Ch. 14 The Test of Adulthood
"Happy Birthday Onii-Chan!" Elise congratulated.
Elise sat on her older brother's lap has she squeezed her arms around his waist has hard as she could, giving him a birthday hug. Camilla currently sat next to her young brother, as she grabbed him by the shoulders and also hugged him, burying his face in her chest.
"Here's a good old fashion hug from your big sister, little brother." Camilla laughed.
"Camilla, Elise, I can't breathe." Corrin muffled.
Leo merely rolled his eyes at his sisters' inappropriate display of affection. "Geez, even though he's officially an adult now, they're still treating him like a child."
"All right you two, I think that's enough." Xander ordered, saving his younger brother from suffocation.
Inside his living room, Corrin sat around a table with his four siblings. In the back, Gunter, Lilith, Flora, Felicia, and Jakob all stood, allowing their lord space with his siblings. On the table there were two birthday cakes; one looked as if it might have been burnt, with the frosting dripping and unevenly spread. Felicia looked at this birthday cake rather sheepishly as everyone knew who was responsible for it. Granted Corrin still gave her a warm smile for it when she brought it out knowing that her heart was in the right place. In fact, to be nice, Corrin even tried to cut into it to take a piece. Instead he ended up breaking his knife on it.
The second birthday cake was three layers with perfectly spread frosting between each layer. It had seventeen candles arranged perfectly that were not yet lit, and on the top the cake there were letters written in frosting that read "Happy birthday dearest brother." Camilla beamed down at the cake that she had worked so hard on for her young brother.
"Camilla, no fair, you didn't say you were baking a cake for Onii-chan." Elise grumbled.
"Oh hush Elise, you can help me next time." Camilla shushed her little sister with a smile.
"We also brought presents. Open mine first Onii-chan, I know you'll love it!" Elise stated, handing Corrin a small gift.
Corrin happily celebrated his birthday with his family, opening his presents they had all purchased for him, as they all sat and ate cake. However, as more and more time went by, Camilla's mood seemed to lower just slightly. At first it was hardly noticeable, but as more and more time went by, Corrin could sense that his older sister wasn't as cheerful as she normally was with him. There was something about her laughs and the way she was smiling that seemed fake to him. Not only that, but he had even noticed a look of concern on her face when she thought no one was looking.
"Camilla, are you O.K.?" Corrin asked.
"O.K.? Of course I am my dear brother. Today's your birthday, the day you become a man. Why wouldn't I be O.K.?" Camilla asked.
As the door to the living room opened, the atmosphere in the room that was once buzzing with life suddenly went cold as Corrin's servants all got down on their knees and bowed. The five siblings turned in shock as they saw who walked into the room.
"Father." Corrin gasped.
"Is that anyway for a son to greet his father?" Garon commented. "Why do you look so surprised Corrin?"
"Sorry, it's just that I never expected to see you today. You're usually so busy with your duties." Corrin commented.
"Yes, well, I couldn't forget such an important day now could I?" Garon informed him. "After all, it's the day I found you so many years ago and gave you your name. Xander, is he ready?"
"Ready?" Corrin asked a little surprised.
"Why yes, for your test of course. Today is your 17th birthday, the day you become an adult. It's only natural that you should finally take Nohr's test of adulthood today." Garon informed.
Upon hearing Garon's request, Camilla quickly tried to cut in.
"Today? Why the rush? Why don't we put it off a couple more weeks. Give Corrin a little more time to mentally prepare." The eldest Nohrian princess tried to advise.
"No Camilla, father is right." Xander asserted. "We have put this off long enough. Corrin is ready."
"As his mentor, I too would like to attend." General Gunter requested. "This is a big day for my student."
"Agreed." Garon allowed. "Corrin, besides General Gunter, you may bring along one other retainer. Please, make your selection carefully."
"One?" Corrin asked in surprise.
Corrin looked at his four remaining servants. Each one of them with different skills that could be useful to him.
"My lord, may I be so bold as to make a suggestion?" Jokob requested.
"Certainly, I'm always open for advice." Corrin answered.
"I would recommend Felicia for this." Jokob recommended.
"What? Me?" Felicia gasped.
"Her!" Flora scowled rather jealously at not being selected.
"Good idea Jokob." Corrin agreed. "I was actually thinking the same thing. Let's go Felicia."
"Well, O.K., if that is what my lord wishes, I will assist in any way I can." Felicia accepted.
"Very well, now that you've chosen, let us depart." Garon commanded, as he and he family began to exit the fortress with Felicia walking just a couple paces behind them.
Lilith attempted to follow, only for her shoulder to be grabbed.
"Not so fast Lilith, Corrin has already made his selection." Jokob informed her.
Lilith looked towards door through which Corrin had just left, rather nervously. She wasn't jealous of not being selected. She understood that her brother knew her the least. However, this was the first time other then her trip to the capital that she would be separated from him. She couldn't help feel that something bad was going to happen without her presence.
"Don't worry, he'll be just fine." Jokob assured.
"I don't understand, why did you chose Felicia for this?" Flora questioned the head butler. "I mean, you'd be far better suited for such a task."
"Yes, but I will be departing on an important errand soon, making Felicia the next best choice." Jokob informed.
Flora turned her head away upon hearing the comment. It was true. While Flora was a far better servant than her clumsy twin sister, Flora knew all too well what Jokob said was true.
"Besides, with her gone, you and I can finally get this place in tip-top shape together, Flora." Jokob added with a wink, causing Flora to blush slightly.
Back at the castle, Owain, Severa, Inigo, and Morgan were attempting to get to know their new partners.
Laslow walked out of the dinning all with water splattered all over his face.
"Well, that certainly didn't go well." Laslow sighed.
"Laslow!" Peri greeted happily as she skipped over to her new partner. "What happened? Peri saw that girl throw her drink in your face. You didn't say anything mean to her did you?"
"I don't think so. I was just chatting her up like normal. Until she stomped off, I honestly thought I was being pretty smooth. I should have known it would end like this though." Laslow sighed.
"Really? Maybe you could threaten to kill them if they don't talk to you! That'd get their attention!" Peri suggested.
"P-probably, but... I don't want to be the kind of creep who coerces a girl into having tea." Laslow responded, slightly terrified of his new partner.
"Hmm... I know! Peri will have tea with you!" Peri declared.
"Really?" Laslow asked in both shock and terror. "Err...you don't have to do that."
"Peri don't mind! You're a cool guy, after all."
"I am?!" Laslow blushed from the complement. "Err...well..."
"You're beet red! Have you struck out with EVERY girl you try to talk to?" Peri giggled.
"Not so loud! It's embarrassing!" Laslow whispered.
"OK, I'll shush! I don't wanna get on my buddy Laslow's bad side!" Peri laughed. "Come on let's go get that tea! We need to hurry back to Lord Xander afterward."
Before Laslow could even object, Peri grabbed him by the wrist and began to pull him along with her.
"Now this is how you give a proper blowing." Niles instructed Owain.
The two were standing out on the shooting range. Niles was currently holding a long cylinder shaped weapon. The weapon was hollowed out and had a hole at one end, and a trigger on the other. It appeared to be made of a combination of metal and wood, and when someone pulled the trigger, it made a loud explosion followed by the release of a lightning fast ball of metal. Owain looked at the target dummy that Niles had fired at, blowing a hole right through its head. If the master swordsman had blinked, he would have missed it.
Owain had seen these weapons before. In fact, they were used by a certain group of Hylian pirates that he and his friends were allies with. However, they were the only people he had ever seen use such weapons. He had always thought they were some unique invention that they had. He never imaged that Nohr had also created a similar weapon.
"I bet you've never seen one of these before, have you?" Niles commented. "It's called a rifle."
"Yea, I know." Owain responded. "When my ears heard that such an incredible invention had been named without my permission, my heart went into an unstoppable fury."
"This is just the first of Nohr's inventions. Lord Leo is actually working on some new weapons himself. It wouldn't surprise me, if he asked us to name them." Niles responded.
"Really? My heart leaps with excitement." Owain announced. "You must show me these new bludgeons so that I can provide them with a proper name befitting of our new lord."
"Sorry, no can do." Niles warned.
"What but why?" Owain cried out in despair. "For I am the namer of names, Odin, of the Jet Black! You shall not deprive me of..."
"They're top secret" Niles explained. "The only people who are allowed into his workshop to view them are his highness, the crowned Prince, and Lord Leo. Not even I've been allowed to know what they are yet."
"A secret weapon?" Owain practically jumped for joy. "Why, never before has my blood ached so rigorously. Why I can't wait until the unraveling of this great mystery transpires."
"Um sure..." Niles answered. It was pretty clear that both his and Owain's unique way of talking wasn't exactly mixing well.
Severa and Beruka stood in the same room, glaring at one another with their arms crossed. Neither of them had said a word to one another yet.
"All right, I've had enough. Let's go." Severa challenged.
Beruka didn't respond as she merely continued to glare at Severa.
"I mean fight." Severa informed. "I think it's time we settle our score once and for all."
"Score?" Beruka asked uninterested.
"That's right, I plan on being Camilla's number one retainer. What better way to show my worth than to beat you." Severa informed.
"I have no interest in battling someone like you." Beruka responded, indifferently.
"What, and what's that suppose to mean?" Severa growled.
"Because you are weak." Beruka responded.
"Weak?" How dare you." Severa almost shouted. "I bet you're just scared that I'll beat you in front of Lady Camilla."
"If Lady Camilla were to order us to battle, then that would be a different story." Beruka answered. "However, I have no interest in fighting some petty battle just because you're insecure with your own self worth."
"Insecure, me? Ha, you don't know the first thing about me." Severa shot back.
"Perhaps. I know nothing about your past, nor the land you come." Beruka agreed. "However, I have silently observed you over this past week. You complete every task beyond expectations and then try to compare how much better you did than anyone else. You've challenged multiple people to different contests and won't leave them alone until they accept and you're victorious. Even if you are strong physically, mentally, you are weak."
"What! Don't be ridiculous." Severa denied.
Her have low self esteem? How absurd, Severa thought to herself. She was a woman of beauty with countless talents and esteemed fighting capabilities. Surely someone like her would have plenty of self confidence. She merely wanted to be the best at whatever task was put in front of her. Even if she was undercover, she wasn't going to let someone else out-do her. After all, it wasn't her fault her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Perfect and they did nothing but pressure her to be like them. Severa gritted her teeth as she so wanted to say something snotty, but her attitude quickly changed as she saw Camilla and Elise walking down the hall.
"My ladies." Severa greeted, as she and Beruka bowed. "What can I do for you?"
"Severa, Beruka, Corrin is about to take his Test of Adulthood." Camilla informed them. "I want you to gather our retainers and have them meet us at the coliseum. Also, find Effie and make sure she watches over Elise as she won't be joining us."
"But I want to see Onii-chan fight." Elise argued.
"No Elise, this trial is not for the eyes of children. You will not be watching." Camilla asserted.
"That's not fair, everyone else gets to watch!" Elise continued to fight with her older sister.
"I said no Elise!" Camilla practically shouting. "I'm your older sister, and what I say is final, got it.""
"No, what I say is final." King Garon, corrected as he walked into the room, followed by the rest of his children. "Elise too will attend. Having her watch this will be educational for her development as a princess of Nohr."
Camilla gritted her teeth. She couldn't believe her father was serious. He actually wanted Elise to watch this? However, what he had said was true; his word was final. There was no arguing with him.
"Yes... father." Camilla reluctantly agreed.
"Yea!" Elise cheered excitedly.
"Corrin, before you begin your test, it is time I present my own present to you." King Garon added. "Follow me."
Corrin and his adopted siblings followed their father into an empty chamber where a sword was laying on a lone pedestal. The blade appeared to be made of a combination of fragments composed of a strange flesh like material and metal. It's blade curved just slightly in the shape of an S, and a purple aura surrounded it. It was clearly a creation forged from dark magic. However, because Nohr was a kingdom known for its use of dark arts, the blade did not frighten Corrin or any of his siblings.
"This blade is called Ganglari." Caron informed. "It's imbued with extraordinary dark magic; worthy of a prince of Nohr to wield. Corrin, do you except this weapon and the responsibility that wielding it will carry."
"Yes, of course." Corrin responded without hesitation.
"Very well, draw the blade."
Corrin reached over to the blade and unsheathed it from its pedestal. As soon as he touched it, he felt overwhelming power surging through the weapon.
"It will take some time to master." King Garon advised. "However, I feel that your test of Adulthood will be the perfect opportunity to wield it."
"Yes, thank you father." Corrin thanked his father.
"Excellent, now let us go to the coliseum. Your challengers are already waiting."
As King Garon and his children made their way to the colliseum, Corrin was finally able to speak with his father as they walked through the castle halls together for the first time in so many years.
"It feels like a dream, finally being able to walk the halls of Krakensein castle." Corrin commented. "Thank father, for finally allowing me to come out of the fortress."
"No, you owe it to your own dedication. When Xander informed me that you were able to hold your own against him in your last sparing match, I knew you were finally strong enough to venture out into the world on your own. Corrin, as you know, Nohr is currently in the middle of a war with Hoshido, the kingdom to the east. Hoshido, a kingdom we would view as a paradise, where the people have all that they need, while our people are forced to suffer and live on scraps. Even though our people suffer and many other lands suffer, they ignore all pleas for assistance, and instead feed their fat stomachs. They even go as far as instigating battles along the border."
"Yes, I've read about the wars we've fought in some books." Corrin responded. "I wonder why they refuse to help Nohr in its time of need."
"I'm afraid that's one question I do not have the answer to. Even so, Nohr's suffering has made us stronger." Garon added. "Running through our royal family is the blood of the black dragon. With his might and protection, we shall seize the power to bring our country the greatness it deserves. You will soon be participating in battles against the Hoshidan scum that steal all the pleasures of life for themselves. Are you prepared for such a thing?"
"Yes. I have worked tirelessly on military drills. I am ready for battle." Corrin assured the king.
"Excellent, here we are."
Garon and his children entered the coliseum where Morgan and the other retainers were already present and awaiting them.
"Where is Arthur?" Elise asked, noticing that Effie was once again on her own.
"I apologize, but Arthur is unable to join us." Effie replied. "While in town picking up supplies, a child almost got ran over by a runaway wagon. While Arthur heroically pushed him away, the wagon somehow managed to change direction and run him over instead. Don't worry, though, he'll be back on his feet within a couple of days."
Corrin now stood in the middle of the arena, with his siblings watching him from the stands. King Garon now sat just a couple rows up from the front, with Xander standing at his side, and Leo just one more seat over. All three males looked on with confident looks on their faces. Camilla and Elise stood on the front row. Elise looked on with excitement, while Camilla gripped the railings while still gritting her teeth. Felicia stood on the sidelines of the coliseum. Why she was even on the arena floor, though, was still a mystery to Morgan.
Morgan and the rest of the retainers sat a little further back, looking down at the scene. Morgan and his friends seemed more interested on the blade that Corrin was holding than anything else. They didn't know why, but there was something oddly ominous about the weapon. Being so far away, they couldn't get a clear view of it, but it just wasn't feeling right with them for some reason.
Before the battle, Garon spoke his last words to his son.
"As you know, the test of adulthood is one that all Nohrian royals are expected to pass before being considered true adults and being able to enter the battlefield. Xander, Camilla, and Leo have already passed it. I look forward to seeing your success today. Now, bring out the prisoners."
Everyone looked at the opened doors on the other side of the coliseum, awaiting for Corrin's opponents, only for no one to enter.
"I said, bring out the prisoners!" Garon shouted angrily.
A single shuriken was thrown towards King Garon's head. However, with astonishing speed for a man of his age, the king drew a large battle ax that he kept at his side and reflected it.
"Who dares!" The Nohrian king snarled.
A single figure walked out of the doorway, whose appearance would have made any female melt where they stood. His shining jade colored hair flowed down his perfectly shaped cheeks and neck. His strong body was covered in a black ninja outfit with the middle of his large chest and upper part of his rock solid abs exposed. His muscular arms were covered in light weight, steel armor with large curved blades jutting out of wrists, with his foot guards were made of a similar metal. Finally a long purple scarf around his neck blew in the wind as he looked on at the Nohrian royal family with his sparkling eyes and handsomely framed face.
Despite his handsome appearance, this warrior's cloths were rather shredded, as there were several minor wounds along his body. He was breathing heavily. It was pretty clear that he had just been in some sort of battle.
"Well, well, it looks like Corrin has an interesting opponent." Camilla commented. "It's almost too bad he'll have to do away with this one."
"You're not the one who was arranged to fight, where are the other prisoners?" King Garon barked.
"I'm afraid your gruesome form of amusement will have to be postponed." The ninja spoke in a soft and respectful tone, yet at the same time held strength and confidence to it. "Currently those that you captured will be returning to their families and loved ones."
"Father, I'm not sure what happened." Xander apologized. "All of the prisoners were properly secured."
"Yes, well, it appears your jails were not properly equipped to restrain me." The ninja responded.
A second warrior ran out of the same door that the ninja has appeared through. The warrior was a fiery looking woman with tan skin, bright red eyes, and muscular body. On the top of her head she wore a mask with long red hair that mixed with her natural white hair. Her tan face had red makeup on it in the form of two red stripes under each eye. All she wore over her chest was some cloth over her breasts, leaving her muscular abs exposed. Her pants were rather baggy, and over her wrists she wore a pair of red gauntlets made of leather like material.
"Kaze, what are you doing here, everyone else has already escaped." The young woman proclaimed. "We need to get out of here too"
"Yes, but unfortunately, there is something I must do here." The ninja spoke, as he seemed to peering towards Corrin carefully.
"Seriously, you're actually going to try to hold them off?" The woman asked. "And here I thought I was supposed to be the impulsive one."
"Yes, I suppose you could say that. Lady Rinka-san, I'd advise that you head out with the others while you still can." Kaze recommended. "I will unfortunately be staying here."
"What? Fat chance. We'd all still be prisoners if it weren't for you. I'm sticking right here." Rinka informed. "All right you Nohrian scum, I am Rinka, princess of the fire tribe, and ally of Hoshido. I may die today fighting here, but I fully plan on taking some of you down with me!"
"As fiery as ever, I see." Kaze sighed.
The handsome ninja then turned to Corrin, as he continued to stare at him with the same analyzing gaze.
"Tell me, Nohrian prince, what is your name?" Kaze asked.
"Corrin, why do you ask?" Corrin responded.
"Corrin...I see. Very well Prince Corrin. My name is Suzukaze." Kaze introduced himself using his full name. "I hope you're prepared to fight to the death. Lady Rinka-san, if you do insist on staying, I'd ask you to not intervene in my battle against him."
"I'm not sure what's gotten into you Kaze, but if that's what you wish, I'll let you deal with him then." The fire princess responded.
Kaze got into his battle position, drawing a miniature katana known as a kodachi. His back arched forward with his legs spread out. His arms were crossed like an X as his held his blade backwards, pointing it outward towards Corrin.
As the ninja took a step forward, Corrin, quickly raised his blade to defend. However, before the young prince could even blink, the ninja suddenly vanished.
"You should really keep a better eye on your opponent my lord," the ninja lectured.
Corrin turned in shock. Standing behind him was his opponent with his back against his.
"If you don't, you'll be struck down in this battle within a moment's glance." The ninja continued to instruct as if he was speaking to a young student, keeping his same respectful demeanor the entire time.
Corrin spun around and slashed his blade towards the ninja, only for Kaze to spin around and block the blow with his own blade. The skilled ninja then began an aggressive onslaught of slashes, immediately forcing Corrin on the defensive as a Corrin was forced to continuously step backwards, blocking the ninja's lightning fast blows.
Morgan and the others watched in dismay. Even though the three swordsman in the party were known for their own swiftness, even they had to admit that this warrior was fast as they had trouble keeping up with the agile ninja's movements.
Kaze managed to strike Corrin across the shoulder with his blade, and then kicked him in the stomach, causing him to stumble backwards.
"Onii-chan!" Elise cried, out drawing her gold healing staff. Elise pointed her staff towards Corrin, only for Camilla to grab it out of her hand.
"Elise no, you cannot interfere." Camilla lectured. The eldest princess then turned to her father and brothers. Even Leo was beginning to show a look of concern now.
"Father, this man, he's a high ranked ninja. Corrin is not ready to battle of someone like him yet." Camilla spoke up. "I know I shouldn't help him, but based on the circumstances..."
"No." King Garon cut off. "The trial will commence regardless. Besides, that's what she's here for."
Garon turned to Felicia who was still standing on the sidelines with a nervous look on her face.
"Do your job woman." Garon barked.
"R-right." Felicia responded rather meekly. "I'll try my best."
Morgan and his three friends looked on in shock. Her job? Felicia was just a maid, and not even a good one from what they noticed. Why would they be sending her on the field against such opponents. Were they really stooping so low to use her as a decoy.
Felicia drew her own healing staff and pointed it toward Corrin. Even from a distance, the staff worked it's magic. Healing Corrin's wound and bringing him back to full strength.
"Lady Rinka-san." Kaze instructed.
"You got it." The fire princess agreed, charging towards Felicia, wielding a large spiked, metal club.
The poor maid was doomed. The fire princes swung her club, releasing a burst of flames out of it towards the poor girl. However, at the last moment the pink haired maid dodged the flames and charged towards the fire princess with speed that rivaled the high ranking ninja. From under her dress, Felicia drew a pair of blue daggers. The maid jumped into the air and performed a three-sixty as she threw several knives made of ice towards the fire princess.
Rinka jumped back to dodge the ice daggers that had materialized in the pink haired maid's hands. However, Felecia didn't let up her attack. The young maid landed perfectly on her feet as she rushed towards the fire princes, putting her on the defensive just as fast as Kaze did to Corrin, performing several acrobatic kicks combined with a serious of knife stabs.
As Rinka swung her club, releasing another blast of flames out of it, Felicia jumped back to avoid the attack. As the maid jumped back, several daggers made of ice then began to hover around her. The daggers then pointed towards Rinka and flew towards the her. Rinka performed a quick round house kick, releasing a trail of flames from her foot, evaporating the ice.
Felicia then attacked Rinka once again with a series of stabs from her blades, the knives leaving trails of ice crystals in the air with their movements, much as Rinka's attacks left trails of fire.
Morgan watched the two women fight, analyzing their abilities. It was clear that Rinka was far stronger physically. The way she swung her giant club around as if it was nothing; her strength would probably rival that of a berserker. However her strength was nothing compared to Felicia's incredible speed and fighting talents. What was surprising Morgan and his friends the most about the two women though were their unique abilities to manipulate the elements. Even Morgan, who knowledge was nearly infinite when it came to warfare and magic, was baffled. He was able to figure out that it was a type of magic, but the way they were using it was completely different than how most mages performed mystic arts. These women weren't chanting spells, nor were they using tomes or other magical weapons. It was as if they were manipulating the elements as an extension of their own wills.
"Those ice abilities." Rinka spoke. "Are you..."
"Yes, I am Felicia, a warrior of the ice tribe." The maid introduced. "While I do not wish to fight, if you try to hurt my lord, then you will have to go through me first."
However, despite Felicia's claims of not wishing to fight, she had shocked Morgan and his friend's with her amazing fighting capabilities. Between her healing abilities, martial arts prowess, and strange ice magic, she was quite possibly the most skilled combatant fighting at the moment. She was easily one of the top fighters Morgan and his friends had met so far during their journey.
As Rinka once again swung her club towards Felicia, the maid jumped into the air and grabbed the fire princess's wrist. Felicia then kicked the fire princes to the ground, performing a perfect back flip before touching the ground herself.
Felicia then turned her attention back towards Corrin who was still trying to fend off Kaze's attacks. Corrin was still on the defensive, blocking blow after blow. However, while Kaze currently had the upper hand, Corrin was already studying the ninja's abilities. Corrin was quick to recognize the ninja's attack patterns, as well as his strengths and weaknesses. While this ninja was surely quick, his attacks lacked strength behind them. Even when the first one had connected, it had done minimal damage to Corrin, which had allowed Felicia to heal him quickly. Also, with the ninja's light weight clothing, he himself was vulnerable to counter attacks. All Corrin would have to do was find the right moment to strike, and the battle would be over quickly.
"My lord, I'm coming!" Felicia, declared, as she began to rush over to Corrin to assist him against his battle against Kaze.
"Oh no you don't!" Rinka shouted, getting back to her feet and swinging her club, releasing another blast of flames towards Felicia.
Felicia quickly slammed the ground with her palm, causing a glacier of ice to rise up in front of the flames. As the powerful fire and ice attacks met, steam began to fill the arena. Rinka continued to release blast after blast of fire from her clubs and feet towards Felicia, who continued to counter with her own ice techniques, canceling out each attack.
"Felicia, stop!" Corrin warned, seeing the strategy.
Morgan's eyes widened, he too saw what was going on. However, it was too late. The entire arena was now covered in a thick fog, blinding everyone's view of the combatants.
Corrin jumped back and stood with his weapon in the defensive position, not knowing where his enemy was going to attack. He then felt a blade cut along a weak spot of his armor. Corrin turned his body to where he felt the attack, only to be hit by another attack, just like the first.
"You should not rely solely on your eyes in battle." Kaze's voice echoed through the fog. "Sight is the easiest sense to fool."
Corrin felt yet another cut along his skin as he began to stumble.
"While you have fought well, I'm afraid it must end here. Fare thee well, young prince. I promise to make this quick." Kaze proclaimed.
"My lord!" Felicia cried out, trying to find her lord within all the fog. Without knowing his location, she couldn't properly heal him. She was beginning to panic.
"Father, if we don't do something, Corrin's going to die!" Camilla shouted.
"Very well, I suppose that because this is due to his partner's incompetence, I will allow him an additional assistant in battle." King Garon agreed. The Hohrian king then turned to Gunter who began to get up from his seat. However, before the elderly general could go down to assist the young prince, Morgan cut in.
"Well, I guess it's time to show my stuff." Morgan volunteered, stepping down to the arena.
"You will most certainly not. I will be joining Prince Corrin." General Gunter instructed.
"Sorry, already volunteered." Morgan informed, as he jumped into the fog.
"You'd better protect my little brother, or I'll have your head, Anthony." Camilla warned.
"Actually, I can't fight." Morgan shouted into the fog as happy as ever. "When it comes to combat, I'm actually pretty useless."
Everyone now stood silent; even Rinka, and Kaze had ceased their attacks against their opponents, as they were now completely baffled as to why this boy would volunteer. Not only that, but Corrin's siblings, even Xander, had a look of rage on their face that said they were ready to kill Morgan.
"I do have one ability that may be of use though." Morgan stated, as he slammed the ground with his hands. "Rally Spectrum!"
A spell circle made of a prism of colors suddenly appeared beneath Morgan's feet, as an aura made of the same colors surrounded Corrin and Felicia's bodies.
"This strength." Felicia commented as she felt Morgan's spell affect her body. "I've never felt so strong before."
By this time, the steam that Kaze was using as a smoke screen had cleared, putting him in clear view of Corrin. Corrin charged towards the ninja with speed he never before thought he had, attacking his opponent with all his might.
Felicia went after Rinka as Corrin fought against Kaze once again. As Rinka brought her club down on Felicia, the pink haired maid blocked the attack with her new enhanced strength as she pushed the fire princess backwards. Felicia then summoned a powerful blizzard towards the fire princess. Rinka tried to defend against the spell with a fire attack, but Felicia's increased abilities allowed her ice attack to push through the flames, blowing Rinka to the ground. The fire tribe princess attempted to get back to her feet after the powerful magical attack, only to fall to her hands and knees panting. Being struck by that last strike had exhausted the last of her strength to the extent that she couldn't even stand.
Corrin continued to push Kaze back with his blows. Eventually, Kaze's blade shattered against Corrin's, allowing the young prince slash the ninja across the chest. The ninja skidded backwards next to his fallen partner. Kaze gripped his wound as he dropped to one knee and lowered his head.
"Well played young prince." Kaze complimented. "I did not expect you to have a support mage on your side."
"You were strong opponents." Corrin complimented. "I'm not sure we would have been victorious without his assistance."
"Corrin, what are you doing? Finish them off." King Garon ordered.
"Father, these people can no longer fight. Besides, my opponent was already weakened from a previous battle. There would be no honor in killing these two." Corrin objected.
"What did you say?" Garon gasped. "I told you to kill them!"
"What? But father!" Corrin tried to argue.
"Kill them?" Elise cried out, now finally learning what Corrin's true test was. "But why?"
"How foolish." Garon sneered at his two children, getting to his feet.
A dark aura began to surround Garon's body. Much to Corrin's dismay, the Nohrian king released a ball of flames towards the fire tribe princess. The blast struck the princess, knocking her to the ground.
"You...bastard..." The fire princess growled, unable to move her body. If it had been anyone else struck by that attack, they most likely would have been killed.
Garon then turned to Kaze as he cast an identical attack towards the ninja, only for Corrin to jump between it and block it aside with his blade.
"Corrin, what are you doing?" Xander asked angrily. "General Gunter, did you not mentally prepare Corrin for this task?"
"My lord, I apologize, but I was informed that you would be the one." Gunter explained.
"What, I gave no such instruction." Xander answered rather aggressively. "Who told you that?"
Gunter stopped as he looked towards the Nohrian King for a moment and then turned back to the crowned prince.
"I don't recall my lord." The elder general responded. Gunter then turned back to the Nohrian King as he bowed. "Your highness, please forgive Prince Corrin. I will take full responsibility for his lack of preparation."
"Very well." Garon agreed. "Xander, I leave the execution of the Hoshido soldiers to you then. If things were turned around, they wouldn't hesitate to kill us."
Xander gritted his teeth for a moment, as he then faced his father.
"Very well, as you command, father." The eldest prince agreed, walking down to the coliseum as he drew his blade.
"Corrin, stand aside." Xander instructed.
"Brother..." Corrin was practically lost for words at what his older brother was about to do.
Corrin merely stood, refusing to budge, forcing Xander to grab his younger adopted brother by the shoulder and roughly pushed him to the side. Xander then raised his blade over Kaze's head. The ninja didn't move. He remained perfectly still, accepting his fate.
" Xander, no!" Corrin cried, running back to his older brother and pull him away from the injured man before he could kill him.
"Corrin, that's enough!" Xander barked, breaking free from the young prince's grip. Xander then kicked his younger in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. Corrin gripped his stomach in pain, gasping for air.
"No, stop!" Elise cried, about to jumped down into the coliseum to get between her two brothers. However, before she could, Camilla wrapping her arms around her younger sister's waist as she lifted her off the ground and restrained her.
"Stop it. Stop hurting Onii-chan?" Elise continued to cry out as she struggled in her older sister's arms.
"Elise, stop." Camilla instructed. "This is how a trial of adulthood is. Why do you think I didn't want you to watch in the first place."
The eldest Nohrian princess then turned to her oldest brother with angry eyes.
"Xander, brothers should not be fighting in this matter." Camilla lectured.
Corrin got back to his feet, still regaining his breath.
"I'm sorry, Xander, but I just can't let you kill them." Corrin huffed for air. " Even if they would kill us, that doesn't give us the right to act the same way."
Without warning, Morgan picked up Kaze's fallen blade and ran it through the fire princess's chest, finishing her off.
Elise let out a scream of horror upon seeing the defeated woman's death.
"Anthony!" Corrin shouted in disbelief.
Severa, Owain, and Inigo looked on it shock as well. No way. There was no way Morgan just did that. It didn't matter if they were undercover or not. He would never stoop so low as to kill a helpless opponent.
"My apologies." Morgan addressed the Nohrian king. "However, where I come from, it is a servant's job to perform dirty tasks, not a member of royalty. So in Prince Corrin's name, I shall execute these prisoners properly. That is, if it's O.K. with the prince."
Morgan turned to Corrin, the young prince's face was still horrified. However, that's when he saw some sort of sparkle in the young boy's eye as he raised his eye brows at him. While Corrin barely knew this boy, he felt like he could trust him, whatever he was up to.
"Very well." Corrin agreed.
Morgan walked over and slit Kaze's throat with the blade, the ninja's dead body falling to the ground. Morgan then turned back to the audience who was still looking in dismay at this mercilessness act. King Garon was simply smiling with pleasure at the boy.
"Now, would anyone mind helping me clean up this mess? I wouldn't want these bodies to dirty the coliseum." Morgan asked.
Morgan gave Owain a glance and nodded. His three friends had figured it out. He knew they would.
"I shall assist in this matter. For, I shall leave no trace of their rotten bodies." Owain offered as he walked down the steps towards the battle arena. "EMBER!"
The two dead bodies were suddenly engulfed in flames, not leaving a trace of their existence.
Garon turned and looked in Morgan's direction.
"They're dead..." Elise began to cry. Camilla released her grip on her older sister; the young girl fell to her knees as tears flowed down from her face. "They're really dead..."
"You said your name is Anthony, correct?" Garon asked, ignoring his daughter's whimpers.
"Yes your highness." Morgan responded.
"I think you'll go far here in Nohr." Garon complimented. Garon then turned Corrin with a look of disgust. "Corrin, return to the Northern Fortress. We will speak of your actions later."
The Nohrian King then turned and walked out of the coliseum, leaving his children and the retainers to their own devices.
"That was quite the clever plan." Leo complimented, as he glanced at Owain and Morgan with suspicion. "Possibly too clever."
"Plan?" Camilla asked, not understanding what had just occurred.
"Yes." Leo began to explain. "Casting fire magic to use it as a smoke screen for a teleportation spell. I get the impression that those two warriors weren't actually dead."
"What? You mean Anthony didn't kill them?" Elise stopped crying and began to perk up.
"I thought something seemed odd." Xander commented. "That explains why I felt like I was seeing some illusion. So be it."
Xander began to walk out of the coliseum with his two retainers quickly joining up behind him.
"I will keep this quiet and not report it father." Xander informed everyone. "However, if this does come back to haunt any of you, do not expect me to be able to shelter you from father's wrath."
Once Xander had departed, Gunter turned to speak with Corrin.
"My lord, we should return to the Northern Fortress as your father instructed." The elderly general informed. "I think it would be best for you to get a good night's sleep after this matter."
Corrin did as he was told, returning to the fortress with his two retainers. He stood in the doorway of his room, looking upon his bedroom. If it had not been for those two; Anthony and Odin, there was no telling what would have happened. All he wanted to do was make his father proud and be able to finally venture out into the world on his own.
Most importantly though, he felt like he had let his family down. While he had never been allowed to leave the fortress, his father and siblings had made sure that his every need was met. Inside his room was a king-sized bed with plenty of blankets, as well as fine furniture, and a desk with a chair pulled underneath it. There were shelves filled with books of various topics: including philosophies, folktales, and war strategies. Anything that he could get his hands on he read, wanting to learn everything he could about the outside world. In the corner of his room, was a large piano that he became quite accomplished on, and on his desk was a piece of paper with a poem Corrin had written.
"You shouldn't beat yourself up too hard, my lord."
General Gunter stood behind Corrin, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Yea, but I defied Father." Corrin spoke. "After everything he's done for me, all I did was show weakness during today's trial."
"That's not true, you performed rather admirable today." Gunter assured.
"I wasn't talking about my fighting." Corrin informed.
"Nor was I." Gunter informed, walking into the room, and peering into a bird cage that was now empty. It had once held an injured bird that Corrin had found outside and nursed back to health before releasing.
"Your respect towards others lives is not a weakness my lord. It is a strength and an important virtue that many have unfortunately forgotten in today's world." Gunter explained. "While there may be a time in your life when you are forced to take a life, never let go of these emotions that you carry. For they are what will prevent you from becoming a monster during these hard times."
"Right, thank you, Gunter." Corrin thanked his mentor.
"Now, get some rest." The old general instructed. "I fear we may have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Right." Corrin agreed.
Gunter left the young prince alone so he could change in private and get ready for bed. As Corrin laid on his bed, the current day's events couldn't stop flowing through his mind. While Gunter's words had comforted him regarding his actions, he still couldn't help but think of Xander's and his father's. For today, he had seen a side of them that he had never before.
Authors Notes: So Nohr will have rifles as their long ranged units, while Hoshido will have archers still. I did this to make a greater contrast between the two kingdoms, making Nohr seem more progressive in their military ideas while Hoshido is more conservative. However, The rifles Nohr has are extremely primitive so they aren't overpowering. They are more powerful than bows and their bullets travel faster than arrows, but they take longer time to reload. Also, hold fashion rifles can be much less accurate than someone with a bow. This is because the invention of rifles was an equalizer. You can give anyone a firearm and teach him or her how to point and shoot. On the other hand, during medieval times, archers were expected to begin training during early childhood. This once again is suppose to show a contrast between Nohr's thinking vs. Hoshido's.