Epilogue

The Garden, the final resting place of the exalted bloodline. It was located in a special outdoor section of Ylisstol Castle. The sanctuary received its name from exactly what it implied. Long ago after the first defeat of Grima, the first Exalt of Ylisse constructed his personal garden here. When not involved with personal and political affairs, he was known to spent large amounts of time here. Before his passing, he requested that his body be buried in this place. His immediate descendents also followed suit. Eventually, their grand memorial tombstone was erected in the center surrounded by a ring of flowers.

As time moved on, it became tradition for the Exalt's descendents to be buried in the Garden. Generations later however, it became more of a gloomy graveyard. The only reason it retained its original name was because of another Exalt. She realized its progressively depressive appearance and decided to restore its beauty. For years since her death and burial, the royal family has maintained both the flora and architecture of the Garden. Unfortunately, Grima's latest destructive tyranny left it mostly in ruin.

Standing in front of one of the few intact gravestones was a hooded figure. She stared at the engraved name, Lissa.

"Finally came here to pay your respects?" a voice asked.

The figure turned her head to the left. Owain was now standing next to her, holding a white rose in his hand.

"Shouldn't you be reporting me to the guards?"

"Why should I?" Owain sat down and placed the rose on his mother's grave. "You have the same right to be here, don't you?"

"Heh..." She pulled down her hood. "Hello, Brother."

"Don't be so formal, Morgan. Just call me Owain."

"As you wish." his sister replied as she sat next to him. After a few seconds of silence, Morgan rested her head on her brother's shoulder and happily sighed. "I missed this... So what happened to your epic dialogue?"

"I can't do improv now. Not when I'm grateful to know my sister's still alive and not dragon meat."

"I'm really sorry to make you worry, Owain…"

"…Why are you here alone? Where's your brother?"

Morgan sat up and looked down. "...I wanted to bury him here, but I thought the people would consider that sacrilegious once they learned about what he's done..."

"...So where did you bury him?"

"In a field, near Southtown."

"Huh? Why there, exactly?"

Morgan pulled out Robin's journal from under her cloak. She opened it to the first written page and handed it to Owain.

"It's Father's first memory. I thought it was fitting given how much he idolized him."

"Heh. Yeah..." He began flipping through Robin's entries. "Mark would be crying if he left the room just for a second."

"Well, you were no different when it came to Mother."

Owain quickly closed the book. "Sh-Shut up! What about you? You were always getting yourself into weird situations that Mark and I had to bail you out of!"

"I was a curious girl..."

"How in the world did you cause a STAMPEDE throughout the city?!"

"Hey, that griffon was asking for it!"

"...Heh... Ha ha ha!" Owain fell back as he continued to laugh. "Ha… Man, our family's crazy…"

Morgan lied down next to him. "Ha ha! No kidding... But should we really be laughing like this in front of Mother's grave?"

"You know the kind of woman she was. She'd probably be laughing with us too if she were still here."

"I guess you're right..."

"So what are you going to do with your life now that Grima's finally gone?"

"I don't know... I've been following Father and, shamefully, Grima, for most of my life. I'm still pretty new at making my own choices…"

"You can always stay with us. Your room's pretty wrecked, but that's nothing we can't fix."

"And be labeled a traitor to Ylisse? Honestly, I think I'll be moving to Valm. Grima's reign pretty much left that place barren. It'll give me a chance to be alone long enough for the citizens to forget I ever existed."

"No way. I'm not letting you live out there by yourself. Besides, no one even knows about you leaving Ylisse…and the whole betrayal thing…"

"But your friends do. I'm not sure if any of them will welcome me back. And even if they do, I doubt I can earn their trust again before word spreads out…"

"Sure they will! Inigo just has to LOOK at you, though I'd probably kill him for that later… Yarne, just be affectionate. Brady, just toss him around a little. Cynthia, she'll forgive you before you even ask! Laurent, just toss out a bunch of words you don't know the definition of. Nah, just offer her a gourmet meal. Severa and Kjelle...well, we'll have to work on them together. Gerome...he's a tough one to figure out, but I'm sure we can do it! And Noire-!"

"Owain, I know you're trying to help, and you're the best big brother a girl could ask for, but we have to be realistic."

"This IS realistic!"

"Realistic enough to get me KILLED!" She sighed. "Owain. At least let me leave with some form of dignity…"

"Well...uh... You're STILL in line for the throne! What about that?!"

"Yeah, fourth in line. Even lower if Lucina gets married and has children. I'll either be dead or too old by the time I could get it."

"It's still dishonoring the exalted bloodline! And what about-...? Um..." Owain's persona was breaking. "Please, Morgan. You're the only family I have left. It was hard enough when our parents died, but that night you and Mark walked out of the castle…"

"Mark had his own personal reasons. I was just too stupid to go along with him. And my ignorance is what doomed me to live life in solitude..."

He soon broke into a rage. "Argh! Damn it, Morgan! Would shut up about that?! I'm trying to help, but you're just pushing me away!" Owain stopped himself, unable to look at Morgan after his outburst. "I know what you're thinking right now. Maybe I am being selfish, but you're not the only one who loved Father as much as you did…"

"..."

"…I'm sorry. Forget I said anything. If you want to leave Ylisse, I won't stop you. Just know I'll always be here in case you change your mind." He then began walking away.

Morgan picked up her father's journal. "…Owain, wait."

He turned around. "What is it?"

"Duel me." she said plainly.

"H-Huh?! Have you gone crazy now?!"

"This isn't a duel to the death. The combatants will fight until one is no longer able to continue and the other is declared the winner."

"Even so, I can't fight you!"

"Me neither." she said with a basic tome ready. "So we'll be pretty even then, don't you think?"

Owain hesitated, but he eventually drew one of his blades. "…What are you trying to achieve?"

"To see who's right: my intuition or your trust in others. That should be enough to motivate us to beat one another, am I right?"

"...You DO realize which side Father would take in this situation, right?"

"Certain…events…suggest that he's been wrong before. However, others reveal that he's always been correct." She shrugged. "Plus I'm a stubborn girl."

He finally drew his other blade. "Isn't it a little disrespectful that we're doing this here of all places?"

"They can watch us. Let our ancestors decide the future of the exalted bloodline!"

"Heh…" Owain readied his stance. "Come, my fated rival! Let our battle cries rend the very heavens above!"

"May the song of our crossing hearts echo unto eternity!"

Laurent and Noire were in an empty field located within the outskirts of Ylisstol. They had arrived here in the early afternoon in anticipation of an organized Shepherds meeting. Laurent constantly looked around in all directions while Noire sat on a large rock, fiddling with something in her hands.

"Where is everyone? They're late."

"But, Laurent... The meeting doesn't start for another ten minutes."

"Well, they ought to be early so we can start on time! The Shepherds don't gather just for ceremony, you know. It's been less than a year since we defeated Grima... Already they're acting as if the world is immune to crisis!"

"I-I'm sorry..."

"You don't need to apologize, Noire. You got here even earlier than I did."

"Well, I figured I could work on these while I waited..."

"Oh, that's right. I'd heard you started making good-luck charms for the people. I'm told they're quite the hit. It must be that happiness curse you put on them." He reached out for the charm on Noire's lap. "Can I have a look at that one?"

"DESIST, FOOL! YOUR CLUMSY HANDS WILL ONLY DESTROY MY CREATION."

"Eek!" He took a deep breath. "Right, then..."

"Well, you two are early," said a woman in armor. "I thought I would be the first here."

"Hello, Kjelle." said Noire. "Have you finished evaluating the new recruits?"

She nodded. "I have. They're quite tough! Although that probably goes without saying, considering the horrors they have survived. They'll make fine Shepherds. Don't you agree, Owain?"

The myrmidon was a little distracted. "Yep. They were, uh...something."

"That's all you have to say?" asked Noire. "They were 'something'? …Who are you, and what have you done with Owain?"

"Haven't you heard?" asked Kjelle. "Owain's world has been shattered."

"Shattered?" repeated Laurent. "How?"

"You don't understand..." Owain replied. "The world finally SPEAKS MY LANGUAGE."

"Huh?"

"Now when I say, 'My sword hand twitches,' people don't look at me funny. They say, 'Lord Owain will show the forces of evil what's what,' or... 'Don't mess with the blood of the exalt!' ...They actually say what I expect them to! I don't know how to cope."

"Well, enjoy it while you can," said Kjelle. "The novelty will wear off soon enough."

"Heh. That's what you think. I'm already toying with the idea of adapting my adventures for the theater. Just imagine: Tales of the Great and Mighty Owain—now with song and dance!"

Laurent winced. "I'd...rather not imagine that, actually..."

Kjelle looked away noticing three more figures nearby. "Is that...Inigo and Brady and Yarne? Hey! Over here!"

"It's good to see you all again!" said Inigo as he ran to greet them. "How long has it been?"

"Feels like just yesterday we were fightin' that evil dragon, yeah?" said Brady.

Yarne quickly shushed him. "Keep it down, Brady! You're gonna give away my position!"

"What," said Owain, "are you still worried about going extinct?"

"Are you kidding? No! I'm trying to get away from those lunatic conservationists."

"Apparently," said Inigo, "the Ylisseans found out how rare Yarne's species is. Now they've started a Save the Taguel foundation."

"If I try to eat something even remotely suspect, they pin me to the ground! They won't let me shape-shift, either, in case I "become a target." I'm so sick of being treated like a pet, I could retch..."

Noire smiled in amusement. "Not exactly a dream come true, huh?"

"It's nice to not worry about dying out, but they follow me everywhere." He looked around nervously. "...And I mean EVERYWHERE."

"I know the feeling." a voice said.

"Nah!"

The manakete had arrived just in time to overhear the conversation. "It's good to see you all."

"You too," replied Laurent, "but..."

"Those are some serious bags under your eyes there," said Brady. "What gives?"

"Tell me about it." Nah sighed and sat down with her face on her knees. "I can barely sleep. Now that Lady Tiki is gone, everyone has started worshipping me. Worshipping! They think I'm the new Voice. I can't so much as step outside without being hounded..."

"Finally," exclaimed Yarne, "someone who understands my pain! The rest of you are lucky you're human."

"Then again," she said looking at the others, "they give me absolutely anything I ask for, which is kind of nice. Let me know if you need anything, I've got you covered."

"On second thought, you don't understand my pain at all..."

Their chat was soon interrupted by the sound of a crying wyvern.

"Wh-what was that screech? An enemy?!"

"How dare you speak so rudely of such a fine creature," said a man in black armor.

"Ack! Stranger danger! Whoever you are, stay away!"

"...Hm?"

"Yarne's right," said Nah. "I don't recognize him either."

"Are you one of the new recruits?" asked Kjelle. "I'll find someone to take care of you."

The man remained silent.

"Sorry for the trouble," said Owain, "but there are a few papers you'll need to fill out first..."

"...Are you all DAFT?" he exclaimed. "It's me! ...Gerome!"

"G-Gerome? Oh yeah... I guess you were sorta...shaped like that."

"Where's your mask, Gerome?" asked Noire.

"I decided I no longer need it," he replied. "I haven't worn it in some time, actually. To be honest, it made it uh...it made it kind of hard to see the wyverns..."

"And how is the wyvern conservation project going?"

"Well enough." He smiled. "Truthfully, the best part of taking off my mask is that no one recognizes me. No one treats me like a hero. I am completely, blissfully anonymous!"

"Lucky you!" exclaimed Kjelle. "Perhaps we all should have worn masks during our struggles. Or maybe we should all go buy some right now..."

"Oh, yes," said Inigo. "I'm sure THAT will stop us from standing out. Anyway, I like being a celebrity. The house is always packed when Grima's slayer takes the dance floor!"

"You finally became a dancer?" asked Nah.

"I became someone who dances, anyway. It makes people smile, and that makes me happy too. If things go well, I might start taking offers to dance at festivals."

"That would be amazing! Just think of all the girls who would throw themselves at your feet."

"Hmm... I'm sort of over all that. Well, not quite over it, but..."

"Wait a second... The world's most notorious womanizer has retired?!"

"It's just...now that I dance, girls smile back even without a terrible pickup line. And besides, I'm busy with my Shepherd duties and dance practice and the like."

"No kiddin'," said Brady. "You messed up your steps in the third song in today's set."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Was it obvious?! I thought I was playin' the wrong song, you klutz! Mess up all you want in practice, but you better shape up for the real deal. Although I could stand to work on my playin' a bit too."

"Yes, it would probably help if you gave up weeping during your own accompaniment."

"Brady's playing for you?" asked Laurent.

The musician nodded. "Yeah. I write the songs and play violin, and he dances alone. I always wanted to be a composer, so it was a good fit. Ma wanted it too...when she was alive."

"Well, I think it's wonderful you both made your dreams come true." said Noire.

"Thanks. ...I brew a mean cuppa tea too, ya know. One of these days i'll run with that. But right now I got other things on the slate."

"Owain's going to join us too," Inigo added. He turned to his future partner. "What was the idea again?"

"I'm going to immortalize my numerous adventures in song and dance." he replied. "My vocal cords twitch!"

"Here we go again..." said Kjelle.

Laurent faked a cough. "So is everyone here? We should get started."

"Pardon me," said a familiar voice, "but might I join you?

"...Ah!"

"Lucina?!" exclaimed Inigo.

Though months had passed, the princess had hardly changed her appearance even as the current exalt.

"Shouldn't you be in the castle?" asked Brady.

"Don't worry. I've left Ylisstol in the hands of capable soldiers. It'll be fine while I'm away."

"We're not worried about Ylisstol," said Gerome. "We're worried about you! As gifted as you are with a sword, the exalt shouldn't be walking around alone."

"Who said I was alone?"

"Huh?"

To their surprise, Cynthia gracefully dropped into the center of their small circle. "Ta-daaa! Say hello to Cynthia of the ALL NEW Ylissean Pegasus Knights!"

"Cynthia?!" exclaimed Kjelle. "Where did you come from?"

"Great entrance, right?! I always dreamed Phila's knights would one day ride again. And hey, if Shepherds get another shot, who says the pegasus knights can't too?"

"Cynthia begged me," said Lucina, "and I just couldn't say no."

"Hey, either way, you need protection, right? Win-win. Me and my sisters won't let anyone put a scratch on you!"

"Sisters?" asked Noire. "Who else is in the pegasus knights?"

There was no vocal response, but Noire could hear someone grumbling. Soon Severa stepped forward from behind Lucina.

"Severa? I was wondering why I hadn't seen you at the Shepherds' camp. You enlisted in the pegasus knights?"

"Does it matter? Yeesh, I wasn't about to say no to Cynthia. And don't get it in your head that I want to be like my mother."

"Heh. Why would I ever think that?"

Cynthia hurried to Severa's side. "Severa's AMAZING, you guys. She handles a lance better than anyone, and you should see her toss a javelin! I bet Cordelia herself couldn't throw half as far. The rest of us have a lot of catching up to do."

"I can see the capital is in good hands!" said Nah.

"And I am too," said Lucina. "So put your worries to rest. And really, can you blame me for coming? You gather everyone together and don't even invite me? I've missed you!"

"You take after your father, Lucina," said Owain. "At least from what I've heard. ...Anyway, here we all are. The Twelve Heroes! Let's get this meeting started, Laurent."

"Right you are." said Laurent. He carefully opened an agenda book in his hand. "Thank you for all coming to this regular meeting of the Shepherds... And next, I have a report about the restoration of Mount Prism, which is—" He was interrupted by Minerva screech. "...Gerome. Please keep your mount quiet during the meeting."

"Sorry..." Gerome tried to take her away before realizing she needed to say something. "What is it, Minerva? ...What?! This is bad. Minerva says she senses Risen nearby!"

"Huh?!"

"Just a few of them, but... Damn! I thought we got rid of them all!"

"I guess peace is an ongoing project." said Yarne.

"We'll finish them off," said Inigo. "These things take time."

"And so the mighty heroes fought on," said Owain, "uncertain as to when their tale would end..."

Brady grabbed his staff. "Hmph. Let the Risen come! We'll knock 'em into next week."

Nah stretched her arms holding her dragonstone overhead. "It has been a while since we've really flexed our muscles, hasn't it?

Kjelle nodded. "I know. I'm going to enjoy scattering these scoundrels."

"I'm glad I brought my bow." said Noire.

"Now hold on just a moment!" exclaimed Laurent. "You're not ALL marching out there, are you? It's just a handful of Risen."

Brady shrugged. "Hey, ya never can be too sure!"

"We shouldn't spare any resources when it comes to keeping the locals safe," said Yarne.

"Better too many of us than too few," said Gerome.

Inigo leaned with an elbow on the mage's shoulder. "Yes, Laurent. So stop complaining and get your equipment!"

"What? I didn't volunteer!" He sighed. "Oh, all right..."

Owain drew his blades. "Look out, vile Risen! Chrom's New Shepherds are about to ruin your day!"

More than half the group hurried off following Gerome's lead. Now it was only Lucina and her escorts.

"Um, Lucina..."

"What's wrong, Cynthia?"

"Do you think they'll be all right?"

"Against a handful of Risen?" asked Severa. "I think they can handle things. Come on. They haven't even been gone an hour. Or wait, let me guess. You want an excuse to try out your new battle cries?"

She quickly turned away. "Th-that is NOT TRUE. I'm just worried. That's all."

"It's all right, Cynthia." said Lucina. "I understand. Go check on our friends. Consider that an order from your exalt."

"You mean it? Thanks, Sis!"

Cynthia hurriedly mounted her pegasus and rushed out after her friends.

"You sure you should be sending one of your guards away?"

"I still have you, Severa. And let's not forget I have myself. I've smashed apart my share of Risen."

"Ha! If they think the exalt's an easy target, they're in for a nasty surprise. You don't even need pegasus knights, do you? Not really."

"Of course I need you. You're the source of my strength."

"Mm-hmm."

"I mean it."

"...If you say so. Well, Cynthia's got her orders, so why don't you and I wait for her at the castle? I'll give you a ride. Let me just get saddled up, and I'll be right back."

"Thank you, Severa."

Severa left to find her pegasus, finally leaving Lucina alone. The exalt looked up, admiring the white clouds that once prophesied the end. Now they symbolized peace and a tomorrow.

"...The sky is lovely today. Isn't it, Father? I cannot tell you how happy I am—how lucky I am to be safe with my friends. But I feel guilty too. Guilty knowing that you and Mother and so many others cannot share in this joy. If only this sword of mine would glow again, and bring the REAL you here to my side... It's a silly wish, isn't it? Even an exalt has her flights of fancy, I suppose..."

"Lucina!" Severa exclaimed from afar. "All ready!"

"I'll be right there!"

Lucina mouthed a goodbye before rejoining her escort.

"...The sky IS lovely, Lucina. Just the sort of sky we fought to see again. But I am already at your side, my daughter. I always will be. Your sword may not flash, and you may not hear my voice. But all my friends are just a whisper away, watching over you. ...Isn't that right, Robin?"

"...Always."

Fin