A Dark Night

*Markus POV*

A vulnerary was thrown at me, which I managed to catch with my other hand. I'm still pretty shocked by the white-haired newcomer standing infront of me.

"You gonna sit there with your shoulder bleeding or you actually going to drink the vulnerary?", she asked, looking unimpressed.

Siding with logic, I drank the vulnerary and instantly the pain was drowned out and I could move my shoulder again. The newcomer spoke again, "That should work for now, but you should really get that looked at by a cleric or monk".

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the save, but who are you exactly?", I question. She looks away, "I can explain that later, but right now more important things are at stake".

At this point I'm more confused than before, 'The hell does she mean by "more important things"? Someone falling out of the sky is a little import- Oh shit, Chrom'.

At that thought, I'm off the ground and running back to the camp. However, it doesn't take me long to find our gang as I spy Chrom and Lissa as well as Frederick and Robin about to square off against the same creatures I fought before.

'Great, just what we need. A zombie outbreak...', I ready my sword as I see the same woman from before standing next to me with her tome out and ready. I give her a curious glance and she responds, "You have any problem with me fighting with you?".

I just shrug, "The more the merrier. Now help me clear out a path towards the blue-haired lord over there". With that, I'm charging at the revenants who have just noticed us approaching.

I cleave my blade through one and I deadlock with the axe of another revenant in front of me. Behind me I can hear a ghastly shout and the crackle of thunder. Out of the corner of my eye I can see another one running at me. Hoping to deal with the next one quickly I force my way through the current revenant, shoving it to the ground and stabbing its head for good measure.

I turn to deal with the next one before a thunderbolt flies through its abdomen. It dissipates into purple smoke as I hear the white-haired girl say, "You're welcome". I nod in thanks as we continue through this minefield.

A few more kills later we manage to reach what seemed to be the head of these monsters. "Welp, it uses hand-axes and looks more imposing than the others so we can assume that this is the boss right?". "Yeah, I want you to hang in the shadows for a bit while I distract it. When it looks like its running low on hand-axes, you come in for the killing blow", responded the white-haired girl. I just nod and run off into the treeline while she engages the boss.

What happened next was a furious exchange of lightning and steel as each time the barbarian would send an axe her way, she would dodge and counteract with a bolt of lightning. "For what looks like a strategist, she can hold her own in a fight", I analyse before beginning to rush in with my sword.

To my surprise, the barbarian notices me rushing in and blocks my low strike with a second hand-axe. He starts trying to swipe at me in a fury with him dual-wielding hand-axes but I manage to hold my own for a bit, blocking and attempting to strike but his power eventually overwhelms me. I eventually fall on the ground and try to raise my blade in defense but the brute pauses, like he got hit by something behind.

While he is paused, I take the opportunity to impale the boss in his chest before he tries to strike again. He dissipates on my blade as I nod in gratitude at the white-haired strategist.

It's not long before I find Chrom and the rest of the group with three people I'd never seen before. There was a red-haired cavalier, a noble looking archer and finally a swordsman dressed in blue. Lissa is the first to notice me, "And where have you been this whole time?". "Oh you know, just killing monsters, almost dying, meeting a new friend, the average day in my life. And you?". "The same here, I almost actually died before he came to save me", Lissa responded, gesturing to the blue swordsman, who was conversing with Chrom, Robin, and Frederick. Lissa then noticed my new ally, "Who's your new friend?".

Then I paused in embarrassment for not knowing her name. Thankfully she spared me of the humiliation, "Well where I'm from, they call me Robin". This tripped both Lissa and I up. I point at the "Male" Robin, "B-But, he's Robin. And you're Robin?". Then I just give up, "Whatever, its been a long night. Let's just talk to Chrom, get to Ylisstol and be done with it". The "Female" Robin questions me, "You want me to join you?". "Well you did just save my life so I owe you a debt, and it doesn't seem like you can go back to where you're from since that eyeball portal thing is gone now".

The Chrom and the others come over, the blue-haired swordsman nowhere to be found. "He said he was known by Marth, and fights like a hero. Warned something of a calamity happening soon. Who's your friend Markus?". "Her name is Robin", Chrom was just about to ask a question but I shoot him down on the spot, "I know, confusing but we can figure it out later. Do you mind if she comes with us? She saved my life and is a pretty good tactician and fighter. I can vouch because we took down the boss together".

Chrom smiles at me, "Well if she is capable and saved you from death I don't see why not, unless she'd rather not travel with us". The "Female" Robin bowed her head, "I'd be honored to accompany you". Frederick was about to protest before I shut him down, "Ah-Ah-Ah! Its settled, off to Ylisstol we go before something else shows up tonight".

Sorry for the long wait again. I was really stuck with this chapter and just wanted to get this out of the way so apologies if this is lackluster. I guess I lied, I will get back on schedule in May since most of the busy and time consuming schoolwork will be done by then. To make up for my ridiculously long absences, I'll try two to three chapters per week. Sorry guys, but those that have stuck around this whole time, you're the real ones.