The sun was currently shining over Hoshido, bathing the rich green landscape with a bright yellow glow, seemingly giving the land an enchanted feeling. There was a moderate breeze sweeping across, pulling loose leaves, primarily from one of the many cherry blossoms, along the wind. Around this particular section of plains stood a moderate sized house, its white colored walls and brown roof standing proud, as if claiming this area for itself. Much like its owner, the building's paint was perfectly even, not a single splotch could be seen even with the most acute observation. No hole or dent in sight, the floor was firm and the door sturdy, not a single thing in the house squeaked or croaked when used.

This house belonged to Subaki, a gift from the Hoshidan royal family's youngest princess, Sakura, for the man's exceptional duties as her retainer. The idea was in fact, however, ironic, since his position rarely allowed him to visit the building with any regular stays. But Sakura was adamant about it, convincing him to accept it for his wife and daughter. Today, though, the perfect man was, in fact, home gathering supplies for his upcoming trip. He was, of course, extremely against the idea of having to leave Sakura for any amount of time, and even Sakura seemed unable to convince him to at least entertain the idea. So it wasn't until Corrin stepped in and suggested that she would take care of her in his stead. Which also meant her husband Silas, their son Kana, their daughter Sophie, and to an extent Corrin's own retainers, Kaze and Orochi, would also be watching over the princess. Hopelessly outmatched, he reluctantly agreed.

Checking over his luggage for the third time, he was satisfied that everything he needed was perfectly in place.

"Father!" the man turned around to see his daughter, Caeldori, at the doorway to his room, seemingly glowing from where the sunlight could hit her recently polished armor from the windows. She had a beautiful smile plastered on her face. While Sakura was the one to suggest to Subaki to have a relaxing vacation, it was his daughter who suggested the place to visit. Although the idea didn't come from just Caeldori alone. Anna (not the one who joined Corrin's army, rather the one who operated the Dragon's Gate) had told Subaki's wife, Selena, that should she want to, the Dragon's Gate could take her to Ylisse. "Are you nearly done packing?"

The father returned his own smile, "Absolutely." Gods, was his daughter excited. Though he couldn't blame her. Selena didn't really go into detail about where she came from, Subaki and Caeldori obtained information in small bits, which most of those bits went to the young Pegasus rider. He was curious as to what her home looked like. "Is your mother ready?"

"She has a few things left, but she should be ready in a minute or two." While Subaki was hesitant on taking a trip, Selena was hesitant on going to Ylisse, though it would be a lie to say that she would at least like to check up on the Shepherds. Part of the long red hair mercenary wondered on how her mother would react to seeing Caeldori. To her, it was complete irony, the prodigal Cordelia gives birth to a daughter that did everything she could to live up to her mother's reputation. Then when Selena arrives in Nohr, joins forces with Corrin, she falls in love with the perfect pegasus rider, which then she has a daughter that is also a prodigy like her mother, and here Selena is, out-shadowed by her mother, husband, and daughter.

"Then perhaps we should check up on her." Grabbing his pack and securing it around his shoulder, Subaki glanced over his and his wife's room, ensuring everything is where it should be. Satisfied, he joined his daughter to seek out Selena, not that it would be difficult. There weren't many spots in the house to check and there was probably a good chance that, "She's outside." The perfect Pegasus rider commented upon hearing the unmistakable sound of metal hitting a training dummy. Father and daughter both exited the building and sure enough, Selena was honing her skills against a defenseless dummy, her bag sat on the grass a few feet away from her. Subaki opted to watch his wife train, admiring her technique, the way that even against an object, she pushed herself.

"You probably shouldn't tire yourself before we even start traveling." Caeldori said.

Selena stopped mid-swing and turned around, sheathing her sword, then grabbing her pack. Her usual frown adorned her face, while her tunic had a few spots of dirt and sweat on it. "There is always time to improve." While she didn't show the worried expression on her face, Subaki could still sense the underlying motive, 'I need to be strong enough to protect those I care about.' The final battle with Anankos took its toll, and even with all the determination of Corrin's army, even with how well everyone worked together, a number sustained serious injuries, and even worse, there were casualties. One of them being none other than Selena's charge, Camilla, who while fighting off an armoured Vallite General, as was caught off-guard by one of Anankos's fireballs. A shiver went down her spine and it had nothing to do with the weather. "Are the both of you ready?" Part of the mercenary didn't want to return to Ylisse, because she knew her mother would be hounding her on where her daughter disappeared for several years, but she was still curious on how Chrom and the rest of the Shepherds were.

Her husband and daughter both gave her the affirmative while presenting their bags. Both of their Pegasi neighed and landed next to their respective handlers. The two their bags on the majestic beasts, which afterwards Subaki motioned for Selena to join him on his mount. It wasn't her preferred method of traveling, but she slowly walked towards him regardless. After securing her bag, she carefully got onto her husband's Pegasus, making sure not to startle the creature with the added weight.

"Let's take off!" Caeldori announced as the two Pegasus Knights guided their mounts off the ground to the west, where the nearest Dragon's Gate stood.

The view of Hoshido that was provided for them was as breathtaking as ever, the branches of trees swayed ever so slightly with the wind, as if performing a dance, the grass had a small glow to it from the glare of the sun, while small ponds and lakes had ripples that looked like a piece of cloth or some rope being swung around by a child. "What was the name of this land, again?" Subaki's question brought Selena out of her thoughts.

"Halidom of Ylisse."

"Ylisse..." The man repeated, like he was getting a taste for the word. "Were there any locations of interest you would like to visit first?"

"Ylisstol, its capital. Chrom should be there." More like Chrom will be there, he can't exactly spend extended time out of the castle, not with all of his royal duties.

"Father, the Dragon's Gate is in sight." Caeldori pointed out. With that said, the two Knights guided their mounts to the ground, where one of the many Annas stood in front of. Only the gods knew if she was the same one that told them about this opportunity.

"Welcome, welcome." Anna greeted, adopting the stance of the trader that the sisters were known for. "Might I ask which Outrealm were you here for?"

"You informed us that you had a portal that would lead us to Ylisse." Selena went straight to the point.

The merchant did an exaggerated pause, "Oh, right! Just give me a minute to adjust the portal..." She turned around and started poking at what seemed like just regular stone on the wall, but somehow that caused the Dragon's Gate to shift in colors before landing on what seemed like a grassy field. "There you go! Enjoy!" Selena departed first, followed by her husband, then her daughter. "Hmm..." Anna thought aloud after they were out of earshot, "I do hope that leads to the same Ylisse she came from..."

The family was immediately greeted by an open grassy field peppered with an occasional tree. There was a faint breeze that pulled the grass along with it.

"Beautiful." Subaki commented as he took in a deep breath. "Now, which way to Ylisstol?"

Assuming she remembered correctly, the Dragon's Gate was almost directly south of the capital, "North." With the direction in mind, the trio took off once more on their mounts. The trip was largely devoid of chatter, with only the occasional question being answered.

"Will grandmother be there?"

Selena scoffed, "She'll probably be on a mission." The notion that everyone in the family was nearly the same age seemed absurd and it was all thanks to time travel and deeprealms. How many other Shepherds have their grandchildren the same age as them? Lissa and Olivia were the only real two contenders for that.

"You never mentioned your father." Subaki pointed out.

Another symbol of genius, her father's tactics made the Shepherds into a nigh-unstoppable group. "Robin, 'Ylisse's Greatest Tactician'."

"What is he like?"

Which version? The one who fell to Grima's influence? Or the one who sacrificed himself to kill said Fell Dragon? "What was he like…" She found herself unable to stop from bringing up that fact.

"I, oh…"

"It's alright, you didn't know." It still hurts her. His sacrifice was felt by everyone, Cordelia and Chrom were the only other two who were probably as affected by it. Suddenly, she wondered if her mother ever remarried or if she is still pining for Chrom. How was her present baby-self doing without a father?

"Hey, love." Selena was brought out of her thoughts by Subaki's voice and she noticed that her cheeks were wet. And in an uncharacteristic manner, she hugged onto him, if only for a few seconds. The perfect Sky Knight smiled, it was those rare moments that truly reminded him how lucky he was. "There's a city on the horizon, shall we land next to the stables and walk?"

"Yeah…" She nods, it's almost time, she realized that she didn't think she was even ready to see everyone just yet. 'Especially mother.' She was once again broken out of her thoughts as the Pegasi landed… why was she suddenly being so wistful?

"This place is beautiful, mother." Caeldori smiled as they made their way through the city, "Oh!" She gasps as they pass by a vendor selling various trinkets, "Could we spend a few moments shopping first?"

For a moment, Selena contemplated 'no', that she would rather get the tough part out of the way first, but… "Sure, one hour though." For a split-second, a smile graced her face. "There's a fountain near the center of the city, we'll meet there." 'Gods forbid we get lost.'