So I decided to start up this side project here, it's my take on how Birthright should have gone much like my Revelations version. It should be noted that I will be touching on things in the game quite differently. Why? Eh cause I feel like it.
Also as a warning that I will be using some mature theme's. By which I mean I will be hitting on the topics of ptsd, suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.
There will be no lemons! That's right, if you are here for lemons you shall find none here, people we have Archive of our Own for that so go there. Anyway onto the Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding the Fire Emblem Fates series. Any and all credit goes to the devs. This story is strictly fan made and I intend to make no money off of this. Any content that is exactly identical to the game is because I had no problems with how that part of the story plays out. That said this story is simply my take on how Birthright should have played out.
It was just before the first light of dawn. The staff of the Northern Fortress began their morning duties. Fires were lit, ovens prepared for baking, candles lit to cast their off yellow glow illuminating the dreary Fortress that slowly came to life. Just outside its walls two horses clopped up to the iron gate dragging a coach wagon behind them. Its occupants looked at the Fortress while they waited for the guard to confirm their arrival.
The youngest bounced in her seat with excitement unable to contain herself. She was oblivious to the conversation going on with the other two occupants.
"Do you think she'll be happy to hear the news?"
The voice belonged to a certain Lilac haired princess who watched her younger sister with an idle eye of amusement. Indeed, the youngest had a way with making her happiness contagious, able to lift just about anyone's spirits if given the chance.
"She should be. After all she's been doing exceptionally well in her studies. In fact, with a little work, she may become just as powerful as I am. Just last week she made a perfect score two unannounced tests I gave her to see if she had been studying. Father tasked me with her training after all so it's to be expected that she would be doing so well."
The voice that replied belonged to the middle child of the family. Once the guard was finished, the iron gate to the Northern Fortress groaned and creaked as a servant began cranking the wheel that would pull the steel chains used to lift the gate open. Leo continued with a hint of concern
"Although I'm concerned about why he's so keen that I keep him updated on the progression of her abilities as Seer. It's not like him to be so interested in fortune telling."
The eldest sister of the Nohrian Siblings, Camilla, allowed a smile to play across her lips as she said in a reassuring tone that, thankfully, had the intended effect on her brother
"Father is just being thorough, she is a Princess of Nohr after all and needs to excel at everything she can do"
Within Kamui's room, a hauntingly beautiful tune filled the air. It was her favorite thing to listen to in the fortress and it was rare to not hear it at least once during the day. After her long arduous studies, she would often retreat to her room to listen to the music box. The music box had been a gift from her older sister on her sixteenth birthday and quickly become one of her dearest treasures.
Kamui's room was small despite being Nohrian Royalty. It contained a queen-sized bed, a dresser, a bedside table, a table with several candles and a comfortable looking purple pillow resting at its center. On the pillow rested a long black silk cloth that was no wider than a woman's forearm. It was fashioned with expensive silk and appeared to be extremely soft to the touch. The rooms sole occupant sat before the table on her knee's back straight as she reached out for the cloth. Once her finger tips grazed the cloth she grasped it gently and wrapped it about her head once, twice, three times before tying it off. The ends trailing down to just below her shoulders disappearing under the mass of white hair that came to an end at her hips.
She wore a long black form fitting sleeveless dress made from the same material as her blind fold. On her arms she wore black sleeves that stopped just before her shoulders. Lining the bottom of the dress was two tree branches that snaked about each other as they circled around. Near her wrists was a small black cord that wrapped around her middle finger, both ends connected to the sleeves. The sleeves had a small intricate silver thread design resembling tree branches but with no leaves on them as they branched up the sleeves to the other side. Draped about her shoulders was a small black cloak that covered her that top half of her upper body ending at her elbows.
Despite the protests from the maid staff, her siblings included, she refused to wear shoes. As a small child she never wore shoes and it seemed she was not about to break tradition. There was a brief knock on the door prompting the woman to look up at the source of the noise. Calling out softly she said
"You may enter."
No sooner had she finished speaking did the door open and a sing song voice called out "Good morning Milady!" the sound of china clinking filled the air as Felicia entered the room followed by Flora who carried a tray of food with a cup of tea. With a gentle smile she looked down at the table in front of her saying
"Ah, Good morning Felicia and Flora"
Flora wordlessly placed the tray in front of her Liege taking a few steps back with her hands clasped together in front of her. After a few moments she said, "Good morning to you as well Milady, did you sleep well?"
Once Kamui heard the question she frowned in response but didn't say anything. After taking a sip of her tea, she replied, "No I didn't." her tone clearly indicated that she didn't want to dwell further on the subject. The rest of the breakfast was carried out in silence. Once the last of her breakfast was finished she accepted Felicia's offered hand and stood. While Flora gathered up the tray Felicia informed "Milady, your siblings are awaiting you in the study. It seems that have something important to tell you."
Kamui replied with quiet thanks before leaving her room followed by Felicia. As she walked her hand trailed every so lightly along the wall behind her. The rough coarse stone pinched slightly but she didn't mind. When she neared the study, she heard her siblings talking which prompted her to stop just before the door to listen to what they were saying. It sounded like arguing which came as somewhat of a shock to her. She never knew her siblings to fight amongst themselves.
"She needs more time training! Adept as she may be with magic she simply isn't ready with a sword, what if someone catches her off guard and she can't cast a spell?"
That was Xanders voice. His tone sounded quite agitated but that wasn't unusual when she spent time training with him. Outside of training he always sounded distract which often made her wonder what bothered him. However, when she prodded for information he would give a dismissive excuse and change the subject.
"That isn't your decision Brother. Father feels that he has need of her abilities hence why has demanded her presence."
She heard Leo reply in his usual calm and collected tone. That response really caught her attention. Father needed her? She had a chance to be useful? Her heart beat quickened at the chance to finally leave the gloomy fortress but paused when Xanders voice cut through her thoughts
"You know as well as I that she will be dead the moment she enters a fight. She can barely lift a sword! Painful as it may be to admit, it would be better if-"
After having heard enough of her siblings arguing Kamui rounded the corner to stand in the entrance of the study. She could feel the heat of the fire in the fireplace on her face but ignored it as she waited for her siblings to speak up. Upon making her presence known the two brothers quickly ceased their conversation. However, it was becoming apparent that she had heard enough. Leo spoke up breaking the deafening silence that permeated the air
"Sister! You're here, how have you been?"
It was a question in futility. The younger brother could tell that Kamui was clearly upset. Her hands rested at her sides as she stared at her older brother with a set frown. Xander knew well that she was blind but he could still feel her gaze boring into him. Moments passed then she asked in her ever constant soft voice "Because you are so distant when it comes to be a member of the family, brother, I'll forgive you. Perhaps you'll come to see me in a new light when my name begins to show up in your reports on the war." Her words caught the brothers off-guard but they recovered quickly. Xander chose to let the comment slide for now as Kamui said as she stepped into the study with both her hands clasped together resting just above her waist.
"Leo, it is nice to see you-" A smile graced her features as she continued "-I hear that Father has requested to see me. May I ask what the occasion is?"
Leo crossed the room to pick up a package that was the size of a book wrapped in brown paper tied together with regular twin. He approached Kamui holding it out to her as he explained "We'll have plenty of time to discuss the details later with Father. But I do have a gift for you." She accepted the gift and slowly removed the twine then followed the brown paper. It was a magic tome. The woman smiled and thanked him as the trio left. On the way to the coach they were joined by Camilla and Elise exchanging light hearted banter as they walked.
Castle Krakenburg
"Father, You wish for me to…..execute these men?"
Kamui was shocked at his demand. The question seemed to anger the King who replied "You heard me girl, need I repeat myself?" opting to not provoke him further she slowly descended the short flight of stairs from the throne as a ninja, a woman dressed in only baggy trousers and a bra band, with a small number of samurai. The oddly dressed woman called out
"I am Rinkah, Daughter of the flame tribe chieftan. And who are you, Nohrian Princess?"
Kamui replied as she slightly bent her knees while bowing her head in a formal manner with her hands clasped together in front of her resting above her waist
"I am Princess Kamui of Nohr, Daughter of King Garon, third in line to the throne. Unfortunately, it is my duty to be your executioner. Please understand that I bear you no ill will. Perhaps in another life we may be friends."
Welp there it is, hope you all enjoyed it!
Be sure to leave a review and tell me what you think :D
Talley-ho!