"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?"

"Yes."

"It'll make the journey quicker!"

"I can walk!"

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"I'm fine."

No, I was not. Every step I took felt like fire. But I was not about to let my pride diminish any more than it has by letting Chrom carry me. Sure, I would love nothing more than to let someone do the walking for me, but I was strong. I can survive a three-days-walk. We've gotten through one day, I can get through two more.

"You really shouldn't be exerting yourself too much, Anna," Lissa said. "You don't want to make your injury worse."

I flashed the healer a nervous smile. "It's ok, really. I'm fine with limping along."

Frederick huffed in annoyance. "And making our journey longer with your limping," he glared. "Honestly, are Humans this weak and stubborn?"

Chrom was about to make a retort but I beat him to it. "I would say the same about the stubbornness with you," I snapped.

Frederick remained as stoic as ever, but I swore that I saw a flash of approval in his eyes.

"I guess humans have their own ways of healing," Lissa smiled. "Do Humans really push themselves in order to get better?"

"Uh, yes!" I lied. Why did I just say that?!

"Cool!" she exclaimed. "You should see a Luna male when injured! They're like pathetic puppies!"

Chrom frowned at his sister. "Hush! We do not act like puppies!"

"You're acting like one right now!"

"Sh-shut up!"

I laughed at the siblings. I can tell that these two are really close. I've always wanted a sibling of my own to playfully bicker with.

Chrom sighed and turned to me. "We'll keep walking for a few more hours and then we'll rest, ok?"

Thank the gods. "Y-yes! Alright!" Did that sound too enthusiastic? Gods, my body is literally killing me but I'm too embarrassed to let someone carry me!

...

A blanket of fog covered the ground of the early morning. Dew shined from the leaves and the waking birds chirped a morning melody.

I don't think I'll ever be able to get over the beauty of this place... And these guys live here! I stared in awe at my surroundings, a smile painting my face.

"I take it you're enjoying the scenic route?" Chrom asked me, smirking.

I playfully rolled my eyes at him. "This place gets more beautiful the further we go! It feels like a dream!"

Lissa was happily skipping along, looking at the plants and occasionally picking them. "It only gets better from here! Ylisstol is amazing!" she exclaimed.

"I bet!"

As the day went by, it got harder to walk. It felt like I was walking on knives. It was hard to breathe. Sweat dripped from my forehead, but I pressed on. My companions don't look like they're breaking a sweat! Gods, I don't know if I can do this...

"Hey, Anna? You ok?" Lissa gave me a look of concern.

I stopped walking, my head foggy and dizzy. "I...I'm ok..." As I finished my sentence, my knees gave out and I began to fall.

Instead of meeting the ground, I was scooped up into Chrom's arms. My arms instinctively wove around his neck, my face flushing as red as a tomato.

"Wh-what are you-"

"I knew you were pushing yourself too hard," he sighed. "No more walking for you. You need rest."

Oh gods oh gods oh gods. Why are we so close? Can he feel me trembling? How is he carrying me and walking at the same time with ease?! Where do I look? Ahead? At him? Oh, gods...

Chrom laughed. "Calm down. I won't drop you," he gave me a cheeky grin. "This isn't the first time I've carried you."

Wait, what? "W-when?!"

"When you passed out, remember?" he asked. "Well, I guess you wouldn't remember."

I let out a breath. "Look, I get it. I'll be more careful. Now please, put me down."

"Nope."

"Chrom!"

"No chance. I don't want you hurting yourself even more."

"But-"

"Just let this happen, Anna," Lissa giggled. "We really don't want you getting hurt, ok?"

I huffed. "Fine. But I won't like it," I pouted.

Frederick groaned in relief. "Maybe now we'll finally get back home in a timely manner!"

Not having much else to do, I pressed my forehead against Chrom's shoulder and pouted. This has got to be the strangest week of my life.

...

"Here, this will help with the pain," Lissa said, handing me a mug of tea.

I took the ceramic mug and took a sip. "Thank you." It was bitter, but I could care less.

The guys were off hunting and Lissa was tending to my wounds, again. I cringed as she undid the bandages on my leg, trying not to look at its bloody state. My skin felt refreshed to be exposed to air once more, but my bones and muscles said otherwise. Lissa took out a fresh roll of bandages and began to redo the splint.

"I'm sorry for giving you a hard time, earlier..." I muttered, sipping my tea.

Lissa waved me off. "Don't worry about it. I understand that you're uncomfortable with your current situation and we haven't really been patient with you, or let you have a say in what is done."

I shook my head. "No, that's not it at all. And I'm not uncomfortable, per say... But it is hard for me to interact with people I don't really know; let alone a whole different race who I thought was dead." I bit my lip nervously. "I...just, thank you. I don't know if I can ever say that enough. You really don't have to help me."

She smiled at me. "Of course, we do!" she giggled. "It's just how we live our lives! Naga wants us to help everyone, no matter what they are!"

"I see..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "But is that really why you're helping me?"

"Well, no," she said. "Naga wants us to help others, but we as individuals want to help you! It's part of our nature. What's a healer who doesn't heal? What's a fighter if they're not fighting for the good of others? What's a protector if they don't protect others?"

"I guess you have a point," I smiled. "But I still feel like I'm a burden to you."

Lissa shook her head. "Gods, no!" she exclaimed. "Don't feel that way at all. We're more than happy to help you." She finished tying the bandage. "Chrom has been worried about you. His scent has been nothing but fear and worry. In fact, he was the one who found you!"

I was taken aback for a moment. "R-really?"

"Yeah! Really!" she chirped. "We were on patrol for a few days and were about to head back home when he sensed that there was something wrong! I can't explain how he sensed you but it was a miracle he did!"

How is that even possible? I'm just a Human! I fidgeted with my hands. "W-well, I'm grateful for all you've done for me. I don't think I could ever repay you."

Lissa muttered something under her breath, but quickly went back to her perky nature. "Don't worry about it! Just seeing you recover is payment enough!" She scratched the back of her neck nervously. "Plus...it's a good opportunity for me to work on field medicine."

I laughed. "Well, this is one way to do it!"

Moments later, Chrom and Frederick came back to the camp, a dear carcass draped across their backs; blood painting their paws and muzzles.

"Yay! Normal food!" Lissa cheered.

Chrom shifted and took out a paring knife from his pocket. "Once again, meat is meat."

Frederick shifted as well and began to start the fire. "Still, venison is one of the more enjoyable meats," he said.

Chrom rolled his eyes, smiling as a greeting to me. I smiled back, blushing. He really does care... Maybe the gods sent me here for a reason. Oh, well. I have a home to return to. I can't stay with them. Once I'm better, I'll have to go home.

...

"We're almost there, Anna!" Lissa jumped around ecstatically.

On the last leg of our journey, signs of civilization started to pop up like paths and sources of light. Their lamps were glowing orbs that emitted a pale-blue light. They dangled from or were entwined with trees, making them feel really magical.

To my surprise, Chrom allowed me to walk the last little bit of the journey. My heart raced in anticipation. I actually get to see the home of the Luna!!! Most people would kill just to get this opportunity!!! I can't believe this!!! I can hardly contain myself!!! I have so many questions and they're all going to be answered and I can't wait to see everything!!!

Chrom leaned in close. "Lay low for a bit. Wolves may be a bit suspicious of you at first. Give them time," he said as we passed by some guards who eyed me warily.

I nodded, looking up.

...Holy gods...

It was more than I ever could have imagined.

Trees towered into the sky. Houses were attached to the lower levels of the trees. Gigantic roots acted as bridges over streams and rivers. Some of the large branches connected together and made above ground pathways; allowing for travel between the houses. We were not walking on dirt and leaves like you normally would in a forest, but on wooden platforms. Scattered around were green and blue banners with crests decorating them. One of the crests was a tree-like design, and the other was a mark identical to the one on Chrom's right shoulder. Wolves and humans alike bustled about the city. Some turned to our party and greeted us; some even greeted me with kindness!

"So... What do you think?" Lissa asked me, excited.

I was speechless. "I...I can't believe...this... This must be a dream!"

Chrom smiled widely. "Welcome to Ylisstol, Anna -- Anna!"

The last thing I heard was him yelling my name as I collapsed to the ground.

*****
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH HOLY JESUS YOU GUYS. THEY'RE FINALLY THERE. I'VE BEEN WANTING TO POST THIS FOR SOOOOO LONG. AHHHHHHHH. Yeah, I'm a little hype for this series. XD Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Link: https://youtu.be/vh_kWvopgnY