"Ah, it's been so long since I set foot on the continent," Priam took a big whiff as they disembarked, "The air is different here."

"How can you tell?" Robin asked, hoisting a bag of provisions over his shoulder. The boat ride had been without issue, but they had made landfall at a secluded beach to avoid too many questions.

"Did I never instruct you on the importance of breathing to a warrior?" Priam looked genuinely shocked that he could have let something so important go unsaid.

"Um, no? I thought that was a given."

"I see there is still much to impart to you then. You see, all men take breath into their bodies, but not all men know how to breath. You see…"

Robin rolled his eyes and settled in for a long walk to the nearest village.

"And thus, breathing is perhaps the most under-appreciated, but also perhaps the most important aspect to any warrior's combat."

"Oh look, we're here," Robin breathed a sigh of relief as they arrived at the gate of the town, "Let's see what we can learn about the war. Discreetly." As discreet as a 6'2'' man in armor could be.

Robin immediately felt that the atmosphere of the village was off somehow. It took him a while to realize it, but then it dawned on him. There was not a single imperial soldier to be found. When Robin worked up the courage to mention this directly, he was met with something he was not sure how to process.

"Where have you been, lad?" The mustachioed merchant looked at him like he had grown a second head, "The Empire is done. Walhart was struck down."

"Aye, I hear it was some foreign prince that did it," A local chimed in, "But who's to say? We don't get too much news out this way."

"Oh, well, I've been away," Robin covered, "Do you know when this was?"

"Few months ago I reckon. The foreign army already packed up and went back home last I heard."

"I see. Thank you," Robin handed him a coin before taking his leave. Upon meeting up with Priam at a local inn, they exchanged information.

"So, seems they won," Priam leaned back, "Seems to me that you were worried for nothing."

"It's not over yet," Robin shook his head, "While I'm glad they won, if not a bit surprised by their speed and efficacy, I fear a greater threat lies in the shadows. Tell me, Priam, have you ever heard of Grima?"

"Of course, who hasn't? Ylisse's favorite monster to scare kids with."

"I think it's more than a monster made to scare children. Lady Tiki warned of its return and I have reason to believe the Fire Emblem is key to all this. The same relic Chrom carries. If I'm right, they're all in danger. I already know Plegia was following our group, and I doubt they had good intentions."

"So, fighting a dragon, huh?"

"Well, I'd prefer not to, but if worst comes to worst…yeah."

"Sounds like a challenge," Priam smirked, "Sign me up."

"You're serious?" Robin deadpanned, "Of course you're serious. You're Priam."

"I'll need to make a detour though. If we're going to be fighting dragons, there's something I want to grab."

This piqued the tactician's interest, "Do you think it'll help?"

"Couldn't hurt."

"Alright. I don't want to delay anymore than we have to, but if it'll help, I'll allow it."

"Sounds good, now," Priam looked down at the menu, "What kind of meat do they serve here?"

Around the second hour on the road, Robin started getting pretty good at tuning Priam out. He was sure that whatever he was spouting had helped forge him into a fighter to challenge even Chrom, and Robin was not kidding himself into believing he could easily replicate his win; however, all the same, it was a bit out there.

"You know, I've heard legends of a magic spring around here," This finally caught Robin's attention.

"Really? What's it do?"

"Not sure, but supposedly it can dispel illusions and reveal buried memories."

"Hmm," Robin thought for a moment. Could that mean it had the ability to remove his amnesia? Given his encounter at Carrison Isle, he suspected his memories might hold some important information, "Do you know where it is?"

"I have a general idea. It's on the way."

"Let's take a look. It's worth investigating."

"I didn't take you as one to hunt myths."

"When you're facing mythic enemies, it might not hurt to look for mythic solutions. Besides, I saw first hand at least one sword of legend and the Fire Emblem itself. I'm no stranger to relics. It might just be useful."

"Makes sense. Come on, then. The entrance shouldn't be far."

"For these to be so mythical, I would have thought them harder to find," Robin commented with the fire orb in his hand illuminating the elevated walkway. It was, admittedly, a long way down if one of them slipped.

"Just because hardly anyone dares to enter doesn't make it hard to find. Most either don't believe it's real or they're afraid and/or reverent. That, or they never heard of it. Not like it had a sign pointing it out either way."

"Fair enough, I suppose," Robin shrugged as they came across a surprisingly well kept grand door. Working together, the two pushed it open to reveal a lit and decidedly not ruined chamber with a large fountain at the far end.

"Guess that is the spring," Priam remarked nonchalantly as he trudged on ahead, "Do your thing, magic man."

"I'm not even sure what-" Robin stopped following when he felt the spring reacting, "Priam, stop."

"What is it?" The swordsman turned around only to miss the water rising up and taking vaguely human shapes.

"Priam…did those legends say anything about body doubles?"

"No, why?"

"Then I think they left something out."

Priam turned and his face instantly turned to a snarl as the water had taken shape. Their shapes to be exact. They were dripping as they stepped out of the spring, but the two copies appeared just as solid as the originals.

"You seek to know the truth about yourself," Robin's doppelganger spoke, lifting a hand, "Come and see if you are worthy."

"Well, that's ominous," Priam readied his great sword, "Think you can take him?"

"I won't let some imposter stand in my way," Robin stepped forward with determination, "Be careful. If they copied our abilities, then they could be quite dangerous."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Priam seemed almost excited, "Watch yourself."

Robin merely nodded as the two went to face off against their echoes, Robin bore a serious expression as he stared down the smirking doppelganger.

"What is the purpose of this? Is this all just a trap?"

"Hmph, a trial. Aren't you supposed to be a genius?" The clone attacked him with a copy of the sword Chrom had gifted him what felt like a lifetime ago now.

"I am a reflection of you. Your doubts. Your fears." The clone stretched out his hand and the mark on the back of their hands, the brand of Grima appeared before him, "Your monstrosity." The eyes of the sigil glowed a menacing purple before each hit Robin with a continuous stream of magic.

Meanwhile, Priam was trading blow for blow with his imposter, "You're strong. Finally, a worthy challenge!"

"Is that all you live for?" The fake scowled, "Always looking for a good fight? Why? Just to prove yourself?"

"You sure you didn't get your brain swapped with Robin's fake?" Despite his sarcastic reply, the doppleganger batted him away forcing Priam to skid across the floor, "Power for power's sake. That is what I've believed since I was a child."

"But you doubt yourself now," The false Priam walked with his greatsword over his shoulder, "Power for power's sake, power to conquer, or power to protect. Which is it?"

"What does it matter so long as I can turn you back into a puddle?"

"Hmph, I wonder if your hero could answer that question? Do you really think you can surpass him? You're so…aimless. Pathetic even."

"Then I'll get stronger!" Priam roared, "I won't stop until I not only match him, but surpass him. I will become worthy of his bloodline, and I don't care what some water droplet has to say about it. Now get out of my sight!"

With a heavy swing, Priam clave through the aquatic doppelganger. As the blade sliced it in two, it reverted to water and splashed harmlessly on the tiled floor. Robin was not having as good a time though. Forced to his knees, he glared up at his fake.

"Why do you think Lucina wanted nothing to do with you? What do you think this brand even means? She has the brand of the exalt. You bear the mark of her enemy. What if she even has a lover in that band of travelers? What will you do if she got her memories back and doesn't want you anymore?"

Forcing himself up, Robin snarled as he fought for every step, "I don't know why Lucina acted the way she did, but even if I am a monster, even if she has a previous life she'd rather return to, even if she wants nothing to do with me, I'll give everything for her and those I care about. Whatever this brand means," Robin forced his way past the translucent sigil and his clone smiled, "I will keep them safe."

"I see. Your will is strong. That much is certain."

"So, does this mean that my memories can be restored?"

The illusion looked at him carefully, "No. This spring can dispel illusions and false memories. You…simply do not have many memories from your past. It would seem most of them were destroyed."

"By what?" Robin furrowed his brows.

"That is unknown. I am but an apparition of the spring. I can only tell you so much for I am not truly alive. There is nothing more to be done. This spring has power to restore memories to their original state and provide clarity to them. It has no power over something that does not exist."

"Well, thanks anyways I guess," Robin murmured. Even after the false Robin disappeared as if it had never been there, Robin stood there thinking.

"You alright?" Priam asked after realizing Robin was not moving.

"Hmm?" He looked up, "Oh sorry. Guess I was a bit distracted."

"Must be disappointing, huh?"

"To an extent, but I'm honestly not sure I want to know. Though it would have been nice to glean something useful from all this." As Robin turned to head for the entryway, he continued, "It was an interesting experience at least, but not one I'd like to revisit."

"I do wish it had been a real fight and not in our heads."

Robin shook his head, "Of course you do."