Author's Note: Once again, it's been a while guys haven't been writing for a bit now. This story is kind of a big deal for me. I want to prove that I can keep a good story going and not just abandon one story after another. Fire Emblem is something I'm immensely passionate about, specifically Awakening. Now, I could go on and on about how I put over 100 hours into my game before having my 3ds stolen and blah blah blah but I really need to start editing this guy and I want to release some of this content. I've got a good amount written but I don't really want to just dump everything I have, mostly because if I get stuck writing you guys won't suffer for it. Now, without anymore bullshit from me read on. Tell me what you think about it, I love constructive criticism even ideas on how you think the story should go would be great. Tell me if I'm not writing characters the way they should be or even if I mess up canon details. Thanks-Insaneauthor050701

Oh yeah, full warning rated M for heaps of colorful language and bloody violence.

Fire Emblem Awakening: Together We Ride

Chapter One- I Introduce My Sword to Some Bandits

I wake to a dull pain in my side and groan against the rough stone of the wall I'm sitting beside. My attempt to remember how I ended up falling asleep leaning into such an unforgiving surface is interrupted when a voice reaches my ringing ears.

"You know, that's a pretty shitty place to take a nap."

Unfamiliar gruff voice does not sound happy with me for whatever reason.

"Yeah, whatever, I guess I was tired."

As I stand everything seems to register.

What the fuck?

Okay um not wearing my hat, shirt or track pants anymore.

Instead I've got some weird rough to touch pants on with metal as fuck knee pads and a sleeveless shirt that suddenly looks like it might actually be a tunic. Not that I've ever worn one before, I've just got a friend that loves those renaissance fair things.

I've never owned any of these clothes and I swear to myself that I don't remember putting any of these on and now that I think about it, I don't remember how I exactly came to sleeping against someone's... house?

Said house is built with cobblestone and wooden beams that make me think of old houses you would see in places with old history. The rough man who seemingly kicked me awake is staring at me with an eyebrow raised as if had offended him by existing.

"Something wrong?"

The bulky man snorted. "Something wrong... You're a piece of work boy, you get hammered at my bar last night, leave all your stuff with me and just walk off as I'm closing up. I figured you just took a walk or something but you didn't come back so I assumed you left to avoid paying and I had to close up shop anyways."

I rub the back of my head slightly bashfully. I am fully aware that I have absolutely no idea what the fuck is happening right now so I'm just playing off of whatever this guy can give me.

"Ah, I mean I'm sorry...?"

I really don't remember drinking at all to be honest. The last thing I remember is traveling with my family on our way to a stress free vacation and falling asleep during a particularly loud thunderstorm.

The man chortles. "You must be a real lightweight kid. You weren't at the bar for half an hour before you took off drunk as all hell."

Ouch. That was a bit of a blow to my self-esteem. I hope I didn't throw up. I've only done that to myself once and it wasn't the best. Thankfully, whatever happened to me hasn't affected my apparently useful skill to wake up without a hangover.

I grunt at him frowning slightly. "Hilarious. You said you had my stuff?"

He scowls back at me. "You could stand to loosen up lad." I sigh and run a hand through my hair. That's new. My hair was definitely not long enough for that last time I checked. It's easily long enough to hang over my forehead and blonde?

I blink confused and shake my head. "Sorry, I'm not in the best mood you could say."

The man turned and walked into what apparently was his tavern. "Well, for the sake of MY mood, you'd better have enough coin in your bag."

Coin? Alright somebody start laughing. This is really weird.

The tavern is in what looks like a small village with cobblestone paths that lead to other houses and sections of the town. It also looks like we're in the goddamned dark ages.

Let's see... Lanterns at every corner, I think that's a bale of hay on a wagon down there. That's definitely a forge.

Yeah um... maybe I can hope that this is just some kind of really dedicated medieval reenactment villages?

I walk into the tavern and stride through the large room crowded with tables. At the counter, the bartender is bustling around looking like he's getting ready to open.

"Say, you think I could borrow your phone?"

"My what?"

Jesus Christ. I've traveled through time. This is not what a stress free vacation includes.

"Never mind. Where are we?"

Okay, I'll admit I do fair amount of bitching in my head for being temporally displaced. Probably too much. I mean who else gets to experience time travel?

The bartender gives me a weird look not unlike how one would regard the crackhead talking to himself on the side of the street.

"Southtown."

Aaaand that's when my brain comes to a full stop. Because of course I'm not just in the dark ages. I'm in motherfucking Fire Emblem Awakening! Of course I would recognize the name, Awakening is easily one of my favorite games if not my absolute favorite. I spent wayyy too much time on that game and didn't regret any of it.

I feel like simultaneously leaping with joy and groaning in despair under my breath. I settle for blinking.

One. I'm in probably my favorite game of all time and I get to meet and talk with all my favorite characters. Two. I am most likely stuck here. Oh fuck, I'll never get to finish college! I mean, I guess I don't have to pay that loan back anymore.

Before my thoughts run away from me anymore, the guy behind the counter hands me a bag.

"Here. You left this bag last night." I nod in thanks and look through it.

Looks like we have a few pieces of what I think is salted meat wrapped up, a pouch of gold (yaaaayy), a worn journal, a couple of ingots of what I immediately somehow determine is silver and at the bottom of the bag is what looks like a single iron manacle attached to a length of chain. That last one is weird but the other stuff I can look into.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Just a piece, hold on, I'll go grab your sword."

Ooh sword, this should be fun. Wait. I have absolutely no idea how to use a sword. Stick 'em with the pointy end? Hopefully whatever happened to me gave me some kind of sword skills, otherwise this will be hopefully just be a really short fever dream.

The bar guy, I still don't know his name, trudges back into the room cradling one of the most magnificent swords I've ever seen.

It easily matches my height at six feet and its width could match a smaller man's torso in size. The surface of it is strangely smooth and sleek and there's no edge as if it were a regular sword. The greatsword's body is a steel gray that looks like its been laminated with some kind of clear violet tinged mineral and the hand and a half hilt is rounded, ending with a small ring of metal.

As I take it from the man, he noticeably straightens without its weight on him. I, on the other hand do not strain at all. I guess this really isn't my body anymore at all. In spite of that disturbing thought, I smile viciously as I run a hand over the greatsword.

Unbeknownst to the man across from me, If I'm correct, this blade is so much more than an overweight enlarged sword.

The Heavy Sword Bladeless isn't native to Fire Emblem at all but I'm ecstatic to see it. If I was put in a situation like this, this is what I would have chosen for a weapon. The bladeless greatsword is actually from a Chinese web-novel that I read called Coiling Dragon. In that story, it's a greatsword forged from adamantine and cured of its impurities by lightning. I doubt that happened here but if it has even a tenth of the ability it had in Coiling Dragon I would be excited. Despite being bladeless the greatsword is incredibly dangerous. It was famed for being impossible to block at the height of its power. The strength of Bladeless doesn't lie in its size but in its ability to channel vibrations. This ability was so strong that even if one used a sword or shield to block a blow, the vibrations would basically scramble everything on the other side. The idea is basically that even with whatever armor you have, your insides will always be vulnerable.

Technically, the vibration thing was the ability of the main character, not the sword but from the weird pins and needles feeling I'm getting on my hand from where I hold it it could be magical? I mean, just smashing people with the blade would be amazing but I'm really hoping the vibration ability has been carried over. I'll have to wait and find out I guess.

Before I forget and get the bartender even more mad at me, I toss a piece of gold on the counter for the barkeep.

"That's a strange sword lad. You sure you know how to use that?"

I hold it up and turn the other way getting a few practice swings in, the heavy weight of the sword barely registering to me. Damn, I must have a ridiculous strength stat.

"Pretty sure."

I look intently at the ring at the end of the hilt having a strange idea that makes some sort of sense for my anime obsessed mind.

The manacle comes out of the bag along with the chain. The manacle is latched around my right wrist and the chain gets wrapped around my right arm until it reaches my shoulder and gets hooked on to the ring of the greatsword now hanging in a leather harness on my back that I somehow didn't notice earlier. I believe that the chain might help me swing the sword like some kind of sword shaped wrecking ball but fuck if I know how that's supposed to work.

Well, what now? The whole sword thing is pretty cool but the bandits should be coming soon if I was sent here in time for the prologue. And what's my story? I feel like it's taking the easy way out if I say Valm. From what I can see of myself I retained my dark skin color, gained a lot of weight in muscle mass and my hair's been changed to a dark blonde.

Actually, let's check out that journal I have, if it actually is mine, I could learn something relevant.

"Hey, do you mind if I take a seat for a bit?" The bartender sighs. "I s'pose. I ain't selling you any drink though."

I nod and pull out my journal to look through.

About an hour later, the bar is full and decently rowdy as people start to relax on their off time.

I have just finished reading the journal and I am suitably confused and nursing a small headache.

The journal must have been linked to me being sent here because it made me remember? See, I'm not sure if it counts as remembering or not because I'm not even sure if we're the same person. It's like some Piccolo and Nail shit. So there's me and Fire Emblem me. I guess I can compare it to a multiverse type thing? Like we're the same person but different versions? Anyways, I was dragged into this version of me's head and we fused? Merged minds? I don't know, something like that. The journal was some sort of kickstart type thing. As I read it I was able to remember things from the FE version's life as if it was my own. I guess it kind of is. My memories here are just as vivid as my ones from before I got sent here.

The good news is that I have a real backstory. I actually am from Regna Ferox. I was raised after the last Blood War which apparently was some sort of conflict involving the khans before the Tournament of Khans was created. As far as I know, I'm an orphan. I was never told who my parents are, all I got was a golden pendant out of it. It's a thin gold chain with what I think is a ruby set in the center over my collarbone. My name is inscribed on the front below the gem. Somehow, I was able to keep from selling it or losing it after I was kicked out of the orphanage for being me. I was eventually able to get out of dying on the streets by an apprenticeship with a blacksmith in the capital city Tyrus. Due to its proximity to the arena I was always able to sneak away and watch matches and duels. That's where my inspiration to make a name for myself came from. In order to get stronger and gain experience with fighting, I fought in multiple low level arena fights until I got to the point where I needed a taste of a real life or death battle to advance. That's when I ended up becoming a bounty hunter. I've taken down quite a few small groups of bandits in my time in Ferox but it's only recently that I've started working in Ylisse.

Once I started remembering I was able to recall what I knew of Bladeless. That made me pretty excited. I was actually the one who forged Bladeless. The pins and needles feeling I got from the sword was magic. The greatsword was enchanted. The enchantment was the result of my own hard work and methodology passed down from my master. Apparently the enchantment works in two ways. It can be activated manually at anytime but it draws magic from me causing me to tire swiftly. The other enchantment passively absorbs physical force, what I know now is called kinetic energy (Modern science for the win!), that hits the blade causing it to charge the enchantment without me supplying it magic. Pretty awesome stuff.

The part in the journal that I found confusing was the end. There was a note not in my handwriting but in an intricate looping cursive that I was barely able to read.

Your choice will remain at the end.

That seems pretty ominous. Not exactly subtle though. The end is most likely when Grima is defeated and my 'choice' is most likely staying in this world or going back to my own.

I'm saved from anymore ruminating as a loud clamor reaches me from the entrance to the tavern. I turn in my seat and find three scruffy burly men wielding axes.

"Listen here sheep!" The people in the tavern backed away from the men. "If you wanna keep your lives drop to your knees and cough up your gold!" The lead man yells brandishing his large crudely beaten axe.

Most of the patrons panic and obey emptying out their purses. I however, feeling pretty confident with my absurd strength stat and fuck off huge sword, stand and stretch cracking my back.

"Finally... took them long enough." I mutter as the occupants stare at me as if I had a third eye.

I turn to the bandits and smirk cracking my knuckles.

"Come and take it you mouth breathing bootlickers."

The lead bandit snarls at me. "You crazy boy?! I'll give you one more chance, get on your knees and beg."

The bar watches on in suspended silence.

"Is that a beard on your face? Or just the shit you fell in when you got up this morning?" I taunt in response making him growl.

I reach behind my back with my left hand undoing the harness for my weapon as I grab the hilt with my right over my shoulder. Bladeless is lifted from my back, the massive greatsword swinging in an arc until it plants itself in the floor sending splinters of wood up.

I grin toothily at the bandit who has now blanched at the sight of the fearsome blade. "Keep your eyes open boys, you might learn something for your next life."

The bandit went straight from fear to indignant rage as he ran, charging at me. I likewise rush forward knocking bystanders away with my off hand. There's no way I have enough room to swing in here but thankfully my style of fighting isn't dependent on my blade. Bladeless is held trailing at my right side and the bandit swings at my seemingly unprotected left side.

Jokes on him.

My left knee comes up in a trained reflex and the armor there clangs against the axe sending the head up and safely away from midsection. I jab with my left at his throat and he reaches for his throat dropping his axe in the process. I clutch at his unruly mop of shaggy hair and bring up a knee, this time caving in his nose and dropping him. The other two bandits growl in frustration at their comrade being brought down and rush at the same time. They swing from either side in a coordinated effort and I jab Bladeless into the floor in front of me to take the blows. As they stagger I jump forward using the planted greatsword to boot both of them in the face.

I leave my blade and pounce on the one to my left. My chain covered arm slams down into this one's ugly mug knocking out a handful of teeth. I raise my hand for another blow and I'm knocked aside by a glancing axe swing that leaves a cut on my arm before sliding off the wrapped chain.

Don't get cocky, stay focused.

Rolling to my feet, I loosen the chain on my bleeding arm until it's hanging limply between me and my still planted sword a few feet away to the right of the last bandit.

I rush him ducking under a wild swing and clothesline him around the legs with my chain sending him onto his face. I quickly take advantage of his prone body and straddle his body wrapping the chain around his neck. I yank up as he bucks under me. "Agh!" He thrashes and I dig my knee into the small of his back. One agonizingly slow minute later, he slumps against the ground, motionless.

I roll over onto my back breathing heavily. My arms burn in exertion and the cut on my right weeps a trickle of blood. I just killed him. It's not unfamiliar with my new memories but not something I'll ever look forward to. I'd never experienced something like this in my old life. Being a murderer was not one of my traits. It doesn't feel great.

I'm shaken from my internal debate as I get pulled to my feet by the bartender.

"That was some fight lad, I wasn't sure you were gonna pull it off!"

I laugh nervously. Me either. Despite all that bravado my heart was pounding in excitement and fear. The fear mostly came from how much I loved the fight. Aside from killing that man, coming close to death and winning in combat was more thrilling than anything I've ever done. I do not want to turn into some kind of bloodlusting berserker, that sounds like a great way to get killed fast.

I wrap the chain over my arm avoiding the shallow cut in my forearm and pull my sword from the planks. "You folk should stay here, arm yourselves with their weapons and be ready for whoever comes through that door. I'll go out and help put an end to this."

Halfway out the door, the bartender calls out to me. "What should we call you friend?"

It takes me a second to answer as I sort through my memories before settling on the Fire Emblem version of my name. New life, new me.

"Call me Xander!"

As I rush down the cobbled roads of Southtown a pit of dread forms in my gut. The game really didn't do justice to the devastation here. Most of the town around me are on fire and every now and then I find a body of a villager that has been cleaved with an axe. It's not a pretty sight and no amount of simulated violence I've seen in my old life from a myriad of video games and movies can compare to a cold dead corpse in real life.

Eventually, I find a trail of bandit bodies that I assume have been killed by the Shepherds somewhere in the village.

I'm interrupted from following the corpse style bread crumb trail the Shepherds left by a scream from a nearby home. I hesitate for a moment wondering if the Shepherds will be fine before mentally cursing myself for delaying.

Someone needs help and I can do something. This isn't a game, there's no way that I can dismiss the suffering of others just because they weren't 'an important character'. The Shepherds will be fine. Frederick is with them to carry if they need help anyways.

I jump over the door that has been torn from its hinges and find a shirtless bandit tearing at the dress of a young woman crying out in fear. I snarl in anger and swing Bladeless from my shoulder. It rips through the air crashing through part of the wall as I shout and activate its enchantment.

"Hyaah!" The hapless bandit doesn't even have time to scream before his chest is caved in and he ragdolls against the wall blood leaking from his orifices.

I breathe heavily and blink slowly as the woman shakes and sobs covering herself with her arms.

Judging from how much that took out of me I can only do that mayyybe twice more.

I lay a hand on the victim's shoulder. "Listen, you're gonna have to get to the tavern. There are others there and it's a lot safer than anywhere else." I don't mean to be insensitive to her plight but the bandits are still ransacking the town.

The woman whimpers and looks up. Suddenly she screams in a shrill tone. "Watch out!"

I turn and catch a sword in the right side of my chest. It slides in painfully deep and the blade grates like nails on a chalkboard against the bones in my torso. My nerves jolt against the sensation and I focus on the blade not letting the pain incapacitate me. The veins in my neck pop out and I reach up with my free hand to clutch the blade still stuck in my chest. I lock eyes with the myrmidon who seems shaken by the fire in my eyes.

"Should've gone for the head." I whisper hoarsely.

I see red and Bladeless activates non-verbally lashing out and ripping through the floor. The man's head is vaporized sending red mist through the air.

With a hitched exhale of pain, I slump back and the woman guides me to the floor. Hazy thoughts drift aimlessly through my head. I totally just stole that from Thanos. Huh. Still, it was suitably bad-ass to be-FOCUS! SWORD IN YOUR CHEST!

I grip the blade with both hands now and gaze intensely at the woman in anguish.

"Vulnerary. Bandages." I grit out. Thankfully she's got sense enough to rush and get them. I berate myself mentally while she retrieves them. Stupid, so stupid. I shouldn't have assumed that there was only one in the house. The pain is near debilitating but I focus my mind through it willing myself to not pass out. The woman comes back and after a very painful sword draw she helps me remove my tunic and apply the vulnerary. I give her the bandages and raise my hands hoping she'll be able to wrap it properly. The last thing I need is to get some kind of disease while in a medieval style world. Thankfully she is able to cover the wound with enough bandages to cover both the wound and the majority of my torso. She helps me shrug on my bloody tunic and I treat the cut on my arm while I'm at it.

It's still pretty painful as stand up, and I have to move my sword and manacle to my thankfully equally skilled left hand (Thank you ambidexterity!) but it'll have to do until I find Lissa.

I nod to the woman. "Many thanks." She smiles wearily at me from under brown curls that frame a cutely shaped face. "No, thank you Sir. You saved me. My name is Cara."

I give her a grim smile. "Call me Xander and remember what I said. Head for the tavern and watch out for bandits."

It's not ten minutes later that I finally find the Shepherds. Robin, male version, is trading these bright blasts of magic with a mage near a channel of water. Frederick is hauling Lissa on his steed engaging with a pair of barbarians and Chrom is distant from the others fighting defensively against a pair of myrmidons.

It doesn't take me long to decide where to go.

Chrom is not the fastest fighter at this stage and two myrmidons could be enough to put him in a tough spot with their superior speed.

I plant my sword into the ground and use it to send myself into a double kick against the closest myrmidon. He is slammed to the ground by the unexpected blow and the other myrmidon is distracted by either my sweet ass kick or my massive sword when Chrom guts him. I steal an execution I saw in a certain Roman console game and stomp on my myrmidon while he's down snapping his neck.

Chrom grins at me and I'm taken aback by how different he looks compared to my memories from the game. He's got the same features but the real thing looks infinitely better. No, I never played a female Avatar, he just looks like he could be some kind of celebrity or actor. I mean, he IS a prince, so I guess that makes some kind of sense.

"Thank you friend. My name is Chrom." I almost eye roll at how obvious that is- He has the brand right there on his shoulder!

"Save the pleasantries Chrom, there's an ugly bastard that needs to be relieved of his head." I gesture with Bladeless at the bandit leader across the bridge.

His eyes go wide at my unconventional blade. How did he not notice that earlier?

He shakes his head and replies. "That's fair. What should I call you then?"

I take off after the bandit and Chrom follows at my left. "Xander." I grunt. A myrmidon waiting in reserve rushes at Chrom and I make a split second decision. Bladeless slams into the myrmidon's bronze katana visibly cracking it.

Chrom pauses watching before I yell at him. "Get your ass moving! I'll catch up!"

Chrom nods and rushes to engage the leader. I heave the blade up forcing my opponent to back up. He discards his bronze katana and draws an iron sheathed at his side.

"Try to keep up." He snarls raising his blade.

It seems I've underestimated the speed of these myrmidons myself. I am stuck in place, wildly shifting the position of Bladeless to block his furious strikes. The massive size of the weapon might make a good shield but I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up these rapid movements with my injuries.

I almost sigh in relief when I feel him slowing. As soon as he slows enough all that energy he poured into those strikes will come right back at him.

I feel the lull in his swings and lash out horizontally as the enchantment is activated.

He wildly repositions to block it with his blade but it snaps and Bladeless smashes into his torso killing him instantly and dropping his corpse onto the cobblestone. The cracking of his bones like a stack of twigs make me shudder momentarily but I rush ahead to back up Chrom.

Oh, looks like he's got that well in hand. True to my thoughts, the bandit leader is sliding roughly off Falchion's business end only to land in a heap at Chrom's feet. I hear the others catching up and turn.

Lissa hurries forward to check on Chrom and Frederick fixes me with a cold stare while Robin looks at my sword.

I grow nervous and defensive at their silence. "What?"

They both flinch at my aggressive tone. Robin smiles at me apologetically and Frederick frowns.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought. That's a monster of a blade, how do you fight with something that big?" Robin scratches his chin. I grin at him. "A lot of blood and sweat." I point to some of the scars visible on my arms and the bandaged wounds on my person.

He points to my most recent kill, the myrmidon with his chest caved in and blood leaking from his mouth and ears.

"The results seem to speak for themselves."

I shrug grinning at him still. "I'd say tossing around lightning might give one comparable results." I motion towards his kill, a mage's blackened corpse twitching on the ground.

He grins fiercely back and shrugs.

Frederick dismounts and strides over to us. "Excuse me Sir-"

I meet his gaze. "Xander. I'm no Sir either, just a bounty hunter who can't stand by when filth like this tries to harm peaceful folk."

The Wary nodded. "Is that how you came to fight these ruffians then?"

I nodded once. "I was at the tavern when they attacked. Like I said, I can't stand by when-"

"AAAAH!" Lissa shrieked. We all whirled around.

The bandit leader, who had apparently been feigning death, now had an axe against Lissa's neck keeping Chrom at bay.

Chrom stood stiffly glaring at the barbarian with Falchion pointed at him. "Let. Her. Go."

The barbarian laughed and coughed wetly spraying some blood on Lissa's cheek. He ignored Chrom and spoke to her.

"Heal me. Now, or you'll lose more than a couple golden locks."

Robin was gripping his Thunder tome with white knuckles and Frederick was likewise handling his lance.

Furiously, I searched for a solution. This had never happened in the game, did I change too much already?

Okay, okay. I can throw my sword but it's way too large to avoid hitting Lissa so I need something... smaller.

I eyed the jagged hilt of a katana on the ground from my last kill.

I shuffled slowly over making sure to keep Frederick's horse between the barbarians line of sight while I grabbed it.

Robin noticed what I was doing and frowned.

Yeah, he probably thinks I'm crazy. I would too but I actually have done the whole throwing swords thing. Or at least this body has. That's what the chain is for besides you know, strangling people.

I inched around the horse so I could see the bandit leader.

The barbarian had forced Chrom to back up and Lissa was in the process of healing him.

I had to strike before that was finished. He would most likely move to kill Lissa afterwards.

I took a deep breath and gripped the hilt of the broken katana turned dagger.

One.

Two. I twirled the blade through my fingers getting a feel for the weight.

Three.

With hand-eye coordination borne from years of combat I launched the dagger throwing my hand out.

It flew through the air and landed with a dull thud in the barbarians forehead.

Upon the sudden deathblow his face froze and he seemed to look up before slumping to the ground.

Lissa kicked his body tears of fear falling from her eyes and Chrom hugged her taking her away from the corpse. I sighed in relief.

Robin clapped his hand on my shoulder. "A bit reckless, but it worked out. I'm Robin by the way." I smile at him. "Just like target practice." I nervously laughed.

Frederick frowned deeply at me. "You were confident in that throw, correct? You would never chance her survival on a lucky throw."

I nodded my head vigorously. "Yeah, of course." Hey I like to fight a bit and I have no problem taking a beating. I'm not suicidal though, Frederick would kill me if I told him I've never thrown a dagger in my life. Chrom and Lissa finally join us, this time smiling at me.

"Thank you for saving my sister Xander. I'm not sure how I'll be able to repay you." I shrug. "It was no problem. Just make sure to put your opponent in the ground next time."

Chrom nods solemnly. "Of course. Oh, please excuse me, this is my sister Lissa and our knight here is Frederick the Wary. I am the captain of the Shepherds. Robin here is our newest recruit."

Robin stared at him in confusion. "I am?"

Chrom nodded. "If you would accept the offer it would mean a great deal. The Shepherds are in need of a tactician. And you, Xander you have shown yourself to be capable and I am in your debt. Would you fight with us?

Robin sheepishly looked down. "I don't know. Are you really okay with this? I just met you guys today. Not to say anything of my amnesia."

I feigned curiosity. "Amnesia?"

Robin and Chrom explained how they met. "Robin, you should take more pride in yourself. You're telling me you just woke up a couple hours ago with no memories and one of the first things you do is fight to save a village from bandits?" I incredulously asked. Robin blushed.

"Exactly, you have proven yourself in battle alongside us and more importantly, you have demonstrated your character." Chrom beamed at him.

Robin grinned. "Alright, if you believe in me, I'd be honored to join."

Wow. Those are some serious bromance looks. Time to tease them.

I snorted. "Should we leave? Or are you done flirting?"

Chrom started choking and Robin looked at me aghast as he paled.

Lissa joined me in laughter and even Frederick's frown lifted a tad before returning full force when he caught me looking.

"Anyways, yeah I'll join up. As long as I get some good fights and keep the helpless from harm."

Chrom grinned. "That, I can guarantee."

Don't I know it.

Frederick cleared his throat. "Milord, I must say that while I tentatively trust Xander as he saved Lissa, what about Robin? Do you really believe that amnesia nonsense?"

Robin scowled. It was easy to see he was not taking the scrutiny well.

Chrom frowned at Frederick. "Frederick I'm glad that you're worried about us but Robin has done nothing to cast suspicion on himself and I believe him. No more of this Frederick."

Frederick nodded stiffly. "As you wish, milord."

As that conversation was dreadfully dying, the townspeople were arriving to find them.

"Milord, did you perchance notice the Plegian accent the bandits shared?"

Chrom nodded. "Aye, more raiding parties it looks like."

Robin was looking very lost so I indulged him. "Plegia borders Ylisse to the west. It's not uncommon for their bandits and the like to stir up trouble on the border to provoke war."

Lissa frowned angrily. "All they do is attack the harmless villages who are innocent. It's not fair."

It was so strange seeing such a negative expression on Lissa's face. She's supposed to be the ever happy cleric who seems too innocent to be true.

I hooked Bladeless back up to its harness. "I believe that's what Chrom's sword is for Lissa. As long as good men breathe, evils like this will not be free to rest." Lissa turns to me a bit of surprise on her face. She holds my gaze for a moment before sighing. "You're right. I'll get used to this soon."

"Milords, you must stay the night!" one of the villagers approached us.

"Thank you for the offer sir, but we must make haste for Ylisstol, my apologies." Frederick responded before the others could get a word in.

"I'll have dark meat please, medium- what?! We're not staying?" I chuckled as Lissa complained to Frederick. If we didn't have a late night date with some Risen, I would be just as upset to be fair.

To my surprise, Cara approached me from the crowd before we left.

"Are you truly leaving so soon, milord?" Her attire was still somewhat revealing because of the events earlier and I had to focus to keep my eyes to her face.

"I'm no lord miss and I'm afraid so Cara." Suddenly a thought came to me. I grabbed the pouch of gold coins within my bag at my waist and tossed it to her.

She fumbled with it for a moment before gripping it tightly. She blankly stared at it for a moment while I grinned at her.

"W-Why?"

"It's for your house. Between me and the bandits, you'll have a rough time fixing it up."

"Thats... " Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to make sense of me. Honestly, it was just a spontaneous urge. I was sure I would get paid well with the Shepherds as well.

"Your welcome?" I cheekily prompted. She stared intensely at me. I almost flinched as she moved towards me but I stayed still. As I stood waiting for some kind of response she looped her hands around my neck and planted a kiss on my cheek.

I grinned widely as she flushed and separated from me. "Safe travels mi-Xander."

I turned back to the Shepherds three out of four of whom were laughing at me. I ignored them whistling a happy tune.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

AN: Alright people, there's the first chapter. Tell me what you think I would love some input on what you think criticism or otherwise. I'm always trying to get better at writing and your reviews are pretty necessary for it. Thankfully this is not a story I will abandon after a chapter or two, I actually have a good bit of this story written up already, pending some editing and such. I'm gonna do my best to release another chapter in the near future but no concrete promises I've got to get money squared away for classes and other boring stuff. Thank you for reading-Insaneauthor050701