Robin watched as the mysterious swordswoman pushed Chrom aside to defend against an unusually stealthy Risen. Granted, little about this encounter had been particularly normal. However, as that was being handled, Robin's eyes shifted as he barely noticed another one. This one was aiming for him.

The tactician pulled his sword, but he knew he was too late even as he did. What happened next felt like it happened in slow motion. He braced himself mentally for the blow, but what happened next he could not have reasonably predicted.

The blow never came, nor was it blocked like the other Risen's attack. No, the offending Risen was outright incinerated after a caster appeared before him in the glow of a warp spell. The spell produced a powerful torrent of flame which reduced the Risen to ash before it even hit the ground.

Robin, surprised, assumed a neutral stance as he took in his rescuer. The individual was wearing a thick white and blue coat. Going from the gold accents, it was not cheap either, though it also had signs of wear. There was also an overcoat much like his grandmaster attire, but it matched the color scheme of the rest of the coat with a blue brand of the exalt on the back of it.

As Robin was wondering if this was some elite special forces he did not know about, the person in front of him suddenly fell to a knee with a clattering heard as something fell to the old bridge. Robin reached out to check on his rescuer, but he did hear a feminine gasp along with Chrom muttering something. He was not sure why at first, but then he looked to his right.

There on the old stone was yet another Falchion. Robin looked as the cloaked figure collapsed fully and in the process, her hood fell revealing a head of royal blue hair.

"Who are you?"


After the Ylissean delegation departed, Validar had gone to have his twisted fun. No matter. The vessel would survive his little trial. Would not be much of a vessel if he could not work his way out of that mess. Still, killing a few of that band of worms was not something that the figure found disagreeable.

The figure walked along in barely lit corridors until it suddenly stopped. It was not alone.

With a quick and sudden turn, Grima erected a magical barrier to block the attack, but the assailant's blade cut through both it and through flesh.

"That blade," Grima scowled at the wound on the palm that was not healing as fast as it normally might, "Is not fully awakened."

"True," The girl settled into an offensive stance, "But neither are you!"

The bluenette dove into a fury of attacks, and Grima responded in kind with powerful magic. Powerful, but nothing compared to what the Fell Dragon could manage at full power.

"The blood…it is…diluted. What are you?"

The Fell Dragon was fast, but in the end, it was a stolen body and the assailant was faster than Grima in that state. She managed to pierce the dragon's defenses and swung upward taking an arm off in the process.

"GRRRRAW!" Grima roared with a voice unbefitting that body as fell energy began to shroud the dragon, "Validar! Deal with this pest!"

"You're a feisty one," The almost snake-like man glowered at the girl as she pointed her sword at him.

"Tell me where your master went."

"Now why would I do that?" He grinned maliciously.

"Fine. I guess for now I can settle for killing you."

"Something I am sure you are quite capable of, but what of that merry band?" This made the girl freeze, "Yes, I saw that unpleasant insignia on your apparel. As we speak, reinforcements are headed for them with orders to pick them off. Now, you can kill me, and have several of them killed off. Or-"

Validar did not even finish before a warp spell activated, taking the girl away and making the man chuckle, "I thought so."

Validar, it seemed, was telling the truth. She found the first assassin easily enough and dispatched it with even more ease. The problem was that there were more. A good bit more, and they were not exactly next to each other. She could see the signs of movement in the trees, but the Shepherds were too preoccupied dealing with the closer threats. They were quite capable, but they were not looking for the hidden ones.

Warping again to close the distance, she clove into one of the Risen's neck while casting a wind spell to discreetly dispatch another knocking a bow. Warping across the valley, she impaled another about to shoot and warped above another assassin flinging the Risen off her blade down below before finishing both with a spell.

Trying to control her heavy breathing, she took stock of the situation. Most of the assassins were taken care of, and the Shepherds had been able to handle the regular reinforcements. Dashing over she quickly cut into another one. Most of them were dealt with. Just a little more.

Panting, she saw Lucina rushing to save Chrom. However, she also saw another assassin moving towards Robin. Logically, she knew such an attack was unlikely to be fatal, or maybe Validar had that much faith it would be stopped. Either way, she leapt into action without much thought.

Warping into position even as the Risen descended, she let out a torrent of flames which turned the monster to ash. Unfortunately, she had overextended herself. Clutching her chest, she dropped her sword. Falling to one knee, her vision grew blurry before she finally dropped in unconsciousness.

The young bluenette stirred slowly. Grunting, she forced her eyes open. Then she came to a very alarming conclusion. She was restrained on the cot she had been put on. She immediately began testing the restraints. Rope by the feeling of it which she confirmed shortly after by looking. She could break out of these with a little magic, but she was unable to produce even a small flame. She had no tome but she should have been able to do that much with the runes on her cloak. Her cloak that had seemingly been confiscated.

"I see you're awake now." The girl froze as another bluenette entered the tent.

"Where's my sword?"

"I do not think you are in a position to ask questions," Lucina walked up beside her cot, "Your blade is one such thing I would want to speak with you about, but perhaps we should start with something more simple like your name."

"Morgan," The girl replied after a moment.

"Morgan," Lucina looked uncertain how to continue, "Your blade speaks to your identity to a degree. We tested it. I know it's authentic. However, it appears that you also possess another brand. Grima's brand."

"So what now?" Morgan eyed Lucina warily.

"I want answers. You worked in our favor, and you have the exalted brand. Even more, Falchion deemed you worthy assuming you could actually use it. How were you born of both bloodlines? Why did you come here? …who are your parents?"

"I came here because Grima came back with you."

"What?" Her face grew dire.

"Yes, they would have won, but Grima was already about so it returned regardless. I am here to handle that part. The rest of you should be capable of handling the rest."

"That still doesn't answer how you came to be. There are not many options for how you possess exalted blood."

"True. My mother was a Lucina. Not unlike yourself."

"I see."

"Mom didn't know he was a fell blood. I don't think Dad knew."

"Who is he?" Lucina asked somberly.

"I can't tell you that. You might do something hasty."

"From what you said, he is not the true threat anymore."

"Yes, but you might not let yourself fall in love if you know what he is. Even if we succeed here, you believe his bloodline to be dangerous, me to be dangerous, don't you?"

"I…" Lucina did not really have a response for that.

"I thought so," Morgan held up her arms as much as she could, "Now, I have a mission to tend to. If you would?"

"You aren't staying?"

"I have my task just like you do."

"Can you do it alone? You were not wounded when you collapsed."

Morgan looked away, "I overexerted myself."

"That was more than simple exhaustion."

"Hmm," Morgan faced Lucina, "Very well. I am a child born of exalted and fell blood. These magical bloodlines do not agree within me. If I push myself, it can excite my condition."

"Will you be okay then?"

"I have managed this long. I will hold out long enough to do what I must."

"'Hold out?'"

"I will finish what I must."

"Very well. I will get your things."

Morgan let out a deep breath once Lucina left. That had been difficult. Morgan was afraid she came off as too cold, but it kept her from completely breaking down. Seeing her, even if it was not her real mother, struck a chord with the young royal. She supposed she had an idea what Lucina had just been through herself.

She hoped their meeting went off well enough. She had not planned to intervene, but, well, like mother like daughter she supposed. Her father had yet to check in on her here, at least while she was conscious. For the best she supposed.

She really hoped they ended up happy together. Maybe she could not expect them to end up like her parents, but she wanted them to. Morgan was afraid that her unexpected appearance might have disrupted that though. Her mother was nothing if not dedicated. She had shared her greatest regret was when she put her mission before Robin even if it had been temporary with her ultimately unable to go through with it.

"Your Falchion and cloak," Lucina handed them over after returning, "The cloak is unique. I have never seen one like it."

"It was a present when I came of age. It has some useful modifications like minor spells in the cuffs and the hood is enchanted to obscure my face when up. It is one of my most treasured possessions," Morgan found herself gushing over the cloak as she ran a hand over the brand of the Exalt on one of the sleeves.

"A memento from your father?" Lucina probed.

"It was from my Mother and Father," Morgan corrected.

Lucina nodded, "I understand having mementos from your parents."

"Like your headpiece."

Lucina paused for a moment reaching up for it subconsciously, "Yes. Falchion is extremely important, but this is more…personal I suppose."

"Yeah…Falchion is ancient. It's a memento of you, but it carries so much else with it. Falchion is Ylisse's in a way as well, but the coat…that is mine."

"I can understand the sentiment. Very well," Lucina took a dagger and cut the ropes binding Morgan, "Those were my idea."

"Fell blood," Morgan rubbed her wrists.

"I wanted to err on the side of caution."

"I know," Morgan smiled, "It's very like you, and I was an unknown."

"Excuse me, but this is all very new for me. I'm not sure how to respond to all this. I'm hesitant to believe it, but your evidence is…hard to argue with."

"But the other half of my heritage gives you doubt."

"Grima has been my enemy for years. The monster destroyed my home."

"If it makes you feel any better, my father was a good man. Just as much a victim if not more so."

"That may be, but it is a lot to take in."

"I suppose so, and you have your mission to think about."

"I'm sorry. I just found out who you are. It is hard for me to adjust so quickly. I hope…I hope your mother was better at it than I."

"She was great," Morgan smiled fondly after donning her cloak again, "You will be too if you give yourself a chance."

"I am not so certain."

"Please, don't restrict yourself. It may be hard to believe now, but he will make you happy. We were happy for a time. If I succeed, you can be happy for longer."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Thank you," Morgan nodded and she slipped out of the tent. Sneaking out of camp was easy enough thanks to her warp magic. She was gone in a flash, quite literally. When she got far enough away though, she finally let her tears flow.


The Dragon's Table. Everything seemed to hing on this utterly creepy place. Though the atmosphere was not helped by all the dark energy permeating this place thanks to all those dark rituals and Grima.

It had taken Morgan far longer to find Grima than she would have liked. Knowing that someone was aware of and hunting the monster made it far harder to find than normal. However, Grima was going to be there. Grima was not going to miss this be it to watch and relish in victory, or to step in if needed. So it meant Morgan knew where to go as the time drew near at least. Though it was pushing things dangerously close for her liking.

Grima would be hiding out of the main chamber. Sneaking in was easy enough. Validar was not exactly trying too hard to keep people out after all. Grima was not on the first floor. The Fell Dragon was likely hiding away on a subfloor. Finding it proved a bit more difficult than normal though as it was obscured by the sheer stench of all the fell energy surrounding the building. It made the fell side of her agitated, and the exalted side was not too keen on it. In other words, it made Morgan miserable.

Her condition was getting worse. She did not want to tell Lucina and give her something else to worry about. The last thing she needed was the guilt that she was not doing well, but she doubted she had much time left.

She was the product of two magically charged bloodlines. Two that did not exactly agree with one another. Perhaps complications should have been expected. It made her strong at least. Sometimes freakishly so, but at the same time, she would burn herself out at this rate, and tapping into it accelerated the process.

Morgan did not know how long she had, but she would hold out long enough. She was so close. Even if she could not seal it today, if she could make it flee then perhaps catastrophe could be averted.

Morgan found herself in a large chamber directly underneath the main one above. It was lit purely by eerie purple flames and her target was sitting in the center of the room seemingly meditating.

"The time is at hand," Grima spoke with closed eyes, "Have you come to witness your failure?"

"Robin won't submit," Morgan drew Falchion as she approached.

"Perhaps not." Grima rose and looked at her. Morgan could see the arm was still missing, but it was replaced by a shadowy magic limb as she approached, "I do not understand why he would choose them over me though."

"No, I don't imagine you would," Morgan tried to ignore the sweat beading on her forehead.

"Hmm," Grima smirked, "You are not well, little one. Your mortal body cannot survive this much longer."

Morgan did not let Grima's words deter her though. She pressed forward with determination and Grima grew serious and struck first. The magic was fierce, but Morgan was fast. Her dual bloodlines helped out there.

"Getting old, Grima?" Morgan dove in taking part of the coat with her slash.

"The time draws near, if he does not take his place, I can take it for him. What will you do then?"

"It won't come to that," Morgan rushed forward as Grima unleashed a flurry of fell lightning, but Morgan grunted and bore it as she lunged forward and stabbed Falchion through Grima.

"Hah, this will not kill me…"

"I know," Morgan whispered as her vision blurred, "But it will stop you…for now."

As Grima's vessel fell, Morgan staggered backwards clutching her side. Her coat was burned and all but ruined, and she was not faring much better. However, she had done it. She had succeeded in her part at least.


Lucina was uncomfortable entering the Dragon's Table. Her very blood seemed unsettled by this place. She had offered to go with her father and Robin to deal with Validar, but Robin seemed adamantly against the idea. Something about how he would worry too much if she were there.

However, Lucina felt something else was off. She knew her Grima was about unless Morgan had succeeded, and she suspected that he would be lurking about the Table. The battle would be well in hand without her, so Lucina opted to go hunt Grima.

She managed to find an area that Validar seemed less keen on her reaching. Fortunately, she was able to fight her way through when needed. It seemed clear that they had planned an ambush.

As she walked mindful of her surroundings, she noticed a sudden reduction in the oppressive dark energy. Continuing onward, she came to a large room she would guess was beneath where her Father and Robin had engaged Validar in combat. It was there that she found a body in a familiar looking cloak though the lighting was not great.

She approached cautiously as she had little doubt now who the fellblood was. The body seemed deceased, but she remained cautious. Sure enough, there was a rough Falchion sized hole. More alarmingly, Lucina noticed Morgan leaning against a pillar nearby.

Alarmed, Lucina kneeled before the injured girl. Lucina breathed a sigh of relief when Morgan opened her eyes albeit weakly. She was heavily burned. A healer should be able to patch her up, but that would require her to get to a healer before expiring.

"Hey, stay awake," Lucina ordered as she took stock of the situation and how best to get Morgan to a healer. She did not want to leave her here for fear of a Grimleal finding her, or her perishing while she was gone.

"I did it, Mom," Morgan smiled weakly.

"Save your energy, and don't close your eyes," Lucine replied, "You can tell me about it later."

"Don't…don't waste your effort…" Morgan whispered.

"These wounds should be nothing for aunt Lissa or Brady. Just lie still."

"Not," Morgan coughed, "Not that. Mom…I'm dying. My bloodlines…they…they're too much. Even if you heal me…I'm not long for this world as things are."

"No," Lucina shook her head and pulled out an elixir - she had been against having something so valuable given to her, especially when she had Falchion, but now she was glad she had been forced to carry it. "Drink this. It should help stabilize you so I can carry you out of here."

"Mom…"

"Drink." Lucina spoke sternly and Morgan weakly swallowed some of the blue liquid. It eased her pain enough as Lucina picked her up as carefully as she could. No daughter of hers would be dying in a place like this. She refused to accept her death so simply even if they hardly knew each other. Even if they were not from the same world. Chrom and Sumia had taken her as their own, and if they had done as much for her, it was the least she could do to do the same for Morgan. She was not going to let her daughter die here.


Lucina sat at Morgan's bedside in concern. The burns had been easy to heal, yet she did not wake up. None of their healers could tell them why either, just that she had a fever and her breathing was labored. Morgan had mentioned her bloodlines. She had asked for Lady Tiki's help, but she was busy making sure that they had actually won.

This had left Lucina with a lot of time to think. After Morgan had left, she had been on guard. She now knew there was a fellblood in their midst. Naturally, her first suspicions landed on Robin so she watched him. Though she had a hard time thinking she might fall for him.

Oh how naïve she had been. Even as she tried to be cautious, she found herself falling for him regardless. It got to the point that she could not believe he was a traitor, but from what Morgan said, it was likely not by choice.

She fell in love, but she was also confused. A horrible fate was destined to befall him as well, so she dedicated herself to preventing that fate. She was scared. Scared to love and that he would be ripped from her. She wanted to be certain, to be in control.

Then there was Morgan. Lucina never told him who she was. Merely that she was an ally. Morgan represented a great unknown. They could be together, but it did not look like a happy ending. Now, they had won, but something was still wrong. Was she simply just cursed to live through misery? Must even her daughter suffer?

The bluenette looked up as Robin entered the tent. Standing only a few steps past the entrance, the tactician looked at the girl, then to Lucina.

"Who is she?"

Lucina looked back to the girl with a somber expression, "She…is my daughter."

"I see," Robin nodded looking at Morgan, "So that's why you let her go."

"Yes, but I didn't know about her prior to that day. It was a surprise, but I found myself hoping we would meet again. I suppose I came to know something of how Chrom and Sumia felt."

"I see," Robin looked to the burnt cloak in the corner of the tent, "And…her father?"

Lucina hesitated, but denying that there was something between them was pointless, "You."

"I see. How long did you know?"

"I did not know for certain until Validar controlled you. I knew Morgan was half fellblood and half exalted. Falchion made it easy enough to figure out who her mother was. I apologize for not telling you sooner."

"I see."

"Do you not have anything to say?" Lucina was almost frustrated he was not mad.

"I'm still processing all this myself. I'm not sure I can blame you. It's all a bit much. I have a daughter, and now she's dying."

"And I don't know why," Lucina clenched her fists in her frustration of her helplessness.

"The fell and exalted blood wars within her," Lucina and Robin both turned their attention to the manakete who entered the tent, "Not only that, but the sheer energy it produces puts much strain on her body. It is impressive she has survived this long."

"Is there nothing we can do?" Lucina asked desperately and Tiki closed her eyes.

"I am sorry. You would have to weaken at least one of the bloodlines. Unfortunately, to outright destroy or that power would be difficult, and slaying Grima is a problem that we have been unable to find a solution to. It would require Grima's own power to do it."

"So she's doomed?" Lucina stood while Robin's expression grew dark.

"I am truly sorry, but I cannot think of a solution at this time. I will think on it. In the meantime, I would suggest staying close in case she awakens."

Lucina grit her teeth as Tiki left, and Robin put a hand on her shoulder. He said nothing though. They would sit in silence for hours before Lucina eventually fell asleep at Morgan's bedside.


Few people were up so early after such a decisive battle. However, Robin had been missing when Lucina awoke, leading her to look for him while Lissa tended to Morgan. Her condition had only gotten worse. Lucina hated being away for even a brief period, but it seemed unlike Robin to just leave like that. She was afraid she had made him feel unwelcome, but she also knew that he might be working himself to the bone looking for a solution. Something she would like to assist in if she could.

However, he was not in his tent, he was not in the war tent, mess tent, or the training area to blow off some steam. Curious as to where he might be, Lucina started looking in less likely places. Eventually, she found herself with the steeds. She saw Cynthia feeding her pegasus, but she was the only human there.

Lucina was about to leave when she noticed that one of the horses was missing, but where would Robin have gone? No one would have stopped him as he was authorized to use mounts as needed. He just rarely did.

"Lucina," Tiki approached much to Lucina's surprise. It was quite early for Tiki on a non-marching day, "I have been looking for you and Robin."

"Apologies, I was looking for Robin myself."

"He's not with you?" Tiki sounded suddenly concerned.

"No, I have been unable to find him anywhere in camp. A horse is missing but I don't know where he might go."

"Oh no, I think I might know. I think his life may be in peril."


The sub floor of the Dragon's Table was dark to say the least as the dark torches had been extinguished. Robin used a spell to help light his way, but he remained especially cautious. He had a task to accomplish though, and he was not going to turn back now.

He did not know Morgan at all really, but knowing that she was his daughter was more than enough. He would do anything for her and for Lucina. He would do a lot for all of his found family, but Lucina meant the world to him. He could understand her hesitance to actually be together, but he would fight for them regardless.

That was why he was in a dark and oppressive place like this alone. He knew several people might try to stop him, so this was something he was going to do alone. The others might wonder what happened to him, but it was better this way he felt. Or maybe just easier for him.

Robin started getting a bit paranoid as he got closer to the back end of the sub floor. He kept hearing things that were not there. They had cleared this place out, but places like this could be full of hiding spots if just because of the dark. Plus, it was downright creepy. The thought that Morgan almost died in a place like this made him even more determined though.

Their combined efforts may have prevented Grima's return, but Grima was still very much alive. Sealed and likely very angry at being thwarted. Chrom was being advised on how to reinforce the seal, but Robin thought he had a more permanent solution. One that he believed might save his daughter's life.

More footsteps. Robin shook his head. He was trying to find a place where he might be able to finish Grima off in its forced slumber, but if Grima had a physical form, it would be quite deep. As it stood, Robin did not have much in the way of a plan outside of hopefully finding the seal placed upon Grima and strike from there.

A feat easier said than done. The darkness did not help, and Tiki was not kidding about the seal being weakened. It became hard to find it. Even weakened Robin thought it would give off more energy than this. Still, he persevered.

The footsteps were getting closer. Robin stopped. They sounded real. Very real. Real and in a hurry. The tactician grabbed his sword in preparation in case they had missed some Grimleal. He really hoped he was not going crazy too.

Eventually, he found what he was looking for. At least, he thought he did. The energy was growing faint, but he started building up energy anyway. It had to be it. He had never experienced anything like it. He just hoped that the spell would hit.

The man closed his eyes as it built up. He whispered an apology. To his friends. To Lucina. To Morgan. He hated to leave them, but if it saved Morgan, it was a small price to pay to him.

With the spell charged, Robin opened his eyes and prepared to launch it before he was suddenly tackled to the floor. Robin struggled to fight off the assailant, but whoever it was, was almost freakishly strong.

"Robin! Stop, it's me!"

The tactician ceased his struggling, "Lucina?"

"I'm glad I wasn't too late," Lucina got off of him, "Tiki suspected that you might try this."

"If it would permanently slay Grima, and if that's what it takes to save Morgan, then I'll do it."

"But it might not save Morgan," Lucina retorted, "Tiki said she is tied to another Grima. Slaying this one may not save her."

"Another…world…" Robin spoke slowly, "I…hadn't considered that."

"You thought you had a solution and you acted upon it. I can understand that."

"So we're just supposed to watch her die?"

"No," Robin felt a hand touch his cheek, "She has a potential solution. She's working out the details, I came to make sure you didn't do anything rash. Tiki isn't even sure if you could kill it with Grima still sealed."

"But shouldn't I try? We have little to lose and so much to gain."

Robin's eyes widened as he felt lips on his own. After a moment, Lucina pulled back, "We would lose you. I would lose you. Maybe it's selfish, but I want to keep you. I want to be with you for the rest of my days."

Robin let himself smile, "I would want that more than anything, but-"

Lucina put a finger to his lips, "At least hear Lady Tiki out. About Morgan. About the seal. Let us consider all the options."

"Alright," Robin slowly nodded, "Alright, but let's hurry. Morgan isn't getting any better."

"Right."


Robin paced uneasily. Morgan had only gotten worse. She had awoken briefly, and her words still rung in his ears:

"It was worth living."

Robin was about ready to tear his hair out waiting. Tiki's plan was simple enough. The blood is empowered by dragon magic. The Fire Emblem could awaken, yes, but its initial purpose was sealing dragons. So, it might be able to suppress her Grima charged blood.

Lucina wanted to be the one who performed it. Unfortunately, she knew next to nothing about magic. That might not have been a problem for performing the awakening, but this was something a bit more technical. Despite all that, she was adamant about being there.

Robin wanted to be as well, but considering they were targeting fell blood, it might have affected him as well. So, he waited outside for them to finish, anxious about the potential outcome.

While it did not take that long, it felt like an eternity. In reality, it was less than half an hour, but it was among the longest half hours of his life. He could hardly turn fast enough upon hearing the door creak open, nor did he wait to be ushered inside.

"Morgan!" Robin rushed to the conscious girl's bedside.

"Hi, Dad," Morgan replied weakly.

"So it worked?" Robin asked hopefully, but Lucina looked less pleased.

"Somewhat," Tiki replied nodding to the Fire Emblem resting on a pedestal by Morgan's bedside, "Morgan's fell blood has been subdued, but only so long as she is in the presence of the Emblem. If she gets too far away, then her condition would likely deteriorate again."

"So we keep her near it. Not ideal, but we can work around it."

"It is not so simple," Tiki shook her head, "I have used it very particularly. If it is moved, then it will have to be reset. I'm afraid that for the time being, she is stuck here in this room."

"And Grima still hasn't been resealed," Morgan spoke, but Lucina was having none of it.

"Don't worry about that right now. The seal will hold for some time yet."

"I am not worth risking the world, Mother."

"We're not going to leave you to die," Robin spoke firmly. More so than he usually did. It was enough to make everyone pause, "We'll figure this out. We've bought ourselves time. That's all we need to figure something more permanent out."

"And what if we can't?" Morgan's voice sounded small.

"To risk sounding like your grandfather, we will."

"I trust your father," Lucina nodded, "He's the smartest person I know. When he gets this determined, little can stop him."

"Alright, but I want to help. I'm smart too. I studied when I could."

Robin smiled, "I welcome the help."


Weeks passed, and Robin spent much of that time either in the library or in Morgan's room going over options. Tiki had opted to stay to help with the process. Chrom had also given Robin an indefinite leave to focus on this problem. Though, Lucina was left feeling a bit less than useful honestly.

She did her best to provide them with whatever they needed, but her skill set did not lie in research. Anytime she did hear them discussing options, it mostly sounded utterly foreign to her. She hated this sense of helplessness, but she supposed she had done her part. It was time to trust her family.

It took nearly two weeks, but they finally seemed to be onto something. She could tell they were getting close as their enthusiasm seemed to bolster immensely. Lucina still was not sure what all they were saying, but she was at least proud that her daughter was so bright.

Eventually, they called a meeting to discuss it. Once again, some of the technical details flew over her head, but she could tell by Lady Tiki's expression that something was amiss. Then they broke it down.

"Essentially, we'll use the weakened state to forcibly remove Grima's influence."

"Can you really just…remove something like that?"

"In theory," Tiki responded, "Your brands are not something like eye or hair color. They are not natural, but they are essentially spells passed down from blood. Powerful spells, but they could potentially be removed."

"You do not sound particularly confident," Lucina pointed out.

"These types of spells tend to bond quite heavily to those who have them. Removing them in the best of circumstances may be tricky. I can only imagine what surprises Grima may have left in the fell brand."

"How dangerous could it be?" Robin looked a bit more concerned at this turn of the conversation, but it was Morgan who answered.

"I'm willing to take the risk."

"I know it's risky," Robin looks to Lucina, "But it's the only way we can think of."

"Could we not just perform the awakening and ask Naga to remove the exalted side?"

"That would still not be without risk. Risk to the awakener, and we would have to move Morgan to Mount Prism. Surviving the journey might prove difficult."

"I won't risk you or Grandpa," Morgan spoke firmly, "I'm sorry, but if I'm going to risk a life, it will be mine and mine alone."

Lucina sighed, "I suppose you are old enough to make your own decisions."

Morgan smiled softly to help ease her mother's concerns, "I'm sorry, Mother, but I know you'd do the same."

Her mother smiled ruefully, "I suppose it's too late to tell you to do as I say and not as I do?"

"Sorry," Morgan grinned, "But I won't put you in danger."

The older woman nodded, "Very well. When do we attempt this?"

"It will take a day or so to prepare," Tiki answered, "I would not want to rush this."

"Very well," Lucina responded looking to her odd family, "We should do something tonight."

"I'm still stuck in this room though. More like this bed."

"How about game night?" Robin asked, "Could be fun."

"Oh! I loved those!" Morgan smiled wider than Lucina may have ever seen.

"You may have to go easy on me," Lucina admitted, "But it sounds nice."

"Don't worry, Mother, I'll walk you through it."

"Very well."


If Robin was tense before, then he was borderline panicking as they worked to remove Grima's poison from Morgan's veins. Once again, he needed to stay back, but the sounds coming from that room did not reassure him in the slightest. He nearly barged in when he heard Morgan screaming.

Clenching his fists, Robin picked up his pacing speed. Robin sought to distract himself. He thought of the logistics of what needed to happen next. After Morgan was cured - and she would be cured - they needed to high tail the Fire Emblem back to the Dragon's Table to reapply the seal to Grima.

Tiki said it was unlikely he could reach Grima while the seal was in place and removing it to try would be far too risky in her opinion. So, as aggravating as it might be, Grima would live for the time being, but Chrom had already begun funneling funds to try and find something more permanent.

However, Robin also still bore Grima's fell influence. It was no longer much of an issue for him, and he did not want to presume anything with Lucina. Still, he would rather just go ahead and go through with it himself rather than have his children do so.

He had asked Tiki about it, but it seemed like it would be more dangerous for him than Morgan. It was far more embedded in him than it was in Morgan. The exalted blood had at least kept the fell brand from digging its roots too deep. Robin did not have that.

If nothing else, it did at least manage to distract him long enough for the procedure to finish. Tiki greeted him looking exhausted, but she smiled. Rushing inside, Robin saw a sleeping Morgan with Lucina washing her face with a damp cloth. She was okay.

"Did…did it work?"

"Yes," Lucina smiled, "She was exhausted, but she'll be fine."

Robin did not respond, but he did smile and joined Lucina on the other side of Morgan's bed. He would address his thoughts later. For now, he would celebrate the win.


A couple of weeks later, the seal on Grima was reinforced and Morgan was up and about. Morgan and Lucina quickly put an end to any talk of her leaving to give them space. Truthfully, Lucina's parents were happy to have something else to anchor Lucina to her new home. Something Robin was also quite pleased with in addition to keeping Morgan around.

They had not really settled the question of what they were at this point. There had been the event at the Dragon's Table, but they had been busy with Morgan after that. Now they were just kind of dancing around the issue. They had made nothing official. Robin wanted to, but there was something he was determined to do first.

"Tiki?" Robin knocked at the door to her guest room, "May I have a word?"

"Very well," Tiki dropped her smile, "I think I know what this is about."

"Then this shouldn't take long. I think I should do it."

"Even knowing the risks?"

"It will make it far harder for Grima to return. It's worth the risk. And…I don't want my children to have to go through that if I can do it for them."

"I see. You wish to protect any children you might have, and that is noble. However, your odds of survival are a good bit lower than Morgan's."

"I understand, but it's only right that I try. I saw how it afflicted Morgan. I want to spare any of my future children that pain."

"I see. I won't stop you, and your odds of success are greater if I aid you. When shall we start?"

"Well, I'll need to borrow the Emblem. Tomorrow?"

"I can finish the preparations. Will you tell them?"

"I…I would rather not worry them, and...well, I'm not sure I want to face that."

"I see. Tomorrow then."


Getting the Emblem was actually not all that hard. With it secured, Robin made his way to Tiki's guest room with the Emblem in hand. It felt a bit strange just casually carrying it under his arm like that, but he advanced all the same.

However, when he arrived, it was not just Tiki like he had been expecting.

"L-Lucina. What brings you here?" Robin tried hiding the Emblem behind his back.

"Father mentioned that you had taken the Emblem. I had a good idea why."

"Are you here to stop me?"

"No. You've clearly made up your mind, but I want to be here for you. To…remind you of why you need to live."

The tactician nodded, "Thank you, Lucina."

"Thank me after you've survived."

Robin nodded, "On the other side then."


It only took an hour, but it was eventually over. Robin almost immediately passed out. Lucina smiled as he laid out exhausted, but free of Grima's influence. Maybe it was not as permanent as slaying the dragon, but now Grima would have a hard time returning. It was a victory in a way that meant she got to keep Robin as selfish as that may have been.

She did not even notice Tiki leave. Instead, she carefully tended to Robin. Seeing him like that had been hard. To see two loved ones like that so close together had not been easy, but they were safe now. Her family was safe.

She and Robin were not married yet, nor was Morgan technically hers, but it would not be long for the former and she already thought of Morgan as a daughter. Though, they did need to finalize things. She and Robin had danced around it for so long, and she was debating an official adoption for Morgan.

All things to discuss after Robin awoke. What mattered in that moment for her was that they were safe. They could be happy.

A/N: Phew, this was a long one. For me at least. Worked on it mostly at work. Not sure what may be next or when.