Ꮄeath; keep moving forward, Don't look back.
Those were majority of the words that lingered through the nerves of Lucina's thoughts, knocking her into a term of sadness and even more exhaustion.
It's now or never. Keep on walking.
The princess was sure she could sense a pair of eyes staring at her every second, as if it flew away and then returned. She didn't return the glance at whoever it was, nor did she want to.
Whoever was looking at her wasn't in an emergency, so what was the point?
She kept walking.
They were traveling through the half–dead forest. It was eerily quiet, only the sounds of trees rustling in the wind an indicating sign of presence. Lucina kept her blue irises on the underbrush. The only motivation to keep moving was all that mattered.
It was again cloudy. Lucina wondered if precipitation would ever come, as it never did despite the teem of clouds forming in the sky nearly every day. She sighed. Who needed rain anyway? She would think to herself as grateful for no rain in Ylisse.
"Milady? Is everything alright?" Came a voice.
Lucina's exalted eyes then whirled over to Komura, her pastel magenta hair blowing in the wind. Her face was surely in a term of sadness, too. Compared to her shy and insecure smile she always wore on her pale face, her expression was full of anxiety and nervousness. Was it her fault? Perhaps the death of Morgan had turned her down for the past hours.
The death of Morgan. The very event was yesterday. Why did she have to do it? Why was she so... dim–witted?
"I'm alright, Komura." Lucina muttered and lied, unsure if the dark flier could hear her minor voice. But when she did, Komura nodded and focused back on the path ahead of them.
It was scattered with rocks and pebbles, cracks on the ground showing a a sign that an earthquake was recent. Tall and dark trees loomed over the group, blocking the sunlight hiding behind the grey clouds. It was only occasional when the sun peeked out of a thin perennial; and the last time it happened was hours ago. All the gloom sheltered the numbness of her legs from walking and the coldness of the windy day.
Lucina then realized everyone was silent; even her bratty little sister, Cynthia. Her lips were pressed shut and her blue irises were constant on the ground. Severa, the sassy sword–wielder, kept on glancing at Inigo and then Gerome, for a reason Lucina couldn't name.
They're silent because their mad at me, she thought, because I killed her.
    Her. Lucina couldn't stop thinking about Morgan. Her identical blue hair, her same bright and vibrant blue eyes. They all represented Lucina. But how? Lucina was young to be a mother. Hell, she wasn't even married or in a relationship.
    But... what if she did have a daughter? It was impossible yet possible, a mystery never to be solved. If she did, if Morgan was her daughter, she was killed by her mother. Lucina. The killer.
But not only killing the people she couldn't trust didn't only bring them to safety, but it also silenced everyone, as if they were captured and gagged.
The last conversation with Lucina and Komura were the only words in the whole day.
Lucina could tell that they failed at moving far into the forest when the sky was orange again. They weren't even a third past the woods, every route planned inside her mind. Getting to Plegia was harder than she had thought. The princess ignored it and finally said, "Let us rest now. A few hours of sleep won't do any harm."
The group stopped, standing in silence, and then nodded.

Lucina was now only exchanging looks at the friends who had their eyes planted on her.
The one who eyed her the most was precisely Cynthia, always glancing at her with worry assist. It was almost like a game of charades, but with expressions. Despite that, Lucina didn't consider it a game.
It was more like a war between her friends. The silence, the stares of contest.
But at the moment, she now lay down on the ground, looking at the stars smouldering in the indigo skies.
From the light snores or the slow breathing, Lucina perceived that everyone was asleep. Everyone seemed tired whilst walking, and the time to rest gave Lucina time to think.
She was enjoying it.
The sounds of nightfall pleased her. She was able to think through questions lingering in her mind. Maybe it wasn't the best way to answer things, but it was a way. Shadows of trees rose and fell in the darkened grass. The moon glimmered with care, sparking in an amber reflected light. Lucina watched as she cut through her thoughts, either ignoring them or dissolving in them.
And finally, when Lucina shut her eyes, to sleep for the night, all forces of evil sprouted in her, flourishing.

* * *

She was running non–stop. She didn't know why, nor wanted to. She couldn't go any faster, only constant on quick but slow sprints.
Someone— something— was after her, and she didn't like whatever it was. Lucina didn't see it, but heard it. The heavy thumps of someone following her. She glanced at her side, almost crying out in horror when she realized Falchion wasn't attached to her.
She wasn't in armour either. Lucina found herself in a black dress, ripped and torn at the edges. Sparks were flying around her. The wind rustled behind her back. She wasn't wearing boots, but barefoot. Running in a black void, as if floating.
The foe was human.
Lucina sensed it when a dark voice shouted, "You cannot run, Lucina. Give up
now."
   The voice was in a low tone.
It's so familiar... Lucina thought, who could it be?
   Although she wasn't feeling any enervated, Lucina was harshly put into a stop. She felt no control of herself, as if she were acting in a movie— ordered to do the action.
   "There we are, Princess." Lucina could feel voice sneer. She shut her eyes.
   The sounds of footsteps slowed and once Lucina cracked her eyes open for not even a split second, a gasp of fear escaped her dry lips.
   The man had a thoron tome in its hand, a Plegian style cloak covering as his armour. His very visible white hair stuck out of a dark hood, giving a dark look in the mans eyes.
Lucina knew who he was.
It was Robin.
"I'm impressed at how far you have come, Lucina. Apparently, you won't last long." Robin lowered his shawl, giving Lucina a look of wildness. His eyes still wore a blood red glow in them, both full of anger and confidence.
Robin then held out a hand sparking with embers she couldn't name, although she knew that it wasn't good. All of her mind thought that it was a spell from Robin's thoron tome, or if anything worse.
"Robin, you don't have to do this! Please..." Lucina cried, throwing her shaking hands in defeat. From what she saw, Lucina also realized that her hands were pale in colour though drenched with dried blood, scars on every spot of her skin.
The tactician ignored it and continued his words. "You and your friends will all die. Your allies will fall. You will be betrayed by who you trust deeply. Princess Lucina Lowell, your life was nothing but a fools joke." he lowered his hand only to steady his magic at her.
Lucina was more surprised than shattered. She didn't care if he said such things about her. All she wanted was the ugly truth— would she be betrayed?
"Goodbye, Lucina." He closed his speech.
In a swift gesture, the spell released from his hand.
Time stretched far. Lucina's nerves couldn't move. They were dead and still, like a twig lying on the ground, waiting to be decomposed.
Was this the end? Being killed by Robin as well, like her father? Had he gone... mad? Crazy? He probably did—
"No! I won't let you!"
The light vanished.
Lucina was discombobulated, but the most confused was certainly Robin, drowned in bewilderment. His eyes circled around the dark scenery they stood in, slowly and steadily, searching for the owner of who stopped the fight. Lucina found herself doing the same— her eyes following his.
"What has she done to you?" The same voice blurted in a commanding yet curious tone, and finally the figure jumped out of hiding.
Lucina's eyes widened at what was before her eyes.
A replica of Robin charged in front of her to protect any source of action.
    "What in the—"
    "I told you to stop!" He blurted, silencing his evil counterparts words. In a threatening gesture, he pulled out his tome, embroidered with gold. "Don't hurt her!"
    "This is madness! I am Robin! I am Grima's vessel! Your nothing but of an illusion!" The enemy blurted, impatient with his words.
Lucina exchanged looks at Robin and the evil copy of him.
"You're not Robin." He answered, calm. "This"—he pointed to his chest—"this is Robin. The Robin who chose the right thing, the Robin who is gone from you. You are Grima."
"Ignorant fool," Grima spat out, then lashed another spell at Robin without hesitation. The magic hit him and he fell over in defeat.
Lucina was in a speechless state, standing with her mouth agape. Whatever was happening was not right.
"You may be alive now, divine wretch," Grima continued, lowering his hand, "but potentially, you will cease to exist, and it won't be long. Remember that."
In a flash, Robin's opposing replica vanished in purple smoke.
Lucina had no choice but to run over to the helpless Robin.
He was shaking, lying in a pool of blood. Pained groans and winces were all the action he could do as he lay there. Lucina knelt down next to him.
"Lucina..." Robin glanced up as his voice faltered weakly, "I'm glad you're... safe."
Lucina ignored his embracing words, lacerating through her curiosity and fear. "How are you alive?" She inquired.
"I'm not..." he answered, causing the Princess to drown in more questions, "Lucina, my soul has betrayed me. I'm gone from this world. I know that I'll— Grima— will hurt you, and your going to ambushed, lonely even, but... if I ask you this...
Robin coughed, covering his mouth with his arm to block any blood escaping.
"You need to trust me. I won't make them rid you of this world." He ended.
"I..." Lucina was dumbfounded.
I can't trust him, Lucina thought, he killed him. He killed my father.
"Please." Robin begged, his bright eyes glancing up to her, "I can protect you."
No, she silently said, that can't be done... how did he get there anyway?
Her fathers murderer had asked for trust. That was utterly impossible. After what he had done, there was nothing that would make her forgive him.
But another life gone? Lucina didn't know if she could kill him too—hell, she didn't even carry her sword with her! How could she trust a betrayer like him?
Maybe she could. Maybe she would.
But, maybe she won't.
"How can I trust you?" Lucina stood up, "there's no chance, Robin."
"Lucina, you have to listen to me! I know things, I know—"
"Just shut up!" She yelled. "Be quiet, okay? I don't know what to do anymore, Robin. I don't know if I can damn trust myself. Nothing goes my way anymore, it... it just won't." Lucina stopped.
"Hear my words," Robin tried to stop her, "you need to leave. You can't listen to her—"
"Her?! A wretch like you telling me to not obey the Divine Dragon's orders? Naga told me to go to Plegia, to get the Emblem from you and King Validar. She's a gods–damn goddess, for your sake! How in hells name do you expect me to not listen to her?" Lucina cried, "I don't know who you are, anymore Robin... the Robin who was a friend..."
Although she could feel the tears, Lucina ignored them.
"Robin didn't betray us, either! You didn't have to... why did you kill father? He was your friend!"
"Don't go, they'll hurt you," he repeated.
"Stop!"
That was all she screamed while her words echoed across the endless void.
And ironically, Lucina found herself fading from the void and into reality.

* * *

She awoke to someone faintly shaking her. Lucina ignored it, keeping her breathing even and her eyes firmly shut. It was another dream.
    She didn't consider it one, though. Why? Lucina had the slightest feeling that it
wasn't— that it was real, but she just doubted it. The events most likely caused her to sweat, as she could feel it on her cold palms.
   Finally, she interrupted by an annoyed yet serious voice.
    "Lucina, wake up," it was Severa. Lucina could tell by her sophisticated tone, somehow mocking her.
    Groaning, Lucina cracked her eyes open. There, as she thought, the red–haired mercenary stood, her face drained from colour. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and her breaths were heavy and slow.
Lucina didn't get the chance to ask any questions.
    "Hurry up and follow me." She said.
    Before Lucina could hesitate, she nodded and stood up.
    The forest remained at its quiet and still state, only the sounds footsteps crunching over the dirt a sign of humanity. The walls of trees were majority of pine or oak. The only distance to the landscape was that the sun was brighter, despite that it was still blocked by dozens if not hundreds or clouds.
    "Where are the others?" Lucina asked, noticing that they were the only ones in their sleeping area. Severa then stopped.
    "Gerome is ahead of us," Severa muttered as if she asked where he was.
    "...and?" Lucina knew it wasn't only Gerome who was with them.
    Severa turned so she was facing Lucina, her cerise fierce eyes exchanging a glare of agitation.
    "That's the problem." She answered.
    "What ever do you mean?"
    Severa's irises were immediately ignited with fiery and anger, as if Lucina insulted her. Lucina lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
    "I said, that's the problem! They're gone, all that's left is me, you, and Gerome!"
That was what hit her. Lucina's eyes widened as she let the words sink in, a look of sadness found in her eyes. Had they gotten killed or lost like Owain? That wasn't possible, was it? The loss... the pain...
Lucina collapsed onto the ground and screamed in agony and rage.

—*—

[Please read comments for Authoress Notes]

—enchantedfangirl | Ꮶαмυι~¢нαи