After the last fight, many of the units under Chrom's command were tired, rest time was vital for the group if they wanted to continue their push through Valm. The campaign was long but with the help of Robin, they were able to get to places much quicker and even win battles in a safer and quicker manner. Though the large group had ways to go they were getting there little by little thanks to the support of Plegia who provided boats and gold. However, the king of that country Validar was once an enemy something both Chrom and Robin were very sure about. His close friend Aversa was also someone that could not be trusted as after all she was there with the mad king known as Gangrel, a name that Chrom wants to forget due to the incident of his and Lissa's Sister. Lucina was still here to help yet the friends she travelled with seemed to have gotten lost on the way.

The area they were staying in had a story that the location was a door to another world, very much like the Outrealm but unlike the Outrealm is considered only a legend. The few that were relieved from duty were together in one place, a tent which Robin and Chrom used as a strategy room though at the moment was not used for that purpose. Robin though not on duty stared at the map before her, Tharja was close by being her usual self. Vaike and Chorm were doing the usual while Lissa would get mad at them for being somewhat stupid and nearly killing each other not to long ago. Nowi like always was being her friendly self as she moved around the tent talking to those she ran across and the rest were doing whatever they could in the space they were in. However, the legend that was told by an elder in a town, not to far was about to become reality.

The skies above the camp went from its normal dark dusk to an odd purple colour which only appeared over the tend the group was in. Like something supernatural the tent began to glow an eerie purple and a mist began to roll in, somehow it was coming from the tent than outside. Lucina, Vizion, Kellam, Cordelia and a few others were posted around the camp site unaware of the events happening as for them everything seemed normal. An eerie wind could be heard from the outside yet it could be felt from within the tent, things were certainly not normal at this time. The group held within the tent had enough time to react a little before leaving the site as if they were never there to begin with. The mist covered them all and soon disappeared as if it never existed in the first place when those in the tent went away.

Robin: "Whhhaaaa?"

Tharja: "......."

Nowi: "What is going on?"

Lissa: "Huh?"

Sumia: "Chrom!"

The group would find themselves in some strange land, a dark land that looked somewhat unnatural. Each of them on the floor just like how Chrom and Lissa found Robin when they first found each other. However unlike than a small number of units were with them plus an unknown person was only a few inches away from Robin. The person was unknown to the group though unlike them were unconscious at this time yet Chrom would lend a hand just like he did when he met Robin for the first time. However unlike Robin this person was armed with weapons though whether they were friend or foe remained to be seen.

Robin: "Chrom, this feels familiar doesn't it? I mean this is how we met the first time. But it is strange, how did we get here and where are we here? Also, this place seems rather unnatural too."

Nowi: "That person, they look hurt. We are going to help them right Chrom?"

------Surprise quotes in transit-----
Chrom: Sumia!

Vaike: Come on! I was winning this time!

Cherche: Wha--huh!

Lon'qu: Ngh!

Gregor: Whats is goings on!?
----------------------------------------
As the dust settles Chrom's eyes open to a sky of eternal twilight. Holding his head as a sudden feeling of vertigo takes over him as he struggles to his knees. He begins searching frantically for his love, Sumia, he sees her a few paces away still on the ground. He rushes to her, almost falling over one or two steps. He gets to his knees to awaken her, he lightly shakes her shoulders, "Sumia, are you alright darling? Please get up...p-please" fearing the worst after her not waking up for the first few moments he is more than relieved when she wakes up to greet him. He embraces her and tells her to sit and rest for now, he needs to get a handle on the situation.

He hears in the distance from Robin, "Chrom, this feels familiar doesn't it? I mean this is how we met the first time. But it is strange, how did we get here and where are we here? Also, this place seems rather unnatural too."

As he replies, "Yes, I noticed this as well." He walks over to Robin to help her up, "Yes, now you see it from the other side," he chuckles almost emptily "Lets wake up our hopefully new friend shall we?" He walks with Robin to the stranger on the floor as he asks Robin, "What do you suppose we do?" As almost in answer to Chrom's question, the stranger's eyes flutter open and he groans holding his head. Chrom smiles and then says, "I see you are awake now, there are better places to take a nap then on the ground y'know? Give me your hand" As he reaches his hand out to the dark-clothed anomaly. He grabs Chrom's hand as he gets picked off the ground.

"Uuuugh," the new man holds his back in pain, "You..you lot don't look like you're from around here" he says to Chrom and Robin

"Well you're right about one thing friend, I'm Chrom, and who may you be?"

"I-I'm Aedan, well, I guess welcome to this land of darkness" as he looks to Robin and the rest of the group. "Exactly, who are you people?"

"As I said, I'm Chrom, the leader of the Shepards, a group of protectors of my homeland, Ylisse, and this is..." as he gestures to Robin

Robin: "Hmmmmmmm, first off we should see if everyone is OK, then probably find the nearest town to find out where we are. Logically that is the best plan as we don't know this place and what hides within it."

Robin followed Chrom to the person who was laid out on the ground, why were they here? How did they get here? Were they hurt? So many questions and yet so little time to ponder them. Robin circled the person who was laying down on the ground searching for any clues about this person yet nothing. Like her, there were no clues and as she was about to start thinking the person on the ground started groaning. "Oh, they are awake," she said softly looking at the strange person laying there. Watching Chrom help the person who was on the ground up the memory of when Chrom helped her up came rushing back. When the person was on his feet Robin gave them a quick look over to see if they needed any treatment. Of course, she did not get to close just in case he was hostile, she would check again when things were hashed out.

It looked like the man was in pain somewhere, his back from the looks of things. Perhaps Robin or one of the others had something for it though Robin soon turned to Chrom after a were words were exchanged and it was now her turn to introduce herself as Chrom gestured something towards her. Robin stood next to Chrom, in the strangers sight just so he would know where she was at this time. "Hi, I am Robin, a Shepard like the rest and I am the tactician for the group. Say did something happen, I mean laying in the middle of nowhere is not exactly the best place to take a nap?"

It looked like the group were slowly recovering from whatever just happened, Lissa did not have her usual smile at this time however Tharja was her normal self. She approached Robin with a jar of something she had created, at this time she was insisting that she apply some of the self-made stuff on Robin. Robin began to insist she was fine yet Tharja was not having it, Robin soon began to wave her hands frantically as Tharja approached even closer to her. "Tharja, I, I am fine you don't need too...... HAAAAAAAAAA. I think this man over he needs more help then I do" Robin said loudly. Tharja looked at the unknown person for a moment, still yet to introduce herself but she was to focused on Robin to do so.

Aedan looks on as Tharja nearly molests Robin and looks back at Chrom, "Quite the....interesting gang of people you have with you, unfortunately all I can remember is my name, I'm trying to remember something b-but..." He grasps his head in pain almost as there is a fissure in his skull, all he sees is darkness with glowing red eyes and a terrible, blood-curdling roar. He almost falls to his knees but Chrom catches him and takes his arm around hiso neck to support him. "I'm sorry, I-I can't remember anything. He starts shifting his eyes over the field before him andown starts to speak, but he takes special notice of one scaly companion, "D-D-DRAGON!? You have a dragon with you?!" He yells somehow becoming even paler than before.

Aedan turns to Chrom as he looks over at Minerva gently nudging Cherche awake with her snout and calmly replies with, "Of course, she's a valued asset to my team" as he chuckles he asks "I'm assuming you don't like dragons?"

"Of course not! They are dangerous, all I've known them for as destructive beasts!" Aedan retorts. Cherche, now fully awake told Minerva to stay and walked over to Aedan with a disturbingly normal smile on her face. Chrom took this time to back away slowly while Cherche came up behind him. Aedan looked questioningly at Chrom as he slowly turned around to see a pretty, short girl with red hair a pleasant smile, but he could feel some tension in the air. He decides to break the ice and introduces himself, "Hello madam, I'm Aedan, and you are?"

"Did you say anything about dragons before?" The redheaded girl says with an edge in her voice while cocking her head to the side slightly.

Aedan smiles a little and says, "Yes miss, I'm afraid they are extremely dangerous creatures, that one seems a little docile now but don't be deceieved. You should stay by us in case it decides to attack."

Cherche just smiles a little colder than before and calls, "Ooooh Miverva~ this gentleman believes you to be some dangerous beast, please show him he'said wrong by giving him a hug please?" Minerva looked very happy to do so, at least Cherche would say so, as Minerva nearly galloped over Aedan started running while screaming in a very manly way. Cherche then looked very pleased with herself asked Chrom, "So who is he?"

Chrom trying to hide a smile replies bluntly, "I don't know, and he claims to not know as well. Seems very similar to when we met Robin. And Robin is right we need to find some kind of city before anything may ambush us out here."

Over behind them they hear someone yell in a gruff tone, "Hello! I found river! Follow it we should, city always by river!"

Chrom notices this tone immediately as Gregor so he walks over to Sumia and helps his darling to her feet. The rest seem to be stirring awake now so he shouts to the group, "Alright everyone we need to move out, we don't know anything about the area so keep your weapons on hand and your eyes open for civilization and any possible threats. Sumia and Cherche, you two scout the skies and tell of us anything you see, being nothing but forest, a city, enemies what have you. I'll take point with Robin and our new guest. Lisa, stay near me. Vaike, you keep protection over Tharja. Gregor, you watch Nowi. Lon'qu and Sully will take the rear. Alright everyone let's get moving! Oh, Cherche? Could you please have Minerva stop chasing Aedan?" Cherche whistles and Minerva flies over to her as she swings into her saddle and takes off to the sky. Lon'qu silently runs aside Sully breaking no sweat. Gregor tries his best to make his ears stop working as Nowi prattle off about something and calling him gramps. Vaike yells at Chrom threatening him that the last spar didn't count but making sure to stay within a few paces of Tharja as he was told. Aedan, now looking relieved that the dragon is nowhere near him, walks along the royal siblings and Robin. He asks her, "So as a tactician, what is your next project? Cause I know this area as well as you do."

Robin watched Aedan after Tharja finally gave in trying to help her yet stayed close like a hawk to keep her safe, just in case something happened. Soon a familiar event happened, Robin had those head pains time to time when trying to remember who she was. Chrom being the gentle soul he was managed to help Aedan who at this time was now going on about dragons. Robin's first thought was of Nowi but she also remembered Cherche also had a dragon. The way he reacted showed he either feared them or had a bad experience with them, of course, these were educated guesses. Watching Aedan turn ghost white as if he had actually seen a ghost was a tad worrying, would he be OK being near a dragon, n fact two for a while? She was sure Chorm would not let him travel alone in the condition he was in.

Robin soon turned her head towards where Cherche was, her friend was trying to wake her up, Minerva was very caring and sweet once you got to know her. Chrom soon asked the question and of course, the obvious answer followed. Aedan was not wrong that dragons were dangerous but at the same time were not dangerous if you understood them like Cherche knew Minerva and if they knew Nowi. Robin watched as Chrom backed off as Cherche began to advance towards Aedan. 'Oh boy' Robin said to herself. Robin soon looked over to Minerva for a moment before looking back at the two now in conversation. Robin shook her head for a moment, hopefully, this would stay peaceful yet she had never heard or even seen someone say anything bad about Minerva. It seemed Aedan ran it after Cherche summoned Minerva to hug Aedan, the fear was very real it seemed.

Robin soon looked over to Chrom who was explaining though not knowing much about the current situation. Gregor's voice soon filled Robin's ears, he mentioned a river and he was right towns and city's would always be near a water source. Robin soon turned to Nowi who at this time was looking Aedan, she wondered if he would be scared of her as well, she was a dragon herself. Nowi was very friendly and liked talking to people so eventually, she would end up talking to Aedan, how he reacted was a mystery and it made her a little nervous. When Chrom helped Sumia up she thanked him "Thank you, Chrom."

Chrom soon gave commands to his units, he had a plan though he was not the leader for nothing. Hopefully, Aedan would calm down now that Cherche and Minerva would take to the skies. Sumia soon replied, "Will do my love, come my dear." She was referring to her winged friend who at this time was ready for action. Sumia gave the group a quick look before running towards her winged friend and heading into the sky. "No one is going to touch this group Chrom, they would get a foot up their arse first," said Sully who acknowledged her role at this time. Lissa just nodded at this time, she still seemed a little unhappy about the event of Chrom and Vaike almost killing each other due to getting to into the practice fighting they did not too long ago. Tharja kept her eyes on Robin as Chrom told Vaike to look after her, she could handle herself of course but it was a command she had to follow. Nowi smiled like she usually did before running up to Gregor, the one who protected her not too long ago.

Nowi had a present for Gregor but it was at the camp which they were no longer at. It was a protective item made from her own scales, she was sure it would surprise him when he got it if he got it anyway.

Robin: "It depends on the situation Aedan, at the moment we have to be on our guard because I am sure this place is crawling with bandits and maybe even risen. Since it is dark here being spotted would be rather difficult, would you happen to know of any landmarks near the town which could help us plan something just in case? A place which would give us an advantage even if it is a slight advantage?" The town was about a few miles out and it was not even a big one but it had to do, the town could be barely seen because of the unnatural darkness. So far it looked clear but Sumia was having a hard time seeing anything, what was this place and why was there very little light. Sumia took the east side while Cherche would deal with the west, dividing things would make things easier.

"Like I said, I don't know anything about this place. I'm not even sure I've ever seen this place before." Aedan responds to Robin. On the travel along Aedan fixes his armor with noticeable familiarity. He instinctively pulls out a spell book as he rides his mount and begins studying.

"Halt! Who goes there!" shouts some of the town guards as they walk up to Chrom. Chrom gives them a once over noticing that they are not very well equipped, assuming the town has them more for peace of mind rather than real protection. Chrom puts up his hands to show his harmlessness and quickly says, "Hello, I am Chrom and these are my friends. We are what I call Shepards, we go around and help people when need arises. I assure you none of us will attempt to hurt any townspeople." He does his best to give a disarming smile and the guard seems to relax a little more, hoping that they wouldn't have to fight such a well armed group of people. But as soon as their eyes lay on Aedan the guards raise their weapons again and shout, "What is one of them doing here?!" he looks at Chrom and asks him "Is he a prisoner of yours?". Chrom looking bewildered responds, "No...this is Aedan, is there a problem with him?"

Aedan, hearing his name, snaps out of studying his spells and looks at Chrom and the guards. He cocks his head while looking at the guards, whom are almost quaking in their boots, he shuts his book with a loud clap. He slowly gets off the horse and walks up to the men and puts his hands up and states, "I apologize for whatever people like me may have done to you, I'm sure you wont believe me but I don't remember who nor what I am, you can take me away, beat me, do what you want with me if it would make the world a better place. These are my new friends its true, but they aren't from here so they also don't know what I am since you do seem to know, I would like to ask you what I am."

The guards lower their spears and look disdainfully at Aedan. They look him dead in the eye and one guards coldly states, "You. You're a monster, someone with more blood on their hands then they could ever wash away." He spits on the ground in Aedan's direction and looks almost as coldly at Chrom and orders him to watch Aedan carefully, they believe him for now but they are to not be trusted. After being let into town and looking for anything giving them information on what this country is, all townspeople that see Aedan immediately gain an angry disposition. Some yell at him, some actually attempt to throw rocks at him. Aedan walks with the group staring at the ground taking any abuse that is thrown his way, his fists begin to clench and his face starts to screw up in rage. Chrom puts his hand on Aedan's shoulder and begins to ask, "Aedan are y-" as Aedan breaks his grip and runs out of the town gate and back into the forest. He ran with tears in his eyes, fumbling around and trips over a good sized log. He gets up and wipes his face of sweat, grime and tears and props himself upon the enemy that tripped him. He holds his head within his hands and just can only think to himself,

What did I do?
Just what am I?
Am I still the monster they think I am?
Will I ever know?

He fights through the tears and shakily brings out his book again and begins to read, tears staining some of the pages as he tries to make out the magic runes on the pages in front of him, the only thing he understands right now.

It seemed some drama had popped up when the group turned up at the nearest town, some guards were quick to defend the place. Ylisse had hardly any of that due to the Shepard's but they did exist. A conversion soon started where the guards, Chrom and even Aedan, they seemed to believe Chrom however Aedan was treated in a rather hostile way and even when they were let into the community things were still bad. So much so that Aedan soon fled the town, not even Chrom could help him it seemed. Robin watched the whole time, she could see tears, a few soaking the ground as he ran off. "Chrom get some supplies with the group and I will go after Aedan, someone with amnesia should not be running around on their own. I also think since I had amnesia I would relate to him" Robin said calmly.

Robin quickly brought a map at a nearby store paying with a bit of gold she had which seemed to be the only thing that remained the same between this world and their world. Robin soon using her judgement which was normally very accurate began to draw a route on it. One led in the direction of where Aedan went and another was a route towards a bigger town. "Here Chrom, take this and come and find us. It should be fairly accurate. Aedan went over there so follow that route there and then when we meet up we should backtrack and head to the next town which is much bigger. Maybe we will get some more answers." When Chrom took the map Robin ran off in Aedan's direction. With the map Robin handed to Chrom splitting up was no longer a bad idea, however if trouble turned up she would need them to turn up.

Robin sprinted across the town exterior where she soon ran on a trail which was surrounded grass plains, wooded areas and even a bridge made of wood that crossed above the running stream. Robin having her Levin and several tomes slowed her down quite a bit but it did not stop her from trying to reach Aedan quickly. Eventually, a forest turned up which Robin entered since this should be the direction the young man went. As she began to walk around she began to call Aedan's name out, not too loudly but enough for him to hear. "Aedan, Aedan are you here. It's me, Robin, I think I understand you better since I had amnesia when first met Chrom." Robin stopped to look in several places that one could hide or sit on.

The purple haired woman with a ponytail moved slowly to check everything and to avoid being detected, that meant she could not yell Aedan over and over. She had to do it tactically, she was sure this forest had some nasty surprises in it. Her footsteps led her to several places though soon she saw a figure close to a big log. "That had to be him" Robin said quietly to herself.

Whispers through the forest called Aedan's name but he didn't tear his eyes away from his book. Reading these incantations truly did keep his mind at ease during his times of stress; something was just so familiar within the runic inscriptions and it gave him a sense of purpose. A rustling in the brush behind him broke his meditative state; he instinctively began preparing a spell as he spun around to shoot the threat he found none other than Robin behind him. A bolt of lightning arched through the sky just over Robin's shoulder into a tree behind her. Robin's face was in shock but she didn't notice the tree beginning to fall forwards unto her; Aedan quickly leaped towards his new ally and tackled her out of the way. "Why did anyone follow me? Can't any of you see that I'm nothing more than a burden to be around, I'll do nothing more than either slow you down or get you arrested. Anyway w-" Aedan stops short as he just now realizes that he is basically on top of Robin, pinning her down in the grass. He blushes slightly and helps her get up, "J-just don't surprise me like that, I don't want anyone getting hurt. Again, why are you here?"

Like a flash several things happened, lightning missed her then suddenly she found herself on the ground after being tackled. Aedan seemed to rant about something but before Robin could reply Aedan helped her up where he soon mentioned not to surprise him. Robin soon patted herself down to remove any dirt or loose grass. "I did not mean to sneak up on you, me and Chrom thought it would be safer if you weren't on your own. Ummmmmm, anyway I thought I would come out because in a way we kind of relate. I can't explain it very well but I keep having dreams where I kill Chrom against my own will" Robin said quietly. Though she had just met Aedan she thought she would give him something to show she could be just as dangerous as he could be. "Aedan no matter what you did or will do you can overcome them, I am sure you have friends out there somewhere right?"

Robin was not too sure what else to say but she knew she could not let him be on his own. A short pause happened between the two and before either one could speak again it seemed something was coming. The lightning bolt seemed to have attracted unwanted guests, Risen in fact. Several different unit types had them surrounded, there were about 12 of them and they seemed pretty well armed as a few had swords, lances, axes or bows. "Risen, here now," Robin said in an unsure voice. Even with good tactics they were still outnumbered, 2 vs 12. Robin feared this sort of thing happened, the two were probably strong enough to deal with the Risen but not in a great number. Robin was sure the Risen would have come across Aedan sooner or later. "Aedan I have a plan, we need to take out the three Risen to the left and then climb the ridge to escape them. We will have an advantage up there yet we can't stand around too long as they will reach us sooner then later" Robin said calmly.