Chapter 7: Possessed

Also known as Angsty-Pineapple-Appears

This is the longest chapter so far. Hope I did it justice.


The path they now walked was narrow and rugged, the canopy of trees blotting out the sun with a carpet of leaves and branches. Thick tree trunks and lush vegetation surrounded them as far as they could see.

They were in the domain of Mokushu by now, trees carrying scars that told of the people nearby. The road ahead wound through a heavily forested area, path thinning between the trees.

"Is this where we're meant to be going?" Corrin asked. The silence of the forest was getting to her. She told herself over and over again that it was just because of her last experience here.

"There's a path that heads towards the Bottomless Canyon here," Azura said. "We might encounter citizens of Mokushu on the way. They should be friendly but… we would be wise to remember how Izumo was compromised before we arrived."

Kaze chuckled gently. "I wouldn't worry about Nohr strong-arming Mokushu, Milady. The locals are well known for their proficiency in the martial arts. Many great ninja have sharpened their craft here." He motioned to a great scar running down a tree trunk as evidence. "No, it's likely that Nohr's strategists would have tried to avoid this area. Even if it meant taking the long route."

Azura nodded. "We haven't heard any battles in the area either – another good sign."

Hopefully, they were right. It wouldn't be long now until they were reached the Bottomless Canyon. Before they reached the truth.

"Boo!" A ghastly figure leapt out from behind a tree. Corrin ripped her Yato out of its sheath, adrenaline coursing like lightning through her veins as she shot her attention towards her target and–

"Betcha didn't expect to see me here!" Zola cackled, though his laughter was cut short as he was quickly surrounded.

"Y-You!" Corrin gasped through staggered breaths. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear rippling through her. It was only Zola.

"Come back to give me another chance to cut you? Aren't you thoughtful?" Hinoka snarled, drawing forth her naginata and levelling it at the scrawny mage's neck.

"W-Wait! Please!" Zola cried, shrivelling as his confidence deflated. "I'm here to surrender! And… and to seek amnesty."

Corrin swallowed, lowering her blade. Hinoka kept her naginata trained on the mage, ready to strike at any moment.

This didn't happen last time…

"Why?" Corrin asked. What was he hoping to gain? Why come to them?

"W-Well… you saw what Lord Leo was about to do… I can no longer return to Nohr," the dark mage admitted. "I am exiled. I am of little danger to you without the backing of an army… but maybe I could be of assistance…" He looked up at Corrin, a measly yet hopeful smile on his face, despite the steel at his throat.

Corrin pursed her lips in thought. "Hmm…"

"Corrin! Surely you're not actually considering his proposal?" Azura gasped. She stared between Zola and Corrin, looking to the gangly mage in disgust.

Hinoka narrowed her eyes. "Can I cut him yet?"

Zola shrieked. "No! Please!"

"Maybe we should bring him with us…" Corrin said, sheathing her sword.

"Wait, really?" Zola gaped.

Azura blanched at Corrin's decision. "Yes, really, Corrin?"

"You can't be serious! Don't you remember what he tried in Izumo?" Hinoka stared wide-eyed at Corrin.

"I do." Corrin nodded before continuing. "But as he said, he's of little danger to us by himself, and he might prove to have some value. Besides… we shouldn't turn our back on the helpless."

Azura almost sighed. "You have a kind heart, Corrin. Perhaps too kind."

Corrin swallowed any response she could've had.

I just don't want to see anyone else die because of me.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Zola cried over and over, edging around the point of Hinoka's naginata. "I can't believe I let King Garon convince me that you deserved to die. What you've done here today shows your true character—that of a brave leader!"

King Garon.

His name brought a scowl on her face she couldn't stop. "Right… Just remember that if any of us catch you doing anything suspicious, I will let Hinoka cut you down."

Hinoka grinned. "I'll always be standing by, knife at the ready. So don't even think of doing anything stupid, you got that?"

Zola shrunk and darted away from Hinoka, scurrying like a mouse. A grotesque, gangly mouse.

"Y-Yes, Milady!" was his reply, and they set off deeper into the forest.


The forest air was refreshing, the shade a welcome respite from the hot sun. Corrin stared through the trees, through the shadows, each minute feeling longer and drawn out, and she begin to wonder if they were heading in circles.

Surely it can't be too far now…

"Are we getting close to the Bottomless Canyon now, Sakura?" Corrin asked, chewing her bottom lip.

"Yes, I believe so," Sakura said. She drew her staff to her chest, a dejected sigh stealing from her lungs.

Corrin studied her sister's downcast face, the shadows beneath her red eyes. "Are you all right?"

Sakura pursed her lips to hide its tell-tale trembling. "I was just th-thinking about Ryoma and Takumi... Sometimes I forget that they're missing, and then when I remember... It's like a wound is freshly opened."

Corrin's heart sank. "I know the feeling…" She swallowed, steeling herself and drawing a smile. "But we need to stay positive. Thinking the worst will only drive us crazy."

She couldn't help but feel a hypocrite at her words.

Sakura nodded, the faintest smile gracing her face. "You're right. I'll try not to let it get me down."

Corrin wished it was that simple. Thoughts constantly churned in her mind, distracting her from the journey, from her friends, and bringing with them a torrent of trepidation. It bubbled in her stomach, a storm cloud of anxiety she couldn't shake.

Those thoughts captivated her attention once more as a flash of silver sliced through the air.

"Watch out!" Kaze cried, snapping Corrin back to reality in time to duck as a shuriken shot past and embedded in a nearby tree. It had cut past so close she felt the air it disrupted in its path.

"A shuriken? Get down, everyone!" Corrin called. Steel rasped as swords were drawn, everyone gathering together on high alert.

Kaze studied the dark shuriken buried deeply in bark. "This belongs to a Mokushu ninja," he noted. "I sense the presence of many… I believe we're surrounded, Milady."

Corrin clenched her jaw, eyes darting between the trees, searching, searching for those hidden just out of sight. "So much for Nohr staying away from Mokushu…" Her voice ripped as a grumble through her teeth. They didn't have time for this. They had to get to the Bottomless Canyon. They had to get to Takumi, to Ryoma…

"I'm not sure we're dealing with Nohr…" Azura said, casing the forest with wary eyes.

Zola chimed up from beside them. "I think she's right. I know that Nohr wants no fight with the kingdom of Mokushu."

Hinoka's eyes narrowed into thin slits. "How convenient. Come here, runt." She darted forward, drawing her naginata towards the dark mage's throat.

Zola shrieked. "Please remove that blade from my throat!"

Hinoka didn't budge. "Not until you tell us what's going on."

"Your guess is as good as mine!" Zola grunted, eyes shifting in nervous glances around the trees. "Perhaps Nohr has made an alliance with Mokushu?"

A voice came through the trees; deep and rough, sounding as a figure appeared flanked by ninjas. "The deformed one is correct. Our Kingdom as made an arrangement with Nohr."

The man stepped forward, heavily armed with blades and shurikens, dirty brown hair pulled tightly back from his face.

"Who are you?" Azura asked, stepping closer to Corrin.

Corrin reached for her Yato, fingers tightening around the hilt.

Him.

"Kotaro. Daimyo of Mokushu," Corrin said. She heard Saizo grunt, lone eye narrowing to a sharp slit. Eyes flicked to her at her knowledge of who this was. The sheltered Princess of Nohr catching everyone's attention but not realising it herself.

"You're well informed," Kotaro said, grinning in a contorted snarl.

"Our understanding was that Mokushu is an independent nation," Azura said. "Yet you are now beholden to Nohr?"

"Beholden? Pah!" Kotaro spat and chuckled a deprecating laugh. "Mokushu is beholden to no nation. Our interests simply happen to line up with those of Nohr." His snarl returned, power-hungry and glinting with blood-lust. "Once Hoshido is defeated, King Garon will grant us considerable new territory. We've long been waiting for the chance to expand, and this war is the perfect opportunity."

Disgusted at his words, Corrin spat, "So you're a war profiteer. How noble."

Kaze sighed. "Gods. The famous daimyo of Mokushu turns out to be a scheming politician. I don't even have words for how disappointing that is."

The Daimyo cackled. "Even if you did, it wouldn't make a difference. Grow up, foolish Hoshidans. Only the ambitious prosper in this world."

"It was careless of us not to think of this possibility," Azura said.

She has no idea how right she is, Corrin thought darkly. I should've seen this coming.

Kotaro backed into the trees, vanishing though his voice echoed through the forest. "Now that I have you all in one place, I can end the war today. I look forward to building a castle on the smoking ruins where Hoshido once stood!"

A burning snarl flashed with sharp teeth on Corrin's face. "Go on, keep talking. I'll savour making you eat those words."

As soon as those words passed her lips, shurikens flashed through the forest. Blinding steel and iron that shot from ninjas hidden in branches high up in trees, darting through invisible pathways in the foliage. They were seemingly outnumbered; attacked from every side by innumerable enemies that stayed just out of sight. For all Corrin knew they could've been equally matched in size, though the Mokushu ninjas had the upper hand fighting in a forest they knew as clearly as the backs of their hands.

They had no choice but to rely on their own. On Kaze and Saizo.

"Saizo, Kaze, I'm counting on you to take out as many as you can and buy us some breathing space," Corrin called. A shuriken ripped past, clinking sharply off her blade. "You're our greatest chance of getting out of here."

"On it, Milady," Kaze agreed curtly. He flicked a shuriken up through the branches and a guttural cry floundered before a body fell. Saizo only grunted a response, flashing a glare in Corrin's direction, but complied anyway.

Fight fire with fire. We can do this.

"Jakob, stay with Sakura," Corrin said, barking out orders and dividing her allies up into teams. Hinata and Oboro would stay together, they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Hinoka couldn't use her pegasi through all the trees and neither could Subaki…

"Milady, allow me to fight at your side," Jakob protested. He'd donned his spiked gauntlets, despite the wound slowly healing beneath thick bandages.

"No. Stay with Sakura," she repeated.

Jakob set his jaw. "Is that an order?"

Corrin didn't meet his eyes, only shaking her head. "A request."

He sighed, but placed himself at Sakura's side. She nodded curtly, a light flush on her cheeks as she murmured her thanks. He stood tall, staff at the ready, knives within reach.

Kaze and Saizo routed the Mokushu ninjas from the trees, forcing them to fight on the ground, forcing them out of hiding. Corrin had just finished clonking her sword on the head of one when the dirt beneath her trembled and collapsed. A deep pit rose around her, sharp cuts of bamboo sticking up like spears. She'd managed not to slice herself up on one but a horrific scream roared from Silas' horse. It collapsed beneath him, throwing Silas into the dirt.

"Silas!" Corrin darted over, ducking as a flash of silver streaked in her direction. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I'll manage," he said, staggering to his feet. He was unharmed, uninjured save for light bruising, but his horse… "I don't think she'll be going anywhere soon…"

"Just do what you can," Corrin said. She climbed from the pit with a hand from Subaki, soon finding herself fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the showy sky knight.

"I'll burn you to ash!" Rinkah hollered, crashing her mighty club on any ninja that got too close.

"Someone seems excited," Subaki noted light-heartedly. He spun his naginata coolly in his arms, a flashy show of skill as he swiped down another Mokushu ninja. Even without his pegasi, Subaki was a sight to behold on the battlefield. His hair was a flurry of crimson, a streak of red against the bright green backdrop. His presence seemed to rile up Hana as she battled to keep up with her partner. Subaki fought with a manner of confidence Corrin wished she possessed and couldn't help wondering how he kept his cool under so much pressure.

Corrin managed to dodge another pit trap, ducking out of the way as the ground collapsed.

"Damn ninjas," she hissed, as a figure rounded a tree in the corner of her eyes. She snapped her attention to it and air stole from her lungs in a gasp.

Head lowered, silver bangs brushing across his hazel eyes, Takumi staggered from around an outcropping of dense bush. His Fujin Yumi in hand, he looked no worse for wear than any of them.

"Takumi!" Corrin cried, unable to mask her elation. Sakura gasped, eyes brightening at the sight of her older brother. Even Hinoka, slicing through enemies with her naginata, turned at Corrin's cry.

The sounds of the battle drowned out the moan that slipped from him.

"Takumi! Over here!" Corrin called. She leapt over a pit, misjudging the gap in the process. A sharp stab of pain burst through her ankle but she couldn't care less.

Takumi was here. He was okay! He was–

"Brother!" Sakura gasped, tears glistening in her eyes.

Hinoka didn't hold back either, another call across the battlefield. "I'm so happy to see you again, brother!"

Takumi drew his bow, a flash of blue piercing through the air. It shot dangerously close to Hinoka, a blur than vanished through the trees.

Hinoka shrieked. "Gah! What's wrong with you?" She stumbled away, brushing her ear she was so close to losing. "That arrow almost hit me!"

Takumi's eyes darted across the ground, through the trees. They were wide, unseeing, searching, searching, searching. His lips parted, mouthing words too quiet to hear.

Corrin's heart stopped. She'd seen this before. Back when he– when he–

No.

The battle blurred around her. She didn't flinch as a spray of blood painted her face, dripping crimson down her cheeks like tears. Subaki cried out, calling for her to act, ninjas pouring from the trees around them. Corrin couldn't hear. Couldn't see. Couldn't breathe.

She couldn't breathe.

Hana lunged with her katana, slicing down a ninja at Corrin's flank. Her cry of distaste, of frustration, was lost to Corrin.

"Kill…" Takumi rasped, staggering forward, movements robotic, too stiff.

"Lady Sakura, it is best if you stay back," Jakob said, stepping in front of the timid Princess.

She didn't protest as tears poured down her cheeks. "Takumi…?"

"I should have been the chosen one…" a hoarse whisper from Takumi, another staggered step.

The chosen one.

Corrin's Yato slipped in her grip, arms loose by her sides.

It's too late. I was too late. I couldn't save him. I couldn't–

"This is creepy…" Hinoka said, recoiling. Her brow knotted, knuckles burning white as she gripped her naginata as a lifeline.

Sakura sobbed, shaking her head as if this wasn't truly happening. "Takumi… what's w-wrong with you?"

"I am ignored… alone… forgotten… But I am more powerful than they can imagine!" A burst of blue, another arrow shot across the battlefield. It cracked as a flash of light against Corrin's Yato, tearing it from her hands. She staggered back, footing uneven, unable to see straight, to see anything but him.

"What are you saying?" Hinoka cried. "Snap out of it, Takumi!"

Takumi groaned at his name, head burying into his hands, fingers clawing at his cheeks, desperate to feel, to feel anything. "I will not stand in the shadows any longer… I will make them pay for what they've done…"

You will pay for what you've done.

His words echoed Leo's. Her brother's. Her world spun. Stomach churning, bile rising in her throat. Tight. So tight. She couldn't breathe.

"I will make them… I will make them… die!" a roar of pain tore from this throat. He shot arrows, blinding spears of light, through the forest, through the shadows and into allies and foes alike. They cut through armour, through steel, through flesh. Through Corrin's side.

A shot of pain, eyes blurring white at the impact. She fell to her knees, to the dirt, hands finding themselves to the wound, to the blood. The warmth coating her fingers was dizzying. The pain was dizzying. Too familiar. Too familiar–

merely a monster making a puppet of my corpse...

Words. Words that weren't her own spun through her mind.

fuelled by my lingering resentment…

A sob echoed in her mind, retching in her throat, so loud, so close. It was her. Her vision blurred, tears falling unstopping down her cheeks. They ran with the blood down her face, streaking red and dropping on her knees.

She raised her eyes to see Takumi stagger another step. Bow drawn again. Loosing arrows again. Eyes unseeing, unfocused, expression contorted with rage, a burning fury that hungered for blood. For death.

In truth, my soul left that body long ago…

No. No, no, no, nonononono–

Azura. Head held high, she stepped towards him with her arms outstretched as if to embrace Takumi. Her golden eyes scanned his face, her expression of calm freezing Corrin's blood. Takumi jolted his head to face her. His fingers stilled on his Fujin Yumi, arrow of light dissolving into nothing.

He blinked, once, twice, burning red drawing back from his eyes. An expression of sudden clarity flashed across his face. Shoulders lifted, arms dropping to his sides as he stood taller. He frowned, shook his head, brow knotting in confusion.

Corrin's head cleared, Azura's song finally reaching her ears, and then–

"Takumi, can you hear me now?" Azura said, dropping her arms. Corrin stared, heart pounding, pounding so hard in her ears. Pain throbbed an unsteady beat at her side, burnt at her ankle.

Takumi shook his head again, silver hair swishing as he blinked to clear his eyes. "Uh…. Azura? Is that you?"

Azura's face lit up, golden eyes gleaming. "Yes, it's me! Oh, thank goodness."

It worked. How? How did it work? How–

Why didn't she do that before?

Takumi stared, wide-eyed, at the forest around him. His gaze arched over the thick canopy, the blood splattered against the trees, the battle raging on.

"What… where am I?" he asked, voice soft, unsure, confused.

"Unfortunately, we're right in the middle of a battle, so I don't have time to explain," Azura said quickly. "Are you in any condition to defend yourself?" She gave him a quick once-over with a glance, but not all injuries were visible on the surface.

Takumi blinked harshly, rubbing at his temples with one hand. "I… I think so. I feel okay."

Azura nodded. "Very well. Just remember… You're strong and intelligent, and mean the world to us. There are many people who love you, Takumi."

"Um… Okay," Takumi stammered as a flush burst across his cheeks. He rubbed at his neck, tearing his eyes from Azura, before a shuriken whipped past and he drew his bow. Without questioning it, Takumi joined the fight.


Corrin wanted nothing more than for this battle to end. She tore through enemies with a new fuel burning through her veins, burning brighter and harsher than the pain. Blood trickled down her side but was lost in the spray of crimson from her enemies. Her fingers found her Dragonstone and any fear was swallowed by her desire to win as her body took the form of a dragon.

Her allies froze, blanching at the display of Corrin tearing through the forest as an ancient dragon. Claws tore through trees like they were twigs. They snapped beneath her powerful limbs, the traps filled with bamboo nothing to her armour of scales. She burst out of the trees, a terrifying roar leaving destruction in its wake.

Kotaro, the Daimyo of Mokushu, faced down Saizo without a flicker of fear in his eyes. Their conversation sounded muffled in her ears.

Saizo drew his steel shuriken before him, sharp eyes narrowing. "Kotaro of Mokushu...you will now answer to me."

"I answer to no one. Who are you to suggest otherwise?" The Daimyo spat a laugh. Archers stepped forward to guard his flank, a healer in position behind him.

Saizo didn't flinch. "I am Saizo the Fifth, servant to the Hoshidan royal family."

A wicked grin worked its way across Kotaro's face. "Saizo...that's familiar…" His grin grew malicious, a snarl of torment as he said, "I believe I've murdered others of your pitiful lineage."

"You–! How dare you! My father was an honourable man."

Kaze lingered in the trees nearby, stilling at their conversation. His fingers wound tightly around his shuriken, expression of calm falling away to concern.

Kotaro cackled. "Honourable? Maybe. Weak? Definitely. That balding old fool had the audacity to lecture me!" He boasted so calmly, so smugly, drawing a building rage in Saizo. "So, naturally...I put an end to his life."

Saizo's eyes darkened. "I knew you were the one responsible for his death. Coward!"

That only made the Daimyo laugh harder. "Isn't this a stroke of luck? To fell both father and son with the same blade... How poetic!"

Saizo drew closer, anger burning in his words, fury pulsing in his veins. "I'm about to rewrite your poem..."

"Please. If you're anything like your father, you won't land a single blow!"

Corrin knew Saizo was skilled, but she had never seen him fight like this before. He was a blur across the short distance, steel ripping through his fingers as his shurikens cut paths through the air. The archers were quick to react, nocking their arrows, but Kaze and Corrin were faster. A flash of steel, shurikens shot from the trees, sinking deep into the archer's chest. Corrin tore at the other one, a single swipe throwing him into a tree. He fell like stone, eyes rolling into the back of his head.

Corrin made quick work of the healer.

Kotaro, with all his boasting, managed to fight on par with Saizo, each delivering blows and drawing blood in a duel between the trees. The Daimyo's only mistake was that in enraging Saizo, he had sealed his fate. A perfectly timed blade cut a sharp line across Kotaro's throat. Blood rained, spurting from the wound, as he collapsed.

"How's that? Did I land a single blow?" Saizo asked, his voice a growl as he swiped a streak of blood off his face.

A final gurgle and Kotaro, Daimyo of Mokushu, fell silent.

"Fitting," Saizo spat. "Father, you are avenged."


The rest of the ninjas paled in comparison to their leader and Corrin's allies dealt with them with ease, mopping up the rest before the day ended. They gathered in a clearing, a small one void of bodies, that allowed the warm sun to bathe down on the weary fighters. Corrin slipped back into her human form with ease but stumbled into a limp on her feet. She hissed through the pain and leaned against a tree at the edge of the clearing.

Sakura leapt at her brother at the first chance. She wrapped her arms around his middle, burying her face in his chest and sobbing. "Brother! I'm so glad you're back to normal. We were all so w-worried about you."

Hinoka sniffled back tears, hugging him as well. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him tighter against her and Sakura. "Yeah. Don't ever do that again, OK?"

Takumi flushed at the attention, lips forming a pout. "Whoa, guys! Stop crying. You're making me embarrassed." Despite his words he accepted their embrace and returned it.

Sakura huffed into his chest, shaking her head tightly. "I don't care. We didn't know if we'd ever see you again." She sniffled, then added softly, "…And then when you showed up all weird like that..."

"Yeah." Hinoka nodded slowly. "We didn't know if you'd ever be the same Takumi we know and love again."

Takumi managed a stiff smile. "Well, it's definitely me guys. Thank you for your concern. I'm sorry I worried you all," he said. A light had returned to his eyes, colour returning to his cheeks. He looked brighter, healthier. There was no remnant of the staggering shadow he had been minutes earlier.

Corrin studied him closely before turning her attention to Azura. The blue-haired Princess hadn't said anything since she spoke to Takumi during the fight and now watched them all with a gentle smile. A pit formed in Corrin's chest at the sight. Her expression darkened and she fought to keep it from her face.

Now's not the time.

"Lord Takumi!" Hinata cried, dashing over to him. "I'm so glad you're safe and sound!"

Oboro was right beside him, a dazzling grin on her face. "Now that you're back, we'll never let anything happen to you again!"

Corrin swallowed and forced a smile. "It's good to have you back, Takumi," she said. Corrin almost froze as Takumi met her eyes and smiled. Smiled. It was so different, so unlike what she was used to, Corrin tore her eyes away. Her stomach churned angrily.

"As much as I would like to savour this moment," Corrin began, "Ryoma is still missing. Can you tell us anything about what happened to you two?"

Takumi nodded. "Sure." Finally relinquished from his siblings' crushing hugs, he took a moment to gather his thoughts. "It was insane. We ran into Nohrian troops just outside Izumo and began fighting. Ryoma and I were separated in the early stages of combat, before we had to retreat." He shook his head at the thought. "We were outnumbered...and pushed to the brink of the Bottomless Canyon."

"So, we still have no idea where he is…" Corrin said. She just hoped he was in a better state than Takumi had been.

"No, I'm afraid not," Takumi admitted with a dejected huff. "There was a massive earthquake and I got caught up in it. That's how I fell into the canyon."

His words shot a bolt of lightning beneath Corrin's skin.

He fell… into the canyon?

"You actually…" Her words caught in her throat. Memories of the canyon, of its darkness, its depth, fought for a foothold in her mind.

"I've never heard of anyone returning from there alive," Hinoka gaped, concern and inevitable questions lighting her eyes.

Takumi nodded at her words. "All I remember is falling. There was a period of darkness, and then I woke up here." He shrugged and a stiff silence fell across the group.

It didn't take long before Hinoka broke the silence. "Well, I'm just glad to have you back. It's a miracle you survived a fall like that!" She attempted a light-hearted grin, giving Takumi a gentle pat on the back.

Takumi's expression dropped, his eyes scanning over the group before him. "So, um… can anyone tell me how I ended up here? Or what, exactly, I was doing before I woke up just now?"

Azura jumped in before anyone could answer. "It's best you don't worry about it. Just get some rest."

Takumi stood taller, throwing away her words like an old rag. "No, I need to know. My Fujin Yumi was in my hands when I came to… and some of you have arrow wounds…" he glancing knowingly to Corrin. She met his eyes, expression unchanging. He looked away.

Hinoka swallowed uneasily. "Well…"

Takumi knotted his brow. "Tell me! What did I do?"

Corrin stood up off the tree, pulling her hand away from the wound in her side. "You attacked us," she said outright. Takumi snapped his attention to her and paled. His eyes latched onto the bloody injury she motioned to. "You stumbled out of the woods and shot arrows at us."

"C-Corrin…" Sakura gasped, shrinking where she stood.

Takumi's shoulders dropped, deflating with a heavy, anguished sigh. "Oh, what have I done? A Prince attacking his people? How can I show my face in Hoshido again?"

The pain in his words, the way his voice caught, shot a stab of guilt through Corrin.

Why did I say that? Taking it out on Takumi… he doesn't deserve this.

"Look, you were possessed by something. It was controlling you. We know you weren't of your right mind," Corrin said, trying to lighten her words.

"That's small comfort right now, I'm afraid." Takumi sighed.

"At least you're here," Corrin said. "You can join us in search for Ryoma. Perhaps something along the way will help jog your memory. Will you help us?"

Takumi nodded without a second thought. "Of course," Takumi said before pausing and lowering his voice. "…If you'll forgive me for the hurtful things I've said and done to you…" A shameful flush coloured his cheeks.

Corrin pulled a tight smile. That was the least of her worries at this point. "Of course. We need to move forward – not dwell on the past."

I'm the last one who should be saying that…

Takumi managed a smile. "Thank you, Corrin." He turned to Azura. "I also need to thank you… sister."

Corrin froze.

"Oh!" Azura gasped, a dainty hand covering her mouth. "You called me– I mean, you're quite welcome, Takumi." She turned away and coughed faintly.

Corrin forced a smile on her face, as friendly as she could manage. "Everything all right, Azura?"

Her mind repeated Takumi's words. Sister.

Why her–

"I'm fine. I think I'm just a bit tired," she said with a gentle smile. Her words sounded like acid to Corrin. "Please, don't worry about me. I'll be better in no time."

Corrin wasn't in the mood to argue.

After a brief search of the underground prisons hidden away in a system of caves, Kaze managed to locate Kagero within. She was uninjured, just exhausted, but willing to answer their questions.

"I'm afraid I don't know exactly where Lord Ryoma is," Kagero explained. She clenched her jaw, hands curling into fists at her shortcomings. "After being separated from Lord Takumi, he met with a Hoshidan scout. The scout informed him of a new civil strife in Nohr, and he departed at once in the direction of Cheve."

"Cheve…" Hinoka gasped. "So he's on his way to Nohr right now!"

That meant only one thing if they were going to find Ryoma. Returning to Nohr. All eyes flickered to Corrin. She forced a smile.

"Well, I guess that's settled. We're heading for Nohr," she said.

No one had the strength or information to say otherwise.


Back in the Astral Castle, everyone was doing their best to rest after the battle. Corrin felt like doing anything but.

She stalked the grounds with one thing in mind. Her wounds had already been tended to by Sakura and she'd finally shaken Jakob off, leaving her with endless questions burning in her mind. She spotted Azura by Lilith's Temple and approached her, wiping the scowl off her face.

"Hey, Azura," Corrin said light-heartedly. Her tone fell flat on her ears. "Are you feeling better?"

Azura faced her with a gentle smile and nodded. "Yes, thank you, Corrin. I just needed a bit of rest."

Corrin nodded in return. "So… what exactly was it that you did to turn Takumi back to normal?"

May as well get straight to the point.

"Oh… that. The song I sang has a mysterious power," Azura said. "It was able to drive out the force controlling him."

"You've been able to do that all along?"

Azura blinked, unsure what Corrin meant, but nodded. "Yes, I've always had this ability."

Then that meant… that meant–

"Then you could've saved him…?" It came out as a whisper, the words falling from her before she could stop it. Tears formed in her eyes, blurring over any thoughts.

"Corrin? What are you talking about?"

"Forget it." Corrin tore away from her, legs burning beneath her, and soon ended up in her room. She slammed the door behind her, not getting one step further before collapsing against it. Sobs built in her throat, escaping with wretched gasps. She buried her face in her knees, pulling herself inward, pulling tighter, tighter, tighter. The pain in her side forgotten against the ache in her chest.

Memories flashed in her mind, vivid and debilitating all at once.

Takumi, disappearing off the wall, a blur as he fell backwards. The rage on his face, in his voice, the way he cried, demanding to know why she didn't choose them.

You shouldn't have left me a way...a way to escape...

And then he was falling–

And Azura just stood there–

She hadn't done anything. She'd had that power all along and she hadn't done anything. But what made it worse was that it wasn't Azura's fault. She wouldn't have known. No one had, until it was too late, until Takumi was too far gone, facing them by the Hoshidan Throne of Truth. If anything, Corrin never would've been able to help Takumi. It was never her fate to save him.

It was Azura's.

And that hurt more than anything.


See you next chapter!