it was almost pink shimmered around her like a flame. Horror crossed her face, and she immediately willed her mana to return to her. It took a bit of effort, the mana seemingly refusing to go back as if having a mind of its own. When she finally got it under control again, she was sweating and out of breath. Her legs shook uncontrollably, and she found it harder and harder to regain rhythm.
Someone approached her, yet she was far too exhausted to even consider if it was a threat or not, even when they put a comforting hand on her back.
Warmth began filling her body, her breaths coming in less and less as the warm feeling spread. Soon, her breaths became manageable once more. The hand on her back retreated shortly after, along with the warm feeling. Next to her, the blonde sat, eyes focused on the ethereal flickering lights in the sky. Whatever he had done to her had worked wonders, the need to say 'thank you' rising despite her lingering feeling of anger.
Fortunately, the man ended up speaking before she could come to a decision. "Feeling better?"
"...Yes," was her curt reply, a lull following the two shortly after.
"...So, know you nearly died and all, but about that person you were talking about earlier that clearly wasn't me."
Red eyes turned to stare a hole into the side of the blonde's head. "Anyone ever tell you you're an ass?"
"Been getting that a lot lately. Can't honestly imagine why." A laugh left her lips. A short, but genuine laugh that surprised even the blonde. She never thought she'd be in a situation where she'd be laughing with this man, but it would seem that today was filled with surprises.
Moving to her rear with the blonde, she smiled at the sky as she deemed the man worthy of a reply, "Never saw your face, actually. You wore a mask, had the same build, just as tall, distorted voice, and had the same mana signature down to a T. If it wasn't you, and you have no idea who it was either, then you're either a very good liar or my eyes aren't as full proof as I once thought."
Another laugh left her lips before she could stop it.
"Is it weird that even now I'm thinking about all the tactics I'll have to throw out because of this?"
"Eh, I can think of weirder things. Like the Exalt currently throwing a tantrum about going to bed, Marth giggling in his sleep, and my clone currently about to get laid... Should probably switch places with him very soon."
Robin blinked at that. "That, is quite weird. Do I even want to know how you know all of that?"
"Not really," he shrugged, a smile of his own crossing his features. Not long after, he was handing something to her.
It was the parchment - only, it felt, different. Ruins she'd never seen before congregated into a circle pattern with lines of other ruins, signifying something like the sun rays of a children's drawing.
"The seal is temporary, but it should last. As long as you don't go flinging that lizard's magic, you won't ever have to worry about it breaking for at least a month. Best I could do on the fly."
Robin's eyes widened as she gazed upon the parchment with a new light.
"What, will happen after a month?"
"The seal becomes useless. Of course, I'll make you another one, but the seal won't be as effective for something that powerful. Sooner or later, it will grow resistant to seals all together. I'd say you have about half a year before the inevitable happens."
The words made the tactician's mood dip once more. "So, I'm only prolonging the inevitable..."
"To be frank, yes," he affirmed her fears. "Not much I can really do about it. Your seal was designed to shatter upon the lizard's awakening. What remains on your hand is meant to be used as somewhat of a gateway for the thing to reach our world. If I destroy it, then not only would it kill you, but the world as well."
"But like I said before, I can fix it." Robin felt a warm hand engulf her own. Kneeling before her, hand in his own, the blonde leveled the piece of parchment over the still moving brand.
"Right now, your body is in a losing battle against a foreign, much more powerful substance in your body. The reason for your sudden lack of control over your chakra is due to the lizard's constantly consuming and overpowering your own. Where the brand kept your mana 80/20, now it's flipped—the only difference being that 80 is constantly growing. So, there's only one real way to fix this."
The parchment suddenly glowed with light and the feeling of something filling her was immediate. The chaos that was her mana flow began evening out, Grima's chakra constantly being replaced by another foreign presence.
Soon enough, everything calmed. The flow of her mana stilled and her body felt, great. Better than great, actually! She felt like she could fight for days on in! Even the tiredness she had been feeling from lack of sleep had left her completely! It, it was truly amazing!
"So? Feeling any better?"
"It feels, right. Great, even! I, I can't even feel it anymore!" Genuine happiness crossed the tactician's face as she reveled in the feeling of having control once more. "What, did you do?"
"I stored, uh, chakra into your stream," he replied in a matter-of-fact manner. "Like I said, it's not a permanent solution, but a solution nonetheless."
"I," Robin stuttered, at a loss for words at possibly the biggest act of kindness she'd ever received before and after she'd both lost and regained her memories. "I, I don't even know what to say."
"Well I hope it's not a 'thanks' just yet. I still haven't told you how exactly to keep yourself from imploding."
The tactician looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Your chakra. It's still unstable. It may be stable now, but you can have another episode at any moment or simply use up all your own and not know it. If that happens, the only way to make sure your system doesn't completely collapse is if your chakra is balanced out once again, meaning you must be constantly monitored. That also means you'll need daily doses if you wish for that seal to remain stable, and I have no interest in playing Shepherd."
It did not yet register to Robin what the man meant at the end of his statement. It all sounded straight-forward. She would need a constant supply of mana from the man if she wished for the seal to stay intact. She would also need to regulate her usage of mana from here on out along with depending more on her swordplay. If anything, the only real dilemma would be the man himself would have to always be-
It hit her like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, she wasn't reveling in the thought of freedom but in what she would lose to have it.
"I, I have to-"
"Yes, but that's completely up to you." Saying his piece, the blonde stood, stretched wide and began his march towards the roof's edge with hands in his pockets. "Seems my time is up. Better get to that close before he pops."
"Wait!" Robin yelled desperately. The blonde obliged, turning to meet her eyes as she stood. Nervousness filled her again, and she did her best to push it down so her resolve could resurface once more. "Can, c-can you really do it? Can, you really free me from this hell?"
The blonde stared at her for what she felt was an eternity. "That's all up to you, kid." Was his reply as he continued his walk. "If you want to live, then fight for it." He stepped up to stand at the edge. When he turned, a smile was on his lips. "And never give up again."
Then he walked off. Typically, this would be the moment she ran to see if he was OK after falling from such a height, but she oddly knew he was fine. Dragging herself back to the edge, she rested her arms on the edge once more as she stared back out into the city.
Unlike before, she was lighter. Lighter than she had been in years. She did not know if the blonde's words were 100% true or not, but it was oddly not completely infathomable after seeing his power firsthand. The price she'd have to pay to finally be free was big, but was it really? She could always return to them once this nightmare had finally ended. They would never have to know about this, and she could finally live the life she always wanted—the life her mother wished for her.
For the first time in her life, hope was in her heart.
And this time, she didn't even try to stop the tears from falling.
Morning
Blue eyes peeled open to be greeted with blinding light. He thought for a moment about simply closing his eyes to go back to sleep, but thought better of it upon hearing movement to his left. Turning in the direction of the noise, he was briefly greeted with the naked back of dark skin and muscles. Haze finally leaving his sleep addled mind, he watched the back of the woman he'd laid with for but a moment longer before it was covered by a shirt.
Sitting to an elbow, he smirked as the woman paused upon noticing his movements.
"Trying to leave without saying goodbye?" He opted to speak, the Khan looking over her shoulder. Her silence prompted the blonde to take the opportunity to make a witty remark. "What? Don't tell me something is still on your tongue?"
The innuendo succeeded in getting the woman to laugh. "Would think you'd be very familiar with what exactly was on my tongue after the night we had."
"Oh, I'm familiar. Very familiar. Makes it all the better that I woke up the victor."
"Victor?" The Khan paused in the middle of putting on her pauldrons. "If memory serves me well, you knocked out before me. Don't tell me another loss somehow scratched that ego of yers?"
The blonde shrugged, "Hey, I didn't win the tournament, but I got to sleep with a Khan. I don't know about you, but that's a win in my book."
"Is that so? Don't remember you saying any of that last time."
"That's because last time you weren't very-"
The blonde's mouth immediately shut closed, the feeling he had fallen into some kind of trap began to weigh on him. The way the Khan's playful smirk shifted told him he most definitely had.
"Something wrong, Haku? Or should I call you 'Naruto'? Maybe Bee? Hard to know what ta call ya when you change names as easily as you shed skin."
The blonde blinked slowly. Soon after, a hand came to his face. The familiar feeling of hair made it all too clear which form he was currently in.
Shit...
...Whelp, what was that old saying?
Ah, yes.
When caught, deny, deny, deny.
"...Sooooooo, how ya been?"
It did not work.
"Y'know, I've had a long time to think about that loss I suffered nearly 8 years ago. Got dethroned pretty embarrassingly after all," she started, standing to her feet to walk across the room. "Not really mad about that anymore, actually. Hard ta be after the night ya gave me that day. But as time went by and the longer Basilio stayed in power, you can forgive me for that bitterness returning. Now I know not only did I lose, but I slept with the man that dethroned me; twice."
Reaching her destination at the corner of the room, she reached down and secured something from the ground. Naruto didn't need to wait long to find out what it was. Sheath clattering to the woodwork, Flavia turned with a megawatt smile plastered as she looked to the now pale blonde.
"Since you were so kind as to give me the win this time around, I'll give you a 30 second head start before I personally turn you into a eunuch. Sound fair?"
Naruto paled further. "W-wait! Hold up! W-we don't have to go that far, right? I mean, sure, I know how this may look and how you may feel, but technically, YOU were the one who came onto me! BOTH times! Yeah, I could have said no, but-"
"25."
"Wait! WAIT, damn it! W-we can talk this out, right? No need to cause a-"
"20. If I didn't know any better, you seem to be looking forward to this more than I am. Now it's 15 and my sword is feeling very stabby. How about you?"
In the blink of an eye, Naruto, and his clothes, vanished out the door - the sheets he'd thrown off not even able to hit the bed before his swift departure. Far from surprised, the Khan barked out a laugh as she hefted the sword to her shoulder.
"Guess it wouldn't be as fun if you didn't run."
Lucina Lowell woke up smiling.
Her surroundings were foreign. A bed she didn't remember falling asleep in, a room she didn't remember falling asleep in, a Morgan that had been staring at her for the last 10 minutes.
But Lucina was smiling.
Her left arm was in a cast. It hurt to even twitch it. Her head was wrapped in gauze. The long sleeves she was so familiar with were no longer present on her body, and her mask was placed neatly on the nightstand next to her. It crossed her mind that whoever had done her bandages had also seen her face.
Yet, Lucina was still smiling.
"Ugh, you're really starting to scare me over here, Lucy! At least blink so I know you're alive!"
Lucina watched as a spectator in her own mind as two swords clashed furiously to the cheers of thousands. A duel between two experienced warriors raised from the same cloth. Their choreographed dance circled the arena, garnering ooh's and ah's from their audience as the pace from their dance grew to a climax.
Lucina's smile brightened.
Chrom, her father, standing proud as he acknowledged her as a worthy adversary. His habeganing to ruffle her hair as embarrassment set-
*WAM*
The door to their room slammed open and closed.
Lucina was still smiling.
Panting in front of the door was the man who made her dream a reality. If the record proves right, this was the first time she was genuinely happy to see the man.
When he spoke, his voice was loud and panicked.
But Lucina was still smiling.
"Kids! So happy to see you! Didcha sleep well? Ready to get going? Good! Pack up, cause we got a world that needs saving!" The man was already moving before he even finished. Whatever the group had unpacked disappeared into a scroll within seconds. By the time any of the time-travelers had the mind to ask what had happened, all their belongings had successfully been sealed and ready to go.
"Has another portal arrived, perhaps?"
The man went to reply to the question but froze upon actually taking in the look on the bluenette's face.
She was smiling. No, not just smiling. There was a certain glow around her that he'd never seen before, much less expect it coming from the usually serious time-traveler.
Brows curved in suspicion, he leaned towards his daughter, a hand held strategically to the side of his mouth to block her view just in case the girl could read lips, "What's wrong with the Princess? She got laid or somethin'?"
Morgan mimicked her father. Problem was, the hand she used to cover her mouth was opposed to her father's, which meant the bluenette had a full view of the girl's lips moving along with hearing every word clearly despite her whisper. "Been weirding me out since she woke up. I think that impact with the wall may have broken her."
Despite the words, Lucina was still smiling.
Loud banging from the door drew all of their attention. A loud, booming voice immediately began shouting demands that two of the three occupants were slow to understand.
"This is the City watch! On the orders of East Khan Flavia, we hereby place you under arrest on suspicion of aiding a wanted criminal! We demand you open this door immediately!"
Lucina was no longer smiling.
"Chrom, I have to speak with you. Yes, it's, um, about, uh... Us... No no, too personal."
Robin slumped in defeat. She'd gone over this same speech since last night, yet still hadn't found the right words to use.
She had decided her next step in fate.
She loved the Shepherds. Everyone from Chrom to Kellam was family to her. She would never forget the kindness shown to her in this short few weeks they had spent together. They allowed her, a Plegian, into their home despite their current relations with their neighboring country. It may have been foolish, but it will forever remain a core memory in her life.
That's why she had to leave. If what Naruto said was true, then she would be putting all of her friends in danger.
She could not allow that to happen. She would not allow harm to come to anyone.
Today, she would leave, and return clean.
It was the only way. If she wished to save humanity and not be used as some puppet from that dragon, then making sure the last of his bloodline vanished was the only option she had.
She wished she could have more time.
Unfortunately, fate was indeed a cruel mistress.
But that did not mean she did not have the ability to defy it. She would prove fate, the Grimleal, and even that man wrong. If fate truly wished to claim her life, then she would give it; her way.
She would protect them. She would protect them all.
Resolve returned, Robin steeled herself and reached to knock.
The sound of clacking armor alerted her to incoming knights. Turning towards the noise, she saw a troop of knights marching right towards her. Her heart sank to her feet for a moment, but returned to it's rightful place upon the knight marching right past her and further down the hall.
Breathing in relief, her curiosity began to get the better of her as she watched the knights begin banging on a door. Even from this distance, she could hear the man yell something along the lines of 'aiding a criminal' but didn't wish to get any closer. Other guests heard the noise and began opening their own doors, Robin catching Stahl's bed hair in the now crowded hallway. The silence from the door eventually prompted the Knight to take a more forceful approach via kicking it in.
The wooden structure exploded before the commander even had a chance. Black smog filled the hall and coughing ensued. Through the smog, Robin witnessed two figures hopping over the now downed knights before making a beeline towards her - a child's voice screeching all the while.
"YOU JUST COULDN'T KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS FOR ONE NIGHT, OLD MAN!"
Coming into focus, two blondes emerged. Of course, Robin recognized them even if she didn't recognize the blue haired individual in the older one's arms. Unfortunately, they also recognized her since the older of the two skidded to a stop right in front of her. Their eyes met and Robin suddenly felt the sinking feeling that maybe she should not have gotten involved with this man.
"Oi! Raven!" Just like that, the man she was still admittedly terrified of was suddenly yelling in her face. "You made up your mind, right? You're ready to get out of here, like, right now, right? Right?!"
Robin felt put on the spot. Mouth opening and closing, she looked down the hall to the knights and guests recovering, to Morgan who'd returned from the stairs upon realizing her father hadn't followed, to the bluenette whose soulless eyes and flat look signaled she was done with everything, and finally back to the awaiting shinobi's.
"Uh, um, well, yes, but I've-"
"You're coming? Good! Brat! Grab her!"
Morgan looked appalled. "Wah? Be she's-"
Naruto suddenly ducked. With the speed of an arrow, something impacted the wall where the blonde's head once occupied. Robin, Morgan, and Naruto all inspected the hand-axe that now imbedded the door before mechanically turning their heads to the stairs. Standing menacingly at the peak, Flavia righted herself - her silver sword coming to her shoulder as she smirked down at them.
"Thought 10 seconds was long enough ta get away, but seems I really got ya hooked, Blondie." A definitely not sultry smile crossed the Khan's face. "How's bout one more round for the road? Gotta prove that I'm a generous Khan, no?"
"...Brat."
"Yeah, Dad?"
"Grab her."
There was no need for a reply. Despite being nearly half her height and mass, the girl hulled the tactician over her head—yes, OVER her head. Next thing she knew, she was being carried out of the Inn and into the streets, through alleys, on roofs, and out of the Capital in the most extreme game of tag she'd ever participated in.
Not exactly how she expected to start her new journey.
A/N: With this, the party is now half way completed along with the end of the first Arc! Robin joins team Naruto and the Shepherds loses their tactician. Tragic. However, had this planned from the very beginning. Safe to say, Cannon from this point onward is out window.
The scene with Flavia and Naruto at the end was actually meant to be a comedy sketch at first. The two reuniting in a funny way, y'know? Hehe, haha. Thing is, the more I wrote, the less funny it became. Then I thought about the real world implications of what would happen and it was no longer funny anymore. Still kept it in regardless with a bit of humor, but could not at all feel the same for the scene. But eh, I already wrote it into the plot and didn't feel like writing another 3k to fix it.
There was also meant to be a lemon scene in this story with Flavia and Naruto. That idea it's still in the works, but have zero experience in writing lemons. If anyone want to write it for me though, my ears are open.
Gave Emmeryn a bit of personality, too. Wasn't going to put it in as well but thought 'ah, what the hell's and added it anyways.
And with this, going on a short break. May end quick if I write enough to post, but likely won't be back till August. Next chapter is the start of the War Preparation arc! It is 9 maybe 10 chapters long and will end after the chapter 6 of cannon (which will technically be the place where you see Naruto's interference having a much bigger impact).
Till then, I've written over 150k words, gotten 350 followers, 76 reviews and have over 26k views! It's not yet up to the popularity my other stories but you guys rock nonetheless! Hopefully by the end of this year or next year we can completely finish the story and await a new Fire Emblem game again!
Speaking of which, how are you guys enjoying Fire Emblem Engage? Is it good for you? Yes? No? Tell me about it!
As always, thank you all for your reviews, follows, and favorites, and hope to see you all in the next arc!