Lucina and Azura - My Life for Victory
Day 17, midnight
On one hand, Lucina was thrilled at the thought of so many rallying to her father's banner. Strangers from foreign lands, the fairy tales of old now crossing blades with the enemies of Ylisse. But then her negativity arose, and she found herself worrying over all these new faces. True, these were all mostly capable fighters with mostly pure hearts, but Lucina couldn't help but fret for her father's safety. He had to have been murdered by one of the original Shepherds, as that's what happened in her timeline. The fact that a whole new army-two of them technically, had joined their cause was enough to keep her up at night.
It was one of these pangs of stress that forced Lucina to get some water at the stretches of midnight. Noticing the vigilant Nohrian guards on night patrol, her heart felt a little bit better. Still, she had to be wary at this hour, both for the army and her father especially.
Above anything else, Lucina would keep him safe.
On one hand, Nohr and Hoshido's anger towards each other had dissipated. As long as the peace stayed that way, her job was successful. But... how long would it last? When under the threat of a godlike dragon, how long would humanity stand together before scurrying away from the shadows of doubt? In the blink of an eye, three armies turned into one, just because of a common foe. And because of the Ylisseans, strange as they were, Hoshido and Nohr had something else to focus on for the time being.
Azura couldn't help but worry over her fellow princess. Corrin's danger was removed from play as soon as Hoshido and Nohr ceased their fighting, but there was still apparent traces of war clouding everyone's mind. Corrin may have rallied three countries together, but she wouldn't know the true threats that plagued their land without Azura's help. She was responsible for her, and vice versa, thus was the bond established when Corrin first received her dragonstone. The fact that a whole new army, a fantastic one at that, was now under the joint-command of her dear friend was enough to keep her up at night.
It was one of these pangs of anxiousness that forced Azura to get some water - the water she had power over wasn't exactly for drinking. At the stretches of midnight, few were out and about at this hour, but that didn't stop her from trying to remain stealthy. Noticing Felicia and Laslow- the two guards on patrol chatting away idly as they monitored the camp, her heart felt just a little better knowing her comrades would keep them under vigilant watch.
As for Corrin...
Azura had to keep her safe.
The navy-haired princess noticed as the teal-haired princess got up to drink at the same time she did. Lucina recognized her as Azura, one of the main Hoshidans and companions of Corrin. She was dressed in her usual garb, the white clothing adding to her graceful poise.
"You. You were the singer? The water-maiden, the troops called you. You are who commanded the Valmese Sea?"
The dancer turned around, sleepy but startled nonetheless. Her hair looked like a ragged mess, but Lucina relaxed at the casual appearance of the songstress.
"I am. Though... that may not be all true. You must be... Judging from the blue hair, Princess uhh..."
"Marth," Lucina half-lied. After all, legends of the hero king would not appeal to a stranger of foreign lands. Lucina had not interacted with the strangers much, so they barely knew her face let alone her name. "And I'm not a princess in this timeline."
"I see. Lady Corrin mentioned that there was a Princess here who came from the future. Tell me, is the future really so grim that those betrayed by it rush back to a better time? Does it truly threaten my world as it does yours?"
Azura clearly wanted to be back home, or at least missed something from home, Lucina could tell at least that.
"It is enough that I came from the doomed future to save our world," Lucina stated bluntly. Azura calculated the remark, and her face drooped in pity.
"So you are but a young girl," Azura realized, feeling sympathy for the children whose future was so dark. She prayed that her own children would never receive anything so cruel from her as an empty future without her when they came.
"I was 16 when I first came here. Now I am 18, and my job remains as always; to keep my father safe."
"Ah, so young. I'm 21, which isn't much older come to think of it," Azura thought aloud. "And I suppose my purpose is to make sure Lady Corrin can bring about a lasting peace between Hoshido and Nohr. If it means fighting side by side with a third country... then so be it."
Lucina nodded, understanding her affection for her leader.
"It is... I cannot know how to explain this," Lucina began, "But when I look at your armies, I cannot help but feel suspicious. I am truly sorry for suspecting ill of your friends... it is just... I am overwhelmed at the sheer luck we are having with you at our aid. But... it seems too good to be true. I fear my father's life may yet be in danger." Azura nodded in agreement, taking a sip from her water before offering her thoughts.
"I see. I cannot speak for the Nohrians or Hoshidans. I am an outcast to both. I am no warrior. I am barely a princess. I am merely a singer and a dancer, not one whose hands were gifted for war. But Corrin... She's the catalyst to an eternal peace. Something Hoshido and Nohr need gravely... I'll gladly give my life for her... Anything to keep her alive in this world."
"You protect her... Just as I protect my father." Azura hummed her agreement, nodding slightly.
"Perhaps not as directly as you think, but even she does not know how dear her presence is to my heart."
"Then we are at an understanding."
"Hmm?"
"I have a proposition for you," Lucina smiled, "If I may be so bold."
"What could it be?"
"Your heart and your intentions are pure and devoted, as far as I can see. I offer you a promise."
The dancer showed her curiosity, wondering what the Princess could want.
"I'm listening."
"Should I fall in battle, I place protection of my father, Exalt Chrom in your hands. I have seen your diligence to our cause multiple times, and in the camp as well, Princess Azura. You are most capable, and he would be proud to have a woman like you defending him where his own daughter failed..."
"I do not share your skills, Marth. Why do you entrust me when there are so many others that would best me in combat?"
"Because you see the bigger picture... This war is not just pointless fighting... But to keep the ones we love safe at our expense."
"But can I expect you to protect Lady Corrin and our secrets should I be claimed by this war?"
Our secrets?
I... should not delve deeper. Not yet, at least.
"You have my word, and my blade."
"I see. I thank you, Princess Marth."
"..."
"..."
"Lucina."
"Huh?"
"It's Lucina, actually."
"You sai-"
"Marth is the name I took up to inspire my countrymen to fight in the last stretches of our existence. He was a hero and a king, one who gave strength to his allies just by drawing his sword. Lucina was my birth name... and now the name that reminds me of the strength my own mother and father had in the face of despair before they died."
Azura cracked a small smile as she brushed the hair away from her face.
"You could've just said that first, Princess Lucina."
"You have your secrets, I have mine, Princess Azura."
...
"You know, I'm not really a Hoshidan Princess. It's a long story, for another day."