Break the silence

Corrin didn't waver. Upon seeing Azura sinking into that mysterious light emitting from the lake, his body moved on its own. The little rationality Leo managed to drum into him pointed Azura as the songstress from the theatre. Not only their song was the same, but the sensation he got when looking at her was identical. If he reached her hand as she drowned, maybe he'd get some answers for the pile of uncertainties in his mind.

However, when he dived after the princess, a powerful whirlpool of some kind appeared, creating a tunnel of water with spiraling moves. He tried looking back at Miles to check if he was safe, but he was nowhere to be found. Without a chance to fight back or to worry about breathing, Corrin was taken through the unknown depths. The force of the waves messed with his hair, and his cape was close to losing its straps. Although he protected his face, the pressure was distressing. After a while, everything became black, calming down until it was over.

When he regained his consciousness and opened his eyes, Corrin wasn't at the forest's lake. How to describe such an out-of-the-way location? He felt dizzy only by gazing at the pieces of floating islands upside down. Although there were lakes similar to the pond from which he was expelled, its water didn't fall down, as gravity taught him. Mountains facing every direction possible… green plains that curved in unimaginable ways… waterfalls going upwards… ancient ruins eroded by the flow of breezes and time…

"Tell me… Why are you here?" A voice asked next to him. When Corrin turned, he found a frowning princess looking his way.

"Azura? Wh-what happened? I dive onto the lake to save you… and then…" He tried to rationalize, pressing his hand against his head to stop the dizziness that made his world spin even further.

"You shouldn't be here, Corrin. Go back while you still can." The bluehead advised, maintaining her distance to him. She was shocked of having been followed, and by Corrin, of all people!

"Go back? What do you mean? Where are we?" The prince asked as his mind started molding to that place's structure. The less he thought about 'up' or 'down', the less confused he felt. There was something familiar in that place, but he couldn't put it in words. It was an unsettling feeling.

The songstress looked away, refusing to answer any of those questions. If she did, she would be planting more doubts than the questions she'd be clearing, and she didn't want her burdens to attach to Corrin. He had enough problems on his own. A glitter caught her attention from the corner of her eye.

"Corrin! Watch out!"

As the warning made Corrin tense up, he unsheathed his golden sword and placed it between him and the sharp blade trying to slice him open. With a push of force, he sent his attacker away and gave a big hop backwards to return by Azura's side.

The 'thing' that assaulted him was different to what Corrin was used to, but it wasn't that unfamiliar: he recollected meeting some foes similar to that one… back in Hoshido: a translucent fighter with a powerful drive to kill.

"Who is this person? Why is he attacking me?!" The draconian prince asked his partner, desperate to know the grade in which their lives were in danger.

"This is bad…" The princess grunted, biting her nails. "We need to get out of here, Corrin! That thing attacking you may look human, but it's only a monster now. It feels no emotion. It can't love or even communicate. A soulless killing machine. If you get close, it will surely destroy you." She told him, pulling his arm to flee from the monster.

"But- Azura! There's nowhere to run!" Corrin retorted, noticing how the songstress gazed back at the calmed down pond they came from.

"What?! Oh no… The path has closed." She understood, gazing at the tunnel-less surface of the pool. She gazed back at Corrin, and the monsters meeting in the distance. They were trapped in that island. "That means we'll have to fight our way through."

"Understood! Stay close to me, Azura!" The prince nodded, frowning as he entered his battle-mode. He wouldn't enjoy slicing down human-like monsters, but if there was nothing else he could do, he'd have to endure it. A hand wrapped his softly. When Corrin glimpsed left, he found the dancer close to him.

"Don't die on me, Corrin… Not before I can tell you the truth…" She muttered with her eyes distant and her body shaky.

No, but, really. Like, really real. You know? There are just so many things I must do before I die… Um… er… *Sigh* I guess it's of no use to beg for my life, huh? Fate has already made pretty clear what my place is, and now that it has noticed I have joined somewhere I don't belong to, it's trying to take me back the hard way. … Dammit.

Those translucent people had reached the shore, and I wouldn't stay put to find out their intentions. If things weren't bad enough, it started raining, making the task of seeing them a lot harder.

… If something like fate does exist… something that you can sweet-talk, I mean… Then it's worth a try at the very least.

"Destiny, please, help m-"

The agile sword fighter jumped on me to try cutting me in half, but I stepped to one side and moved away from the others. The mud under my boots almost made me fall pathetically, but I waved my arms to regain balance.

"Ha! I'm no main character after all, huh? I don't want to check if I'm death-proof…" As I readied, so did they. "BAH! Bad people last longer, and I am bad to the bone!" I grinned savagely, prepared to fight until breathing my last.

However, even if I encourage myself to battle five enemies hard to see, a character such as myself will have troubles to take'em on. That is why I decided to run. Call it cowardice if so you want. I'd rather call it strategic retreat. Sounds cooler!

Upon reentering the forest, they began chasing me. Some of them were faster than I was. I wouldn't be able to put enough distance between me and them at that rate. I looked back after jumping over a mush. Two of them, a sword user and a lance user, were the closest to me. I'd have to risk it. If I took care of those two, maybe I'd be able to take care of the remaining three…

I moved towards the sword fighter by aligning him with his partner. That way, I'd leave the other out of the equation and getting myself a 1 on 1. The noisy of the heavy armors of the slower ones made my heart race faster.

My enemy raised his sword with the intention of getting retribution from the last miss. I casted a fireball on my hand, but I didn't launch it. I noticed from the balls Elise sent me how hard they were. They made a good homemade shield.

The blade cut through the stone like it was cheese though. I would have lost my hand if his slice hadn't lost some of its force, but I got a painful wound on my palm. I would make a poem out of my stupidity believing my magic was as strong as Elise's. Of course my spells are weak! What was I even thinking?!

But it wasn't over. As the sword finished slicing the side of my palm, a spear pierced through my attacker's chest, spilling a lot of blood on me. If I hadn't backpedaled, it would have got my head, but instead the peak of the spear pinched my shoulder until touching the bone.

After unplugging the peak of the lance that got my shoulder, I grabbed its rod and placed a foot on the swordsman coughing to death. Then, with all of my strength, I pulled the lance at the same time I kicked them away.

As the irony of being betrayed was meaningless to the dying man, it was funny that his weight was now trapping his murderer. I swallowed down my fears and my repulsion to then jump on them and sink the lance I stole into the ground through their twisting bodies, at least fixing those two together and rendering them, alive or dead or whatever, unable to chase me any further.

The water ran down my skin and reached to my wounds as though it wanted to freeze my veins. The arrow from last time felt more painful, but the areas I got hurt were involved in wide movements, making it itchy to move. My knees wouldn't stop trembling, but I don't blame them.

After a loud crack of a branch, I realized the others had caught up to us. I turned back to flee, but I slipped over the wet blade that the swordsmen dropped. I heard a heavy grunt, which was probably the preparation for unleashing a heavy blow. I ignored what kind of weapon that huge foe behind me wielded, but all I knew was that I had to roll away.

While I did that, a heavy mace smashed the ground, crushing the plants that were under me before. I got up as fast as I could and started dashing away. I gave up on fighting them any further. I couldn't take it anymore.

A bloodied spear pierced the air targeting me, but it failed thanks to the weather. However, the worst thing of that last attack was its message: I had nowhere to hide. They'd hunt me down. My mind went blank. What should I do? Which action promised my salvation and which guided me to death?

As I arrived at a little valley, something hit my head bluntly, knocking me down in a blink. A… shield? They probably had spread to cover possible escape routes. I may have been able to heard them coming, but not with the heavy rain thickening.

As I rested on the ground, I saw the three huge guys meeting up in front of me, gazing at me like the predator that is going to devour a prey. Slowly, I raised my wounded hand with the intention of casting a spell, but I couldn't focus properly to do so. They didn't even move in response to my failed attempts of fighting for my life. They just watched in silence.

"Who… who are you?" I asked with difficulty, trying to buy as much time as I could. You know, just like I did with Freken. The only thing they replied was an incomprehensible grunt. "What do you want from me?" Another grunt. …

I soon realized it was of no use. They were literal monsters. If they had a soul, they would at least tell me 'we are not going to tell you' in a mockery way. Haven't you seen how cats play with mice before eating them? Alike. However, they didn't seem to want anything from me besides my death.

My body refused to follow my command any longer. I was too stiff and dazzled. I looked into the sky, wishing I could see the stars one last time. … I'd lie to myself when saying that it was probable that Corrin came to my rescue, but I doubted there was a single possibility of surviving again. Life had tried enough times throwing me to the wolves. First, the miracle was Corrin. Then, Elise. … Third time lucky? Hahahah…

Agonizing over the foot my executioner landed on my chest, the huge mace of wood rose over everyone's head. For the first time, I finally saw those three without that strange translucency spell. They were dressing like warriors similar to Nohr's, but their emblem was different. How curious… the things one notices when you're about to die. *Cough* Yeah. Again.

A sudden beam of light struck my attackers, creating an explosion behind them that pushed them up into the air.

"Prepare yourselves, blasted monsters!" A familiar voice roared.

I crouched on the ground and wished the dirt that fell on me was enough to shelter me from the explosions. The waves were so powerful the rain began to clear. Or maybe it was just coincidence. I was kinda close to dying, so forgive me if my analysis is a little off.

After the one-sided slaughter was over, I raised my head to look for my… savior? By the end of the war, if I am still alive, I'll have to call everyone my savior! *Giggles*

Floating around a dragon stone, Lilith searched for any leftovers she should vanquish. She seemed to be muttering something to herself, but she was too high into the sky as for me to overhear.

"Lilith! Miles down here!" I called here, identifying myself before anything. Who knew if she wasn't going to blast another one of her dragon beams on me on accident? As her golden eyes found me, her surprise grew bigger, but then it disappeared while she approached me.

"It's you… What are you doing here?" The fishy dragon wondered, keeping her distance. I imagined it was because of her shy nature, so I paid it no mind.

"Oh, you know. On a knife's edge. Just tempting fate for the twentieth time." I joked, a smile popping on my lips: the sweet taste of survival. "Thank you for saving me, Lilith. Without you, I'd be a goner by now." I appreciated, trying to get closer to her. However, as I moved onwards, she floated away, narrowing her eyes.

"Liar."

I was, indeed, a liar. Nonetheless, I didn't expect to get reprimanded by Lilith, whose relation I had yet to work on. I could feel a dangerous note on her.

"Um…"

"Shut up! I am aware of your true intentions!" She ordered with a hostile expression. Off the frying pan and into the fire. As usual. That aside… why? I had not a single idea of what she meant.

"Can you at least explain yourself?" Although I should have said that politer, I was exhausted, injured and agitated. Everything hurt. Of course I'd give her an impatient look.

Her answer though, was to open her mouth and point a beam at me.

-o-o-o-

Corrin was an experienced warrior. He had trained a lot to reach that point, but he didn't do it alone. Xander, Leo… both of them showed him into being a thoughtful battler. But he owed most of his skills to his tutor. He had the patience to hone his moves even with the slacker Corrin was during his time in the fortress.

Gunter had taught many things to him… even when it didn't seem to be anything left. His last lesson… was to be strong. Strong enough so he wouldn't lose anyone else. Anyone else… like Gunter.

With those ideas on mind, the prince unleashed a mighty slice towards the man sneaking up on Azura. The songstress then jumped aside and followed his ally with a thrust of a spear they managed to steal from the corpses piling up near the entrance of the forest.

"Corrin! We can't keep up with this! We have to retreat!" Azura warned while parrying a heavy blow of an axe. The prince assisted her by kicking him away. She was right. There were too many enemies ganging up on them.

"But there's nowhere to retreat to." Corrin cursed under his breath. Behind them, at the other end of the forest, a steep mountain cut any escape route. They were surrounded by enemies, the worst of scenarios.

A neigh announced the arrival of a newcomer. He swung his lance back and forth with precise moves, proof of his polished technique. Thrust here, pluck there, a kick of his mount to a group of humanlike monsters… Before long, the cavalier managed to clear the entrance to the forest on his own.

"I saw that the two of you were in trouble, so I've come to help, milord." The old man grinned while cleaning the blood of his spear with a swing.

"It can't be… GUNTER! Is that really you? You're not a ghost… are you?" Corrin asked in disbelief, eyes wide open. Azura frowned.

"It is I, milord, in the flesh. And I won't tolerate being called a ghost, for I am not that old." He snorted, pride high in his chest. Corrin got closer, touching him to check it wasn't a delusion either.

"It is really you… I'm so happy to see you alive and well, Gunter." The prince muttered, emotion paralyzing his voice from being as excited as he really was.

The princess stepped in, leaving the shelter of the forest now that they were safe.

"My name is Azura. If I said I was the princess kidnapped from Nohr as a child… would you recognize me?" She introduced herself, more relaxed once that she saw Corrin acting friendly with him.

"Ah! Yes, I remember when you were little. I apologize for my failure to protect you from your hoshidan kidnappers…" Gunter regretted, bowing his head in sorrow.

"There's no need to apologize, really…" The girl grinned aloofly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt the introductions, but we've got company!" Corrin alerted as he prepared his Yato to meet the new wave of translucent fighters.

"I'll take care of the group of cavaliers, milord!" Gunter exclaimed as he departed at gallop, his long spear low but threatening as ever. Seeing the shape of his back awakened something in Corrin he believed he'd never feel again.

As the royals followed the lead of the veteran, Azura noticed how his hands shook in overjoy. She stayed closer to him than usual to prevent him jumping on too many enemies at once.

They left behind the forest and moved along the shore of a river that fell into the infinite. Both of the dragon kin noticed a nearby dragon vein. Before Gunter was able to recommend not using it, the songstress summoned its powers. A fog of light surrounded them. Moments after, even though their eyes could not see, the three of them understood what utility it had.

"What is this? It's like I have another couple of eyes!" The draconian man noted, touching his face with just one his many arms.

"I see…! If I am not mistaken, this dragon vein was used by the royalty of this realm to access distant islands that are out of reach." Azura shared her knowledge, too excited as to notice she should have kept quiet.

"You certainly know a lot about this land, milady." Gunter said, a serious face stopping any expression. When Azura was about to reject that idea, Corrin caught her attention first.

"But that is weird. Why would anyone use such a complex method to have access to that island?" He wondered.

"I believe it is because the people of this kingdom had secret storehouses. The finest of their weaponry and sorcery would be sealed away to prevent civil wars." The bluehead resumed, her eyes gazing at the infinite of her long lost memories.

"A civil war? Where are we?" The cavalier burst, pressing Azura for answers. His big mount surely gave him a look that he was no one to go kidding.

"That… um…"

"The answers can wait. As for now, we should focus in securing ourselves here while the other us try to reach that storehouse Azura mentioned. Sounds good?" Corrin commanded, looking at each of his companions.

"Round, milord." Gunter nodded, turning his horse sideways to then lunch towards the remaining foes on the island. Although it was nearly unnoticeable, his moves became ruder. The songstress didn't move an inch, and she could only draw a worried expression.

"Hey, we'll be fine. So don't make such a sad face." The prince tried to appease nicely. He got a smile from her.

"Okay."

First the explosion in the lake, then the heavy rain with extra of beating, and then, to top it all off, fire on the forest. Well, at least on the trees that remained rooted to the ground in our surroundings, that is.

Lilith spit hot beams that wiped out whatever they touched. I thought of trying out using a magic barrier to protect myself, but my hurt hand was a reminder of my poor ideas. I made my way back to the lake where it all started, hoping to see either Corrin or Azura.

"Lilith! Can't we talk about this?!" I asked while jumping away from my position. The shot blew up the shore, launching mud everywhere.

"I won't allow you to poison my mind! Your trickery won't work on me, you traitor!" She blamed, pursuing me and shooting at point blank. She was so driven to kill me that her accuracy dropped, resulting in another explosion that sent me flying.

I had been giving it a few thoughts already. Why was she attempting to murder me right after saving my life? It made no sense. … Unless… she never intended to rescue me. Talk about not making sense! Why other reason was Lilith, the guardian for everyone in the astral realm, going to be somewhere lost in forest close to Cyrkensia?

Well, she exterminated those translucent monsters before, and she seemed to be looking for a fight, so she wanted to kill them. But why? … Wait… Corrin mentioned those translucent warriors in our first meeting. If I remember correctly, they appeared in Hoshido? Why were they there anyway? Who are they? Where do they come from? Is it related to the reason they earned Lilith's enmity? And where are Corrin and Azura?! Where- … … … No. … I refuse. It's not possible. … Or is it? If that was the case, how does Lilith know…?

I'm sorry. Dodging deadly beams proved to be a good encourager to think of a way out of that situation, so I went a little too fast in my reasoning. Bear with me.

I stood my ground in front of the raging dragon. Heh, dragon. I'm starting to see things through.

"Who are you?" I asked, faking a confident smile. She halted her attack and glared back at me twice the powerful.

"You know it already! You work for my Father, don't you?!" Lilith threw at me with a roar.

"By Father, do you mean Anankos?"

My query seemed to catch her off-guard, but she then raised it back up.

"Why are you playing dumb? It's not going to take you anywhere-"

"ANSWER MY FREAKING QUESTION!" I yelled, my chest beating at its hardest. She finally understood something was wrong, as for me…

"H-he is."

Hear that? It's the sound of gears connecting all together. It's done. At long last.

I collapsed onto the ground, enjoying the burnt but mushy grass under me. It felt so good. I would go overboard trying to describe what it was like, but I would always fail. Tears dropped from my eyes, and I had to take my glasses off. The sky unveiled some of those stars I desired to see before.

"What are you doing?" Lilith interrogated me, staying near me with a threatening glare. At that point, she could easily destroy me if she wanted, but she didn't. That is what curiosity is capable of.

"Oh, you know. Lying on the ground for a bit. Would you like take a sit and talk about things? No tricks, I promise." I offered beaming a smile.

"OUCH!"

"Milord! Are you alright?" The cavalier got worried, racing to his side in search of whoever harmed his lord. However, there was no perpetrator to be found. There.

"We must maximize our caution. If our copies get hurt, so will us." Azura explained, popping a vulnerary out of nowhere. "Here, take this potion my copy got her hands on." She kindly offered.

"Are our items shared too?" Corrin gawked in amaze. He looked at his Yato with a funny face.

"I'd strongly recommend you didn't do that, milord. We don't know if the copies will lose their bond anytime soon. Sending your sword to your other self now that we're over here is unadvisable." The cavalier told him off, getting off his mount to help him apply the vulnerary on the side of his torso, where a slice injury reflected the hardships of the other side.

"You're right." The prince sighed, acknowledging who made sense. "But you have to admit I would have looked whizz-bang with a sacred sword on each hand!" He smiled, burying the tip of the Yato to focus on recovering.

"Is that the kind of speech a prince should use, milord?" Gunter reprimanded again, cutting down his delusional ideas.

The ambient got a little tense between both of them. Azura started humming her singing unconsciously, watching as the older applied the vulnerary on the injury.

"I'll give in that it would have been something worth to see… to say the least." The servant admitted quietly. "But having been chosen by a sacred sword that is said to twist fate into any shape is already quite a stupendous feat." He softly grinned.

"Wow, thanks, Gunter. It means a lot." Corrin blushed, getting excited yet once again.

"I have no doubt the Yato did right to choose you in Hoshido, milord. Wherever you decide to guide us, you'll have my total support in and outside the battlefield." The veteran swore as they approached the rock where Azura was sitting on.

"I'm so glad we've found you, Gunter." The whitehead whispered. "Now that I think about it, how did you end up here?"

"It looks like the Bottomless Canyon is somehow connected to this strange place. Ever since I arrived here, I've been fighting for my life all the time. I almost died a couple of times, but if I allowed some wimps to kill me, I wouldn't have the guts to show my face to you, milord."

"I should have guessed as much." Corrin laughed, suddenly remembering how his strong retainer was like. "What is this place anyway? I'm sure you never taught me anything about this at geography lessons."

"I'm afraid you're right." Gunter nodded, tensing up subtly.

"Any idea, Azura?"

The songstress froze her singing at the lines Can no one hear my cry? She played with her toes nervously. As Corrin's attention wouldn't go away, she decided it was about time she spoke the truth.

"This place was once a beautiful kingdom that enjoyed wealth and fertile lands. It's name… the kingdom of Valla. But after the attack of an ancient dragon, everything went wrong. The royalty that wasn't killed was expelled from this place, as for the citizens had to endure the tyranny of the new king…" Before pronouncing the next, a pulse of emotion jumped along with the next word she said. "Anankos."

"Where have I heard of that name before?" Corrin wondered while scratching his chin. The cavalier grimaced for a bit, but he was quick to change his expression.

"It is very unlikely for you to have heard it ever before. A curse protects its secrets. If any of us were to speak a word about this place or about its ruler, we'd vanish. We must keep this place a secret. There's nothing we can do…" She muttered with sorrow.

"No way… How are we going to explain Gunter's return then?" The prince wondered.

"We will say I survived the fall after reaching the bottom and from then I made my way up." He suggested, quick to make plans.

"Good call!" Corrin celebrated. However, another question popped in his mind to waste his mood. "How are we going to return? Miles wasn't able to follow us into the lake."

"Is that so? Then I'm afraid we'll have to take the long way around." Azura said to herself. As the silence that followed was evident, she hurried to explain. "We'll have to- AAH!" Just as though she had been struck by a thick blow, she fainted painfully.

"Azura!" Corrin caught her between his arms. Meanwhile, Gunter grinned behind his back. "What happe- UGH!" And then, the prince was defeated as well.

At the other location of the battlefield, the pair of royals laid on the rocky floor of the ruins, senseless. A big group of translucent warriors waited next to them, but they didn't raise their weapons. Then, the aggressor that hit their heads from the rear took a step closer.

"With this, they won't be getting their hands on these treasures." Gunter smirked pettily. "We wouldn't want the war to end quickly, do we, Lord Anankos?" … "As you command, I will infiltrate their group and have a wonderful time watching how they kill each other. I can't wait!"

The echoes of his laughter could even be heard from the island where the original was grinning over his defeated 'master'.

The flames calmed down on the trees thanks to the humidity on the air. The surface of the lake, on the other hand, was a tranquil as ever. The lights in the distance revealed how the life started awakening back at the city.

I somehow managed to stop Lilith's rage, but she still doubted me. Compared to Camilla, the princess had been nice to me. I had to mean a threat to the dragon lady, anyhow.

"I will now tell you my recollection of events, if that's fine with you." I began, checking on the furious look Lilith pointed at me. I wasn't killed instantly, so I took that as if she gave her permission.

"You are free to believe me or not. It started at Septembria, where I was attacked by some dangerous bandits. When I was about to get mutilated, Corrin and his brother stepped in and protected me. After being taken to your astral realm, I was offered a place to stay for the time being. To reply to their kindness, I introduced myself as the psychologist I am. For the better or the worse, Corrin was my first client. After hearing the drama novel his life is, I was in a critical situation. If I told him there was nothing I could do to help, I would have hurt him even further. As such, I decided to aim for the impossible."

"And now you will tell me you found about my Father on your own without sacrificing anyone who knew the truth!" The dragon threw back at me, obviously skeptical.

"Hey, it happened that it wasn't as impossible as your papa is interested in making us believe!" I protested arching a brow. I raised my injured hand to stick a finger as I counted. "His first mistake: if he's going to use a puppet to force the war, he better take care of not allowing his name to be leaked by Garon next time. That's how I found about him."

I stopped for a moment to gather my thoughts. I didn't want to overwhelm Lilith with my speech, and much less provoke her. That being said, I felt that unsettling look on her face smothering.

"Proceed." She ordered without even blinking.

"Second mistake: his very curse. I have the suspicion that Odin, Selena and Laslow are involved in this more than they speak, but then, the curse won't let them do such thing, will it?" My question finally managed to surprise Lilith.

"How do you know about them? Before leaving my Father's side, I erased all the records of those three! None of my Father's agents could know about them!" The blue dragon asked frightened.

"Take it as the proof that I am not a vall… a spy from that Valla place. How do you say it? Vallois or vallite?" I asked, widening the evidence that pictured me as the innocent wanderer I was. She didn't reply.

"As for my latest hint, she just vanished through a portal in this lake with Corrin. I found out Azura had that vallois cur-"

"Vallite." Lilith corrected me, probably suffering a headache by that point.

"Thanks. That vallite curse. Since her mother 'disappeared', probable victim to the same hex, I established the connection between her and Garon, and to both, Anankos." I sneezed, feeling cold and progressively tired.

A warm heat sheltered me out of sudden. It was Lilith. She started applying some kind of magic on me that healed my injuries. The pain withered away, as did my fears.

"I can't believe you did all of that on you own." She muttered. If it weren't for her white scales, I would describe her as pallid.

"Then that makes two of us. I lost track of my sanity… up 'til this moment. I was planning on paying you a visit to have this talk either way. With Azura's show back at the opera, I needed something to protect her from Leo's suspicion, and you were my best bet. Guess who got lucky, miss Anankos' daughter!"

My laughter felt sweet. Not only did I scape death for the third… forth time? Whatever, I was alive. And I had discovered the truth, no less. Prepare yourself, destiny, for here I come, stronger than ever! I will cast Corrin's miracle!

"You can't." Her sharp mental voice cut through my thoughts unmerciful. "Why do you think I have hidden all of this to my friends? To my own brother?" She pressed me, floating closer to me and intimidating me. That last comment of hers caught my curiosity, but that would be for later.

"Lemme guess… Cos we'll die if we rebel against him?" I sighed, my face losing its colors. She would certainly know better than me, but it was common sense that a dragon's power was nothing to be taken lightly. However… "What is the alternative? Stay quiet and watch how we kill each other under his yoke? Do you wish to see Corrin murdering his family? Do you want us nohrians to keep suffering Garon's madness? And the royals! They've been tormented by Anankos' doing the most! Even if we survive, can you call that BEING ALIVE?!"

"But-"

"BREAK THE SILENCE!"

My breath became heavy. My mind went blank for a moment before I regained my sanity. … Oh, hell. Of course that is not everything. From the little I could recall from the time I met her, she showed a composed temperament and a kind patience to teach me everything about the realm. Keeping silent about her father had to be the worst of tortures for her, and still, there I was, pressing her to give everything up. There had to be more.

"I'm so sorry, Lilith. Please, forgive me for what I just said." I apologized, turning to her and bowing profoundly. She extended her silence longer, but I waited just as long for her to reply.

"I would… but what would happen if I revealed I am the daughter of the one responsible for everything? What if they reject me? All of my loved ones?" She silently cried, revealing the hardest of burdens. That was, dear audience, the most important of secrets. … How funny. I hid my past for the same reason. … Not fun at all.

When I raised my head back up to gaze at her, she rested on the ground with a painful look. Her golden eyes twitched in emotion as the tears accumulated. I… couldn't take it. When I looked at her, it felt like I was seeing a reflection on a mirror. I could lie to myself. I could convince myself that I wouldn't be rejected once I explained my scars. But that wouldn't be fair. I wouldn't lie to her. I never meant to be such a liar.

I embraced Lilith between my arms as I hugged her. She mumbled something in surprise to my acts, but I wasn't hearing. I didn't pronounce any word, as for the only thing I was able to do was weeping in pain. We were kindred spirits… for the worse. I felt capable of confessing everything. I found her secret: it was only but fair that I revealed mine.

"Lilith, I… understand what you are going through. I too have a secret I cannot speak to anyone." I admitted as I began unbuttoning my shirt. "Just the same way your lineage reflects on your appearance, I carry on with me a constant reminder of what I've been through."

Since I had turned my back on her –literally this time–, I wouldn't be able to tell what kind of face she made upon recognizing my mark.

"You… no…" She identified it. There was repulsion in her voice after all. She wasn't even nohrian and she knew what the emblem of the Leors meant. What a crazy world indeed. "I… see…"

We remained silent for the most time. The sky began clearing little by little. The wind caressed my back before I put my shirt back on. Words failed to come out from me. Maybe I just didn't try hard enough. Get over it, Miles. You're used to this.

"What are we going to do now?" Lilith wondered looking at the early birds flying around. Listening her voice reminded me that there was an after to that moment. I'd have to play with the cards I was given. Screw you, destiny. You are the worst dealer EVER. … I can't just go and use Lilith as my triumph card.

"You have done more than enough already. I now know the truth. Since your father is hell-bent on fueling the fire of war, I'm sure he'll make another mistake eventually." I gasped while stretching my numb limbs. There was no reply, but a single nod sufficed. "Besides, I'll count on you to watch over my back from now on." I grinned, resurrecting back thanks to my bad puns. Again, no reply. Maybe she was too astonished by my bad taste of humor. I really meant it, though.

"Will do." The dragon lady replied after a while. The shock surely left her speechless!

Without previous warning, a huge splash stirred the lake. A circular tunnel opened up, revealing a path that led somewhere where the sight didn't reach. From its interior, an old cavalier guided its mount outside. He had a scar crossing his face, and even though he had just left the lake, his light-colored hair wasn't wet at all. He wore a magnificent black armor, somewhat similar to Silas'.

Lilith returned to her dragon stone and took off. I first believed she was going to exterminate him, but when I saw the couple of royals be brought on his mount, I thought better.

"GUNTER!" The dragon greeted, feeling the relief punch of finding out he was fine.

"Hold on, is this Lilith's voice? Is it really you?" He asked in amazement. Weird. Although his face pictured 'surprise', his eyes reflected just the opposite.

"I am! Gods, I'm so glad I got to see you again!" She exclaimed, trapped between the idea of snuggling up to him and just enjoying the view of him alive. "Are Corrin and Azura okay?!" She questioned in a hurry once she discovered them unconscious.

"They are fine. We were- … I'm afraid I cannot tell you what happened." The man called Gunter retorted, biting his tongue. Heh. So… Valla.

"It's okay, Gunter. Let's head to a safer place." The girl nodded as she created a portal spiraling around its periphery.

While we waited, our eyes met. He was that rumored Gunter, the man that acted as Corrin's tutor and the closest thing to a father the kid has had. On top of that, he was probably aware of the kingdom of Valla and Anankos too, but prey to the curse. I'd find one way or another to turn him into my new source of information.

"Greetings, mister Gunter. My name is Miles Stone. I am but a mere psychologist that joined Corrin's group. I hope we can get along." I introduced myself, hiding a wicked smiled of who is going to wring the most out of someone.

"It is my pleasure, mister Stone. I am sure that milord Corrin appreciates your help greatly." He replied back… with quite a strange grin, if I have seen any.

"Let's go." Lilith pressed us, the portal stable and ready to be used.

As Gunter charged both of the royals on his shoulders, he began walking away. While I watched his back, I got an odd feeling about him. I quickly turned back to gaze at the lake as its tunnel closed. I thought I heard someone's cry.

"Miles. It's time to go back." The dragon called me from the other side.

"Comin'." I replied as I grabbed Gunter's horse's reigns to guide it through.

What was that feeling in my chest? I had to be going crazy. I finally got the confirmation that I was right about everything, and I had set my eyes on a new target. So, why was I getting the feeling that something was totally and completely wrong? What was I forgetting about? … Time would tell. … I hope.

Oh, hi there. I'm sorry I took me so long to upload this one. I've been slacking for quite a while, haven't I? You could say that I missed my previous lifestyle, where I wouldn't write almost every day. I don't know if I have returned or not. I just thought of uploading this one, since I left the previous one at a compromised spot.

Now that I think about it… none of this happened the first time. In the story, I mean. I just omitted how Lilith told everything to Miles, and I didn't even consider using her as a mean to unveil the truth. It's a little cringy, to be honest.

Anyway. Thanks for hearing my rambling. I hope it was likeable for you. See you next time… whenever that is. *Wink, wink* *Elbow, elbow*