Corrin grinned as he was handed his sword, testing the weight of the weapon in his hand. Without need for instructions, his servants parted way for him as he left his room. He raced through the halls, dodging the fortress staff with a quick apology left and right, heading directly for the stairway that led to the training platform. He paused briefly to peer out of a window, trying to catch a glimpse of his siblings.
It was easy to pick out two blonde heads from the dark stone, though their black armor blended right in except for the brief glimpses of gold edging. The war horses and high collar identified them as Leo and Xander. Camilla was probably escorting Elise to the kitchens, the journey always left her raring for food.
"It's good to see you," Corrin greeted. He couldn't quite suppress his broad smile no matter how hard he tried to appear mature and dignified.
"It's impolite for the host to leave their guests waiting," Leo said, frowning as he looked Corrin up and down. "Were you still asleep so late into the day?"
Corrin opened his mouth to defend himself but froze when he turned towards Leo. Now, he was no expert on fashion, but he could have sworn that Leo's collar had always been blue on the outside. But no, today, it was purple. Before he could ask Leo to turn around and check if he could see seams, Xander pulled him over.
"I trust you understand the weight of today's match, right?" Xander asked, seriousness creasing his brow. "It's what we've been training for all this time. I trust that you will validate the both of us and prove to Father that you can survive in the outside world."
"Of course, it's high time that I leave this place," Corrin replied, matching Xander's expression.
Corrin braced himself for impact as Xander swung his sword down. The force of Xander's arm along with the momentum of his mount sent shock waves shooting down Corrin's arms and he felt himself slide backwards, his feet stinging against the stone. Xander had been fairly quiet so far, no small words of encouragement or tips to improve his strike or posture. Even Leo's steely gaze felt colder than usual.
"You're serious about this aren't you?" Xander asked, readjusting his grip on his sword. "If this were a true battle then I would have cut you down."
Corrin grimaced, stepping back to regain his stance. He ran forward a few steps and launched himself upwards, cursing the giant armored horse that forced him to aim upwards. Xander struck down again, pushing Corrin back, but he could feel a difference. For a split second, their swords locked in the air. For a split second, Corrin held his ground.
"You're doing a disservice to Xanders," Leo said from the sidelines. He was lazily flipping through the pages of Brynhildr, though his eyes never truly left the scene before him. "Do you really think he can't handle your full strength?"
Swords crashed together with sparks becoming lighting to their thunder. Corrin flipped the sword in his hand and inhaled sharply before attacking again. He sidestepped the head of the mount, propelling himself sideways to try to break through Xander's defense. He swung with all his might and to his delight, the tip of his sword clanged against Xander's armor, eliciting a sound of surprise. But, that joy was short lived as the pommel of Siegfried came down square on his chest, knocking him clean off his feet and sent him skidding backwards.
Swallowing his pain, Corrin tentatively pressed down on his breastplate where he had been struck. It stung and may bruise a bit later but he was certain that nothing was broken. Relief and disappointment rose up in him in equal measure. Leo had chided him for not giving his all but Xander certainly wasn't either. It was like when they first started their training, with Corrin desperately flailing with a stick, trying to come anywhere near landing a blow. Xander would dodge easily, stepping casually one way or another as if he could do it in his sleep. The same frustration that made his face burn back then soaked into Corrin now. His rational brain told him that he hadn't been the only one improving, Xander must have been training hard too. But he still couldn't help but feel as if nothing had changed, as if he hadn't gained a single bit of merit since he had started out.
A slight rumble in the ground snapped Corrin out of his self pity. A burst of light shot up from underneath Xander and landed into the epicenter of the training platform, leaving a small glowing sigil. A healing Dragon Vein. Corrin's hesitation must've made it look as if he was badly hurt.
"Go on and heal up," Xander said, nodding for Corrin to stand. "You wanted to leave this place, right? You wanted Father to acknowledge you, how can you do that if you give up here?"
Scalding embarrassment sent Corrin to his feet before he was even aware that he was moving. Xander could not be more right, if he yielded now then his entire life might as well be postponed. All of Elise's sugary insistence that they'll spend every day playing together, Leo's pushing books onto him to prepare him for the outside world, all of it would be entirely wasted. He stepped onto the healing spot, feeling a cooling sensation spread throughout his entire body. The throbbing pain in his chest eased almost immediately and he turned on his heel, tightening his grasp on his sword.
Corrin looked up at the rings and rings of buildings above him, gaping in his marvel. Orange flames, some magical and some natural, lit up the suspended bridge between them and Castle Krakenburg. He had seen paintings of the Nohrian capital but it gave no preparation to how small he'd feel as the palace towered before him. He had been told that the palace was set in the ground but he had not imagined how deep it would actually be. The depth lent a certain coolness to the air, like how it feels right after rained.
"Corrin, you're going to scare your horse," said Elise, poking Corrin on the shoulder with her staff.
Corrin looked down, his knuckles were white from how tightly he had been holding his reins. He released the poor animal, moving his hands down to grip the front of the saddle instead. He swore that he could saw a few smirks from the guards beside him. He probably did look quite silly. Corrin, for all intents and purposes, was an adult. Yet here he was, looking at what should have been his home with all the amazement of a child.
He made sure that he was more discreet once they entered the palace, limiting himself to quick glances.
To Corrin's surprise, they did not need to walk all the way to the throne room, King Garon graced them with his presence right at the stairs. He was dressed in near full regalia, the voluminous cloak only adding to his massive stature. Corrin could swear that he looked ten feet tall. Either that or Corrin had suddenly shrunk. Not a word had been exchanged and yet, he already felt as if he were standing before a judge. His freedom, his life, was being hung before him.
A million little details raced through Corrin's mind, each casting him as a detriment in the eyes of Father. His hair was messy, he was standing wrong, his silver armor made him stand out like a sore thumb among his black armored siblings.
"I see that you've arrived safely," Garon said, a statement rather than a greeting.
"Yes, I'm so glad that I've finally been able to see the capital," Corrin replied too hastily.
"Your reward for finally gaining the strength to aid Nohr," Garon said, Corrin sighed in relief.
He was too relieved to even feel indignant when Camilla and Elise questioned if he would be safe outside of the magical barrier. Of course he would be, he's worked far too hard to turn back now. But, in some way, their concern eased some of his apprehension. He had feared that somehow, once he left his confinement in the fortress, he would be a different person in their eyes.
"I understand our lineage, Father, and I am confident that I will honor it," Corrin said, matching Garon's gaze.
There was a brief moment where they stared each other down before Garon nodded approvingly. He held up his hand, a purple light gathering in front of Corrin before it burst out into the shape of a sword. It was roughly textured and pitch black, glowing strangely with red veins. It wasn't a pretty thing, to be sure, but Corrin reached for it enthusiastically, none the less. It felt warm in his hand, like the temperature of a human's palm. There was faint pulsing coming from the handle, so faint that Corrin might have imagined it.
"This is Ganglari, a mystical sword. With it, your conquest of Hishido should come easily," Garon said as Corrin inspected the blade.
"I'll use it well, Father," Corrin gave an experimental swing, it was unusually light and well balanced for its size.
"Let's put that to the test," Garon turned towards a guard. "Bring out the prisoners."
Corrin nearly jumped in surprise as a heavy door was slammed open. A few figures were unceremoniously pushed out. One was a green haired man wearing a long purple scarf, another a tanned woman with red markings painted on her face. The woman immediately snarled at the Nohrians lined up before her while the man remained quiet.
"These are prisoners captured from our last encounter with Hoshido forces," Garon gestured towards them like brushing dust off a table. "Show me your power against something other than training dummies."
Corrin's eyes lit up as he felt his heart begin to race. It was incredible that he was already being trusted to take a further step, to be allowed a real opponent. Everyone cleared away to the edges of the room aside from his maid Felicia and retainer Gunter. He stepped forward eagerly, feeling everyone's eyes zone in on him. What a perfect opportunity this was.
The prisoners knelt before him, panting and nursing their wounds. The battle was not so grueling as Corrin had feared, though, his opponents were far from easy targets. He didn't have much experience on a true battlefield but Corrin knew enough to sense the capacity of those he fought. He knew what that hidden strength felt like and these prisoners combined would still not have added up to Xander.
The tanned woman managed to hoist herself to her feet, propping herself up on her club. Behind Corrin, he could hear Gunter and Felicia tensing. He held up a hand to tell them to stand down. Even if one of the prisoners found a second wind, it wasn't like they would get far. They were surrounded by Nohrian guards.
A slow clap caught everyone's attention. King Garon stepped down to stand beside Corrin, "A wonderful demonstration. Now punctuate it, execute them."
"Kill them?" Corrin asked, startled. "But Father, they're helpless. I doubt they would be able to put up anymore struggle."
"Father, no," Xander protested, followed quickly by Camilla. "Don't put this burden on him, not so soon."
Garon's face hardened, "Are you defying me, boy? I order you to kill them."
Corrin looked from Garon to the prisoners then to Ganglari. He took a few steps until he was standing before the green haired man who was eyeing him like a wild animal. He turned back slightly, once more looking to Garon out of the corner of his eye.
"They've seen the inside of Castle Krakenburg, they're a liability?" Corrin meant it as simple fact but it came out as a question, as if he were asking permission.
A sharp nod from Garon confirmed him. Corrin stepped forward, pressing the rough blade of Ganglari against the man's neck, who remained impressively stoic.
"Kaze! No!" the woman tried to run between them but was swiftly grabbed and held still by a guard. "Leave him alone you Nohrian beast!"
Corrin pressed harder, a small sliver of red appearing on Kaze's pale skin. It made perfect sense, if Father wasn't willing to keep these two in a cell any longer, then the only thing awaiting them was death. They had not been blindfolded, so even on the way here from the prison they would have seen at least some of the palace's architecture. If they escaped, then who knows what sort of plans they could devise from that information.
So why did Corrin's fingers feel numb?
It was like some invisible shackle had been tied around his arm. If he pushed just a little harder, he would take a life. He was so close, he could probably see the light drain from Kaze's eyes, he'd probably be splashed with his blood. Chills ran down his spine, quickly pursued by molten anger. Why was Corrin the one who was afraid? He was the one holding the sword. He couldn't help but wonder if any of his siblings had ever killed before, he had never asked. Probably not Elise, it would go against what she was as a healer. But Xander and Camilla might have during their service in the army. Maybe even Leo. They've done it, and they're still alive and intact.
Corrin would be to.
He clamped his hand down on Ganglari, preparing to thrust it into Kaze.
"That's enough."
A burst of light erupted before him, branches weaving their way out of the ground. Their leaves burst forth, momentarily obscuring Corrin's vision before fading away slowly. When he could see once more, the prisoners were gone. Corrin spun around to see Leo snapping his tome closed.
"I apologize for my brother's hesitation," Leo gave him a hard look. "So much has happened recently, he must have been overwhelmed. Please find it within yourself to forgive him."
Corrin bowed his head, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to appear so spineless."
Garon, however, did not seem to be placated by their words. He looked down upon Leo and Corrin for quite some time before huffing and turning away, grumbling that he would consider the situation later. The moment the doors closed behind the king, Corrin sighed as if he had been deflated.
"Oh, Corrin," Camilla said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be so upset, Father will understand."
"I was going to do it, honestly," Corrin said dejectedly. "If you would have just given me one more moment."
Leo frowned as if Corrin had accused him of robbing the glory but Xander quickly stepped in, calling both of them down. Instead he ordered all of the guards out of the room.
"Leo, have you done it?" Xander asked once they were alone.
"Of course," Leo said matter of factly.
"What? What have you done?" Corrin looked up.
Leo grinned, his moment of offense forgotten, "What Father doesn't know won't hurt him, my spell merely weakened the prisoners, no permanent harm done. You won't have to suffer any marks on your soul today, Corrin."
"But you're letting them go?" Corrin stared, unbelieving. "And what if they run back to Hoshido and-"
Leo held up a hand to stop the question, "Don't be ridiculous. I followed up on the report of where those prisoners were taken from. They wouldn't have been able to see anything of import, much less overhear something sensitive. I hope you don't think I'd show this kind of mercy recklessly."
"No, you wouldn't," Corrin conceded, looking down at his feet once more. "I'm sorry Leo, I shouldn't have doubted you."
"I forgive you, it's Father you ought to worry about." Leo sighed. "Be prepared for his summons. We'll help you out in whatever way we can but you must stay wary."