Hey y'all! Welcome back for the next chappie of Pact. I'm terribly sorry for the wait on this. Other stories and life has been a bit hectic and all. Still, I'm in semester for college. I'm hoping that with stories like usual it'll be my way to de-stress a bit. So, hopefully I can get back to a regular schedule soonish. Enjoy loves! Hehes
Chapter 2: Gift
Within the kingdom of Nohr is where the Capital of Windmire is located. Through the Castle of Krakenburg is where the group arrives at Corrin and her siblings are entering the castle. At one of the entrances, Elise waves at Corrin to catch up, before joining the others. They all go inside, separating to their own ways of what they will do here. What Corrin planned on doing is to see their father. King Garon would be waiting in the throne room)
"I see you made it here safely," noted the callous man.
"Yes, Father. Long have I wished to see you and visit Castle Krakenburg again. I feel like I'm dreaming," admitted Corrin sheepishly.
"It is only thanks to your diligence that you are here. I am told you are now a warrior almost on par with Xander. You finally possess the strength to be an instrument of Nohr's power in the world," commended the king, cracking a small albeit rare smile.
"But, Father, will she be alright outside of the fortress?" Asked Elise, sounding what the others are thinking.
"I worry about that as well. Isn't it dangerous for Corrin to live outside the fortress's magical barrier?" Asked Camilla with a similar sense of worry about this.
"I appreciate your concern, but I earned my way here. I'm ready to fight," reassured Corrin, having a fierce determination gleam in her eyes.
"As you know, Nohr is at war with the eastern kingdom of Hoshido," interjected Garon, ignoring his other daughters words of worry towards the new addition to their ranks.
"Yes, Father. I have heard as much," agreed Corrin, inwardly worried herself, but put on a brave face, not wanting to go back to being locked up in a high tower while everyone else had the privilege to go to war.
"We of the royal family are descendants of the ancient gods, the First Dragons. As inheritors of that divine strength, we conquer those who oppose us with ease. One who learns to wield that power can destroy an entire army of common troops. Xander, Camilla, and Leo have already shown that they possess this power. I expect no less from you," explained Garon in through detail, skipping nothing to place a heavy emphasis on how important it is to know this.
Nodding her head, she replied, "I am aware of your expectations, Father. I have trained every day to become more like my siblings."
Giving it some thought, Garon came to the conclusion of what would transpire next, "Hmm…you show promise. But you will need a suitable weapon in order to serve Nohr properly."
Watching in anticipation, Garon takes out an impressive sword. It's known as Gangriel to most, but its name can be spelled more than one way out of all the rest. It's power is unknown. It's an item that the king kept on hand for this precise moment, having known one day Corrin would be capable of leaving the fortress to come here. Time is of the essence with ensuring she is put to the test.
"This is Ganglari, a sword infused with magic from another world. With this sword at your side, you will crush the Hoshidan army with ease," said the king, handing it over to her, accepting it without an ounce of hesitation.
"Thank you for this generous gift, Father," she placed it in its sheath, looking forward to when she can put it to good use.
"Hmm… Generous indeed," mused Xander thoughtfully.
"Now, let us see you put that sword to its proper use… Bring out the prisoners!" Exclaimed the king, knowing this would test Corrin in more than one way.
A Nohrian guard said, "Yes, sire!"
Prisoners? Have they already captured some of our enemies? Thought the princess, opting to be cautious.
The prisoners come out, being led by the same guard who had departed to fetch them. Those in the shackles are a man and woman. Seeing them made Corrin freeze for a moment. A flash of memory came to mind, but made her feel dazed in the heat of the moment. Brushing it aside for now, Corrin agreed to contemplate further on it later. The time for that is not now when she'll need to prove herself. The last thign she wanted to do is hesitate, knowing in the world outside of the castle walls is a kill or be killed world.
"These are prisoners from our most recent skirmish with Hoshido. I want to see your power with my own eyes. Use that sword to strike them down," Garon explained simply, entrusting that she would be able to carry this out without fault.
"I understand," said Corrin grimly, unseating her blade, knowing this wouldn't be easy, wondering if she's capable of taking someone's life away from them.
All of a sudden, Gunter shows up, "I shall join you, milady. My lance arm is perhaps rusty but still serviceable. Jakob, will you join us as well?"
"Naturally. I couldn't allow someone of your advanced years to bear the burden alone. Lady Corrin," obliged the butler, upholding his duty to serve even on the battlefield, "there is no need for you to soil your hands with this filth. Please relax and leave the fighting to us. Afterward, I will prepare you some tea."
"Thank you both for your assistance," said Corrin softly, eyeing the prisoners suspiciously, wondering why they seemed all too familiar to her. "Let's get this done quickly."
"I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe's honorable chieftain. What is your name, Nohrian princess?" Asked the red-haired woman clothed in traditional attire for someone of her clan, wielding a club.
"I'm Corrin," said the dark haired woman, keeping her guard up, knowing not to trust them even if there might be something else to this.
"Corrin… Can it be?" Muttered Kaze to himself in wonder of seeing her again.
"Huh? Have you heard of me?" Asked Corrin, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.
"I am Kaze, a ninja of Hoshido. Show me what you can do," challenged the shinobi instead of answering her question.
"Remain focused, milady," warned Gunter, knowing this isn't easy on the princess, having many stresses on her shoulders with how the king has certain expectations. "This is no mock battle-a mistake here could cost you your life."
"Milady, I'm well trained in the dagger," said Jakob to defuse some tension. "It's effective both up close and at range. I can even attack foes hiding behind walls, which may prove useful."
Nodding, she decided to intervene with the foe. No, she wouldn't allow her curiosity get the better of her even though she did want to. It did bother her as to how Kaze seemed to know her. Choosing as to which of the prisoners she wanted to deal with first had her go after Kaze before Rinkah. That seemed to make the most sense.
"ninja's shuriken may not cut deep, but it can sap you of your strength. Your death need not come all at once," said the seasoned ninja, taking his stance while pulling out his weapon of choice. "Now, let's get this over with, shall we?'
Engaging with the enemy, Corrin didn't know how this would end up. Holding the sword given to her in hand, she clashed with the shurriken used against her. Thanks to Xander's training had helped very well. It ensured that she wouldn't sustain any fatal damage. The prisoners on the other end are those she can't promise won't sustain anything fatal in the heat of the battle they are now experiencing. Soon enough, she had won it against him. Now, there would only be one more remaining then she would receive her father's approval. That's what she hoped at least.
"I regret…nothing," are his last words before he's defeated.
Seeing her comrade fall, Rinkah said as she moved into her fighting stance, ready for what's about to come her way, "Behold the might of the Flame Tribe."
Raising a brow, Corrin did admire how fierce she is. It's something she would take away from this to become in such a way to ensure she's not hindered in any way from pursuing her goals in life. Engaging in battle with her proved harder than the first one to fall from her blade. It took longer than previously thought to defeat her. Likewise with Kaze, Corrin had allowed her to say her last words before she's finally defeated for good.
"Nohrian scum," hissed the fearsome woman before she fell.
"So this is how it ends," muttered Kaze, wondering how he and Rinkah had only been defeated and not killed yet.
"Phew! They're really tough, aren't they? I hope all Hoshidans aren't this strong," panted out Corrin, wiping the sweat from her brow, guessing this won't be the end of her test by the looks of it.
"Don't just stand there, idiot girl. Finish them," demanded Garon.
"But. Father…they're beaten. You want me to execute helpless prisoners?" Asked Corrin skeptically, looking out in disbelief of what he wanted her to do about this.
"You dare question me?" Roared the king in anger. "I order you to kill them."
"No! It's wrong," protested Corrin, standing her ground frimly.
"I won't argue the point any further," sighed the king, using Ragnarok on the prisoners instead of wasting any further time with this squabble.
" Oh gods," gawked Corrin in shock of seeing their father kill someone in front of her own eyes.
Using Ragnarok again, but Corrin blocks the attack instead of letting it land. No, she would not stand idly by while innocent lives only fighting to survive were slaughtered for a petty reason. Standing her ground is something she has learned during her time locked away. There's no possible way to sway her once she's made up her mind; especially in a time like this.
"Hm?" Kaze watched in awe.
"Corrin!" Exclaimed Elise in shock of what's going on. "What are you-"
"Unbelievable," Xander muttered except he couldn't help to be secretly proud of her for standing up for what she believes is right.
"You would defy me directly, corrin," glared their father, growing angered by this act of defiance.
"Father, please forgive her! She doesn't yet understand our situation," said Xander in an attempt to reason with him.
"Fine," huffed Garon, having made a decision of his own. "Xander, you kill them. If anyone gets in your way then kill them too."
Going over to the prisoenrs, Xander grimaces of seeing her try to stop him, giving a grim look, "Stand down, little sister. If you don't then I will be forced to strike you down."
Without another word, Corrin throws herself into a battle with him. The last thing she would do is back down even if it's at the cost of her own life. Taking the lives of those who are only fighting to survive another day is no reason to kill them haphazardly. Glaring daggers at him, Corrin planned on fighting with tooth and nail until she has no fight left to give.
"Why do you refuse, Corrin? You know the Hoshidans are our sworn enemies," asked Xander through gritted teeth.
"I know, but…this is different. These people can't fight anymore. Why not show mercy?" Asked Corrin in an attempt to reason with her brother even if it may not amount to anything.
"Please, don't fight him… My dear, sweet sister," Camilla tried to placate her even if it may not work.
(Sighing, Leo figured out well enough it'll fall onto him to stop this from escalating any further. It does annoy him that he has to be the peacemaker in all of this. Well, it at least gives him something to do instead of standing on the sidelines. Using Brynhildr to beat down both Kaze and Rinkah to then face Garon.
"Father, I have dispatched our enemies on behalf of my softhearted sister," announced Leo with a strained expression.
"Hmph," glared their father.
"I only ask that you would be merciful in your punishment of her," requested Leo wearily.
"Enough! I will consider the matter later," said their father before he leaves the room.
Frowning, Corrin turns on her heel to face him, "Leo! How could you?! They were beaten! There was no reason to execute them."
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he told her, "Agreed. Now, hush."
"Leo, did you-" before she can complete her question, Xander walks into the middle of the Corrin and Leo.
"Enough, both of you. The battle is over," admonished their oldest sibling, tired from all of this, not wanting any further fighting to happen. "Mark my words, Corrin… One day, an act of kindness may be the death of you."
"Perhaps, but if I'm kind then I will die without regrets," retorted the woman with conviction, not capable of being swayed by just a flimsy warning.
"Well said. Guard, I would examine the prisoners' belongings. Bring their remains to my quarters," ordered Xander before leaving the room as well.
The Nohrian guard obliged, "Yes, Your Highness!
"Leo, your spell…"My spell was only enough to weaken them. Yes, I should have followed Father's orders. But Camilla and Elise always make such a fuss when I do anything to upset you," sighed Leo with a pinched look as if given no alternative.
"Thank you. I'm sorry for teasing you about your collar," said Corrin sincerely.
"You can repay me by not mentioning it again. Now, let's be on our separate ways. There's still much work to be done. Go see father after he's cooled down a bit. See if you can gain his forgiveness."
Oks, that's the end of this chappie. I know it's a bit short, but I don't want to make these too long/drawn out if you know what I mean. So, hopefully you don't mind the wait for this. I'll try to have the next chappie out shortly if possible.
I hope you all enjoyed what happened this time. The next chappie will be out whenever I have it finished being written up. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!