Yes, I'm still alive.


Blood and Thunder

Owain grunted as he backflipped over what sounded like a blade passing under his body. Landing off-balance, he rolled out of the path of a visible fire spell which seared the rocks behind him.

Unstable sharp stones with less-than-ideal footing was one thing.

The lightning and rain on a bleak landscape was one thing.

But invisible enemies? Gods damn, life seemed very fleeting at this point. Even still, he raised his tome and cast a spell where one of these 'Spectres' stood, smiling in satisfaction as the lightning piercing through his intended target, causing it to visibly manifest for a couple seconds before collapsing to the ground in a dead, smoking, heap of armor and flesh.


Behind him, Azura expertly deflected an arrow with her lance, gracefully twirling it around her body and slashing another spectre's leg clean off causing it to be revealed. Striking forward, her coup de grace was punctuated with a strike of lightning as she ended the crippled spectre's life with a sharp thrust to the neck. The lance-wielding dancer hunched over in exhaustion as she scanned for the next enemy, staying close to Anankos and Hinoka.

Inigo was in a fix of his own, fighting back to back with Asama while Setsuna stayed near the rear with her bow. Parrying an invisible blade, Inigo saw a fleeting glimpse of a sword as his own made contact, the sparks revealing both weapon and wielder before disappearing again. Performing a low Pirouette into a slash, Inigo felt the sure contact of flesh as his blade struck true, and tracing his arm upwards, he found his arm nearly embedded in a spectre's gut. Pulling away, Inigo twirled opposite the incapacitated warrior and beheaded it, watching the visible head disappear in a cloud of purple smoke as it rolled down the cliffside.

Hearing rapid footsteps behind him, Asama jumped backwards, already preoccupied with an enemy to his front. Swiping to his right, his staff met the helmet of a spectre, bashing its lower jaw and jerking its neck in the same direction with a crack. It staggered before slashing with its axe, nicking the priest's arm and causing him to completely forget about the enemy he jumped away from in the first place. Seeing it too late, he winced as he felt another searing pain down his right shoulder as the invisible blade cutting into his extremity drew blood, before sawing upwards and taking out a chunk of his forearm with it. Asama cursed and switched his staff to his left hand, at the same time casting a healing spell on himself rapidly as he retreated. Suddenly, the spectre on the offensive jolted back, an arrow embedded in its neck which struck with enough momentum to knock it off its feet and into the purple mist. Turning, he saw the blue-haired archer nod with slight acknowledgement.

"Asshole," Asama graciously muttered, nodding back to Setsuna with a faint smile, wincing at his arm. "Thanks."

"...You too." Setsuna blankly whispered, before finishing off the other one and scanning her immediate surroundings. Seeing nothing, she notched another arrow before moving to support Hinoka.


The crimson-haired knight, not expecting contact, did not bring her Tenma along, though that did not stop her from being an excellent dismounted fighter. Fighting in close proximity to Azura, both the naginata and the lance met the flesh of many enemies, made apparent by the growing purple mist surrounding them. Tripping forward due to the wet rocks, Hinoka missed a lunge and the arcing strike of her naginata met air as Azura was forced to support to save her sister's life, stabbing multiple times towards Hinoka's side, three precise wounds now appeared on the previously invisible foe, and purple smoke wreathed Azura's arms as she held her lance with martial poise. One last stab ended its life.

"Thanks for the save, Sister," Hinoka admitted in frustration, still scanning for new opponents. Finding none, she retreated back to Anankos, whose rapier seemed to be as invisible as his enemy as it moved with rapid speed.

"How fares the battle?" Hinoka called out to Asama as she ran, not taking her eyes off her surroundings. The lightning and rain was getting worse, and the sky itself seemed to dim to a faint purple, just like their enemy.

"There should be like 10 or so left," The priest replied with a yell, engaged in combat with some of Owain's foes.


"Make that 9," Owain shouted with a grin, casting a spell and smiting down another distant archer, even as its arrow passed inches by his face, pinging harmlessly against the rocks with a metallic clang. Closing his eyes, he found himself surrounded as he felt the presence of four more swordsmen flanking him from behind. Inigo came running too, seeing the mage in a tight fix.

"Owain! Four to your re-"

"Hahaha, fools... Alpha... Strike!" Owain called heroically, drawing Mystletainn from his cloak and subsequently dashing towards all four enemies simultaneously with lightning speed, and in the course of a second, four spectres' heads flew into the air just as the newly stained blade of Mystletainn went graciously to its wielder's antecubital fossa which cleaned the blood off before being sheathed once more. The metallic clink was punctuated by four heads hitting the rocks with a wet plop. Inigo frowned as he shook his head with astonishment.

"Swords and magic, huh."

"Aha, you thought I left this at home," Owain called out to the mercenary, referring to Mystletainn.

"You know, if you didn't yell out such cheesy titles for your moves, I would've thought that was pretty cool," Inigo teased. Owain frowned and pointed at the four corpses.

"What, a mage pulling out a sword and expertly dispatching such dastardly foes is beyond your wit?"

"Err... Just the 'Alpha Strike' part."

"Psh, that is an excellent title for such a daring move! Morgan and Cynthia helped me name that one, back in the days of glory," Owain recalled happily. Inigo shook him out of it as he pointed back towards Hinoka and Anankos.

"They could use our help," The mercenary suggested, and the mage/myrmidon nodded, running to rejoin the main group.


Corrin lunged forward, her training sword being easily deflected by Joker's dagger. Sighing, she tried again, to the same result. With an exaggerated groan, she looked outside where the storm clouds brewed a curious purple shade. Joker patiently waited for her to turn, and when she didn't, he cleared his throat to no avail.

"You step too far inward, don't." The princess seemed to snap back to attention, regaining focus on her butler.

"What?"

"When you lunge, you still need to keep your weight on your rear foot, unless you decide to gamble all your momentum on a critical strike," Joker explained. "Hey, are you even paying attention?" Even with his fondness of young Corrin, Joker's tolerance was stretched numerous times during their many times together over the years.

"I-" Grinning sheepishly, she pointed outside, hoping that her distraction would be reason enough. "Are lightning storms always such a violet hue?"

"Why would you-" Shrugging, Joker dropped the topic. "We've trained enough, let's get you cleaned up and..." Joker trailed off, lost in thought.

"What is it? Joookeerrrr?" Corrin asked in a sing-song voice.

"Why, that is a strange color for a storm to have," He lied, changing the topic. Corrin nodded. Actually, come to think of it, purple lightning did look pretty strange.

"You know, I've never been close to lightning before. I wonder what that's like!" Corrin exclaimed happily, making sound effects as she dropped her sword, pretending to blast Joker with lightning bolts. The young butler smiled as he looked at the 14 year-old with amusement. Even with her immaturity and her apparent lack of self-discipline, she was still just a young girl. Then again, Joker wasn't much older at 16, but still, his position required a sense of maturity while the secluded princess (while warranted) did not have much to come with.

"Master Corrin, I-"

"I guess it would be... shocking!" With that, the young Princess ran off with a giggle, causing the white-haired man to shake his head and calmly walk after her, picking up her dropped sword that she left behind.


Azura yelped as a lightning bolt hit the tip of her lance, knocking it out of her hands and paralyzing her for a brief few seconds. Shivering, her body fell to her knees as the upper half jolted uncontrollably.

"Are you alright!?" Hinoka yelled, immediately coming to the blue-haired maiden's aid. Asama and Setsuna were engaging what seemed to be the leader, and judging by the numerous nicks on Asama's chest and the multitude of deflected arrows by the unharmed spectre's side, the scales needed some desperate tipping. On the other side, Owain and Inigo seemed preoccupied by a duo of invisible archers, pinning them down behind an outcropping of rocks, unable to move forwards. Hinoka couldn't sense anymore aside from that, but she couldn't be too-

"Aaghh!" Asama screamed, a throwing ax embedded deep into the back of his knee, easily piercing through the bone and causing the priest to fall to the ground. Setsuna turned in surprise, only for another ax to pierce her stomach. Crumpling to the ground abruptly, the archer found that the blade came clean through her gut, spilling both blood and bile onto the hard rocks below.

"Lady Hinoka... I'm sorry... Please... find a better... retainer than me..." She whispered out, hands pleadingly gripping the rocks before going limp.

"Setsuna!" Hinoka yelled, rushing forwards with naginata outstretched. A purple lightning bolt struck the ground in front of her, blinding and stunning the lancer for a few critical seconds. Swinging wildly, she felt contact as her blade pierced flesh, but even in its death cries, it struck back. A sharp shoulder to the jaw caused Hinoka to fall in a daze, still disoriented.

With four of their own currently incapacitated, Inigo and Owain quickly assessed the situation in hopes of saving their comrades. Anankos deflected an arrow as he leaped over their cover, throwing his rapier clean through the archer's right eye. Reeling in pain, the archer shot off another arrow errantly into the rocks as Anankos extracted his sword and stabbed again through the enemy's head, killing it.

"There's still two more- Ugh- out there!" Anankos yelled amidst a dive. The other archer seemed to have backed off, currently out of range of both swordsman. Fanning his tome, Owain aimed carefully until-

"Wyvern!" Inigo called out, diving in front of Owain and swinging his sword awkwardly to his right. A clang of blades sounded and the sparks illuminated both wyvern and rider as a purple streak blazed through the immediate vicinity and arced slowly upwards again to place another attack run. Inigo limped back, grinning sheepishly as his sword was cleaved clean in half.

"Definitely the ax wielder that took out Asama and Setsuna," The mercenary theorized. Drawing his bow, Inigo scanned the skies along with Owain.

"Incoming!" Owain yelled, causing Inigo to shift his aim, shooting a tomahawk out of the air. Both arrow and ax clanged as their trajectories collided, a spark confirming his hit. Another lightning bolt struck, blinding Inigo temporarily before seeing the telltale violet smoke of the wyvern rider. Watching the purple streak abruptly change direction, Inigo couldn't help but panic as he traced its flight path.

Azura.


Ryoma pointed Raijintou at the dark cloud of purple as Robin seemed to slowly envelop himself in the ethereal wreath. His accomplice, his so called 'daughter' stood back, equally as confused at this development.

"Dad! Stop!" Severa cried out, dropping her sword and cautiously walking towards the black and purple smoke. Inhuman laughter sounded even through the lightning crashing around, and what lightning struck Robin seemed to be absorbed into his essence, making the fell energy grow even more.

"Stop? Why?" Robin called from above, still laughing in cockiness.

"You are no god! You're just my father! You're everything to me! Please don't associate yourself with that monster!" Severa screeched as a bolt of lightning struck near her, singing her arm as she shielded her eyes. Ryoma winced as Robin's energy seemed to channel into the lightning, the storm clouds growing purple instead of blue and the bolts shooting dark energy instead of Byakuya's pure white-blue lightning. In the sky, Robin's power fought with Byakuya's, and Ryoma had to avoid multiple dark bolts already.

"With no more foul mind control playing on this body, every ounce of Grima's power is mine to control! I could finally take back everything that bastard took from all of us. From you!"

Even through his hopeful words, Severa cringed as the evil resonance in Robin's voice reminded her of the dragon that destroyed everything she had in the first place.

...

No. She wouldn't allow that to happen again.

"Dad, get down." She warned darkly. Robin looked down at her with a calm smile, and for a split second, Ryoma tensed and relaxed at once, the wrath of a god not being focused at him.

"And why would I let myself come at the mercy of our foes again?"

"We can hold them off without your power! And these soldiers," Severa said pointing at Ryoma and Kazahana, "Are not our true enemies! You knew this already! So stop it! You are many great things to me, father, BUT A GOD IS NOT ONE OF THEM!"

"Well, technically, I am now," Robin replied cooly, stretching his arms in mock casual behavior. Severa seethed, unsheathing her sword again and almost at blows with her father floating above her.

"No. You are so much more, and I'm not letting this power get to your head again. Never, ever, again." Forcing back tears, Severa raised her sword at the ready.

"Ah, you're having one of your tantrums again. What's wrong?" Robin seemed obvlious to Severa's intentions, not raising his own blade but instead falling to her level as the purple wreath continued its orbit around him. Severa looked at him in sadness, realizing that she had already failed. The only purpose she had in bringing her father away from mother and brother and sister... Was naught.

Grima's corruption had its' root.

"Get. Out. OF MY FATHER'S HEEAADDD!" Severa cried out, swinging her sword in attempts to distract Robin. With his attention gone, Hana threw a multitude of shuriken at Robin, which embedded themselves in the smoke before falling harmlessly to the ground. Turning slowly, he grinned as he flexed his hands casually.

"What? Ah, there's still those two over there, aren't there, huh. Are you two keeping Severa on edge? Ah well, my Severa never was a fan of pests, anyway," Robin reminded himself nonchalantly.

With a wave, a multitude of spikes rose from the ground and skewered Kazahana's feet and legs, propping the samurai up even as she struggled to stand amidst her screams. Ryoma nimbly backflipped up and stabbed Raijintou into a tree, keeping himself off the ground. Growling, he watched as the spikes retracted back into the dirt, and with them Hana fell to the ground too. Slashing with Raijntou three times in rapid succession, Robin barely blinked as a trio of divine bolts struck his face, shielded by the smoke.

"Aha, are we finished already-" Footsteps, and then the sound of jumping behind him.

"Ryahh!" A battle cry punctuated Robin's wince as he felt the pommel of a sword strike his neck, turning around to see Severa even as the world around him faded to black. For a split second, Severa saw Robin's eyes fade from purple to brown, before closing peacefully. His mouth opened, trying to speak but only whispering to his daughter.

"...What have... I..." He collapsed and the purple aura disappeared completely, and the sky faded from murky dark to regular night. Aside from that, Severa watched the storm withdraw and head farther east towards the rocky mountains. Oddly enough, a few traces of purple stayed embedded in the clouds.

Severa frowned as she held her father's limp body in her arms, slowly letting him down and running over to Hana, opening up her backpack all the while. Ryoma pointed Raijintou at Robin cautiously, shifting over to Severa as she began patching up Kazahana's legs as the swordsman cried in agony.

"What do you think you are doing?" Ryoma asked, ready to strike the female mercenary in the blink of an eye. Severa didn't even regard him, and began wiping away the blood from the samurai's feet and legs. Hana struggled to sit upright, but Severa gently eased her back down, meaning no harm. To reaffirm her intentions, she stood back, unbuckling her belt. Ryoma watched passively as the sword and dagger fell to the ground, before lowering his own blade.

"You have an odd way of paying back your sudden attack," Ryoma scornfully warned. Severa shook her head, pointing to the unconscious bundle of robe and man behind her.

"My father, that idiot, thinks he can manipulate the power of a dragon of destruction... No one had to get hurt according to our original plan. We needed directions, that was all."

"So he is a dragon in truth?" Ryoma asked astonished. Severa nodded sadly.

"We're here to find the other divine dragons, and... You won't understand until we're with the other two here from our homeland." Severa sighed and continued to patch up Hana's legs.

"I have heard of no such thing," Ryoma replied, clearly wanting more of Severa's tale.

"Is it fine if I drag that daft pegasus dung with me back to wherever I'm supposed to go?" Ryoma flinched, immediately shaking his head.

"He's coming with me. He took out 8 of my best warriors, albeit with your help, so unless you want to tag along-"

"I can do that," Severa replied casually, walking over to Robin before slinging him over her shoulder.

"What?" Ryoma was shocked at Severa's willingness to be taken prisoner.

"This here," She started while grabbing his levin sword off the ground, "Is Robin. He is a hero and savior of our land and more importantly, my father. Unfortunately, he is also the Fell Dragon, counterpart of the Divine Dragon. In my timeline, my biological father embraced the power he was given and destroyed our world, killing everyone and forcing me and a small number of my comrades to save this Robin's reality. Which we did, at the cost of his future. That was 17 years ago. He only came back three days ago, and here we are, on another adventure." Ryoma squinted as he tried to fathom the unreal tale.

"That makes you..."

"From the future, yes. In reality, Robin is only 5 years older than me. But he is still my Father, no matter what timeline he decides to screw up," Severa grumbled. Moving on to Saizou and Kagerou, Severa kneeled down and gently attended to their small wounds that Robin inflicted on them during their brief scuffle. Continuing her introduction, she talked idly even with Ryoma standing right behind her, Kazahana still lying down a distance away.

"My name is Severa. Mercenary by practice, I took up the way of the blade not long after my mother died in my timeline. Believe it or not I actually l-love my Father... Hey, don't look at me like that!" Severa pouted, jolting Kagerou awake as Ryoma recoiled in shock.

"I meant no offense-" Ryoma was interrupted by the black haired ninja cleanly flipping Severa over and pointing a knife directly towards Severa's throat.

"Peace, Kagerou, she's not a Nohrian." The ninja relaxed slightly, but did not relent.

"She still tried to kill us."

"Well, she and that man over there are our prisoners now. Willingly, as well. I intend on keeping it that way." The ninja nodded and sprang up, not bothering to assist Severa to do likewise.

"Anyway," Ryoma disregarded, "Continue."

"...Right." Severa shook off the pain, continuing her account. "I... love m-my father, blah blah... And that's why I couldn't bear to have him fall to that curse of being evil again. He would've killed my mother and my siblings if he had stayed longer," Severa admitted. "It... That's how it happened the first time." Ryoma shuddered, thinking of such a pain, before shaking it off.

"So why would you invade my homeland?"

"In my future, the only thing keeping the fell dragon in check was the divine dragon, Naga. In my current timeline, something from this land attacked Naga, and will do so again within a decade or so. It is in my selfish ambition that whatever is out here needs to either stop interfering with my father or... Die. So I'm not invading your country, unless you happen to be attacking Naga..."

"Unless Naga means Nohr. No."

"Alright. So, in regards to our original goal, we know that something here is threatening my father's life. Once we find what it is, pacify and/or destroy it, we are heading back home.

"When you refer to something, you mean-"

"A dragon of the spirit realm, similar to the ones Naga and your Father seem to embody," Kagerou realized. "I read stories about... them."

"Them?" Severa asked.

"Tis' a curse to mention their names out loud for humans, so I shan't unless you wish to read the texts back in Hoshido. We are taking them to Hoshido, right?"

"Yes, but first, we need to finish our patrol then head to the capitol to rendezvous with Hinoka's squad. You get to carry Robin," Ryoma stated, pointing to Severa. She nodded hesitantly, feeling Saizou and Kagerou watch her from a distance.

"Can she be trusted, M'lord?" Kagerou asked. "Spies usually don't go this in-depth."

"She's no spy," Saizou confirmed. "Her and that other man's sword style... It isn't Nohrian. I've never seen it before in my life, actually."

"Curious," Ryoma sighed. Well, she did mention two more of her party. Perhaps Hinoka might know a thing about them?"


Hinoka groaned as her eyes opened, the rain immediately bringing her back to sharp senses. Her naginata lay embedded in a corpse next to her, and she immediately retrieved it. Anankos seemed to be cutting down an archer, while Setsuna and Asama both lay unconscious in the rocks. Azura was-

"Azura!" Inigo screamed, shooting off a blind arrow, which was followed immediately by a Bolganone from Owain. Both missed wildly, and all three closed their eyes as Azura's imminent death was apparent-

"..." Anankos exhaled sharply, and Azura, Setsuna, and Asama disappeared with a searing flash. The wyvern rider above suddenly crashed into the ground, his mount blinded by the display of power. Hinoka turned in shock, demanding an explanation.

"They're back in the Hoshidan capitol. I made a grave mistake in bringing them, it is only recompense that I save their life." Hinoka did not have a solid expression so she merely nodded. "It is only a shame that we must wait for them once again."

"Huh?" Hinoka asked.

"The plan I devised to take back... my homeland, involves all of you. I wasn't expecting our party to get injured, but alas they did. And my preparations to come back involve all of us together. Obviously, it would be better to have a living fighting force than a ragtag team of corpses, no?"

"You have my... thanks. But what did you do to them?"

"I restored their bodies to what they were before our encounter; uninjured, unharmed. But, in doing so, they lost memory of what took place here, and everything that happened during their journey."

"So they're essentially past versions of themselves? Albeit, a couple days ago?" Owain asked.

"Correct, and they will remember everything up to their encounter of you two," Anankos explained, referring to him and Inigo.

"Does that mean they forgot about us?" Owain asked sadly.

"What will they do until our return?" Hinoka asked.

"Do not worry, they have no memory or objective in mind regarding our task. They will be resting until you come back." Hinoka nodded and Anankos continued with worry.

"But my plan is already in motion and we'll need two more to take their place... That can wait. I shall make the necessary preparations for the next phase of our journey..." Anankos exhaled sharply, causing another bright flash to occur. Instead of harming however, it was focused on the three accompanying him. Recovering, Inigo and Owain looked astonished at each other.

"I'm... Blonde?"

"My mark of the Exalt!"

"Yours too!"

"Oh shit!"

"My hair is brown!?"

Hinoka smiled as the two looked at each other in shock and surprise at their new appearances. Nothing seemed to change about herself, though she could've sworn she felt incredibly drained... It could've been the battle striking a toll on her body though. It had been a while since she had had a legitimate skirmish.

"I apologize if you preferred your original appearance. Where we are going, especially with three royals, I took the liberty in concealing any trace of your noble birth. Meaning your marks, hair, and Hinoka's dragon fire."

"Dragon... Fire?" Hinoka asked in confusion.

"Your connection to Byakuya sets your blood ablaze with power. I can sense it, among other things I see that you cannot. And since -I already revealed too much- I fear they will be after your scent even more. I have to try my best to keep you three as low-profile as possible... Though where is the third of you? I sense her presence in this realm now, yet she is not among us."

"Third?" Hinoka asked. "There's three of us already..."

"Ah, I refer to the Ylisseans. Two of creation, one of destruction. Those are the three that come from that land."

"Two of creation... That must refer to me and Owain, being of the Exalt's bloodline. One of destruction..."

"Grima was the breath of despair and destruction," Inigo quoted with coarse reverie. "Grima was a male though..."

"Yes, but we bear of the line of Naga, not Naga herself. But that means..." Inigo nodded as well.

"Robin was the heir of Grima... He's not a female either... Morgan needed to stay back... Severa!"

"Severa's still back in Ylisse! She somehow got over here too!"

"Oh shit!" Owain and Inigo yelled simultaneously, grinning all the same. Anankos nodded at the name, then turning to Hinoka.

"My plan calls for two others. Whether you wish for your retainers or someone other than them to be in harm's way is your choice, Lady Hinoka.

"So we didn't need them specifically?"

"Just two others of considerable ability, and Azura, if possible." Anankos admitted.

"Very well. Could you teleport me the same way you teleported them?"

"Yes, I can. Wait..." Anankos paused, closing his eyes.

"What is it?"

"I sense one of Byakuya's own nearby... Fie, he wields the Raijintou? And some other power rivaling my own..." Anankos phased out of the Divine Realm, shaking his head to clear the obvious distress.

Raijintou, Hinoka thought... Ryoma! But what did he mean by a power rivaling his own?

"Can you send me to him then?" Hinoka asked. "My brother, Ryoma, crown prince of Hoshido, wields the Lightning Katana Raijintou."

"Yes, your brother... But there is one with immense power with him. Bring him as well, if possible."

"What is it?" Inigo and Owain asked curiously.

"I cannot be sure... I have never witnessed such immense power besides myself in a millenia... Could it be one of the dragons from m- I reveal too much, I apologize again."

"You say you reveal too much, yet no one is here to see?" Owain remarked incredulously.

"I... You will understand once we reform our party and head out." With that, he exhaled sharply, and Hinoka disappeared with a flash.


Azura woke up in her own bed, and for some reason her body was immensely sore.

"Owww," She muttered, rolling out of the sheets and onto the hard floor with as much grace as such an action would muster.

Plopped like a pathetic animal on the ground with her teal hair scattered every which way, she smiled lightly at the rising sun out her window. She heard a couple knocks and what sounded like grumbling.

"Hey, what was that noise?" A male voice pouted outside, opening the door. Seeing Azura splattered on the ground, he suppressed a smile and shook his head.

"I thought you were with Hinoka," The male said, twirling his bow nonchalantly.

"I... I don't remember anything like that," Azura admitted, feeling an empty space where her memories should have been.

"Well, whatever. Ryoma should be coming back soon, our gatemen just announced his return. Apparently they found two prisoners, as well.

"Nohrians?" Azura asked.

"Probably, and hopefully with information on Kamui."

"Ah," Azura sighed, thinking of the whole reason she was in Hoshido anyway.

"In any case, I'm going to be outside if you are going to accompany me. And clean yourself up, you look like crap," Takumi announced coldly, shaking his head before leaving. Azura smiled faintly as his footsteps grew fainter.

"Thanks."


It was a couple days since their first training day and Joker admitted that his extra training, along with Gunther's regimen for Corrin had progressed her into a vastly growing swordsman.

"Impressive, impressi- Shit." Joker grunted as his dagger was deflected off Corrin's training sword. In frustration, he threw a punch, only for Corrin to roll past it and behind Joker, swinging her sword behind her and lightly brushing his neck as she cleanly dispatched him.

"Well, you're clearly better than you were a couple days ago," The butler admitted. "My apologies for throwing a punch, it was unfitting-" Corrin smiled and waved it off.

"It's fine Joker. So... What did you get me?" The butler flexed his eyebrows, at odds with her question.

"Huh? For what?" Joker asked innocently.

"My birthday, dumb dumb!" The princess pouted, jestingly swinging her sword at Joker. The butler gasped in mock surprise, pulling out a heavy case from underneath the table which was prepared since the morning. Thinking about what was inside, Joker thought to himself as he slowly carried it towards his master. Corrin's eyes widened with happiness as she dropped the sword carelessly and ran up beside her butler.

"What is it?" She asked with glee. Disregarding him, she plucked the case out of his hands and, unaware of the weight, caused it to drop onto her bare feet.

"Owwww!" She muttered, ignoring the pain and opening it.

Inside was a full intricately engraved armor, silver and black with faint traces of blue along its cloth. Underneath it, a beautiful cape lay folded with the crest of Nohr on its forefront.

"It's... Nohrian swordmaster armor..." Corrin muttered in awe. Joker smiled at his handiwork and reverently lifted it up. Obviously, considering he made it himself, it was tailored to fit her now and in a couple years when she grew, thanks to a complicated set of magic alteration spells.. Still, in its current state, it would fit her just fine. "It's beautiful..." Corrin breathed.

"I know, I'm the one that made it," Joker replied cockily, smiling at Corrin's smirk.

"Hmph, well, this is amazing! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" She exclaimed, hugging her butler and causing him to blush.

"I know you'll wear it with pride, considering near everyone in the castle helped with this," Joker hoped with a grin.

"I will! And you even intentionally forgot to craft boots! You're the best!" Corrin yipped, dancing with the armor to Joker's satisfied grin.

"And another thing," Joker continued, pulling out a paper from his sleeve. "News of those Hoshidan royals you were always so curious about."

"Oh, do tell," Corrin said as she peeked onto the paper.

"Well, our spies report that the crown prince, Ryoma," Corrin flinched at the name for some reason, hearing it so many times in her current recurring dream, "Brought in two prisoners, distinctly not Nohrian nor Hoshidan a couple days ago. Also, that the two prisoners, along with Princess Hinoka set out for the Infinite Chasm the day after. Rumor has it that your brother, Prince Xander, is mounting an expedition to capture them and perhaps provide leverage for a prisoner trade," Joker finished.

"I wanna coommmeee," Corrin whined, suddenly thinking of an idea and trying her armor on.

"What are you doing?" Joker asked, already fearing the worst.

"Xander still has to give me my birthday present," Corrin joked, strapping on her left gauntlet, flexing her fingers in satisfaction.

"If you're going where I think you're going, that's not happening." Corrin stopped and frowned, before sighing and putting the armor on anyway.

"Fine. But, I still wanna put this on," She lied. Joker nodded and with a bow, started helping her.