The air was hotter than usual, causing Robin to flop over on her back. She was sweating. Excessively. Her bedroll was damp with her sweat and her clothes were sticking to her body, making it impossible to sleep or be comfortable. As the sun was rising slowly in the sky, Robin knew that it would only become hotter until night came. She exited her tent to find relief from her stuffy tent, but was only greeted by a small breeze. The relief only lasted a second.

Two days have passed since the Shepherds split up to rally and conquer. Robin had made sure to wake Morgan and send them off earlier than intended to help the nearby villages, while on the other hand Robin wanted the rest of them to leave as soon as possible to catch up with Gangrel.

Robin almost regrets leaving so soon. The closer and closer they get to the border, the hotter and hotter it gets. Despite the summer slowly coming to an end in Ylisse, it was still just as hot near Plegia. She opted out from putting her coat on and headed to the center of the campsite, her stomach rumbling for breakfast. Donnel sat by a pot over a fire and tended to it, sitting on one of the dead trees they all dragged together the day before. She let out a yawn as she sat down next to him.

"Mornin' Donnel." She mumbled. "Waz fir br'fast?"

"Mornin' Robin! Just another day of rice gruel."

"Hm…" She grunted and tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. Donnel sounded way too chipper for the morning, but he was always an early riser. He always tended to the barrack and palace gardens back at Ylisstol. Donnel had been selling some of his produce as they were ripe and ready, saying that the gold he obtains helps them on their expedition. He had harvested some delicious watermelon the last time and it was perfect for a hot summer day. She wished she could have some right now.

"Here Robin," a voice chirped from behind her. She turned around and saw Sumia holding a bucket and some towels in hand. "You can wash your face with this."

Sumia handed her a towel and placed the bucket down. Robin thanked her and scooped some water with her hands and splashed her face. The water was cold and shocked her awake immediately. Using the towel, she wiped her face off and handed it back.

"Thank you Sumia. Where did you get that water and how did you get it to be cold?"

"Oh, Ricken helped us! He had a couple boxes full of ice that never melts and had some kegs of water cooled with it." Sumia folded the towel back together and picked up the bucket. "Be sure to see him if you're thirsty too, he's rationing out the water for our canteens."

Robin thanked her and stepped away from the fire, the smoke and heat beginning to get back to her head. Stepping away, she began to pull her muscles and stretch. Frederick was always on her when they needed to do morning exercise. When she first started marching with them, she was greeted with a loud trumpet tune and Frederick pacing outside everyone's tents. Everyone knew the plan and what to expect, but Robin didn't. When she was done with her first training with everyone, it was already before noon and her body felt so sore. Frederick claimed that her body was too soft and that she didn't have the expected muscles with the power she's been using. With mind and body, power and magic can also build with constant body building. But now Frederick wasn't with them. Robin had to keep up the regime herself if she wanted to build a little muscle and get her power back up.

She began with simple stretches before turning to running and speed. After doing a couple laps, she saw that there were a couple people following her. One of them was the blue-haired lord. She chuckled as she realized that she had set an example for them. As he caught up to her, he let out a wave.

"Morning, Robin!" He panted. "I didn't expect you to follow Frederick's regime so studiously."

"Well, you know how Frederick puts it, 'When one slacks off, they will soon fall behind.'"

He let out a winded laugh, almost losing his footing in the sand. Robin chuckled again to herself, trying not to become winded herself. The two ran side by side until Robin noticed that the two of them were bouncing from being the lead.

"Are you challenging me, milord?" Robin smirked at him, hoping to get a rise out of him.

"And what if I am?"

"Come on, lovebirds." Gaius's voice came up from behind, startling her, and began to pass them, inciting a more promising challenge. "Get a move on!"

Robin scoffed, feeling her face heat up, and pumped her legs harder to catch back up.

"Wha-? Hey, wait!" Chrom called, as he also tried desperately to catch up too.

Soon there was a race between them as the others watched. Robin finished first as she began to use low-level wind spells to sprint across the sand and dirt mixture. Maribelle called for them as Robin and Gaius began to tease each other and call unfair shots.

"Come now, don't be such brutes and eat!" She called. Robin, still flicking sand at Gaius with her wind spells, hurried over to the group. "And you, Robin, need to act more like a lady. A lady shouldn't be philandering out in the open like that."

She pointed down at her clothes. Robin looked down, examining her attire. She didn't think what she had on was bad. A plain sleeveless shirt with combat pants and boots, minus the stuffy coat. For Gods sake, she first woke up in these clothes. It was the only thing that made her believe she was a different continent. Her attire was conversely different from what everyone else was wearing; her dark robes and plain attire contrasted their bright and pastel colors. She shrugged at Maribelle and gave her a smile, stating that it was the only thing she had and if she could she would get different attire. This prompted the noble lady to perk up and go off on planning a whole afternoon to go dress shopping as soon as they got back to Ylisstol.

Soon after, Donnel started to hand out bowls of gruel. At that time, everyone was already awake and ready to eat. By the time the sun was at its peak, the camp was packed and ready to keep marching onward. Robin and Chrom took the front with Libra and Olivia in the rear. They walked for most of the morning and at one point, stopped to take a break and drink water.

"We shouldn't be too far," Robin studied the map in front of her. "We should be there by mid-afternoon."

"Where are we now?" Chrom leaned over her shoulder to look at the map with her. His breath was on her neck again and she felt it heat up. How could he just come up close behind her like that? Doesn't that look too intimate? No, it's not. They're just comrades. Everyone's like this when there's a war to finish. There's no room for anything when you're pressed back to back with your ally, fighting off the enemy. She pushed her feelings and thoughts away and focused back on the map, pointing at an estimated spot where they are now.

Robin left Chrom to scout ahead while she made her way to the rear to check up on the everyone. Everyone seemed to be worn out by the hot sun, but their spirits were high as she talked to them. A couple people were developing blisters in unprotected spots and friction between clothes and skin. Libra and Maribelle were already on the case as they applied ointment to those who needed it. As she inspected the weapons cart, she spied a a blue pointy hat poking up from behind the tall tarp. Moving around, she found Ricken hunched over towards his lap.

"Ricken, are you alright?" Robin placed her hand on his shoulder. He jumped, pressing papers into his chest.

"R-robin! How long have you been standing there?"

"Um, only till now. Are you…writing something?" Robin tried to peer around to see what he was writing, but Ricken turned his body to shield his writing.

"N-nothing, I'm not doing anything!" His voice cracked, a sign of maturity as he was still growing up. "Just studying!"

Robin smirked and blew out a small gust of air, sending some papers flying. Ricken let out a small cry of protests and tried to get up to catch them, but Robin was too quick. Snatching them from the air, She read the first and only line.

"Dear Mom and Dad…Oh, you're writing to your parents?"

Ricken grabbed the papers from her hands, crumpling them up within his palm. "Yeah, so what?"

"That's wonderful! I'm sure they're worried about you and would want to know what you're doing."

"Yeah, well that's the thing. I don't want them to worry!" He snapped.

Robin was taken aback, but only for a second. She knew Ricken was sensitive, but that was only because he was entering an awkward phase of his life. He was growing up and he felt inferior to the others since he was one of the younger soliders.

"It's only in a parents nature to worry, Ricken." Robin gently placed a hand on his back. "Granted, you would feel the same way if you had kids of your own."

"Wha-don't talk to me like my parents, I'm not a child!"

"Don't worry," Robin laughed. "I'm not. Just think of it as friendly advice from one comrade to another. If you need help in the future, just come let me know."

She patted him on the back before moving on to looking at the rest of the party. Mentally, she checked off one task after the other. She had to ensure that everything would go to plan and nothing was left behind. Emmeryn and them should be meeting with them as soon as they were on the field and with that, the morale will shatter amoung the Plegian army.

After refilling their canteens, they marched on once more. Time passed slowly and as Robin watched the horizon, she noticed a speck in the distance. At first, she thought it was trees or rocks, but as they neared closer, it appeared to be a person. Robin put her hand up to signal everyone to halt. Chrom was already at her side as he stared them down.

"Who is that?" Robin cupped her hands over her eyes, shading the blinding sun.

They appeared to be walking leisurely towards them, becoming closer and closer, but eventually stopped. It took a moment of Robin to register that they had a blade in hand. The hairs on the back of her neck bristled and she became worried for a moment that it was the enemy. But then, all of a sudden, they were attacked in a flash. Another figure emerged out of nowhere and puffs of dirt began to cloud the air.

"They're in trouble!" Chrom exclaimed.

"Everyone, the enemy is near!" Robin threw her hand out and began to instruct the others. "Secure the supplies and remember your formations-move out!"

Robin and Chrom both gave each other a look and knew exactly what to do. They bolted forward towards the duo battling ahead of them. With her tome in hand, she summoned Elwind. As she neared the pair, she noticed that it was a woman who she spotted earlier. Her blue cloak was spotted with dirt, mud, and blood and her blue hair was tied up. Her stance was loose and showed slow-signs of fatigue and exhaustion.

With one push, she thrusted her hand out and aimed at the enemy in the white cloak. She pushed herself to guard the woman and defend against the enemy's attack.

"Back off!" The wind spell deflected the swords hit and knocked them away, a calculation Robin had misread. But this led Chrom to have a swipe at them too, narrowly missing them. Robin squinted as the dust began to settle, looking for the face of their enemy. The figure rose and when they lifted their head to meet Robin, red eyes glowed from underneath the white hood.

Robin's head exploded. Her vision became blurry and unfocused and her strength began to seep away. What was happening? What was wrong with her? Her hand began to burn and the voices around her were beginning to fade away, replaced by hushed whispered ones. Come, come. It was so loud, but yet so quiet. The end is nigh. With her last ounce of strength, she raised her hand and summoned mana into her palm.

"Thoron!"

The spell fired from her hand, but she couldn't see where it was directed to as she fell to her knees in exhaustion. The air began to whip around her from the force of the spell and the sand began to impair her vision. Everything hurts, she thought. It burns. Her head was still throbbing as she tried to control her breathing, closing her eyes to regain consciousness.

She felt hands around her arms and some gentle shaking. Voices were all around her, trying to communicate. She couldn't tell who was who or what was what. Opening her eyes, she noticed that the world was slowing down, everything was moving like molasses. There was double of everything. She saw Chrom in the distance, fighting the white clad figure. A voice, it was muffled underneath a ringing—she heard coming from beside her. It was the woman she had saved. Her eyes were wide and frantic as she tried to talk to Robin. She looked so familiar…where has she seen her before?

"..." Her head felt like it was gonna split in two. Where was she? How did she get here? Where is she? Wasn't she with…?

Robin raised a hand to her head, trying to stop it from swaying. Her hearing slowly came back to her as she tried to organize her thoughts. Everything seemed so familiar and so alien to her. It hurt. She was beginning to remember things, but she couldn't remember what. What was going on?

"...er! …yo…ear me…?" The woman's voice was becoming clearer and the ringing was going away. It felt familiar. The shaking and screaming that was echoing in her ear. She felt so warm in her bed. Wasn't she in bed? "Wake up! Don't give in!" The birds chirped their morning songs and someone was next to her, groaning as well from the needless shaking and yelling.

"'Cina, don't shout so loud in my ear." Robin groaned. "I'm awake…"

It took a moment to process what had just come out of her mouth. The woman also stopped talking and moving, her hands hovering around her. Robin's eyes became more focused now and she turned to the woman she called 'Cina'.

"...Mother?"

It was barely above a whisper, the woman's lips began to quiver as she stared at her. Robin stared back, squinting her eyes. Her head began to pulse again and for a moment she began to remember something. It was a faint and fragile memory, but she remembers cherishing this child as she did to her.

"I…remember you,'' Robin said slowly, trying to make out the face in her memory to be the same one in front of her. Everything was in pieces. She recognizes her, but she doesn't remember from where. "...but I—"

"...it's alright," Cina spoke softly. She squeezed her shoulders. "You needn't push yourself. Let's just keep it a secret between you and me. For now, you may call me 'Marth'."

"...," Robin's head kept throbbing as she tried to recall the memory again, but it felt so blurry and surreal. "I…alright. For now, I shall call you Marth. But I have questions for you later."

'Marth' nodded her head and helped Robin stand, having her lean against her own weight. Her legs felt like jelly, another memory—remembering that this had happened once long ago. Her head hurt from the amount of pounding her head was getting. Looking up, she saw Chrom running towards them. She patted Marth on the shoulder and, reluctantly, she let go of her. Pulling a concoction out from her pocket, she down it in one sitting. The bittersweet taste left a sour aftertaste in her mouth. Within seconds, she felt immensely better. Her headache was still present, but she could deal with it for the time being.

"Robin!" Chrom's eyebrows were furrowed, his expression worried. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Robin tried to play the part as she wiped her mouth and dusted off her coat. "Thankfully Marth stepped in to help me."

Chrom's and Marth's brows shot up, both sharing an identical look of surprise.

"Oh, you met already?" Chrom turned to the woman, raising his hand in a greeting. "Hail Marth well met. It's good to see you again."

"And you as well." She replied, bowing her head slightly, her bangs covering her eyes. She did not raise her head after.

"You know her?" Robin eyed the two of them. Their features were strikingly similar and what's more, she had taken the name from the Hero King, Marth—Ancestor to Chrom. She pondered if they were related at all. But that couldn't be, since she was apparently her mother.

"Yes, she saved Emmeryn when an assassin attacked the castle. Although," Chrom rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "We have met before that."

"What happened to the enemy?" Robin questioned Chrom, saving the young lady from any more talk about her.

"She retreated." Chrom sighed, sheathing Falchion. "She seemed to only have eyes for Marth and when I went for them, she seemed disinterested in me."

Robin placed a hand over mouth. Why only go for Marth? Robin didn't see any valuable items on her person and her attire was soiled with blood and dirt. She would have to pester 'marth' even more later. What was the enemy's goal here? Were they with Gangrel?

"...well, regardless of her proposition," Robin pulled out her tome once again. "We must be prepared. It isn't over yet."

She motioned for them to follow her, before taking off to the battlefield ahead of them.

Aversa surveyed the tattered camp as she walked. Soldiers were bruised and battered as they lay bandaged on the ground. Their bodies were hunched over, some staying out of the sun, while others sat bleeding like stuck pigs . She scowled at the mess she was looking at. She knew that He had a plan for all of them, but why give this job to Gangrel? He was becoming out of hand; the fate that was written before them foretold that Gangrel would fall here, but that could have been easily prevented if she was leading these troops. Everything was going to plan, but Gangrel had to put in an extra step and attack Emmeryn a day earlier than what was planned.

She noticed him, standing a ways away from camp. A gleeful smile on his face. Letting out one last breath to calm herself, she composed herself and walked up behind him.

"Milord," She announced herself. "The enemy has been spotted and has taken the field."

Gangrel lets out a laugh, clasping his hands behind his back. "Back already? I feel like I just said goodbye!"

'Hmph, ignorant fool,' She thought, brushing back her hair with her hand. 'Know your place.'

"Our scout reports to us that they seem to be in good spirits." Aversa strokes her cheek with a long fingernail, leaving out an important piece of information. She wouldn't need to report to him much longer at this rate.

"Why do you care what she says? She's not with us anyways! Hee hee…! I could break their ranks as easily as I break wind."

This sent him into a fit of giggles. Aversa rolled her eyes and lit a small fire underneath his feet, sending him into a little dance. She could care less what could happen between a little spat between him and her. She already saw what happened to Nelson and she wasn't worried one bit.

"You watch your tongue. Our Lord has graced us with more power and servants to take over this world, mind you. Hmph, I would like to see you dance and sing like that for the rest of your puny life."

Gangrel stomped the fire out before lurching towards her, pulling out his Levin sword and raised it to her neck. Aversa made no move or expression if this alarmed her at all.

"Listen well now dear," He licked his lips. "I don't give a damn to what you all say, but if you also want to get out of here alive—I suggest you start listening to what I say."

Before she could retort, a foot soldier came running up to them.

"Y-your Highness! I-I have dire news!"

Gangrel snarled and lowered his blade. "What is it now? Speak!"

"O-our troops are laying down their weapons and deserting the field!"

No surprise there. Aversa crossed her arms and hid her smile behind her hand. This should serve him right.

"Aversa," Gangrel growled. "There is a truth in this world and if I must teach that Ylissean welp, It will be that one must either be strong and live…or die by my hand! Bwa ha haa!"

"The army is in disarray," Marth explained through breaths as they hurried down the sandy slopes. "Gangrel has been abusing his power and the soldiers are beginning to flee and lay down their arms."

"How?" Chrom asked. "This is incredible! Where did you hear this from?"

"I ran into the East Khan and your merchant on my way here. Many are seeking refuge in a nearby village. They say that The Exalt, Emmeryn resides there and is making her way to the Border Wastes." Marth looked at them in disbelief. "Is this true? Is the Exalt still alive?"

"Yes," Robin responded, she ducked into an empty fortress. "She was accompanying us to the recent tournament in Regna Feroxx that we were invited to."

The two others followed her, breathing heavily to catch their breath. Robin stole a look at the woman. Marth's face was washed with relief. "Thank Naga," She breathed. "I had feared the worst when I heard grim news."

"We had taken the extra precautionary tests and set up a double to make sure she was safe." Chrom responded. "After the first attempt, we knew something like this was bound to happen again."

"Lady Emm is rallying in different villages to gain morale," Robin put in. "We have half of our band traveling with her to ensure her safety. They plan to meet us here at the border today as we bring down Gangrel."

"She believes in peace, for a world that deserves more than it's worth." Chrom wielded Falchion, examining its blade carefully. "And now we can make sure that that future is ahead of us."

The three of them readied themselves and checked their weapons. Robin knew that the battle was nigh, but something, or everything, seemed to be wrong. Her head was still aching and her memories seemed to become foggier the more she forgets to think about it. Something wasn't right. The group was startled as they heard a horn blow in the distance. They climbed the fortress stairs and found themselves faced with a torn army. Men and women stood on shaking legs, some of them still bleeding from a previous battle. Robin couldn't even stand to look at it. How could someone let this happen to their own troops? Just by looking at the field with her Insight, she knew there was no hope in winning for them. There were no healers around as well as any abundance in weapons. Some were using cooking utensils or branches from the ground. In the distance, Gangrel stands tall and proud from his own fortress, surrounded by more lackeys.

"Well, well, well," Gangrel cackles, his voice being projected from a special tome. "Good day to you, little princling! How do you fare on this hot day? Still sobbing over your sister?"

"There will be no more out of you, Gangrel." Chrom's voice was clear as he addressed The Mad King. "Today will be the day that Ylisse and Plegia finally get the peace they deserve. Your tyranny shall reign no more!"

"Bwa haa haaa! You think you can make peace with war? Look around you, no man will ever know peace. You don't even know the first thing about it!"

"I know more than you shall ever know and there's one who wishes it for her people and anyone else in this world."

"Pah ha ha! Your sorry excuse for a sister? She would do nicely as a decoration for 'peace'. You and I are the same. When war asks us a question, we answer with action and blood!"

The army in front let out weak responses, a small cry for a smaller king. Gangrel was trying to get a rise out of Chrom and Robin could see it building.

"...Chrom." Robin steps up by his side and puts her hand on his arm.

"I'm quite alright," He says softly, his demeanor changing as fast as lightning. "He and I could never be the same."

"Ugh, may I vomit now? How can you make goo-goo eyes right in front of me?" Gangrel faked gagging and started laughing at his own antics. "Gods, such flowery devotion for a field made just for battle. We both are beasts—beasts who want to do nothing but kill! We devour anything in our way and cut down those we don't need! We use those for our own selfish needs!"

"If that's so, this could explain why others choose to abandon you. You poison others and fester maliciousness in their blood. No one wants to stand beside a king who hurts his own people."

"Such a clever mind paired with a quick tongue, it will look wonderfully paired with the body of your sister!"

With that his voice was dispersed and another horn was sounded, signaling soldiers to commence battle. Robin spied the others approaching the battlefield, some of them already wounded or tired. Looking back at the ragged enemy, she felt pity and knew that if she did not do something, she would regret it later.

"New strategy!" She called out from the fortress to the rest of the brigade. "Spare anyone who lays down their arms! If they wish to fight for Gangrel, they'll hold steady!"

The trio made their way down from the fortress, Marth forking off from them with a new plan that Robin gave her. Robin and Chrom made a beeline for Gangel, attacking anyone that approached them with intent. Robin noticed that many mages on the field were carrying wind tomes and that their own thief was making its way towards the west chest on the field. Gaius was further away from the chest than them, making her only a little nervous. She knew that if they possess the artifact, they can always get it by slaying him. But if they were forced to get it by Gangrel, then another innocent life would be taken away.

"Gaius!" Robin called out, blocking an attack from a mercenary. "Get to that chest as soon as you can!"

The battlefield was becoming bloody, riddled with bodies. But why did it feel like there was so much more than before? Slowing time, she used Insight once more and saw that soldiers were coming up from the fortresses by Gangrel. They must have used the underground ways to get more soldiers to filter through onto the battlefield.

She cursed under her breath and aimed a fire spell into a couple enemies, only to get hit back with Arcwind. She stumbled, cursing even more. She was getting hit left and right, due to her being careless.

"I can try my best, but I won't be able to get to it on time!" Gaius yelled back.

"Don't worry," a voice called out from ahead. "I'm open for business!"

Just then, a woman fell out of the sky. Blocking an incoming attack, she gave Robin a wink before slashing at the attacker. Robin stared at the red-head, her mouth gaped at what she just witnessed.

"You alright?" She asked. She was a lean woman, dressed in red and a small cute bear hung from the handle of her sword. She wore a sly grin and she looked at Robin with calculating eyes.

"Ah, uh yes." Robin finally mustered out. "Who are…?"

"My apologies, we haven't been introduced yet!" She grabbed her hand and shook it vigorously. "The name's Anna. I've been gathering intel for Chrom and the gang. You must be Robin!"

"Uh, yes. How did…"

"Oh, I've heard all about you!" Anna giggled and blocked another attack from behind while making eye contact with Robin. "There's already so many reports that I hear from Chrom—"

"ANNA!" Chrom yelled from beside them. "Hurry it up over there and get straight to the point! We have a war to finish!"

"Ugh, fine." Anna ran her sword through the enemy and huffed like it was nothing. "His lordship is so touchy…here, ya go!"

Anna threw a brick at Robin, who caught it as she blew a wind attack to her side.

"Snatched that from the west! Now ya boy can go to the other in the east."

Robin pocketed the bullion and told Gaius the news, to which he signaled to her and ran off to retrieve the other artifact. Anna bid her farewell as she jumped over more enemies and disappeared within the crowd. With one of the chests secured, Robin headed over to Chrom and decided to act on the plan.

"Let's go!" She aimed a fire spell at their feet, cutting off any enemy that tried to follow them. "We can cut through here!"

The soldiers around them were already weakening and some were already abandoning the field. Robin looked across the field, searching for the other group as they rallied. She could hear Gangrel's pitchy voice cackling from across the field. She knew they were close. She yelled for Chrom to throw her a sword, catching it while aiming down to slash at an enemy.

As the fight continued, she heard a rallied roar from the other side of the field. Looking up, she saw a faint sign of green and white flags bellowing in the wind. An army crested over the sandy dunes, Frederick leading the charge with Emmeryn close at his side. As they approached closer, Plegian soldiers started to stop and look. Some were already laying down their weapons and turning tails as they saw hope on the edge of the world.

"How…dare she come to haunt me here!" Gangrel spat. His face was contorted and twisted, features that did not suit him. "Have you come to die by my hands once again? Who said you could draw another breath! I saw you die, laying on the palace floor so miserably!"

"You mistake your intentions with foolish mistakes that has cost people their lives. I beesch all of you to listen to reason and lay your arms down! War can only bring hate and sorrow that will torment us endlessly."

"Another silver tongued royal has entered the fray!" Gangrel had a maniacal look in his eye as he staggered back and forth. "All I wish right now is for my sword to cut you down in one fell swoop only to kill the rest of your Ylissean pups in my path!"

"Will you reason with no one Gangrel?" Emmeryn called out one last time. Her arm rested on Fredericks horse, ready to rise up and command the army. "Seek the truth in my words and we can enter parlay once more."

"The only thing I want is the Emblem and you to be GONE!"

"Then we all will do what we must to contain peace…as I will do to stop you and your tryanny."

With Emmeryn's signal, the Ylissean army charged forth. A battle cry echoing throughout the field. Already quaking in their boots, some soldiers threw their weapons onto the ground and began to run.

With Gangel so close and the field in dissarray, Robin aimed a wind spell at him. She hit him successfully, a howl coming from him.

"Let's do this!" She called. But before she could take another step, Robin felt her cloak pulled from behind, becoming separated from Chrom. She grasped desperately to grab on to him; his cloak, arm, or clothes, but to no avail as she was swept away in the crowd. Her head began to pound again and she felt a fireball hit her arm.

"Chrom!" She cried out, making sure he knew where she was. She dodged an axe and fired a gust into the crowd, creating some space.

"Robin!" He stretched his hand out to grab for her, but was stopped short. His body surged with heat and shock. He was hit with lightning, Gangrel had his levin sword out behind him.

"Come little princling," He taunted. "Don't keep me waiting!"

Chrom staggered to his feet, blocking several blows from soldiers around him. Gangrel began to yell at them, throwing lightning at them.

"No, no! He's mine! Leave him to ME! I want his head and his sisters on a pike!"

Chrom gritted his teeth. How could this insane man be fit to be a king? Who could ever know.

"My sister and I wish peace for both of our countries, but as long as you draw breath, no one shall know. For Ylisse!"

With a dash, he cleared the distance between him and Gangrel in a second. He could feel Naga bless his speed and agility as he locked swords against his opponent. Their fight went on as Gangrel danced around him, laughing as he did so.

"Hmmm…" Gangrel pushed against him, a shock of electricity going up his arm. "That's a cute little bird you have there. Would be a shame if it was left in the mouth of a cat." He laughed out loud once more before Chrom felt a searing pain in his abdomen.

He grunted, looking down to see a dagger plunged into his torso. He raised his leg and proceeded to kick Gangrel in the gut, sending him flying across the sand. Yanking out the knife, he tried to stop the bleeding with his hand before chugging down a vulnary. The bleeding stopped, but the wound was still there. He would have to get Lissa to fix it when he sees her next.

"I saw your tactician," Gangrel creeped around him, his stance low and crablike. "He seemed to be doing well. Even though I don't care for him, at least he knew who to join."

Chrom's blood went cold. Robin? He saw Robin? Does that mean…? Oh Gods, Chrom's mouth felt dry all of a sudden and began to swallow nothing but air, trying to keep his head focused. He felt his legs shake, if only a little, and he grabbed on one of his legs to stop them.

"You know nothing of our comrades." Chrom tried to keep his voice steady.

"Of course I know them!" Gangrel's laugh was sharp and pierced his ears. "We've met before. That silly woman and others. That blasted dunce fooled my plan once, so I had my dogs siced on him!"

Chrom was at a loss at his words. Is that why there was a sudden ambush that day? Who was that assassin that attacked both Emm and Robin? Why do they want to destroy the peace they've worked so hard for? A shock went through him and he began to taste blood in his mouth.

Gangrel made another dash towards him and metal clashed together once more, grinding together in a horrible symphony.

"Perhaps I should steal away another bird this time too?" Gangrel's voice was low, but powerful in his ear. "Once I tell her all that I know, she'll come running to us. We'll have an advantage against all who dare to hurt us."

Chrom's body felt hot and he pushed Gangrel's sword away, using his leg to kick him down on the ground. He aimed his sword at him, slashing away at his body. He couldn't think properly. Was he yelling? Something was burning up from inside him. Gangrel just layed there, laughing as he swung his sword at him.

Gangrel raised his sword and then Chrom felt a shock go through his body. He stumbled back, seeing the ground come closer as he fell to his knees.

His vision was beginning to look blurry and Gangrel's voice echoed in his ear. Why did they have to take Robin? Why did he sacrifice himself for their sakes? Chrom began to feel the despair he felt when he first lost his sister to the clutches of Gangrel. Was it the same with Robin? Was he held captive and forced to work for them or was a traitor all along? The strength in his body was gone, he felt no desire to go on. All this time, what was he fighting for? A hope to fix between countries and borders, but he had made so many friends along the way and one of them changed the ways he saw everything. But now he was gone. It wouldn't be bad if he left, right? Did he even care?

He felt his hair get tugged upwards, forcing his head up. Opening his eyes, he looked Gangrel in the face. A sneer was painted on his face, glee shining in his eyes. He didn't have the strength to go on.

He closed his eyes, forgetting about everything and everyone around him, and felt ready to embrace a cold death.

"CHROM!"

His eyes snapped open and his senses felt heightened as he heard his name. It was clear as day. The only voice he could hear within hundreds. Within an instant, He saw a flash and then purple smoke erupting throughout the air. He rubbed his eyes to see Robin in front of him, the purple mist emanating around her.

He only stared at her as she wrapped Gangrel up within the mist until there was nothing but an orb surrounding him.

Robin whipped around at him before slapping him hard in the face.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

Chrom sat there in shock, his mind not processing what had just happened to him. His cheek stung and he could feel it starting to swell up from the force. Robin grabbed him by the shoulders and began to shake him with every word she spoke to him.

"What do you think you're doing?! Are you deliberately trying to get yourself killed?! What would your sisters say?! As soon as we are done killing this bastard, I am personally going to tattle on you to your sisters! Now, snap out of it or so help me I'll—"

Robin was cut off as she found herself with a jagged blade sticking out of her chest. Robin choked on her breath, feeling something burn her throat as she coughed something up onto her coat. The two of them froze and Robin could feel something rise within her. At first she thought it was blood, but it was cold and dark. Chrom's blood went cold once more and he felt something surge within him. His sword felt lighter and his body felt like it could go faster.

At the same time, the two of them whipped around, just to raise their weapons right at the laughing king.

"Now I'm angry!"

"You're finished, Ruin!"

Gangrel watched in horror as the two soldiers turned towards him and both weapons wielded right at his chest. Both had a death glare aimed at him and in a split second, they had pierced right through his body.

It was a very sudden and painful death. Gangrel could only feel anger and sorrow; not for them but for himself, as he had realized the mistakes he had made. He was supposed to fix his country, but was filled with greed and malice. He wasn't always like this.

Using the last of his strength, he raised one hand to grab the women's robes and pull her in as he used the other to grab the sword that he struck through her, cutting his hand.

"F-fool of a prince…shall die alone…" The last bit of madness laughed out, before he became serious. "Bew-ware bird…the creator shall…s-slap the mouth it feeds…"

Robin felt the sword get tugged into her body more, letting out a cry as it twisted inside her. With Gangrel's words thrown into the wind for her to hear, he let go of his last breath and fell to the ground with a thud.

Soldiers around them began to celebrate, a rush of adrenaline shooting through their nerves. Many Plegian soldiers either began to fall to their knees in relief or began to vent their sorrow to the Gods.

Robin's headache was pulsing once again and with a sword stuck through her, she began to feel her consciousness fade. She weakly grabbed onto the Chrom's cloak and fell to her knees, coughing up a dark substance onto the sand. She heard Chrom calling for a healer and his arms were around her, avoiding touching the sword.

Within moments, she found many people surrounding her. Emmeryn kneeled in front of her, jostling her awake to look at her. She was saying something, but Robin couldn't hear anything. The voices were back again and they were angry.

Wrong…wrong! How could you-! She felt another slap to her face, waking her up once more before a sharp pain flushed against her body, causing her to cry out. The plan is ruined…eliminate…ELIMINATE! She saw Gangrel's sword from her field of vision and found hands pressed against her breast where it was lodged. Another calming wash covered her body and her pain dissipated. The voices began to disappear and her hearing came back, but with the adrenaline gone, Robin became tired. Forcing herself to open her eyes, she leaned towards Emmeryn.

"...Thank you, Emm."

Robin felt her self fall forward and into a deep sleep.