Unscripted Love | Fire Emblem Awakening

Prologue

It was the second time the children of the future had seen Grima rise, but the first time Commander Calla had witnessed it.

At least, it was the first time this Calla had witnessed it. The other Calla from Lucina's timeline had joined her pegasus knights in Ylisstol when the Risen had ravaged the streets. Commander Merton had stayed at the castle to protect Princess Lucina and Prince Morgan.

By the time dusk fell, Calla had been separated from the majority of her knights. Only one of them remained at her side, plus a cavalier who'd managed to lose his platoon. Both had been too busy defending themselves to see the archer, and neither could stop the arrow from sinking into Calla's stomach.

That Calla had died painfully on the cobbled road. That Merton had died a day later when he'd tried to keep the Risen away from the castle walls.

But this Merton had no royal children to look after. Baby Lucina was incapable of trying to leave the castle, and her older sister was far away with the Shepherds. This Calla was separated again as dusk fell over the city, but now she had three people with her: Sara the pegasus knight, Yukio the cavalier, and Merton the commander.

It was Merton who shouted the warning when the archer took aim.

Calla steered her pegasus to the left, but the arrow still found a target. It settled deep into her right calf.

She yelled as pain shot through her leg, urging her pegasus down. When the hooves of her mount touched the floor, everything span. She slipped from the saddle and hit the ground.

Merton dismounted and scooped her into his arms. "Pegasus knight! Yukio! Retreat!"

Calla's vision turned black.

***

When she opened her eyes, she was lying on an old mattress in someone's house. Smoke hung heavily in the air. Merton was standing at her bedside, and for the first time since she'd known him, warmth leapt into his eyes. "Commander! Thank the gods you're awake. A healer is on his way."

Calla nodded and closed her eyes again. She felt sick from the burning pain.

"No," Merton said. "Look at me."

She ignored him until he took her hand. Then she obeyed out of surprise.

"You have to stay, Commander," he said. "Stay with the living. Ylisse needs you more than ever now the fell dragon is here."

Calla clenched her jaw. She knew it was only a matter of time before Grima destroyed the world again, with or without her around to fight against him. And it was so very hard to keep her eyes open.

Merton squeezed her hand. "Just stay with me until the healer comes."