Hello folks, anyone else feel like Fire Emblem Revelations took a good concept and royally messed it up? Or maybe that the fates in general didn't tell us much about the world that it actually takes place in, or that many of the character's didn't really seem to be involved in the plot? Well, so did I, but instead of just complaining about it I decided to write a novelization in which I touch upon more of the fates universe. Will the plot be good enough offset my less-than-perfect writing? Maybe. Maybe not. But whatcha gonna do?

"Die Nohrian scum!" a clash of steel interrupted the furious cry "You won't take Kamui from us again!"

The man speaking was large and tall, adorned with red light armor plates and wielding a long curved blade-a katana of sorts- but unlike any he had ever seen before, tendrils of lightning dancing along the edge of the blade.

The katana slid down the flat of an intimidating long cavalry sword before it the cross guard caught the edge of the blade. The man wielding the longer blade turned his blade such that the katana slid off then ushered his horse forward, swinging it in a wide arc, forcing the katana-wielder to skip back gracefully, but he rushed forward immediately striking again. In response the horse-rider drew his arm back to parry again, but this time the two edge collided, biting into each-other. The rider grinned and pushed down, bringing his full weight down onto the blade. The katana-wielder grunted, but rather than retreating, he pressed forward, and an arc of lightning jumped from the edge of his blade into his adversary's arm. The rider cried in pain and pulled his blade back- allowing the katana to strike him in his armored greaves- then drawing it above and behind him into an upwards blow, which the other quickly dodged, easily outpacing the wounded arm's swing.

However, as the katana-wielder prepared to rush in again, the rider rose his blade into the air, wreathed in a terrifying aura. He pointed it at the katana-wielder, who didn't realize the man's intentions quickly enough, and crumbled as a stream of dark flames sprung forth and struck him in the chest. The rider brushed his blond bangs off his forehead, matted with sweat from the exchange "Pitiful. Corrin is OUR brother now. I'm sorry that you are so confused, but it was us that raised him, us that fed and clothed and loved him! Our bond is stronger than the origins of his blood!" The man began panting. "Sadly, my blade, Siegfried does not share my pity for you. HAH!"
Again, flames sprung forth from the blade, racing towardsthe man, but this times he rolled out of the way, swinging his katana horizontally, and a thick line of energy raced towardsthe rider, striking him and knocking him off his horse. The katana wielder chuckled tiredly "You'll find you're pathetic Nohrian tricks wont kill me as easily as they did my father. This blade, Raijinito lusts for the blood of cowards and tyrants, and I will protect Kamui where my father failed!"

Corrin had enough "Stop! Both of you! We can settle this without fighting!" he yelled, sprinting over to where the two fought. He ran into the river that separated him from them, he had to stop them from this senseless fighting, it was so unlike them!

Just as he thought that the river increased impossibly in depth, pulling him beneath the surface, screaming and thrashing. Deeper, and deeper, and deeper...

"Corrin! Corrin wake up!"

Corrin awoke startled, and promptly fell out of bed, his side colliding with the floor. Blinking rapidly, he looked up at the servant that woke him "Good morning Lilith, why is it you woke me up?" He asked drowsily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

The blue haired girl appeared concerned "You were thrashing in your sleep. Besides, Lord Alexander has arrived, and he has scheduled training for today."

Corrin sat on the floor in thought "It must have been the dream I was having."

Lilith appeared just as concerned, but her voice betrayed some relief "A dream, milord? Of what?"

Corrin opened his mouth to answer honestly, but something about the dream felt secret, forbidden and sacred to himself "Not you too Lilith, Joker is bad enough. If I wanted to be treated like a lord rather than a friend, I would tell you. We've known each other for years, you're a friend, not a vassal. Enough with the 'Milord' nonsense."

Lilith cracked a smile "Regardless, you need to get going. Joker is in the armory, preparing your armor, and Felicia should be waiting with Alexander. I shall leave so you may get dressed in something more appropriate. Your bed shall be made and a fresh set of clothing will be ready for you when you return."

Corrin examined his night attire, simple white nightclothes, meant to fit loosely as prevent sweating "Very well Lilith, thank you. Once you are finished, consider yourself on suspension the rest of the day for the milord business, unless you are notified otherwise. If I catch you cooking, cleaning, or working in some other manner, I will see to it personally that you may not work for the remainder of the week"

Lilith grinned and gave a curtsy "As you wish, Milord Corrin."

"Haven't learned your lesson have you? I would be careful, lest I make it two weeks of dismissal." Corrin said in mock seriousness.

Lilith laughed "But you just ordered me not to take any orders beyond the itinerary you gave me."

Corrin cracked a grin of his own "Did I? I don't remember it quite that way. Now skedaddle, I shouldn't keep Xander waiting any longer than I already have."

"Of course, Corrin." Lilith promptly gave another curtsy and exited the room. Leaving Corrin grinning to himself.

'Better. Though I hope I don't get chewed out to badly for wasting so much time.'

Corrin braced himself as he entered the armory, fully anticipating a lecture from Jakob. Corrin weighed his options, and decided it best to power through the encounter with sheer speed, to steal the time for Jakob's words in a frantic race for preparedness.

"I'm sorry I'm late Jakob, where is my armor, it wouldn't do to keep Xander waiting."

"Tardiness ill befits a Nohrian Prince milord." The voice that responded was much deeper and weathered than the one he was expecting, and easy enough for Corrin to identify "Ah, Gunter. I was told that Jakob was preparing my armor this morning, where is it?"

"Don't bother, milord. Your last sparing session with Xander left it unserviceable. The plates were badly dented, and the greaves caved in, if you do recall. Xander arrived with a new set of armor for you today. Jakob should be occupied sorting the armor, and trying to figure out how it works."

"What do you mean 'How it works'?"

"The armor is... nontraditional. Its probably best that you see it for yourself." Gunter supplied, before leading Corrin through the armory, into a small, enclosed space where Jakob stood at the head of a table littered with thin metal plates Jakob took notice of their arrival and smiled

"Ah Master Corrin, up bright and early again I see." he said, in that impossibly sarcastic way that only Jakob could manage.

Corrin knew better than to confront the witty and sarcastic butler on any of shortcoming of his, instead choosing to change the subject from his tardiness "How is the armor coming along, Joker?"

"Not well, I'm afraid. I don't believe it's Nohrian by design, the plates are impossibly thin, and the metal seems to almost bend in some places, any self-respecting smith could have made the plates thicker."

Corrin looked at his butler confused "Are you saying that its Hoshidan then?"

"I don't believe that to be the case either, master Corrin, but I'm hardly an expert on any armor, Hoshidan or Nohrian."

""Why would Xander give to me something so thin then? I've never worn armor so light looking before."

"If I may, milord" Gunter interrupted "It may be Prince Alexander attempting to test you by making you use unfamiliar equipment. Or perhaps he simply believed it would help. Alexander is stronger than you are by far, but you are quicker than him, and prefer to dodge rather than parry. It may very well be that he gave you this armor so that you could be more nimble in your spars."

"I see." Corrin scratched his head, then turned to a set of smaller metal plates "These are the gauntlets aren't they, are they finished?"

"Yes, I suppose they are, at least to the best of my knowledge. There may yet be parts that I have confused with those of the greaves."
"You are clearly out of your element, Jakob" Gunter sighed "Help master Corrin put on the pieces that you have assembled, I will sort the remaining armor."

Jackob scowled "I'm perfectly capable of-"

"Peace Jakob. You're the one that has assembled it thus far, it wouldn't do to have someone who is entirely unfamiliar with the armor help me put it on. It is best to delegate at times such as these, we can't keep Xander waiting much longer."

Jakob's scowl disappeared immediately and was replaced by a smile "You are wise as always milord."

"And you are as dependable."

"So you've finally arrived brother." Xander wore the usual thick plates that made up his armor. It was an arrangement that they had decided once their sparring sessions became more...macabre. The thick plates protected them from the sheer weight of the dulled hand-and-half swords that they used Corrin on the other hand... "What is it you are wearing?"

Corrin's armor lacked both helmet and boots. His body was adorned with thin, silver plates that failed to part at the elbows, and yet did not impede the movement of his joints. A second, thicker but softer material that did not chafe his skin covered his stomach, the insides of his legs, the joints of his legs, and his shoulders. Finally and most perplexing, a small, kilt like plate wrapped about his waist, lopsided such that it covered more of his left leg than his right.

Corrin raised an eyebrow "I thought that you would know, you're the one who delivered it"

"I delivered it, but the armor itself was courtesy of father. He must have heard about your last set was destroyed and that wanted you to have a set of armor that better complemented your fighting style." Xander speculated, with a face of stone.

Corrin however, was not so convinced "Why would father suddenly pay so much attention to my progress though?"

Xander's face grew stern suddenly "Felicia will arrive shortly, once she is here to heal us we will begin our sparring session."

Corrin noticed the sudden change in subject, but walked over to the weapons rack regardless and considered each weapon before settling for a hand and a half sword, slightly longer and much thinner than the ones he usually sparred against Xander with in his plate armor. Xander watched silently, before picking up his usual weapon of choice, a two handed cavalry sword that was longer than Corrin's sword by half. Then, to Corrin's surprise, Xander selected a second weapon, a much shorter blade, an easily wielded one handed sword, and place its scabbard about his waist.

Detecting Corrin's shock he turned to his younger brother "Not all weapons are created equal, nor do they have similar strengths and weaknesses. All experienced warriors carry at least one extra weapon with them, horse men usually are seen on the battlefield with no fewer than three. You must compensate for the flaws of your preferred weapon with your second one.

Corrin turned back to the weapons rack, upon it was a war axe, a pike, a dagger, and a one handed short sword, and an abnormally wide one edged blade. Corrin considered them silently, before taking the wide blade's scabbard and place on the pike's shoulder strap. Corrin looked at Xander to gauge his reaction, but found nothing on his stern brother's face.

Corrin's examination of his brother was interrupted by a scream, and a crash. Xander cracked a thin smile "I take it that Felicia has arrived then".

"I believe so, I'm going to go make sure that she didn't fall down the stairs." Corrin responded, pushing past his brother to reach the stairwell.

As he reached the stairwell however, he sidestepped quickly, narrowly dodging a blur of pink and black that shot up the stairs. The blur that was Felicia stumbled past him, off balance, and grasping for the staff she had accidentally released hold of, crying in shock all the while.

Corrin reached out with a straight arm, catching Felicia as the staff flew from her hand, rolling towards the edge of the tower that Xander and he sparred on frequently, the uneven groundwork that they valued for the extra dynamic to their fights dragging it away, before Xander reached his practice sword out with one hand and stopped it.

"Good morning to you too, Felicia" Corrin said with a grin "Glad that you could join us."

Felicia pushed herself up, embarrassed, and bowed deeply "So very sorry milord!" she exclaimed loudly "Please excuse my tardiness, I dropped the staff out the window an-"

"Peace Felicia" Corrin said, holding up a single hand "You are here now, that's what matters, now Xander and I may begin sparring in truth."

"My brother is correct, all that aside, had you been any earlier you would have caught us unprepared" Xander approached Felicia, extending her staff to her, which she accepted gratefully "But we can't have such a mishap like the last occurring, please wait a moment."

Xander dropped his sword to the ground and crouched to a squat, placing both hands on the ground with his eyes closed. A moment later, Corrin felt a presence, something that sucked the air out of the room and left traces of power in its wake, like an echo. The tower's sides rose and shifted, the slope leveling out somewhat as small walls grew in addition to the guardrails. When the transformation was complete, Xander exhaled and rose, grasping his sword.

Felicia was speechless, and Corrin was fairing only slightly better, managing only to say "Was that a... dragon vein?"

"Why yes, I'm surprised you couldn't sense it yourself." Xander began to explain "Sometimes, in response to important events dormant dragon veins arise spontaneously. This one, tied to our tower, is one such vein."

"Amazing" Corrin said "I've heard about the dragon veins, but I've never seen one myself"

"The ability to detect and use dragon veins is one that comes with experience. You should not concern yourself with it too much. When the time comes that there is a dragon vein that you can use, you will be able to sense it. Now then" Xander walked to the center of the platform "Enough of this, you are here to prove yourself worthy of helping to lead in one of Father's armies, the trial is combat, and I am your opponent. No holding back."

Corrin was taken aback by his brother's intensity, they had sparred before, but never had Xander issued such a dramatic declaration of challenge. 'He's trying another approach, trying to rile me up so that I can defeat him' It was a new approach to be sure, and it must have worked, because Corrin had a good feeling about his chances against his nigh invincible brother.

Corrin pulled his practice pike from his shoulder, hoping to match his Xander's reach with his two handed blade. In response, Xander stepped back, bringing himself to lower ground.

Corrin charged immediately, hoping to jab at his brother while he was moving, to catch him off balance. He raced to the high ground and struck at his brother's breastplate, as a solid hit would give him victory, making for a quick and easy win.

Xander however, foresaw this, and drew on foot back so the his side faced Corrin, causing the tip to glance off his armor. Xander retaliated with a powerful thrust of his sword, but the lightness of Corrin's new armor allowed him to avoid the attack with more ease than even Corrin predicted. Hoping to press his advantage, Corrin rushed forward again and swung his pike horizontally, hoping aiming for his brother's back, only for Xander to duck and cause the dulled tip to slide over his armor.

This time, Xander pressed HIS advantage, using his already lowered position to lunge forward and slash horizontally at Corrin's legs, sweeping them out from underneath him-and while his armor took most of the brunt, Corrin suspected had the blade not been dulled, he would have been without-feet. Corrin rolled uncontrolled down the inclined platform, his hands eventually finding a foothold and allowing him to right himself.

Xander now had the high ground advantage, and swung the two-handed sword vertically at Corrin, who frantically raised his spear to block, almost buckling under the force of the blow. Corrin attempted to swing the momentum of the battle back in his favor by hopping back and feinting at Xander's midsection, and then following up with an attempt to disarm.

Xander didn't even flinch at the ploy, instead his elder brother swung upwards and then spun, swinging his blade horizontally in a circle and striking him with both his arms. Corrin resumed his disgraceful tumble down the slope, hitting his head, and this time not so quick to rise.

"Ow." Corrin said simply while struggling to rise to his feet "I'm done. I'll have to try something different tomorrow." Corrin looked up to see Xander marching over to him furious.

"Do you truly not understand?" Xander asked, roughly pushing his brother back down to his back "Why it is that Father personally made you a set of armor, his sudden attention in your progress, the seriousness of this session?" Corrin attempted to rise to his knees again, but was again pushed down by Xander.

"He is always attentive, is he not? He merely hoped that I would do better with this new set of armor. And is your intent not to prepare me for the war?" Corrin again tried to rise, only for Xander to push him down a third time. Never before had Corrin feared his brother, not even in their most heated spars. But in that moment, Corrin swore the temperature plummeted.

"Foolish!" He yelled in Corrin's face "Don't you understand" Xander emphasized by pushing Corrin into the ground "That you ar-"

"Don't YOU understand!" another voice cut Xander off "That he probably has a concussion, and probably doesn't understand what we are saying right now."

Xander looked down at the small, clumsy maid that dared to scold the crown prince of Nohr only to receive a second tongue lashing "Now if you're quite done beating my lord and your BROTHER, I should heal him before more serious conditions arise."

Xander looked down, ashamed "I pushed Corrin far past the acceptable limits. My behavior was unbecoming of both Prince of Nohr and heir to the Onyx Throne. I apologize."

"Huh?" Felicia asked, still confused and shook up by the implications of her actions "Oh no! I'm the one that should be apologizing, Xan- Prince Alexander, its not the place of a maid to scold a prince."

"No apologies are necessary, you were merely doing as your role as retainer demands, besides it does a prince good to be put in his place from time to time." Xander gave a small smirk "Though this sudden accursed cold is quite the bother, I imagine that it must bother Corrin too, though I'm not sure how much, given his state."

"Oh! Right!" In the span of several seconds, the temperature returned to normal, and Felicia quickly attended to her master's head wound. Corrin stirred, then propped himself up slowly.

Xander got on one knee and addressed his brother "Corrin, can you understand me? Can you hear what I'm saying?"

Corrin rubbed his head "Loud and clear Xander, did I hit my head or something?"

'So he doesn't remember my outburst, most likely' Xander thought to himself, grateful that Corrin would think no less of him "Yes, but that's not important. I have news that greatly concerns you."

"Huh? What is it? Is father letting me leave the fortress?"

"I will answer your question, in time. But there is more important information, one month ago, while overlooking our guard on the Hoshidan border, I was involved in a skirmish. Several Nohrian dark mages were experimenting- that is, taking part in questionable actions on the border. While they meant no harm, the Hoshidans perceived it as a threat, and retaliated, killing the offending mages, and then prepared a force to march on the encampment I was at, believing that the mages were sent under orders. The skirmish was brief and both sides suffered heavy losses. In this battle I clashed blades with a samurai I believe may have been the Hoshidan High Prince. Neither of us was injured, and when the Hosidans signaled for a retreat ninja allowed their liege to retreat under a smoke screen."

"So what you're saying is..."

"Tensions between our two countries are higher than ever. When I reported the incident to father he ordered Iago- his tactician- to double the border guard, no easy feat, and estimate how many supplies we would need in order to begin a campaign in Hoshido. He then ordered me to come here and evaluate you, and then head to the border to oversee our defenses, and await further orders. If was does begin in earnest, I will be unable to evaluate you until it ends, and if you are not deemed ready to fight by the beginning of the war, Father may never let you leave this castle.

"The invasion may be taking place soon, very soon, and if you are not deemed ready to fight by the time that it begins, Father may never allow you to leave this castle."

Corrin looked up at his older brother in shock, before rising to his feet slowly and weakly hefting his pike. "Come on then. I can do this all day."

"But Corrin!" Felicia protested.

"But nothing Felicia, I know what you mean to say, I don't want to, no, I don't have any right to sit in this castle alone while my siblings go off to fight in a war they may not return from."

"At least allow me to heal you so you aren't so terribly hurt." she said, beginning to do away with his numerous bruises.

"Halt Felicia!" Corrin pushed away the tip of the staff "I can still fight, and to be healed now would surely defeat the purpose of the test."

"But-"

"It is not my place to dictate the going ons between a lord and his vassal" Xander interrupted "But remember this test is to make certain that my brother is ready for combat. A true opponent, Hoshidan or otherwise, would not have been this merciful, and would have cut you both down in the time it took you to heal him. Corrin has a unique ability to earn the loyalty of all around him, and it is difficult to not to be able to help one you have sworn fealty to, but Corrin will at some point have to face the future on his own, these trials are so we can be sure that he is ready for such a time."

Felicia lowered her staff, looking downcast "Yes, Prince Alexander. I apologize for my attempt to interfere."

Felicia heard a chuckling, and turned to see Corrin, beaten and bruised and smiling "Don't look so upset Felicia, just having your support makes me feel ready to go another dozen rounds. Well, maybe a couple, but thank you for trying to help."

Felicia smiled and nodded enthusiastically "Think nothing of it Cor- Milord."

"Again, as much as I hate to interrupt, but our time is short. I believe that we may have to end the warm up and begin the sparring in earnest. It is impossible to evaluate him if he has so terribly overexerted himself during the warm-ups. Miss Felicia, if you would be so kind as to take care of my brother's injuries so we may begin."

Felicia looked from Xander to the staff, confused "Ummm, me heal him? But- well okay."

As Felicia worked on his wounds Corrin looked at his brother, baffled "Xander, isn't this counterproductive?"

"Corrin, I applaud your bravery in practicing the use of unfamiliar weapons against me, but you and I both know that you are more proficient with the hand-and-half sword. How can I evaluate you when you are handicapping yourself?"

"Handicapping myself?"

"Take up your usual blade, if you would, so that I can evaluate you fairly. One should only use an unfamiliar weapon as a last resort, if that."

Corrin nodded, hefting his preferred blade in an unorthodox style, so that the blade was behind him and pointed downward. He stood and waited, holding his stance against his nerves and anticipation.

Xander initiated combat this time, charging forward in a way unlike him, striking with an easily read feint that Corrin attributed to fatigue. Instead of risking a parry, Corrin leaped clear entirely, spinning midair so that his blade moved wildly, its unpredictability keeping Xander confused and at bay.

Xander thrusted his sword at Corrin, who spun around the blow and under Xander's guard.

And then it was over, the edge of Corrin's blade came within mere inches of Xander's neck. Though the edges were bound in leather to prevent cutting, the sheer weight of the steel blade could easily break someone's neck. The very idea thought of the great Alexander the First, Crown Prince of Nohr could find himself here, completely at the mercy of someone who hadn't seen actual battle in his life, merely at the spin of a weapon, seemed impossible.

But then again, here they were.

Xander looked down the blade at his younger brother "Well done, young prince. It seems you you've passed."

Corrin nodded and slowly lowered his blade from Xander's neck before falling back in relief. He was finally ready, finally, to leave the fortress, to help bring a shred of light to Nohr's dark.

He wouldn't be left alone again.

I'm always looking to improve my writing, so drop a review eh? Help a guy out, pretty please?