Prologue

Better Places to Nap

His head felt like it was splitting open. So many images were bouncing around inside of his skull. The harder he tried to focus the worse the pain became. Everything blurred an odd fragment of a sentence here, a single frame of a memory blotted mostly out here. But something broke his concentration, he thought he heard something from outside the fogged prison he was trapped in. It sounded like someone was in pain, the sound of a dull thud somehow trailed behind their groan. A man's voice he thought? Soon after he heard woman, no she sounded young not young enough to be a child, perhaps someone on the cusp of adulthood.

"We... do... SOMETHING!" he heard the girl panic, only ever catching fragments of what she said. By everything was she loud, and his head ached from the vibrations in her voice. Thankfully the pain in his head was soon subsiding after, but he was also quickly losing grasp on the images and sounds he had been trying to focus on before.

"What...propose we do?" he heard the man remark with concern, it wasn't just their voices he was having an easier time grasping, but the world around him as it seemed his senses slowly fired up. He started picking up the sound of the trees rustling, insects chirping and buzzing, the softness of whatever was below him. He felt a pleasant tickling sensation on his palms as suddenly his world was illuminated in its entirety. His eyes adjusted to the world around him, he was greeted by a man with blue hair and striking blue eyes, and young woman with blonde hair and light green eyes. He couldn't help but let out a pained groan as he tried to focus on these new images before him.

"I see you're awake now. You know there are far better places for you to nap than in the middle of a field. Here, give me your hand." The man smiled down extending his hand to help. He hesitated, but slowly took the offered hand, his eyes focused on the man's smile, it was... familiar and strangely comforting.

He felt himself hoisted to his feet as he took in his environment and the strangers around him. He saw the man who helped him was taller than him, a half heads worth he figured. Focusing more clearly on the two, the man appeared to be wearing largely dark blue outfit accented in certain areas with a bright, pure white, the outfit also seemed to sport a well-worn cape, what must have once been a lustrous silver was now a stained mix of dull white and grey. Strangely the blue haired man's outfit seemed to be missing a sleeve on the right arm, a strange tattoo of what appeared to be a cradled teardrop. The girl's clothes were a mixture of yellow and white, her outfit consisted of a prominent hoop skirt, and what appeared to be a thick leather corset worn on the outside. She was much shorter than either him or the blue-haired man. It seemed she came up to about his lower chest and was rather thin.

"Hi there," the girl said shyly, although there was an infectious and bubbly energy hiding underneath the surface. He realized finally how odd this must be, who knows how long he'd been staring at these two. He went to speak, but soon found himself doubled over a wave of nausea and dizziness coming over him.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" the blue-haired man asked, the warmth in his voice had been replaced by concern, and his hand found its way to the shoulder of the sickened man to try and steady him.

"No, C-Chrom I'm fine," he muttered in a daze. Why did he say that name? Why did he even know that name? It simply leapt from his lips as if he should've always known it.

"Huh, so you know who I am then," Chrom mused, staring intensely, the smile now gone.

"N-no... I... it just suddenly came to me," his reply was meek. He grew flustered with this sudden knowledge while everything else remained absent. But his nausea and the dazed state he found himself in were beginning to subside.

"Curious... tell me, friend. What is your name, and if you're not hurt what brings you here?" Chrom still stared intensely at him, but he felt no distrust, perhaps genuine curiosity. He thought about it more, but all it achieved was the dull ache of before returning.

"My name is... I... I simply can't seem to remember. Truth be told I don't even know where 'here' is." A sigh escaped from his lips as he became more flustered at this troubling lack of knowledge. He saw the girl suddenly perk up, the shyness from before gone.

"Oh, oh I remember reading about this once! I think you've got what's called amnesia, it's a loss of memory over a stretch of time, but it seems you got the short end of the stick on this and just forgot everything! Oh, I'm Lissa since introductions are in order!" Lissa grinned at him. He really didn't appreciate the way he felt talked down to, almost like he was a child. But given the circumstance he understood her intent. Besides, it was hard to stay mad at someone with such a cute grin. He went to greet her back when a mew voice caught his attention.

"Forgive me, but it sounds more like pegasus dung. You expect us to believe you remember milord's name, but not your own. Foolishness." The man who stood behind them some bit away remarked. He was brown haired and armored in near full plate and stood slightly taller in height to Chrom. He swore the man wore a dress shirt underneath the armor. Despite his harsh words the man bore nothing, but a stern and perhaps wary look on his face. The man's posture and demeanor reminded him of a particularly strict butler, but his armor... a mounted knight no doubt based on the placement of it.

"Forgive me... Sir...?" His voice was a mix of pathetic pleading that almost made him wince.

"Frederick, if names must be relinquished."

"I'm sorry Sir Frederick, but this is the truth. I... simply have no recollection of anything aside from Chrom's name." The amnesiac protested, trying to keep the desperation in his voice hidden. These were the only people he knew. He may not have known much, but he didn't want to be by himself in this strange world. The thought of being alone gripped his heart like a vice.

"Frederick, whether he speaks the truth or not, I cannot nor will I leave him here. I won't gamble this man's life when he could be telling the truth." He saw Chrom turn to face Frederick and stood directly in front of him, it was clear to him Chrom was acting as his shield against the knight. The amnesiac muttered a soft thanks beneath his breath to Chrom.

"Regardless milord, we must exercise caution a wolf amongst the shepherds would go poorly for the sheep."

"Fine, then we'll take him to the nearest town and sort things out.

"H-Hey don't I get a say in this matter? I feel I'm being taken prisoner here!" The man who still could not remember his name flinched from this talk stepping back. He soon found that the root of a nearby tree didn't appreciate him invading its territory as he fell backwards with a yelp. Chrom spun around and found his hand, the fall never came. The amnesiac found himself steadied once more. A clear look of embarrassment spread on his face as he met Chrom's eyes to find the man grinning.

"Peace, my nameless friend. It's more of your safety I worry of than any nefarious plans Frederick the Wary thinks you are up to."

"A title I wear proudly milord, after all someone in our group must show some prudence."

They soon found themselves on the road near the meadow he had been discovered in. It truly was odd to feel the sensations of the world around him. He loved the feel of the wind on his skin most of all. A thought occurred to him, what was he even wearing as he only felt the breeze upon his face. Looking down he noticed a simple white undershirt and baggy beige pants held up by a thick leather belt. He frowned at the dullness of his attire, but examining what had been wrapped around he finally noticed his long coat which reached past his knees. He took note of the ornateness of it. It was mostly black with trimmings of purple and gold laced through. He felt the coat, finally noticing his hands were covered by thick black gloves, but that didn't stop the warmth he felt, a warmth in his chest. A laughter was carried through his mind, it was loving, doting and with it came a name. It was his name; his name was Atris.

A-Atris! My name is Atris!" He couldn't help but cry out in excitement startling Chrom who had been observing Atris for some time.

"Atris? Hm, that doesn't seem Ylissian." Chrom mused after recovering from his startled state.

"Ylissian? Would that be where we are Chrom?" Atris asked of him genuinely curious and hoping any new knowledge might awaken the old sleeping within him.

"Cute, he even manages to get the name of Ylisse wrong in his act. Someone must've paid him well for this performance, although fools seldom get their worth in pay." Frederick interjected with a venom laced curtness sparking anger in Atris. He shot the knight a death ladened glare, a glare which Frederick returned in kind.

"Frederick, please! I understand your need for caution, but that is no cause to antagonize, Atris," Chrom responded to the knight in exasperation. "Forgive him, Atris, he means well and looks out for us even if he can be a bit much. Anyway, regarding your question we are currently within the Halidom of Ylisse ruled by our Exalt Emmeryn. Exalt is more or less the name we give to the ruler of this land. With that little bit done, I suppose a better form of introduction is in order now that you remember your name. This is my sister Lissa, she's a healer, and a capable one at that, had you any injuries she would've fixed you up rather quickly. Granted you probably should careful around her she can be a bit... delicate." Chrom said with a glint in his eye as Atris noticed Lissa, who had been walking beside Chrom, started to trail behind slowly and cautiously so. "Frederick is in service to the Order of the Great Knights and maintains a position as our bodyguard. One he's had since Lissa, and I were children." Atris looked at the knight, he couldn't be older than thirty-two. How young had this man attained his knighthood? Begrudging he had to admire the knight, even if he thought he was an- "And, lastly, I'm Chrom as you know."

"Just Chrom? No fancy titles, magical abilities?" Atris flickered his fingers to exaggerate the point as if he was casting a spell.

"Ha, no! I'm simply Chrom is all."

"Well, I'm... umm... I guess I'm simply Atris as well." He looked at the blue-haired man sheepishly and got a laugh out of him that vibrated his chest. He liked Chrom's laugh, it was strange, but he could almost remember Chrom had a snorting like laughter as well. Suddenly his partner was shoved forward to be replaced with the now energetic Lissa.

"How's that for delicate!?" she boldly exclaimed as Chrom nearly fell forward, but regained his balance and took his place next to Lissa grumbling about cheap shots. She turned to Atris smiling, "You'll have to forgive my brother he can be dense at times, especially when it comes to being called DELICATE." He watched the blue-haired man raise his arms in defeat something which got a rousing bit of laughter from the amnesiac that soon spread to the other two shortly after.

"You know it's a good thing we found you," Chrom remarked with a degree of satisfaction in his voice

"Yea, being found by brigands would've been a less pleasant wake up, but that's the life of a Shepherd for you." Atris noticed Chrom shot Lissa a look which caused her to wither. Trying to change the mood, he spoke up.

"Chrom, I thought you said couldn't cast magic, you clearly just shrank Lissa a good inch and half just now," Atris spoke trying his best to give a goofy smirk, Chrom stopped in his tracks stunned by the comment, before he let out an almost childish snort of laugher. Yes, that's exactly what it should sound like. Why did he know this about Chrom? Why did he feel almost drawn to the young man? Had he known him before, and if so why did Chrom not seem to know him in return? Atris felt himself shoved to the side his thoughts broken. He looked to Lissa pouting at him, her cheeks puffing out.

"You jerk! Hmph, gods you're going to be a match for my brother." He smiled at her apologetically when a familiar smell caught his attention. Painful flashes in his mind that had threatened to split it open just as before, he realized what it was, it was fire and smoke. His body found itself sprinting down the road, he hadn't even remembered willing his legs to do so, it was as if instinct took over. Despite the cries of his newfound companions for him to come back. He felt a cold sweat upon his brow as he soon realized his fears were realized. The town that lay before him was burning.

Frederick caught up to him first having mounted his steed instead of walking it as before, he swore the man had drawn steel, but felt relieved when he saw no such thing had been done. Atris heard Frederick mutter a curse under his breath. Soon enough Lissa and Chrom were witness to the attack on the town. They were opposites whereas Chrom's face filled with rage, Lissa's was frozen in horror.

"Those dastards! Cowards all of them! Frederick, we need to move now!

"What of him, milord?"

"Unless Atris suddenly caught on fire he's staying behind, Lissa can you do this? I need to know now." Chrom looked at this younger sister who Atris noticed put on a mask of bravery and nodded to her brother. With that the trio left him behind.

Atris stared at the fires, was there truly nothing he could do? Gods damnit he couldn't be this useless there had to be something he could do, anything! Suddenly he felt a shift in weight he hadn't noticed before, opening his coat he found an old blade worn and used on his side, and tucked inside a pocket within his coat a book. Despite its size it was surprisingly light. He was overcome with a flash of pain; this wasn't like before when he remembered his name, it was like his brain was being forced fed the information. He steadied himself looking down to the sword and the book, it was called a tome. He bit his lip and dashed into the town, he couldn't let innocent people be hurt, and he couldn't let his newfound friends be hurt. Friends... the oddness of it rang through his head, but soon was overtaken by a cry of pain nearby.

"Hells take you all! I swear I'll kill at least one of you before you lay a finger upon my children!" He roared with what little energy he had. An injured man wielding a sword broken in half. His shirt was soaked in blood and his head was bleeding profusely from a large gash on his forehead. The man had placed himself between his two children and the bandits acting as a shield.

Atris sprinted forward and before they could realize what had happened, he ran through one of the unsuspecting brigands. Withdrawing his blade, he was immediately attacked by the dead man's companion wielding a brutal looking axe. Atris jumped back stumbling slightly as the brute lunged again. Regaining his balance and holding a firm stance he parried the axe aside and using his momentum tried to slash the brigand. He hit his mark, but the cut was shallow. The brigand dragged his thumb across the cut and licked the blood off with a savoring glee.

Atris grimaced in disgust and sprinted forward, not giving his foe a chance to go on the offense again. Despite being wounded his foe was still agile enough to evade his strikes. His mind was screaming at him to move in certain ways, but his body just couldn't follow through like he wanted it to. He knew he wasn't going to beat this guy by skill alone and opted for a bit of trickery instead. Atris suddenly flung his blade at the brigand as a means to distract the villain. Reaching into his coat he touched the tome and found power surging from his body and into his palm. He jutted his hand outward at the bandit.

"Thunder!" He shouted out, such a simple word and command and with that a loud crack of energy sprang from his hand striking his foe. Not willing to chance this he roared the command again letting loose yet another bolt of crackling energy which struck once again driving his opponent onto his back from the force. The skin of the bandit was cracking and burned terribly as he saw the thug's life leave him. Atris turned his attention to the man and his children.

"Forgive me, I've no way of healing you, and I've no time to escort you to safety. I'm looking for my friends. Blue-haired man with a cape, a young woman with blonde hair, and a tall man in plate armor"

"You've done enough young man; I've suffered worse cuts. As for your friends they are further down, follow the water canal. You'll find them."

"Thank you, friend!" with that Atris dashed off recovering his thrown blade, he truly hoped the man would be okay, but his friends were at the forefront of his mind. As he took in his surroundings it seemed clear to him that the bandits either did not arrive in force or had come for a specific target. The damage wasn't as widespread and given the actions of the previous two, he doubted there was any organization to this group outside of might makes right.

It was not long before the center of the town was before him. He saw the signs of three water canals, one going east, south and north. Chrom and company were based on the east side where the main plaza resided. To the north was the main concentration content to looting and pillaging while the cohorts dueled with his friends. With a quick count he estimated the total strength of them to be around twelve to fifteen bandits. It was odds he'd have to work with. Out of the corner of his eye he saw one of the bandits crept on Lissa who had hidden behind some crates. He saw a bloodied axe in the hand of the bandit.

"Lissa! Behind you," Atris yelled out before raising his hand crackling with energy he felt a terrible heat fill his palm alongside the energy, seeing the fear on Lissa's face as she turned around to see her would be murderer behind her grinning with a perverse glee. He felt rage fill him, his heart beating faster as the energy in his hand burned. "ELTHUNDER!" the words poured forth with every emotion felt, not just rage, but fear and despair of possibly being too late. Unlike before where there was simple a crack of energy this was different, a more defined bolt leapt from his hand followed by two more in succession. Lissa's would be murderer turned as if they could feel the bolts of power streaming towards them. He saw all three bolts strike true, with the last bolt sending the man's lifeless body flying to the ground, where it lay still and crackling with energy.

He felt the energy flowing away from him. Just what the hells was that? He hadn't even used the tome like he had last time. His hand was in a great deal of pain, he could almost smell burnt flesh coming from it. Trying his best to wave the pain away from his palm. He heard Lissa calling him and ran off to join her, trying his best to shake the pain off of him.

"T-That was magic! You can use magic!?" Lissa beamed sprinting into him despite her near-death experience and proceeded to put him in a hug that threatened to snap him in two.

"L-Lissa too tight you're going to crush me!" Atris groaned, if this was how strong his sister was, he shuddered to think how strong Chrom was. And as if his thoughts had summoned the blue-haired man, he had appeared a peculiar, shaped sword in hand, but the oddity did not distract Atris from seeing the sheer quality of the blade, a mix of mastery and artistry.

"So, Atris 'I'M' the one you question if they can use magic." Atris could just feel the smugness radiating off the swordsman. He had very, very recently decided that amnesia was his least favorite affliction. "Jokes aside you've saved my sister, I'll never forget this, friend."

Patting Lissa's back Atris finally managed to encourage her to break the death grip on him. He looked to his surroundings, the bandits were still looting the northern area, but for the time they were safe for the moment to think. He cursed in his mind wondering where Frederick was, only to see the knight gallop up to them his ornate lance stained and dripping the blood of those that had challenged him.

"Milord, the stragglers on the outskirts have been dealt with, we need not worry about any surprises. That said their numbers do outmatch ours greatly, I do not like these odds." Frederick spoke with a hint of frustration underneath his calm exterior.

"Gods damn it! If only we had brought the others with us, even two against one we could've smashed these brigands into the ground with little to no casualties." Chrom spat on the ground and turned to look at his sister, Atris saw the fear in his eyes over possibly losing her again. Atris looked to the north where the looting was going on, he smiled at the answer that was blatantly before him.

"Chrom, I have a plan, if you would be willing to trust me on this."

"Atris, you saved my sister's life as far I'm concerned you have my complete trust.

"We can't storm them from the front, but those greedy dastards are too busy looting and pillaging to care about their comrades. I propose this, Frederick ride out to lure some of them away from their looting, I see what appears to be a few throwing axes left by some of the bandits, are you good to use such weapons?" He spoke with complete confidence in his plan as he saw the knight nod to him. "Excellent, you'll lure some of the bandits here while we hide just around the corner there, once the last of those villains goes past us prepare a counter charge into them. That will be Chrom and I's signal to hit them from the back. Finally, Lissa can you ride?" Atris asked, turning to her.

"Yes, but why do you ask?" she asked, her voice quivered lightly when his attention fell on her.

"Because you'll be riding on Frederick's horse with him." He stated plainly and raised his hand immediately to silence any interruptions to his plan. "The fact is you need to be protected, the recent incident proves as such, while Frederick will be luring them in, he will be focusing on hitting their sides while Chrom and I focus on carving out their center. I know this puts you in danger, but we are all in danger. That said, with Frederick's superior mobility, and his armored horse, you should be in the least danger. Besides, you'll be able to respond to any wounds we incur faster on horseback." He finished explaining satisfied with the quick plan he had concocted. His fellows appeared approving of the plan. Lissa in particular shook her reservations away and gave a determined look.

"Sounds like a good plan Atris, Frederick, you heard him, Lissa mount up let's end this wanton raiding!" Chrom declared the fire in his chest radiating through his voice. With that Chrom and Atris took their position while Frederick rode off Lissa in tow, and with a few throwing axes in hand. It would not be long before the cry of a man in agony pierced the air and soon Frederick raced past their hiding spot like lightning. The knight would soon be followed by seven bandits, before showing the signal. Atris was right, their greed far surpassed their solidarity. With that Chrom and he sprung forth a cry of thunder and the now familiar crack of energy striking one of the men down, as the second turned to his fellow he was ran through by Chrom. It was not long before the bandits realized they had been caught in a pincer and Frederick counter charged hitting the far side of the group impaling one of them upon his lance.

Despite three of them being cut down in quick succession the bandits struck back with ferocity driving Chrom and Atris onto the defensive. Atris unleashed another thunder spell upon one of the two bandits attempting to gang up on Chrom but was soon interrupted by one of the remaining ones with a vicious axe stroke that he barely dodged. The thug before him didn't seem to tire as he continued to push Atris back, until he felt his back hit something solid. As it turned out his back was quite literally against the wall as the bandit lunged forward. Atris hoped this gambit would work and ducked beneath the strike, the sound of metal smashing through wood rang out. The axe was stuck he had won his gamble. He sprang forth pressing his open palm to his foe's chest and let loose his spell. It was delayed, but he was greeted by one of the few sounds that gave him relief at that moment. He looked up to see that his spell had blasted a hole through the man's chest, his hand was covered in hot and crackling blood. He felt the heat through his gloves as he shook the blood off horrified at the sight before him.

Atris snapped to his senses once he heard a loud and straining grunt from Chrom, he had killed one of his assailants, but the other had him locked in a ferocious deadlock. Two more of the thugs had apparently joined the fray noticing the fight, Frederick distracting them away from the other half the group. Flinging a thunder spell at Chrom's foe, he saw it strike true, but while the bandit still lived it gave Chrom the opening to end the brigand. Atris gasped for breath, this was infuriating, he knew he should be able to go further than this, but his body was seemingly giving out on him. He looked up to see Frederick having slain of the two bandits, but not before the other started shouting for help, he saw the knight raise his lance and throw it, a silvery light descending from the sky and finding its way through the panicked bandit's torso. But ultimately the rest of the raiders recognized the situation as the only one that would prevail over their greed, self-preservation.

"Hey, keep focus we're nearly through this don't give up on me now, Atris!" He felt himself hoisted to his feet and Chrom cast an assuring glance. He felt the man's confidence flow into him, and he nodded to his friend. Whatever little energy he had to spend he would use it to end this fight. He would not fail Chrom nor the rest. Nodding to his friend they ran off regrouping as the remainder of the bandits organized themselves around a giant of a man. Much like his subordinates he carried an axe, but whereas the others were crude things given to rust and unwashed blood, this one was well made, and one might see within the use of a professional military. The other figure amongst them was a rather deathly skinny man dressed in flowing robes. Atris bit his lip, the one thing they had on these guys was some form of range support. But the mage looked odd, you'd think a magic user working among bandits would have some regard yet...

"So, you're the one that gutted most of my men. I hope you know I don't rightly appreciate that. That said, I can always forgive you if you're willing to fight for the right side." The leader spoke with a clear air of authority. Something wasn't right here, the rest of the bandits under this man's control were coarse and rough, yet this man spoke in an arrogant almost educated way.

"You expect me to side with a villain who slaughters the innocent? Your very presence is an insult to Ylisse and our peace! Today shall be your last, enjoy it while you can Plegian dog!" Atris noted the quivering rage in Chrom, the stiffness in his stance, he saw that Chrom was close to letting his emotions come over him. Instinctually he gripped the man's shoulder to feel him go rigid, before his posture relaxed and he saw the nod from Chrom's head in thanks.

"A shame, truly a follower of the former exalt to the very end. Boys, kill them, but make sure they scream all the while," the leader said with boredom in his voice. It was then the mage next to him threw a ball of fire at the group. Not knowing what to do, Atris retaliated with a thunder spell aimed at the ball and witnessed the two spells' violent reaction and the resulting explosion. A cloud of dust and smoke kicking up from the blast sent Atris into a violent coughing fit as he steadied himself, he saw a rusted sword come down on him. Almost a second too late he jumped back drawing his own blade as he lunged forward to where his assailant was. He felt his blade bite into another, he could barely make out the figure or his movements. He struggled with the deadlock, his arms shaking from the strain, but he managed to overpower his opponent and knock the blade to the side and followed up with a deadly thrust into what he thought was the heart. He heard the gasp of the dying man before him, but soon his senses were overwhelmed with an intense burning.

Atris was thrown to the ground as the enemy mage's spell struck him. He gasped as he tried to clear his lungs from the smoke, while at the same time having what air was in him knocked out of him. Atris got to his feet slowly, some fresh air getting back into his lungs as the smoke from the blast began to clear. Still, it wasn't enough as he bent over and was wracked with a coughing fit. He saw once again the now familiar fiery light emitting from in front of him and he dove to the ground to avoid the spell.

Despite not being hit from the spell the heat burned and Atris found himself gritting his teeth from the pain. He withdrew his tome and forced the little air he had out calling for a thunder spell in the direction of where the mage was. The spell was weak, but he knew he hit the mage as he heard a cry in pain. Soon after a thud to the ground followed, was the mage dead? There's no possible way that spell had the strength behind it to outright kill.

"Atris, good job giving away the enemy mage's position." He heard Chrom's voice from the clearing area. Atris soon began fumbling for his sword and thankfully found it as soon after Chrom hoisted him back onto his feet. Finally, the air had cleared enough for him to get a proper breath. Yet respite was not to come as he noticed a figure still concealed in the smoke. Atris seized Chrom and shoved him to the side as the leader of the bandit's axe came down. The speed and ferocity took him by surprise, falling to his back as he attempted to get out of the way. He looked to see the leader raise his axe once more, he was frozen in place, he saw his death coming to him and he braced for it. His breath hitched when the clang of steel rang out, Chrom had barely managed to catch the axe that came far too close to ending his life.

"Gods damn it, Atris! Pick a better place to die, because you're not doing it here!" Chrom growled as his arms shook furiously from the binding of their weapons. Atris finally snapping out of his stupor and the adrenaline surging into him for what could be a very merciful third wind. Gripping his tome, he lashed out with a fierce spell straight into the chest of the bandit leader.

Breaking the deadlock Chrom pushed the leader onto the defense, but still was seemingly unable to find an opportunity to end the fight. Gauging it far too risky to unleash a spell in the midst of fight, Atris dropped the tome and charged in with his timeworn blade in hand. With the two of them attacking the bandit leader was left with little opportunity to even counter. The two seemed to sync perfectly, predicting the other's actions with incredible accuracy. Their blades struck out at the man forcing him back further and further. Atris' blade bit into the flesh of the leader's side as Chrom battered their opponent's axe to the side and sliced the man's shoulder. A broad and desperate swipe forced both of them to leap back to avoid the stroke.

Panting heavily, they readied themselves dashing forward for the last time as their blades were poised to end this. Atris ducking underneath the axe swing ran the bandit through nearly tackling him in the attempt, while Chrom had leapt above strike and brought his blade down with a vicious slice, severing the man's head from his shoulders. Atris felt the lifeless body of their foe slide backwards off his blade, and soon after he dropped to his knees in exhaustion. He spied Frederick and Lissa coming to them from afar, either the last bandits had run off, or Frederick dealt with them. Either way the battle was over.

"Gods be gracious I need a break..." Atris gulped in air as he couldn't fight the fatigue anymore. He felt a hand on his shoulder and to his chagrin for a third time he found his blue-haired friend hoist him to his feet. Smiling weakly at Chrom, he shook his head, getting a chuckle out of the man.

"Well... we did it. I'm surprised how well we seemed to understand each other's body language at the end there. I've yet to fight with any of the other Shepherds as effectively we just did, and I've known some of them since I was small." Chrom was looking at him with a familiar warmth he couldn't place "Atris, I'd like you to accompany me to our capital Ylisstol. Originally, I had planned to leave you here in Southtown, I hope you'll forgive me, given your condition it seemed the best option at the time." Chrom wiped the blood from his sword before sheathing it as he looked at Atris expectantly.

"I-I'd be happy to accompany you, but would you mind sharing why you want me to come along with you? It's not as if I think you have ill-intentions, I just want to know what trouble I'm getting myself into." Atris chuckled weakly and saw Chrom's smile didn't disappear.

"The same trouble you've already gotten into, my friend. You're talented in magic, capable with a blade, and to top it off you're quick to think on your feet. Perhaps most of all despite your own situation right now, you rushed into danger to save the lives of these innocent Ylissians, as well as my own sister. For as dense as Lissa likes to make me out to be, I'd rather not prove her right and leave you here. So... with that said I'd like you to join the Shepherds." He saw Chrom extend his hand towards him, there was no hesitation as Atris grasped the man's hand in return and shook in agreement. It wasn't even a choice, to turn this down simply wasn't an option he would acknowledge.

"O-of course I'll accept this Chrom. I mean ahem, I'd be honored to accept this offer "noble sir," Atris spoke initiatively with far too much eagerness, and then attempting a bit humor to mask his embarrassment.

"Milord if I may voice my objection to this... while I admit Atris has proven his worth in this battle, do you not think that perhaps some prudence if any is warranted? He very much is an unknown variable," Frederick spoke with none of the venom from before. As much as he wanted to turn and tell Frederick to stuff it, he had to admit the knight was right. Atris was an amnesiac that had maintained some inherent knowledge of the skills he had shown today. As much as he wanted to act like nothing was wrong, that was a disconcerting notion. Perhaps he was just simply happy at the fact the knight wasn't spewing bile at him.

"Sorry, Freddy-bear, I have to side with brother on this. Atris saved my life, if he meant us any harm, he could've just let... you know," Lissa trailed off now that the battle was over, her feelings resurfaced, and she still seemed shaken up by the affair. However, she soon perked up taking a twisted sense of glee upon seeing the knight's mortified face at the nickname

"Ha, sorry Frederick. That appears to be a two to one in favor of Atris." Chrom chuckled at the knight's face alongside his sister. Truth be told it was all Atris could do not to join them, but he'd rather not rile up Frederick and make his new trip to the capital any more unbearable than it had to be. A task at which he failed out once the word unBEARable popped into his thoughts and he was forced to snicker alongside them as the wary knight sighed in defeat. Atris looked onto his new companions and felt relief. Even if this day was nothing like how he expected the first day of his life to be, he hoped it would at least be the start of some life alongside them, even Frederick.