A/N: Alright… this isn't a 'mega' chapter like the others, and to go a bit further than that, I doubt I'll have anymore of those. I might be able to pull one off for a certain other character, but other than that, it's done with. Expect the more 'standard' length chapters from now on.
Oh, and the subject of expecting... Let's see, I'm still wanting to cover: Felicia's viewpoint of events in 'Confined'. The time that lead up to Elise realizing what she felt for Corrin was love during her visits to the Northern Castle. Azura's sorta new backstory... there's no Valla, remember! A bit on Mikoto's and Arete's kinship. Some more Water Tribe stuff. Wrapping up Laslow and his eventual reunion with his mother. Selena's and Beruka's reintroduction into the main story, because they are making a 'SSS' entrance... Devil May Cry reference, anyone? Selena's closing bit with making peace with her mother. An extremely feisty bit with Rinkah waaaaaay later down the fic. I... think that's it? At least for now.
Anyway, pardon if the expectation for every side-story chapter in this fic was to be huge.
Now then, I know Selena came off as probably excessively bitchy last chapter, but don't forget that her father was just assassinated within the last few months. She's pushing away her grief by working as a mercenary. Sure, she might let her emotional guard down at night, but other than that, she's keeping it bottled in. She won't get that proper reprieve until… soon, actually. I'll say this now, by the time she makes her next entrance in 'Confined', Selena will be a whole lot more mellowed out. Still a bit prickly, mind you, but much more stable.
Curse of Whimsy: Already gave ya a PM/reply, so… enjoy the chapter!
Nam2324: I cannot imagine Henry going out any other way. Well, it's either that or "If I'm going down, I'm dragging you all with me!" Buuut, I have a feeling he wouldn't want to harm his son.
Yes, but only Selena knows both Laslow and Odin. Laslow only knows Selena, and Odin only knows Selena. Completely intentional, it has a purpose later on.
I was kinda going for an unclear death, but since he's dead I suppose it's alright if I clarify a bit. So, Henry was working on a curse to counter Nix's youthful state, right? As stated, during one of the times he was working on the spell, he slipped up. He was messing with both Dark Magic and Blood magic, both schools of magic that give a huge increase in power in exchange for the user's life. So, imagine a sort of Nosferatu-esque spell. In that accident, he ended up taking a huge hit on how much time he has left. He didn't instantly grow older in the traditional sense. Lemme put it like this, externally Henry looks like he does in Awakening, but internally he has the organs of say… an 80 year old man?
You would be correct… on the antagonist part. That is one viewpoint I refuse to do. I personally hate it when I'm supposed to be following in a character's shoes, but then I get a glimpse all the way in Yonderville about what the evil mastermind and/or the minions are doing. So no, I won't have anything on characters like Niles.
Hoshido holds many beauties, from its seemingly endless grass and tree plains, to the pristine lakes, the constant but gentle sunshine. Some may tend to their farms, others bask in the sunlight and refresh in the gentle breeze…
As for Princess Hinoka? There's no better time than that spent with family. She has the best parents, the King and Queen of Hoshido. An older brother named Ryoma, two little brothers, Corrin and Takumi, with the latter being just a year younger, and she was even blessed with a younger sister recently, Sakura. Ryoma is an almost exact copy of King Sumeragi, right down to how they fight. Give them the same armor set, and it wouldn't be too strange to get them confused.
Hinoka occasionally takes to the naginata, but she does try and focus on the more Princess-related duties. It isn't always easy… especially when there are reports of Faceless attacking Hoshido's towns. Takumi practices daily with the bow, nearly on par with how often Ryoma and Sumeragi spar with their katanas.
Corrin… he's reserved. He has shown some interest in the sword, but he ultimately denies any actual training. It's clear he dislikes any sort of fighting. Sakura found her calling in the Festals, she frequently attends the Shrine Maiden classes.
Due to both her little sister and slightly older little brother's tendency to avoid fights, Hinoka takes it upon herself to cover them. Nothing hurts more than the mere thought of any of her family being… well, hurt.
Which is why she tries to do more of the Princess duties. She tends to focus on the naginata classes. She's had a fascination with Pegasi for a long time, so it's something she aspires towards. She wants to be one of the Pegasus Knights. However, what she didn't know then that this decision would have lead to one of the extreme 'wake-up' moments of her life. A moment that nearly costed her own life, but of course she did survive. She did live on.
Because she fought for something she believes in.
Hinoka held her naginata high as she readied it for the upcoming spar. Her opponent was none other than Subaki, another Pegasus Knight in training. He is the only other one who can even hold a candle to her own skill. They both pursued this path, if for different reasons. Subaki chose this because he held the previous Pegasus Knight leader, Cordelia, on a pedestal. She was perfect in all ways, so he strove for the same.
Hinoka also held Cordelia in high regards, but it wasn't because of her typically praised 'perfection'. It was because of her dedication to protect Hoshido. She'd travel the entire land, fighting off bandits, Faceless, and lending a hand to those in need. That is what Hinoka strove for. But, there was, in fact, one more reason she trained so hard.
Corrin.
She had been training in the yard when her mother, the Queen, brought the family together. She can still clearly remember how distressed Mikoto was then. Her father, the King, as well as her slightly older little brother, Corrin, alongside a number of royal guards, traveled across Hoshido to have a much needed peace meeting with the King of Nohr. Tensions have been rising over the years, but it seemed he was finally ready to reach out.
…
Mother received a message. She told them that the peace meeting was nothing more than an ambush. King Sumeragi had been murdered, the royal guards ruthlessly killed… and Corrin was taken. Hinoka grits her teeth as the tears threaten to fall again… no. Not anymore. She refuses to cry, she needs to be stronger. "Princess Hinoka? Are you ready?" Subaki's voice snaps her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, I am." She nods, reading her naginata. "Hey, you said you trained to be perfect like Cordelia, right?" She asks as they exchange the first set of blows.
"Of course, Lady Hinoka. She's a true inspiration… and if I remember right, you wanted to train so you could protect everyone."
"...I should've started sooner." She demeans herself. "Subaki… what would you do… if you did accomplish complete perfection? What would you use it for?"
"You might think the answer to be…" He trails off.
"C'mon, you have no problem speaking up about what I'm doing wrong. So, what would you do?"
"If I did accomplish true perfection? I'd use those skills to protect the Royal family. I want to serve as a retainer."
Satisfied Hinoka nods. "Well, I can say I won't be asking for another person just like me to be my retainer." A pause, "Subaki, I don't meant to sway your choice… but I'd appreciate it if you would be my little sister's retainer."
"Ah, Lady Sakura, correct?" He asks, "If I may ask, why her?"
"Well… Big brother Ryoma already has his two and Takumi is being… stubborn about the subject. He deflects anyone asking him. He wants to find his retainers himself. As for Sakura? I want someone to be there for her, someone like me. We're both aiming to be Sky Knights, we both have red hair, we're both extremely skilled. I think she would take to you quicker if she had someone to remind her of family."
"I can understand your reasoning, Lady Hinoka… very well! I'll strive and become Lady Sakura's retainer."
She smiles, "Thank you."
"Shall we resume our spar?"
"You bet… I'm not going down this time!"
Hinoka didn't always have the best ideas, sometimes her brashness gets her into hot water really quickly. She has made a habit of sorts. Ever since she truly became a Sky Knight, she started focusing on one thing.
Saving her little brother.
She'd always leave at night, flying against the crispy cold Hoshidan air, towards the bitter cold of Nohr. However, she also had to keep turning around, not because of nerves or uncertainty, but… it always seemed as if there were dozens of wyvern riders lined up near the border.
Every. Single. Time.
Even the best of the Sky Knights couldn't pull off a number difference that large.
Her 'little' excursions didn't stay unnoticed, unfortunately… and when she was caught, she got an earful from her mother. "We've already lost Corrin. Daughter, attempting this alone is throwing your life away. Haven't we already lost too much?!"
"But, mother… you told me that if I fought for what I truly believed in, that I wouldn't lose."
"Determination can only get you so far. So please, stop traveling out like this."
Hinoka… she couldn't keep a promise like that. So, she lied and told mother she'd stop. Well, it's a partial lie. This is the last night, Hinoka told herself. She had already planned it before that talk, and she wanted to see it through. If… if she couldn't rescue Corrin this time, then she'd wait for a better opportunity.
So after triple-checking that everything is in place, she mounts her Pegasus once more, "One more time, girl. This is going to be the one… I know it. It has to be." Her mount quietly whinnied. "Thatta girl… now, let's go!"
Once more, Hinoka and her Pegasus soared the night sky, determination filling her entire being.
…
She was right. The Wyvern riders seem to have finally exhausted themselves. There's an opening! Smiling, she presses on, almost instantly feeling just how much colder it is in Nohr. Hinoka's eyes scan the country, looking first for a castle, since that is where he has to be. This is the only true downside to nighttime, she can't see as far and…
"Oh my." An admittedly sultry voice sounds out from behind her, "So, I'm assuming you are the 'fiery Sky Knight' that keeps flying around the border?"
A sense of power sends shivers up her spine and she turns around, expecting a squad of Wyvern Riders, but nope. A single woman rides a single wyvern. Her Nohrian armor shines in the night, and she has a massive battle-axe strapped to her back. On top of that, she has a large amount of hair flowing around her. It looks like a really dark purple. "Heh, only one? You've made a mistake, Nohrian."
"Hm?" She tilts her head, "Ah, I see. Then you haven't heard of my reputation then, girl." Her wyvern screeches, "I've cleaved open more Sky Knights than the number of Wyvern Riders that guard the border."
...That does sound familiar, but… "That won't happen to me." Hinoka stands her ground, readying her Guard Naginata. "I'm here to rescue someone dear to me, and I won't be stopped!"
"Hm… I see." She unsheathes her battle-axe. "Well, I hope you put up a good fight, then. It gets dull, being able to swoop in and decapitate these Pegasi, or cleave the beast's body in half." Hinoka gulped… surely she's exaggerating? Wait… why does killing techniques like that sound familiar? This woman laughs, "But, at the very least, my precious wyvern has had so much to eat…" Even in the night sky, she can make out a smile, "So, be a good girl and be a strong fighter… or turn around and leave, before I sic my wyvern on your Pegasus… and you."
"Pretty confident. I'm better than any other one you fought." Hinoka's Pegasus neighs.
"We'll see… darling." Her wyvern screeches. "Besides, you're not the only one fighting for someone dear." She smiles, yet before Hinoka could even ponder on it, the woman charged her, battle-axe raised high. It was probably only due to a Pegasus's innately higher movement that Hinoka avoided it…
She's a lot faster than she looks. Hinoka could have easily died right there. Shaking her head and steeling her nerves, she swoops in, naginata in a more defensive position, at least until she's within a good strike distance. Her weapon of choice deflects a heavy-handed axe strike…
She's fast and strong!
Scowling, Hinoka lands a single strike on her armor, which is actually strong enough to… it's cracked? Taking a half-second glance, she can see that this woman's armor is cracked and damaged in a number of spots, of course though, it doesn't help that she has a sizeable cleavage that prevents armor from covering it.
"Ooo, this is fun…" She laughs, "Come, girl. Fight me! So that I may rain your Hoshidan blood in the name of my dear little brother!"
"You're… spilling blood for family? Are you also seeking out fights?" Hinoka asks as she deflects another strike, "That's… wrong!"
"Would you stand aside while enemies slaughter your friends?!" She dodges Hinoka's next strike, only to miss her own.
"Of course not! But that also doesn't mean you should fly around and killing so many! Besides, it's Nohr's hostility is causing the problems!" She lands a second strike… and she saw a glimpse of just how tired this woman is. It's like she's been missing days of sleep. "And I will overcome you, so that I can save my little brother!"
A single chuckle, "Oh? Is that so?" This woman lands her first strike… and Hinoka grunts. Thankfully it was a glancing blow… any more and she just might have lost all use in her right arm. "Oh, this is wonderful…" She chuckles. "I've never had anyone stand up to me this long!"
"You're a bloodthirsty maniac!" Hinoka shouts.
The woman frowns, "I'll be whatever I have to be for my precious little brother and sister…" She then had the nerve to tut her! "Not that a Hoshidan would understand. How nice it must be, to live a life of peace."
Hinoka restarts her attack, "Nohrians deserve their conflict! Your king killed ours in cold blood! An ambush, of all things!" Another strike on this unreasonably strong Wyvern Rider. The woman's mouth opens for a moment, but then closes, instead opting to lash out with an attack of her own… so close, too close. How is she still that fast? How much stamina does she possess?
Strike after strike is either deflected or dodged, neither giving any ground up. Hinoka, despite having the innate problem of fighting axe with naginata, had one thing pushing her above all else. She's fighting for something she truly wants, for someone she believes that she can save.
She will save Corrin!
"Alright, here we go!" Hinoka mutters, before pulling her Pegasus around for a quick charging slash. It seemed as if this woman wasn't expecting it… or perhaps she was finally getting too tired to keep up properly, but either way Hinoka landed her first major blow against this woman. A sizable portion of her armor was shredded off and she began freely bleeding.
"Fire!" Wait, what? Hinoka was blindsided by a fireball, it surprised her enough that she lost some of her grip on her Pegasus's reigns. If that wasn't bad enough, the woman got her first major strike in, slicing into Hinoka's back. "Hmph." Did… did she intentionally take that hit? "Well my dear… I suppose this is it." Hinoka couldn't fully turn around as she saw the axe, quite literally, come down on her. Eyes widened, heart rate at an all-time high, she did something she hadn't fell victim in years…
She panicked.
The combination of that, and her fresh back wound prevented her from being fully able to bring her Guard Naginata up. So, this really was it. Dying not to an entire Wyvern Rider squad, but a single woman. One seemingly and impossibly strong woman. Was her resolve not strong enough? Was all that training for nothing? Hinoka barely raised her favored weapon by a few inches before it was done.
…
And nothing.
"Perfect timing!" Wait, she knows that voice. She opened her eyes to see none other than Subaki, Dual Naginata in hand, blocking this woman's axe.
"Hm? Another one?" Is how the woman responded.
"S-Subaki?" How did he know she… no, it didn't matter. All that mattered is he was here, that he was able to keep her head from being split open.
"I must say, milady." Subaki almost casually states as the woman pulled her axe back, readying another strike… but he managed to get a slash in, "You are getting rather predictable."
"Milady?" The woman echoes… then lets out a small laugh, "Ah, that would explain why I haven't been able to chop off your precious Pegasus's head… or wing."
Then it clicked, a Wyvern Rider whose main killing method is decapitating Pegasi heads, causing Sky Knights to fall to their deaths? She's… she's the reason why the Sky Knight recruit number has dropped so much. Hinoka remembers how some of the other ones outright stopped training to be a Sky Knight. The horror stories of those who survived her axe are terrible. How this 'monster' could fight off an entire squad by herself. To be honest, Hinoka never could imagine such a force, it seemed impossible… the Sky Knights that did manage to flee this force called it the 'Wing Clipper'. They almost made it sound like a ghost story told around a campfire...
But, here she is. Fighting against the very one who sent countless Hoshidans to their deaths. It… it made sense why she's so powerful. She must have fought against enough Sky Knights to know all of their ins and outs. "It's all me!" Subaki announces as he swoops in for a quick strike, enough to where this woman recoils.
And now this Pegasi killer is finally going down! If… if she does, Hinoka can only imagine the morale boost for Sky Knight recruits. In fact, they could probably regain those lost numbers, they could have enough to get their original number back. Grimacing from her open back wound, Hinoka joins Subaki, wanting to end this woman's life.
"Target acquired." She hears this flat voice say, and it was probably only due to luck itself that she turned in time for this new threat. Another woman, but this one's face is blank, light blue hair, her attire is almost all black, but her armor also seemed stronger than most. "My liege…"
"Aw, my darling Beruka." The purple-hair woman coos. "You didn't have to come all the way up here."
"..." A pause, "I was concerned." She certainly doesn't sound too worried, "I've been watching, you're lacking days of sleep. I couldn't sit idly by this time… even if you did order it." Beruka rears another strike, and Hinoka hears a distant crack as her Guard Naginata starts to give in to the damage it tanked so far. "I'll accept whatever punishment that comes from my disobedience… but I refuse to let you die!" Another full-powered strike from her, and Hinoka's weapon of choice finally gave in, it was split in half.
"Milady…" She hears Subaki start as another Dual Naginata appears as if from nowhere. "I had a feeling you'd need a weapon." The new weapon quickly reaches its way into her hands, just enough time to allow her to block the incoming death strike. Hinoka repays it with her own strike, cutting a gash into her armor.
Beruka didn't even gasp in pain. Instead she went for another strike and… the purple-hair woman grunted. "Watch and learn!" Subaki shouts as he goes for what is sure to be the final blow… had Beruka not tossed a spare axe at his naginata, enough to keep him from striking.
"My liege, I'd advise you retreat to recover. Your wounds need immediate treatment. I can…"
"We're leaving." She interrupts. "Fire!" She casts, if only to keep Subaki from attempting another blow. The woman, a Royal, Hinoka assumes, then flies past her… "I'll remember you, girl." One glare later, and she leaves with Beruka.
"Milady!" Subaki calls her out, as she suddenly felt a wave of magic hit her back.
"...You can heal?" Since when could he do that?
"Not very well, but yes." He admits. "I don't have the proper training yet, but it's enough to cover up some wounds." A short pause, "Shall we leave?"
Nodding, Hinoka turns around, "...I'll remember you, too." She mutters, then looks at Subaki as they started flying, "How did you know? And… why did you leave my little sister behind?"
"My liege asked me to keep an eye on you." ...Sakura did that? "Milady, with all due respect, you aren't as sneaky as you think you are."
"You knew?" She asked, "I made sure to cover up my attempts."
"Milady, you can cover up all of the evidence you want… but you still can't leave without your Pegasus." He smiles, "Once I noticed she wasn't there, I gathered my things and flew towards Nohr, since I assumed that's where you were headed." In the distance, Hinoka could see the rising sun, "And if I may be so bold to ask… please, don't continue with this reckless behavior, okay? I understand how much rescuing Lord Corrin means to you, but also don't forget that your actions are affecting all of us, too. My liege can't sleep properly without some herbal remedy… she's that concerned with your well-being."
Now that got to her, "My little sister… gods. I…" She was costing her sleep. "I'm so sorry…" Deflated, she nods, "Alright. I understand. I'll… wait." As Castle Shirasagi comes into view, Hinoka sighs. "I'll save… no. We'll save you one day, little brother… all of us. We'll bring you home and we can be a whole family again…"
A/N: Aaaand… there it is. Hinoka and Subaki, has in fact, met Camilla… er, 'Wing Clipper' before Camilla's next appearance in 'Confined'. So… who's guessing that the first contact is going to be intense?
