Second Chapter of the last part everyone! Here we go!

Again, this chapter was beta-ed by Soren180. He has my gratitude for willing to still do this for me after so long.

-3rd Person's POV-

As Lyn and Robin were fighting Lundgren, the members of the Legion, Eagler's soldiers and the castle's prisoners were fighting hard to keep the usurper's men from helping their lord. There hadn't been more than a couple of casualties on their part so far, due to the efforts of Wallace, Theodore and Hawke. Even so, it didn't seem that the attackers turned defenders would be able to hold indefinitely. Despite the bodies that were starting to pile in the corridors, Lundgren's men continued to push to try and get past them.

But all seemed to stop when a chill ran through the whole castle, making everybody present shiver. But none felt the effect more than Nils and Ninian, who started to tremble from head to toe. And while everyone else was doing their best to refrain from doing so, the members of the Legion who had faced the Risen back in Kathelet easily recognized the oppressive feeling of the undead soldiers' presence.

"W-what is this?" Wallace asked, his whole body radiating tension and weariness.

"This is bad... This is really bad...!" Wil muttered, his face pale.

"I-it's c-coming... S-something really b-bad is coming...!" Nils stuttered out.

"No! Sir Robin and Lady Lyndis! They are in danger!" Ninian cried out.

That was enough to snap every member of the Legion from their stupor.

"To the throne room! We must hurry!" Kent barked before breaking into a sprint, the others following behind him. Moments later, Theodore and his men followed, as did Hawke and the armed prisoners, leaving the rest of Lundgren's men to stare at them as they disappeared deeper into the castle.

"...sir? What do we do?" one soldier asked his commander with a nervous expression on his face.

Said man stared at the corridors for a minute. Whatever was happening, he was pretty sure he wanted no part in it. "Retreat!" he ordered. "Gather the wounded as fast as you can, we're leaving!"

As he organized his men's withdrawal, the commander knew that, no matter what happened in this castle today, he could not come back to Caelin. Laus seemed to be recruiting recently, so perhaps he and his men could find another source of employment there.

-Robin's POV-

Lyn and I can only gape in horror as darkness bursts from the Reeking Box, much more potent and oppressing than the last time, and Lundgren laughs crazily.

"Yes. Yes! With this... I can-" He is cut off as a wave of black and purple engulfs him.

Transfixed, I watch as the streams of darkness coalesce into four forms which details become clearer by the second. Moments later, I stare at the heavily armored general that was Lundgren alongside a warrior wielding a great axe, a swordsman and what I recognize to be a sorcerer.

(Play Fire Emblem Awakening OST: "Run all you like. You can't escape fate!")

"Dreadlords." I whisper with a gut-wrenching realization. The elite of the Risen. Twelve individuals whose souls were twisted by the darkness and used to create the most powerful undead warriors.

"Robin, what should we do?" Lyn quietly asks.

I wet my lips, my eyes never leaving the immobile forms of the Risen. But before I say anything, red eyes lit up inside empty sockets and the four warriors straighten before locking their gazes onto us. More specifically, at me.

"Ah... I was wondering if that fool would ever use my gift." A deep voice comes from the one who had been Lundgren. "But it seems that my worry was for naught. After all, I finally have you in my grasp... Robin."

I grip my head in pain at that. That voice... Why is it so familiar? Why is it... making me so afraid? So... angry?

"Who... are you?" I manage to say between my gritted teeth.

"Ho?" the voice seems almost surprised. "So, you have lost your memories again. How amusing. Fate is truly destined to repeat itself, it seems."

Again, the words ring a bell inside me. "We decide our own fate." the reply comes out without thinking. "There is no destiny, no predetermined ending! Our own choices pave the way our life goes! You will not change my views! Not today, not ever!"

"Hmmm... So it seems like you still retain some things from last time. But that does not matter. You will die here, today. And then nothing will stop me." The voice responds and the four Dreadlords bring up their weapons in unison. "Kill them, my Dreadlords."

(Switch to: Annihilation [Galvanized])

"Run, Lyn!" I shout as the undead warriors charge at us. Backing up quickly, I draw Bloganone from my coat and hold my hand in front of me. "O infernal emperor, rise from the depth of the earth in a torrent of scorching heat! Bolganone!" I chant, focusing a good chunck of my reserves into the spell.

Pillars of molten fire erupt from the stone ground in front of us, effectively blocking the advance of the Dreadlords. But with a sorcerer, this won't hold long.

"Come on, Robin!" Lyn urges me. "If we want to stand a chance against those things, we must regroup with the others!"

I nod as we continue running for the gates. The moment we reach them, we take hold of both and close them with a resounding bang.

"What now?"

"We must get out of here." I reply. "Against those monsters, our only way to win will be our numbers. Fighting them one on one is suicide and the inside of the castle won't give us the space we need. Come on, we must hurry!" I answer before we start running again.

Moments after, I hear the doors breaking down. Damn, I knew this wouldn't last long, but I hoped a for a bit more time!

"Lady Lyndis! Sir Robin!"

I look at the end of the corridor to find Kent running toward us with the others following behind him.

"Are you alri-"

"There is no time, Kent! We must get out of here!" I shout at the top of my lungs, making the knight stop in surprise.

"Wha-"

"Everyone to the courtyard! Hurry! We have Risen incoming!" Lyn shouts too.

"Too late! They've already caught up!" I say, turning around to see the four purple and black figures coming our way. I draw Rexcalibur from my coat. "Go! I'll hold them off!"

"That's too reckless!"

"You will not get away."

"O mighty vortex, bring devastation upon my foes! Rexcalibur!"

"O' gathering flames of darkness, treat our dear guests to the strains of your terrible song. Waste."

Purple ethereal flames meet the tornado of wind at the center of the corridor. For a moment, it looks like the two spells will even out, but suddenly, the dark flames flare and devour the wind magic to continue on their way toward us.

"O silver light, grant me the power to defeat evil! Lightning!"

"O flickering blaze, burn! Fire!"

From behind me, the two spells fly to meet the dark magic and, fortunately, manage to negate it.

"Now run! To the courtyard!" Lyn shouts.

What follows is a mad run inside the castle, with Lucius, Erk and I throwing spells in the path of the Dreadlords in attempts to slow them down while we make our way outside the castle. Fortunately for us, the Dreadlords seem to be all about power and not speed, which allows us to maintain a certain amount of distance. A few minutes later, everyone exited the corridors.

"Alright." I huff, out of breath because of the running and throwing so much spells. "We have a heavy armored general, a warrior, a swordsman and a sorcerer coming our way, people. Those with anti-armor weapons and those who focus on power, I want you to on that general. Swordsmen, your job is to take down the warrior. Soldiers and lance wielding people, the swordsman is yours. Lucius, Erk, Lyn, you are with me on the sorcerer. Get ready!"

With tense nods, everyone draw their weapons and focus their gazes on the corridors entries. Moments later, the four Dreadlords emerge from the opening.

"Done running, are we?"

"I know very well that running away is useless." I reply, gripping my sword tightly. "But now that we're outside, this fight will be much easier."

"Do you really think so? You forget one thing, Robin."

"And what would that be?"

"You and your little friends left quite a number of bodies inside those walls. And what are Risen?"

I feel myself pale as the answer instantly appears in my mind. "No..."

"Indeed."

And with those words, at least three dozens of Risen step out from the corridors entries. Blazing red eyes staring unblinkingly at us from the husks that once were Lundgren's men.

"Kill them all."

"WALLACE! TAKE ON THE GENERAL! LYN! YOU TAKE THE WARRIOR! THEODORE! THE SWORDSMAN! I'LL TAKE CARE OF THE SORCERER! EVERYONE ELSE, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIVES!" I roar before taking my Thunder tome in my left hand as the Risen charge at us.

And with that, the courtyard descends into chaos.

I quickly find myself engaged in a contest of skill and magic with the Risen sorcerer. Lightning meeting dark flames time and time again as I try to close the distance and engage it with my sword. But the Risen lives up to his title of Dreadlord and denies each and every one of my attempts with walls of purple fire. I know that if I don't find a way quickly, my magical reserves will deplete eventually and I will be at my foe's mercy.

"Is this the best you can do? How the mighty have fallen."

I grit my teeth before sending another Thunder bolt at the sorcerer and dashing at him. My spell is batted aside by wave of dark magic before another is sent at me, forcing me to roll aside. Gripping my sword with both hands, I quickly cover the distance separating us and bring down my blade on him. But, to my utter bafflement, the Sorcerer's hands lit up with the same dark flames and he catches the weapon without any apparent effort.

"Pathetic."

With a quick jerking motion, the Risen breaks my sword before sending a blast of purple magic into me, sending me flying away with a shout of pain. I roll as I hit the ground and slowly get up with a bloody cough, glancing at what's left of my weapon.

"Do you see? How futile it is to resist?"

My eyes snap back to the Sorcerer, who is walking toward me.

"You cannot win here, Robin. You have no strategy left, no hidden ace in the hole to tip the scales. Look around you. Your allies are falling one by one."

I gaze at the rest of the battlefield to see everyone struggling to defend themselves. Exhausted from the previous battle, they have no energy left to fight enemies that feel no pain nor fear. I dare not look at the bodies lying on the ground for fear of recognizing one of them.

"Soon, you'll be the only one left. So, give up now, and I promise that I will spare your friends."

I give a hollow laugh at that. "'Spare them', you say...? Ha! Your promises are as empty of meaning as your Risen are of souls." I reply, straightening myself with a pained groan. "I would rather... kill myself than entrust their lives to you!" I shout, bringing up my Thoron tome once more.

"Defiant to the very end, I see. Very well, it is long past time that I remind you of my POWER!"

With an inhuman roar, an aura of dark magic explodes from the sorcerer before a huge purple magic circle lights up the entire courtyard.

"What-"

"FEEL THE WRATH OF THE FELL DRAGON!"

With that shout, the sorcerer slams both of his hands onto the magic circle and the area becomes filled with spikes of dark magic erupting from the ground. And as I hear the cries of fear and pain from my companions, I cannot help but feel completely and utterly powerless.

(End OST)

"EVERYONE!" I shout in panic.

They are all laying on the ground, alive, but clearly wracked with pain from that attack and the magical residue inside their bodies, sparks of dark magic dancing across their forms. Absently, I notice that all the Risen apart from the Dreadlords were also hit by the spell and had dissipated.

"And so it ends."

"No! Not yet! We're not done yet!" I retort, even though the tactical part of my mind tells me that I've lost.

"You still resist? *Sigh* Then it is time that I end this."

"I... won't... let you!" I struggle to raise my tome.

"Just as before, Robin, you do have a choice. It doesn't have to be this way. You can save your friends... Become one with me, and we shall spare their lives! Refuse, and watch as I rend the flesh from their bones!"

"Argh!" I cry out, another lance of pain tearing into my head.

"NOW! I will have your decision! Will you save those worms? Will you JOIN ME and become a GOD?"

"I... I...!"

"Do not give up!"

That voice...! From last time in that village.

"There is still a way for you to win!"

How? I have no strength left and my friends lay half dead on the ground. There is nothing I can do. Not against four Dreadlords.

"Awaken your memories, Robin! You have faced stronger foes before! You just need to REMEMBER!"

What?

"Remember the battles you went through! Remember all the challenges you have overcome! Remember Ylisse! Remember the Shepherds!"

The Shepherds... My... comrades... My... family.

"Remember CHROM!"

"You and me. Me and the others. The villagers we've met, the world we've seen... Such bonds are the true strength of this army. Without them, we're lost. Others may disagree, but that's one benefit of leadership: I make the final call."

Chrom... My king... My friend... My brother in arms...

"Remember MORGAN!"

"Thanks, Father. I'll give some of your strategy texts another read-through. But know this—one of these days, I WILL outmaneuver you!"

Morgan... my daughter... from the future... My sweet, precious, irreplaceable daughter...

"REMEMBER LUCINA!"

Lucina...

"I love you. And no matter what the future holds, I'm going to cherish every moment."

Lucina...! The woman... that I love...!

My wife.

And it breaks. Like water pouring from an open dam, the memories flow into my head. Ylisse, Regna Ferox, Plegia, Chon'Sin, Valm.

The Shepherds. Grima.

Chrom.

Morgan.

Lucina!

I... REMEMBER.

"Ever-burning Fire of Purification,"

"...what?"

"Lord of Destruction and Sign of Rebirth,"

"Could it be...! NO!"

"Spring Forth from My Hand and Throttle my Enemy."

"IGNIS"

Strength floods my body as I become wreathed in pink and orange flames. Distantly, I hear gasps from those behind me but I pay no attention to them. All my focus is on the four Dreadlords in front of me.

Or, rather, on the one pulling their strings.

On Grima.

I put Thoron back in my coat to draw my Thunder tome and what is left of my sword. "O righteous will, let thy might become a sword of lightning to fall upon those who bear fault!"

With a single glow, the tome disappears to leave a sphere of crackling lightning. As one, my broken sword and the sphere of power floats in front of me before joining in a flash of light. What is left in their place is a most peculiar sword with a blade in a zigzagging pattern, as if to imitate a lightning bolt with sharp tips along it.

A thunder sword. A Levin Sword.

I grasp its handle and the blade hums to life, arcs of lightning dancing across its edges.

"So, you've recovered your memories, have you?"

I narrow my eyes. "How are you still alive? I killed you myself."

"Who knows, Robin? I told you, didn't I? You and I... are one and the same. So long as you're alive, so am I."

I close my eyes briefly before shaking my head. "It doesn't matter. I stopped you once before. And I will do it again. I will see to it that you never come back! Even if I must sacrifice myself once more!"

"Ha! You and what army? We're not in Ylisse anymore. There are no Shepherds here."

I feel my heart clench at these words but I ignore it. "I am done talking with you, Grima." I say, my left hand instinctively going into a secret pocket of my coat that I had forgotten about until now and draws out an old yellow tome with a picture of a hammer upon it. "This ends here."

"Do you really think you can defeat four of my Dreadlords by yourself? Fool!"

"I don't think so. I know so."

And with those words, I move. In an instant I close the distance between the sorcerer and me before impaling the Levin Sword in his chest. Lightning and flames explode inside his body and the Risen can do naught but let out a chilling scream before dissipating into purple smoke.

Not wasting a moment, I turn to the general who had once been Lundgren and the warrior. "I who Stand in the Full Light of the Heavens, Call upon Thee who Openeth the Gates of Hell! Come Forth Divine Lightning, Slayer of the Titans!" I chant, my voice thrumming with power, and the sky darkens above the castle in response to the ancient magic. I spring my right hand forward, letting go of the Levin Sword, which starts slowly spinning around me.

"MJÖLNIR!"

From the heavens, an enormous pillar of thunder descends upon the two Dreadlords. A brilliant flash of light and two chilling screams later, and there is no trace left of the two Risen aside from a crater in the ground and a scorch mark around it left by the almost divine spell.

"And then, there was one." I turn to the last Risen, catching the Levin Sword as it finished its full circle around me.

"Wretched child! Know that is isn't over Robin! Mark my words!"

"It is, for now." I reply before jumping at the swordsman and cutting him from shoulder to hip with a single downward strike, lightning and fire arcing at the movement of my sword. Another scream and the last Risen vanishes in a wave of purple smoke.

In the silence that follows, I rise up from my finishing strike position, the flames of Ignis fading out around me. In my right hand, the Levin Sword pulses for a second before breaking down into a million pieces. Slowly, I put Mjölnir back into the pocket I took it from and take a deep breath.

"Robin...?"

I turn to find everyone awake in the courtyard staring gobsmacked at me. Lyn, the one who spoke, looks at me as if I'm a stranger and, deep inside, I cannot help but feel like that is the case.

I let out a weary sigh. "We should go and find your grandfather, Lyn. I'm sure he must be worried sick about what's been happening." I say. "Matthew."

"Y-yes?" The thief starts and I resist the urge to cringe.

"I want you to search Lundgren's study. Bring me every information, every secret the bastard has hidden. Serra, you're in charge of helping the wounded. Take anyone who has first-aid knowledge with you and tend to them as best as you can."

"A-as you say."

"Everyone else, take some rest. We will take care of our dead later tonight." I tell the others. "I think that explanations... will have to wait tomorrow."

And so, the battle of Castle Caelin was over.

I walk in silence through the castle corridors, Lyn a step behind me and the only sound being that of our steps on the stone floor. I feel her gaze on the back of my head and I can sense that she wants to say something.

"Is there something wrong, Lyn?" I ask softly but even that all but makes her jump in surprise.

"W-well, it's just that... I must admit I'm confused as to what happened back there." she responds.

I nod. "It's perfectly understandable. After all, I demonstrated skill and power beyond what any of you has ever seen." I reply turning my head slightly to glance at her. "How it happened is a very long and complicated story but, I assure you, I will explain everything tomorrow."

She nods before taking a long look at me. "You've changed." she states. "You are still Robin, but there are differences with the one I knew but an hour before."

"Overcoming your amnesia and remembering everything you have forgotten can do that to you." I say with a wry smile.

"I see..." she nods solemnly.

"You are Lady Lyndis, are you not?" A voice makes us both turn to see a man with short grey hair dressed in aristocratic robes standing beside a door.

"Who are you?" Lyn asks.

The man bows. "I am Reissman, the chancellor of the Caelin Royal Family." he presents himself. "I had received word from Kent and Sain when you first met, but then Lundgren discovered the message and imprisoned me. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to your true home."

Lyn nods. "Thank you. May I see my grandfather now?"

"Yes, of course." Reissman says before opening the door he was standing by. "A warning though, Milady. Do not be shocked by what you will see. Lundgren has been poisoning the marquess's meals for some time. His body has been ravaged… He's been bedridden for months."

With another nod, we enter the room.

"Who... is there?" an aged voice speaks from the bed. "I said no visitors. I will see no one."

Lyn and I stay as silent as we watch the frail form of Lord Haussen weakly rise from the bed. The man's white hair and ashen face leaving me with the impression of a ghost.

"What are you doing? Leave me... to die..."

Slowly, I land a hand on Lyn's shoulder before giving her a nod and gently pushing her forward.

"Um... Pardon me." she hesitates before taking a deep breath. "My name... is Lyndis."

The Marquess blinks. "Eh? Did you say Lyndis? Is that..."

"My father's name was Hassar, chieftain of the Lorca." Lyn states, her determination showing through. "My mother was... Madelyn. I was raised on the plains."

"...Could it be?" Haussen mutters before raising his arms toward her. "Come, come here. Let me see your face."

Slowly, the Sacaean young woman steps out from the corner of shadows in which we were and approaches the large bed until she sits beside the bed-ridden Lord.

"Oh… Yes…" He breathes out, his hands tracing Lyn's face gently. "There is no doubt… You are Madelyn's trueborn child…" he says as tears start falling from his eyes.

"Grandfather!" With that exclamation, Lyn embraces the man, who weakly returns it.

And that, is my cue to leave.

With a smile, I slowly step back to the door and silently open it before slipping outside and closing it behind me.

"I think everything will be alright." I say, turning to Reissman. "If he has survived this long, then I doubt he will die anytime soon. The marquess sounds like a strong person, I do not think a simple poison will end his days now that he is reunited with his grand-daughter. Besides, I very much doubt that Lyn is going to let him go away just like that."

The man bows again. "Blessed be this day. Thank you, master tactician for bringing our Lady home safe and sound."

"There is no need to thank me." I respond. "If you want to thank someone, thank all those who lent Lyn their strength. I'm just the one who coordinated them." I tell the man, before turning on my heel and leaving.

After a few moments of walking, I'm jolted out of my thoughts by another voice.

"Robin!"

I turn around to see Matthew jogging toward me.

"Matthew. Has your search gone well?" I ask the blonde thief.

He looks to either side of the corridor before motioning me to follow him. Raising an eyebrow, I nod nonetheless and, after a couple of minutes of walking, we arrive at another door. The thief opens the door and I step inside, taking in the rich furniture and accessories along with the open drawers, wardrobe and even a small trapdoor on a wall. "It looks like our dear Lundgren was hiding quite a few things, no?"

"You don't know the half of it." Matthew responds as he closes the door behind him and lock it. "I found everything from bribery, threats and black market deals to abuses of power, conspiracy and assassination."

"And?" I prompt. "There must be something truly important if you wanted to discuss this alone."

Matthew nods, his face as serious as I've ever seen it. "Take a look at the papers on the desk, you'll understand why."

With a frown, I approach the study and pick up the file lying innocently on it. Quickly, my eyes widen. "Is this real?" I ask, turning to the blonde.

"No reason it wouldn't be. After seeing all that that bastard was ready to do in order to kill Lyn, this doesn't seem so unbelievable." he retorts.

I sigh, my eyes gazing down at the papers in my hands once again.

Here, written in neat black ink with the seal of what I assume to be the Royal Caelin seal, is a request made to the Taliver Bandits, asking them to kill all members of the Lorca Tribe of the Sacae Plains for the reward of ten thousand gold. And the following paper being the confirmation that the request was accepted, done and the gold delivered under the pretense of charity for the towns that are having struggles because of bandits and bad harvest.

How disgusting. "That monster... A quick death was too good for him. I hope he's suffering, wherever he is." I growl in anger. "This must never reach Lyn's eyes. Never."

"You and me both, Robin. And as much as I think Lyn has the right to know, I think it is better that she doesn't know of this, at least not immediately." Matthew says in agreement. "Fortunately, it seems that we may be able to right some of Lundgren's wrongs yet. With the information we have here, Caelin can be rebuilt to what it was before his schemes. There is enough to take down any of the corrupted nobles and enough money, judging from the amount inside that trapdoor, to begin repairing the damage he has done over the years."

"Huh, looks like I'm going to make good on my promise to visit the Marquess of Araphen then." I idly say as I scan the multitude of papers.

"Come again?"

"Nothing, nothing." I reply innocently. "By the way, Matthew. Now that you're done with your mission, I assume you'll go back to Ostia?"

The thief nods. "I must report back to my Lord. Perhaps I'll even be able to convince him to send help to rebuild Caelin."

I smile. "Even without you, I don't think Hector and Eliwood would just stay idle. I have no doubt that Lyn will be thankful for their help. Nonetheless, thank you."

"What about you, Robin? Still set on going to Etruria?" Matthew asks.

I nod, still leafing through the files. "Yes. Even more than before, I need to go there and consult the arcane masters. There are things that I must investigate." like my and Grima's presence in Ancient Elibe, a time well before Ylisse. "Perhaps we'll see each other again by coincidence."

The blonde laughs at that. "Trust me, Robin, if you see me it won't be a coincidence."

I chuckle. "I suppose not."

And as we continue going through Lundgren's secrets, I can't help but remember what I know of the Elibean tales.

'Indeed, if we meet again, it certainly won't be a coincidence.' I think, trying not to look at my hands, where I know that, on the back of my right, lays the mark of the Fell Dragon and, on the back of my left, the Brand of the Exalt.

As night falls, I stand along the others, watching as Lyn lights up each ones of the funeral pyres in front of the castle. Of the nearly sixty people that fought against Lundgren today, a third died, most of them against the Risen than at the hands of Lundgren's men.

By some kind of miracle, there was no member of the Legion among the deceased, but half of Theodore's men as well as Theodore himself fell today, along with a dozen of ex-prisoners. And even so, there are still some who are struggling between life and death and others with serious injuries. Wallace had received a nasty wound from the Risen general on his torso, the silver lance having broken through where his armor had been dented by Eagler's steed. Dorcas had nearly bled out from several quite deep wounds. Sain, who hadn't completely recovered, was suffering from blood loss and over-exhaustion. Kayn had a broken wrist coupled with a sprained ankle. Erk had severely depleted his magic reserves.

All in all, no one had gotten truly unscathed from today.

With a sigh, I run a hand through my hair.

"Is there something wrong, sir Robin?" someone asks and I turn to see Nils and Ninian coming up beside me.

I give them a sad smile. "I'm alright, thank you. But it's never easy to watch comrades being sent away into the realm beyond." I answer before my eyes fall on Nils' flute. "Say, Nils, do you have any melody that would fit here? As a last tribute to those who fell."

The boy fidgets a bit. "I-I think I have one but- are you sure?"

"Yes. But I do not wish to force you."

"A-alright."

(Play Fire Emblem Mystery of the Emblem OST: Sacred Child of God, White Sage)

As Nils begins to play, I turn to Ninian. "What will you do, now that this is over?"

The young woman looks down for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't know. We will probably continue to wander the land. With the Black Fang after us, we cannot stay too long in one place."

I nod. "Although Eliwood or Hector could probably offer you protection, you will never be totally safe from danger and you are afraid of involving other people in this. Still, you won't be able to escape them forever. What will you do then?"

"If it comes to it... Then I will do what is necessary." she quietly answers.

I look at her, one of her hands clutching something inside her robe. "I do not know what the Black Fang wants to do with two young Manaketes, but I can imagine it's nothing good."

Ninian turns to me with a perplexed expression. "Manaketes?" she asks, but I can see the slightest hint of tension in her form.

I give her a gentle chiding smile. "Come now, Ninian. Do you truly think that I cannot perceive the Dragonstone that you're hiding? I am quite attuned to magic and I have been in contact with draconian energy in the past. I'm able to sense and recognize it if I'm in close proximity."

Ninian's entire body freezes and I can almost hear her instincts trying to decide between fight or flight before she sags with a defeated expression on her face. "As expected of you, sir Robin, nothing gets past you." she says.

I shake my head. "If I hadn't regained my memories, I wouldn't have recognized it and wouldn't have suspected anything aside from the glances either of you would send my way from time to time." I reply. "Do not worry, your secret is safe with me. It is yours to tell, not mine. By the way, what were those glances about?"

"As you said, you have been in contact with draconian energy before. My brother and I, we can feel it too." she answers. "In fact, your aura has so much in common with that of a dragon that I thought you were one of us."

I chuckle at that. "Sorry, but I'm no dragon. Though you could say that I do have a dragon's blood in my veins. Still," I add, ignoring her confused look. "if you are so keen on leaving Caelin soon, why not come with me? I'm going to be traveling for a while, and it would be safer for you if I'm here. Besides, in case you've forgotten, it seems the Black Fang is also after me."

Ninian bits her lip in thought, clearly conflicted. "Can I... think about it? I need to talk with Nils first before we can decide anything."

I nod. "Of course." I say gently before she leaves.

Having said my piece, I return my eyes to the pyres, listening to Nils' melody floating gently through the night air.

Absently, my hand goes to another well-hidden pocket of my coat, taking out a simple ring that I bought -quite literally- a life-time ago, along with a folded paper. Opening it, I gaze at the well-done drawing of a family of three. A man with white hair and a purple coat with a blue haired woman garbed in an equally blue attire, both smiling softly. Between them, a teenage girl with the same blue hair as the woman and the same coat as the man is smiling brightly, her arms going through theirs.

"Morgan, Lucina..." I whisper quietly before shutting my eyes, trying to hold back tears.

"I miss you."

It is nearly midday when I wake up and, for a moment, I wonder where I am, as the furniture in the room is quite different from the one in my own in Ylisstol Castle. Then, the events of yesterday and the past few weeks make themselves at the forefront of my mind.

It is a very strange sensation. To realize that you are in another continent, in a different age. No longer able to see your friends and those you love.

With a deep breath, I rise from the bed and put on my clothes, resolving to find a needle and some string at some point to sew the gashes in my coat back together. Once done, I exit the room, finding myself in an empty and silent corridor. For a couple of minutes, I walk, trying to find my way to the mess hall. Eventually, I do manage to find it and push one of the doors open to find it completely empty aside from, surprisingly, Rath.

"Good morning." I greet the Sacaean nomad, who looks up from his breakfast and nods in greeting. "It seems that we're the only ones up at the moment."

"Everyone is quite exhausted, both physically and mentally." he replies.

"What about you?" I ask as I take a loaf of bread from one of the baskets.

He shrugs. "I am an early riser, even among the nomads. I am surprised I slept as long as I have today."

I nod in understanding. "Sometimes, we just need to shut down, if only for a moment." I say as I sit down in front of him. "What will you do, Rath? Now that our quest is over?"

The nomad closes his eyes for a moment. "I do not believe that I will stay. My duty to my fellow Sacaean is done. I will go where the wind may carry me."

"I see. Then I hope you will find what you are looking for. Take it from someone who knows, there is nothing worse than being alone and without purpose."

Piercing eyes look at me for before their owner speaks. "You must have seen much, Robin. I always thought that your eyes were hiding something but now, I understand. You have the eyes of someone who has seen too much death and war, too much sorrow, but that yet retains light in his heart."

I look in surprise at Rath before giving him a wan smile. "You are perceptive beyond your years, Rath. Use that gift, it serves one well." I compliment him.

The nomad gives a nod of acknowledgment before returning to his meal.

Heh. It's always the quiet ones, as they say.

It takes a few hours for everyone else to wake up and join us. Serra and the castle healers must have worked themselves pretty hard, for I see even those that should still be in the medical wing make their way into the mess hall. Rapidly, the chatter replaces the silence as soldiers, servants and Legion members mingle together.

"Good morning." Lyn greets me as she sits down beside me.

I smile at her. "Good morrow, rather. It IS pretty late." I reply in amusement, to which she shrugs in response. "How are you feeling?"

"Still pretty sore." she answers, rubbing her left arm with a small grimace. "That spell yesterday did quite a number on me and everyone else."

I nod tightly. "Dark magic tends to leave after effects on their victims. Powerful spells such as this one especially might leave you experiencing flashes of pain for a couple of days, if not a week. Fortunately, those are easily negated by healing magic, so don't worry."

"That is some quite advanced knowledge, Robin." Erk says in awe from his seat a bit further down the table. "Most mages, even masters, don't know that much about dark magic and those who use it do not bother with technicalities such as this."

"That's because dark magic is all about power and inflicting pain." I reply. "It has no subtlety whatsoever. I only know so much because I learned it from two people who have taken to study it extensively."

Without Tharja and Henry, countering hexes, jinxes, curses and other dark magics would have been a nightmare. Miriel's theoretical knowledge could only go as far as identifying symptoms.

"So you're the famous tactician I have been hearing about." An unfamiliar voice says, and I turn to find a young woman with short raven hair and grey eyes observing me from the table behind mine, her back leaning against it. "It seems that your reputation is well earned."

I blink. "I don't believe we've been introduced...?"

She smirks at me. "I am Hawke, daughter of Eagler." she rises from her seat and walks up to me before she holds out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

My eyebrows rise slightly. Another warrior woman, it seems. "Likewise." I say as I shake her hand. "I hope you do not hold any ill will toward us regarding what happened with your father."

She shakes her head. "There are some things that simply happen, no matter if we wish for it or not. Both my father and you did what you thought was best. I am thankful for the fact that he still alive and whole, albeit diminished. That is a blessing in itself."

"General Eagler is a good man." Lyn interjects. "He did not deserve to become a victim from Lundgren's schemes."

"Victims rarely choose to be as such." Hawke replies before turning to me once more. "Now, I believe that we are due an explanation?"

Immediately, the hall becomes quiet as everyone looks at me.

I smile wistfully as I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "Very well." I say as I rise from my seat and gaze at everyone around me.

"First, I will present myself once more. My name is Robin. I am the Grandmaster of Ylisse, tactician of the peace-keeping force known as the Shepherds, and I come from another realm."

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that follows my declaration.

"Come again?" I hear Sain blurt out.

"You might not believe me. You might even say that I am trying to weasel out of this using some kind of fantasy tale. But I swear upon my soul that what I say is nothing but the absolute truth.

Before I was found by Lyn on the plains, I was in a war. The kingdom of Ylisse, of which I hail from, was in conflict against another nation called Plegia. The Plegian leader, a man by the name of Validar, worshiped a demonic dragon, Grima and was prepared to do anything to bring back his god. To keep that from happening, the Shepherds -my friends- and I led an assault on their temple. However, we failed and the dragon was resurrected.

The days following those events, our leader Chrom, the Exalt, obtained the blessing of the holy dragon, Naga, that would allow him to return the dragon to an eternal sleep. And so, it was that we confronted Grima and his servants, the Risen, for the last time. But what few knew, aside from Chrom and I, is that there was another way to take down Grima. A way that would kill him forever. A being as strong as Grima can only be truly killed by his own power. As I had been chosen to become his next vessel, my body was host to a small portion of the dragon's power, meaning that, if I landed the final blow, Grima would forever disappear.

However, there was a catch. Just as the Fell Dragon was a part of me, I was a part of him. Killing it also meant killing myself." I heard gasps at that, but forged onward. "Chrom didn't want that. He tried to make me see reason. That we could find a way to prevent Grima from ever returning without having to sacrifice me.

But I had made my choice. And when the time came to land the finishing blow, it was I who did it. Using the very power that I despised, I put an end to the Fell Dragon... and to my own life.

But next thing I know, I am waking up here, in Elibe. An amnesiac man with a knack for tactics, swordfighting and magic who carries powerful tomes with him that only a couple of aged copies exist. What follows next, you know it. I decide to travel with Lyn and soon we find ourselves in an inheritance dispute because of power-hungry man. Yesterday, we confronted that man, and we beat him. But just as we were about to finish him, he took out one of the most foul items I have ever known: a Reeking Box. Before we could do anything, he had opened it and was turned on the spot into a Risen as three others appeared.

It was then that a voice spoke to us. A voice that invoked fear and anger inside me. A voice that I now know to be Grima itself. Amidst the battle that followed in the courtyard, Grima's words and actions unlocked my memories and I was able to turn the tables on his servants.

And that, is my story." I finish.

For a moment, there is silence but then a voice rings out.

"Well, I don't know about everyone else here, but I believe him."

All eyes turn to Kayn, who is munching on an apple. "What?" he says, looking around. "I mean, after you all saw those Risen yesterday, I don't think you need much proof. Besides, a thousand years ago, the Eight Legends banished the dragons from the world, no? Who's to say the reverse isn't possible?" he explains. "Just, something to think about, y' know." he adds.

Mutters start breaking out at that.

"Personally, I don't care." Wil speaks out. "Robin's been there for us. Without him and his tactics, I very much doubt we would have done as well as we have. Hell, I'm pretty sure he saved us from certain doom yesterday. So what if his baggage is bigger than ours? Everyone has secrets and other things they hide from others. Robin's are just different than most of ours. What I'm saying is, I'm grateful for the fact that he's here."

As more people start voicing their agreement, Lyn stands up from her seat.

"Robin, since the start of this adventure, you have always done what was best for us." she says. "I do not see any reason for you to deceive us and although you regaining your memories may have brought another side of you that we did not know about, I believe- no, I KNOW that you are still the same Robin that has been with us all this time. The same man that I met on the Plains that day. My- our master strategist and our friend."

And just like that, I know that no one here will doubt me. Those who we still hesitating on what to believe were swept by Lyn's words.

"Thank you." I manage to say with a heartfelt smile.

As I sit down again so that we can return to our meal, I cannot help but think that, no matter which realm, I am truly blessed to find such friends who would stay beside me.

It's been a week now, since the battle and the return of my memories. Most of my time have been spent on compiling and ordering Lundgren's papers with the help of Reissman and consulting with him and Lord Haussen on what should be done in order to get Caelin back on its feet.

Hawke and the rest of Theodore's men left for Eagler's estate with the promise to keep in touch with Lyn and the Marquess once more. Of the prisoners who aren't soldiers, roughly half of those who had volunteered and survived decided to become soldiers themselves. Also, those loyal to Lord Haussen that were sent away by Lundgren are already coming back to the castle to serve their lord once again.

From our own group, Rath was the first to leave, slipping away unnoticed amidst the celebrations. Whether he has returned to the Plains of Sacae of to find work elsewhere, none of us knows. Shortly after him, Matthew vanished without a trace, taking with him his pay for services rendered along with his winnings from an entire night of playing cards. Dorcas was next, the bear of a man anxious to return to his wife's side. After receiving his promised pay, and more, along with a promise from Serra to visit them one day so that she could assess her condition. He will most likely continue to work as a mercenary, or so he told us.

Erk and Serra left too, the pink haired girl having decided that they strayed long enough from their original destination, Ostia. With the promise to meet the mage at the frontier between Ostia and Caelin, I bid the two farewell and good luck (mostly for Erk, having to endure Serra alone once again).

Wallace decided to definitely come out of his retirement. He says that someone will have to whip the new recruits into shape once Caelin's army starts being reformed. Without Eagler, they would need someone firm and more experienced than Kent or Sain to train them. The man also took Kayn under his wing, saying he'd eventually need someone to take his place. The color that the blonde's face had turned to had clearly told me he hadn't agreed to anything like this.

Speaking of the two knights, Kent and Sain were named Knight Commander and Subcommander respectively for their bravery in fulfilling their command. While I know that the red knight will fit in his new role like a perfect glove on a hand, I cannot help but wonder how he will be able to keep his partner in line with these new duties. No doubt the green knight will continue to scoff at authority and woo women however and whenever it pleases him.

Lucius decided that he would stay in Caelin for a time, saying he wants to study the castle's library.

As for Nils and Ninian, the cyan-haired siblings accepted my offer to travel with me, to my surprise. The young dragons told me that they had felt the safest they had with me since they had joined the human world, and I couldn't fault them for that. With Ninian's injury finally healed too, we would not be needing transportation. Our preparations were finished earlier today and our departure is to be tomorrow.

"You look quite pensive, Robin."

(Play Fire Emblem Awakening OST id Serenity)

I turn from my cloud gazing from one of the castle's gardens to see Lyn walking toward me.

"Just thinking of what happened during the past week, Lyn." I reply. "That, and about those who already left. It's only been a short time, but I can't help but wonder how they're doing."

She chuckles. "Yes, it is hard to think that it was only a week ago that we were still fighting our way to this very place. It feels like a life-time ago." she says, brushing her ponytail aside as the wind ruffles it. "But it's good to see things are getting better." she adds.

I nod in agreement. "I can see that Lord Haussen is already getting his strength back. Give it a bit more time, and it'll look like he was never ill in the first place."

"The physician said that he looks like a new man. As my people say, illness falls in the face of a strong heart." She tells me.

I give another nod before turning to her. "Your face tells me you've already decided what you're going to do." I state.

The Sacaean swordswoman gives me a soft smile. "He's the only family I have left and I want him to have a long life. So I can't leave now, not until he's well. I won't."

"I understand. What about Florina and Wil? They are the only ones who seem to be still hesitating."

"Well, about that… They both decided to enter into the service of House Caelin. Florina said that she wishes for us to remain together and Wil apparently grew fond of the Legion and doesn't want to leave those who are still here behind."

"So that's how it is." I hum. "I'm pleased to hear that you won't be left alone in this castle without anyone you know aside from your grandfather."

In the silence that follows, I turn my gaze back to the sky, watching the orange glow of the setting sun.

"Robin… you're leaving, aren't you?" Lyn says, a voice barely above a whisper.

I turn fully to her, my gaze taking in her form which screams of sadness, but also of acceptance. "Yes. There are answers that I must find. Research that I must do." I answer.

She shakes her head solemnly. "I'm not asking you to stay. It's just..." there, her eyes lock onto mine and I can see the well of emotions behind them, all of which I clearly recognize. "I will miss you. When I found you unconscious on the Plains… I had no idea that we would be together for so long. You've helped us so much without asking anything in return. So… I have no doubt that you'll find what you're looking for. I have utmost faith in my master tactician. Take it from someone who's seen you at work!"

"Lyn..." I mutter in awe.

"But you'll come back, won't you? That's why... I won't say goodbye! I know, in my heart, that we will see each other again! I know it!" She all but shouts, tears falling from her eyes.

I smile before closing the distance between us and embrace her in my arms. "Of course you will see me again. The bonds that tie us together aren't something that time or distance can so easily break. So dry your tears, Lyn, for this is not goodbye." I say quietly in her ear. "It's see you later."

After a moment, Lyn draws back, her eyes gazing into my once more. Slowly she closes them as she raises her head closer to mine and I can't help but freeze as the image of a blue-haired woman superposes itself on the one before me.

Gently but firmly, I grip her shoulders and stop her. Her eyes snap open, silently asking me 'why?'. I slightly shake my head with a sad look and my heart throbs at the heartbroken expression that is slowly making its way onto her face. Silently, I take a step back, my hand digging into a specific pocket of my coat to take out the ring and folded drawing, which I hold out to her.

With slightly trembling fingers, Lyn delicately take the paper from my hand and unfolds it, her eyes widening at the sight within and going back and forth between, the picture, the ring and me. "Who... are they?" she asks, he voice barely a whisper.

I glance down at the drawing. "This is my wife, Lucina, and my daughter, Morgan." I answer.

"Daughter?" she repeats, perplexed. "How is that possible? She looks barely a few summers younger than you are."

"She comes from a future version of the realm I come from." I explain. "She and other children from the Shepherds traveled back in time from a doomed future to my time hoping to change things."

Lyn doesn't reply, her gaze still going from the drawing to me and the hand which holds the ring.

"I'm sorry, Lyn. You are dear to my heart but it belongs to another." I say softly. "Even though I know I might never be able to go back to my realm once I'm well and truly done with Grima, nevermind how long this in itself might take, I cannot give you what you desire from me."

With a shaky nod, Lyn hands the drawing back to me, her face shadowed. Before I can do or say anything, she turns on her heels and runs back inside, the trail of tears she leaves behind her feeling like a sword stabbed in my heart.

'This is for the best' I tell myself as I clench the first that isn't holding the drawing tightly. 'You made the right decision'.

Yet, the traitorous part of my mind cannot help but remind me that, if only for an instant, I had considered letting her kiss me while thinking of Lucina.

And that leaves me disgusted with myself.

"Are you sure it's alright?" Nils asks me as we start walking.

I nod. "I cannot be helped, Nils. And I do not wish to do something I might terribly regret." I answer.

We had just said our farewells to the members of the Legion who had chosen to stay at the castle right before departing. Lyn had been noticeably absent. From what Kent had told me, she had cried herself to sleep last night, and that only strengthened the feeling of guilt inside me. I had tried to talk to her earlier, but I hadn't received any answer from her side of the door.

Though, apparently, no one but myself and the siblings, whom I had told, knows what has happened.

"But don't you think you might regret it even more if you don't?" Ninian softly says.

I sigh. "Perhaps, but I would like to think my choice is the correct one. I have no wish to make this harder for her."

"But isn't that for Lyn to decide?"

I open my mouth to reply but I'm stopped in my tracks by a very familiar voice.

"ROBIN! WAIT!"

Slowly, I turn to see Lyn sprinting toward us. With her speed, it takes her nothing but a few moments to reach us, at which point she all but collapses, her hands on her knees and her breathing heavily. I let her catch her breath before attempting to speak.

"Lyn, I-"

"Be quiet." she cuts me off, her voice as sharp as a blade and she straightens herself to look at me with eyes blazing with determination.

And before I can do anything, she crosses what little distance there is between us, grabs the back of my head and pushes it down toward her to kiss me.

Distantly, I hear gasps from those still standing beside the castle gate and from the siblings but the entirety of my mind is focused on the lips that are smashed against mine.

After what seems like an eternity, she draws back, leaving me to stare at her with a baffled expression on my face. Hers is still the very picture of determination, although I can see the hints of a blush on her cheeks.

"I'll be waiting."

I blink. "What?"

"I'll be waiting." she repeats. "For the time when we shall meet again."

Again, I blink, my mind processing the words, before letting out a short laugh and swing my traveling pack in front of me. Opening it, I rummage through its contents before taking out a fairly thick book with a blue cover showing clear signs of extensive use. Dusting it slightly, I hold it out to the swordswoman, who accepts it with a questioning expression.

"'The Art of Changing the Tides of Battle'." I quote the title. "This book means very much to me. All the foundations of my tactics and strategies can be found in there. I hope you will take good care of it until you can give it back."

Lyn looks in awe at the object in her hands for a moment before slowly clutching it to her chest and giving me a resolute nod.

I smile. "Take care, Lyn. Until next time, my peerless warrior."

"Until next time, my master tactician." she replies, smiling herself.

And with that, I shoulder my pack once more and walk a few paces away, letting Lyn say her own farewells to Nils and Ninian.

"All done?" I ask as they come up beside me, my smile never fading.

"Yes." Ninian answers with a smile of her own and I do my best to ignore her and her brother's satisfied looks.

"Well then," I say, turning to gaze at the landscape before me.

"Let us go."

-Marth's POV-

"What it really the best choice?" I ask Katarina as we both look into the crystal ball, watching the tactician and his two manaketes companions walking away from the castle.

The violet haired woman shrugs in response. "Who can say? But I'm quite sure anything outside of a more direct intervention wouldn't have worked. And revealing our presence to the enemy was too much of a risk to take. So yes, I think we made the best decision." she answers. "What do you think, Kris?"

My friend hums thoughtfully. "What's done is done, there is no need for wondering about what-ifs. All we can do now is wait, and see how things progress from here."

I nod in understanding before turning to the two other people in the room. "What about you two? Ephraim, Eirika?"

The twin lords of Renais exchange a look before answering. "I am simply glad that the way it ended didn't result in more loss of life." Eirika says.

"I do not think I would have acted differently." Ephraim follows up. "But even in hindsight, it is not an easy choice to make."

"I see." I reply, before returning my eyes to the crystal.

Things are starting to get into motion. Soon, history will take its natural course, and another war will begin. But how much will events be altered? How much will we be able to predict?

For all our sake, I hope that you will be ready when the time comes, Robin. For if you aren't, then I fear for the realms beyond this one.

"Only one year left." I whisper.

End Of Part One

There! Lyn's arc is done!

Now, before I tackle on the second, much larger part of this story, I'm going to go back and make adjustments to my previous chapters and correct mistakes I've done here and there.

By the way, DID YOU GUYS SEE THE SUPERB ARTWORKS OF THE REKKA NO KEN CHARACTERS FOR THE FIRE EMBLEM CIPHER TCG?! Damn, I'd buy a poster size of Lyn's artwork if I could! Also, you can find the text-free artworks easily by just google-ing it.

As always, all kinds of reviews beside baseless flaming are accepted (though you do have the right to be angry for such a long wait).

This is MidnightFenrir, author of "Child of the Fell and Divine Dragons", signing out.