Welcome, whatever size audience is currently reading this story! As you may have noticed this story has an OC! This may be alarming but I assure you, while there are some aspects to him that are somewhat OP. I do not plan on him being at the main center point of the story, after all we have Corrin for that... And with this story, I plan on having some changes to the main story of Fates as many people do have gripes with it and I hope to remedy some of that while also putting in some random character. Anyways if you haven't turned away yet, please enjoy "Fire Emblem Fates: Wandering Spirit!"

"Wake up…" A voice unfamiliar to him breathed out.

'Mhmm… huh? Who…'

"It's time to wake up…" The voice breathed out once more, attempting to soften its rough voice that caused the boy to jitter with fear.

'W-who are you?'

"It's time to wake up, dear…" This time, a different voice called out to him. The previous voice seemed to be that of an old man, their voice oddly sounding as if they were in a cave. Echoing off the walls in his head as they bellowed. But this voice… it was so- familiar.

"Auggie, sweetheart." This voice was a woman. Her soft tone beginning to comfort the boy, his nerves starting to release all tension. He began to slowly open his eyes to see her once again.

'Huh… M-mom?... Mother… Is that you?'

"...Are you okay?!" A voice called out, fear and worry ingrained in her voice. But it wasn't her. She had a more shrill voice in comparison to the woman from before. Unlike the voice from before, that was more mature and calming. This voice seemed too young and… overwhelmed?

'Wha?-'

"...Milady…-shouldn't run-...dangerous.." Another voice rang in his ears, a young male. Ringing elegantly but stern as he referred to the shrill voice.

"Jakob…-shouldn't-...leave him here.." Another voice rolled in, another girl with a voice softer than the one from before yet calming like a cool breeze.

Two other voices seemed to emerge, another young girl with the same cool breeze of a voice yet slightly more… energetic? And a voice strong and powerful, but relaxed as he spoke with the others. However, those four were drowned out as the shrill voice from before had completely surrounded him.

"Please! Tell me you're okay!" He managed to crack his eyes open as this final plea gathered his attention back to what was happening. He was sleeping… on the ground… and apparently, some people just can't help themselves but interrupt a quick nap-

But as soon as he opened his eyes, he found the slightest of sunlight that leaked through the clouds. Shit, he overslept… Didn't he? And he was basically sleeping on someone's residence, right?

He quickly heaved himself up, ready to apologize for his loitering and leave without any trouble-

SMACK. He was quickly knocked back onto the ground, curling in pain as he slammed his forehead against something hard. Howling in pain as he gingerly rubbed his head with the sleeve of his cloak, but he didn't exactly expect to hear another howl of pain to occur.

Turning around, he saw a girl holding her forehead the same way as he. She was dressed in a small black dress, looking to be freshly cleaned with a blue ribbon tied around her waist and was also barefoot for some odd reason. She had short, curly platinum hair that reached her shoulders with a black hair band that held her hair back. And what seemed to the oddest of features was her pointed ears. Almost like an elf. And when she opened her eyes to let the tears of pain seep through, she looked to have blood red iris. Strange girl… Wait, crap. She was crying.

Three kids who looked to be around her age huddled around her with concern as she cringed in pain. There was a boy with pale skin and long gray hair, tied back with a black bow and into a ponytail. He was dressed in a white dress shirt with a purple vest and black trousers. Looking like some kind of a butler.

Beside him were two girls dressed in maid costumes that had even paler skin than the boy, one had light blue hair tied in pigtails and the other had her pink haired tied into a ponytail.

As the two girls tended to their friend, the boy gazed back at him with eyes that looked as if it could pierce him. Oops, he just head butted her, didn't he? Welp, so much for no trouble.

"Uhhh-hey?" He gave a meek smile with a jittering wave of his hand, the long sleeves of his cloak whipping around as he waved. Eliciting furrowed brows from the boy but at least gaining no apparent disdain from the two maids judging on their neutral expression towards him. "Sorry about that, I shouldn't have… head butt ya like that." He apologized, speaking with a very faint village accent.

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head with an attempt at straight smile. Unfortunately, looking odd at best and forced at worst.

But luckily this got a smile from his accidental victim. Standing up to look face to face with him, tears wiped away clean. "No, no! It's my fault! I shouldn't have got so close to your face as I did. Forgive me…" She gave a small of her head with a soft smile laid onto her face.

This eased the tension here, but unfortunately, somebody had to say something. "Lady Corrin, I know you aren't spiteful by nature. But are you really going to allow a scoundrel to just invade your property like this!"

"I wasn't invading nothing." He retorted back at the boy in front of him. "I was gonna-" Thinking back to how he referred her to as Lady, he realized it would have been best for him to speak more formally. "I was planning on sleeping here for only a little bit, your walls seemed protected in comparison to the rest of Nohr and I thought that it would be safe to sleep without any thieves attacking me or any other threat that could steal from me in my sleep. Unfortunately, I overslept. And found myself head butting you, again my apologies…"

"So you've decided to rest here for safety, there. Let's leave it at that. Jakob, try not to be so tense." The old voice from before had spoken up, the source originating from an old man in heavy black armor who stepped forward. He had a stern face with a scar that laid on the right side of his face. He gestured to the gray one with the slightest of smiles on his face with the boy scowling in response. He deeply gazed at the five, not sensing any hostility from them, except for the gray one. Although he seemed to be more annoyed rather than violent.

"Well, speaking of leaving." He muttered as he reached for a bag that was near his left boot, strapping it under his left shoulder. He bent down once more for a steel sword with a design quite unique. Being a blade that was as wide as it's silver hand guard but retained a shape like that of the weapons in Nohr. But what was the oddest was when he just placed it onto his back, no sheath or anything. And it stuck!

"See ya…" He started his pace, hoping to get to his next destination quick before nightfall-

"Wait!" Oh boy, what now? He thought as he turned around, a large smile forcibly plastered on his face to meet with the strange girl that called for him.

"Yes? …Corrin? Right?" He thought back to how to the gray-haired one had called her by her name. Wait, he also called milady right? Hmm… the first time he's ever met with a noble. And quite a strange meeting as well with all that's happened… And that would mean that the other four are just servants? Makes sense with how that gray one was ready to pounce on him for hurting his liege.

"Yeah!" She bobbed her head in confirmation, a light smile still resting on her face. She gestured to the four servants next to her. Starting with the grey one. "This is Jakob, Flora, Felicia, and Gunther! Umm… what's your name?"

"My name…. doesn't matter- it's not like we'll ever cross paths again." This elicited a smile from the gray one, Jakob, and a disappointed frown from Corrin.

"B-but-" She meeked out, almost sad in the tone of her voice.

"So again, goodbye and sorry about the head butt- Gff!" He began to stumble in the midst of his walk, he curled over with a large pain in his stomach. Gods, did it hurt! Like a badger that was clawing away at his insides. It sounded like a dragon's bellow that could tear- He was hungry, wasn't he? He hadn't eaten a proper meal in like, two-three weeks?

Gods damn it. He mentally cursed himself as his vision faded and his body collapsed onto the ground.

As he began to return back to reality, he found himself wrapped in a layer of soft cloth that kept him warm. He was on top of a surface that cushioned his back and seemed as if as he was laying on a cloud. His head was laid onto a soft platform that slightly elevated him. He also noticed how his stomach was no longer trying to rip his insides. Did somebody feed him?

He cracked his eyes open to see the elegant red sheets of cloth and the pillowy surface that snuggled him. Gods did he miss sleeping on a bed regularly. During his travels, the times he would get the chance to sleep in an inn were too far and in between with how expensive they were for him. He would always try to buy a cot to remedy this, but unfortunately, he would wake with it crushed underneath him due to its poor structure. Damn cheapskates, selling him cheaply made garbage...

'Wait. Hold on, why am I in a bed? Where am I?' He jerked himself up from the pillowy surface, this time without a person hovering over him. He looked around to find himself in a small room with the window opened and the small breeze seeping into the room.

'Huh… nice place.' He admired the bed frame's sleek design and the walls colored silk white with the carpet underneath him in the same shade of red. There were two large drawers on both sides of the room and a circular table that was near the door. He looked up to see a black chandelier that hung down with its candles unlit. It truly was a marvel to look at, seeing a bedroom like this.

'Wait, what in the hell am I doing? I should get outta here-' But his thoughts were interrupted as he heard the door cracking opening, revealing that pink haired maid from before.

"You're awake!" She squeaked out, but before he could respond she rushed out of the door frame and into another room, the door being closed by the wind's weak push. Well, that was something…

He brushed aside the sheets that covered him and stood from the bedside when he finally noticed something was wrong. 'Where's my cloak? ...Where did my cloak go?!'

He frantically searched the room for his prized cloak. Looking underneath the sheets of the bed, the wooden drawers, underneath the table, anywhere that it could possibly be. Finding nothing, he ran to the door to demand his captors where his cloak could be-

"HEY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

"-AUGH!"

He pushed back by a swing of the door, conking into his right temple. And the force of the push knocked him into the wall, his left temple crashing against it. He was squeezed in between the door and wall like a very tight sandwich. And judging based on that voice, he knew exactly who was currently squishing the life out of him.

"Oh, gods! I'm so sorry!" That Corrin girl released him from her capture, allowing him to breathe and rubbed the bruises on his head. As he gazed over to the girl, she was already bowing her head in apology. He also noticed her servants behind her, the gray- Jakob… was holding back a laugh seeing his liege accidentally abuse him. What an ass… The blue maid, Flora? She was grinning at him much like that damn butler, however, unlike Jakob, her smile was more welcoming and warm. Somewhat ironic considering the cold aura that she was radiating. The girl with pink hair, Felicia if he remembered correctly, was sharing the same welcoming smile although her's was shown to be more nervous with her slight jitters and skittish eyes that struggled meet eye contact with him. Truly a strange group of people…

"Uh, don't worry about it…" He referred back to Corrin's apology. Keeping a smile as he looked her in the eyes and Corrin returning that same smile. Giving the chance to study her strange features, He examined her ears, still pointed and her eyes still red but he also noticed that her incisor teeth were sharper and larger than normal, sticking out like a sore thumb in her rows of teeth. Never in his six years of traveling as he came across something like her, perhaps she was one of those half-animal, half-human beings he came across in his readings. But the Wolfskin and Kitsune were described as has to have noticeable ears that were long enough to reach the top of their heads that meshed with their hair, however, Corrin's ears weren't cover in fur and weren't that long. She also didn't have a tail… Probably should have been a clearer sign that she wasn't one of those species.

Well, perhaps one of his journals had more information about her case- wait a minute, his journals! His sword! HIS CLOAK!

"WHERE'S MY STUFF!" He screamed out, not realizing that he basically yelled at the girl in front of him out of the blue. Causing the four to flinch with the volume of his voice, startling them. "Where did you put my stuff!?" He lowered voice but still kept the intensity of his previous shout as he pressed the girl for answers.

"Oh! Jakob went to clean your cloak and I asked Flora to hold onto your bag, Gunther is currently keeping your sword so you can go ask him for it…" She softly explained, still retaining a light smile on her face. "Jakob, could you go get it for him?"

"Of course, milady." He gave a stern bow to Corrin but quickly flashed a furrowed gaze at their 'guest'. What even was his problem with him anyway? He didn't anything necessarily wrong, well except when he basically decided to sleep on their lawn, when he head butted his liege. Okay, there were some things he did wrong but still, he doesn't need to be an ass about it.

"Umm… what's your name?" Corrin's voice brought his attention back to her, asking the same question she asked hours before. It was hours ago right? Earlier in the day, the sun seemed to have been recently risen over the horizon while as of now, the sun seemed to tell that it was noon. But anyways, back to Corrin.

"As I said before, my name doesn't matter since I'll be leaving as soon as I get my stuff back. I appreciate you and your servants taking care of me but I'd rather not stay here any longer than I should..." This answer caused the girl pout at him, a mix of slight anger and mostly disappointment shown on her face.

Jakob stepped into the room with the cloak folded neatly and clean of any previous dirt or stain. "Here you are then, Gods this cloak was filthy though I didn't exactly expect someone who lazily goes around asleep on other's residence to be the most hygienic of people. But I do have to admit, this is a well-crafted cloak." He was right, the cloak was designed with a primarily white coloration with blue outlines with golden colored buttons with strings to fasten it together. And on the back, it held the symbol of a dragon head in blue. The symbol was still a mystery as to what it meant however he still remembers the woman who fashioned this cloak for him... What little memories he had of her.

"Thanks." He grumbled towards Jakob as he reached for the folded cloth, taking a little offense to the part where he snuck in an insult to him. But before he could get his cloak back, Corrin quickly snatched it in her hands. Jakob already leaving without questioning his liege for her act of theft.

"Hey, what the hell!"

"Felicia, hold him back!" She ordered her maid as the boy charged for her. Surprisingly, she was able to overpower him. This little maid… As she held him back from getting to her liege, she squeaked out an "I'm sorry". This didn't exactly make him feel better.

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU TAKING MY STUFF!" He yelled once more, eliciting another squeak from Felicia. 'This Corrin girl is making me insane!'

"Okay, okay… I'll give it back, but first, you have to tell your name!"

"...Are you-Is that seriously, so important to you?! " This judgment from the boy caused the girl to blush. Her gaze averting his own.

"Yes… because I can't just let you go without at least knowing your name…I'm sorry but I… want to know you somewhat… I'm sorry." She softly admitted, her eyes filled with remorse as she cast her gaze towards the ground. 'Just how many times was this girl gonna say sorry?'

Seeing this display, he began to soften. Audibly sighing, before giving in to her demands.

"August…"

"Hm?" She quickly perked up from her previous state.

"My name, it's August."

"Like… the month?" She tilted her head to the side like a puppy that was confused when their owner spoke to them.

"Yeah, like the month."

"It's… a nice name." She whispered out with a bright smile on her face but made sure it was loud enough to for him to hear.

"Thank you. Now can you please give me my stuff back, Corrin?" He held out his hand, shifting his fingered inwards repeatedly to emphasize his request.

"Heh, sure thing, August." She grinned at the boy with the new revelation of his name showing her sharp teeth as if she was proud of being able to get a name from him. She handed over his cloak, Corrin turned her attention to her maid nearby the doorway. "Flora, can you get his bag for me?"

"Of course, milady." She gave a quick bow as she walked to another room.

"Oh, and Felicia…"

"Yes, Lady Corrin?"

"You can let go of August now." She giggled seeing her maid continue to hold August in a headlock.

"Ah!" Realizing what she was doing, the maid quickly released him from her grasp. His arms being left all sore. "S-sorry August!"

"D-don't worry about it…" He mumbled with a small shade of pink that crawled onto his face. As odd as it was, he was basically being hugged by a cute girl. August slipping his arms into the over sized coat that stopped at his feet and sleeves that he had to roll up. Getting that same old snuggly feeling that draped onto his shoulders, gods did this cloak feel great...

"Ahem!" Jakob coughed into his hand, gaining the attention of the three in the room. "Well… with that all settled, Lady Corrin, it's time for your lunch. Come now, I've already prepared some Surf and Turf for you."

"Oooh, Wow! Thanks, Jakob!" Corrin skipped out of room with a large smile with Felicia in tow, leaving Jakob satisfied with his work as he saw his liege bounce towards the dinner table with excitement.

"Wait, what's Surf and Turf?" And that warm feeling was gone as he turned his attention back to the stray dog that Lady Corrin had recently taken in. Hopefully, this dog would be kicked back onto the streets soon.

"Something that you don't need to worry about." The butler shot back at their guest, causing him to scowl back at the butler. "After all, you are leaving quite soon aren't you?"

"Well first, I am leaving so you need not worry about that… Second, I just asked you a simple question. You don't have to be so snarky about it… Which brings me onto my third point, you have been the biggest jerk that I've ever had the displeasure to come across in my travels. And I haven't even known you for a day! Perhaps if you loosen that aspect of yourself, people might like you more…"

"Well! I don't need to 'loosen myself' for someone who won't even be here by nightfall."

"Fine! Then I'll be thanking every god in existence knowing that they spared me from spending another day with you!"

"I'm so glad you'll be staying here August!" Corrin cheered as she finished chewing her shrimp, holding hands with her new friend with a toothy smile upon her face.

"Yeah… I know right! Wow, I mean... How did this happen?- I mean, isn't this great?!" He forced an excited tone in his voice and a plastered smile as he 'celebrated' his new home. He made an attempt to sneak out of the fortress earlier with the aid of Jakob, trying to avoid Corrin. Jakob admitting that she would get upset if she saw him off without what little time they spent together. Unfortunately, as he escaped the fort. He was caught by the Nohrian guards in the city, arresting him under the guise of 'raiding of the princesses' home' based on the large sword that stuck to his back and how he was snickering as he crawled out of the fortress. His overall description being written in their report to be sent to higher ups. In the guard's report, he was a boy who looked to be in his teenage years, 14 or 15 years old, with slightly tan colored skin. He had silk ruffled white hair, blue eyes, and silver piercings in his ear lobes. Apparently, he looked too suspicious to not be doing anything wrong with how he was dressed in dirty clothes. The guards assuming he was a random poor boy who was trying to steal from the princess.

This was also the moment he found out Corrin was a princess of the whole damn kingdom of Nohr and not just some noble girl. So there was that… But as he was being hauled off to somewhere, Gunther rode in on horseback with an explanation of what he was doing. However, he claimed that the boy was a new servant that Princess Corrin had taken in. For the aid in helping her with her studies, gesturing the notes which Flora and Gunther discovered in August's satchel to prove his capabilities of sharing knowledge with the princess. Damn nosy little maid…

So he was brought back into the Northern Fortress to serve his new liege, much to the ire of both he and Jakob. But much to the amusement of Flora, Felicia, and Gunther. And to the excitement of Corrin, practically bouncing off the walls with the revelation that her small group got another member.

It wasn't like he had disdain for the princess for him to leave without a goodbye. In fact, she was truly a kind soul, one of the kindest he ever come across judging based off this day alone. However, his research was still incomplete. He originally came to Nohr to study their magic and weapons, possibly come across new books he had not read yet, perhaps new tactical strategies, some job opportunities for him to earn a little more money to advance his studies, he did not come here to be a prisoner.

"We have a room already prepared for you, August." Gunther cordially said, although not showing it on his face. But he could see it as he looked upon the old man as he saw his sensed his warmth towards him. "It's the one you awoke in if you don't mind."

"Not at all, I could sleep on a rock and still get enough sleep. Though I'd still rather have the bed." August said flatly.

"Hmph, to be expected of someone like you to be able to sleep like an animal…" Jakob huffed as he was pouring tea for everyone. August trying to tune him out, having enough of his little attitude.

"I think it's quite impressive, to be honest." Flora gave a warm grin as she referred to August, invoking a smile from the boy. "Although, I honestly doubt Lady Corrin could the same."

"Hey! I could too!" Corrin stood up from her seat with a pout on her face as she defended her capabilities.

"In that case, then I'll find you the hardest rock I can get my hands on." August chuckled, joining in on this little debate with an amused grin.

"Er… never mind." She slumped back onto her seat, a blush forming on her face as her servants were chuckling at her expense.

'Perhaps it won't be too bad, living here… But we'll see...' August thought to himself, smiling at the friendly faces here.

As the days continued in that large fortress, the closer he got to his fellow servants and liege. Corrin was the upbeat girl she introduced herself to be, and as her teacher of sorts, it was his job to tutor her on various subjects; geography, medicine, history, and others of the sort. There was also the times they would spend together playing games of chess or reading. Her library consisted of romance novels and adventure. Obviously, it needs a little more variety... Especially with the romance aspect of her library. But it was always a joy to be with his new liege.

Felicia… was certainly something. By all means, she was kind and treated August with respect and the two would talk to each other frequently. But… gods was she clumsy… Each day, he would hear her destroy a set of plates and teacups or fall on her face as she stepped into a room. She even recently spilled tea onto him in an attempt to serve Corrin- er, Lady Corrin. Her tea, not his… and yet he was the one to be splashed with scorching hot tea. But that didn't exactly stop August from enjoying her company. As she was still friendly and overall a good person.

Flora was also a nice person to be around, however, unlike her sister she was more soft-spoken and slightly harder to talk to with her person being less warm than her sister but still welcomed August in her company. Helping him study the ice magic which her tribe was known for and allowing him to help out in her chores in small doses, except for cooking. As he quickly proved he was inept in that regard when he attempted to help cook some potatoes for the rest of the fortress. Leaving them completely burnt and charred… Explains why he never made an attempt to cook for himself and rather pay for his food or pay for it to be cooked by someone when he captured some game.

Gunther was fairly nice as well, he wasn't very talkative but would engage in conversations with August about the subjects of tactics and Gunther's stories of his young life as a knight for Nohr's army. And also helped him in his understanding of the land of Nohr when he wasn't training Lady Corrin. He learned that Nohr was currently in a struggle for resources due to its lack of crop growth explaining the reason as to why there were so many people who looked to be skinny and frail as August first stepped into Nohr, he learned of the four other noble children; Xander, Camilla, Leo, and Elise. Lady Corrin's siblings who were at Castle Krakenburg. Their separation due to the king's demand for Corrin to prove herself… Strange how she was the only one to be under these demands whilst her siblings lived in the castle.

Jakob… was more tolerable. When August was appointed as Corrin's new servant, the butler began to ease up on him. However, they would still get into arguments about stuff like August's inability to cook or Jakob's jerkish behavior but they would be forced to stop as soon as Corrin stepped in. Encouraging the boys to get along and possibly become friends… 'Bleh'.

But overall, this new home was surprisingly… good. He had friends, people to talk to, food, a warm bed to sleep in, and a purpose. To teach what he spent six years of travel and solitude for. It felt satisfying knowing that all random studies he would partake in to pass the time would help someone. And it wasn't like he couldn't continue to research, as he was able to leave the fort as long as he had Corrin's permission and would return by sundown. However, his access to knowledge was limited due to it being restricted to only Nohrian based. But that was something he was going to have to get accustomed to fast.

"Hmm, so what's next?" He wondered out loud one day as he thought about his future in this fortress and his future with these people. But who knows what the future holds...

So yeah, obviously I decided on starting the story way before Fates. As I thought it would be best to flesh out August as a character and his relationship with those in the Northern Fortress and possibly in the next few chapters, Wink Wink, the Nohrian Royals. As for August, I plan on him servicing as a 'Robin' sort of role to Corrin. Him being a deuteragonist of the story however unlike Robin, he won't take the story from Corrin in the end of the game and will also serve as the eyes throughout most the story. But will have his back story fleshed out in future chapters to come. But anyways, thanks for reading and I'll hopefully see you next time.