Subaki handed me a red bean bun, smiling serenely. I bit into the soft dough, its thin skin giving way and the sweet bean filling spreading into my mouth. It was delicious, and took my mind off the walking for just a little bit. A chill wind blew a stray strand from my braid across my face, and I pulled my baggy sleeves a little tighter around my body. Breathing was getting a little more labored the higher we climbed towards the canyon that plunged through the mountains on the Nohr-Hoshido border. Subaki led his pegasus behind us, and Hana and Sakura huddled together to keep warm. Hinoka and her retainers, as well as Omozu and his soldiers, were spread out in the woods and hills around us- no large groups could be afforded, lest big groups of Faceless take notice of our force and attack us. So it was just me, Subaki, Hana, Sakura, and two other soldiers who hadn't seemed to want to share much personal information.

"Hold on!," said Hana, breaking the silence. We rarely spoke at this point in our tedious march, so Hana's speaking held meaning. I heard nothing for a few beats, and then suddenly a slight shuffling noise from our right. "Milady get back!", shouted Hana, pushing Sakura away from her and into the middle of our little group. The woods were silent, again, for a brief moment, and then we heard it.

Faceless don't make a sound, per se. Not that one would expect- no real anguished screaming or roaring, no moans, just a constant hissing and tearing, like gas being expelled from a pressurized container. And that hissing was the sound around us now- like ghosts six Faceless seemed to appear from thin air, lumbering out of the woods. They were enormous, and it was surprising that they could hide so well. Reeking green muscular bodies towered above us, and their giant metal masks stared passively. There was a moment of calm as we were surrounded by the hissing figures, and then one raised a giant fist and plunged it down, batting one of our soldier retinue out of the way like he was a toy.

"Circle the princess! Don't let her get hurt!", shouted Subaki, leaping up onto his pegasus and taking to the air, narrowly avoiding a groping swipe from a Faceless' fist. Hana and I pulled out our katanas and stepped to either side of Sakura. Our third samurai drew his sword and took position, though he seemed to be quite shaken. Hana wasn't going to hesitate- she leapt forward at the nearest hulk and swung her sword sharply upward, cutting through layers of muscle with a clean shnk sound. It swept a fist down at her, but she sidestepped it. As she moved back to defend Sakura, I took my turn. I slashed into the thigh of another Faceless, trying my best to slash down to the join and weaken it, but my sword hitched in its kneecap as I tried to pull free. My sword came out, but not fast enough, and a chained hand slammed into my chest.

I skidded through the fallen pine needles on the ground, sending up a cloud of dry needles. I was quickly back up on my feet, in time to see Subaki fly down at the Faceless that had just knocked me flat, and his naginata flashed across its neck. The Faceless toppled forward, nearly landing on Sakura, its caged head rolling to me.

"Jason, get back to Sakura!", shouted Subaki, making another pass at a Faceless, narrowly avoiding being yanked from his mount. Hana stabbed her sword into the gut of one of the monsters, but they kept closing in, surrounding us. Sakura bathed me in a healing glow as I took off a Faceless' hand, but then it just drove its stump down at our retinue. He had made a few short cuts in some Faceless, but was being overwhelmed by two, and this took him to the ground.

"Subaki, find my sister!", called Sakura, "we need backup!" Hana intercepted a blow coming towards Sakura with her sword, but staggered back. I took advantage of the opening to slash at the beast's belly, though, and Hana deftly decapitated it with a broad sweep. As her blade cleft through the neck of the one faceless, she flourished, cutting into all the surrounding ones like a deadly blooming flower.

Sakura was trying her best to keep up with healing us, but her strength was flagging. She had taken a few glancing blow but was quite shaken up. I could feel my own blood pooling and bruising all across my chest and stomach, and I must've broken a few ribs. "Hana, we can't keep this up all day," I said, grunting as another fist slammed down at me. My wrist shook as I parried the blow, but I managed to take out the owner of that fist with a series of cuts.

I turned to see Hana do the same- only 3 Faceless remained. "We will not let Lady Sakura down."

Perhaps sensing my distraction by Hana, a Faceless swung a bleeding hand and my side and I slammed into the ground, hard. My vision went starry, and I saw its other hand coming down fast to crush me into the dirt. "So this is the end, huh", I said, spitting out a glob of blood. The fist didn't finish coming down, though. Suddenly I was somewhere else, held upright by someone. My stomach turned, and I looked up. A cheerful man, with wild hair and a calm smile, held me up with one arm. In his other he clutched a staff that I recognized- a rescue staff, able to transport an injured soldier to its bearer. Beside him stood a daze faced archer with blue hair, who absentmindedly drew her bowstring and fire and arrow.

My eyes followed the arrow's trajectory and I saw it pierce the neck of a hulking Faceless, which toppled. Behind it I saw Hana, crouching over Sakura's body. Sakura was injured, though still conscious, and radiated a healing glow around the two of them as Hana raised her sword against one of the two Faceless still standing. But two white shapes, capped with red, appeared in the top of my field of view. One with short red hair, the other's hair waving wildly like a bloody streak. Cordelia?, I thought, though I wasn't sure why I thought that. The two mounted figures- Hinoka and Subaki- passed their naginatas effortlessly through the two Faceless closing in on Hana and Sakura, and just like that, the skirmish was done.

"Lady Sakura, are you alright?", Subaki said, vaulting off of his pegasus and running right up to her.

"Y-yes, Subaki, I-I'll be fine," she said, wiping her brow with her wrist.

"Sakura, please drink this." Hana held out a vulnerary to Sakura, who shook her head softly.

"Don't worry, Hana, I'll be fine. You need that more than me!" Sakura turned to Hinoka. "Thank you f-for getting here, sister. Without you I...I'm not sure w-what we would've done." She looked like she was about to cry, but she bit her lip and straightened up. "We need to move o-onwards to Bottomless Canyon, right away!", said Sakura, before she slackened against Hana.

"Azama," shouted Hinoka, "I need you to patch up my sister!" Azama almost floated over to Sakura and bathed her in the light of his festal staff.

"Thank you," I said to him, as he turned away, "for getting me out of there. A second longer and I would've been a goner."

"Hm," He said, tilting his head. "What's a second, anyways, when we all die in the end."


Bottomless Canyon was cold. Not just in temperature- although being up high was chilly, and the area around the canyon even more so. But the temperature wasn't the only thing that was cold. Something about the area- something about the canyon itself- was dull and dreary. The days lost their color as we neared it- trees seemed grey and even Hana seemed to lose her spark for training and sparring. But finally we approached the tall tower that was the Hoshidan fort. Omozu's men had already reached the castle by the time I arrived with Sakura, Hinoka, and their retainers. Azama's nihilistic take on the world had become commonplace over even the few days since our first real interaction, and although Hinoka proved to be fiery and driven, she seemed to fade as we approached the fort. The other retainer of Hinoka's, who I also hadn't spent any prior time with, seemed to either be incredibly determined or incredibly absent-minded in her distantness- she must've not said more than three sentences the entire march.

The fort was a simple Hoshidan-style building, grey and red, surrounded by a dense fog. Barren and twisted trees framed the fort, and just beyond it, a plummeting fall into darkness.

"It can't really be bottomless, can it?", I said.

"You could test it out," mumbled Azama. His hand rested gently on my shoulder, and I flinched.

"No one has ever returned from the bottom," said Hinoka.

I raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps that's just because they just fell down a canyon?" Subaki chuckled next to me, and Hana snorted.

Hinoka let out a hearty laugh. "Perhaps! Sakura," she said, turning to her younger sister, "run inside and tell Omozu we've arrived. I'll help with carrying our supplies inside." She grabbed a pack from the back of her pegasus and followed behind Sakura, who ran gracefully up the steps towards the fort.

I pulled my own pack higher onto my shoulders and walked up towards the windy, foggy, and altogether bleak building. The stone steps were cracked and out of position and the sun was barely visible through the gloom. The Hoshidan fort stood quite precipitously, and I briefly had a vision of it toppling down into the canyon below. I shook that vision off and headed inside.

The inside of the fort was surprisingly warm. Omozu must've fueled the building's great central furnace, and so at least we would have heating while we were stationed here. Still, something about the air felt soul-sucking. I approached a guard by the door and asked her to point me to the barracks- my bed was hard and crammed in the corner, above both Subaki and Hana's bunks.

"Are you ready to get training, Jason?" Hana asked, grinning widely. Her injuries from the skirmish with the Faceless had healed, except for a small bruise above her left brow.

"Training? We just got here, Hana…." I sighed. "Besides, it's so cold and dreary- I can hardly stand. How are you so chipper?"
"It's not that bad here, Jason," she said, frowning. "Sure, its grey, but its not cold at all! I think that Omozu heating the fort was unnecessary, if we're being honest. Besides, we have to be ready to protect Lady Sakura!"

"Mmm, yeah." I nodded, but weakly. I didn't like the vibes of this place, but it didn't seem to bother Hana. Nor did it bother Subaki, who strutted into our cramped room with his head held high.

"Hana," he said, smiling. "Jason. I've got to go help organize and train the guards, but then I'll be perfectly warmed up for some sparring!"

"Oh well. I guess we can't train for now, Hana," I said, laughing dryly.

"Don't think you're getting out of it that easy, Jason," said Hana. Subaki moved to exit the room, but Hana stopped him. "Hey, Subaki! I'm curious...why do you go around telling people you're perfect?"

He stopped in his tracks and turned slowly. "What do you mean by that, Hana? And it's not like I'm lying." He grinned and squinted his eyes like a cat. I rolled my eyes and sighed exasperatedly.

Hana kept digging into him. "Do you really think you're 100 percent perfect? Like...without any flaws at all?"

Subaki laughed. "If you're trying to say something, just say it. Don't dance around it."

"OK, then. If you're so perfect, then why did you fall off your horse that day. You know, when you first met me and Lady Sakura?" Hana's face was smug.

My jaw dropped. "He didn't!", I said.

"Right in front of me and Lady Sakura," she said. "I didn't know it was possible to fly that far from a stationary horse!'

"Subaki," I said, "is that true?"

Subaki looked down and sighed deeply. "Why is it that you always bring this up? Can't you just let it rest, Hana…"

Hana looked around thoughtfully. "No, never. Unless you tell the whole Hoshidan army!" She stuck out her tongue.

"Hana," I said, "don't be cruel!" Subaki looked at me and smiled. "How could he get to the army if he couldn't stay on a horse?" Subaki's smile turned into a frown and Hana was beside herself with laughter.

"Why are you two attacking me out of the blue?", he said.

"Hey! I'm a neutral third party!", I said. "Air your grievances, comrades."

"You were acting so recklessly against the Faceless back on the road," said Hana. "And every day back home I always hear the same things- 'You're so lucky! You get to work with that handsome amazing Subaki!' Oh, or 'He's so perfect and flawless! You get to be near him all the time!' 'I bet it's hard to shine with perfection so close to you!'" Hana's face was reddening. "They say this to my face- even around town!"

"Oh, Hana...they say those things to you?" Subaki stared straight at her. "That's so wonderful! I'm so glad that they are complimenting me!"

"That's not what it's like at all," said Hana, huffing. "Think about how I feel! I have to lie to them- you're hardly perfect! You're reckless in battle and you fall off your horse when you're standing still- someone like that isn't perfect."

"Hmph," he said.

"Are you mad? Do you have anything to prove me wrong?" Hana was getting angry. "I'm sure Jason feels the same way- they're just too nice to tell you so."

I frowned. Sure, Subaki was a bit...extra...but I wasn't about to go and make fun of him. "Don't drag me into this, Hana!"

Subaki grinned. "Yes, they have no part in this debate. Besides, I have to go- I have guards to train."

"Wait, Subaki," I said, calling out to him. "You can't just change the subject like that. I say you can settle this argument with Hana in a kind of a...duel."

"Yes!," shouted Hana. "We'll have a battle to see who is the worthiest retainer. Jason, you can judge." I frowned. I didn't want to have to judge anything, especially not up here by the canyon.

"Okay," I said, "but let's wait to return to the castle before we do this challenge. We have a duty right now."

Subaki smiled. "That sounds good to me! Someone as perfect as myself can't possibly lose! Now Jason, Hana, I'll see you later! I have a duty to do."

Hana furrowed her brow. "I'll show him…"

"Hana, where did the feud with Subaki start?"

"It's always been there, I think," she said. "I've known Sakura- Lady Sakura, since I was little. My father was a samurai who guarded King Sumeragi- the old king, Queen Mikoto's husband- and so I was always at the palace. Sakura and I would sneak out to the fields and play." Hana grew sad, suddenly. "This was before Corrin was taken away. I didn't see her much, because she was always trying to spend time with Ryoma and Hinoka, but she played with us sometimes. She was hardly older than Takumi, but she always was playing with the older siblings and pretending to be old and wise. Honestly? She acted a lot older than she was." Hana sniffled. "I don't really remember her, but after the Nohrians took her Sakura was never the same."

"I don't know what to say, Hana. I'm sorry," I said, frowning. "I know why everyone is so afraid of me when they think I'm from Nohr, though. These Nohrians sound truly awful."

"Yeah, they really are evil. Gosh, I'd forgotten what we were talking about!" Hana looked embarrassed for getting so upset. "Let's get out training, while there's still good light. We can't slack just because we aren't at the castle!"

Hana and I had scarcely geared up for training when Subaki came rushing into the room again, breathless. "Hana, we just received an urgent message from Lord Ryoma. Hinoka and Sakura were called on a mission to the north- urgently. Their retainers are to accompany them- that means us." Hana nodded and began packing her bags up. "Jason...since you're not really a retainer of Sakura's, Ryoma asked that you remain here to help in the defense of the canyon. We'll send for you soon, okay?"

I frowned. I didn't want to be left alone and friendless in the barracks, especially not when the canyon made me feel so lousy, but I didn't really have a choice if Ryoma was asking. "Yeah, okay. I'll get some painting done, or something!"

"That sounds wonderful," said Subaki, "I'm sorry that we're leaving you like this."

"I guess our duel will be postponed, Subaki." Hana laughed, and hugged me. "I know how shitty it is that you aren't being considered useful. But I'm sure that if everything goes well at the fort, you'll be considered trustworthy enough to accompany on missions in the future. Just don't forget to do your training, and you'll be fine!" I smiled.

"Hana, we have to leave. Jason, take care," said Subaki. "Lady Sakura wishes she could say goodbye, but I think Hinoka wants her to not act sentimental right now."

I nodded, and hugged Subaki. "Don't you die out there, Hana, Subaki. I need you guys to come back soon!"

Subaki laughed. "I'm too perfect to die on a simple Faceless fighting mission! And if any Nohrians try to mess with us, then they'll have to see that they're up against Subaki, the great!"

Hana rolled her eyes. "We'll be fine, Jason," she said, tossing her bags back over her shoulder. "Stay safe." And like that, I was alone in the fort on Bottomless Canyon. Of course, there were others here with me, but no one that trusted me particularly much, nor anyone I could call a friend.

I unpacked my bags, pulling out the pouch of painting materials I had gotten from Queen Mikoto before I left the castle. I had a small canvas, too- quite a display of trust. It would sit on the small table in the barracks room for a little, because for now I just wanted to doodle. I pulled out some sheets of parchment paper and a stick of wrapped charcoal and started to sketch.

A figure began to emerge from my chicken-scratch lines in the center of the paper. He was tall and stern, with a book held in one hand and a sword in the other. His long flowing cloak waved around him- carried by a breeze. I started to sketch around him, like drawing something from a dream. Snaking around him appeared a serpent-like creature, six bird-like wings emerging from it. I felt a surge of deep seated revulsion in the pit of my stomach as soon as I lifted the charcoal from the paper. The serpent that I had drawn stared back from the paper and I breathed out slowly. I was reminded of a time when I was 12 and I had dreamed of a beautiful man that I came upon in a forest. His skin was green and his clothes were stitched from red and white rose petals, and he took my hand and twirled me, as if in a dance. Thorns bursting from his skin cut into me, and when I woke up I tried to draw this rose prince. Everytime I tried to draw this dream I was hit by something, and I couldn't do it.

Some things are meant to be dreamed, I thought, tearing up the picture I had just drawn. I felt like I was going to throw up, and then something else awful hit me. The loneliness. I looked out the little window in my new room, out over the yawning canyon that I had to guard. Wiry trees dug into the edges of the canyon, and thick fog drifted over the black slashes that went as far down as I could see. The wiry tendrils of fog made me think of snakes, or tentacles, reaching up to grab me and drag me into the canyon. I had left my home behind, and those friends were infinitely distant. And even the allies that I had made in Hoshido were far away now- just a fort filled with a bunch of soldiers who probably thought I was a spy. It was just me and the fog over Bottomless Canyon. And yet, with no one to hear me, I felt a song push at my lips.

A spirit climbs my spine to the brain

Following the railroad tracks down again

I needed space with soul, maybe we can die there

Maybe we can...

Stop.

I'm already dead

Stop.

I'm already dead

A/N: Song ref for this chapter is: watch?v=E73IQx21DEo. This chapter didn't have too much going on, but next chapter things will definitely pick up. I hope you enjoy!