Chrom's head bowed slightly. He was resistant to the idea of killing Garland to satisfy their goals, but he still remembered the look on the old knight's face during that oddly peaceful Christmas dinner shared together. He was tired, and probably wanted nothing more than a release from the fate that bound him.

He was loathe to cut down someone they depended upon to reset the cycle if they failed; in that, he was their ally. But if that was what Garland truly wanted, who were they to deny him?

At least he knew now that the Calamity hadn't swallowed him up as he'd initially feared. Where was he, then? Did he dwell in that new place, that Pandaemonium?

Chrom's introspection was cut short as he felt the first tremor that reverberated through his boots and up through the crystal shards of his armor with a light high-pitched song. He really couldn't ditch this suit of armor fast enough.

He smiled at Palitutu's brave challenge, and nodded once. "Then I hope we do not disappoint you." Chrom had never known Palitutu before, nor tasted the bitterness of her betrayal. After meeting with her here, he felt as if they could unite once the battle was over. She was intelligent, and determined. He had no desire to take the life of one who had so much left to offer this world.

He cast Protect on himself before drawing Falchion. The best quality of the Crystal Knight job wasn't the fact that it could not be unequipped, but in its ability to defend others from harm. He was fully prepared to play the role of meat shield.