Prologue: The Devil Knight
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fire Emblem. Fire Emblem is the intellectual property of Intelligent System and Nintendo.
The day in the Northern Fortress begins anew as the head butler, Jakob, rises early as he wakes up the twins Felicia and Flora. Normally the pink haired Felicia would be on cooking duty today, but Jakob allowed her to choose another job so long as she stays far away from the kitchen. A little upset, but understanding, she silently strolls to Corrins' room. Her hand starts to get cooler as she prepares to wake the slugabed up as she pulls the covers to reveal...no one. Panicking, she calls her Jakob and Flora over.
Flora, while being more composed, has shivers down her back, but Jakob, being the cool headed butler he is, closes his eyes. He then asks, "Felicia, have you seen Gunter by any chance?"
Startled Felicia replied, "Er…no…oh gods, what if they also took Gunter?!"
"And what value will an old knight like me be worth?" The three servants turn around to see the wrinkled veteran Great Knight, Gunter, looking a little exhausted, but nevertheless impressive. Standing beside him is the Nohr Prince, Corrin, as he dons on his hisgrey scale-like armor with his favorite black cloak over it. Strapped on his back is a large bronze sword which smells distinctly of blood.
"Milord! Where were you?!" cried Felicia as she doesn't even resist the temptation to hug him.
"Felciia…I was out…" was Corrin's answer.
"Presumably fighting off some ruffians that were threatening the village?" asked Flora as Corrin looks at her.
"H-how?"
Jakob clears his throat as he points out the obvious. "You're wearing boots milord." Everyone looks at Corrin's feet and indeed he's wearing boots "Normally you prefer to be barefooted, unless you're going out."
"L-Lord Corrin!" Felicia cried even harder "Please don't go out like that!"
Corrin can only sweat drop as he tries to reassure Felicia. "Hey don't worry. Some ruffians won't get the best of me."
"…What were you thinking milord?" asked Flora as the room gets chiller "Can you imagine how much Felicia worried about you?"
"…Sorry…" was Corrin's apology "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I should get some exercise."
"By yourself?"
"Nah Gunter was with me." the servants look at Gunter as he puts his hands up as if saying guilty as charged. "I thought I would be back before you guys wake up. Again I'm pretty sorry Felicia…"
Felicia dries her tears up as she feebly says, "N-Next time Lord Corrin…just leave a note." Corrin only needs to take one look at her eyes and he agreed to Felicia's terms.
"Well now that is settle…I believe breakfast should be soon ready." announced Flora "After all, you need the energy. You'll be facing Prince Xander soon."
"…Oh joy." was Corrin's response.
Some time after breakfast, Xander and Leo show up at the western tower. Xander seems quite happy today as he picks up a practice sword from the armory as does Corrin. Leo decides to referee the match, but has a rough idea on what is going to happen.
Xander will swing a few tiems with his sword, Corrin blocks it, then tries to retaliate, Xander dodges him, and finally Xander knocks him down. Much to Leo and Xander's frustration, because they know the real reason why this scenario seems to play out a lot.
The answer lies in the fact that it Corrin looks ready to take a nap every time he gets knocked down.
"Is that all you got brother?!" shouted Xander patiently, if not a little exasperated.
"Beats me." replied Corrin "I mean…what do you two expect?"
Leo grumbles, but knows that this is how his brother is. "We expect more from you dear brother." Xander nods as the family KNOWS the only thing Corrin needs is motivation to take an ounce of seriousness.
"I don't know…" Xander looks at Leo as the Gravity Master nods.
"Very well then. I hate to bring the bad news that you cannot come out of this fortress." said Xander as this forces Corrin to raise an eyebrow "Father is QUITE disappointed in your performance, so thus he has no need for someone like you."
Corrin shakes his head as he actually holds the sword with both of his hands. "Oh hell no."
"Oh yes brother." said Leo "In fact, if you can't beat Xander today, you not only cannot come out of this fortress, but father will forbid us from visiting you again. After all, father will probably order us not to waste time on weaklings, as sad as it is." Leo smirk just a little as he sees Corrin's posture improving.
"Good now you're taking things seriously now!" Xander also readies his dark horse and his sword in a battle position "Now knock me over if you can!"
Corrin nods as he dashes to Xander, his crimson eyes looking for any openings as two swords clash. Failing to see any openings, Corrin decides to make one of his own as he forcefully parries Xander's sword out of the way, causing him to fall off from his horse. Xander stands right back up though as the two clash their swords again. With one step forward though, Corrin is starting to overpower Xander, but the high prince won't allow such a thing as he too pushes forward. Both combatants equal in strength, with one who hesitates loses. If the swords were made of stronger material, sparks will fly as both brothers are looking to be in a lockdown of the ages.
"Hey Corrin! Xander! Leo!" Corrin briefly takes a look to see his little sister, Elise, and his older sister, Camilla, coming to join them. Sighing he decides to cut the match short as puts a little bit more power which causes Xander to stagger by one foot, but that was all Corrin needed as swings his sword and seriously dents his armor.
Xander falls flat on his back, but is laughing nonetheless as Elise comes over to her family excitingly. "Whoa what did Camilla and I missed?"
"…Corrin finally getting a little serious." was all Leo could say.
"Oh my my, did our little Corrin finally beat Xander?" asked Camilla as she hugs her brother "I'm SOOO proud of you dear. I'm sure father will be happy to see you."
"Well...I guessed the fact that he wouldn't let me out of this fortress is kinda the kick in the rear I needed."
Elise seems to be surprised by all this as she asks, "Huh? I thought we were going to get Corrin because father asked us to."
"…What?"
Xander scratches his head as he chuckles and says, "Leo and I may….have lied to you."
"What? What?"
"Ahem…yes…father is quite aware on how strong you are, but is also aware on your personality." said Leo
"What? What? What?"
Elise seems puzzled as she tries to figure this whole thing out "Sooo….basically Corrin didn't HAVE to beat Xander because father wanted him anyways?"
"…This is about the collar isn't it Leo?" was Corrin's assumption.
"I assure you I do not hold grudges over petty things like that." defended Leo.
"Hmmm….that reminds me…." said Camilla "Leo, I know you have bad bed hair, but a nightcap is not proper headwear." Leo immediately blushes as he feels his head and sees, in fact, he is wearing a nightcap.
"…Does that mean I'm finally free?" asked Corrin as Xander nods proudly "…Sweet. Can't wait to get outside."
"And explore the world?" asked Camilla quite sweetly.
"That and find places where you can take naps." said Corrin as everyone but Elise sighs, but laughs knowing that is Corrin being Corrin.
The blue haired animal tamer, Lilith, eagerly awaits for everyone next to the carriage while readying the horses.
"Lilith, are all the preparations complete?" asked Xander.
"Yes sir! Even your horse, Sigurd, is all healed up."
"Excellent! We must go and greet father with Corrin." said Xander. At the front entrance Corrin is being accompanied by both Felicia and Gunter while Jakob and Flora waves goodbye.
"Are you two sure you'll be fine?" asked Felciia as Jakob sighs.
"For the last time, I assure you Felicia, Flora and I will take care of this fortress unless the situation changes." before Felicia can say something else Jakob adds "Besides there might be a time when Lord Corrin needs the both of you."
"…Okay…I guess you're right…" was all Felicia can say as she and Flora hug.
"…Gunter, will be alright?" asked Corrin as he and his old knight hop on.
"…I'll be fine Lord Corrin. It's you I'm more worried about."
"Gunter….relax why don't you?" replied Corrin "If something DOES come up, I'll just fight our way out. No need to worry."
"Ha ha ha, I suppose you're right. We are aware of how strong you are." Gunter then pulls out a package that is wrapped around in cloth and hands it to Corrin. The receiver looks at the giver as Gunter smiles and signals him to go on.
Unwrapping it was a sword, but not just any sword. It was a Nohr Blade, something that is only given to knights who have shown exemplary strength and valor. Corrin can see that the handle had to be refashioned, most likely it was falling apart, and the blade was sharpened pretty recently. It is definitely NOT of Corrin's size, almost like a claymore.
In other words, this sword is perfect for him.
"Hey Gunter….thanks man…you didn't have to do this for me…"
"Nonsense Lord Corrin. I believe you're ready." smiled Gunter "You have always shown to be quite strong when you needed to be, even if you're a little laxed. However your desire to protect is quite admirable so I think this sword is fitting for you...
…Devil Knight."