Chapter V: Trial by Fire

"So, let me get this straight," Chrom says, clarifying the plan for the third time. "You use the thunder tome to set fire to the trees, striking them like a bolt of lightning. While we're in the forest. With those undead monsters?"

"Precisely." Robin smiles wickedly.

"While we're in the forest," Chrom repeats.

"That's correct."

"This is madness."

"This," Robin gestures to their tome, the trees, and the approaching Risen in one smooth motion, "is our only chance."

Chrom peers around Robin at the Risen, their shambling carcasses growing ever nearer. "Then I suppose we should get on with it.

"Let's," Sullivan says gruffly, pulling on his horse's reins. "I'll ride out and make sure they follow us into the right spot." He eyes Virginie, who dismounted a while ago. "You coming, Ruffles? I could use that bow of yours to keep them at a distance."

Virginie sighs in dramatic fashion, whipping her long hair back and striking what she thinks is an elegant pose. "How can I say no to such a paragon of masculinity? The Archest of Archers is at your service."

Flushing, Sullivan shifts uncomfortably. "Paragon of… Just shut up and get on the horse, woman!" Virginie complies with the most dignified undignified mounting of a horse I've ever seen. A sight to behold, for sure.

She pulls her bow from her back, notching an arrow and holding it low, undrawn. "Onward, my brave knight! Together we shall make these foul creatures rue the day!"

Sullivan grunts, a sound of immense displeasure. I don't blame him, the way she brazenly presses her body into his back. Virion as a woman will give me nightmares, that much I know. Hell, let's be real. Plain old Virion probably would too.

After hearing the OK from Robin, the pair race away, Virginie firing some preliminary arrows into the horde. I see a couple Risen evaporate into mist. Nice shots. The rest of us turn to Robin for further instruction.

"Alright," they say, taking up a commanding stance. "Chrom, Freya, and I will hold the front. Michael, Agatha, and Liston will stay behind in the forest since they're unarmed and unsuited for combat. The three of us will allow the monsters to get close to the forest after Sullivan and Virginie draw them in. We'll assist in the event sustained fighting comes to pass. Once the things are following us into the forest we will need to keep moving but stay close enough to make sure every single one of them enters. It'll be dangerous. Then I'll strike the trees with thunder and trap the monsters in the resulting fire. And then we run." Robin takes a breath. "All clear?"

There's a murmur of agreement amongst the group. I speak up. "And if we can't get out?" The sickening thought of burning alive worms its way into my mind.

"We'll make it out, Michael," Chrom assures me, her eyes gleaming with resolve.

I nod, unsure but willing to remain hopeful. Becoming a crispy critter isn't on my agenda this evening. I hear the words of Smokey Bear: "Only you can prevent forest fires." Except, in this situation, we're starting one. I think good ole Smokey would understand the need to bend the rules to fry some undead baddies.

In the distance, Sullivan and Virginie are baiting the Risen. Sullivan uses hit and run tactics while Virginie peppers them with arrows. Everything seems to be going well until a stray Risen gets a little too close and hamstrings Sullivan's horse. He and Virginie go down, the latter's yelp easy to hear even a hundred yards away. Agatha gasps. Chrom is sprinting at full speed towards the downed pair. Sullivan keeps the Risen at bay but only just. He takes a few glancing blows, deflected partially with his lance tip. More and more Risen surround him. He backpedals, Virginie by his side, firing arrows when she can and thumping Risen with the bow when she can't. Freya and Robin dash after Chrom, the three of them arriving in time to provide Sullivan and Virginie some dire support. It's now five warriors versus one hundred. Impossible odds. If they don't break free soon, they'll be overwhelmed. Valiant they may be, but even heroes fall.

I fix Liston with an urgent look. "We have to do something. They aren't going to make it if this keeps up." Honest to God terror pumps in my veins. What can we do? We can't fight. Or at least I can't. I don't even have a weapon.

Liston clutches his staff, squeezing it as if a solution might come out. "I know, but what?! This… this is really bad." He trembles, anxiety wrought all over his person.

I do a 360 in desperation. There's nothing. There's absolutely noth—wait. The horse. Sullivan's horse is limping away from the scene of battle, dragging its wounded leg. I know what to do. It's cruel, but it's the only way.

"Liston," I say, moving forward. "Follow me. We're going to buy them time to escape."

"How?" he asks, pulling alongside me.

"Sullivan's horse. It's a goner anyways. If we use it to distract the Risen, make them attack it instead, we can give Chrom and the others a chance to run."

Liston blanches. "That's horrible! But… but I can't see another way."

"What are you two doing?" Agatha trails behind us, wide eyed and panicking. "Don't go out there!"

I turn to her. "We have to. We can't let them die. Not when there's something, anything, we can do." I decide to appeal to more pragmatic reasoning as well. "We also need them. They die, we die."

"T-Then I'm coming too!" she says, catching up.

Liston and I both acknowledge her decision with firm nods. I explain the plan to Agatha as well, and we march away towards the horse. It feels wrong to say, but I've always been good with animals. I love them, and they love me. Animals naturally take to me, like they sense I care and will do nothing to hurt them. My friend had a cat who hated everyone. Even him. Except when I came over, that cat would purr constantly, rubbing against me and settling into my lap. It baffled his family, but I never thought anything of it. Animals just like me. So, using that affinity here to literally lead this horse to the slaughter… I feel dirty. But what must be done must be done.

I lure the horse to me with gentle coos. It whines softly, blood oozing from the gash on its leg. I find a small comfort knowing this horse would need to be put down regardless. I just wish the method was more humane. With some coaxing and kind words, I lead the horse slowly toward the battle site, staying squarely in the horse's field of vision so the fighting doesn't spook it away. The fact this horse is battle trained probably helps; a normal farm horse would have tried to bolt ages ago.

Chrom notices us working with the horse. "What the?" She blocks an axe with Falchion, her attention divided between the Risen and our actions. "Liston, take them and get out of here! This is no place—"

"Chrom, shut up!" I toss the words over my shoulder and face the horse again. "There, there. Don't worry about that. Just keep following me. Everything is all right." A sick feeling wells up inside me. Poor animal. I can tell this is going to eat at me for a long time, using the horse as a sacrifice like this.

Steeling myself, I shift to the side, slapping the horse on the haunches. It crashes into the Risen, a high scream splitting the air as it uses its bad leg. To gruesome effect, the plan works perfectly. The Risen slice and stab the horse, their attention diverted by the beast careening into their ranks. "Move! Now!" I shout to Chrom, who guides the others in a withdrawal. Though they don't remain satiated on the horse for long, the lapse allows our party to retreat towards the forest after a breakneck dash. Once they've minced the horse—Jesus, that was brutal—the Risen focus on staggering after us again. We stand at the forest's edge, taunting and whistling. Slowly, we back into the woods, just far enough the once the Risen close the gap we can safely use the thick underbrush to out maneuver them. Which is exactly what happens. The Risen funnel into the forest, and we spread out to make sure we control the direction of their movement. Once the last Risen enters the woods, Robin signals that they are about to start the fire.

If you've never seen a forest fire, you can't really be prepared for just how quickly it engulfs the area. As Robin blasts trees in a circular pattern around the Risen, fire licks at the brush, igniting the dry plant fiber. Risen screech as their flesh burns. They try to get away, but Robin makes sure the ring of fire has no gaps, no room for escape. The smell of seared, decaying tissue fills the air. Imagine the worst thing you've ever smelled. For me, it was a maggot infested pound of meat left in an old refrigerator. Multiply that by about fifty and you've got cooked Risen. Their violet mist mingles with the smoke to create a toxic haze. I cough, trying to breath in some clean air through my shirt. It doesn't work.

Considering we positioned ourselves outside the flaming circle, exiting the forest is actually quite straightforward. I pant, sucking in the less polluted air. The Risen roar, an unsettling sound lifting above the crackling of burning wood. The others start emerging from the forest as well, first Robin, followed by Sullivan and Freya. Agatha and Liston soon join them with Virginie tagging along. Only Chrom remains. We wait. We wait some more. Chrom still doesn't show. Nervous impatience set in.

"Where is milady?" Freya asks, her voice an octave higher than usual. "I saw her not moments ago… She was right behind me…"

I watch the blaze for any sign of movement. Chrom isn't coming. I can feel it. "We have to go back in after her," I say, already walking towards the inferno.

"Yes," Freya says, joining me. "Hold on, milady. I'm coming." For once, we agree on something. Amazing.

"Wait a minute! You're not going in there without me," Liston says, barging into us. "That's my sister in there. No way am I standing around when she needs help."

"The rest of us will stay here in case any of those things make it out," Robin says, looking torn. It must go against every fiber of their being not to rush in and save the day. But they're wise to ensure absolutely no Risen survive this. Freya, Liston, and I give our understanding before plunging into the fire. Scorching heat laps at my skin, and I pull my shirt over my mouth to prevent as much smoke inhalation as possible. Visibility is shit in here. What isn't burning is obscured by purple smoke; I can barely see Liston or Freya let alone any sign of Chrom.

"Milady!" Freya cries out. "Where are you?!"

"Chrom! Chrom! Please! Chrom!" Liston yells, following suit.

I try to retrace my steps from before the fire started, but it's impossible. Nothing looks the same anymore. I feel my heart pounding. Why did I even come in here? Risking my life for someone I just met? That's insane. But… I know the answer. Chrom would do the same for me. She would never let me die in this forest. Before I asked to join the Shepherds, she promised to see Agatha and me safely to Ylisstol. And I know Chrom to be the type of woman who never goes back on her word. I owe her. I owe her more than a thank you or a beer at the pub. I owe her my life. And fuck it all if I'm not going to make good on that debt.

As if some primordial deity—Naga perhaps—hears my thoughts, I see Chrom. Pinned under a fallen log, her unconscious body is close to being swallowed up by flames. "Freya! Liston!" I shout. "I found her! Come quick! She's trapped!"

Almost immediately, they both appear on my right. "Oh, thank the gods! Milady! The fire has not yet reached her. We must move this trunk," she says, already attempting to lift it. The heavy log doesn't budge. Liston and I lend ourselves to the cause. Gradually, the tree trunk rises from the ground. When we've cleared enough space to pull Chrom out, I turn to Freya and Liston.

"Can you two hold this while I crawl in to get her?"

They both give strained nods. I waste no time in ducking under the log and grabbing Chrom. With her armor on, she weighs a lot more than I anticipate. Still, I drag her out, trying my best not to leave her with too many scratches and bruises. I check her breathing. Slow but there. I motion for Freya and Liston to drop the log, which they do promptly. Freya helps me get Chrom to her feet, and we support her weight between the two of us. Liston provides some moral support, I suppose, placing a hand on Chrom's back, his fingers clinging at her shirt. The three of us escort Chrom out of the forest, arriving just as Sullivan drives his lance through a Risen's chest. Guess some people staying behind really was a clever idea.

Upon seeing us, Robin runs over, nearly tripping. "Was she harmed? She looks mostly OK…"

Freya and I let Chrom to the ground, Freya nursing her head into the grass. I dip my head at Robin. "No, she wasn't. Luckily. We found her before the fire reached her." Who knows how much smoke she breathed in though?

Robin sighs. "Good… good. Where was she?"

"Trapped under a log," I reply. "Took all three of us to get it off her. Wouldn't want to repeat it again."

"We had our fair share of action here as well."

"I saw that," I say, looking at Sullivan. "Was that the only one."

"No," the red knight says. "The last of three."

"Let's hope they're all dead now. Well, more dead," I say, frowning.

"Aye," Sullivan says flatly.

Freya begins to shake Chrom. "Milady? Milady, please wake up!"

"What's wrong, Freya? Did something happen?" I ask, worry sprouting.

"She's not breathing anymore!" Freya exclaims, now violently shaking Chrom. "Milady, please!"

Liston launches into action, healing staff angled at Chrom. After a moment, I expect to see the rise and fall of Chrom's chest, indicating the healing magic took effect. I don't. Liston's brows knit, concentration marring his youthful features. "Why won't it work?" he says, thrusting the staff at Chrom, the orb nearly touching her.

I lean down, placing an ear to the left side of Chrom's chest. Nothing. No pulse. I press two fingers underneath her chin. Again, nothing. Fuck. Oh fuck. "Her heart stopped."

"What?" Liston says in dismay. "A-A healing staff doesn't work without a heartbeat."

Well, that's real fucking useful. I stare at Chrom. I know what I need to do. CPR. I've never done it on a person who required it. Fortunately, I do know how, though. When I was fourteen, a trainer at the YMCA told me I was using the bench press machine all wrong. What followed was a full five-week training course that included CPR certification. I've never been more happy about sucking at working out than right now.

"Move," I say roughly, edging Freya and Liston out of the way. "I can help." I strip Chrom's pauldron off, giving me better access. Freya tries to push me back.

"What are you doing?" she snarls. "Stay away from her!"

I swat her away. "Do you want Chrom to live?"

"What?"

"Do you want Chrom to fucking live?"

"Yes. Yes, of course!" she says frantically.

"Then move. I know what I'm doing." I don't wait for a reply, positioning myself above Chrom, hands interlocked on top of one another in the middle of Chrom's chest. I square my shoulders and make sure they're directly above my hands, elbows straight. Freya makes no further protests, simply watching helplessly. I take a deep breath and press down hard, using my body weight. Most people don't know that effective CPR has to be rough. Really rough. Sometimes, you might even crack the sternum or a rib. I don't feel that happen here, thank God, but I make sure I'm doing this right. I repeat the steps in my head. Thirty chest compressions. Open the airway. Two rescue breaths. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I go through the procedure on Chrom again and again. Finally, she gasps on the 132nd chest compression. You're damn right I kept count.

"MILADY!" Freya gushes, reaching out to stroke Chrom's hair. "You're alive! Oh, Naga above!"

Liston just cries while everyone else breathes a massive sigh of relief. I fall backwards onto the grass, puffing like I'd completed the world's longest race. I might as well have. I fucking did it. I saved Chrom. Thank you. Thank you, stupid fourteen-year-old self. Thank you for failing miserably at trying to bench your own weight. And thank you for actually showing up to the training course. I owe you one, buddy.

"Wha… What happened? Last thing I remember… I was running… And then this." Chrom says, wheezing, followed by a fit of coughing. Liston points his healing staff—still crying—this time getting results as Chrom's coughing ceases, and some of the color returns to her skin.

"You were knocked unconscious by a falling tree," Liston supplies, stowing the staff back in its side holster. "When you didn't come out of the forest, we came and found you. You seemed OK, just knocked out but…." He trails off.

"Your heart stopped," I say, sitting up.

"How… How did you bring me back?" She must know that healing staffs don't work on a person without a pulse.

"Michael did." Freya leans back, staring at the grass. "He… saved you."

"What? You did?" Chrom stares at me, and I'm slightly offended by the disbelief in her eyes.

"Yeah. I did. CPR."

"What is CPR?" she asks.

"Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It's a method of getting a person's heart to start again, or at least keeping them alive until…" I can't finish that sentence. Paramedics and ambulances and modern medicine. "Well, it just gets the heart beating again."

"Never heard of it… Maybe Miro has," she says thoughtfully. Must be Miriel. "At any rate… Thank you. Truly. I owe you my life."

I shake my head. "No, I'd have to save you a few more times for us to be even."

"Once is enough. You only have one life," she counters.

Liston butts in, having finished his spat of crying. "Chrom! I'm so happy you're OK! Don't ever do that to me again!" He wraps Chrom in a tight embrace before looking over at me. "And you! Thank you! Thank you so much! You have to teach me how you did that. A healer like me should know something that important."

I eye him. "Even the mouth to mouth part?"

He sports a furious blush. "I think you can just tell me about that part."

I laugh. "Don't worry, man. I don't want to kiss you."

To my surprise, Chrom blushes as well. "The what?"

"Mouth to mouth. In CPR you have to 'breathe' for your patient," I explain rapidly. "It's not a real kiss."

"Oh. I see." She looks away, still blushing. Fuck. I'm blushing now too. Goddammit.

"Ah, the sweet blossoming of love, like a divine rose rising from the spring earth," Virginie says loftily. "What a beauteous pair—"

"If you don't shut the fuck up right now, I WILL throw you into the fire," I threaten.

Virginie gulps. That's right. You better be afraid.

If Chrom and I could be any more red, we'd be Sullivan's armor. However, Robin comes in with the clutch save. "Michael only did what was necessary. Nothing embarrassing about that. Especially in a matter of life and death."

"Yes. That. Exactly," I say, nodding furiously. Chrom seems more than happy with that as well.

The awkwardness fades after a while. Our group basks in the knowledge that we beat the odds and survived. We have a whole burning forest to show for it. As twilight melds into darkness, we watch the flames tease the sky. Robin decides we should camp on the highest hill, an opinion we all share. I'm told that we leave at dawn, but I'm restless so I take first watch.

Freya walks over to me, obviously uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. For everything. I can never repay you for tonight."

Her sudden attitude change floors me. "I… uh… It's ok. I'm sorry too. For the things I said about you."

"It is forgiven." She stands off-balance, her normally perfect posture betrayed by nervousness. "We're still not friends, though. I hope you know that."

I smile. "Like I'd want to be."

She smiles back. "Then we're in agreement." Freya walks away after a fleeting moment where she looks as if she wants to say something else. "Goodnight."

"Night," I say, but her back is already turned.

Freya, you are one complicated person. I chuckle to myself as I settle down, gazing off into the darkness. Perhaps the Shepherds will feel like home after all. I know I'm never going back to mine. Beating the game? That's bullshit. You don't "beat" reality. This is it. This is my life now. I look back over at the sleeping forms of my new companions. What did Chrom say? "You will find more." Huh. Maybe. Maybe I will.

Author's Note: Yet again, thank you for your continued support of this story. We've now reached over 1000 views. When I posted this story a little over a week ago, I never expected this kind of response. The follows, the favorites, and the reviews have all been a massive encouragement to keep writing. So much so that I've written almost 20000 words this week. I've never written so much in my life in such a short time period. Please keep enjoying this wacky fic! Now, review response!

Hammerschlag- Your reviews are a massive boost to my confidence, and I thank you. The fact that you've now favorited my story warms my heart. I'm glad I could sway you to the gender bender dark side! Haha!

Carcassi- I'm so glad you find this story original, since that's one of my main goals. Part of the reason I chose to genderbend this fic was because I'd never really seen it done in Fire Emblem before. Anyways, thanks a bunch for your review! I hope you keep reading!

Serendipidous- It's great to see my story being something you can use to relax. That makes me happy. About time lines: I think it's safe for me to say without revealing too much that Michael's presence is derailing things. However, obviously that doesn't explain why M!Lucina isn't surprised by the Risen overrunning Southtown. Soooo, clearly other things are afoot. But you'll have to read more to find out~~~