Chapter 15 - Unfortunate Truths

Robin frowned, setting the book he'd been leafing through onto the growing pile he had already finished.

Nothing. Not a single mention of Invisible Soldiers in any record or historical account he could find. He couldn't even find any legends or myths that seemed to describe them. As far as he could tell, the only mention of them were from documents penned in more recent years. It was as if the enemy had appeared out of nowhere some time in the past decade, with extremely isolated raids and attacks here and there of increasing frequency.

Robin sighed, resting his chin in his hands as he eyed the surrounding rows of books. It was beginning to look like if there were answers to be found regarding their enemy, it was not to be found in this library.

It had been two weeks since their last battle. Following the day of rest after the fighting, the army had made march for the Nohrian capital of Windmire, arriving at the city after four full days of travel. After arriving, the group had taken up residence in Castle Krakenburg, with Lord Xander providing quarters for both Lucina and Robin himself, as well as giving him free reign of the royal library, for which Robin had spent much of the past week and change. Not that it had led to much real progress.

When not absorbed in his work, Robin spent the rest of his time exploring the city with Lucina. What struck him most was how much the city reminded him of the capital of Valm, with its crowded streets and gloomy architecture. Just replace the purples with deep red and he could have mistakenly believed he was back in Valm. Thinking about it, Robin couldn't help but wonder if the similar outlook of both nations was a reflection of being based in such harsh northern climates. Perhaps it was difficult to be cheerful when it was so cold and gloomy all the time.

Least the ward has held this long. Though we can't expect it to buy us too much more time than this.

Shaking his head, Robin reached for a book on the ever shrinking pile of those he'd yet to fully exhausted. He'd even tried looking for any mention of the strange other world where he and Lucina had first met Corrin. Afterall, Corrin had said that all he knew about it was that the Invisible Soldiers seemed to come from there. But of it, Robin could find not a single account.

Perhaps it's because of the curse. Maybe even writing about the world triggers it just like speaking of it, Robin mused. That was a theory he was in no rush to test for himself. If at all possible, he'd like the keep the whole "vanishing into nothingness" thing as something he did only one time. Lucina would kill him for sure if he put her through that again, assuming he came back for a second time.

Yet even that realization puts me no closer to finding out a way to find these things. Well, short of dragging everyone to the bottomless canyon and going "Hey everyone, jump off this cliff. I can't tell you why, so just do it." Can't see how that could go wrong…

Robin sighed wearily, beginning to skim through the old weathered tome before him. Maybe attempt seventy-three will be my lucky number.

The creaking of a door sounded, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Raising his head, Robin shifted in his chair slightly, bringing the line of shelves that lay between himself and the sound into the corner of his vision.

"Excuse me, coming through. Incredibly dashing courier, coming through," announced Inigo, rounding the last bookshelf. He came to a stop, holding up the missive before his face as if reading it intently… and to try to hide the kind of smirk typical of someone who think they're being far more clever than they actually are. "Says here it's for a mister Rob-in. Strange name, I know, but that's what it says."

Robin winced at the sound of his voice. While by no means loud by the standards of what he would expect from say, the likes of Owain, even normal speech was still quite jarring when it had been nearly silent but moments before.

"Demoted to errand boy I see. Punishment for flirting with the wrong man's wife?" Robin countered, turning fully in his chair now to face the approaching Inigo.

"Ouch. You wound me, sir. That chapter of my life is long behind me. For the most part. I will admit I am still a shameless flirt when the mood strikes me," Inigo replied, giving a mocking gasp to punctuate his initial words. He extended his hand, offering Robin the letter.

"Of course. Afterall, if you hadn't I would have never allowed to date my daughter. Or live." Accepting the missive, Robin unfolded it at once. A cursory scan over the words revealed it to be a report Xander and Leo had put together of their own progress with war preparations. Nice to see they are keeping me in the loop, Robin mused, setting it aside until time such that he could read it more intently.

"But you are right, I should apologize and revise my statement. Upset the wrong person by attempting, and failing, to sound clever?"

"Hardly. More that I am afraid that many of my skills are of little use to my liege in times such as these. Planning and running an army are the forte of others, so I must find my use with more mundane matters. Even if it means taking the role of 'errand boy' as it were," Inigo answered, his tone remaining nonchalant as ever. "Before I go, I suppose it would be amiss if I did not inform you that your dear wife may require some assistance. She is currently being pestered something fierce by a very excitable red-haired lass and I'm afraid has been quite overwhelmed."

Robin smiled, an image springing to mind of a flustered and baffled Lucina struggling to keep up with a barrage of questions aimed at her by a overexcited Ophelia. "Well then, I probably should come to her aid. In a little bit, would hate to break up the little family bonding session prematurely."

"I suppose that would be rather rude," Inigo laughed, agreeing. "Speaking of time spent with family, do you two have any plans for how you will celebrate the Festival next week?"

Robin blinked at this question. "The what now?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"The Dark Nights Festival. Really? Did nobody tell you about it? It's a holiday celebrated in Nohr in mid-autumn. It is of their belief that on that day the connection between the world and that of the souls long passed is at it's strongest. It is because of this connection that they believe the connections between friends and loved ones, both present and absent, are felt most strongly during this time," Inigo explained. "Also it is held that this connection also allows the spirits of the dead to wander the world, leading to the tradition of wearing masks or costumes to supposedly frighten away these spirits. Though perhaps that last bit could be just an excuse for a bit of fun."

Sounds interesting. I'm sure Lucina would love a chance to take part… though I can't help but worry what may happen if she were to pick out our costume... Robinforced himself not to shudder at the thought. The spring festival a few years back had nearly been bad enough, with only a timely save courtesy of Sumia saving himself and the rest of his family from having to wear Lucina-bought garments, the Ylissean Queen having beaten her daughter to the punch and purchased everyone's outfits well in advance.

Probably should set aside time to go pick them out myself, if only to save Lucina from the embarrassment. Not that my fashion sense is quite the best either. Perhaps Severa could offer some assistance… Robin frowned, another thought occurring to him. The more he thought about it, the timing of the festivities were less than ideal. Still…

Robin sighed, loud enough for Inigo to hear. "I would be questioning the wisdom of holding a celebration at a time such as this. We can't afford to waste resources as it is. But…" He frowned, trailing off.

"...but the last thing we need to is for people to realize just how bad things are and inspire a panic. Besides, along with helping keep the illusion that we aren't all going to die dreadfully horrific deaths, a celebration is bound to help raise moral a bit," Inigo finished for him.

Robin nodded. "I'm impressed, couldn't have explained it better myself. Though I think I would have left out the whole 'horrible deaths' bit."

"No doubt. You are the resident optimist. I'm more of an nonchalant realist myself. Mocking the severity of any and all peril is part of the whole dashing ladies man act after all," Inigo said, grinning once more. Then the smile faltered, replaced by a more somber look. "Least that's what I tell myself so I can sleep at night. You'd think it had been long enough to forget my own world…" He trailed off, muttering something else under his breath. Robin only caught a few scattered words he couldn't quite make out. The best he could decipher, it was something about "this world" and having had to "stay his hand."

Again, Robin found himself reminded of a question he'd pondered several times over the past few weeks. In all their planning, the question of reaching out to Nohr's largest neighbor, the Kingdom of Hoshido, had never once been raised. Granted, the two nations had both been at war until very recently, but considering the Invisible Soldiers had apparently attacked Hoshido in the past, it was likely both lands would be in need of allies.

Then why? Why has that consideration been ignored until now? It's almost as if…

And then there was what Inigo had muttered, his words accompanied by a brief look of guilt and pain that he'd quickly hidden. And how every time the topic of the war had come up, both he along with Severa and Owain had seemed uncomfortable with the idea of talking about it at any length.

"Inigo," Robin said, speaking slowly. "I need to ask you something. About the war you and the others took part in. Something horrible happened, didn't it?"

Inigo froze perfectly still, his breath catching in his throat. A second slipped by, than another. Still he made no move to speak.

So instead, Robin broached the silence, continuing his thought from where he left off, pressing the matter further. "I've been wondering why no attempt to reach out to Hoshido has been made, to offer to join forces against the Invisible Soldiers. The only reason I can fathom is that Lord Xander and Lord Leo believe with certainty that Hoshido would refuse. That something happened to make for Hoshido to believe fighting alone would be preferable than consider allying with Nohr..." He sighed deeply. "Inigo… I know you're hiding something. Not just you, but everyone here. No one wants to talk about it, and I need to know why."

Silence. Inigo's expression tightened, his gaze moving away from Robin's face. Slowly he reached out, gripping the back of chair in front of him to steady himself.

"Because we're all damn cowards," Inigo whispered, his shoulders slumping. "Because we all stood by and let it happen…" He winced, squeezing his eyes shut, his breathing becoming unsteady.

"Let what happen?" Robin asked.

"Everything. The massacre at Cheve, invasion, the executions of the prisoners we took at Fort Jinya. We… Nohr... when Garon was king, Nohr might have well have been the worst parts of Plegia and Valm combined. And we… we let it all happen…" His grip tightened on the back of the chair, his knuckles turning white as a shudder ran through him.

Robin said nothing, processing what had been said. Seeing the shame and guilt so clear on the man's face… a part of him didn't want to hear more, fearing that if he heard the whole thing, he might not be able to see his friends the same way any longer. But no, he had to hear the whole story. He had to know the truth.

"Tell me," Robin said, motioning for the chair across from him.

Slipping down into his seat, Inigo began his account of the past year's events. He explained how the war had started with an attack on the Hoshido capital, orchestrated by King Garon, and how Corrin had acted as an unwilling pawn in the plot that had led to assassination of his mother and Hoshido Queen, Mikoto. He told him of the brutal war that Nohr had waged. He told him of, despite the efforts made by Corrin, the Nohrian royals, and their friends to mitigate casualties on both sides and spare as many Hoshido as they could, the atrocities that had been committed.

And he told him of the war's end, of how only after invading Hoshido and the slaughter of countless lives had they finally rebelled against Garon and put a stop to the fighting. But by then the damage had been done. Hoshido lay in ruins, a victim of a war led by a mad king. A war that should not have been.

Through it all Robin remained silent, only speaking to prod Inigo to keep speaking. The story matched up with the details he'd been told by others over the past several weeks. Only it was clear now he'd been told but a part of the whole story, the worst of what had happened being left out from the previous accounts.

Through the whole thing he found his thoughts and feelings torn between extremes. A part of a him was furious and disgusted. How? How had they all stood by and allowed this to happen? He wanted to berate Inigo, as well as Owain and Severa for that matter. While they may have no had a hand in the atrocities directly, they'd stood idle and allowed them to continue. They could have done something to stop it. They should have done something.

And yet… another part of him recognized the position the three had been in. The three had not been in a position to directly alter the flow of events. Only by convincing their lieges to turn on King Garon, convincing the Nohrian royals to turn on their own father, would they have been able to stop the war. Without that… well, any direct act of defiance would have been met with certain death, thus preventing them from continuing to save what few lives they were able.

Assassinating Garon themselves wouldn't have even guaranteed ending the conflict. Far from it, in those circumstances it could have made things worse as a power struggle broke out within Nohr, extending the conflict. Perhaps even leading to further atrocities as Nohr blamed Hoshido for their king's death.

And for what little good it had seemed to do… the three, along with Corrin and everyone else, had tried to save what lives they could. It wasn't perfect, not by any stretch of the word. But, perhaps, it should count for something at least.

"Why did you remain with Nohr when all this happened? Why remain a part of this?"

For a long moment Inigo said nothing, his expression as defeated as it had been since he'd finished his story. "I…" he trailed off, looking as if he'd been about to say something before he stopped himself. "Because of our mission. The one we… the one that was the reason we came to this world for. Because in the end our job was to protect Corrin, no matter what path he took. Because…" He stopped himself again.

"Because what?" Robin asked, eyeing the swordsman intently, trying to get some read on what he was thinking.

"I- I can't tell you. I want to be I... Please, you need to trust me on this." He laughed, the sound cold and bitter. "I know, right? Trust me after everything I just told you. Bet you're disgusted with us all now." He shook his head, his bitter laughter dying away. "Just… it's because we were told he... we need him to save this world. If we didn't, then everyone, both Nohr and Hoshido alike, would die."

For a moment Robin gave no answer, pondering Inigo's words carefully. Then he nodded slowly, accepting the answer.

"You should probably kill me now," Inigo said, his statement coming out of the blue.

Robin's eyes widened. Of all the things he'd expected the man to say next, that had been somewhere near the very bottom of the list. "Huh? Why?"

"Because I can't imagine you'd let me remain in a relationship with your daughter after what I was a part of," Inigo said, his voice hollow as he hung his head, not even daring to raise his gaze from the floor.

Robin said nothing, tapping the table with a finger for several moments as he formulated a reply. "That's not my decision to make. It is up to Morgan herself to decide, after you tell her everything you told me, of course.I can't pretend to know how she will respond. But in the end it's not my decision to make."

Inigo looked up at him, surprise plastered on his face. "But why? Don't you-"

"I am not about to pass judgement on what you did or didn't do. That's not my place. I am saddened that you and the others allowed all this to happen, but... " he trailed off. "Do you regret what happened?"

"Yes. Of course I do," Inigo answered.

"Do you wish you would have acted differently?" Robin asked.

"I do."

Robin nodded. "Then I have nothing more to add. Thank you, for telling me this." Robin stood, reaching for his things as he prepared to go.

"I don't understand."

"Because it's no worse than the things Morgan and Marc did in their own timeline," Robin answered, turning back to regard him. "If I can believe they can and will make amends for the things they did as Grima's servants… then I have to believe you, Owain and Severa, any everyone else here can do so as well. The things that happened… even if they can't be forgiven, you can still do better."

"I doubt I deserve that much" Inigo answered, a bit of bitterness creeping back into his voice.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps not. It's not about what you deserve, it's about what you do with what you have... Gods, when did I get all philosophic and pretentious?" Robin said, a sudden chuckle bursting from his throat. "I'm sorry, not the time for a joke, but I really can't take myself serious after saying something like that."

"I suppose it did sound rather ridiculous…" A hint a smile managed to creep itself into Inigo's expression, if only for a moment. "Oh, and Robin?"

"While I still believe I deserve far worse, please… don't think too harshly of everyone else here. Lord Xander and all the others… the tried to do the right thing too, in the end. Half the reason we are so starved for resources right now is because he refused to allow Nohr to take claim reparations after the peace treaty was signed. And I think, if given the chance, they'd want to all do more to set things right."

Robin dipped his chin towards Inigo. "I understand," gathering up the last of his notes in his arms, the tactician moved to leave. "Looks like I've had a change in plans. Given what you've told me, I don't think what I need is to be found here in this library." He stepped towards the door.

"And Inigo?" Robin asked, turning back to look at him. "Thank you."

"Huh? For what?" Inigo asked, visibly confused by the admission.

"For helping me understand the situation. Because with it… I think I know how we're going to save this world."

. . . . .

"Kana, take it slowly, please. You're still healing," Corrin urged his daughter. He gripped her hand tighter as he helped her walk from her bed over to the table where food had been laid out for both of them, courtesy of Corrin's servants.

Kana nodded slowly, her steps slow and unsteady as she struggled to support her own weight, even with Corrin's support. Even with two weeks of healing, Kana was still very weak as her body slowly recovered. The healers all said she would make a full recovery, but that it would still be some time. Even healing magic had its limits, especially when it came to near fatal injuries such as those Kana had suffered. Only the passage of time would see her fully recover.

Eventually they made it to the table, Corrin helping Kana into her chair. He would have just carried her himself, but… he was under instruction to allow Kana to walk as much as she was able to help speed her recovering. He understood the logic, but… he hated seeing her this weak and fragile. It only served as a reminder that it was his mistake that had put her in this condition.

"Thank you, Papa," Kana said, looking up at him with her large, golden eyes. Despite everything, she'd somehow remained cheerful through the whole ordeal, something Corrin couldn't even manage himself.

You're so much stronger than me. You got that from her, you know… even with her gone, even though you got hurt, you still haven't given up… he thought, holding back the tears he was sure would soon form.

"It's nothing," Corrin muttered in reply, lowing his gaze as he took his seat next to her.

For a time, the two ate in silence, the only sound to be heard thetinklingof their silverware scraping against their plates.

"Papa?" Kana asked, speaking up softly.

"Yes?" Corrin looked up from his plate, turning to regard his daughter.

"Do you think I will be well enough for the festival?" she asked, hopefulness creeping into her voice.

The festival? What fes…. Oh….

That was right, the Dark Nights Festival was next week, wasn't it. He'd almost completely forgotten about it. He had promised they would all celebrate it together this year, hadn't he? He, Kana, Shigure, and…

Azura…

Corrin closed his eyes, trying to keep the pain from showing on his face. He'd never really had the chance to take part in any of Nohr's festivals during his childhood, having been confined to his isolated castle for most of his life. After that… the war had taken precedence over such things. So he'd made a promise, not just to his family, but to himself as well, that when everything was settled, when peace was found, they'd do all the things he'd never been allowed growing up.

Guess that's another promise I've failed to keep…

"If your aunt Elise thinks you're well enough by then, I don't see why…" Corrin answered, struggling to keep his voice steady.

Just say yes, dammit. Stop thinking of yourself for once. Do it for her. And for Azura too… she'd want you to… want you to…

The thought died away in Corrin's head, finding himself unable to even finish it before the pain it brought became too terrible the bear.

Of course… you're not even strong enough to do that, huh?

"Really, Papa?! I can't wait. We're going to have so much fun and-"

There was a sharp knock of the door, the sound echoing loudly through the chamber. Corrin lifted his head, as did Kana, turning in the direction the noise had come.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, revealing Shigure, who walked in briskly."Kana. Father," he said in greeting. While his voice was gentle when he said his sister's name, his tone took on a hard, cold edge as he uttered the word 'father'.

"Shigure," Corrin replied, his own voice barely more than a whisper as he watched Shigure walk over to Kana's chair, the young singer's gaze never once turning Corrin's way

Corrin averted his gaze, not wanting to look his son in the eyes. Even now, two weeks later, Shigure still blamed him for his sister's injuries. Not that such anger was undeserved. If anything, he deserved far worse than the cold treatment Shigure was giving him. It was his fault, after all…

"Kana, Aunt Elise sent for you. It's time for another healing session," Shigure said, kneeling down so he was eye level with his sister. "I'll carry you there this time, then we can see if you can walk on the way back. Is that alright?"

Kana nodded. She gripped the end of her chair, about to step out of it and into her brother's arms, only to stop suddenly and glance over to Corrin. "What about Papa, is he…"

Corrin looked up slightly, shaking his head as Kana entered the edge of his vision. "It's okay, I'll be fine. We… can spend some time, later, okay."

Kana nodded again. Without any further delay Shigure scooped her up into his arms, carrying her towards the door. Corrin looked up just in time to watch them depart. The door slowly creaked closed behind them, hanging slightly ajar as it came to a stop.

Sighing, Corrin got to his feet, padding over to the doorway and pushing the door the rest of the way closed. He slumped against it, resting his forehead against the wood.

"I don't know what to do…" Corrin whispered aloud.

A tear splashed against the floor.

Shigure hates me… Kana's still hurt so badly… and it's all my fault...I'm a failure as a parent….

He slid down the door to the floor, crumbling against it. He was a failure, and failure as a person and as a parent. He wished he was stronger, like they were… like she had been.

"Azura..."

She would have known what to do. She would have known how to move forward. She'd always known what to do, whenever he was lost or afraid, she'd been the light to guide him ever forward.

But without her, he was lost and alone.

"I know I need to move forward… to start… start… making things right. But I- I c-can't…"He shook his head, more tears falling.

"I don't know how… I don't know how I can. I'm not strong like you…" He sobbed, covering his head with his arms.

"Please, tell me what to do. I'm lost without you, Azura. Please, tell me what I'm supposed to do," he pleaded, his words drowned by tears.

But no matter how many times he asked or prayed for an answer, there was no response forthcoming. Only silence and the echoing of his own lonely thoughts to keep him company.

. . . . .

"Robin, you cannot possibly say you approve of what they did."

For long moment Robin did not answer, instead squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to collect his thoughts.

It had been several hours since he'd left the Nohrian royal library. In the time since he had turned his attention to talking to any members of Corrin's group he could find, attempting to corroborate the account of of the past year he'd been given by Inigo. That was not to say he didn't trust his version of things, rather he wanted to see if he could fill in any details that Inigo had either missed or was not privy to. Not that he gotten much: everyone he had spoken to had been loath to divulge much he hadn't already hear prior. However, he had learned one thing thanks to first hand account from Kaze regarding the assassination of the Hoshido Queen: that the attack itself had been carried out by Invisible Soldiers seemingly under the command of King Garon.

Only when night had fallen had he returned to the room in Castle Krakenburg he and Lucina had been given for the duration of their stay, and prepared to tell his wife of everything he'd learned. In particular he found himself thankful that the the walls of said room were solid stonework. It would have been problematic if they'd held this discussion inside a simple tent: given how… heated, the tone of the conversation had become.

"I never said I did. Just… I fear it's a bit more complicated than that…" Robin answered, staring down at where his hands lay folded in his lap.

"I do not understand. How can you not be horrified by what took place. Everyone here, and worse still, my own friends, took part in such… such… atrocities," Lucina said, her voice rising to nearly a shout now. She stormed back and forth across the room, her footsteps heavy as she paced, yet through it all her gaze remained firmly fixed on Robin. "Give me one reason why we should not confront them all and… and… and…" she seethed.

Robin sighed. He'd expected, of course, that Lucina would be upset by what he'd told her. She had every right to be. Owain, Severa, and Inigo were her friends, after all, from her own timeline. Off the two of them, Lucina was the closest to the three, and he could only imagine how she could end up seeing this as a betrayal.

"And what, Lucina? Reprimand them? Drag them back to our world to stand trial?" Robin asked, countering her question with one of his own. "It won't help bring the dead back. Nothing will. Like it or not, doing anything about it now will only make things worse."

"Are you suggesting we just ignore what happened? I understand that even as they may have not been directly responsible for what happened, they did nothing to prevent it. An allowed atrocity is as much an atrocity as a lie of omission is still a lie!"

"Lucina, please, be reasonable. We need to think about this rationally," Robin pleaded. Standing, he moved to intercept Lucina as she continued to pace. He reached out, grabbing for her hand, only for her to yank it away and whirl to face him.

"Be that as it may, we weren't there, Lucina. Yes, had we been, I wouldn't have hesitated to come to Hoshido's aid. But we can't focus on what-ifs, not now when too much is at stake. Not when we can still do what we can to make things right," Robin explained, keeping his voice gentle.

"But-"

"Nor can I blame an entire people for the crimes committed by a past king. If I were, wouldn't I then need to condemn all of Ylisse for the actions of your grandfather?"

"Robin, you cannot possibly be comparing-" Lucina started to argue.

"Is it any different? Your aunt and father both dedicated much of their reigns to healing the wounds dealt by their father. Should we not give Lord Xander and everyone else the same opportunity?" Robin asked, motioning with a hand. "Nor can you honestly tell me they don't deserve the same treatment we have given the peoples of Plegia and Valm?"

Reaching out, Robin tried to take hold of Lucina's hand once again, only for her to withdraw once again. He shook his head, sighing sadly. "Emmeryn always believed than everyone, even those who were once our enemies, deserved a chance to change. That peace was never unattainable. We have to believe that too. That even here, in this world, it's not too late to forge that brighter future for the people here, just as we did in our own."

"I… even so, what you are asking me. I cannot just… just…" Lucina stammered, her expression tightening and she gritted her teeth, her hissing breath passing through her lips. "That isn't what upsets me most of all, Robin. Perhaps yes, they deserve that same chance. But that does not change the fact that they- people I called my friends, did nothing! They, out of anyone, should have known better, should have…" she squeezed her eyes shut, her whole body trembling as tears began to run down her face. "They're my responsibility, Robin. I was their leader, for years. So for them to have fallen so far… it's much surely be because I… I must have failed them in some regard."

"No, Lucina, that's-" Stepping forward, Robin reached out, taking his wife's hands in his. This time she did not pull away. Instead she clung to his grip, squeezing his hands tightly in return. "If that were true, your father and myself are just as much to blame. But none of us are to blame. I know, this coming from me of all people…" He tried to smile, lifting both their hands up to Lucina's face to dry her tears.

A sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh feel from Lucina's lips at his joke, the first even remotely cheerful reaction she'd given him so far.

"I understand it will be difficult to look at them the same way for a while, but remember, I can only imagine that no one regrets what happened more then them. From the way Inigo spoke of what happened, I think all three of them understood the choice they were making. That to save more lives, perhaps this entire world, they would have to let events come to pass regardless of how horrible they may be. Perhaps there was a better way, some other path they could have taken, but if there had been it was one they failed to recognize as I know they would have taken it in a heartbeat. You know them better than I do. They aren't monsters."

"I don't know…" Lucina slipped one hand free, twisting around somewhat to lean against him.

Robin moved his now free hand around her, wrapping her in a loose hug.

For a long while the two of them remained silent, neither making any move to speak. Only after Lucina's tears had dried did she speak. "I must apologize, Robin. I was so angry, I am afraid I treated you in a manner you not deserve. I regret speaking with such harshness aimed at you."

"It's okay, you did nothing wrong. I'd be more worried if we never got into arguments like this. Just because we love each other doesn't mean we can't be in disagreement at times. Just means we're different parts of the same whole," Robin answered. "I must apologize as well. For perhaps I have been too forgiving of what happened. I should have been more considerate considering how… much more personal this is for you…"

"No… it's alright, my love. You've always been able to see past the darkness in things far better than I, whether it be in other worlds or in the future yet to be…" She trailed off, shaking her head slightly.

"I am the optimist to your pessimist," Robin agreed. "See, just another reason we balance eachother out."

"Indeed." Lucina smiled slightly. "Robin?"

"Yes?"

"Do you really think we can do it? Somehow set things right in this word?"

Robin nodded. "I have to believe we can. Because to save this world, everyone here must do so together. I have to believe they can change."

Author's Note: Well guys, here we are. We're almost done with the first arc of A Future Tied By Fates. *Party horn sounds and confetti rains down* Next chapter will be marking the end of Act 1, and as a result is shaping up to be quite a long one. So unfortunately it may take a bit longer than usual, with three weeks being the bare minimum, though expect more. Still, considering all that I plan for it, I imagine it should be worth the wait. Maybe. Hopefully. God I hope it is.

So Robin and Lucina finally learned the truth about what happened in Conquest, which is something I know a lot of people have been anxious to see for some time. I honestly was very torn on how to handle this scene for awhile now, not sure how upset/angry they would be when they found out. In the end I feel what I had here struck a good balance, with Lucina being far more harsh and upset thanks to having a bit more black and white view on mortality, while Robin would try to remain as neutral and forgiving as possible as he tried to stick to being rational and not pass judgment, something he tends to do and can result in him being a bit too passive at times. Time will tell how these views change as the story progresses.

Anyhow, without further adieu, let's get into review responses.

Darkness21 - Yeah, I figured killing Kana off here was not necessary, rather her almost death would be more effective. My view on character deaths is that it is something that should only be done when the story you could surrounding and as a result of said character's death is more interesting than the stories you could tell with them still alive. Thus it was here. Corrin is slowly making a improvement now, with the next chapter being the climax so to speak of his arc so far.

Well then, that's all for now. I hope you guys enjoyed this one as always and would be so kind to let me know what you thought in a review. Thanks again everyone, as with, I wish everyone a wonderful day and will see you in the next one.