My first FEA fic, hello new fandom!

Chapter I: A Begotten Avatar

The small girl cowered as the three ruffians leered from across the room. Before her the village elder stood, arms wide, offering his life as a means of buying her another three seconds of freedom.

"C'mon girl, slavery isn't so bad. Here, take my hand."

She shook her head and hid behind the elder. She could feel him shaking as the bandits drew near.

"Suit yourself..." The large burly one chuckled, hefting his axe.

The door to the small house flew open as a man threw himself into the room. The bandits barely had time to look before one was run through the stomach, sword hilt up to his bellybutton. His comrade's immediate reaction was to swing wide with his own sword, forcing the newcomer to jump back and abandon his weapon while firing a gouge of fire from one hand directly into his attacker's face.

As one ally slumped against the wall breathing shallowly and the other fell backwards over furniture screaming and clutching his face, the large bandit moved forward before their intruder could recover. Seeing the intelligent eyes dart to the discarded weapons the bandit threw the axe as his target lunged.

The edge embedded itself in the wall an inch before the man's nose, cutting off his escape a half-second before the considerably larger bandit bullrushed him into the wall. He gasped, wind knocked out of him. He looked up in time to see a massive fist come down across his temple, almost knocking him out as he fell to his knees.

The bandit grinned, pleased by his own physical prowess as he knelt down, grabbing firm hold of the dark tactician cloak and strode towards the window beside the door.

Fifteen seconds after the door slammed open the window shattered as a man flew through it.

He coughed, clambering to a knee as he shook his short hair free of glass. His clothing had protected him against most of the small shards, but the more pressing concern was the giant strolling out of the door now, axe in hand. Stumbling backwards into the street he readied a spell, outstretched fingers sparking with electricity before a voice sounded in his ear.

"What've we got here?"

He spun in time to catch a sword pommel across the cheek bone, sending him to the ground. Grey flecks swarmed his vision but before he could recover an armored boot connected with his ribs, flipping him over as he gasped in pain.

"Lookie here, Mr. Hero got himself a tatoo of the avatar."

A calloused hand grasped his wrist roughly, holding his right hand up for the other to see.

"Cute."

Another voice joined them. "What's he the avatar of, getting his ass-whupped?"

A weak voice answered them.

"Wuzzat?" The sneering ruffian with the bloodied sword hilt asked, leaning over him and pointing the limp arm away in case more magic should make an appearance.

"Grima. But for you, I'll be the avatar of death." The man on the ground smirked.

The ruffian's eyed widened before a bolt of electricity shot from under the baggy right sleeve where the left hand had been lurking. His body went rigid before crumpling to the ground like clothes without a hanger as his heart stopped.

The large bandit snarled and stepped into the avatar's arm, pinning his wrist to the ground as his friend held the other arm down. The other boot came across his neck, suffocating him.

"Quick one, isn't he?" The smaller bandit quipped, glancing at their fallen comrade uneasily.

"Not for much longer." The burly man chuckled, raising the axe high like a headsmen before the block.

"Avatar!"

The bandit didn't have time to turn before a long familiar blade slid through his chest from behind, showering Avatar with blood. The bandit dropped to his knees as the sword owner tilted the hilt down, guiding him to the ground. The smaller one yelped before a spear soared through the air to impale his chest. He turned around with an expression of surprise, looking down at Avatar with a look of confusion before falling face first to the ground.

The large bandit looked down at him too, face twitching once before he slumped to the side, low exhale emptying his lungs never to refill. Lucina entered Avatar's line of vision, leaning over him with an expression of concern.

"Avatar, are you alright?" Her voice seemed distant, muffled slightly.

"Hm... Mm. Peachy." Avatar grimaced, trying to lift himself off the ground but finding it much easier to remain laying down. Adrenaline was still pumping but he was starting to become aware of some bones that were definitely misplaced.

"Is he hurt?"

Long red hair hung over him like a curtain, turning the blurry sky into a blurry sunset.

"Give him room!" The blurry sky returned. "Avatar? Avatar!"

He was vaguely aware of hands slapping his face but soon it became numb and the cloudy sky above enveloped his vision.

"Everyone has their orders, step to it." Chrom commanded. The group dispersed, leaving he and Avatar alone behind the hill.

"I'm taking the east section with Cordelia?" Avatar asked once everyone was out of earshot and busy making preparations for the attack. "I don't have issue with your orders, Chrom, but given the density and structure layout we discussed over the maps last night, I felt Lucina–"

"I want Lucina with me this time around. The East should be clear so you and Cordelia can do a quick sweep before we rendezvous at town center."

"Of course, Chrom. That makes sense." Avatar affirmed, nodding slightly. The explanation was logical, but it felt more convenient than necessary. Nothing was wrong with the plans he'd drafted the night earlier, Lucina and he would be the most efficient team for that much ground. Chrom turned to him with an was that all? expression and Avatar excused himself, readying his own equipment.

"Cordelia," He called, spotting her as she guided her pegasus down the hill towards them, "I'm with you."

"Change of plans?" She asked, glancing over his shoulder at the others to catch Lucina watching them. "I swear I leave you alone for one briefing and next we're all swapping weapons."

"Gotta keep you on your toes. If we can't predict what we're going to do, what hope do the bandits have?" Avatar smirked as he took her hand to help him into the back saddle.

"Not saying I mind the change. Now I don't have to worry about 'The Vaike' copping a feel."

"In that armor, I'm pretty sure neither of you will feel much of anything." Avatar commented as he placed his arms around her abdomen, leaning closer as the pegasus began its quick trot.

"Shame."

"What was that?" He asked just before the pegasus leapt, catching the wind and soaring.

Cordelia cleared her throat, speaking loudly to be heard over the wind. "I said 'Same.' Agreeing with you."

Avatar wasn't quite sure how that made sense but rather than arguing against the wind he glanced over the side of their mount, seeing the empty town below. Looked clear, no fortifications, no barred gates. The bandits had no idea they were coming. He looked back to the hill and waved wide, signaling Chrom to move out.

He suddenly became very aware of a dull pain in his chest and he looked down, massaging his side tenderly. 'What the...' It felt like he had a cracked rib, maybe two. He looked down his cloak and recognized the boot on it. Looking up, the axeman cackled and swung his weapon down.

Avatar gasped as he shot up out of bed, immediately regretting his reaction as the ache in his core and torso reminded him of the beaten he'd taken earlier that day. He looked around, recognizing the infirmary and hearing crackling fires and voices outside. Insects chirped in the nearby forest and the lamp on his bedside table told him it was night. Figuring he'd already gone through the pain of sitting up he decided to try climbing out of bed. He swung his legs over the side, not liking how every movement made his entire body feel sore. Gingerly putting weight on one foot he became aware of how weak he felt unsupported.

The flap to the tent opened and Lucina came in with an expression of relief and disapproval. "I thought I heard movement. But you're in no condition to be walking yet." She said firmly, walking over and gently pushing him back against the bed.

"H-hey!" He grimaced, allowing himself to be pushed back or be faced with greater pain in resisting. "The army needs their tactician."

"You're right, alive and well." She agreed, nodding as she gave him a final push.

His back hit the mattress and he stared at the ceiling, breathing lightly from the effort simply getting out of bed had taken. It seemed quiet, the voices around the campfires had stopped as well.

"It was all wrong." He muttered, eyes still ahead. "They were expecting us today."

"Yesterday." She corrected, taking a seat beside him on the bed and facing the entrance. He looked at her, and she turned to appraise him. "No one blames you, even tacticians make mistakes."

He frowned in annoyance. "I didn't make a mistake, I planned for it. But there was a... Last minute change up." He wouldn't outright undermine Chrom's authority, but it was important that the others understood he was still capable of leading them on the battlefield.

"Why?"

Avatar frowned. "... I don't know." He answered truthfully.

She nodded silently before bringing one leg up on the bed beside her, looking at him. She hesitated, then placed a tentative hand on his arm. "I'm glad you're okay. When I saw you on the ground I... I was scared."

"Scared," was not a word he'd ever use to describe Lucina. She was strong, fearless. Nothing scared her.

He met her eyes. Uncertainty mixed with other unfamiliar emotions swirled behind them. She looked like she was on the verge of a cliff, about to leap with no knowing of what lay below her. Her mouth opened simultaneously with the tent flap.

"Chrom." Avatar greeted coolly, looking over Lucina's shoulder as she straightened immediately. The man nodded, looking pointedly between Lucina and Avatar. She cleared her throat and rose from the bed to stand by her father.

"He seems to be making a full recovery." She reported, standing straighter beside him. "Another day of aunt Lissa's healing and he'll be fit for duty."

"Glad to hear it." Chrom nodded, still watching him. "I need to speak to him, alone."

She glanced back at Avatar once before exiting, and everything clicked.

"How are you holding up?"

"Like I was beaten within an inch of my life." Avatar answered dryly.

Chrom sighed, knowing the only way through it was to outright say it. "I'm sorry. I was wrong to change the plans."

"I know what I'm doing, Chrom. I put my faith in you every time we step foot onto a battlefield. The least I ask is that you put just as much faith in me."

"I know, I know and I will. But..." Chrom shifted his weight uneasily, bringing a chair over beside the bed to sit in. He ran a hand through his hair. "You're not dense. You know why I did it, right?"

"You think Lucina and I are getting too close."

"Are you?"

Avatar lifted his head from the mattress, meeting Chrom's eyes. After a moment he laid back down, staring at the ceiling.

"She's my daughter, Avatar."

"And a grown woman, she can make her own choices."

"You're right. Which is why I'm asking you to make the smart one here. Don't do this."

Avatar would have laughed if it didn't make his neck hurt. 'Our first fight over a girl, and it's his daughter. Didn't plan for that one...'

"If something happened out there, and something always does, I don't want one death to mean two. Both of you are crucial to our victory over Grima, if anything happened to one of you, I can't afford to let it take the other out of commission."

"I can't tell her what to think or feel, Chrom."

"But you can control your actions."

"Is that an order?"

"It's a request, from a dear friend and concerned father. Please, do the smart thing here. She's been through enough pain already."

Chrom stared at him, expression demanding answer. Avatar made a non-committal head-shake-of-disbelief in dismissal, hoping that would satisfy. It did.

"Good, just wanted to, ah..." Chrom cleared his throat awkwardly as he reset the chair. "Right, well I'll send Lissa in to check on you. Rest well."

Avatar appreciated his friend's honestly as he departed. There was no poor justifications for his actions, no round-about subterfuge to get what he wanted. He addressed what needed addressing and spoke plainly. And in truth he wasn't wrong, either. Tactically his reasoning was sound. But...

The flap opened and Cordelia entered, smiling when she saw him. "Heard you were awake."

"Here I am." He stated meekly, raising a sore arm to greet her. He heard soft footsteps and looked over to see her bring the chair back beside the bed. It was one of the rare opportunities to see her without full plate armor. She wore a long-sleeved tunic with dark combat pants. "Good to see you're coming out of your shell."

"I make an effort now and then." She sat down near his knees still at the edge of the bed. He hadn't moved since Lucina pushed him back. "The village elder wanted to thank you personally for what you did yesterday."

"I wasn't alone."

"You were when you saved his daughter. He said... One moment, I simply must get the words right... 'The bravest and dumbest thing I've ever seen in my long life,' or something to that effect. You sounded quite heroic. And to hear the girl tell it! You broke the door down, killed a man with a single punch before breathing fire and dragging the big one outside with you, away from her and her father."

"I have my moments." The smile pulled his cheek painfully where the pommel had connected the day before. "As you saw, I had the entire thing under control when you ladies interrupted me."

"Indeed, and I'm sorry for ruining your glorious finale." She bowed her head in mock-apology, returning his half-smile. "But before you dismiss me, they wanted to give you this." Her hand found his on the bedsheets and she placed something smooth in his palm.

He held it up before him to catch the lantern light, seeing a small wooden carving of a dragon skull. He lifted his head up, bringing the carving beside him. "Spitting image?"

She scowled at him, not finding it funny at all and reaching over to pluck the memento back. "Nothing alike. As I'm positive that wasn't the intention behind the gift."

"I thought it was clever..."

"Ever since we discovered your origins you've become distant, Avatar. It's all you view yourself as."

"To be fair, it's what I am." He responded distractedly, holding the back of his hand up before him to examine the markings in the dim light.

"That's where you came from, not who you are. The Avatar I know isn't some... Tool, to be used and discarded." The chair shifted and another hand entered his vision to pull his wrist down to the bed. "It's your choices that make you who you are, the dedicated hero that goes charging headlong into five-on-one fights to protect an old man and his daughter. That's the kind of man... Any woman would be lucky to be with."

He blinked, realizing the warm hand around his wrist had moved to rest lightly in his. Throat feeling dry he looked down to see her blushing slightly, watching him.

She cleared her throat, standing suddenly when their eyes met, "I apologize, you should be resting and I, ah... Need to tend the stables. I'll send for Lissa."

He watched on as she turned from the bed, almost tripping over her feet before standing straight and striding deliberately for the exit.

'The hell is going on around here...'

I always enjoy feedback, it's how I've gotten better and I'd still be wallowing in my middle-school grammar without the critiques and support of others. So if you read something that could be better, a description that didn't quite make sense or dialogue that seemed unrealistic, please let me know! I'm always striving to improve, and it seriously takes like thirty seconds to let an author know Yay or Nay.

I can promise you, it took considerably longer to write this hehe.