(Author's Note) Wowza! I feel like the previous chapter was the best one so far! The response blew me away! Really thank you everyone for your continued support!

I had a sudden idea for this chapter and just rolled with it! :o I hope you like it!

A special thank you to each of my reviewers! I truly appreciate your feedback! Anonymous, The Lavender Empress, Shimmerleaf, InvaderSunshine, SilverIcy, The World is Black and White, CandyNinja908, Whisty, MahiruNoYume, kouhaixsempai, Rhika, Mitsuki Horenake, and The Shipping Songstress. Cookies for you! *chucks cookies at her computer monitor in delirious happiness*

I have responded to Anonymous, CandyNinja908, MahiruNoYume, and Whisty in the end notes. Thank you again for your feedback! Your reviews gave me some new ideas...muahaha!


Chapter 7 Warm tears and cold truths

Dangerous…

Never had Xander thought he would use that word to describe his little Princess. Yet as she stood before him, a siren of conquest, a tingle of fear ghosted down his spin, as well as a thrilled shiver.

Their gaze was suddenly broken as Garon's body spasmed. Unbalanced, Corrin had to quickly leap off the dragon's head.

"...ha ha Ha HA!"

His laughter was sickening. Garon's voice gurgled as blood trickled from his fanged mouth. "You think this is the end!" He groaned in pain. "You are shortsighted as always child!" Another laugh followed, this time with a hint of insanity that echoed in the throne room while the dragon coughed up more blood. Wheezing, his voice cracked as he added, "This is merely the beginning! The beginning of the end just as your father planned it!" Garon laughed as his body convulsed at the blood loss.

Corrin, who had glowed with triumph, froze at the Garon's venomous words. "My...father?" Brows knitted into a confused frown as the words echoed in her mind.

"What are you talking about!" Corrin hissed as her eyes flashed their deadly red. "What do you know Garon?" But his laughter was fading along with the glow of his eye. "Answer me!" Corrin screamed nearly besides herself. She was the alpha, she was in control here now! And yet...as a deep sigh escaped his slackened jaw, Garon had the last laugh. Whatever secrets that nearly showed themselves, slipped once again behind a curtain Corrin could not pull back.

It didn't make sense. Sumeragi would not have had any part in this, and how could he? Unless, Corrin broke her gaze upon the dead dragon to find her brother. Or who she thought was her brother.

"Ryoma…" Corrin whispered as her eyes gazed imploring at her injured brother. To have him resoundingly state to them all that Garon had just given in to his insanity. That she was truly Sumeragi's daughter, and his sister. Yet, the Hoshidan Prince did not meet her gaze as he rose gingerly to his feet with Sakura's aid. "Ryoma!" The young woman repeated in a stronger voice that was like a stone dam, holding back a welling fear that was now threatening to break through.

Gods, the throne room was silent as a grave. All ears upon Ryoma, all eyes turned to Corrin.

Ryoma steeled himself as he finally met her gaze. What a fool he was, to not suspect Garon of using one last insult in this world with his dying breath. The Prince knew the secret would not last, but to be broken to Corrin under such circumstances. It was unforgivable...he was unforgivable.

"Corrin, I…" Ryoma started strongly, but his voice died somewhere in his throat at seeing the young woman's expression. Hope crumpled as her crimson eyes went wide.

"No," The young woman whispered as her throat felt hoarse. She gripped the Blazing Yato so tightly, as if the pain would somehow make her feel better.

"Corrin please," Ryoma added softly. Yet he couldn't bring himself to step closer to her.

"Sakura?" Corrin asked as she shifted her gaze to the young healer. The true question hung heavily in the air. Did they all know? Were they all in agreement to keep up this charade when Corrin had thought she had found her true family?

The young healer gripped her stave, silent tears were rolling down her cheeks as she watched her heartbroken sister reach out to her. To give her an assurance Sakura no longer knew she could.

"Sakura, Takumi, and Hinoka had no idea," Ryoma quickly added causing crimson eyes to stare back at him. Eyes that bored into his soul and demanded the complete truth, "I was the only one entrusted with the secret and had to promise that it would remain such. I do not know who is your true father, but if you are angry, be angry at me."

Corrin bit her lip. Half of her wanted to forgive him. With what they had endured throughout this whole war, if anything their bond as a family had strengthened. But, adrenaline still pumped through her body as it mixed with her rising anger. She had been lied to about her Nohrian heritage, and now she discovered that her Hoshidan ancestry was just as false.

Unsteady confusion mixed dangerously with acidic anger. The volatile emotions boiled over as the young woman finally screamed, "Do I not belong anywhere!?"

"Corrin," low melodious voice whispered.

Even if it had just been her name, all the anger and bitterness drained from Corrin as she heard Azura's weak voice.

"You...you belong, here. With everyone who loves you." Azura stated in a breathless voice. The songstress had been leaning heavily upon one of the marble pillars. Her face flushed as if she had a fever. "Do not let Garon's poisonous words twist your heart," Azura smiled, before her legs gave out as she slumped onto the floor.

"Azura!" Corrin yelled as she sprinted over to her dear friend. Inwardly she cursed at herself for being so selfish and not checking on the songstress. Yet, as she knelt besides Azura, the young woman became wary that something far worse was happening. "Azura! You...you are fading!"

The songstress looked at her hands, grimacing at how they began to look opaque. It was as if she was slowly turning into a phantom. "Oh, Corrin, I may have overdone it this time," Azura stated as she closed her eyes briefly. "Please forgive me," the songstress whispered as her eyes fluttered open to gently up look at Corrin. A small sad smile graced her lips.

"This can't be happening," Corrin breathed as she felt warm tears prickle her eyes, before they trailed down her cheeks. Azura, her friend and confidante. The only person who truly understood Corrin's position and woes with a family that was never hers to begin with. A kin in spirit, and sister in heart. Now she was turning into a ghost before Corrin's very eyes.

"Stay with me! Don't leave me! You can't leave me!" Corrin pleaded as she took a hold of both Azura's hands into her own. As if this connection would be an anchor to keep the songstress from fading.

Azura smiled as she whispered, "That is what I told my mother." She couldn't help but chuckle softly at the irony. Maybe it was because she was starting to feel lightheaded. As if all her troubles and fears were evaporating. The songstresses eyes closed as she felt most of her body begin to slip away into oblivion.

Corrin squeezed the faint shadow of her friend's hands. There must be something she could do, just think Corrin, think before you lose Azura! There in the silence, she felt it through her barefeet. An ancient power hummed under the marble tiles of the throne room. It pulled to her as a dragon vein would. A dragon vein hidden under the foundation of this castle! Closing her eyes Corrin seeked the source out. Beckoning it to lend her its power.

Suddenly, blue luminous light glowed from between the cracks of the marble tiles. The light grew stronger beneath the two women, encasing them in the warmth of its power.

Taking in a deep breath, Corrin cleared her throat and spoke in a strong determined voice, "I, Corrin, hero chosen by Yato and an alpha dragon in my own right, shall use this power to change one's fate."

Corrin squeezed Azura's hands and channeled the energy of the dragon vein flow through her, and into the songstress. Her hands grew warm, then started to feel uncomfortably hot, but Corrin did not dare to break her hold upon the songstress. She clenched her teeth and waited for Azura's form to return to normal.

The glow of the dragon vein subsided as its power was fully spent. As the light subsided, it revealed Azura's form safe and whole as Corrin, who panted slightly, finally let go of the songstress's hands. Azura was alright, just in a deep peaceful sleep. Corrin was exhausted as she bowed her head in weariness.

Xander had taken a step forward toward Corrin when a hand upon his shoulder made him stop. The Prince glance back to see his retainer slowly shake his grey haired head. "My Lord, it is best to leave her be for a moment," Lazlow stated.

Ryoma, who had also taken a step toward Corrin, was stopped by his sister. "Brother, she needs some time," Hinoka whispered as she watched Corrin wipe hidden tears upon her sleeves before finally looking up.

The young woman averted her gaze from her siblings, only signaling to Jakob to help her move Azura to the healing ward of the castle.

Laslow watched Corrin silently follow the butler out of the throne room. As he gripped the hilt of his sword, the mercenary wondered how he would fair under Corrin's wrath once she discovered her true heritage and his connection to grand scheme of it. An uneasy sense of foreboding filled Laslow and he decided to warn the others.


(More rambling from the Author)

So I think I took my second biggest divergence from the normal story (first being keeping Xander alive of course haha). I really hope you like the idea of Corrin using a dragon vein to manipulate Azura's path. I was really rattling my brain about for a good idea to explain how Corrin could keep Azura from disappearing. I realized I would have a ridiculously hard time going through revelations without her. It would have been do-able, but too tedious for me to figure out and still enjoy writing :x (Also I do like Azura and Shigure!)

And, cat out of the bag about Corrin not truly related to the Hoshido Royals. Yep, there is going to be a bit of a rift. But nothing these guys cannot overcome eventually, right?

And a heads up for the next chapter, very Xander and Corrin heavy as the Prince tries to break through his little Princess's wall of moodiness by getting her outside for some fresh air, training...and...well you'll just have to wait and read! Hee hee! xD


To Anonymous: Thank you! I am glad to hear the last chapter was great as I have been trying to work on my exposition when writing so it isn't so cut and dry.

Gods, I forgot that Ryoma is going to have Nohrian in-laws...I just had five new ideas just reading that! May the Dawn Dragon have mercy on his soul! xD

Right now I feel that it will be three chapters to close the birthright path. As I plan out one chapter at a time it is hard to know for sure. But three is my best guess at the moment.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! I always look forward to reading your review :3

To CandyNinja908: Aww, I am happy to hear it! Elise is such a great character no matter which route you are playing! I have my fingers crossed that you liked this chapter. I felt like a daredevil with some of these plot ideas! :x Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

To Whisty: Thank you Whisty! As Garon had a part in this chapter, I hope you liked it as well! :3 Lols, who didn't run back to Nohr after that?! I hope you will continue to enjoy the story and thank you for writing me a review! :D

To MahiruNoYume: Holy moly thank you for your review! xD Please don't apologize for it because it was fantastic in my opinion and answered many questions I continually have while writing this story, especially if it is believable and the characters are well developed (especially Corrin since she is my wild card...for now)!

And you are absolutely right about the characters who become just tools for jealousy plots. I really hope to avoid it here, especially with the added dynamic of Ryoma's secret which I hope to use to strengthen the pair's relationship eventually. Though please let me know if you feel that it is getting too (what is a good word?) trophy abusive? I really don't know how to word it, but I hope to do Ryoma justice in this story. I think having him work towards gaining Corrin's trust will be a nice touch since it will help Ryoma learn more about himself. I hope you liked this chapter!


(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of Fire Emblem's, Intelligent Systems's, and Nintendo's work. I am just an inspired writer adding my own madness into the mix!