Chapter Text
Lucina Altea’s life could be summarized in one word: painful. She watched as everything came apart around her, as her mother, Robin’s, mind was erased and taken over by Grima. She watched as the dragon puppeted her mother’s body and killed her father Chrom. She watched as Grima went on to destroy everything. Then, she, as well as the second generation of the shepherds, were sent back in time by the divine dragon Naga in an attempt to fix their mistakes.
At first, it seemed to go well. Lucina was able to prevent her aunt Lissa from receiving a crippling injury that had made her bedridden for the entire time Lucina had known her in the first Risen attack. However, she shortly realized a major problem. Her team wasn’t with her, and only Naga knew where they could be.
It took her two years to finally find them all, and even worse, her brother didn’t even recognize her anymore. Amnesia wasn’t genetic, was it? She hoped not, it would be inconvenient.
With the combination of both generation shepherds, they were able to put a stop to Grima’s wrath, but it came at a great cost. Chrom was killed to give Robin an opening to strike down Grima, but this killed Robin as well.
Lucina technically succeeded, but it certainly didn’t feel like a victory. All she had left was Morgan and Lissa, but everything felt hollow. What was the point of struggling for 2 years in her timeline and another 3 in this one if she could save her own parents?
Morgan certainly tried to get through to her, but he could only do so much for her. Lissa had taken the position of Regent until this timeline’s Lucina was old enough to take the throne, and was constantly busy. Frederick tried to spare time to spar with Lucina, but both could tell they both held the same grief; they couldn’t help each other, only take out frustrations.
6 months after defeating Grima, Lucina left in the dead of night. No one saw her leave, and no one heard of her plans. The second generation shepherds tried to find her, but they never could. It was the last time anyone in Archanea ever saw the time travelling princess.
Lucina went to potentially the only person she thought could help her; Tiki. Surely the voice of Naga could help in some way. Even if they never quite got as close as Lucina was to the Ruined timeline’s Tiki, she still fought with the Shepherds at the end.
When Lucina approached the grove Tiki slept in, she noticed that Tiki was wide awake already. Strange.
“Lady Tiki? I thought you would be asleep.”
“Ah, hello Lucina, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Tiki smiled softly at Lucina. Her smile almost reminded her of her mother.
“How did you know I would come? I don’t believe anyone knows I’m here.”
“Naga knew you would come, and she wanted me to greet you before you go see her.”
Naga wanted to see her? She knew not to get her hopes up, no way would she be given a third chance, but a tiny part of her hoped that was what was happening.
“Understood Lady Tiki. Thank you very much.”
“You are quite welcome. I think I shall sleep now, I am quite exhausted after all the adventures I’ve had recently.”
And with no further ceremony, Tiki curled up and passed out. Lucina was quite astonished she fell asleep so fast, but given the fact she has fought in multiple wars, she shouldn’t be surprised. She is capable of much the same after all. It’s a requirement while marching.
After a minute longer, Lucina suddenly found herself in a foggy void, with Lady Naga hovering in front of her, a sad and pained smile on her face. Lucina instantly kneeled and bowed her head to her patron deity.
“My lady, it is wonderful to see you again.”
“Indeed my child, you have done exceptionally well in preventing the ruin of the world, even if I understand how bittersweet those words must feel.”
Lucina felt a sharp pain in her heart at the mention of her quest. She knows she should be proud of herself, but it only brings her pain to remember.
“ I will not lie and tell you I am completely satisfied in my performance, but thank you for even giving me a chance.”
Naga could see right through Lucina’s stoic act. She was hurting, deeply. She would likely not find peace in her life again. But Naga had a plan. Both to give Lucina a chance to move on and potentially help the world she once called home.
“Tell me Lucina, if you could start your life over in a completely different world than this one, disconnected from all your pain, would you do so? It would mean leaving everyone behind.”
Lucina looked at the goddess, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. A fresh start? It certainly sounded appealing. The only thing she felt bad was leaving Morgan and Lissa behind, but they could get by on their own at this point. Morgan would likely be taking over Plegia soon, and Lissa has Frederick with her.
Yes, they would be fine without her.
Lucina’s mind was made up.
“Yes, I would take that opportunity. Ylisse is too painful for me to be around.”
Naga's smile became much brighter at this answer. Lucina was so brave, she had never once regretted making her her champion.
“Wonderful. I will be sending you to what’s known as the Cardinal World, the world at the center of all reality. It, along with all worlds, are a creation of my husband, Veldanava. It’s also where I grew up and had my first child.”
“You aren’t from this world Lady Naga? I’d never heard of this before…”
“Have you heard of the reasoning behind your name, Lucina?”
“My father told me that the hero-king had written that you sometimes went by Lucia, my lady.”
“That is correct. I was originally a human named Lucia Nasca, and was the wife to Veldanava and mother to Milim. I died many eons ago there and eventually my soul found its way to your world, where I became Naga.”
Lucina was dumbstruck by this. The goddess Naga was not only from a different world, but was also originally a human! No wonder she cared about humanity so much.
“Is your original home in trouble that you are sending me there?”
“No nothing of the sort; I think you have the best chance at breaking free from your pain there. I simply want to reward you for your efforts up until now.”
At this, Lucina’s facade finally cracked and a few tears escaped her eyes. She didn’t especially feel she deserved a reward, but the goddess herself was deigning to grant it, so she’d humbly accept.
“Thank you, my lady. For everything.”
Naga stroked the top of Lucina’s head in a way only a divine mother could.
“Of course. Please, enjoy your new life to the best of your ability.”
And just as quickly as she arrived, Lucina was thrust into darkness, and she could hear a voice echoing in her head.
[Confirmed. Pain resistance… successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Magic resistance… successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Spiritual resistance… successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Extra skill “Exalt’s swordsmanship”... successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Extra skill “Grandmaster’s magic” successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Extra skill “Galeforce” successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Extra skill “Limitbreaker”... successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Unique skill “Exalt’s bloodline”... successfully acquired]
[Confirmed. Unique skill “Timewalker”... successfully acquired]