Okay I'm glad to see that no one hated me for messing with you guys. And sorry for the late update something went wrong with both my laptop and desktop and the wi-fi was just going on and off a lot, so I wasn't able to work on the chapter, until Sunday. I'll try and get the next chapter up by Wednesday or Thursday.
Here's chapter 9
Published: July 17th, 2016.
Chapter 9: Unspeakable World
"Um, I hate to bring this up, but what are we going to do now? With Nohr and Hoshido against us, we don't have many friends…" Felicia asked not long after they excited the astral planes.
Jakob turned to the pink haired maid and nodded. "Have the three of you considered what our next move will be?" he asked looking at the three royal with his hand behind his back. The royals looked at each other for a moment it had probably slipped their minds accidentally.
Hmm..." Kamui thought about it for a moment looking at the sky. "it seems like we should lay low for a little bit."
"Yes, but we'll have to find a place with a small amount of soldiers if we don't want to get caught by any soldiers." Corrin reminded looking around to see if their were soldiers in sight.
"Then..." Azura started hesitantly, but ended up speaking clearly the moment everyone turned their attentions to her. "I know a place where no one will find us. We should be safe there."
"Really?" Both twins asked in unison a little unconvinced.
"Yes." Azura affirmed, nodding. "And once we get there, I have much to tell you. Things I heard from my mother...and the truth about this world..."
"And where are we going exactly?" Kamui asked.
"The Bottomless Canyon." The songstress replied.
All of them seemed a bit surprised, nothing good had happened by going to that dreadful place. To the twins it was place of lost, after all it was there that Shade was killed and Gunter had fallen into the canyon, it was also where Kamui got separated from Felicia and the place where he'd last seen his adoptive family when he was still affiliated to them.
"The Bottomless Canyon where we lost Gunter..." Kamui said in a low voice, as the memory of Gunter falling into the canyon came rushing back.
"And Shade as well..." Corrin murmured.
"But Lady Azura," Jakob started a few some time of silence form the siblings. "with all due respect do you think that it is wise to go an area between both countries? We could easily be caught by either side."
"I agree with, Jakob." Felicia made a little frown. But it was to be expected since she had just met Azura, so scepticism wasn't much of a surprise to the Songstress.
Both twins looked at each other for a moment, able to think straight again.
"Well Azura said it's safe there, so we should just thrust her." Corrin said, but it did little to reassure her retainer
Kamui nodded. "Besides why would she lie she was with me all day. I'm sure I would have noticed if she was planning something."
Azura turned her head slightly to hid her face for a faint flush on her cheeks, it didn't unnoticed by Felicia however as she let out a little chuckle. It was probably something Kamui shouldn't have mentioned. At all.
"Very well, if that is your decision then I will go along with it." Jakob said with a sigh.
Both nodded.
"Good." the dragon prince said with a little smile. "Felicia?" Kamui called to get an answer.
"If that's what you think is best, then I'll go along with it too." She said though it was different than what she was thinking. "It's not like I have a choice after all..."
He smiled. "All right, Azura lead the way."
Azura nodded and made a hand gesture so that the would follow her. During the whole way there no one said a word and simply followed the blue haired songstress, until they reached the sandwiched canyon between mountains running parallel to both sides for its entire length. As usual the canyon was surrounded by mountains with little plant life, and was rocky and barren, with dry lightning was striking everywhere. The finally stopped at a bridge situated near the center of the canyon.
Looking around Kamui wondered where they were suppose to hide. "You mean for us to hide out here?" the area where Azura had led them was completely open.
"That's exactly what I mean. We'll jump into the canyon." Azura said lie there was noting wrong with doing such an act.
"Huh?!" Both twin said together wide eyed and moth opened, as the jerked forward slightly.
"Wait just a minute!" Jakob said loudly. "If we jump from here, we'll all die. No one will ever find us, that's for sure—but we'll be ghosts!"
Felicia nodded. "I know we need to keep a low profile, but I don't think death is a great hiding place!"
"Don't worry. You won't die if you jump." Azura reassured. It was a little hard to follow someone that was asking for you to jump into a Canyon, so the two retainers looked at her like she was crazy. "You have to trust me." added as she saw the strange looks the twins retainers where giving her.
"Azura... You'll tell us more of what you know after we jump into the canyon, right?" Kamui asked looking down into the Canyon t see what he was getting himself into.
Azura nodded. "Yes, if that's what you wish."
Kamui said noting for a moment then a smile appeared on his face. "Then we have no choice."
"Fine with me. I guess. Are you sure we won't die?" Corrin asked and the songstress nodded in response. "Okay, then I believe you."
Felicia mouth was opened. "Ahhhh... Are you really serious about this, milord?!"
Jakob asked a second later, his expression just as alarmed as his fellow retainer. "Are you certain about this, milady?!"
"Yes. Everything will be fine. I trust Azura." Kamui said.
"Besides its no like we have any other choice. Well we could always turn ourselves in, but I don't think any of us wants to do that." Corrin added.
"Thank you, Kamui and Corrin. I'll go first and wait for you to follow."
"All right. We'll be right behind you." Corrin said.
"...This may very well be the most frightening thing I'll ever do. But guess we have no choice..." Kamui added as he followed.
Both retainers stayed silent and followed the royals who started walking to the center of the bridge. Once in the center Azura walked toward the edge of the bridge.
Felicia sighed. "If he's going in, then I guess I must follow... This is incredibly scary, but here goes!"
"... Yes. If my mistress is going, then I'll need to find the courage. I would give up my life if my lady commanded, after all. It should be an easy thing to follow her anywhere, even..." Jakob said.
Felicia and Jakob ran towards the royals to join them.
Back on the center of the bridge, Azura was on the outer side of rope of the bridge, holding the rope with one of her hands. She took a quick look at the twins, before pushing herself off the bridge and letting go of the rope. Brother and Sister ran to the edge as well looked down, then at each other, and jumped into the canyon. While falling Azura looked back and nodded at both of them, before they were swallowed by the darkness.
On the top of the bridge Jakob and Felicia were looking down into the Canyon.
"They jumped. They actually jumped into the canyon." Felicia said looking down.
"Yes, they did."
"Why do they have to believe in everyone?"
"Believe me it's something I would like to know as well. However our jobs recommend us to keep them safe." he let out a sigh. "All right I suppose I should jump."
"Right."
They both jumped a moment later.
A little while after jumping into the canyon Kamui was laying on his back with his eyes closed, as was Corrin, Jakob and Felicia. Azura was fine and simply waited for them to come to.
Kamui cringed his teeth as he pushed himself up so he could sit down, he looked up to see a broken sky."...Ugh." He place a hand on his head and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them once again he looked around at the field. The field was to a sideways land formation, and revealed multiple floating islands, some inverted and others sideways. The islands had the remains of buildings and grassy fields.
"Is this...the bottom of the canyon?" Corrin wondered as she slowly pushed herself up to her feet. "That was a heck of a jump, but nothing seems to be broken..." she noted as her still had all of her muscles. Her limbs were a little sore, but not of them were in excruciating pain.
Kamui got to his feet and placed a hand on his arm. "You're right," He started as he brushed of the dust of his arm. "with a jump like that I expect to get a broken bone."
Azura smile. "Thank goodness. I said you'd be all right, didn't I?"
Kamui chuckled. "Yeah, you did." He looked over to Felcia and Jakob, who were laying on their backs, and his expression turned to one that showed concern. "Are they going to be all right?"
"Yes. They should wake up in a few moments." Azura reassured taking a few steps towards them.
"That's go to hear." Corrin let out a breath of relief. "But what about you Azura? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Corrin. But thank you for you're concern."
Corrin smiled. And before long they heard low noises of discomfort from Felicia and Jakob.
"Felicia, are you all?" Azura asked.
"I-I'm fine... Just..." She started as she got to her feet. "My stomach is a little upset." She placed her hand on her stomach as she spoke. "I'll be okay..."
Azura turned her attention to Jakob. "Jakob, how do you feel?"
Jakob got up before replying. "I'm fine, of course. I'm relieved to see Lady Corrin is unhurt as well."
"So... Where are we? This place looks like it's definitely seen better days..." Kamui asked his eyes fixated on the broken skies.
"No kidding this place looks like it's been up against multiple tornadoes." Corrin added half joking.
"...This is the kingdom of Valla. We are no longer in Nohr, but we are not in Hoshido either. It is a land separate from both. Ever near, but hidden to all."
"A hidden land..." Kamui said as he continued to look around.
"Yes. Time flows differently here than it does in the world we came from, here time flows slower, one day here is two days in the surface worlds." she took a little moment then added. "This land is also responsible for the war between Hoshido and Nohr." Azura explained.
"Responsible?" Corrin asked.
"How?" Kamui wondered.
Azura turned around. "...Follow me, all of you. If we linger here, we'll be spotted."
"Spotted?" Corrin, voice was gruff. "Isn't this place suppose to be deserted?"
"Not exactly." Azura said regrettably.
"What do you mean?" when she didn't reply Kamui got a bit anxious. "Azura?"
"We might be spotted by invisible soldiers. Now please follow me."
They still had questions that needed answering, but the thought of being ambushed by invisible soldiers was enough to make them cooperate for the time being. As they followed Azura, Kamui could very well notice that everything in the strange land was either destroyed or in ruins. But what he found most peculiar was the floating islands witch should not have been possible.
The small group finally entered a cave, with few stalagmites and stalactites. There was little lighting as well, the only source was from the entrance of the cave and also form the few silk nest on the ceiling form glowworms. There was no sign of water in the cave either, but there was a little plant life.
"...We should be safe here." Azura said checking her surroundings. "As I was saying before... The throne of Valla is occupied by King Anankos. Before his arrival, this land was a peaceful one. All was well until Anankos killed our king and took the throne for himself. Once bountiful farmlands were devastated, replaced by wastelands and graveyards. No human, or semi-human are alive anymore, only wild animals roam theses lands now."
"He destroyed an entire kingdom?! For no reason at all?" Kamui exclaimed.
"That's unforgivable!" Corrin added.
"...Yes." she closed her eyes saying the next sentence. "And he isn't finished. He wishes to lay waste to the entire world. First Valla, then Nohr and Hoshido. Even now, he's the hidden influence that quietly forces Nohr and Hoshido to fight. King Garon's invasion is the result of Anankos's subtle manipulations."
"That's horrible!" Kamui said.
"And those were the soldier you mentioned before, I'm guessing." Corrin asked and Azura replied with a nod of her head. "But...if it's true, then maybe we can stop this war by defeating Anankos! We need to get back up above and explain this to everyone! If we can get Nohr and Hoshido to work together with—"
"I'm sorry, but you can't." Azura interrupted.
"What why not?" Kamui wondered.
"You mustn't talk about Valla to anyone when you're beyond its borders. If you do, you'll trigger a curse that will cause your body to dissolve and disappear." Azura informed, her voice was stern and was convincing enough to know that she wasn't lying or joking. "That's what happened to my mother... To Arete, the former queen of Valla."
"What? Your mother was a queen in Valla, not Nohr?" Kamui said.
A sudden realization hit Corrin. "Then, that makes you..."
Azura nodded. "Yes... I am a Vallite princess. The king that Anankos murdered... He was my father."
Kamui was shocked. "No! And you were forced to flee?"
"Yes..." The songstress affirmed. "But I wasn't able to tell anyone about this before. Because of that curse... Even if I wanted to talk, I couldn't. I was trapped—no matter how much I missed my parents. I had to keep it all bottled up inside... ...Until now."
"Azura..." Kamui murmured
"Listen, both of you. I'm sorry to say this, but... Now that you've chosen this path, you'll know exactly what I've been feeling. No matter how much you want someone to understand what's happening... No matter how much you want to tell them the truth... You won't be able to tell them. You need to prepare yourself for that. I can't even express how painful it is to know the truth and not be able to say it." Azura explained.
"...All right. I understand." Kamui said.
"As do I." Corrin added.
Azura was about to let out a smile when she thought she heard a sound, resembling that of movement, deeper into the cave. "What was that?!" She gripped her lance and moved to the source of where she thought the sound came from. Everyone fell silent for a few moment and got ready to draw out their weapons. They waited another moment and head more movement through out the cave. And there where a lot of them. "...There are enemies approaching—a rather large number of enemies. Corrin, Kamui, we'll need to deal with this threat before we can continue."
"Okay." The both said.
"Tread carefully... Our enemies may use the shadows to ambush us. And you both won't be able to transform, given the size of the cave." Azura warned.
"Well just have to depend on our swordplay rather that our transformation." Kamui said drawing Yato.
"Hold on a minute. What do you mean by transformation? "Felicia said.
"Um, I'll explain that later." Kamui said.
"So anybody know how we'll handle this? Because I'm sure our enemies know this place much better that we do." Corrin said looking at the darkness of one of the tunnels. "And even with the light of the glowworms nest, it will still be hard to fight. Especially determining friend form foe."
"Right, we should probably stick together for the time being. In case we're outnumbered in a certain area."
"We won't be able to do anything for lighting though, so be carful at where you aim." Azura reminded.
Corrin looked at the ground and noticed some rocks. She let out a little grunt and opened her eyes a little more.
Kamui hear her and turned around. "Corrin?"
"Those are sandstones." she told him.
"Sandstones?" Kamui question as he looked down at the stones to him those stones didn't seem any different from any of the others.
"Yeah. I think I can make a fire with it if I clash two of them together. But I means we'll be dealing with fire as well."
"How long will it last?"
"Since there's very little vegetation here for it to burn through. I'd say less than ten minutes."
"Well better that then fight blind." Kamui said as he pulled out his sword.
"Are you all sure." She waited for them to give a nod or an oral response.
"Okay. Jakob do you mind backing me up?" Corrin asked as she picked up two of the stones."
"Not at all, Milady." Jakob followed the princess with his daggers in hand.
She nodded at him and carefully walked to one of the tunnel, with Jakob behind her. She then struck the rocks together with as much strength as she could and threw the rock that caught fire into the tunnel. The flamed rock landed on a small path of grass and as a result they were now able to see some soldier, an adventurer, a cavalier and a fighter. The three had red glowing eyes and appeared and disappeared. Corrin was a little freaked out by it and forgot to draw her weapon.
Having been spotted the adventurer was about to let an arrow fly on an unarmed Corrin, but the attack was intercepted by one of Jakob's daggers. Corrin snapped out of her daze and quickly pulled out her Yatogami and landed a finishing blow. What Corrin found curious is that once defeated the Invisible Soldier dissolved into a pinkish-orange fire. She couldn't think about it for too long however since there where still more of the soldiers to be dealt with.
Kamui, Azura and Felcia didn't was anytime to get to their comrades side and started to fight as well. While rushing to Corrin and Jakob's side the fighter ran over to Kamui a deliver a blow to his chest. The dragon price winced in pain, but was able to brush it off and struck him back with his sword.
"Kamui!" Azura cried worriedly when he was struck.
"I'm fine." the prince reassured looking at the songstress for a short second then turned to his retainer. "Felicia!"
The maid nodded, knowing it was her cue to help him. "Right."
The two worked together to defeat the fighter, Felicia landing a mid-range attack with one of her her daggers and Kamui landing the final blow. Azura helped by singing for them. Her singing always encouraged them to keep fighting. After killing off the three soldiers Felicia quickly healed her liege. Once that was done Corrin had to withdraw her sword and pick up another two sandstones. The process of lighting the rocks, fighting and healing was the same of quite a while, and along the way they were able to pick up some weapons and items form chests.
The got pretty far into the cave, and there was no end in sight of the flow of enemies. Nevertheless the had to keep going. Once again Corrin had struck two sandstones together and threw the one that caught fire into the tunnel. The rock landed on a patch of grass, but this time instead of revealing invisible enemies they saw something moving and it was solid.
The solid figure was a knight backing away from the sudden little fire. As the man backed up the dragon prince was able to see that he was wearing black amour and had periwinkle colored hair.
Kamui jerked forward slightly and he let out a little grunt. "What the—? Is there something wrong with my eyes? Could that knight be..."
The knight thought he heard a voice and turned around his face glowering. That expression quickly changed for glowering to wide-eyed. "Lord Kamui!" He took a quick look at the other at Kamui side. "Lady Corrin! Felicia!" his thrilled voice, almost immediately died as soon as he played eyes on the silver haired butler. "And Jakob as well..."
Jakob growled and scowled at the old knight, gripping his dagger like he wanted to throw it at him. And he probably would have thrown it if Corrin wasn't there.
Kamui was over the moon. "Gunter! Is that really you?! And you're alive?!"
Gunter nodded. "I am. I lost consciousness as I fell, and when I awoke, I was here. I have no idea how I survived such a fall..." he swung his lance once. "But I swear on my blade I'm no ghost. My arms and legs are as sturdy as ever."
"It's good to see you in one piece, Gunter." Kamui said as he walked over to the knight, and the others weren't far behind. "I'm so glad we found you."
Gunter smiled getting a better look at the prince then turned his attention to the tunnel on his left. The tunnel was different then the other ones, it was full of glowworms nest and lit up the entire tunnel, and it was a good thing to since there was much more vegetation there as well. "I would love to celebrate, milord, but it appears we don't have time right now..." Kamui looked down the tunnel These foes are truly challenging. "I'll help you fend them off!"
At near the end of the tunnel was a fighter blocking the way and to to far away was an archer as well as a samurai and their Leader a Berserker. The group handled the rest of the enemies the same way as they did the others, but it was different with the Berserker. Despite the fact that he didn't move around much and simply watched the others fall one by one it was obvious that he was much stronger then those he lead. And being a Berserker, make Corrin and Kamui angry since it was the same warrior class as Hans. This made them even more determined to cut the leader down. The two made sure that the others didn't intervene, and they were understandably nervous.
Working together was a bit of a challenge for the twins as well, after all they've only faced each there as opponents and have only worked together a few times. But eventually they were able to find their rhythm and coordinate their attacks. Corrin landed the final blow in an unroll way. The dragon princess used her free hand over her face, and concentrated spiritual matter so the it would manifested into a dragon's head. Once her head was transformed Corrin jumped in the air and and attacked by turning one of her hands into a jab. After the attack her transformed parts went back to normal leaving Kamui and the others speechless.
"What was that?" Kamui was finally able to say, but was still a little surprised.
"It's called Dragon Fang." Corrin said looking over at the other who snapped out of their initial shock, and were now walking over to her and her twin. "I learn to do it during my time in Hoshido. And since you can transform like I can, you'll most likely be able to do it as well if I teach it to you."
"That be great, but why do the other seem stocked as well? Hasn't, at least, Jakob seen it before?"
Corrin shock her head from side to side to side. "No. I usually practice this in private." she looked over to the disappearing body of the Berserker. "And this is he first time I've ever used it in battle. I'm glad it didn't backfire." she was silent for about five seconds before speaking again. "Haven't thought about this before?" she asked but Kamui shock his head, no. "Or maybe it could have trigger by anger?"
The second theory caught his attention. "Not that you mention it, I might have done a transformation like that when I fought Hans, after he threw Gunter into the Canyon."
"You did what?!" Gunter exclaimed.
Corrin raised one of her hands at Gunter in a sign of peace, then looked back at her brother. "How did you know."
"Well he asked what kind of a freak I was while staring at my arm."
"Yeah. That sound like something someone would say." she waited a moment before adding. "Insane or not."
"But how did you learn to do that."
"Dragon Fang?" she asked and her brother nodded in response. "After I arrived in Hoshido, I was still mad at myself and at Hans for Shade's death. So I decided to train out in a nearby forest, at some point I got so angry I was somehow able to transform one of m arms into a jab." she stopped for a minutes so that Kamui and the other who were listening could process the explanation. "After word I tried to figure out how I would be able to do that transformation again without getting angry."
"But you've been in Hoshido for over five months. How long did it take you to learn the transformation anyway?"
"Just figuring out how to trigger it without using anger took me a bit over two months actually. I finally caught a break when I asked Takumi about how he was able to draw the bowstring and arrow from the Fujin Yumi. He draws it by by concentrating on gathering spiritual matter in the air. I did the same, but instead of drawing the energy form thin air into a bowstring and arrow I drew the energy into my body and tried to release it in one area. Unlike the full transformation were it had to be stored in the centre of our being and then released."
"Wow that's complicated." Kamui said scratching the back of his head.
Corrin huffed. "Yeah, you say that even though you'v already done it."
"Not on purpose." The dragon prince argued.
"Fair enough." Corrin said.
"But anyway..." he turned to Gunter and grinned. "it's so good to see you safe and sound, Gunter!"
Gunter let out a chuckle at Kamui's ratter childish attitude. "I'm glad to see you too, Lord Kamui. It's nice to see you again as well Lady Corrin." he closed his eyes. "After I fell, I truly thought I'd never see your face again. I didn't expect to ever see Lady Corrin alive either. It seems both of you have grown stronger while we've been apart, as well..."
Felicia smiled as well. "Yes. It is good to see you safe, Gunter."
"Felicia. I see you've done a good job protecting our master."
Jakob huffed. "So you aren't dead, old man. Can you give me back the time I wasted grieving over your demise?"
Gunter gave the butler a black look. "Hmph... You haven't changed. It wouldn't hurt for you to be kinder."
"For you?" He let out a dry laugh. "Don't make laugh."
"I swear that tongue of you're will be the death of you, Boy. But anyway, why are you all here?"
Azura took a step towards the old knight. "I brought them."
"And who are you?" Gunter asked warily, as she was the only person he didn't recognize.
"My name is Azura." She took a minute to think about her next words. "If I said I was the princess kidnapped from Nohr as a child...would you understand?"
Gunter narrowed his eyes at her for a moment. "Ah! Yes, I remember when you were little. I apologize for my failure to protect you from your Hoshidan kidnappers..."
Azura shock her head. "There is no need to apologize, really... It doesn't matter at the moment. I'd rather learn how you've survived here. You are quite the knight to have avoided meeting a terrible fate."
Gunter looked around the cave then looked back at Azura. "You seem familiar with this place, Lady Azura. Where are we, exactly?"
"This is Valla, an invisible Kingdom tied to the world by the Bottomless Canyon. It is ruled by Anankos, who wishes to destroy the entire world. So long as he remains in the Vallite throne, the world will not know peace." Azura explained.
"Yes. Now listen up, gramps. I'm only going to warn you once. If you talk about any of this while not in Valla, a curse will dissolve you!"
Gunter was little shocked. "What?! is that possible?"
"It seems so. Also, I've..." Kamui stated, but quickly became nervous when Gunter shot a stern look at him. "made enemies of both Hoshido and Nohr, Gunter."
"You did what?!" Gunter exclaimed, staring daggers at the prince.
Kamui winced and spoke his next words rather quickly. "Corrin and I couldn't bring ourselves to side against either of them," he slowed his speech. "so both turned on us. Whenever we meet next, it will be a difficult fight. Will you stand with me?"
Gunter was still alarmed, but reminded himself that if it wasn't for his decision he would have most likely never seen him again of get out of he strange land. "Of course, Lord Kamui. I shall always remain at your side."
"Thank you, Gunter." Kamui said.
Gunter nodded. "I feel like I must be in a dream, surviving being attacked and falling so far... Though I have to admit...Hans was a disappointment. He barely left a scratch."
Kamui was reminded by something at the sound of the insane berserker."Ah, that reminds me: Hans said something strange. He claimed he was following King Garon's orders by attacking you."
Gunter didn't wait a moment and replied. "I'm embarrassed to admit this, but... King Garon despises me."
"Despises you? Why?'" Kamui demanded.
Gunter let out a sigh knowing he could not refuse the prince's demand. "After being honored for valor in battle, I was granted an audience with King Garon. He offered me dragon's blood; accepting would require absolute loyalty to the king. It would have meant becoming his most trusted retainer, the highest of positions. However, it also would have meant leaving my homeland, my wife, and my child. I turned him down. I wanted to live a normal life. I begged for his understanding. I will never forget his resentment...his rage."
"I didn't know..." Kamui murmured.
A silence fell upon the group for a while, when sound was returned it was the sound of a teleportation. All of them turned to the source of the sound instinctively, and what they saw was a Valllite woman along with two other soldiers. All of them were so faded, however, that their classes were impossible to identify as well as their gender.
They only figured out the Vallite woman's gender when she spoke to them, they knew that she had to be the groups leader. "Leave now... You should not be here."
Kamui was a little surprised, out of all the Vallite they've fought she was the only one that spoke. "What the— Who are you?!"
"I am a mage of Valla..." She said simply, but quickly lost her patience after a few short seconds. "You were warned. Vallite warriors, eliminate them."
"This is bad..." Azura realized as the two soldiers avocado toward them. "I don't think we're strong enough to defeat them. Let's retreat to the other world!"
Not of them were in a position to argue and quickly fled faster that the Villites could run. The task of running away became more difficult, however all the fire that Corrin had previously ignited was now extinguish, so running threw the middle prove quite a challenge as they could only depend on their memory. So a sense of great relief washed over all of them when they saw the light of the entrance of the cave.
Even after exciting the cave didn't mean they were out of the woods yet, though there was still the matter of getting out Valla.
"How are we going get out of here, Azura?" Kamui asked as he ran out of the cave.
"We need to get to a Canyon a little far form here."
"Just how far?" Corrin asked.
"It's far, but we den stop running soon those Invisible soldiers aren't as fast as we are and they should give up once we're completely out of sight."
They started to walk again at a certain area that was near a large chasm. Looking down into the ravine it looked like an intense fog was down there and just like the Bottomless Canyon it seem to have no end.
"Listen carefully." As soon as Azura spoke all attentions belonged to her. "This place leads to the Bottomless Canyon in the other world. If we jump here, we can return to the world from whence we came."
Kamui took a step closer to the edge of the chasm but few a little uncomfortable a few moment's later. "Wow, so this is how you go back and forth between worlds. Amazing."
Azura was a little confused. "Hm?" But was then reminded that no of them have been there before. "Oh no, it's actually not. I always travel through water."
"Oh. Wait what?!" Kamui exclaimed.
"Then why don't we just go back the same way we came?" Corrin asked much calmer then her brother.
"We can't. You Kamui and I are the only ones who can use water to travel between worlds. This is the only way to bring Gunter, Felicia and Jakob back with us."
"Just the three of us can travel through water? But why? Why us?" Kamui asked.
"That's... ... I'm sorry, but that's not something I can talk about right now. We need to get back to the other world now, before those Vallites try and attack again."
Before anyone could say another word Azura jumped into the ravine.
"Huh? Azura?! Wow! She didn't even hesitate..." Kamui said.
"She really is fearless." Corrin said.
Gunter walked over to them and placed a hand on each to the twin's shoulder. "Then let us show the same strength of will. I've got your back, milord."
"So, um...basically...you're saying you want me to jump first?"
"Seems that way. I should be the same as jumping of the Bottomless Canyon... Well maybe."
"Why don't you jump first instead? Ladies first right?"
"Because your older, and didn't you say you wanted to protect your little sister, Big Brother."
Kamui was a little annoyed about Corrin using that against him, but he did say it before. "...Fine. But your jumping with like before."
"Alright. I'll have to jump anyway." The two walked over to the edge and jumped a few seconds later.
"I suppose I should go next." Gunter said as he tried to get his horse to move closer to the edge. However the stallion was resisting and tried to get away form where Gunter wanted him to go, of course since the animal was stronger that himself the old knight had a lot of trouble.
"Just make sure we don't think your dead this time old man." Jakob warned, just as Gunter had managed to get his steed to go a little closer.
normally Gunter would lecture Jakob about his rudeness, but this time took the opportunity to make fun of him. "So you do care about me after all."
Something snapped inside of the butler. "I never said such a thing."
While the two were going at each other Felicia was starting to grow impatient with the two men's pointless bickering.
"Yes well-" Gunter started, but was quickly cut off.
Felicia let out a sigh that sounded much more like a groan. "If you two are just going to fight then I'm just going to jump." The maid didn't wast much time to jump, witch gave her to time to rethink her decision. And moments later the old knight and butler jumped as well. And thankfully weren't at each others throats when they did. And luckily Gunter's horse wasn't kicking as much and no one got hurt.
Back at the Bottomless Canyon, Azura, Kamui and Corrin had just gotten ti their feet and were now waiting for their retainers to regain conscience.
Kamui smiled when the other got up. "It looks like we've made it back." hi placed a hand at the back of his head and grid his teeth, before getting up to his feet. "How did you ever get use to that, Azura?"
"I've been doing it for a long time now, so it isn't much of a problem form me."
"But why would you-" he stopped himself form going any further and placed his fingers on her temples to rubbed the idea out of his head. As he did the others regained conscience and were slowly getting up. Corrin help Gunter's horse to stand up before it collapsed under its own weight. "Who was that woman down there? She said she was a mage..."
As Kamui tried to figure it out Azura started speaking."...When dawn turns to dusk. When dusk turns to dawn. Then the door will spawn."
"Huh? Is that a poem, Azura?" Kamui wondered.
"My mother... She said those words to me a long time ago." The songstress admitted. "She said that when dawn turns to dusk, and dusk turns to dawn... The pass in the Bottomless Canyon opens or closes."
"When the dawn turns..." Gunter mumbled. "Hmm..." he thought about it for a moment then something struck him. "Oh, I get it. Once every few decades, the skies above Nohr and Hoshido will reverse. If I remember right, that should happen a few months from now."
Everyone else save Azura had no clue as to what the old knight was saying.
"Yes." Azura affirmed. "I'm sure that's the sign that the pass down there has opened or closed. Since we're obviously able to travel there now, it will close next time. Once it closes, it will stay that way for decades. We won't be able to get there... We don't have much time."
"I see. Then, we'll need both kingdoms to stop fighting each other and help us." Corrin said.
"If we had Xander and Ryoma, there's no way we'd lose." Kamui added.
"But how can we convince them? We can't tell them the truth!" Azura exclaimed.
"We'll just have to find another way." Corrin said.
Her brother nodded. "It's the only chance we have. Now that I know there is a common enemy for both countries to fight... I think we can save Nohr and Hoshido. All I can do is believe in myself and try to convince others to join us.".
Azura was amazed at their optimism. "Corrin... Kamui... I suppose you're right. I felt so powerless on my own, but together we might be able to pull something off! Nothing will change if we stay here. Let's return to Hoshido first. I feel like they might be more willing to listen to us."
Corrin nodded.
"But were do we head to first? I'm sure they've notified most of the country already." Kamui asked.
"What about fort Jinya?" Corrin suggested, after a moment of thinking. "Ryoma would most likely warn that area last because of the fort's strong structure, the soldiers there are quite capable as well."
"But, Lady Corrin, the shortest way there is to pass through location that will have been notified of our status." Jakob argued
"Then we'll take a longer way. There's a small village about a day and a half far form here. It's very far from Castle Shirasagi so it will take some time to get word to them."
"And form where we are now it will take three days to get to the fort, that is if we don't have any mishaps." Jakob added.
"And if we don't want to be noticed and overwhelmed by Hoshidan soldiers than it should be the safest route. And need I remind you that we are currently the most wanted people in the two major kingdoms? And that we weren't exactly welcomed in the place we just came from."
Azura was put a little on edge when Corrin started arguing with Jakob over where they should head next, out of fear that she might unintentionally mention Valla. Her fear was put to rest when they stopped arguing and Corrin didn't mention the Hidden Kingdom.
"Well put Milady." the butler made a little bow in front of the dragon princess. "I apologize for speaking against you."
Corrin shock her head and smiled. "No, apology needed Jakob, you were just speaking your mind."
"So we'll be heading to Fort Jinya?" Kamui asked once thing where settled between liege and retainer.
"Yes." Corrin affirmed.
"Well then we'll be relying on you, Jakob and Azura to lead the way."
"Alright. Then let's get moving before the sun has a chance to set."
The group started to head out of the Bottomless Canyon and back into Hoshido's territory, avoiding the planes where they have made their decision and turned traitor in their eyes. It took a few hours until the finally made it to an area where plant life was once again abundant and where not a single dark cloud could be seen.
Jakob was trailing father behind when had a strange feeling of being observed and was looking around the area when he saw something was looking at him, he instantly knew what it was and was able to see more of them. He and threw a dagger at one of them in case they where planing to attack, but to his surprise it avoided his attack and ran away. The others took of a second later. Not knowing their intentions, the butler went to alert Corrin's. "We have trouble, Lady Corrin."
Okay, sorry again for the delay, and before you ask me to stop apologizing all the time I can't it is in my nature (or maybe it's just from living in Canada). I will actually apologize for the most pointless things sometimes.
Okay so other that my weird habit, sandstones can make fire but not as quickly as I wrote it to be. The way I wrote the fire for light is completely unreal, but sandstones really and do exist. The glowworms are real as well, and their nest are real as well, and actually really cool and beautiful if you look it up you'll see what it is.
So thank you all for reading and I'll see you all next time.