Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.
Another fireball, this one slams square into Chrom's back. He's knocked to the floor, skin boiling from the spell. The prince forces himself upright, shoulders screaming in pain from the severe burns. He grabs Falchion, which he had dropped when he fell, and uses the holy sword as a walking stick to keep himself from falling over.
The prince was never good with or against magic, and now it came back to bite him.
The sound of someone walking through the undergrowth prompts Chrom to move faster. His foot snags on something, a rock or a root, and he falls again.
"Gods, no." He gasps, grabbing at his sword again. "Not here…"
"There are better places to rest than on the ground you know." A distorted, amused voice says. Someone steps in front of Chrom, though from his spot on the ground the prince can only see the gold-accented black boots and the golden hem of a similarly coloured cloak. "Here, let me help."
Someone reaches down, grabbing Chrom under his shoulders. The prince hisses in pain as he's pulled upright, but gratefully steadies himself by grabbing the man's shoulders. "Thank you stranger, but you should leave. I'm being chased…" His voice trails off as he looks the man in the face, and a cold fear takes root in his gut.
The young man's face is a familiar shade of purple, and his bright red eyes leave no question that he is Risen. However, he lacks the usual mask, and beyond the odd colour he looks perfectly human.
"I know." The man says calmly. Chrom tries to ignore the small wisp of purple smoke that exits the man's mouth when he speaks. "I was watching. Rather brave of you to act as bait." He reaches into a pocket, pulling out an Elixir. He hands it to Chrom. "Here, you probably need this more than me. I'll deal with your friend."
The man pulls an Arcthunder tome out of a pocket in their coat and walks back the way Chrom came. The prince stares blankly after him, only to shake himself out of his confusion at the last minute and call "wait! What's your name?"
"Robin!" The man responds, not looking back. "Now drink the damn elixir or you're gonna fall over again!"
Chrom does as the man says, chugging the drink while steadying himself against a tree. The elixir is slightly sour, a sign of the drink being old and stale, but Chrom can still feel the skin on his back patching itself together as the magic herbs in the drink do their work.
A flash of light from Robin's direction drags the prince's attention. A flash of fire and a ball of lighting clash together, creating an explosion of magical energy that rattles nearby trees and sends a flurry of leaves falling from above.
A few moments later the flashes of light stop, and Robin's voice calls out: "got him!"
Chrom picks up Falchion yet again, sucking in his breath at the pain that still lances across his back. At least his legs don't feel like they're going to give out anymore. He walks, limps really, over to Robin, observing the fallen form of the dark knight dissolving into purple smoke. The only thing left is the tome and the sword, which Robin happily takes and shoves into his cloak and belt respectively.
"Impressive." The prince praises, eyeing the boy nervously. Maybe Robin has helped him, but the man being Risen means that Chrom is still cautious.
"He was tough." Robin hums, dusting himself off. "Stronger than most of these weaklings I kill on a daily basis."
"You hunt Risen?"
"Yep. Gives me something to do other than wander the forests." He shrugs. "You should get back to your battle by the way."
Right, Chrom almost forgot about the fight in his shock. Frederick will be worried sick. "Will you help?"
"You think your team won't kill me on sight?"
Ah. "Fair point. Will you at least stick around afterwards? I'd like to talk to you more."
"Sure. I'll just stick to the trees."
As the prince runs off, the tactician smiles to himself and watches from the treeline. This is the most interesting thing that's happened to him since he suddenly woke up two months ago in the middle of nowhere with no need to eat or sleep. Sure this could be a deadly mistake, his blue-haired man might be nice but there's no guarantee his teammates are the same, but Robin doesn't want his entire life to be walking through forests hunting monsters never speaking to anyone. This is a risk he's willing to take.
###
"Geeze Chrom! You had me worried!" Lissa cries, hugging her brother. "You disappeared for three minutes when that dark knight was chasing you!"
"I know, I know." He smiles, returning the gesture. "Sorry."
"You must have been very lucky to beat the knight on your own Milord." Virion remarks. "If you'll pardon me saying so, you aren't exactly known for your resistance to magic."
"And the back of your outfit is totally gone." Lissa notices. "Your skin is red, but you don't seem hurt… did you drink your concoction?"
"No I didn't." The prince coughs. "I may have had some help…"
"Help? Not from one of the Shepherds?" Frederick asks, eyes narrowing. "Where is this individual? Did Marth appear again?"
"No, uh, his name is Robin." Chrom explains. "He was the one who defeated the dark knight after I got hit."
"And where is he?" Frederick repeats, immediately suspicious.
The prince pauses, mind racing. He had planned to talk to Robin in private after the battle, and maybe even see about inviting the man to join the Shepherds. This was in part due to the need for a good fighters, and partly to keep an eye on the only sentient Risen the Shepherds had ever found.
Robin meanwhile listens from the trees only a dozen meters away. He debates internally, weighing pros and cons, sighs to himself, and walks out of the treeline. "When you said you wanted to talk to me more, I thought it wouldn't involve introductions."
Everyone gasps in shock at the sight of him, and several people draw their weapons. To Robin's credit he doesn't flinch, and instead casually rests against a tree while Chrom explains. "Look, he saved my life by giving me his elixir and defeated the knight."
"Milord." Frederick says, gripping his lance tightly. "That man is Risen!"
"I know Frederick, but he helped us."
"Fascinating…" Miriel murmurs, fearlessly walking up to the boy. "Please, describe to me what it feels like to be Risen."
"Uh…" Robin blinks, surprised. "I have point of reference for what living feels like, so I'm not so sure I'll be of any use."
"Really, you don't remember what you were in life?" The mage prods, pulling out a notebook and quill.
"Nope. There are a few things i can tell you though. I don't have to eat or sleep for one." The purple-skinned boy explains, giving Miriel his full attention.
"Curious. What occurs when you are injured? Do you have a natural healing process?"
"Nope, I need vulunaries."
"Hmm… Your cloak, do you recognize it?"
"No." Robin shakes his head. "Do you?"
"In a sense. It bears the symbols of grimleal, but has the design of a tactician's garb." Miriel says. "I can tentatively suggest you were a religious war leader of some sort, perhaps you were in training considering your youthful appearance. Though that makes your presence in Ylisse quite curious…"
While Miriel questions Robin, Frederick and Virion question Chrom.
"You heard Miriel." Chrom says. "He's a tactician, he could be useful!"
"Be that as it may, I do not want to trust my life to a Risen…" Virion says with pursed lips. "But Milord is correct in saying the man could be useful. We could learn much about the Risen from him."
"Besides, he's sentient." The prince argues. "Innocent until proven guilty is Ylissian policy, we must give him benefit of the doubt."
"Why is it you only remember your schooling when defending a Risen and not during council sessions?" Frederick grumbles.
"I dunno, he looks like a nice guy to me." Lissa shrugs. "Kinda cute, in an undead sorta way."
"Milady I must implore you to stay away from that thing." Frederick hisses.
"Hey now, he's not a thing." Lissa frowns.
"Look, we're not killing him and that's final." Chrom says firmly. "We will give him a chance."
"As you say Milord." Virion bows.
"As Milord says." Frederick growls through gritted teeth.
"If your head were to be underwater, do you run out of breath?" Miriel presses.
"Never tried, don't plan on it." Robin says, already tired of the questions.
"Robin!" Chrom shouts, stepping over to the man. "The Shepherds would like to extend an invitation to join our group."
"Really?" Robin blinks. "What do you actually do though?"
"We're an elite strike force. We deal with particularly difficult threats that the regular military can't handle, and go on specialized mission from the Exalt." Chrom explains. "Do you accept?"
"Sure." The man nods. "Better than wandering around a forest for days on end."
"Awesome!" Lissa chirps, bounding up the man. She grabs his hand and shakes it vigorously. "Hi, I'm Lissa! Chrom's my brother."
"Uh… hi."
"And I am Frederick." The knight growls, towering over the two. "Watch yourself stanger, I will happily eliminate any threat to Milady or Milord."
"Noted." Robin nods, not flinching in face of the threat.
###
There is a knock at the door, and Emmeryn immediately puts down the proposal in her hand. She rushes to the door, taking only a moment to straighten her robes and put on a serene expression. She must appear calm and collected at all times, even if this is who she thinks it is.
She opens the door gently, and is happy to see Chrom and Frederick standing before her.
"Hey Emm." Chrom grins. "We're back."
"I'm glad." The Exalt smiles. "Come in, come in."
"Er, before that…" Chrom coughs. "We have someone to introduce."
At this point, Emmeryn notices Frederick's barely concealed nervousness. She sets her expectations appropriately and squares her shoulders. "Of course. I'll see them now."
"He's just around the corner." Chrom murmurs. He raises his voice a little. "Robin?"
The first thing Emmeryn can see is the elegant, if a bit worn, gold-trimmed black cloak. The markings are distinctly grimleal, at which point she silently anticipates another one of Chrom's more interesting finds like Miriel or Gaius.
Despite that, the purple skin and glowing red eyes still catch her off guard.
Emmeryn blinks slowly, processing the man before her. A Risen without a mask... that is a first.
"Hello your Grace." Robin speaks in an odd, slightly distorted voice. "It's an honor to meet you. I'm Robin, the newest member of the Shepherds." He extends a hand, which Emmeryn tentatively takes. The man's skin is lacking natural warmth, but otherwise feels human.
"A pleasure to meet you." Emmeryn says with a smile. Risen or not, the boy has Chrom's trust and therefore Emmeryn's. "I look forward to hearing of your exploits Robin."
The man smiles, clearly happy to have someone react normally to him. "I'll try my best."
"If that's all. I will show Robin to the barracks." Frederick growls, wanting this Risen away from the prince and the exalt.
"Of course Frederick." Emmeryn nods. "Unless you have further need of him Chrom…?"
"No, I simply wished to make introductions. You always insist on meeting new members of the Shepherds." Chrom says, shaking his head. To Robin he says: "see Virion tomorrow morning, he'll help draw up a schedule for you."
"Alright." The man shrugs. He bows. "Goodnight Chrom, your Grace."
The knight leads Robin away, and the royals are quickly out of view. The two of them walk in silence, with Frederick constantly glancing down at the boy as if expecting him to suddenly turn on him.
Actually, that's exactly what Frederick is expecting, but nothing happens all the way to the barracks. They avoid the usual paths, instead taking back alleys so that Robin isn't seen. Neither of them want a scene.
The afternoon sky is slowly darkening. It's well past dinner time at this point, but the Shepherds are still eating when Frederick and Robin enter the barracks. Robin, despite not needing to eat, sits at the table. He knows Frederick will follow him if he goes somewhere else, but the man hasn't eaten since the battle at midday so the Risen boy patiently waits at the table while Frederick eats.
"Pardon me." Robin whispers, tapping the girl sitting next to him. "Sorry to bother you, but I saw you reading earlier. Since I don't sleep, I was wondering if you had some books I could borrow to tide me over for the night. I never had the chance to visit the library."
Sumia gulps down her food, surprised that the man is speaking to her of all people. "I- Uh- Yes, I do! I have several! Do you prefer a certain genre?"
Robin shakes his head. "I don't remember anything about my past life so I'll be happy just to read, regardless of what it is."
"Ooh!" Sumia smiles widely. "In that case, I have the perfect ones!"
The girl abandons her meal for a moment, rushing off to her room. Frederick glares at Robin suspiciously, but he ignores the knight. As much as Frederick glares and stares, the purple-skinned boy knows he won't do anything without Chrom's say-so.
"Here's six of my favourites!" Sumia says cheerfully, handing the boy the books. "Hopefully this will work!"
Robin curiously looks over the titles as the pegasus knight returns to eating. Wyvern Wars: Terror at High Noon, The Mystery of Goldspire Keep, From Beyond the Outrealms, Garude's Fairy Tales, The Gearwork Future, The Fall of Atama, and a seventh book she must not have noticed titled The Duchess' Favour.
Robin tries not to grin, and flips open the last book. Frederick shoots him a disgruntled look which the boy ignores.
When Frederick finally shows Robin to his room, the boy thanks him, closes the door, and hunkers down for a long night of reading by candlelight.
###
The next few weeks are an awkward adjustment period for everyone. They need to get used to Robin moving around a corner and not impulsively punching him. Robin can't feel pain so he always waves off the incident, but walking around with a spoon in his forehead did get the boy a few odd looks.
He quickly proves himself to be a mage nearly (but not quite) equal to Miriel, and a budding swordsman as well. However it quickly becomes clear that he is best at tactics. While he can't beat Virion in War of Worlds, he always comes out with minimal casualties for which Virion is envious. During a meeting, Virion even suggests that once Robin has proven himself trustworthy they should see about letting the boy command in his place. Frederick is vehemently opposed, but everyone else agrees to the idea. They've all grown to like (or at least not fear) the Risen boy except Frederick the Wary of course, but that doesn't surprise anyone.
Interestingly, Robin can be healed by staves just like a normal person. Miriel had speculated that divine healing magic would reject Risen flesh just like blessed weapons do, but a controlled test reveals that staves work just fine.
Chrom buys a mask and gloves for Robin as well as an alternate cloak that's blue and gold so he can walk in public without drawing too much attention. Robin mostly uses this to visit the library and the candle shop, as he inevitably goes through several of each every night.
The Shepherds also go out to hunt elite Risen bands a few times in those few weeks. Robin quickly proves to be an asset as he shoots down foes with Miriel, Ricken, and Virion, and can also run interference if something ever gets close enough to warrant melee combat.
One fight, Virion takes an arrow to the head. It doesn't quite penetrate his skull, but the man falls into a coma for several days. With no other options, they allow Robin to take command of them during their next fight. He devises a strategy involving long-range bombardment and hit-and-run tactics that don't involve potentially sacrificing someone for a quick victory. His plan is slower, but infinitely safer. When Virion wakes up, he is overjoyed to hear that Robin now has permission to help him with tactics.
A month later Emmeryn is captured by the Mad King Gangrel. Robin replaces Virion as head tactician, and everyone breaths a collective sigh of relief.
This idea could probably be executed better, but I'm satisfied with this.