Robin had decided long ago that he hated Ylissian mornings.
It wasn't the bright sun or warm weather that annoyed him. Plegia was far worse in both of those regards.
No. It was the damned church bells.
Every morning at dawn, those damned instruments would ring out, the sound carrying for miles as people rose from their beds and made their way to the holy buildings to say their prayers or give offerings to Naga.
Robin growled, pressing his pillow over his head in a vain attempt to escape the horrid noise.
The Exalt's palace had it's own chapel, a grand structure of pure white marble adorned with golden ornaments and the Mark of Naga boldly inscribed on the massive doors. Atop this magnificent building was an elegant spire, leading up to the chamber that held the bell.
Coincidently, this bell was located barely a hundred feet from Robin's window.
Cursing to himself, the Plegian peeled himself from the sheets and rolled out of bed. If he couldn't sleep he might as well do something productive.
Grabbing his cloak, Robin made his way out of his room, moving towards the training field. He was passing through the halls when he came across the Exalt and her bodyguards as they made their way towards the front gate.
Emmeryn smiled softly as she noticed him. "Grandmaster Robin. I thought everyone had already left."
"I've never been religious." Robin shrugged.
"Really? Not even to your own countries Deity?" Emmeryn frowned. "I thought all Plegians worshiped Grima."
Robin ignored the way the Exalt's escort flinched slightly at the Fell Dragon's name, their hands inching towards their weapons before they caught themselves.
"I don't think you want to have this discussion with me, your grace." Robin tried to bite back a scowl. "It wouldn't end well for anyone."
"Oh? Well, I think your insight is rather valuable. Please," The Exalt gestured for him to follow. "Join me."
For a moment, Robin considered refusing. He knew where the Exalt was going and that knowledge alone made his mouth taste like vinegar. But this was a direct invitation from the Exalt of Ylisse, in the presence of her personal bodyguards. It would be hard enough to win the war without having to deal with disgruntled guards.
Sighed heavily, Robin nodded. "Of course, your grace."
Emmeryn loved the Exalted Temple. The heart of Naga's Faithful in Ylisse. Every week, she would attend a sermon held by the Arch-Curate, a man who had dedicated his life to serving the Divine Dragon.
The Exalt was seated with prominence at the front of the church, hands folded neatly in her lap. Robin sat on her left, arms folded and trying to ignore the heated glares that the church's residents shot him, specifically the symbols on his cloak.
There was no doubt in Robin's mind that had he not been in the Exalt's presence there would have been an uproar upon his arrival.
"And so the First Exalt Reclaimed Holy Falchion from it's Heathen Captors. Armed with Naga's Fang and the Divine Dragon's Blessing, he smited the Fell Dragon. Never again would our most bountiful of lands be threatened by the foul beast!" The Arch-Curate cried from the podium, arms raised above his head.
Robin scoffed to himself, earning confused glance from Emmeryn.
"It is on this day, that we Naga's Children," The Arch-Curate sent a deathly glare towards the Plegian who dared wear the Fell Dragon's robes on such holy ground. "We give thanks to our blessed mother and those she deems worthy of her divine gifts. All Hail the Exalted Blood. All Hail Naga!"
"All Hail Naga!" The Church's audience parroted, barring one.
Robin remained silent, a look of silent challenge on his face to match the Arch-Curates.
As people began to file out of the building, Emmeryn glanced at Robin, frowning.
"You don't hold faith to Naga, do you, Grandmaster?" She asked.
"Not in the slightest." Robin shook his head.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Emmeryn sighed, climbing to her feet and moving towards the door. "Plegia is known for their worship of the Fell Dragon."
"Don't lump me in with those fanatics." Robin's scowl returned as he followed. "The Grimleal don't represent the entirety of Plegia."
"They don't?" Emmeryn asked.
"No. Faith is a choice and I have made mine."
"And what Faith have you chosen?" Emmeryn inquired. "Whose blessing do you ask for?"
"No one's." Robin said flatly. "I'm an atheist."
"Really?" Emmeryn started in surprise. Atheism was rare in Ylisse. "But what of Naga, or Grima? Surely you believe in their existence?"
"Of course. I just don't think they are really gods." Robin shrugged. "Even if they are, I still think Humanity would be better off without them."
Emmeryn's eyes widened in horror. A world free of Dragons?! "But Naga is the Guardian of Ylisse! She is the Divine Dragon!"
"So were Mila and Duma, and they almost dragged old Valentia to hell." Robin countered. "And even then, if you truly looked at history, you'd see what I mean. Every time a Divine Dragon interacts with Humanity, they only bring more suffering. Look at the legends of Hoshido and Nohr. They worshiped a Divine Dragon and it almost destroyed their entire world."
"The situation is hardly the same." Emmeryn sighed. "It saddens me that you think this way, Grandmaster."
"I told you, you wouldn't like my answers to these questions, your grace." Robin rolled his eyes as he began to walk away. "If you want to pray to Naga, fine. Just don't expect me to do the same."
Chrom yawned, covering his mouth with a hand.
He was making his way towards the training field for his usual training regimen. A leader had to stay combat ready, after all.
As he rounded the corner, the Prince realized the field wasn't as deserted as he had expected.
Robin was standing off to one side, swinging a training sword at a wooden dummy.
Chrom took a good look at Robin's techniques for the first time. The Plegian's stance was unlike anything the Prince had seen before, both hands on his right, gripping his sword hilt.
As the Plegian completed another barrage of slashes, Chrom decided to approach.
"Didn't expect anyone to be here this early." The Prince began, catching the Plegian's attention. "Your style is interesting."
Robin merely glanced at the prince before turning back to the dummy. "I guess so."
"Maybe you'd be interested in a spar?" Chrom asked, gesturing to the rack of training swords nearby.
Robin paused, considering before he shrugged. "Sure. I could use the distraction."
Smiling, Chrom jogged over to the rack and selected his weapon before jogging over to one end of the training field as Robin did the same.
"Ready?" Chrom called as they settled into their stances, a confident grin on his face.
"Ready." Robin replied.
Immediately, Chrom sprinted forwards, bringing his training sword around in a wide slash.
It met only empty air as Robin back-stepped out of reach. Not wanting to leave an opening, Chrom continued to attack, a series of controlled slashes following the first.
None of them connected. Robin emotionlessly deflected them aside or stepped just out of reach, always moving and forcing Chrom to pursue him, until at last the Plegian saw his opening.
Slipping around one of the Prince's many attacks, Robin spun, bringing all his momentum and weight into a spinning kick to Chrom's ribs, sending him sprawling.
Rolling with the blow, Chrom climbed back onto his feet, panting in both exhaustion surprise.
"That was a dirty move, Robin." He cursed as he moved back into his stance.
"What can I say?" Robin shrugged as he did the same. "I play rough."
Emmeryn put covered her mouth in surprise as she watched her brother fall.
It had been sheer luck that the Exalt had found herself on the Ramparts at that moment and come across the duo. With a rare few moments to herself, the Exalt had decided to watch.
It wasn't long before she realized she wasn't alone.
Basillio was standing nearby, also watching the scene unfold.
"Khan Basillio." The Exalt greeted, approaching him. "What brings you here?"
"Just watching the boys play." Basillio replied, a joking grin on his face.
"I see." Emmeryn strolled over to stand alongside the giant of a man. "Robin seems to be very skilled."
"Don't let this charade deceive you," Basillio replied. "Robin isn't even trying here."
"He isn't?"
"No, he's not." Basillio folded his arms. "No offense, your Grace, but your brother's not strong enough to warrant Robin's best."
Emmeryn frowned severely. "Khan Basillio, my brother is the finest swordsman in Ylisse. He has never lost a dual."
"And that is what I mean. While your brother was trained to fight duals," Basillio's smirk grew. "Robin was trained to win battles."
Sweat glistened on Chrom's brow as he stepped back, trying to catch his breath.
This couldn't be right. None of his strikes were able to make contact. Was Robin truly so far beyond him?
"I have to say, I'm disappointed." Robin shook his head with a sneer. "I was under the impression you were the Captain of Ylisse's military, or what passes for one in this land. But now I see you're just another noble with a silver spoon in his mouth."
Chrom froze. "That was uncalled for." He growled as he settled into his stance once more.
"Really? Because so far, your far from being an opponent of mine." Robin's eyes narrowed as he gripped his blade with both hands. "But then, what else could I expect from Exalt Cameron's son."
Chrom's eyes widened. His fists clenched even tighter as a fury that he rarely experienced surged through him.
"I am nothing like my father!" He roared surging forwards and bringing his weapon down. "Never compare me to him!"
Robin avoided the strikes as easily as he had avoided all the others, his expression never changing.
Slowly, frustration began to corrode the Prince's skill. His swings became clumsy as the need to maintain form and style suddenly seemed less important.
Robin smashed his blade against Chrom's hard enough to send the Prince sliding back.
Cursing to himself, gripped his blade with both hands.
There was still one technique he knew. One he rarely used and one that he doubted Robin could possibly be ready for.
Exasperation still strong within him, Chrom called on the power of his blood.
Blue flames began to materialize around him, coating him like liquid in a half centimeter of power.
Feeling Naga's blessing around him, Chrom sprinted towards Robin before leaping as high as he could. At the apex of his jump, the Prince rolled, adding the extra energy to his strike.
"Aether!" The word tore itself form his lips as he descended.
Suddenly, he stopped, a jarring impact shooting up his arms.
Chrom's eyes widened in surprise.
Robin had met the Prince's blade with his own, but it wasn't the weapon that surprised the prince.
Robin's entire body was covered in purple fire, including his blade.
"What is that?!" Emmeryn gasped.
Aether was supposedly a legendary technique, passed down through the Exalted line since the First Exalt.
And yet, this Plegian had stopped it in it's tracks.
Basillio chuckled. "That, your Grace, is Ignis."
Robin's planted feet absorbed the mighty blow without buckling.
Glowing with power, Robin pushed back and with a grunt, send the prince sprawling once more.
Chrom didn't get up. Sucking down great gulps of air, prince could only stare up at the sky as Robin approached, the flames that coated him dissipating. As the Pelgian entered his view, Chrom growled.
"I am not like my father."
"I know." Robin shook his head in disappointment. "But you still let me inside your head."
"W-what?" Chrom gasped, trying to sit up.
"You allowed yourself to get angry." Robin continued like a school lecturer. "The instant you did that, you weren't in control anymore. I was."
"Why?" Chrom demanded. "Why would you even say that?!"
"Do you think Gangrel is going to fight fairly, prince?" Robin shook his head. "No. If all it takes is one sentence to get you running into a trap, you might was well cut your own throat now, because when the war begins, you're going to die."
Without a backwards glance, Robin turned and left the training field.
Emmeryn smiled to her guards, wishing them a good night as she entered her chambers.
The Exalt's quarter's weren't as grand as one might expect. Emmeryn had never been one for pointless spending.
The Exalt heard her door click shut behind her.
She paused. It could have been the wind.
But her window was closed.
"Hello, your grace."
Emmeryn spun on the spot.
Leaning against the wall was a person. They were dressed entirely in black, up to the mask of cloths that covered their face.
"Who are you?!" The Exalt demanded, glancing towards the door. "How did you get in here?!"
The figure chuckled. From the tone of their voice the Exalt guessed them to be a woman.
"Why would I tell you that?" The figure replied, voice heavy with amusement. "And don't get any idea's abut screaming." She gestured towards a piece of paper stuck to the door and window. "Those runes have soundproofed this room. No one on the outside will hear you."
The Exalt's eyes widened. How…
"Don't be so worried. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead." The intruder chuckled again at the Exalt's discomfort. "Now, I believe we have some business to discuss. Or rather, you have something you want to discuss with me"
"I do?" Emmeryn frowned.
"So Robin tells me. But maybe I should introduce myself first."
"My name is Evelyn and Robin told me you wanted to talk."