CHAPTER TWO/ TAKUMI

So that was Kamui, my long lost older sister. I really wish she'd been killed all those years ago. That way she could have died as an innocent. But to return to us as a Nohrian... I cannot forgive her. How can someone who shares my blood betray us so horribly? Joining us should have been a no-brainer. But she chose Nohr. She is scum just like all the rest of them.

I shutter when I think of how Kaze had told Mother of Kamui's - no - Corrin's whereabouts, right when he and Rinkah had returned.

"We found her, my lady!" he said. "We found Princess Kamui. We need to ensure that she makes her way here immediately! You will be so proud, Queen Mikoto. She's grown up so strong and kind. It is really amazing. She resembles our Prince Takumi quite a bit."

I grit my teeth and throw the top layer of my clothing to the floor of my room. I need to relax a little. Going to the bathhouse would help. I grab Fujin Yumi and carry it like a staff. I wish Ryoma and Azura hadn't given Yato to Corrin. Hoshido will certainly pay for that decision in the future.

After stripping down to just a pair of shorts, I tear the ties from out of my hair and feel heavy strands fall over my shoulders and back. In truth, it isn't convenient to have such long hair. It gets in the way and I often worry that the length looks too elegant on me. Most of all, on the battlefield, I am often paranoid that some enemy will grab it and pull me down. But it has long been Hoshidan tradition for princes and kings to avoid cutting their hair and I respect tradition.

The steam feels good when I enter the male side of the bathhouse; it is so thick in the crisp air that I almost don't notice my brother and Kaze.

"Takumi!" Ryoma waves me over. "Come join us."

Kaze bows his head in acknowledgement. "Lord Takumi."

I sink into the water and feel my muscles loosen up. The tension melts from my body.

"I'd like to apologize, brother."

I glance at Ryoma questioningly. "For what?"

"I was worried that our sisters and I haven't been taking your concerns about Kamui seriously. You feelings on the matter are legitimate."

"Thank you." I rub my thumb on one of the stones near where I sit. "Kaze, what are your impressions? You were captured and sent to the Nohrian castle, weren't you? I can't imagine how horrible that would be."

Kaze glances up at me and opens his mouth to say something, but seems to pause and reword his thoughts in his head before speaking.

"My opinion, your majesty? I believe Princess Kamui is Nohrian through and through. But, perhaps that is not a bad thing. Excuse my boldness, but I think it would be beneficial to us for there to be a Nohrian leader who can be reasoned with. I do not know strategy like either of you do and I have no familial ties to the princess either... But it seems like it could be a good thing for Kamui to be Nohrian."

I grab the stone I'm holding so hard that I feel a pain in my thumb. Slightly shaking out my hand, I say,

"It's a naive thought, Kaze. Perhaps, at one time, we could have come to an agreement with Nohr. But how can we do that now? This isn't about land or assets anymore. It's about dignity and justice. Nohrians are menaces. They've killed our people and raped our women and stolen our valuables. If we make peace now, not only are we admitting to weakness, but we are showing people that Nohr can preform these atrocities and get away punishment-free."

"It has certainly come to pride," agrees Ryoma. "This cannot come to an end without a new Nohrian king in place and, unfortunately, blood must be spilled to achieve that. By refusing to join our cause, Kamui is supporting King Garon... But, It's clear he's been manipulating her for years.. I don't believe she really understands what's going on..."

Ryoma's expression concerns me. Why on earth does he still love Corrin so much? She's shown her true colors as a traitor. Mother's blood soaks her hands. I think back to the struggle in the Hoshidan square. So soon after Corrin arrived, we were attacked by Nohrian invaders, people shrouded in dark magic. Mother died protecting Corrin from the dark magic in her own sword. The scene was awful, but... Part of me hoped that Corrin would pledge herself to us in atonement. I never trusted her, but I couldn't stand the thought of my mother's spirit seeing that her sacrifice had been in vain.

"She will never be Hoshidan, but by blood," I say.

Ryoma sighs. "You and Sakura were extremely young when Kamui was taken from us. But Hinoka and I can remember that day and we can remember the way things were before. Mother and Father always told Hinoka and I to look after you, Kamui, and Sakura. I think we still feel love and duty towards Kamui as her older siblings. When Kamui returned, Sakura got attached immediately. But you... I can understand you emotions. Kamui was never a major figure in your life, only someone Mother spoke of fondly and cried for. Now she has returned as a member of the clan you hate. I understand your feelings. But I cannot give up on my precious little sister. If we do convince her to return to us someday, I hope you can treat her kindly. Especially for Hinoka and Sakura's sakes."

For my sisters' sakes? I frown. Of course I love my sisters. They're brave, kind, and beautiful. I would never want to do anything to make them cry. But I also want to make sure that nothing ever harms them.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," I say, carefully splashing water onto my face. "As it stands, I cannot trust Corrin nor respect her."

Ryoma frowns at my choice in names, but says nothing about it. Instead he changes the subject, asking how my late night archery practice has been going. I am proud to truthfully say that I am getting better at shooting in the dark. Not having the sun or Fujin Yumi's shimmer to guide me was terrifying at first and my eyes still aren't used to darkness, but my hearing has improved greatly. I've learned to identify the thumping of a rabbit's foot or the grazing of a deer close by. I've brought home lots of meat for everyone, spoiling my retainers, Oboro and Hinata, with extra. Their excited faces are enough to make me so happy.

After a bit, Ryoma, Kaze, and I dry ourselves and part ways. I suspect that I'll see them for a tactical meeting in the morning. As I make my way to the woods for shooting practice, I notice a figure standing ankle-deep in the lake near the city.

Azura

As I get closer, I can hear her singing softly, of course. Music was just about the only thing that woman was good for.

"Sing with me a song of birthrights and love..."

Does she ever sing other songs?

"... the light scatters to the sky above. Dawn breaks through the gloom..."

Azura pauses. I watch, curiously. When she start singing again, I freeze.

"Sing with me a song of conquest and fate! The black pillar cracks beneath its weight! Night breaks through the day-"

"Azura!" I shout and she jumps. The hairs on my arms are raised and not due to the night chill. Her song just then sounded similar to her normal anthem, but this time, she'd sung with a fast tempo and lyrics that disturbed me. They sounded so dark and sinister.

"You're aware you're singing about Nohrian themes?" I say angrily.

She bows her head. "I'm sorry, Takumi. Yes, I am aware. I was inspired this morning when I met Corrin and, well, I feel that Nohr is entering a new era. I am happy for them. Corrin is brave and virtuous. If anyone can soften Nohrian hearts and bring our nations into harmony, she can."

I approach her and Azura frowns but holds my stare. She never calls me or any of my siblings "brother" or "sister" and I think the distance I've placed between us is partially to blame. She isn't my real sister. She isn't welcome.

"So you empathize with Nohr now?" I say, closing the gap between us. "If you love Corrin so damn much, then why not just leave? Please do. It will be so much easier to openly despise you."

Azura steps from the water and glances towards the hill, then back into my eyes. "Your anger clouds the whole world for you, Takumi. I pity you."

I nock an arrow on my common iron practice bow in a warning as she turns heel and flees. I do not shoot and, when she vanishes into the distance, I set the weapon on the ground and pull Fujin Yumi from its strap on my back. I will the bow to glow and let the light calm me. Still... it is hard not to think about Azura's words.

Scum... All of them scum... Nohrians are the monsters that mothers warn their children about. No, they are worse. Nohrians masquerade as human. All this talk about Nohr changing their ways makes me boil with fury. Nohr can never be redeemed. They can only be sick bastards until the end of their lives, killed by the hand of justice. I cannot accept that the people who violently took my mother and father away from me have the capacity for good. The idea that they can be righteous is all HER fault.

Watching a cloud float across the yellow moon, I clench my fists. How can Corrin and I even share the same sky?

I sigh, trying to cool down. I don't want my siblings to see me upset, since I'd been letting my emotions take over lately. I feel like I am starting to worry those I love.

*crunch*

At the sound of a twig snap, I aim Fujin Yumi, a sparkling arrow at the ready. Casually, a man emerges from the dark. He wears Nohrian style garments and I suspect he is blind in one eye because of the elaborate golden headdress that covers half his face.

"Slowly," I hiss, "tell me who you are and what you're doing here. Try anything sketchy and I will end your life."

The man bows lowly, but in such a way that I am sure he is mocking me. I pull back the arrow farther.

"A pleasure to meet you face-to-face, Prince Takumi. I will gladly answer your questions. I am Iago, chief advisor to King Garon. I am here to meet with you, of course. You see, my king and I have had a plan for taking down Hoshido in the works. But this plan requires... a particular kind of person. My underlings who were at the attack on your capital have informed me that you would be a great fit for this position."

He definitely sounds malicious. I pull back my magic bowstring and am about to let an arrow fly when suddenly two gloomy-looking Nohrian servants appear at my elbows. I gasp, shocked that I hadn't sensed them. I move quickly, but they are even quicker and cast a freezing spell before grabbing my arms and pulling them behind my back, causing Fujin Yumi to fall to the ground. They kick me to my knees and I am about to call for help when Iago casts a silencer. No noise leaves my lips.

"Did we surprise you?" asks Iago. "We'd hoped to. I do not like the idea of my servants fighting fairly with you. It would be troublesome to clean up the bodies."

The combination of magic and physical force ensures that my wild struggling is futile.

"Oh, calm down," says Iago. "I don't mean to kill you, young prince. For the time being, you are actually of value to me. Congratulations. Shall we begin?"

Flailing even harder as he approaches, I try everything, but cannot get away. Pitch black smoke weaves through Iago's hands. He reaches for my face and I start to panic. His fingers are bony and poke into my cheeks. The dark magic covers my head.

A curse... I realize, panic rising even higher. What is the curse? What will it do to me? I start to feel so negative- just scared and angry.

"There." Iago removes his hand. "Now all you have to do is let him exploit your flaws. Let him see your weaknesses. I know you have many weaknesses, Takumi. That's why you were chosen for this. Let's see... You hate your sister, don't you? She betrayed you and yet all your precious siblings still love her. Aren't you dissatisfied with your family life? You are the younger son. You will not become king and are unimpressive in everything compared to Ryoma. Hinoka is Ryoma's greatest advisor and Sakura excels in the healing arts. Without you, they'd still be a perfect family."

I feel the silencer release and the hands that grip me let go, but I don't speak immediately. My chest hurts. My head is splitting.

"Take your time," says Iago, snickering. "The curse pains your heart and confuses your mind, doesn't it? Just agree with it. Admit that all I've said is true and you will feel better."

Instead, I say, "Why did you do this to me? Do you intend to kill me slowly? You Nohrians enjoy things like that, don't you?"

Iago tucks a grimoire back into his sleeve. "I suppose you will live a shorter life, yes. But your death isn't my end goal. I just needed to break you before getting use out of you."

I spit at him and my saliva splashes against the gold mask over the right side of his face. Enraged, he makes a lunge at me which is easy to dodge. I kick him in the gut and he thuds to the grass. Though I'm ready to beat him to death with just my fists, I turn to grab Fujin Yumi anyway. As I do, one of Iago's servants grabs at me and I punch him so hard that his jaw cracks beneath my knuckles. Ducking down, I swipe my yumi from the ground. Within seconds, both servants have arrows casting lethal light into their hearts. They twitch and drop to the grass, motionless.

Before I can catch my breath, a flaming spell erupts against my rib cage and I fall.

Seething, Iago raises his hand with another bolt of fire at the ready. I wince and he raises the flame's heat, but instead of striking me, he torches the corpses I'd just made until they are unidentifiable.

"I told you that I hate clean-up, didn't I?" he says. "It would be troublesome if somebody found those bodies. So, to ashes they go."

Standing up hurts and even breathing is difficult. "You will not use me," I say. "If you think that I would betray my brother and sisters just to prevent my own torture, you're delusional."

Iago shakes his head. "As if my plan would be that boring and straightforward, idiot prince. No, no. I'm not leaving any room for your choice in the matter. Anakos will force you to reveal all that you know."

"Who-"

The sorcerer doesn't give me time to finish. He flicks his wrist and the pains in my chest and head flare like bonfires.

The world goes black.

To be continued in Corrin's Side