So another self insert coming from me. Real shocker there right? Anyways, unlike my FFVII one this one is a true blue self insert. I'm not holding any punches with this one. The main character of this fic is me inside and out. Not even going to hide it so there. Fake name of course. Not going to go giving that info out. It is a different fake one than my other fic though so that I don't go mixing the two up.

Well, let's not listen to me ramble. Here's that there first chapter.

Italics will be my character's thoughts and /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ will indicate a scene change.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem nor do I own anything else I may reference. I only own my OCs.

Into the Unknown

Ugh. My college work is finally over. Well, not exactly over so much as now I can have a break from it.

It's about time that I can finally be able to lay myself down and not have to worry about anything.

Climbing into my bed, I stretched slightly before plopping my head onto my pillows.

Most people say my bed is to stiff and that they can't understand how I manage to sleep in it. I say that my bed is perfectly fine the way it is. Its length is just right for my height of five foot seven. Not to mention that I never have a problem with finding a nice sleeping position on it. Also, the stiffness of the bed goes completely unnoticed by me. All I say is that it's better than sleeping on the floor.

Not feeling quite up to fall asleep just yet, but still wanting to relax in bed, I adjust my position until I'm lying flat on my back.

In a loss for what I should be doing, I run my hand through my brown hair. I noticed that it's getting long again and wonder if I should go for another hair cut during the weekend. I haven't let my hair get long ever since I had let it grow for an entire year. Instead, I was going for a different style. Normally cut all around, hair flat on the back of my head, and then the front is standing up. It's not something I'd usually do, but I figure why the fuck not?

Might as well think of something to do right? At least if I don't come up with anything then I'll just be able to pass out in the comforts of my bed. So there's always trying to get the lazy bastards of friends that I have to do something. Nah, I'm too lazy for that. Well, there's always work the parents might want me to do. Actually, they haven't told me to do anything today so I guess I'm free from that. Maybe I could do some work on the various fanfictions I have going. I don't really having anything in mind so that can't be a possibility. I'll definitely jot something down if it comes to me.

Should I maybe just play something on my 3ds in the meantime? There's always Fire Emblem Awakening. No, no, no. This sounds like a cheesy opening to a self-insert fanfiction. Not that I haven't done one, it's just that the whole start playing a game because I have nothing else to do sounds like the cliché that's everywhere. Next thing I know, I'm going to find my face getting sucked into one of the 3ds screens.

No, sleep sounds like the best thing to do. My lazy ass deserves it after all the damn college work I've been put through.

Just going to close my eyes and enjoy the peaceful feeling of sleep. Here's to not having any funky dreams. The last one was a doozy and I don't plan on going through that again.

Slowly, I find myself nodding off in the comforts of my room. Within minutes, I'm out cold.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Ugh. Is it morning already? There's a direct stream of sunlight shining in on my face from a window so I'll take that as a yes.

In an attempt to loosen myself up, I stretched in my bed and let out a loud yawn. My hands rubbed out the sleep in my eyes and I sat myself up in my bed. That's about when things starting looking weird.

First of all, I shouldn't have been woken up by sunlight at all. I keep my blinds in my room closed all the time so no amount of sun should've touched me. Instead, this window was being only partially blocked by some long red curtains. A slight crack in them was allowing the shining sun to penetrate through.

Things only get weirder. The room I'm in is hardly what I'd call my room. See, I usually have a rather messed up room. Clothes would be scattered about carelessly along with my schoolwork. It's what most people would probably call a room for a slob. This one, however, was kept neat and tidy. Not a single thing was out of place in the entire room.

On top of that, there was an extra bed in here. Nobody was in it, but that doesn't change the fact that there were two beds. Two twin sized beds that looked a lot like straw mattresses.

How in the world did I manage to sleep on this crap? Oh wait, my bed is probably just as stiff as this stuff.

Hold on! I shouldn't be questioning how I slept on this crap! I should be wondering how the hell I got in this bed! Not to mention why I'm in an entirely different room than my own!

Are those candles on the nightstands? And this room is far beyond modern architecture. There's no dry wall anywhere in here. It's either stone or something else. I'm not too keen on architecture. That doesn't change the fact that this room is not normal!

W-Wait. What. Am. I. Wearing? I'm definitely not wearing my old clothes that's for sure. Nor are they anywhere near what I'd consider normal attire.

I'm guessing I'm wearing some kind of gray leather pants? What's with this red shirt? It feels loose but it also feels like it's sticking to me. Ah, that's why. I'm wearing a belt I guess, and somebody tucked in my weird red shirt?! Pull this out now!

What's this on my back? Do not tell. It is. It's a fucking dark grey cape. Give me this. If anything, this cape is getting wrapped around my waist instead. I'd rather look like I'm trying to cover my ass than impersonate a bad superhero.

And of course it wouldn't end there right? I would have a stupid white bandana wrapped around my forehead. Take this crap off. I'd rather use it as a handkerchief than wear it. Pocket it for later.

Ok, assess the situation. Either I've been kidnapped by some cruddy renaissance fair people or this is a sick prank being made by some shit head friends. No matter which one it is, I'll be happy to get the hell out of this crap.

Better to find a way out of this hell hole before I go crazier. I'll just head out the door and get out of here. Huh, I guess I'm upstairs. Well, I'm going to head down the stairs and then I'll get out of here!

Going down the stairs led me to something strange. There was a bald man in medieval style clothing as well. He seemed to be behind a bar cleaning a couple of glass mugs. Behind him were barrels as well. Across from the bar were a few tables that were completely devoid of people and utensils.

The middle aged man looked at me after hearing my footsteps. He gives me an odd look and asked, "Excuse me, sir. Exactly what were you doing up there? I don't quite remember renting out one of my rooms."

Dear god. Don't tell me he's in on it too.

Feeling rather upset at being forced to participate in this, I proceed with my original plan of getting the fuck out of here. As I walk away, I hear the barkeep start to almost shout, "Hey! Where do you think you're heading?! I'm not done talkin'!"

Before he gets more enraged at my lack of a reply, I decided to humor the guy. I waved back as I walked away and said in a sarcastic tone, "Don't worry, my good sir. I'll get right onto paying whatever I owe as soon as I get a hold of my pouch of gold."

I exited the door to his made up establishment, and here him shout in a rage, "Stop! Damnit. I'm going to grab the city guards!"

As I exited onto the streets, the barkeep started to sprint down one direction of the street. I might've kept thinking he was crazy if I wasn't so left in awe.

They. They built an entire town? There are so many people. The street is being covered with a bit more people than I would imagine anybody could get to do any stupid fair or prank for that matter.

I can't be. No, no. I shouldn't be! There can't be any way this is possible!

Out of confusion, I started to briskly walk down the street in a similar fashion to the barkeep. Except, I wasn't running nor did I want to find any guards. No, I wanted to find my way out of this place.

Please just let me know that I've been kidnapped by Amish people!

My brisk pace soon started into a full blown sprint as I realized just how far the town stretched.

Horse carriages? Market stands? Even water wheels in the river? No, no. This has to be a damn dream. It must be!

After running for who knows how long, I stop to take a breather. I then slap myself and get a few odd looks from the people around me.

This can't be right. I can't be in some kind of medieval world. There's just no possible way for that to happen right? It must be a dream. It just must.

With my confusion seemingly not ending, I'm left to stand in the middle of the street of this town as other villagers pass me by. Some ask if I need aid. Others point and whisper thoughts of my insanity. These all vanish, however, when a multitude of screams and shouts are heard in the distance.

The people around me and I looked in the direction of the source. Shortly after, a couple of panicking villagers came running down the street. One stumbled in her attempt of running and falls quickly to the ground. A rather tough looking individual came to the woman's aid and helped her to her feet.

The man has a rough beard and an even rougher face. It almost makes one wonder how he managed to have such soft looking blue eyes for the rough exterior he donned on the outside. His muscles are far from what one would call normal. It doesn't help that he apparently has them on display considering his white leather vest. He could easily out bench press me anytime of the day considering my twig arms. There's also what appears to be a short sword strapped to the man's back in some kind of leather sheath. He definitely means business.

"What is going on?" the tough individual asked the panicking woman.

"The church! The church! There's bandits at the church! They murdered the guards and are ransacking the village! They're murdering people!" the woman with brown hair shouted out quickly.

Surely enough, the woman's story is far from not believable. Every person in the vicinity that heard her looked in what I'd presume is the direction of the church and there's smoke rising in the air. Also, the amount of running people probably means they aren't handing out pumpkin pie over there.

Of course this news doesn't bode well with the townspeople. Most individuals drop what they're doing and run in the immediate opposite direction of the smoke. Others grab their children to assist them in the getaway. Some crazy minded individuals run back towards the now burning church shouting things about having to help.

The burly man is no different. He rubbed his hand through his short black hair and then gritted his teeth.

"Damn brutes. Have they no dignity?!" the man yelled as he draws his short sword.

He started to head for the church when he passed by me. He stopped and looked at me for a moment as if he was expecting me to react to have a different reaction to all of this. All I can think of doing is to get the hell out of here, but the entire situation is just too strange. It's not every day you're in a burning village. How the hell would I know how to react?!

"Well, are you just gonna stand there with your head up your ass or are you going to help these poor people?!" He asks in anger.

His voice broke my stupor and I attempt to answer him as best as I can but words escaped me.

He let out a disgruntled grunt before he yelled to me, "Get your ass moving before I move it out of here for ya!"

The burly man then started back in his sprint for the church with his short sword at the ready.

There was hardly time for me to come to a decision. My gut was telling me to run away. It was the smartest idea. I have no kind on how to use a weapon. Why the hell would I go to defend others when I can't even defend myself? The thing is, however, that thought really pissed me off. How can I just stand here and give out excuses like that? Those people over there didn't ask to be attacked. If I was in there situation right now, I would want anybody to help me. Regardless of how well armed they were. Any kind of help is help.

Feeling stupid and incredibly mad, I clenched my fists and decided I'd give it a shot.

I may be about to get myself killed but I might be able to save someone else in the process. This kind of stuff isn't my cup of tea, but, then again, I don't think it's anybody's cup of tea in the first place. Heroes are just forced to drink the crap to get it done with. If there's nobody to drink the crappy tea, then we're left with no heroes. So give me that bloody cup so that I can chug it because my idiocy has taken over.

In an idiotic move for the future wellbeing of my life, I started to run down the road in the direction of the burning church. The sounds of people's scream continue to fill the air as I try to block them out.

I'm coming to save you so how about you shut up! There's no need to make me start second guessing myself!

Quickly, the screams get louder as I near the source. Buildings around me are also on fire so that's a good sign that I'm on the right track.

Thanks burning buildings. No, wait. Burning buildings is a bad sign. Don't thank the burning buildings.

I get closer and closer to the area of shit as the church slowly comes into my view. Before I can get any closer, however, I noticed the burly man from before hiding behind a building with his sword at the ready. He heard my footsteps and turned to look at me as I came running towards him. Before I can continue to run any further, he motioned for me to stop and come to him. I do just as I'm told and ducked behind the smoldering building with him.

He gave me a strange grin as he said, "So you came anyway. Good man."

Being the out of shape person that I am, in my out of breath state I replied to him, "Yeah, well. It didn't bode well in my head leaving people to die."

He continued to grin at me as he sized me up. He then peaked around the buildings corner again before looking back to me.

He said in a nervous tone still grinning, "Well, can't say you'll do much good here. Maybe you should've bolted when you had the chance."

Thanks. That's really nice knowing that I'm essentially useless and that I should've just saved my hide instead of doing this stupid crap.

He noticed my dejected look I had donned and gripped my shoulder. The guy mustn't know his own strength or I'm just extremely fragile because this kind of hurts. The man then said, "Don't worry, kid. If you don't want to do it, then I can handle these chumps. Besides, if you leave then that just means a bigger reward for me!"

The bearded man let out a small laugh before I brushed his hand off.

"Don't go calling me a kid. I'm eighteen, pal. Also, if you could handle these guys so well, then how come you're hiding?" I asked with a questioning glare.

He stopped his small laugh as he gave me a sheepish grin. He then rubbed his head while he said, "So ya noticed huh? I'm not going to lie, kid. There's a lot of them. I'm not too worried about besting one or two of them in a fight but that's where I draw the line of my skills. It's not looking up for us."

"Is there anybody else that's going to help us? I saw a whole load of other people running this way!" I said in a shocked tone.

We can't be the only ones, can we? There's a good ten or more of them out there! Me and beard man can't take that on!

"Afraid not, kid. I saw the number of people heading this way as well. Either they got lost or they ducked out at the last minute," the burly man replied with a frown.

"What about the guard? I heard this town had one!" I said trying to think of any help.

"See that over there?" the man asked while pointing around the corner. He pointed off to a pile of five or so bodies piled up next to the church. They were bodies of men that were fairly well armored. It was the guards of this town.

"That's what happened to the guards. They might've cut down these guys numbers a little but they were in the same situation as you and I," the man said with an even deeper frown.

"That's it? That's how big the guard was?" I asked myself quietly.

The man heard my whispers and gave me another strange smile. He then answered, "That's actually a rather large guard for a town this size."

His smile then shrank again as he looked back to the group of bandits. His face formed a scowl as he said, "That, however, is an oddly sized group of bandits. Far too large for what I've seen around these parts. Plegian by the looks of it."

Please don't tell me he said what I think he did. I'm going to pretend like he didn't and just continue on with the immediate problem we're facing. The fact that both of us will probably die if we try to fight.

"T-Then we should get out of here! We stand no chance!" I said in fear.

I knew this idea was stupid! Somewhere in my head I convinced myself that I could do this. That I could be a stupid hero. How wrong was I? This isn't some dream! This is real fucking life! I'll get my insides ripped out if I try to fight these guys!

The man with the beard looked at me puzzled. He then responded with, "And leave the town to them? I don't think so. This town is a favorite resting spot of mine. Like hell I'll let these guys tear it up."

"Then what are you doing hiding?! They're just going to kill more people why you hide, you know!" I said in anger.

"I'm strategizin' here. Running in head first will only get you killed," the man retorted back.

Just then, a scream of pain came from the church again. Both the bearded man and I looked around the corner to see what was happening. Of course, there was one of the bandits kicking a man on the ground. The bandit was laughing joyfully as the middle aged man clutched his gut.

It was hard to discern, but I could recognize the man on the ground. It was the barkeep.

No, no. He's a tavern owner not a barkeep. The tavern owner from before that was angry at me. He must've run into these guys while looking for the now deceased guards.

The bandit picked up the tavern owner and held him up by the collar of the man's shirt. He punched the tavern owner in the side before throwing him to the side while laughing maniacally.

My friend, the beard man, noticed how I was looking at the scene. He asked me, "You know that man?"

"Y-Yeah, he was the tavern owner of the one I stayed at. The one that I didn't pay for," I replied quietly.

The burly man with me then looked back at the barbarians as he asked, "What's your name, kid?"

"I'm not a kid! And what's with the sudden interest in names?! If we die here, then our names aren't going to matter or anything!" I shouted in protest.

"I like to know the names of people I might be fighting beside. It shows trust. Trust that will aid us on the battlefield. My name's Auden," he said before gripping his short sword with both of his hands.

Seriously? This guy's serious? He's fucking serious?!

"Now or never, kid. It's either your name or I'm going in solo, " he said while getting ready to make a run for the closest bandit.

Well, I only have two options, don't I? It's either I abandon Auden that's been kind enough to converse with me in this hectic scene, or I humor him by giving him my name and try to keep both of us alive somehow.

To hell with it. If he's going to try, then I'm not backing out now. Maybe this will be a good way to repay that tavern owner for my lack of rent payment.

I wonder how well my name will fit in this medieval style place. Especially if it's where I think it is. Ah, fuck it. Fake names are overrated anyways.

"My name's Vincent. Since we might die here, I'll let you call me Vince just this once," I said before standing behind Auden. The guy's pretty tall so I have to look around him to see what's in front of him.

"Thanks for being so kind, Vince. How about we teach these scoundrels why they shouldn't mess with Southtown!" Auden yelled as he went straight into the fray.

My lord. It really is what I think it is. I'm stuck in fucking Fire Emblem: Awakening. This is just my damn luck. Where the bloody hell is Chrom then!? Fuck it! I've got to help Auden!

Auden charged forward with decent speed and took a Plegian bandit completely by surprise. He slashed his sword right through the Plegian's chest killing the poor bastard almost instantly. This guy wasn't kidding about being good.

His attack isn't received kindly, however, as two of the bandits ahead of us take notice and come charging forward. Auden merely smirked in response.

The bandits were off sync in there charge and Auden took advantage of it. As one of them came into attack him on his left, he sidestepped to the right dodging the attack. He then continues his steps into a spinning cut that slices directly into the bandit charging on his right. The Plegian bandit let out a few gurgles as he coughed up blood before he slumped to the ground.

The guy's a damn badass!

"Vince, watch out!" Auden shouted to me.

I stopped admiring his handy work as I notice the bandit he dodged is instead coming after me now! He's aiming to decapitate me with his axe!

Uh. Uh. D-Dodge!

By the skin of my teeth, I manage to duck under the bandits attack. It wasn't a good dodge though. I stumbled in my dodge and barely made it behind the guy. In an attempt to get as far away from the bandit as possible, I continued as far as I could in my stumble before I had to stop and recover my posture. We were a good ten or so feet away from each other now.

Auden's already dealing with two other bandits so there's no way I can assist him. No, I should be worried about myself right now. This guy's going to kill me if I don't do something about it!

"Hey, come over here. I'm going to fucking kill you!" the Plegian bandit said in a gruff voice.

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"No, I'm not coming over there," I replied back.

"Fine. Stay where you are then. I'm going to come over there and chop off your fucking head!" the Plegian bandit said before coming towards me again.

Not having anything else to possibly try, I turned around and started running. Sure enough, the bandit was giving chase.

There was enough open area around the church that I could run unimpeded. Also, the bandit wasn't as fast as I thought he might've been. I could totally out run him. This was my best idea as I couldn't see any other way of dealing with this guy.

Quickly, I realized that I'm just running in circles with this guy as I notice Auden still fighting two bandits. He seemed to be having a bit more trouble with those two then the others. The element of surprise was no longer on his side and now it was up to his skill t dispatch of the bandits.

Strangely enough, I figured we'd be getting swarmed.

Where are the rest of the bandits at? There was at least another five or so of them by my count. The only one left is the one in front of the church. He looked like the bandits leader which is what I'd equate to this chapter's boss.

Damnit! Where the hell is Chrom and the stupid Shepherds!? Never mind that! I need to find a weapon! I can't run forever! Hell, I'm still exhausted from all the other running I've been doing! At this point, adrenaline is what's keeping me alive.

Have to find a weapon. W-Wait! What about one of those guys Auden already killed? One of them have to have a weapon!

I made a quick b-line for one of the dead bodies and searched for a weapon. There was in fact a weapon on the bandit's body! It was just a giant axe is all.

No problem right? I can lift that. What is this? Iron? I got this.

Ok this is a bit heavier than I expected. What is this? Twenty pounds? How weak am I? Note to self; start working out if you make it out of here alive. Crap. The bandit is getting closer to me! Ok, just lift up the nice axe so that it can protect you from the bad man.

I managed to lift up the axe as the bandit chasing me closed in. When he got close enough, he brought his axe down towards me in an overhead swing.

That shit will split my head open! Dodge!

I sidestep the attack but not in time. The axe gets dropped right in my left shoulder and it cuts deep. I can almost feel myself losing motor capability in my left arm. Not to mention that I can feel all the excruciating pain running through my body right now.

I let out a scream of pain as the bandit laughs maniacally in my face. Auden heard my scream and looked back to me because of it.

"Vince!" Auden shouted in concern.

My pain, however, was only a distraction for Auden as one of the bandits he was fighting gets a swing with his sword on him. The attack hit Auden's arm but he quickly recovers and retaliates with a strike of his own.

Focus. You're the one in trouble, not Auden.

With my axe still being held in both of my hands and slumped down to my right side, I will myself to us whatever strength I have left. In a desperate attempt of survival, I swing my axe in an upward arc for the bandit in front of me.

The bandit was a little too lost in the enjoyment of my pain to notice this, however, and gets struck directly in the left side of his chest with my axe. I lose my grip on it with my left hand, and my axe gets effectively stuck in him.

The shock of pain caused him to jerk his own axe out of me extremely quickly. The sudden removal of it sprays out my blood into the air. It's a sight that I can barely stomach.

The bandit continued to shout out in pain as he yelled, "Fucking bastard! You piece of crap! I'm going to really kill you now!"

Good to know we were only pretending before.

He raised his axe up into the air again to go for the killing blow. His windup of the attack was slower than expected. Maybe it's because of my axe still being lodged in him. The pain might be hampering his ability to effectively move. I know his attack has left me fucked up.

I know that his attack is going to kill me. The thing is, I don't want to die. Dying isn't something I exactly look forward to. It's just that there isn't anything I can do. I'm trying to get my axe out of him or at least to cause enough pain to him for him to stop, but I can't manage to get it to budge. Wait. I'm fucking stupid. Dodge!

I let go of my axe and gripped onto my left arm with my right hand as I jump to the right. The bandits axe misses me entirely and he ends up hitting the ground instead.

Man, Piccolo would be pretty disappointed in me if he was my mentor. Always. Fucking. Dodge.

"Damn you! Hold fucking-" the bandit was cut off abruptly as a bolt of lightning struck his back.

He stood motionless for a few seconds before falling lifeless to the ground. Behind him stood a man with white hair kept just above his eyes. He wore a black cloak that concealed most of his body. In one of their hands they held a book as lightning sparked around the other the individual had pointed at me. Also, he had a sword held in a sheath on his side.

"There's wounded over here, Lissa!" the cloaked man yelled back to a blonde girl with pigtails.

"Right! I'm coming right away!" Lissa shouted in response to the cloaked man as she ran over with some kind of staff.

Thank sweet buttery Jesus. It's the damn Avatar and the others. I don't. I don't know if I could go on any longer than that. Blood just doesn't. Sit well. With me.

In a sudden moment, I collapsed to my knees and regurgitated whatever I had left in my gut. It wasn't a pretty sight, but neither was the one I was currently dealing with. Blood, dead bodies, and the still present battle of death happening around me. It's nothing something a modern day guy like me can take easily.

I wonder if I might've dealt with this better if I joined the military like those recruiters always wanted me to do. No, I'd probably just be a better runner by now. I'd still be in boot camp considering my age.

The Avatar saw my poor state of health and rushed in front of me to defend against any oncoming attackers. At about the same time, Lissa made it too, and started to heal my wounds with the power from her staff I'd assume.

The wound on my shoulder started to seal up and let me say that this only seemed to cause more pain. I shifted my left arm slightly while the process went on, but that only seemed to upset Lissa.

"No, no. Don't move. You have to keep still if you want this to go easy," she said with a frown.

I merely nodded in response and held my left arm in place with my other arm. As my wound was almost completely healed, I looked over to where Auden was again. My concern for his wellbeing was surprisingly high. I had only just met the guy, but I felt like it would be my fault if he was injured.

Without a doubt, Auden was still locked in swordplay with the two bandits. His attacks were getting slower as were the bandits. Both of the parties were wounded for sure. For Auden, it appeared that his left arm had a cut running the entire length of it. Blood seemed to be pouring directly out of his wound leaving a trail of where his fight has led him.

He has been fighting two bandits for a few minutes now. One axe wielder, and another sword wielder.

I wonder if the game's triangle works here. If that's so, then he should be equal with the sword wielder and have an advantage over the axe swinger. Of course, I don't recall enemies being able to pair up in the game so maybe I should throw that idea out the door.

The axe swinger came in for an attack at the same time as his sword wielding friend. His axe swung down while his friend went in for a thrusting attack. Auden didn't falter. He stood in the vicinity of their attacks and braced himself. This had me worried. He was either giving up, or he wanted to take their attacks head on.

Worried for what could become of Auden, I looked for the Avatar to see if he could provide assistance. Sadly, he was already preoccupied with keeping me and Lissa protected from another bandit. The two were engaged in a heated sword fight. My pleas of help would only get him injured.

My own wound had then sealed completely leaving only a scratch on my left shoulder. That was when Lissa looked to see where she might be needed.

Damnit, Auden. The fuck are you doing!?

Sure enough, the axe and sword neared his body. He was definitely going to get hit. Just as the axe was going to hit him, however, something surprising happened. Or at least, surprising to me. Auden parried the axe with his own sword and quickly sliced the axe bandit across his chest. The bandit was killed in no time flat. This didn't change the fact that there was still a sword gunning right for him. As Auden was recovering from his last swing, the bandit's sword stabbed him right through his leather vest and into his gut.

"Auden!" I shouted in fear.

The fight Auden was just in had grown quiet. The two individuals stood there in silence as the bandit held his sword deep in Auden's stomach. Auden stood motionless as he let his sword slump to his right side.

He can't be dead. No, no. This isn't on classic is it? Damnit! This isn't a fucking game! Nor is it a goddamn dream! Stop thinking that! Auden's... fucking… dead.

Tears welled up in my eyes strangely enough. I tried to wipe them away but they just came back. Even Lissa was left breathless as she watched the scene. I'm sure she wanted to go heal him right away, but there's still that bandit right next to him. She would be getting herself killed.

The Avatar finished of his bandit in a quick swing and noticed what had happened. He wasn't pleased either. He went immediately to go and assist Auden, but there was hardly a point to it. Auden was already dead.

Fucking hell. I can't believe I'm getting teary over this guy I just met. Maybe it was his personality. He just seemed like that old guy who pretended he was still young. Damn bastard was laughing this whole situation off as if it didn't faze him. He knew he'd die. He fucking knew it.

As I mourned over the assured loss of Auden, his voice broke the silence around us as it echoed, "Tch… You're going to have to… do better than that… to finish me off!"

Both Lissa and I's eyes widened as we heard the battle cry Auden made. The Avatar stopped motionless in his tracks as he stared in disbelief at what was happening. Auden's previously motionless body was moving again. He lifted his left hand up and gripped onto the bandit's swords blade. The edge of the blade cut into his bare hand but he didn't let it go. He kept the blade firmly emplaced in his stomach as he stared the bandit down in front of him.

"Can't let you… outdo me… while these kids are watching me!" Auden shouted into the bandit's face.

The bandit tried desperately to get his sword out of Auden, but he couldn't do it. Auden was determined to keep it in him. In a quick turn of events, Auden rose up his own short sword in his other hand and brought it down into the bandit's neck. The strike left the bandit gurgling up blood as he stumbled backwards gripping his neck. In another few seconds, the bandit would collapse to the floor lifeless.

Auden then pulled the bandit's sword out of him and threw it to the side. He stood in a pool of his own blood as he looked around. The cocky bastard gave me a grin and a thumb up with his left hand. He then fell backwards onto his back taking in sharp breaths.

Not taking another second look, Lissa, the Avatar, and I rushed to his side. The very first thing Lissa started doing was casting a heal on Auden. All the while, Auden smiled as his wounds slowly closed.

When we reached his side, two others ran next to us.

One of which was on an armored horse carrying a spear. He had short brown hair and a serious look glued to his face. It was indefinitely Frederick.

The other was a reserved man with blue hair. He left his right arm exposed to reveal that he had the Mark of the Exalt on it. No doubt the sword he carried is the Falchion which would make him Chrom.

The first thing Chrom did was go to the Avatar for an assessment of the situation.

"What's going on, Robin?" Chrom asked the avatar who has the default name of Robin.

"This man was injured in the fight. Him and this other man took a brunt of the forces while we dealt with the ones that attacked us. We probably would've hit more resistance if it weren't for them," Robin said as he looked at Auden with concern.

As we gathered around Auden, the bandit leader yelled out, "Rotten sheep learn your place in the food chain! Come to me! Face your butcher!"

"Lissa, I know I can trust you," Chrom said to his sister.

"I'll do my best," Lissa answered with pure confidence.

Chrom looked to Robin and Frederick before he headed off to face the bandit leader with them. Sounds of their attacks clashing resonated through the air.

Lissa and I, in the meantime, were left to take care of Auden.

"H-Hey, kid." Auden said in sharp breaths.

Lissa shushed Auden as she said, "You need to conserve your energy. You've lost a lot of… blood."

Auden laughed or maybe coughed with a smile. It's hard to tell. Either way he said to Lissa, "Sorry, I've got to tell the kid something before I… go."

"Don't talk like you're about to die, Auden. You're going to be just fine. So stop calling me kid, would ya?" I said as I tried to reassure him of his position.

Auden snickered in response as he said, "No, my time's up… and I wanted to tell you something before I go."

He motioned for me to lean in closer so that I could hear him in his current state. He then said quietly, "You did good out there, Vince. Don't beat yourself up over this kind of stuff. If the world beats you up and you beat yourself up too, then you'll only end up living a shorter life than me."

"W-What are you saying?! I got hit with an axe and I hit a guy with an axe. That's it! I did nothing! You're the one that-" I was cut off by Auden shaking his head in disapproval at my ramblings.

"You tried and that's all that matters. Now… try and stop being such… a kid," Auden said as his eyes slowly closed. His head slumped to the side as his wound in his gut fully closed.

I-Is he really dead? He is.

I let out a sigh of displeasure as I cracked a nervous smile.

Damn old cook wanted to call me a kid at the very end, eh? What a piece of crap. But I won't forget you Auden. You'll always be that damn beard man in my mind. Nobody else will ever-

As I was silently saying my goodbyes in my head, Lissa let out a huff as she started to pout.

Not exactly the way I thought she'd take this. Kind of was expecting that scene when her sister- Whoa! What's she going to do!?

Lissa balled up one of her hands into a ball and raised it up high over Auden's deceased body. She then brought it down like a hammer, hitting Auden straight in his patched up gut. When she did so, Auden shot up to a sitting position coughing.

"Ow! You know it's pretty rude to punch people, right?" Auden sheepishly said as he looked at the angry Lissa. To try and dissuade some of the pain caused from the hit, he rubbed his stomach with one of his hands.

Lissa turned her head still pouting and said, "Well, it's even ruder to pretend you've died to your friend!"

He's not dead? He's not dead. He'll wish he was.

Taking notice of my scowl Auden tried to calm me down as he said, "Oh hey, Vince. Funny seeing you in the afterlife. I told you that you'd live a shorter life if you-"

"Payback. I will pay you back for this you old bastard!" I cut Auden off as I threw a punch for his face. He didn't dodge but instead tried to block the attack.

I stopped midway in my punch as I said calmly, "Later though. I'm too tired to try kicking an old guy's ass."

Auden blinked a few times in confusion while Lissa did the same thing. He lowered his hand as he nervously rubbed the back of his head and said, "Yeah, well I think I'll take you up on that offer. I'm feeling a little tired as well and like my ass the way it is now."

I smirked at Auden's response and he let out a hearty laugh. Lissa looked at us in confusion as she said, "You two are the weirdest of people."

Auden's laughter increased in volume as I decided to join in on his enjoyment. It was cut short, however, as he coughed a few times. Probably from the injuries he's sustained.

Just then, Chrom, Frederick, and Robin walked back to us with the bandit's dead body lying on the ground behind them.

Robin smiled as he observed that there were no other bandits left standing, "Finally. I thought we'd never see the end of those brigands."

Chrom let out a sigh of exhaustion and then smiled as he looked to the rest of us. He then said, "It was a well fought battle. My friends and I are in debt to your help. May we have the pleasure of knowing your names?"

"Pardon me, milord. I don't feel it wise for us to be conversing with such individuals. We have no knowledge of their background. They could very well be spies," Frederick said expressing his paranoia of new comers as he does oh so often.

Chrom raised a hand to calm Frederick as he said, "Peace, Frederick. These two risked their lives for the townspeople. That's enough to tell me that they aren't such."

"But of course, milord," Frederick said almost sounding defeated.

"Never thought I'd be saved by Shepherds. Guess I really have lived a long life," Auden said while lying back down on the ground.

Chrom looked at Auden with curiosity. He then asked, "You know who we are?"

Auden lifted up his hand and pointed directly at Chrom's right arm. He then said, "The mark, milord. It's a rather dead giveaway of you being Chrom. I've seen you and your older sister the Exalt in Ylisse during a few of my stops through there."

"Then I'm glad to know that introductions will be easy for you. May I know your name, stranger?" Chrom asked with a smile.

"It's Auden, milord," Auden answered quietly.

Chrom shook his head in disapproval as he said, "Just Chrom will do fine. No need for formalities between allies on the battlefield."

"What about you? What's your name?" Robin asked me.

"Name's Vincent. No need in giving me any gratitude. I didn't do much. This guy's the one that took on a small squad," I answered while pointing at the exhausted Auden.

"Don't let the kid go fooling ya. He was a major help," Auden said with a slight smirk.

You bastard.

"Well, it's good to hear that there are people like yourselves. I don't wish to be a bother but we can discuss more after we take care of the… fires," Chrom said while nervously looking at a building crumbling from the fire it was being consumed by.

Right, the game didn't bother explaining what occurred after the fight with the burning village. It simply cut to the village after it was saved.

"Any able body can assist in the dousing of this fire. Do not feel obligated, however. We will have this fire taken care of in no time," Chrom said to the remaining villagers and I'd assume me and Auden as well.

While Frederick and Robin went out to find more buckets, Chrom and a few other villagers went straight to throwing buckets of water on the burning buildings. They made constant runs back and forth between the river and any house that was on fire.

Lissa and I were left sitting next to Auden when Lissa looked at me with a grin.

"Well? Go out there and see how your arm's doing!" Lissa said while nudging me with her arm.

Oh yeah. Send me out there to work. Well, I shouldn't complain. She did save Auden and probably me too. Might as well do something about this fire.

"Right, and if it doesn't work, I'll be sure to let you know," I replied back with a smirk.

Lissa pouted a little as she said, "I don't mess up when fixing people, alright?"

"Right, right," I said as I walked towards an empty bucket.

I then grabbed the bucket and went to work throwing water onto the raging fires.

God. Why couldn't there be a fucking water tome in the game? This would be so much fucking easier if there was. No, instead there's only wind, fire, thunder, and dark. How counterproductive.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"It's… done," I collapsed with an empty bucket still in hand as I made it back to the others. Even Robin was completely exhausted as he appeared to be doing the same thing I was currently doing. Lying face first on the ground with an empty bucket in hand.

The fires were finally put out and the village was thankfully partially saved.

"That's good to hear. Now, I'd like to ask you and-" Chrom was cut off quickly by the sound of an angry man shouting.

The mad man was a bald one and he came storming towards us as he shouted, "You!"

Damnit tavern owner! Can't you see I'm too tired to be yelled at?!

Nonetheless, the tavern owner came bolting towards our group and stopped suddenly in front of the prone me. He looked down at me with daggers in his eyes.

"P-Pardon me, sir. Who are you?" Chrom tried to ask the enraged bald man standing only a few feet away from me.

"I'm the owner of the tavern that this slime ball decided to stay for free!" the tavern owner shouted while keeping his dagger eyes locked on me.

"Look, I'm a little winded here. So, if we could handle this at a later date, that would be great," I said while trying to push myself up to my feet. I managed to get up and was forced into a staring contest with the bald individual.

In a sudden turn of events, the tavern owner shoved something into my chest. It was an iron sword being held in a red sheath. I looked at the sword and then back to the bald man a few times. It was clear he was giving it to me despite the scowl he had on his face.

I took the sword out of his hands and asked, "You're giving this to me? I don't get it. Don't you hate my guts or something?"

"I do you crap for brain idiot! But that doesn't mean I want to see your guts spilled around town," the tavern owner said before starting to walk away from our group.

He stopped in his tracks as he turned around again. He continued to hold a scowl on his face as he said, "Try not to do anything stupid again. And if you'd all like we're having a small feast in my tavern. You're all welcome to attend."

Lissa perked up the sound of a feast and even Robin got up from his prone resting spot. The thought of food and relaxation might sound too good to them.

Chrom, Frederick, and Auden instead stayed calm. Chrom smiled as he responded with, "Sorry, but we cannot attend. We're making way for the capitol as soon as possible."

Lissa pouted at her brother for rejecting the villager's offer but didn't argue surprisingly. Maybe she knows what her brother will say already.

The tavern owner, nodded at Chrom's answer and started to walk away again. He was a good distance away but I could still hear him as he muttered, "Stupid kids these days. Running into a fight without a sword. The hell was he thinking? The next generation had better be better."

"Chrom, why'd you do that?! I really wanted to go to that feast," Lissa said in a pout to her brother.

Ah, there's the Lissa from the games. Figured she wouldn't remain quiet for long.

Chrom laughed softly at his sister's reactions and said, "There isn't the time to be enjoying a home cooked meal. We have plenty of ground to cover before we make it back to the capitol. Besides," Chrom leaned in closer to his sister and nudged her, "I thought you could get used to all of this."

Lissa crossed her arms in response to her brother's teasing and looked away from him. She then said with a pout, "You know, sometimes I wonder how we're related."

The rest of the group all snickered at the response Lissa gave and I even found myself joining in.

The laughter died down as Frederick approached Chrom and asked, "We should be heading out now, milord. Are you going to ask them now?"

Chrom seemed to remember something as he said in surprise, "Oh, you're right, Frederick! I had almost forgotten!"

He then turned to face both me and Auden. He kept his hands to his sides as he said, "After watching your valiant efforts today I could only hope you two would join the Shepherds. Would you kindly join us?"

Auden was quick to respond as he said, "No thanks, Chrom."

This shocked the entire group. Even I found myself a little bewildered. Not that I thought he would join the shepherds. It's just that he was so quick to refuse.

This caught Chrom completely off guard as he lost his calm outward appearance. Even Frederick was showing signs of confusion.

"M-Might I know why you don't wish to join?" Chrom asked Auden.

"Well, let me first say that I've been doing things a certain way. It's a little engraved in my head. I can't just stop doing what I do so suddenly. No hard feelings, right?" Auden said with a grin.

Chrom regained his composure at Auden's answer and responded with, "None at all. It's entirely understandable. Don't let me change your way of life."

Auden continued to grin as he then said, "Then if that's all I'll be heading out now. I've been lying around in this town for a little longer than planned anyways. Maybe I'll catch you all at the capitol."

He started to turn around as he placed a hand on my shoulder. Again, either I'm weak or this guy is a brute because this isn't pleasant. He then said to me quietly, "Better to join them so that you don't look like such a kid the next time we meet."

Auden calling me kid was about to bring a scowl to my face but I hid it with an awkwardly formed smile as he released me from his grip.

He then continued in his walk away from us. Before he was completely out of earshot range, he shouted back, "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer on a later date, Chrom."

The group smiled at Auden's departure and held a moment of silence as we watched him walk away.

Meet again, eh? Sounds like fun beard man.

"So, how about you?" Chrom asked breaking the silence.

"Me?" I asked while pointing at myself, "You can't be talking about me."

"There's no one else around I could be asking this so yes I'd think I am talking to you." Chrom said in an almost slight laugh.

Join the Shepherds, huh? Doesn't sound like a bad life. Maybe I could learn a thing or two with joining them. Actually, wait! Not a bad life? Hello? These guys fight bloody wars! I'd be dead in the next chapter!

Now, that I'm thinking about it, if this was essentially the prologue, I'll be it altered slightly, then the next thing to happen would be chapter one, right? What was that chapter? I've played the game a few times so this should be common enough knowledge for me. It's… Uh… Fucking Risen! Hell, no! No, no! Triple no! I am not fighting those corpses!

B-But I'd gladly take the shepherds up on their offer. I just don't see myself traveling with them through that mess to get to the stupid capitol. Wait. What if I just get to the capitol before them and join them at their HQ? I could avoid the shit storm they're going to hit and make it safely past the next chapter while I figure out what's going on.

"Can I take a rain check?" I asked with a thoughtful expression.

The group looked at me in confusion. Lissa then broke the confusion as she said, "Oh, you must still want to travel with your friend, right?"

Oh naïve Lissa. You are very very naïve. Either way that doesn't sound too bad of an idea. I could always use a body guard. Especially one that's as good as Auden.

"Y-Yeah, that's it. Look, we'll head for the capitol and meet you there. I'll join you guys after that. Deal?" I asked while extending my hand for a hand shake.

Chrom was the one to accept my hand as he gripped it tightly with his own. He then replied, "That sounds good, Vincent."

Chrom and I release each other's hands from our hand shake with an understanding smile across both of our faces. I continued to hold my new iron sword in my right hand as I waved good bye with my left. Then, I went down the street that Auden walked down. It wasn't hard to find the giant. I easily spotted him out of the crowd of other townspeople.

"Auden," I shouted out his name to grab his attention.

He turned around with a doubtful look and saw me. While looking back down the road we both came down, he asked, "What're you doing following me? I told you that you'd be better off with them."

"Ah, shut it. And here I thought you'd enjoy my presence. I'm going to travel with you for a little while. You heading for the capitol?" I asked while I started to strap my sword's sheath around my waist.

"Well, yeah. But I don't think a kid like you should-" Auden tried to argue but I stopped him.

"Kid? Cut the crap. It's Vince to you and don't try me again with this kid stuff," I said with a hint of a growl.

Auden continued to not move as I still walked down the street. I noticed him being stopped and looked back to him before calling back to him, "Well? You going to let me lead the way or are you?"

Auden then let out a hearty laugh that stunned a few villagers around him. He made a brisk walk to my side and slapped me a few times on the back.

The guy puts body builders from my world to shame I swear.

"Ah, couldn't resist following me, eh? What're you after, huh?" Auden asked while he continued to pat me as we walked.

"What am I after? I saw a guy cut down four brigands and figured he could do the same on the road. That's what I'm after," I answered.

"Ah ha! You're after my skills! How would you like to be my student? I'll be your teacher and you'll be my student! I can see it now! Vince, the great successor of the spectacular Auden!" he said with a hint of stars in his eyes.

Is this guy for real? What did I just get myself in? Think I can go find Robin and the others still? No, I'm stuck with beard man.

"Listen, can you just focus on directions? I don't want to get lost because you think I'm your student or something," I said wanting him to hurry up.

"Ah, I see. You want secret training. Secret training that you never know you've learned until the last second when a brigand is going to strike out and end your life!" Auden shouted out in joy.

This is going to be a painfully long walk.

Well, how was it? Leave a review on what you think.

Before I go over other stuff I'd like to say that I'm going to attempt a strict schedule of a chapter once a week. I can't promise they'll all be roughly ten thousand words but I can attempt to promise that there will be at least one every week. Gotta work on that discipline.

So everyone noticed my OC Auden right? Honestly I didn't plan on making him, but when starting up the raid on the village I figured there would have to be at least one brave soul in there. I found myself thinking of him as Gregor almost half the time as I'm sure half of you did too.

Another thing I didn't plan out was me going with Auden. Things just have a strange way of happening. I hope we can all enjoy the company of beard man.

I'd hope you guys appreciate me straying away from the game's script. I did my best to not copy it and this is what resulted. I'd like to never use it if that's a possibility.

I'm sure somebody's going to ask it so I'll answer first. This isn't a lunatic plus mode or anything. Some of you might be weirded out by this after reading the fight scene of roughly the same number of people. I'll be it that I split it up with more of them going after the Shepherds but I digress. I'm merely going to throw however many people I see fit at the heroes. If this means a small army will appear in chapter five or something then that's what is going to appear. Maybe even just a small group of Plegian bandits will be a chapter's fight. It depends on what I do.

Anyhow, I'm sure everyone noticed me dropping a couple of references here and there. Point them out if you spotted them. One's pretty obvious.

So leave a review and I'll hopefully get back to you next Saturday!