The morning zephry touched the mountainous village outside of Hoshido. The sun brightened the somewhat despondent mood that the village projected. The village wasn't financially suited, but the village was rich in heart and nostalgia. While the overall finances of the village tapped onto a nadir, the village was preparing a special surprise for the Hoshidan army that would soon pass through the mountainous village.

The population was never truly surprising - barely one-hundred souls resided in the village - and they were practically isolated from the remainder of the country. Very few people left the village, making this village barely known to the outside world. The children darted around the village, running in the streets or playing in the stream that snaked throughout the village. The village was secluded by a forest, and only one path lead away from the village. Guards were seldom from the village gate, but one sentry was always posted near the front; the village was raided by a Nohrian brigands, and the village people couldn't risk another attack.

Children darted through the streets, playing "run from the Faceless". The Faceless were cruel, faceless creatures of pure destruction. Several months ago, one villager spotted a Faceless near the village borders, scaring every individual inside the small village. They weren't fighters, and the Faceless would've slaughtered everyone. Their parents apathetically watched as they worked in the small vendors or outside in the fields. Since the money touched a scary nadir, the villagers resorted to agriculture. The small field was transformed into a much lager field.

The village was pretty close; everybody knew everybody. The parents knew everyone's children and parents, and all the children got along. There were hardly any ordeals that went amongst the villagers, and it was bliss. There was only one rule: never enter the forest alone.

One child broke that rule on the fateful day.

Shards of wood and splinters flew in many direction as the bronze sword cut into the tree's thick skin. Sweat rolled off the boy who practiced his cuts and strikes against his opponent: nature. The forest was eerily quiet, but the boy knew he was alone. The children were getting ready for the festival, preparing for the Hoshidan army to be welcomed into the village. The boy rolled his dark blue eyes. He decided to take a momentary break. He sheathed his prized bronze sword and sat down, resting against another tree. Shade covered him as he ran his hand through his brown hair. Birds chirped above him.

He sighed as he looked around the forest. He saw trees, and trees, and even more trees. He exhaled an exhausted breath as he drew his sword again to gaze upon its radiant beauty. The blade was a simple bronze sword, but he treasured this blade. His father gifted this sword on the boy's seventh birthday, and the boy instantly fell in love with it; his mother was less sentimental about the sword, but it was her husband, and she never argued about the sword. One part of that reason is that his father is a respected Nohrian general. His father worked beside King Garon, and his son, Prince Xander. The boy only ever meet the two nobles once: he was eight, and he was spending time with his father. His father often complained about not seeing his son, so his wife eventually caved and gave him time with his son. During that time, the boy meet Xander in a corridor, and meet Garon during a meeting.

The boy sighed again - that was better than living in this damned village. He stood tall and sauntered towards his tree. The tree bore many scars and cuts, reminders of the boy's previous trainings. He pointed his favorite sword at the tree. He leapt into the air, and twirled. He brought the sword in a downwards, diagonal cut. The sword carved into the wood as the boy continued his vigorous dance. The boy continued to make random, strong cuts in various directions and patterns. Splinters fell in many directions. The boy smiled at his training as he came to a halt.

"That was some nice swordplay," said an enigmatic voice from behind.

The boy jumped with fear as he spun around. He must've latched onto a root, because he fell onto his backside during the spin. He looked up, seeing his mother stand nearby, leaning against a tree, laughing. The boy frowned. "Mother?! What are you doing here?"

His mother continued to laugh. "I came to watch my son fall on his backside!"

The boy frowned as he stood tall and wiped his rump. He brushed off the dirt from his trousers. "Well, mother, I do suppose that was somewhat comedic, eh? You always said I got my humor from father."

"That you do, my dear Koda," said his mother as she silenced her laughter and yielded her beautiful smile, "you also resemble him so much - your eyes are almost identical."

The boy, Koda, smiled. He sheathed his sword. "Thank you, mother, however, you never answered my question: what are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed to watch my son as he trains?"

"I-I never said that!"

"I know, dear," she said with another smile. "Is this more training for that mission you're so...determined to complete?"

Koda frowned and looked away. He took a deep breath. "This mission is the only thing I have to complete in my life."

His mother returned his frown. "That isn't true."

"But it is, mother! This mission is highly important, and requires my utmost attention! I cannot fail the King," said Koda as he started to pace around the forest. He paced when he was angry, anxious, or nervous. He also tended to bite his lip.

"I'm sure King Garon would understand if-"

"No, he wouldn't," said Koda with some heat. He looked at his mother. He was surprised at her words; she was once a Nohrian warrior - one of the most feared female fighters in all of Nohr. She worked with King Garon personally, and she knows him truly. His mother was once a Mirag Knight, working with magic and weapons. She was dangerous and ruthless on the battlefield. She was too impressive for Garon's ranks, so he promoted her as a retainer for himself, but she soon left on the pregnancy of Koda. "You should know that."

His mother looked away. "What if he doesn't seek to return to Nohr?"

"What do you mean?"

"You heard about the assassination of the Queen, and the ceremony they were conducting - he has siblings, Koda. His siblings will do their best to prevent him to returning to Nohr."

Koda continued his pacing and he bit his lip. "He has siblings that love him in Nohr! Elise, Camilia, Leo, and Prince Xander! Each sibling would kill me one-hundred times over if I don't return Corrin!"

"Then why did you accept the mission?" asked his mother. Koda looked at her, and he saw that her eyes were narrowed - this meant that she was truly questioning him.

Koda looked at his feet. "King Garon knew my skills at espionage. He said I was reliable, and would be praised as a hero if I returned Corrin to his father and siblings. He praised my skills, and I had to accept. Father was standing nearby, and I couldn't decline then. I knew the siblings are relying on my to return their brother, and I cannot fail them."

"Koda, you accept that mission four months ago, and only today, you'll see Corrin and his forces."

"I understand that, mother."

"How do you intend to gain ranks with Corrin and his army?" asked his mother cynically. She narrowed her eyes even further.

Koda bit his lip fiercely. He stopped pacing at looked at his sword. He released the vice grip on his lip. He drew the bronze sword and looked at the blade. "I will challenge Corrin to a duel; if I win, I join their ranks and march with them."

"What happens if you fail, son?"

Koda sheathed his sword. "Then I fail my mission on returning Corrin to his fascist father."

Koda and his mother had left the forest. His mother walked near Koda as they walked the small path towards the village. Koda admired all the homes that rested on the mountain, some at different elevations. Children ran past the boy, who smiled as they darted into the nearby stream. Fish occasionally migrate through the stream, and very few children catch one, but it kept them prioritized.

His mother smiled at one lady who carried flowers in a bundle. The lady returned her kind and infectious smile. Koda chuckled to himself as he looked at the decorations and food that was being prepared for the Hoshidan army. Koda had never seen many decorations in his sixteen years of life, but he was glad he had the wonderful opportunity to gaze upon them now.

His awe was ended when a piercing scream rang through the air. Everyone instantly ended their activities as they shifted towards the front gate of the village. The village was nested on a village, and the path down to the gate was down the mountain. One woman ran past Koda, screaming about brigands. Koda looked at his mother, and she returned his glance. Koda was possibly the strongest warrior in the village. His mother retired from fighting for almost twenty years; she's too rusted to fight, and Koda was inexperienced, except for the sparring he endured at Nohr. He spared with one boy named Silas, and he was extremely close to Corrin - Koda only talked to him occasionally.

Koda drew his sword and ran towards the center of town. The center of town was empty, except for vendors for food and decorations. Streamers hung off houses, swaying in the air. Koda grimaced as the rancid smell of death approached. He once hunted a deer, and faintly remembered the disgusting smell. Koda held his breath as he distantly saw the brigands climb into the village.

There was fourteen of them, and only one of Koda.

The brigands were dragging two bodies. Koda grimaced as the brigands approached the center of town. Koda saw their fierce axes, swords, lances, and armors. They were definitely Nohrian. Koda gripped his sword tightly as they approached Koda. They were about fifteen yards away from Koda when they stopped. The usual zephyr turned into a strong wind, sending dust into the air.

The front man of the group - he was missing one ear and his nose was large - smiled and studied Koda. "Did the villagers send us some dessert? Those sentries were mighty tasty!" He bellowed a large laugh, which alerted the other bandits, and they joined the laughter. Koda noticed that two bandits had dragged the sentries up the mountain. They were being held by their collars, and Koda grimaced as he noticed trails of blood that lead from the town gate. The sentries were brothers, Setsoya and Takumi.

Another bandit approached. One of his eyes were gone, replaced with his closed eyelids. "It doesn't matter on what they sent us - they're all going to die, anyways!"

"Let's kill this brat, take all their women, then let's attack the capital!" shouted another voice.

Koda readied himself. He couldn't die here - he needed to finish his mission. He had to fight, and he had to win!