A deafening silence reigned for several seconds before Validar started laughing as he pulled himself off the burning altar. This made Robin glare even harder as his father freed himself from his fiery impalement.

"Impressive. Most impressive indeed!" The mad cultist laughed insanely as he erected a dark barrier, cutting Robin off from the others, "I should have expected no less from Grima's vessel."

"So…it's true," Robin did not seem as surprised as Validar had expected, "We're of his bloodline, aren't we?"

"I care not where it came from. All I know is that you are destined for greatness! Oh, master shall be pleased. What say you offer these whelps as an offering to beg forgiveness!"

Robin clenched his teeth, as anger enveloped him, "How about I kill you and end this madness, Validar? It's time we paid for our family's crimes."

"Hmph, such arrogance." Validar channeled dark magic from both hands that coalesced in front of him, "Then come, my wayward son. There is no damage I can do to your body that Grima cannot repair!"

Faster than anyone had ever seen him move, Robin was right in front of Validar. No words, no quips. Just rage as Robin brought his sword down with such force that even Validar's fell magic enhanced guard could not stop him from skidding backwards.

"Robin!" Lucina grunted as she fruitlessly tried to cut her way through the barrier, but her Falchion kept bouncing off. It was too strong for an incomplete Falchion to break through. There was nothing she could do to get to him.

"Mother," Morgan walked up to Lucina, but something was wrong. She was almost hiding in her coat as if cold.

"Morgan," Lucina halted her frenzied attempts to reach Robin at the sound of her daughter sounding so uneasy, "What's wrong?"

"I don't…know," Morgan shook her head, "But it's malicious. Its power is terrifying, but I'm not its focus, I can merely feel it." Looking at her mother gravely, Morgan held up her hand with Grima's brand, "If I'm a half blood and feeling it this bad then…"

"Robin."

Morgan nodded, "We can't let him lower his guard," The tactician watched the battle between father and son, "But if he loses himself in battle…"

"Robin!" Lucina shouted, "You have to stop!" But it was no use, he was in no mood to listen. However, they were not the only ones within the barrier. Her father stirred and picked himself up from the corner, "Father!"

"What'd I miss?" Chrom clutched his head, "Is that Robin?"

"Yes, and you have to stop him!" Lucina cried frantically.

"'Stop him?'" Chrom blinked, "Why would I stop him? Looks like he's doing pretty well to me."

"Grima's power is all over him!" Morgan told her grandfather, "If he isn't careful…I don't know what, but it wouldn't be good. Validar is goading him. They want this!"

Chrom looked back at where the two were seemingly working on bringing this whole structure down on their heads, "Get in the middle of that?" The prince shrugged with a sigh, "Sure, why not? You'd better appreciate this, Robin," He could be heard grumbling as he ran into the fray.

Not aware of any of what just transpired, Robin was charging electricity through both arms while his sword floated just out of reach, ready for use at a moment's notice. He had an aura much like the day he took out the bridge which Chrom realized felt like a lifetime ago. However, it was different. As if something had corrupted it, and it was with that realization that any remaining doubts over his granddaughter's concerns vanished, replaced by an iron will.

Grabbing him before the spell could discharge, Chrom held his friend's arms in a vice grip trying to get him to calm down.

"Chrom?" Robin did pause in confusion as to why Chrom of all people would try and stop him from ending this. However, his head split in pain in response, "Have you gone mad?"

"You have to stop!" Chrom grunted. Since when was Robin that strong? "This is what they want!"

"Stay out of my way, Chrom," Robin eventually pushed his friend off before storming back towards Validar, "I have to end this!" His sword clashed with a smirking Validar's grip, "He'll end the world! I. Have. To. Finish. It!"

As Robin grew more manic, Chrom saw Morgan flinch. His eyes narrowed, "Alright then. Just remember, this is for your own good."

"Wha-Chrom?" Robin stared in disbelief as Chrom sucker punched him. With a snarl, he pushed the prince away with some powerful, but relatively safe wind magic, "Stay out of my way!"

Maniacal laughter interrupted the two men, "How amusing. To think, you could be turned against one another."

"Validar," Robin growled through his teeth, "I don't know what you did to Chrom, but even he can't protect you."

"Hey now," Chrom gave chase while Robin struck at Validar even harder than before. It was pretty clear that he would not stop so long as Validar drew breath, "I'm protecting you, and probably the world here!"

"I think that's enough of your interruptions," Validar scowled, sending an orb of dark energy hurling towards the prince. Chrom was able to avoid it, but it slowed him down.

"Focus on me," Robin growled as he released his grip on his sword again to unleash a barrage of magic onto his father. As powerful as the attack was, Validar emerged barely singed.

"Your power is impressive, as expected of our god's vessel, but it pales to that of Grima. Even an imperfect vessel like myself can channel enough power to make even some of the strongest mages look like novices."

"Then I guess I should hit harder!" Robin's nostrils flared as he readied a massive spell. The thoron bolt hit Validar square in the chest, and this one he did not laugh off. Stumbling from the blow, he was still smirking though. Said smirk serving as motivation for Chrom.

Robin readied a lightning lance to personally finish the job. However, not before Chrom managed to arrive with flare by vaulting over Robin's shoulder, and in an instant, the area around the altar went still.

The glow encompassing Valdiar dissipated as Falchion was through his heart and sticking out the other side of the thin man. Chrom was exasperated with a pained expression with no small amount of triumph hidden behind the tiredness. Robin looked dazed and confused as the haze of his anger died down and he realized he had nearly played into Grima's hands by lowering his guard.

"This…isn't…over," Validar gasped with his last breaths before going limp. Chrom though, was not doing great. Even as the barrier separating them from their allies fell, so did he.

"Chrom!" Robin momentarily forgot how much his head was pounding as his friend collapsed into his arms. It was only then, as he was supporting him over his shoulder that Robin realized what was wrong.

"Thanks…for weakening it, by the way," Chrom forced a smirk as Robin led him over to the others.

"You're lucky I didn't fry your insides."

"Someone…had to stop you."

"Thanks," Robin narrowed his eyes, "How did you know?"

"Heh, I didn't. Not at first."

Before Robin could ask who had though, he was able to pass the prince off to Frederick and Lissa. Lissa was a bit panicked, but the knight did at least pass off a courteous nod to the presumed dead tactician.

"Make sure he gets patched up. Didn't hit anything major I don't think, but I wasn't able to completely stop the spell."

"Could have been worse," Chrom smirked, "At least it didn't explode."

"Ugh," Lissa groaned, "He's fine. Don't worry, I'll patch him up. Not sure how you're here, but I think you have someone you need to talk to."

Robin swallowed. He had been putting it off, but he finally looked Lucina in the eyes. "I-"

He did not get a word out before he found himself in a bone crushing hug. Lucina…was hugging him. She was crying too. No, that was not quite right. She was sobbing. Because of him.

"Lucina, I…"

"I'm so sorry," She finally got in through her sobs, "I'm so sorry I didn't support you and I made you feel like I didn't love you. I promise, I won't ever do that again. Please, just never leave us like that again."

The tactician found himself swallowing yet again. She was not making this easy. It was supposed to be easy. She would hate him, and he would do what he had to as a final gift. That was how he had seen all this transpiring.

"Well, isn't this sweet?"

Robin immediately turned out of his wife's embrace as a familiar face strutted into the chamber, "Seems I put too much faith in Validar."

"Lucina," Robin did not break eye contact with the monster in human skin, "Go. Now. Take the Shepherds and run."

"I'm not leaving you," Lucina moved beside him, her drawn Falchion and determined expression making an odd juxtaposition against her puffy eyes, "Not this time."

"What a beautiful bond you have," Grima smiled in amusement, "But the adult's are talking." With a flick of the wrist, Grima shot a dark spike at Lucina, but to her credit, she was able to strike it out of the air with her Falchion. However, in that brief moment of distraction, the dragon closed the distance and lifted Robin by his throat.

"Submit to me!" Grima demanded, "Learn your place, vessel!"

"Who are you?" Lucina demanded as the look alike swatted her sword strike away. In return, the creature smirked.

"I am Robin."

"Liar!" Lucina picked herself up.

"I-it's Grima," Robin choked out, and this piqued the dragon's interest.

"Oho, perhaps you're smarter than I gave you credit for. How could I possibly be Grima?"

"Two Falchions, two Robins. Lucina's brand. Riddles I had no logical answer for. So I had to look for illogical ones." Robin looked at Lucina, "The only option I could come up with is that both of you are from other worlds. One where Grima was able to possess me due to my cursed bloodline."

"Tell me, how could you know about your bloodline?"

"Same way I know about this!" Robin tossed a shield-like object from his coat at the dragon and the effects were nearly immediate.

"Hrrrg!" Grima dropped Robin and fell on all fours as energy poured out like lightning around the ancient seal, "Thabes." The word was filled with venom and murderous contempt, but Robin did not care as he righted himself.

"Yes," Robin raised his right arm and started channeling as much fell power as he could though he had his misgivings considering what just happened, "A little modification was all it needed." Robin looked up. The spell was almost finished. He knew what that meant, but…Lucina…her words stung. Looking back down to Grima, Robin steadied himself. It needed to be done.

However, as he went to cast the spell, Grima finally managed to rip the shield off, crushing it with an iron grip. The dragon quickly forced Robin back with a pulse of dark energy.

"Next time, don't hesitate." The building began to tremble as Grima looked up with outstretched hands, "I do not need you. I do not need the Fire Emblem. I had hoped to destroy their hope like before, but I see I shall have to settle for destroying your bodies!"

"Robin!" Lucina was quickly helping him up while the girl from before was coordinating a retreat. The tactician looked past Grima to the empty altar. Good. At least not all was lost.

The couple were the last ones out, and not a moment too soon before the entire Dragon's Table was consumed with fell energy. The roar that followed made Lucina tense and Robin clench his fists. He had a shot, but he blew it. Now, as he looked up at the massive form, he felt utter dread. Grima was released.

A/N: Good news. All chapter rough drafts are now complete. This story should follow suit if not this week then the next. It's been a long time coming, but it's in the final stretch now.