The Final Battle Against The Fell Demon.
The moment of twilight was finally at hand, the final battle that would decide the fate of the future. They managed to defeat Grima's ground forces and even defeated the Azure Knight Nightmare. Now all that was left was Grima himself, once he's slain, the dark future he seeks to bring about would finally be avoided. But due to his size, facing him head on would be suicide, as he was far to big and powerful to be harmed by any type of weapon. Luckily, he did have a weak spot on his back, and it was their only hope to finally defeat him.
They looked at Grima's weak spot, which was a corrupted Avatar of Robin. If they destroy it, Grima will fall... But Soul Edge was behind him, seemingly fueling his power.
"WRETCHED SON OF NAGA... YOU WILL BE DESTROYED" Grima roars in anger.
"Are you ready, Robin?" Chrom asked.
Robin nods "As ready as I will ever be, Chrom. Let's finish this!".
Cassandra took one moment to collect herself before holding Soul Calibur and her shield ready. She would fight alongside her family, to the very end. However Grima was not the least bit threatened by the collective heroes. He gather his power and unleashed a powerful attack that hit everyone and heavily injured them, making them all fall on their knees.
"Wh-what... What manner of magic..." Chrom said in pain.
"Magic? That was a...damned...catastrophe... He's weakened us all... He's too...strong...rrgh..." Basilio said.
Frederick grits his teeth "It cannot end like this... I won't have...all our struggle...be for naught...".
"No... This darkness... The future is upon us! Oh gods... F-Father... Mother..." Lucina said in fear.
"No... We didn't come all this way... we didn't fight all these battles... we didn't endure all this pain, just to fail at the end" Cassandra said as she tried to stand up.
Grima smirks evilly "And so it ends, Robin. See how frail these human bonds of yours are? How short lived? How pointless? You have all thrown your lives away, and the result is the same!".
"We're not dead yet!" Robin shot back.
"Details, details. But yes, I suppose it's time I got you all off my back, so to speak, permanently" Grima said.
Robin tried to get back up "No...".
"No, you don't want this, do you? You do have a choice, you know. It doesn't have to be this way. You can still save all your friends... Become one with me, and we shall spare their lives... Refuse, and watch as I rend the flesh from their bones!" Grima said.
Robin seemed to consider his words "...I...".
"No, Robin! Don't...do it..." Chrom said
"He's lying... It's...a trap..." Lissa added.
"NOW! I will have your decision! Will you save these worms? Will you JOIN ME and become a GOD?" Grima asked.
"Don't do it Robin!" Cassandra shouted.
Robin closed his eyes before glaring at his dark self "Do you think me a fool? You'll kill them anyway!".
"Well, of COURSE I would. I only thought you might want to leave your comrades with a heroic, selfless image. ...But so be it. Leave them with the final memory that you were their undoing!" Grima said as he summons his power.
"Robin!" Chrom and Cassandra shouts as Robin is absorbed into a black portal.
Robin found himself in a dark void "Where am I?".
Grima appeared before him "Where your god wills you to be. Now if you will excuse me... I have some fleas on my back to take care of".
"No... I won't let you!" Robin said.
Grima glares "You still DARE resist ME?! Then perhaps I should end you first!".
He blats Robin with dark magic, which makes Robin fall to the ground,
"So dark... A sea of black... I have...no final strategy... No cards left to play... He has...won... Ah... I c-can't see... I can't hear... I..." Robin was prepared to give up... until he heard muffled voices "...Huh? I...hear something... A voice...".
"Fight back, Robin! You swore to do so, remember? Now keep your damn word!".
"C-Chrom? Chrom! Chrom, I can hear you!" Robin said.
Grima looked shocked "What?! No! You are mine now! The dragon's grip cannot be broken!".
Robin could hear the rest of his comrades.
"Come back to us, Robin!" Lissa shouts.
Frederick "I know it would take more than this to stop you, sir!".
Sully "You gonna let that ugly snake get the last hiss? Come on!"
Virion "History is watching, Robin! The bards would sing of your triumph!".
Vaike "On your feet, soldier! Don't make ol' Teach give ya a lecture!".
Stahl "Wake up, Robin! Only I get to oversleep!".
Miriel "Arise from your hypnopompic state! You are sorely needed here!".
Kellam "Hello? Can you hear me? ...Perhaps if I shout? AAAAAAH!".
Sumia "Robin, remember all the days we spent together!".
Lon'qu "Answer us, Robin!".
Maribelle "Get up right this instant, or suffer a swift smack of my parasol!".
Panne "Do not rob the taguel of one of our last true champions!
Gaius "Up and at 'em, Robin! One dragon ought to be a piece of cake!".
Cordelia "We're all right here by your side!".
Gregor "Gregor will snap you out of it! Gregor does with the YELLING!".
Nowi "I thought I was your favorite dragon! Forget about Grima!".
Libra "The gods gave you to us. I do not believe they wish you taken away!".
Tharja "Get up, Robin! No one goes down without my say so...".
Olivia "Please, Robin! I still haven't shown you my new dance!".
Cherche "Minerva wants you back, and so do I!".
Henry "I know the darkness is warm and delicious... But too much of a good thing is just bad!".
Lucina "You have earned my trust and my love, sir. Now return to us!".
Say'ri "Aye, awaken! You cannot leave now, with my debt to you unpaid!".
Basilio "Pull it together, lad/lass! Death is overrated, believe me!".
Flavia "You don't bow to dragons. You break 'em!".
Severa: If you don't come back, I'm never going to forgive you!
Taki "Our love only just blossomed! Don't let it end now!".
Morgan "Father! You mean everything to me! I can't lose you again!".
Siegfried "You've always come through for us when it matterd most, Robin! Don't quit on us now!".
Tiki "You are not Grima, nor is he you. Remember that, Robin!
Cassandra "Robin! Come back! You are one of us! You are stronger than Grima! Your power is your's not his!".
Robin gets up "I can hear them... I hear my friends!".
"Stop this at once! SILENCE those wretched voices! You are all powerless! Frail! Insignificant! You are NOOOTHING!" Grima shouts in fury.
"Return to us, Robin! Your bond with us is stronger than even the fell dragon's might!" Chrom said.
"Chrom! I'm coming, Chrom! Hold on!" Robin breaks free from the void and returns to his friends.
"You're back!" Cassandra said in relief.
Robin smiled "Thanks to all of you".
"Children of man, take my power! Rise now, and face the fell dragon!" Naga said heals everyone back up to full strength.
"Hear my words, Awakener! Grima's servants will beset you to no end. Dispatch him as soon as you are able! Once the fell one is weakened, a choice will await you... If Chrom lets fall the final blow, Grima shall survive but return to his slumber..." Naga said.
"So be it" Chrom said.
"If Robin strikes in Chrom's stead, both his life and Grima's are forever over. Only in this way may the fell dragon be destroyed for good and all" Naga added and Robin said nothing "The final decision...is yours".
The heroes bonds together, most of them held of Grima's forces, while Chrom, Cassandra, Lucina and Robin confroted Grima himself.
"RETURN TO ME... COME... WE ARE ONE...AND THE SAME..." Grima demanded but Robin just glared at him.
"I come to end you, Grima!" Chrom said.
Grima glares in rage "ARROGANT MORTAL... I AM THE END!".
"I lost to you once, monster. I shall not lose again! Die now, that our future can live!" Lucina declared.
"YOU CANNOT SLAY...WHAT MAY NEVER DIE... I AM...GRIMA... I AM...DESPAIR..." Grima roars.
"No, you are nothing but a bad dream. One we will finally wake up from!" Cassandra said as she and her family got ready.
Grima's true dragon face turned around and unleashed a powerful blasts from his mouth. Cassandra held up her blessed shield and blocked the blast. Lucina let out a battle cry as she attacked Grima's avatar who blocked her blade with a magical shield before forcing her back just as Robin fires a blast at him, opening him up for Chrom to go in for a stab. But Grima grabs the blade and it barely hits his shoulder, making him snarl like a feral animal before his Dragon head goes down with his mouth open, forcing Robin to use a warp spell to get Chrom out of the way.
Cassandra charged forward as Grima unleashes a wave of dark magic, but Cassandra powers through it with her shield and bashed him in the face. Grima roars in rage as his Dragon head moves towards Cassandra, only for Lucina to leap in and stabbed the beast in the head, causing him great pain and distracting him so Cassandra could press the attack on his Avatar, landing a slash on his chest, making him stumble back in pain.
"WRETCHED MORTALS! I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU ALL! NOT EVEN YOUR ASH WILL REMAIN!" Grima roars as he prepares another attack, but a blast from Robin's magic hit him in his chest wound and brought him to his knees "NNGH...AAAAUGHHH...".
"Now, Robin! This is our chance! I'm going to finish it!" Chrom said.
But before anything could happen... Soul Edge suddenly impales Grima from behind... Everyone looked in complete shock as Grima's eyes went wide as he slowly turned his head and saw the burning form of Nightmare standing behind him, holding Soul Edge in his hand.
"Your arrogance is beyond foolish, Fel Dragon. You believed you could command me? That the Azure Knight was one of your pawns?! I was merely biding my time, waiting for when you inevitably let your guard down. And now, your dragon soul is MINE!" Nightmare said as Grima howls in agony as his soul is absorbed by the demonic blade.
"By the gods!" Cassandra said in shock.
"W-What is happening?" Lucina asked, unsure if she was really seeing what she's looking at.
Nightmare laughs as his power increased massively an he unleashed a wave of dark magic which enveloped the family and Robin.
When they opened their eyes they looked around to see they were no longer on Grima's back. They were in a completely different realm, the glowing magical energy was almost like an raging fire, yet different.
"Where are we?" Robin asked.
"This is the Astral Chaos realm" They looked and saw Nightmare... but he looked different.
For one, he was much bigger. He appears as a hulking armored beast vaguely resembling his former self. What was once azure armor and flesh has become a combination of armor and bone with an orange and red sheen. The helmet area has grown and developed a large crest-like shape and the muzzle-covering area has been removed to reveal a lipless mouth with long teeth shown and its eyes are a beady yellow. At the center of its chest is a glowing core of energy which spreads throughout its upper body. In place of hands are a pair of giant claws and in the "palms" are fully functional mandibles, although this does not appear to hamper its ability to wield a sword in the least. Lastly, a slightly long tail has sprouted from the base of the spine area. Flowing from its back are a pair of large, fiery wings.
"This is where I was born. Where the souls of my prey resides" He continued "I dragged you here to get you away from your meddling allies. And now, at long last, your souls will be mine!".
"We don't fear you Nightmare. We bested you before and we will do it again!" Cassandra declared.
The demon laughed "Foolish mortal. I am no longer Nightmare, I have evolved. I am: NIGHT TERROR!".
Th powered up demon charged forward at blinding speed that shouldn't be possible for something his size. He lands a powerful blow to Cassandra's shield, sending her flying from the cheer force of the blow. Night Terror then grabs Lucina by her head and throws her into a crystal that seemingly materialized out of nowhere. Robin fires a light spell at the demon, as Chrom leaps to strike his head, only for Night Terror to grab him out of the air and tossed him in to Robin, knocking them both down.
Cassandra and Lucina had recovered and the mother and daughter duo stood side by side as they attacked Night Terror together. They tried using their normal tactic, by having Cassandra divert Night Terror's attention so Lucina could attack him from an exposed flank, which would leave him open for Cassandra to finish him off with Soul Calibur... However, Night Terror predicted this and as he was pushing down on Cassandra with his massive blade, he knew Lucina was leaping at him from behind... But a single flap from his burning wings sent a small wave of fire, and Lucina cried out in pain as she was blown back.
"LUCINA!" Cassandra shouted before forcing Night Terror's blade aside and went to stab him in the neck... only to be swatted away by his large hand.
Chrom quickly charged in and managed to slash Night Terror's side as Robin was preparing a meteor spell which struck Night Terror in the back, forcing him down. Chrom tried to cut of the demon's head, but Night Terror recovered faster than expected as he dodged the blow and brings his sword down. Chrom had no time to dodge so he raised his blade to block... only to be smashed in to the ground, creating a small crater and leaving Chrom barely conscious.
"CHROM!" Robin shouts as he strikes Night Terror with his lighting... But Night Terror swings his blade, creating a slashing shaped wave of dark magic... it tore through Robin's shield like glass, and left a noticeable wound on his chest.. he coughed up some blood before falling to the ground.
Lucina looked on in horror "NO!".
In her rage, Lucina charged towards Nightmare with her blade raised to strike... but it was swiftly knocked out of her hands before she was grabbed by Night Terror's large hand.
"You will not escape me this time! The soul of the Exalt is mine!" The demon declared as he began crushing Lucina in his monstrous grip.
Lucina began screaming in agony as the sickening sound of her bones slowly starting to break was heard. However, before she could be crushed, a weakened but still battle ready Chrom stabbed Night Terror in the gut, making him drop Lucina due to the pain. Chrom caught Lucina before she could hit the ground and Cassandra stabbed the demon from behind.
"ENOUGH!" He roars as he unleashed a destructive wave which sent everyone away.
Cassandra groans as she tried to reach for Soul Calibur... But suddenly, Nigt Terror brings his large blade down on Soul Calibur... and Cassandra watched in horror as her blade was shattered in to pieces... Soul Calibur was their only hope to stop Night Terror... and now it was destroyed. And said demon began building his power.
"The despicable shackles that held me all these long years are now destroyed. Non shall be able to stop me!" He said as a raging inferno began to form around them, ready to consume everything.
Robin coughed out more blood "No... This... can't... be...".
"Don't give up yet, Robin" Came an familiar voice inside Robin's had.
"Zasalamel...?" Robin asked weakly.
"Soul Calibur is broken but not destroyed. Believe in your light, believe in your hope, believe in your bond with your friends, just like you did against Grima. Night Terror is not invincible, and with the soul of Grima, you can end them both. Rise and save the future" Zasalamel said.
Robin looked a the shards of Soul Calibur and with an determined look he held out his hand. The shards rose from the ground and flew towards him.
"WHAT!?" Night Terror said as he saw Robin get back up with the now glowing shards of Soul Calibur swarming around him "IMPOSSIBLE!".
"Just like Grima, you don't understand our bonds. As long as we're together, nothing can stop us!" Robin said as he sent the shards tearing through Night Terror's body, making the demon cry out in pain "You made a mistake absorbing Grima's soul. Because now I can rid the world of you both forever!".
"FOOL! YOU WILL DESTROY YOURSELF AS WELL!" Night Terror shouted.
"I know..." Robin said calmly before reforming the shards of Soul Calibur in to a spear and sent it flying towards Night Terror.
Night Terror held up Soul Edge to block it... But the spear went through his blade and in to his chest... There was a brief silence before the demon roars as his body began cracking and glowing and eventually... he exploded, releasing the souls he had consumed over the years... except for Grima, who's soul was destroyed along with him.
"It's... over" Robin said as he began to fade.
"Robin! No!" Chrom called out in a broken voice
"Thank you, Chrom. For...everything... Tell the others...my last thoughts were of them... Tell Taki I love her... May we meet again, in a better life..." Robin said calmly
Chrom had tears in his eyes "Robin! No! Ah gods, NO!"
Robin smiled and waves as he fades away.
"Robin..." Cassandra said with tears running down her face.
"It's ok. It's finally over now" Came an very familiar voice.
"Mother...?" Lucina whispered as the soul of the Cassandra from her timeline appeared.
"Lucina, there are no words that can describe how proud I am of you. You've changed the future and stopped the evil who plagued our world. Now all the souls Soul Edge claimed has been released and they can finally rest" Future Cassandra said was she was fading in to the after life.
Lucina began crying "I will miss you...".
Future Cassandra smiled "Don't cry, my daughter. I will always be by your side, literately".
She gave a playful look to her younger self only nodded with a sad smile. Soon the Astral Chaos realm faded, and the family found themselves back in their own world... Without Robin.
"The war is ended, my friends. Never again will the fell dragon trouble our world. I owe you all far more than words can ever repay. Especially Robin, who gave himself to save us all. To save all the worlds to come" Chrom said.
"P-poor Robin... After everything he did for us..." Lissa cried.
"Don't cry, Lissa. We'll see him again. I'm sure of it. Remember what Naga said? That Robin would survive if our ties were strong enough. This isn't over. I believe Robin is out there...somewhere... And I'll find him. If it takes me the rest of my days, I'll find him" Chrom said.
"And we will be with you, all the way" Cassandra said as she walked up next to him, while holding Lucina's hand.
"We have won our future, but we are in debt to so many sad memories... I pray at least one of those sadnesses will yet be undone" Lucina said.
"He better come back, I'm not raising our child alone" Taki said as Morgan was rubbing her mother's belly.
"Robin has secured for us all the most precious gift: a future. Now it falls upon our shoulders to protect what was given. I vow to give my all to healing the damage this war has wrought upon the realm. When Robin returns, I want him/her to see what his/her sacrifice bought. Robin...if you can hear me... You will always have a place here with us. Remember that. Always" Chrom said.
The wars were finally over, both Grima and Soul Edge had finally been vanquished and peace had returned to the world. After such an long and taxing war, everyone were more than eager to return home, some celebrating the reunion with family, while some were waiting to start their own. Lucina would keep to the shadows as to not interfere with her past self's uppbringning, but Cassandra would find a way to drag her out more than once. No hiding from her mother.
Cassandra's sister, Sophitia, would also raise her own kids in happiness, free from the curse of Sou Edge. Taki and Cordelia gave birth to their own children months later, and Siegfried was in for a whole new challenge.
As for Robin, his friends could feel he was still out there somewhere and true to their words, they would not rest until they've found their friend.
The adventure was never truly over.
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There you have it, the long awaited final chapter of this story. I had a lot of fun writing this and it's all thanks to you, my loyal readers, thank you for sticking with the story all the way to the end.
I am sorry I didn't give the other characters more spotlight, but there were just so many of them and I ultimately wanted to focus on the main characters.
And of course I re wrote the final battle to properly end it as a Fire Emblem and Soul Calibur story.
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Thank you for reading let me know what you think.