A/N:
Posted: August 2nd, 2016
Last Updated: February 19th, 2019
Views as of Posting: 2 459
Chapters before AU begins: 0
Birthday today! Sweet 19. :D
This is the last chapter before our alternative universe is completely set up! These five chapters follow a loose adaptation of the original Fates series with few deviations, but these small changes will soon snowball into a completely different story. I cannot wait to see where this goes.
We will have a character pairing poll next week. This time it's someone you've already been introduced to. Like I said before, I'm not planning to introduce a polygamous ship in this story.
This is the last instance of in-game dialogue appearing in Blazing Angels.
Chapter 2 Updates:
- Changed conversation from in-game dialogue to differ from the original dialogue
Chapter 4 Updates:
- Grammatical Corrections
All changes are purely stylistic and do not impact the story. Efforts will be made to minimize these types of updates in the future.
Now, onto the story…
Chapter 5: Festival of Lights (Corrin, Hinoka, Azura)
The past few days in Hoshido flew by quickly. Ryoma came back a day after Corrin without a single scratch on his armor. He and Rinkah's forces managed to catch the Faceless in the mountains, before they could reach the tribal settlement. According to their cohorts, the two dispatched the horde with ease. The High Prince's forces returned to the castle town, they were in high spirits.
Takumi's archers were less celebratory. Subaki remained at the fortress and sent in a report three days afterwards. The damage caused by the Faceless was jarring. Eighteen soldiers, including Omozu, fell in battle. Twenty-five had injuries so severe they could no longer serve in the Hoshidan army. Finally, the number of wounded increased from about forty to well above sixty. New lumber and bricks were requested to replace the damaged walls and buildings. The only silver lining was that patients were slowly being discharged. The local villagers were sympathetic enough to not ask for compensation for their labor.
Back in Shirasagi, Corrin continued his swordsmanship training. His duels with Hana ended up in either draws or close victories – frankly below his expectations. Sakura's retainer appeared younger than Leo, yet her agility and precision rivalled his own. He spent days relentlessly sparring with her and the other samurai, worried she might surpass him. As much as it pained the Prince, bow training with Takumi was going nowhere. The yumi was just too foreign of a weapon.
Eventually, a full week passed since Corrin returned to the Hoshidan capital from Fort Jinya. Staying inside and fighting all day didn't tire him; it was all he was permitted to do in the Northern Fortress. He faced this day's opponent with a cautious stare, pinpointing his every move. Without any hesitation, the Prince pounced.
On the other side, Ryoma leapt back. The High Prince of Hoshido followed up with a quick stab with his practice katana. Corrin parried the strike and fell back, tenaciously giving his foe an opening.
"Get ready!" Ryoma warned as he rushed forward.
He jumped with imposing speed - not high, but still covering much distance. Corrin steadied his balance. Instead of dodging to the side or back, he changed his mind in a split second. The Prince dashed forward and held Ganglari parallel to his body, preparing to block.
"Right where I want you!"
Their swords collided, but his strength gave away. Ryoma's momentum simply overpowered the Prince and pushed him backwards. Corrin's boots skid on the ground, until it hit an elevated tile on the floor and he fell backwards. The round was effectively over.
"Crud." Corrin winced, "I thought it would've worked."
Ryoma offered his hand, "That was interesting. What was your plan?"
"I wanted to run forward and strike below your waist in the middle of your jump, but your leap was too low." The Prince got up slowly with his help.
Once again, an older sibling had bested him. The training reminded him of how he fought Xander back in Nohr. Xander would defeat him relentlessly too, round after round. His horseback attacks were easier to predict, but his strikes were much more punishing if Corrin made a mistake.
"That was a bit reckless." Ryoma sighed, "Don't run towards a charging bull."
"I see…"
"Still, you're improving" He continued, "You actually put up a fight this time."
"I guess I am." Corrin grinned, "Thanks for the matches today."
"Don't be grateful yet." Ryoma chuckled, "You still have a long way to go."
A long way to go. The words bit the young Prince hard. It was his training that earned him the right to explore the Bottomless Canyon. That sense of achievement and pride subsided while he resided Castle Shirasagi.
"Hey, The Dawn Festival in two days. Are you excited?" Ryoma asked.
"I'm not sure." Corrin admitted, "I don't know what's happening."
Shirasagi Castle Town had an annual festival this time of the year in honor of their creator, the Dawn Dragon. Queen Mikoto told him she would give a public announcement of his arrival. As he was brought up in Nohr, Corrin was advised not to leave the castle until the citizens knew of his arrival. The rumors of Nohrian spies in the town meant his presence had to be delicately brought to their attention.
"What do I need to do?" Corrin asked, "I've never attended a festival before…"
"Well, celebrating is a good start." Ryoma said, "You have been brought back to your homeland after all."
"Anything else?" The Prince pressed, "Any traditions or rituals I need to perform?"
"It's not that complicated." Ryoma replied, "We're meeting in the plaza, not a temple. Get to know the townspeople and enjoy the delicacies. There was a long drought this year, so the cost of food has risen..."
As they conversed, the two brothers hung up their blades and stripped off their armor. They returned to Castle Shirasagi through the side entrance. An older man with matte hair bumped into him down the hallway. The older man smiled upon his eyes laying upon both of them.
"Prince Ryoma, Prince Kamui." The official greeted with a slight smile.
His name was Yukimura, one of Hoshido's most experienced strategists and a high advisor to the court. Starting as a man with a hobby of creating curious weapons and contraptions, he had buried himself in books. The man became a disciple under his father and was distinguished for his famous treatise, "The Nine Sacred Stratagems". Needless to say, he was quickly promoted and learned public administration under King Sumeragi himself.
"Yukimura, how is planning for the Dawn Festival?" Ryoma asked.
"Everything's in order." The strategist replied, "The food stalls are almost entirely brought in, and the townsfolk are eager to finish their decorations." Yukimura turned his attention to Corrin.
"Right." Corrin said, "Well, if Queen Mikoto wants to present me, I'll just bring my usual gear and Ganglari…"
"That won't do." Ryoma interrupted.
"Why not?"
"It would be inappropriate for you to show up with armor and a weapon for a festival, especially if she announces your peaceful return." Yukimura explained.
"What do you suggest them?" Corrin sighed.
His wardrobe was barren except for a few sleeping garments, ruffled trousers, a belt, boots, and what could only be described as an unexciting tunic he wore underneath his chest plate. His armor was way more fashionable, if not exotic.
"Hmm." Ryoma stroked his chin armor, "Takumi mentioned one of his retainers had an eye for fashion, why don't you consult her?"
Yukimura nodded "Why, Oboro's in the castle right now. A wonderful suggestion."
"Really? Well, if you insist." Corrin said worriedly.
Without a further word, the strategist let the two brothers go.
[…]
The young lady had a sharp tongue when it came to his wardrobe. The Prince folded his arms and endured the criticism she hurled at his "unforgivable taste". Furthermore, when he mentioned the few belongings he had were woven in Nohr, the Hoshidan's face transformed into a horrific sight. It was hard to tell if Oboru was trying to help, or plotting a murder.
Corrin avoided staring into her eyes for the remainder of the consultation. Within minutes, the retainer returned from the third floor of Castle Shirasagi with her selection. She brought a dark blue garment with an alternating pattern of light blue squiggles resembling cascading waves. The Prince pointed at the fabric.
"What is that?" He pointed.
"This is a yukata." Oboro replied, "Better than anything you brought back."
"…How do I put it on?" Corrin asked politely.
"Figure it out yourself."
The Prince hid his exasperation as he claimed the fabric and returned to the changing room. After fumbling about trying to find the proper way in, he finally slipped into the yukata, the cotton juban and sandals. He returned to the retainer and opened his arms to show off the entire outfit.
"How do I look?"
"It's a good fit." She remarked, "Your figure compliments it well."
"Your face tells me something different." Corrin swallowed. Oboru had an intense glare that scrunched up her eyebrows and made small creases on her forehead.
"Sorry about that." She said, "I just hate everything from Nohr equally."
(She said that so casually… How the townspeople will treat me tomorrow?)
Corrin took a look down at his clothing. It looked like a clumsy robe at first, but after he put everything on, it all fit snuggly - much more comfortable than his stuffy battle gear. He turned slowly around for her to examine every spot.
"Yeah, you're passable." Oboro concluded.
Corrin smiled. "That's good enough. Thanks!"
"If you tear it I won't forgive you."
With her threat in mind, the Prince made his way back to the main corridor. He could feel her piercing gaze on him as he slipped outside. Corrin immediately ran into Ryoma and Takumi along the way. The High Prince gave a grin of approval.
"What's this, a shapeshifting demon?" Takumi looked up and down his yukata.
"His looks are definitely deceiving." Ryoma commented.
"Why, I can't tell what this thing is anymore!" Takumi added.
"Guys-" Corrin grumbled, not understanding their jest.
He and Takumi have grown familiar enough for him to make a few jokes now and then; an improvement from when they first met. Corrin secretly wondered if it was Takumi that inspired his retainer to detest Nohrians, or the other way around. They both did not make any effort to hide their distrust.
"What we're saying is that the yukata fits you quite well." Ryoma smiled, "You look like a true Hoshidan, Kamui."
"Ah, thanks." Corrin blinked.
Ryoma and Takumi continued towards the throne room as the Prince snuck back to his own quarters. He changed into his old clothes and threw the Hoshidan garment on the bed. Corrin stared at the ruffled clothing for a while. Grudgingly, he picked it up and folded it neatly like the rest of his clothes. Upon sticking the blue yukata into the wardrobe, it stuck out like a sore thumb. It would take some time before he could feel like a "true Hoshidan", he thought. All he could do in the meantime was to wait for the day of the festival to finally come.
The morning of the Dawn Festival arrived. Corrin had put away his yukata in preparation for his introduction. Wearing it again had a refreshing effect on his entire body. He quickly made his way towards the throne room, where Mother was waiting. She, along with Yukimura, were the only two in the room. He was embarrassed to find out she was the last to arrive.
"My wonderful son is finally here." Queen Mikoto beamed, "And he has become so handsome, too!"
"Thanks, Mother!" Corrin said, "Where is everyone?"
"They're already outside." She replied, "You should meet up with them. I'll come down to the plaza afterwards." Despite her cheerfulness, Corrin could not help but wonder if he sensed a bit of sadness within her tone.
(She's probably just regretting not watching me grow up.)
"Are you sure I shouldn't bring Ganglari?" Corrin asked cautiously.
"That won't be necessary." Yukimura said, "We have sufficient soldiers on guard."
"Go on, Kamui." Mikoto beckoned, "Have fun with your siblings."
The Prince bowed to his mother before exiting the room. He found his way to the entrance and left Castle Shirasagi. Looking around, Corrin finally saw Hinoka and Ryoma waving towards him from the bottom of the outside stairs. He carefully descended each step and tried to keep his balance. After an awkwardly long time, he finally reached his brothers and sisters.
"About time! How late did you get up?" Takumi complained, "It's called the 'Dawn' Festival for a reason you know."
"Sorry…" Corrin rubbed his eyes.
Sleep evaded the Prince yesterday as he anxiously thought about the festival. In a way, it reminded him of the day Rinkah and Kaze first brought him to the castle on the Revenant carriage.
Everyone else was wearing the same style of clothing. Ryoma and Takumi wore dark red striped yukata, simple and formal. Hinoka was sporting a blue and orange kimono in with beautiful swirls of white and grey. The colors brought out her red hair even more, making her entire figure a vibrant palette. Finally, Sakura wore cherry blossoms in her hair and wore a pink kimono with Eastern floral designs.
"Hey, not bad Kamui!" Hinoka smiled, "Nice yukata!"
"It was Takumi's retainer who picked it out." Corrin blinked. He thought his sisters' designs were far superior to his wavy pattern.
"Yup, Oboro did well." Takumi said, "Let's get going-"
"Wait." The Prince interrupted, "Where is Azura?"
The last time he saw the songstress was yesterday before breakfast. She disappeared for the rest of the afternoon without saying a word. He did not hear her practice singing in the morning, either.
(That might actually be one of the reasons he woke up late.)
"She's already in the castle town." Ryoma said.
"Where we should already be." Takumi pressed, "Right guys?"
Hinoka nodded "Alright, come on Kamui!"
The group of five made their way down the stairs. Stumbling at first, Corrin finally found out the way to walk properly. Much more quickly, they made their way down to the town and traversed the main streets.
The avenues were filled with people in their own yukatas and kimonos and other clothes made from cotton and silk, all in different colors and patterns. The males had more standard designs while the women's choices were almost unrestricted. Corrin drank in all of the new sights in awe. Nohr and Windmire never had such extravagant clothing or celebrations.
Traditional Hoshidan instruments could be heard further down the street. Street vendors were selling charms and food off to the side. The smells of yam, seafood, noodles, and chicken skewers filled his nostrils. A few of the men working the stands waved at the royals, the only pause they took before they continued bartering with new customers. The citizens in the middle of the street pushed themselves to the side to make way. A few realized the new face among them.
"W-wow." Corrin looked around as he walked with the group, "This is… cool!"
"Yeah, we have the whole day to explore." Hinoka said, "Where should we go first?"
"I need to organize some events in the plaza." Ryoma said, "Why don't the rest of you pair up and enjoy yourselves? We have a big evening and night, after all."
Corrin finally realized what the festival meant to the royal family. It was the one day they did not need to act like royals and revel with the townspeople. In other words, no need for training or giving orders - this was their day to relax. As long as no one knew his identity, the white-haired Prince thought he could disguise himself as a commoner. He finally felt at ease not bringing along weapons.
The Dawn Festival was a day to kick back, and have a good time.
"I think Kamui should go with Sakura." Takumi said, giving the Prince a grin.
"Huh?" Hinoka piped, "Well, come on, let him choose for himself!"
"I think I'll explore with Sakura first." Corrin said, "We can switch up later."
Corrin signaled a silent thank you to Takumi who gave the slightest of nods. The shrine maiden blinked in shock. She had been avoiding him all week for a reason he wishes to find out. His plan this morning was to get to know her better
(Of course, I'll just leave her alone if she gets uncomfortable again.)
"Are you okay with that?" He pressed.
"O-oh, um, sure." Sakura replied.
Takumi pointed further down the road. "Great! Then we'll just meet up in the plaza when we're done, alright?"
The four siblings agreed to the plan and headed off. Takumi and Hinoka walked off into a smaller street selling curious charms, while Corrin blindly followed Sakura around. She headed in random directions, not knowing where to go either. After a while of walking in complete silence, Corrin's anxiety built. The shrine maiden had absolutely no indication of wanting to start a conversation.
"So Sakura, Why did you decide to study healing?" He said. The Prince already knew the response, but wanted something to open her up.
"H-healing?" Sakura panicked, "Uh, I'm bad at f-fighting, that's why…"
Corrin raised an eyebrow, "No other reason? Like, self-improvement?"
"N-no…"
Either Takumi was lying, or she was.
"Ah, well you are clearly talented."
"T-thank you. Umm…"
Silence again. Corrin hid in disappointment. Sakura seemed to be very kind on the outside, but she was paradoxically the most difficult to talk to. They ended up at the end of the street, not knowing where to turn.
"Look, Sakura." He sighed at last, "I'm sorry for asking you to pair with me. Why don't we look for our older siblings so we can switch?"
"N-no that's fine, r-really." She replied, "Maybe I just n-need breathing room from this f-festival."
"Where?" Corrin demanded, a new hope springing inside him. Perhaps Sakura would open up in a place that was not filled with tons of other peopl.
Sakura eventually decided to head towards a hilly area just outside the town walls. The town guard let them both through easily upon spotting the shrine maiden. Eventually, they reached one of the flatter hills, where Sakura said a serene lake laid. Larger hills rolled behind it, and even larger mountains behind them. Water streamed down from the peaks into a lake, which emptied itself into a small river next to the town. As they reached the body of water, Corrin caught sight of a familiar figure, standing next to a shore of grey pebbles.
"Azura?" He called out.
The songstress turned around in surprise. She brushed a white veil on her head and glanced at the two royals. Her white and golden dress looked more stunning than usual in the yellow sunlight. Her long blue hair was unbraided and danced in the air behind her. The prince stopped, wondering if he interrupted her singing practice or some sort of meditation. The only sounds he heard were flowing water and the cool morning breeze.
"Kamui, Sakura. Hello." Azura broke the silence.
"A-Azura, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked. Her stutter was almost completely gone.
"I was just…"
The songstress paused as she caught sight of Corrin's attire. The prince tugged at the collar worriedly. Hopefully he didn't wear Oboro's damn yukata wrong and she was going to make a half-witted comment. After a somewhat long pause, her eyes returned to gazing at both their faces.
"… admiring the architecture."
Corrin let out a sigh of relief.
"From this hill?" Sakura said curiously, "The town's over there!"
"To judge something, you must always look at the bigger picture." Azura said coolly, turning towards Castle Shirasagi.
"Wow Azura." Sakura giggled, "I never knew you were into that!"
The Prince put his hand to his face. If a person as reserved as Azura could converse with Sakura regularly, he definitely felt he was screwing something up on his end. With resignation, Corrin suggested they all return to the castle town.
He would have to unravel the mystery another day.
[…]
Azura and the four royals found each other in the plaza close to midday and decided to split up again. Takumi selected to help Ryoma organize the finishing touches of the nighttime events while Sakura went off with Azura. Corrin ended up with Hinoka. They both ventured off towards the northern part of town, where the artists and craftsmen of the town sold their wares.
"Have you ever seen fireworks, Kamui?" Hinoka asked.
"N-no." The Prince replied. They sounded dangerous.
"Oh, they're absolutely beautiful! Once you see them tonight, you'll never forget them!" She beamed.
Corrin smiled. His sister's peppy attitude can make even churning butter sound intriguing.
"I'm so excited for the day you can explore outside the town!" Hinoka continued, brimming with enthusiasm, "There are so many places you have to see! The Flame Tribe, the Great Wall, our…"
"I get it." Corrin laughed, "One step at a time. We're exploring here first!"
"Let's go then!"
Hinoka grabbed his arm and dragged him forward as she ran. Struggling to keep up, Corrin entered the artisan square. Diviners were offering to tell peoples' fortunes and a few others were selling good-luck charms and puppets. They got the usual royal greeting from the salespeople and looked around. A section of the square with talented artists caught Corrin's attention.
"Why don't we get a drawing of the two of us?" He suggested.
In Nohr, King Garon commissioned great artists to paint his siblings in grand pictures. It would be intriguing to see himself drawn by a Hoshidan. He expected Hinoka to swiftly agree, but she shook her head.
"Your first trip with your older sister and you want a drawing?" She asked, "Why not something more energetic, like the javelin competition first?"
"Oh, well sure." Corrin shrugged, "We could get the painting later."
"Actually, you're the visitor here. Let's do your idea first."
Hinoka was no Camilla. The leader of the sky knights tried to be close with him like the latter, but her approaches were much less… direct. Hinoka was full of energy and wanted to explore the world with him. Her peppy attitude towards training and enjoying life felt refreshing compared to the endearing but distant Sakura.
"Thought the first thing we'd do together would be a bit more hands-on, but if you want it, let's do it!"
Hinoka grabbed Corrin's hand and pulled him towards the artist's stand. They had trouble deciding what pose they wanted, but they settled on sitting on the stools and smiling at the painter. The artisan's hand jumped from his thin brush to his ink pot and the parchment. After finishing the inking and adding in some watercolor, their commission was finished. The two looked at the completed work.
The lines were thin and detailed, as expected of the royal artists from the capital. Corrin's face held a slight smile and a fairly tame expression. The yukata and his pointed ears were captured with admirable attention to detail. Hinoka's figure was also well-defined. Her garment's colors shone wild creativity and boldness. Her smiling face appeared more genuine than the Prince's nervous expression.
"It looks great, thanks!" Hinoka said, "Kamui, this will look great in your room!"
She handed the artisan his payment as Corrin carefully retrieved their art. He noticed the striking distance that Hoshidan drawings had much lighter colors than the ones from Nohr. It was the first time he physically touched a drawing of himself.
(Is this what it feels like to have your sibling buy you a gift?)
"Alright, hurry up now!" Hinoka shouted. "Let's go throw some javelins!"
"Save me" The Prince mouthed helplessly to the artisan who only stroked his chin. Corrin tried his best to not smudge his gift, as his older sister abducted him again.
[…]
For the final pairing in the afternoon, Corrin decided to have a leisurely walk with Azura. They were the only two not part of the royal Hoshidan family, so they would not attract too much attention from the people living here. The songstress had braided her long hair again, regaining her formal appearance.
Azura still looked just as graceful as before in her steps. She looked more suited to be his mother's child than he was. They found the street with the massive food market, filled with goods and treats from all corners of the countries. Among them were many skewers and, essentially, anything-on-a-stick. The cooked eel and seafood flaunting the fisherman stands produced a delectable scent, drawing the Prince further in. His friend looked around, thinking carefully.
"Hey Azura." Corrin said, "What were you exactly doing by that lake? Looking to take a swim?"
"No, I was just practicing my dancing and took a break." She replied, staring at some peaches in a large basket.
The Prince paused. "Dancing near the lake? Why not in the castle?"
(I mean, she has no problem practicing her singing in the courtyard)
The songstress picked up a large, ripe fruit and examined it. Upon giving a few strokes of its skin, she put it down again and moved on to the next stand. Corrin followed closely behind, his vision darting down the aisle.
"My routine requires a body of water to be around." Azura explained.
"That's quite specific." Corrin remarked, "Can you show me one day?"
The songstress continued her search, "I'd rather not. It's a ritual for very specific occasions."
"Oh. Ohhhhhhh."
Her words came as a shock. The Prince ran a hand through his hair. Azura was one of those entertainers. Xander told him about how the more eccentric nobles frequented palaces and taverns with beautiful, exotic dancers. Though, he could not imagine what creativity would require a body of wa-
"I'm not that kind of dancer." Azura scoffed, seemingly reading his mind.
"No, of course not." Corrin coughed, "That never crossed my mind."
(God, what am I thinking?)
The two finished their sweep of the street empty-handed. The foodstuffs were fresh, but it was not better than the dishes they ate at Castle Shirasagi. They decided to take a break sitting on the outdoor tables next to the local inn. Half the day had passed, and there were so many other places Corrin had yet to explore. A few younglings were playing tag, screaming in delight as they ran past the two. The people and atmosphere felt incomparable to Windmire. It was a welcoming sight, filled with vibrant colors and minds. He had his doubts about Hoshido before, but perhaps this Hoshidan town was where he wanted to be.
Azura leaned her head on her arm "So tell me more about yourself, Kamui."
"Hmm?" Corrin groaned. His feet were sore from walking in sandals all day.
"I've shared my past with you, now it's your turn."
For the next few minutes, Corrin gave a very condensed summary of his life. He carefully omitted what he learned from Queen Mikoto and about leading the patrol to the borderland. The Prince noticed a small twinkle in her eyes when he mentioned a creature called Lilith saving him from the Bottomless Canyon. His tale concluded with Kaze and Rinkah bringing him back to the castle.
"So you fell in and returned to the surface." Azura said.
"Yeah." Corrin replied, "I understand if you don't believe me."
"No, I do. Thanks for the story."
"Wait, you do?"
The songstress fidgeted her shell-shaped golden pendant and looked into his eyes. Corrin leaned backwards.
"I believe you're a kindhearted person, Kamui." Azura sighed, "You have a strong sense of what's right and wrong. Don't blame yourself for the past."
"I… won't."
(Don't blame myself?)
A grumbling stomach cued him to continue the search for delicacies. Azura either knew what had happened, or at least possessed a strong sense of intuition, he thought. Either way, their conversation helped him feel a bit better. The duo finally reached the busy intersection on the outer region of the town and found the old women selling her usual world-famous roasted potatoes. For some reason, they tasted more savory with her around.
Hinoka stared proudly at her family from the front of the crowd. They were in a street with a stage in front, leading towards the plaza. Queen Mikoto's ceremonial announcements were taking place, just before evening. Takumi and Sakura stood next to her, watching their mother as well. Ryoma stood to the side wore his battle armor, as per tradition for the heir to the throne. His sacred Raijinto was a sight be behold; only rarely has he ever brought it out during peacetime.
Behind Mother was Kamui, still in his blue yukata. Her younger brother was shifting shyly behind the speaker, visibly tense. Hinoka tried to give a reassuring smile. The Prince blinked back, not understanding the gesture. It was probably the javelin contest they had, the Princess thought. Kamui did not do as well as she hoped, but it was a fun event. She ended up getting tied for first, right next to Tsubaki. Just behind her was Oboro who showed up in a fashionable kimono and had impressive strength for her size. The white-haired prince failed to place in the top five.
Queen Mikoto turned back to him. "And to you Kamui, my son, and from everyone here in Hoshido, we welcome you back with open arms."
The crowd applauded as Kamui bowed in front of them. Takumi and Ryoma gave particularly loud demonstrations of their satisfaction. Sakura clapped timidly on the side as Hinoka cheered proudly. There the people stood, ecstatic he had returned.
(Yeah! Take that, Nohrian scum!)
Before she could speak those words out loud, several gasps sounded behind her. The large crowd spread out, leaving a circle in the middle. Inside the barren spot was a single box, resting angled towards the front with a lit fuse.
The flame already made its way inside the open-lid container. The guards from the outside rapidly shoved people out of the way to get a closer look at the contents. They had originally thought someone simply left their merchandise out in the open, but once a man got a closer look on the inside-
"The fireworks!" He shouted, "What are they-"
They were cut off as powerful screeches filled the air. In a steady stream, tiny and colorful rockets flew outside the contraption. A hooded man sprinted away from the scene, the likely assailant of the scheme. Hinoka prepared to sprint after him, but Takumi dragged her down onto the ground.
"Get down!" A woman at the front of the crowd screamed.
The fireworks came from the box at random trajectories, landing into the crowd in front of them and a few came right towards the stage, where Kamui and Queen Mikoto stood. The Prince panicked and fell to the ground like the others. The rockets exploded into the crowd. Flares of red, blue, and yellow splashed in the air.
Hinoka put her arms over her face to avoid becoming blind. One rocket landed right beside her, pelting her garment with hot bits of debris and dust. She opened her eyes to see what conspired in front of her. The wide street was in shock. Explosions of every color hit the ground, houses, and the people. Kids were screaming in terror, along with the adults.
Then came more carnage.
A few of the fireworks hit the stage. Mikoto dove forward over her son, trying to cover his body from the barrage. A stray projectile landed on the ground in front of the Queen. It exploded, spraying bright red sulfur onto her face. She ducked her head down again, groaning in pain. A closer hit, and she could have been blinded.
The crowd were either lying on the street or running away at the back. A guard threw her shield in front of the fireworks container, trying to block the projectiles. A large, smelly cloud of red and yellow smoke began condensing on the ground.
It was a futile attempt. As the rockets hit the shield and exploded, a loud scream pierced the air. Fireworks were dangerous; they left behind burns and bruises, but none had the power to actually kill someone.
At least, that was what Hinoka told herself as she coughed in the fumes. The fireworks were quickly exhausted, and charcoal-like dust cleared from the atmosphere. She looked at Mother, then at Kamui, then back at Mother. Time completely froze.
Queen Mikoto laid on top of his son. Four arrows stuck to the stage around her. A small hole was blown between her shoulder blades with purple smoke rising from it. Throughout all the chaos, they were attacked as the smokescreen settled in.
(No. It can't be…)
"You… weren't hurt, were you?" Mikoto coughed, "Tell me… you're fine…" She rolled over from Kamui's body onto her side. Blood spilled onto the floor next to her.
"I'm alright." Kamui coughed, not yet seeing the arrows on her other side, "You?"
"Ah, I'm so glad…"
Before Sakura or the healers could approach to help, the Prince was hit with the horrible realization. Mikoto's eyes started to close as her body fell limp. Kamui stood up in a cold sweat and put his hands on her body, feeling around for a pulse.
"Mother?" He gasped, "Mother!"
"Someone, come help us!"
His frantic sob echoed throughout the city. The people remaining in the crowd stood up slowly and the cold truth set in. Queen Mikoto, mother and leader of the Hoshidan nation, laid in front of her. All light faded away from her amber eyes.
"She's not moving."
The fireworks were over. The attacks were over. Her mother's life was over. The assailants were nowhere to be found. To see the one who cared for them when they were so little be brutally murdered in front of them; Hinoka fell to her knees in despair, the remnants of the fumes choking her throat.
"Mother…?" Sakura whimpered from the ground next to her. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
"You-" Ryoma jumped up, enraged, "Coward, show yourself!"
The High prince drew Raijinto and swayed around, prepared to cut down the criminals who led this assault. A whimper turning into a cry distracted him.
"Hah…. Ha… Hrahhhh!"
Kamui's entire body shook, then the entire stage.
"Kamui?"
Hinoka picked herself up and looked in terror as his arms gave off an eerie red light. Floating scraps of crimson surrounded his entire body, covering his limbs. His arm reappeared underneath the red into the deformed leg of a monster.
Her brother's cries became deep, unintelligible roars as a gust of air pushed everyone back. Hinoka slid back, struggling to stand up. When she turned back to stare at her brother. Shreds of his blue yukata littered the ground.
The stage collapsed, and in its place stood a winged monstrosity. The creature had four slim legs and a long white torso with blue stripes. Its large wings flapped, creating yet another strong wind that blew through the corridors. Its large head featured antler-like protrusions and it had a long silver tail. The guards stood, lost in confusion as the beast growled before them.
There was no mistaking it.
(A dragon?)
"What the-" Takumi shouted, "What the hell is that?"
"A dragon." Ryoma breathed, "How did…"
The dragon gave a huge roar. Everybody who remained at the scene covered their ears in pain. What used to be Kamui thrashed its tail about, crashing into a short house and knocking in its walls. The crowd stood dumbfounded at the creature.
"Everyone, run!" A villager screamed.
The men, women, and children dashed the opposite direction. The dragon had gone berserk, lashing at nearby structures and trying to tear them apart. The guards raised their swords reluctantly. They had never seen such a colossal being attack Castle Shirasagi. Hinoka stood up, her kimono torn.
"Kamui, what's happening to you?"
Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura hurried their way towards Ryoma, who was had withdrawn to the sidelines. The guard leader rushed to join them as well as the monster's eyes glowed red.
"Lord Ryoma, we need to evacuate the city!" He advised.
"Do it." The High Prince nodded.
The guards quickly scrambled back onto the main street. A few went towards the town bell towers to alarm the citizens, but it had become obvious everyone knew what was going on. Hinoka stared helplessly at Ryoma, who stepped forward.
"What do we do?" Takumi hissed, "The armory and stables aren't far from here."
"That's Kamui." Ryoma said, "I think. I don't know why, but he is that dragon in front of us. We can't kill him- we can't!"
"I-impossible." Sakura shook, "But h-how?"
"I don't know." The High Prince conceded, "Takumi, Hinoka. Run to the armory and assist in the evacuation. I'll try to delay him as much as possible."
"Are you insane?" Hinoka blurted out, "You, against that thing, alone?"
"I b-brought my festal." Sakura said, "I c-can keep him from g-getting mortally w-wounded."
"Fine, we're trusting you on this." Takumi nodded, "Come on, sis. Let's move."
Hinoka dashed forward as quickly as her kimono allowed. She and Takumi made their way to the closest armory. The guards there were gearing up, preparing for the worst to come. The Sky Princess ran towards the attached stables. She hastily switched out of her kimono into Pegasus knight gear. Within the minute, she found a suitable steed and hopped on, gripping a black naginata. The Pegasus neighed as it prepared for takeoff.
"I'll help the guards on the ground, you monitor the situation from above." Takumi suggested. He appropriated a quiver of steel arrows and the highest-quality yumi from the armory stores. "Come report to me if anything changes." A group of samurai have already assembled behind him.
"Sounds good."
The Princess found a long piece of straight cobblestone path and pulled on the reins. The horse galloped forward, increasing speed until it took off. Swerving quickly, she made her way towards the draconic roars.
When she closed in, she saw Ryoma frantically trying to attack one of the dragon's legs, avoiding its stomps. The beast did not pay attention to the Prince. It swung one of its front legs into another dwelling, breaking down its thin exterior.
Sakura stayed further back. They were all aware her brother could not hurt the dragon. Hinoka tried to fly around him like an annoying mosquito, but the creature still ignored her as it continued rampaging through the middle of the town. The dragon, for whatever reason, did not appear to know how to use its wings.
"Drat!" She cursed.
The dragon moved in the opposite direction of Ryoma, heading towards a group of civilians trying to escape. The High Prince gave chase while Sakura tried her best to keep up. Her delicate kimono slowed down her movement. Hinoka shouted a warning cry as she flew in with her Pegasus. The guard at the front of the evacuation group heard the call and ordered the townsfolk to hide in the houses.
The Sky Princess dove from a thirty degree angle to the ground. The dragon's head bobbed up and down as it moved, making it a difficult target to hit. She guessed she could not hurt the beast, but she wanted to at least slow it down.
"Hinoka!" Ryoma cried from the ground once he saw her descent.
The Sky Princess swerved down even faster, holding out her naginata. She stabbed forward into the dragon's neck as she passed by.
Clang!
Her lance failed to penetrate the thick hide. Her Hoshidan arms simply scraped off, causing her to almost lose grip. The dragon turned its head around and stopped its advance. It bellowed another roar. The air startling her Pegasus and the mount veered upwards.
"Come on, hold it together!" Hinoka demanded.
Her steed quickly corrected its path. The Princess made sure to fly adjacent to the streets below - that way, if the dragon gave chase, it would not cause too much damage to the buildings it ploughs through.
And chase her it did. Ryoma sheathed Raijinto and dragged Sakura off into a small alleyway to avoid its path. Hinoka looked at the ground from above, observing what sections of the town were not evacuated. The town square next to the plaza was void of people, so she decided to lead the dragon there. She pulled on the reins again, preparing for a second descent. The white dragon kept up with her, flapping its wings in frenzy.
(If that thing knows how to take off, I'm done for!)
Those were the last coherent thoughts in the air.
The beast stopped in its tracks and focused its head onto the Princess. The beast opened its mouth, sucking in an intense vortex of air. Hinoka was just out of range from the gust and flew higher to safety. She dived down again for another hit.
As she descended, the dragon exhaled. Its breath contained large streams of water and came out at such a powerful force, that it was more of a mini tornado. Hinoka got caught in the middle and lost control of her Pegasus.
She fell off her mount as it flew away. Hinoka came crashing down onto one of the red tiled roofs of the low houses surrounding the town square. She did not fall too hard as the whirlwind slowed her descent, but it was enough to knock the air out of her. The dazed Princess sat up the dragon was next to her on the roof. Its nostrils breathed heavily, blowing into her face.
Hinoka braced herself, prepared to take responsibility for the mistake.
Azura was one of the few in the crowd who was behind the box of exploding fireworks. When the explosives activate, she was one of the first to escape. She did her best to alert the guards of what happened, telling them to look for the bandits. After that, however, she was unsure of what to do next.
She chided herself for not knowing the tall man carrying that box into the crowd had malicious intent. The suspect should have ran in her direction, away from the box, but he mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the act.
And then the dragon came about. The songstress knew the day would come when she would face the mystical being, but she never expected it so soon. The guards and townspeople around her cried in terror when they heard the mysterious roars. It was a small dragon - not even taller than some of the two-story houses - but it was just as dangerous.
When she heard its cry, Azura immediately made her way towards its epicenter. Along the way, she ran into Takumi, who called for her to get away. She ignored his suggestion and continued forward.
(This was what I was meant to do.)
She reached the street where the attack started, just outside of the plaza. Standing at the end of the street, next to the town square stood Ryoma and Sakura, watching the dragon from afar.
"A-Azura!" Sakura called, noticing her first.
"What is going on here?" Azura asked.
The damage to the buildings around the street astounded her. Broken glass, wood, and porcelain filled onto the edges of the route leading towards the plaza. Inside the plaza, the decorations of lanterns and paintings were lost to the wind.
"Kamui has turned into a dragon and has gone berserk." Ryoma gritted his teeth, we're evacuating the town and- wait!"
The High Prince shuddered. Azura looked into the air. In the distance, Hinoka was hit by a gust of the dragon's breath mid-air. She lost control of the Pegasus and fell onto the roof, her descent cushioned slightly by the turbulence. The dragon leapt forward, right on top of the low roof she was on.
"Hinoka!" Ryoma called.
The songstress made her way into the town square without a second thought.
"H-hey, Azura!" Sakura called.
When Azura made it to the center, the dragon stared at the Sky Princess intently. Hinoka was silent, holding a confused expression. The dragon raised its front limb for a strike.
The dragon brought the limb down. Hinoka had just enough time to roll to the left, narrowly dodging the swing. The roof next to her caved in. The beast cried again and struck again. The second strike hit the wall of the building.
The integrity of the structure gave away. The Princess fell into the rubble from a hole that opened up from the roof. The dragon breathed smoke out of its nostrils as it looked down into the hole. There was no time left.
"You are the ocean's gray waves-"
Azura cleared her mind and sang with all the clarity and strength her tired throat allowed. It was important for her to hit all of the notes correctly, she thought, or else calming the dragon would fail. The beast turned around, confused. She opened her arms, welcomingly.
"Azura, stop!"
Ryoma dashed out from behind her. With a heavy heart, the songstress tapped her pendant. A small whirlpool of water appeared from behind her, pushing the High Prince back. His feet skid on the ground. He reached for his holy blade.
"You are the ocean's gray waves-"
"-destined to seek life beyond the shore, just out of reach."
Her pendant glowed blue and floated in the air as she approached. The monster backed away from the destroyed building. Azura heard Hinoka's coughing as the Princess slowly stood up from the rubble. The dragon jumped off to the roof, hitting the ground with a large thud.
"Yet the waters ever change-"
The beast suddenly swiped forward with its claw, striking Azura in the torso. Within the rapid strike, her body buckled from the blow, causing her to fall back to the ground. The pendant's glow weakened as it hit the surface of the stones.
"N-no!" Sakura exclaimed and the dragon roared again.
(-Must... not give… up)
"-flowing like time. The path is yours to climb."
Her seashell-shaped charm's shine grew even brighter as she continued the song. Streams of water appeared in the air, surrounding her and the dragon. Azura flipped over, looking into the beast's eyes. It was confused, but still angry.
What was formerly Kamui held out its front leg and pinned her neck to the ground with its claws. The pain was excruciating, and her voice gave out. The streams of water thinned out and the pendant stopped working altogether.
"Kill me if you want… but… please do it as yourself." She said weakly. A tear rolled down her bruised cheek.
A second passed.
Then another.
The dragon raised its claw and retreated. Azura gave a small smile of relief. Her song had worked. In a dazzling flash of light, the dragon roared one last time. White sparkles, like tiny crystals, twinkled in the air around it. The monster shrunk into the light, and smoke poured out of the blinding white. A figure of a standing human was left standing in the cloud.
Kamui was back.
His face carried a disoriented expression, mixed with pain and exhaustion. The white-haired Prince collapsed onto the ground lopsidedly, facing towards the ground. His yukata was gone, leaving behind only his raw human body. Ryoma and Sakura came forward. Hinoka had picked herself up and slowly walked towards them as well.
Azura murmured a silent prayer to the sky as thanks for her life. His draconic rage has subsided.
"Kamui?" Ryoma called worriedly as he ran to his side, "Are you alright?"
"Hhng." The Prince slurred his words in delirium, "Tell Oboro… I'm sorry…. about the yukata…"
With the final declaration, Kamui lost consciousness.
Hours had passed since Corrin remembered the last time he was awake. It all happened so quickly. He was in front of the crowd, with Mother. She finished her speech, and then…
His memory halted. A few muffled voices were heard outside.
-and then came an explosion. A box shot fireball-like objects into the front of the crowd, exploding into rainbows of different colors. He and Queen Mikoto fell to the ground. His mother crawled on top of him to shield his body, but…
"Hey, Kamui? Are you there?"
(That voice again)
-but he told her to get off. The Queen looked up, and took an explosion to the back. When the attack was over, he felt her body tense up above him. When he rolled around, her face was burned from the fireworks and she asked-
"Hey, stay with us, brother!"
(Stop it…)
-asked if he was alright. He said yes, and Mother smiled. Then Mother died, a hole blasted through her back; it would have killed him, if she was not in the way. Then, a feeling of anger, of rage, of yet another loss-
"Kamui!"
The Prince woke up erratically. His recollection faded as his vision fixated on the ceiling. He found himself in bed, changed into newer clothing. Looming over him was Sakura, Azura, and Ryoma. His younger sister's eyes lit up when she saw him wake up.
"Kamui, how do you feel?" Ryoma asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Better." Corrin said.
After he spoke, an enormous headache manifested. New thoughts and memories flowed into his head - the events of what happened before he fell unconscious.
"Ah. I remember…!" He gasped.
The distorted images restored themselves in his mind. He remembered how he knocked over the walls of the buildings, cries turning into roars. He remembered trying to kill Hinoka and even Azura as uncontrollable rage turned off all of his body's self-control.
"Hey, you need s-some rest." Sakura ordered, "W-we'll be right h-here."
"Oi, back off you!"
Corrin turned his head to the side to see Takumi at the door, blocking off a Hoshidan soldier from entering the room. After closer observation, he noticed the royal family was in a public apothecary's room.
"I want him- that thing, to pay!" The man shouted, "This never would have happened if he didn't show up! It's a scheme, I tell you! A scheme!"
"Hey, it's not his fault!" Takumi retorted, "If you want to hurt him, you have to go through me first!"
Ryoma turned back to the prince, "Rest well for now. The town is rebuilding itself, but things are tense. We'll get this figured out."
Corrin groaned. "Mother is-"
"Yes, she is."
Corrin nodded weakly.
As Takumi slammed shut the door in the citizen's face, annoyed, his other siblings started exiting through another room. The white-haired Prince grimaced and shut his eyes. The last thing he saw was Azura's gentle gaze as she backed away. There was nothing left he could do except to succumb to his tiredness..
[…]
Two days passed since that fateful day. News spread quickly by carriage, and the entire kingdom was in mourning. Queen Mikoto was a benevolent leader, loved throughout the lands. A funeral was to be held in the coming two days, where the nobles of the land and neighboring kingdoms would come together to grieve. Only a few people were hurt in the assassination attempt, mostly burns from the firework. Hinoka patched herself up quickly and Corrin found his strength.
Then, he lost it again. The prince blamed himself for what had happened. Whatever monstrosity he turned into when he attacked Hans became stronger - more unrestrained. The odd transformation led to the castle town's square and plaza's destruction. To Yukimura's credit, the dwellings were quickly being reconstructed.
The Prince confined himself in his quarters, not daring to leave the building. To his benefit, none of the regular townsfolk actually saw him transform into a dragon. The few guards that did were told to keep quiet. A cover story was being passed around, saying he was wounded in fighting the beast.
One day, Azura entered his room. He begged her to not enter, thinking he might go crazy and hurt her again. The songstress kept her stoic yet confident expression and came in anyways, holding a peculiar object in her hand.
"I… I'm sorry for what happened." Corrin muttered. He restricted contact with everyone except his Hoshidan siblings. He never thought the songstress would attempt to talk to him, after all that happened. "I'm a monster."
"You are not a monster." Azura shook her head. "There is something you need to know about your other self."
"What do I need to know?"
The Prince kept in touch with the people outside the castle. Ryoma, as heir to the Hoshidan throne, would have his coronation shortly after the funeral. In the meanwhile, Yukimura and a group of other high advisors were to keep the transition stable. The strategist compiled a thorough autopsy and record of the assassination.
The assailants managed to acquire fireworks before the show. One of them designed a crudely-made device that launched the explosives into the air, and snuck it into the crowd when people weren't looking. The cause of death was an explosive blow to the back, possibly due to magic. While it would be tempting to blame a Nohrian spy, arrows were spotted at the scene as well. They were of Hoshidan design. Furthermore an iron yumi was found on the second floor of a building next to the stage. At least one of the perpetrators bore Hoshidan arms. Seven townspeople were taken into custody and were being questioned by the royl military.
How could he remember the guards' report so well? It was the only thing he read ever since he returned to his quarters. Every time he read it, the painful scene returned to his mind. He tried hard not to cry himself to sleep the day before.
(Why did it have to be her?)
"If you ever experience extreme anger or grief, you might lose control again." The songstress explained, "Your dragon blood could take over again, and if you yield completely to your dragon form, you may cease to retain your humanity altogether."
She spoke like a nurse listing out the symptoms of a disease. If only dragon blood was curable, the Prince thought. Corrin could not understand how it works, or how he even acquired it. Ryoma and his other siblings were just as confused. They understood the power of the dragon vein, but they never had a single transformation. There was no telling what would happen if he morphed into a dragon again.
"Is there anything I can do?" Corrin sighed.
"Actually, yes," Azura replied. The Prince raised his head in surprise. "This is called a Dragonstone. It will allow you to control your dragon's form."
She held out the blue seashell gem formerly on her pendant. It glowed brightly as Corrin held it within both his hands.
"This will prevent me from going berserk?" He questioned incredulously.
"Yes." Azura said, "This gem is attuned to you now. Be sure to keep it safe."
Corrin looked at the stone. Possessing such an artifact somehow brought clarity to his mind. The little pendant before him was responsible for turning him back to human. Before he could inquire further, there was something he had to know.
"… Did you know I was going to turn into a dragon?" He asked.
"It was a possibility." Azura admitted. "I was holding it in case for someone. That person turned out to be you."
"I see…"
The mysterious former Princess of Nohr was hiding something, but he cared not. With the stone, he would never worry about transforming into a monster that went out of control again. He received a ticket back to normalcy.
"Thank you Azura." Corrin said, "For saving me and everyone. I hope I can return the favor, in any way possible."
"No need for that." She sighed, "It's what fate decrees."
(She sounded like she doesn't like that.)
"Then, I guess it's up to us to follow." The prince said.
"Indeed."
With those final remarks, Azura dismissed herself, leaving behind the Dragonstone. Corrin observed the gem as she closed the door. The Prince would have added that he felt comforted having her around, but in truth anything would have been more comforting than after the Dawn Festival. After he made sure his visitor was gone, the Prince snuck out of his room.
He scampered down the hallway quietly, into the throne room. He checked that no one was around, and the guards were off-duty. Behind the throne, he felt the back until his hand touched the secret compartment. He opened it up to find the sphere in front of him.
The Orb of Memories.
He took the artifact with both of his hands, but nothing happened. He fumbled with the ball many times before finally giving up. Corrin put the Orb away, along with his spirits, and returned to his room. The empty throne room remained a painful reminder of Mother. He tucked the Dragonstone deep into his Nohrian pockets.
[…]
The next day, Corrin, Azura and the rest of the royal siblings were assembled by Yukimura at the throne room. His brothers and sisters greeted him warmly. It was a long time since they saw him outside of his quarters.
"Kamui." Yukimura spoke, "I need you and your family to come with me to the West Castle Grounds. There is something important for you there."
Corrin stammered, "What's waiting for me?"
The strategist bowed his head. "I'm sorry to bear grave news Kamui, but I believe your mother has foreseen her own death."
"What?" Hinoka blurted out.
The rest of his siblings beheld equally confused expressions.
"Please, come with me. I will explain."
Azura and the rest followed his lead. Yukimura led them through a series of hallways until they reached a part of the castle Corrin had never visited before. The grounds they were supposed to visit were hidden deep within the castle. The final door had a lock, for which the strategist pulled out a large ring of brass keys. They entered the enclosed outdoor yard. A large pillar was in the middle of the grounds, with a long katana stuck in the middle.
"After you left for the festival, Kamui, Queen Mikoto gave me a letter to be opened in the event she passes away." Yukimura said, "I believe she wrote the letter predicting her fate."
"And what did Mother say in the letter?" Takumi demanded impatiently.
"She said to bring everyone here, to the statue, where the sacred Yato blade is stuck. It is said that, like the Raijinto and Fujin Yumi, the blade will select someone as its wielder and jump to its hands."
Everyone looked at each other. Corrin shrunk back.
"If this is what Mother wants, I will try to wield it, but what is it?"
"The divine sword Yato was forged to be the key to peace in our world." Yukimura answered.
"The key to peace." The Prince mused.
The title resonated in his mind. After all of the destruction and chaos in Hoshido and Nohr, a weapon like that would be a godsend if it kept its word.
"I want the sisters to try as well." Yukimura stated, "They don't have a sacred weapon of their own, and they might be the candidates."
Hinoka nodded confidently while Sakura shook, the mere thought of holding a weapon scaring her. The first person to step forth was his older sister. Hinoka stepped up next to the statue and raised her hands.
"Not budging." She observed, "Not like I use the katana, anyways."
Next was Sakura. The shrine maiden's hand shook as she raised her hand.
"N-nope, it d-doesn't like me." She whimpered, relieved.
The final person was Corrin. He forward and raised his hand. He was the only one of the three who knew how to use the sword. If the Yato was to choose someone, it had to be him, he thought.
But the sword would not budge. Dejected, the prince lowered his arm. He wasn't the chosen one.
"I see." Yukimura was baffled, "None of you were capable of wielding it. I thought Queen Mikoto's letter meant one of you was the chosen one." The strategist was staring at Corrin as he uttered the last three words.
"We'll find them." Takumi shrugged, "It's not going to disappear overnight."
"Of course." Ryoma said.
In a sense, Corrin felt a bit of relief. He still had Ganglari back in the armory in good condition. Possessing the Yato would be a huge responsibility to bear - one heavier than any royal position he could occupy.
(Who is the chosen one then?)
"Lord Ryoma! Yukimura!"
A loud voice came from behind them. The group turned around to find Kaze running towards the group. The ninja bowed in front of the royals, sweat dropping from his green hair. He had spent a great deal of time looking for them.
"Suzukaze, report." Ryoma said calmly.
"Milord. A massive Nohrian force is gathering at the border." The ninja reported.
"I see." The High Prince said, "Queen Mikoto and I worked hard to prevent an all-out war, but this is the final straw. Two days before Mother's funeral... I bet the assassination was their work as well."
"We must reinforce the border." Yukimura nodded, "I shall prepare our troops to move out."
(It's finally come)
Corrin did not know what to do. If he went to the border, there was a chance he might encounter Xander, Camilla, and the others. What would happen then? He didn't want to turn his sword at anyone from either country.
"Death is too good for those Nohrian scum." Takumi spat, "Kamui, you're coming with us."
"Some citizens believe your arrival caused the assassination of our Mother." Ryoma reasoned, "If you come with us to protect the border- that would go a long way in their minds."
The Prince agreed, but he thought an even better idea would be to stop the war outright. If Xander or his other siblings are there, he could try to convince them to stop fighting. His doubts turned into an eagerness for peace.
"I'll do it." He tightened his hand into a fist.
"You have your gift, right?" Azura hinted.
Corrin fumbled inside his pants and found the pouch he was looking for. He reached in and touched the blue gem. The Prince felt a small warmth within his palm and dropped it before it glowed too brightly.
"I have it."
"Then we will leave within the hour." Ryoma declared, "You sure about this, Kamui?"
"He will." Takumi replied for him, "I trust him."
He put his hand on Corrin's shoulder, grinning.
"T-then I'm coming t-too." Sakura gulped, "No more p-people need to get hurt."
"You already know my answer." Hinoka scoffed.
Yukimura nodded. "Briefing in the throne room. Thirty minutes."
The group dispersed shortly afterward, agreeing to meet within the half hour. Kaze exchanged a brief gesture towards Corrin as he exited the room. The prince caught up with Azura before she returned to the courtyard.
"Azura, you coming?" Corrin questioned.
"I'm not enlisted." Azura said, "I don't know if I can."
"Please come." The Prince beckoned, "I don't want to lose control of myself again…"
The songstress turned towards him and look deep into his eyes. The familiar calm, when they were together at the festival, did not repeat itself.
"You're a kindhearted person, Kamui." Azura repeated, "Believe in yourself."
She walked down the hallway, alone.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
Finally surpassed 2 000 views on my first fanfic! Thanks everybody!
The title's a mouthful. Once the next chapter goes up, this story will be renamed to "Blazing Angels". I'm attempting to create an update schedule for you guys. Let's say it's every Monday for now.
Reviews on how to improve are always welcome. If you like what you read, follow / favorite for updates.