Review Time:

3-E Student - I have not played Heroes, sadly, due to my phone having crap storage. I've toyed with the idea of using a emulator of sorts, but the *point* is to play it in short bursts on the go. I'm glad it's got a lot of players and they keep adding characters, though.

Red Server - Ah, good observation.

Guest - Hehehehe.

CompletelyRossome - I doubt the devs will ever comment on it, but I'm going with no, although Tiki has commented on Anankos having a similar feel to Grima. The folks on the Awakening side of things only know of Vanilla, not Valla, because that's all they've heard/seen Anna say. This is an important piece of the puzzle...

Random guy - I suppose you can see how the illusions are right now, and toss out some suggestions for next chapter. Speaking of the Starsphere...on two seperate runs of Shadow Dragon I totally missed the fact that you need to find Gotoh in a village, with Marth, WITH the items in your possession, to do it. I feel dumb. :O

OkayDokey33 - I know, this has all been my fault. The fic started off one way, it's morphed into something else...part of me fears about writing scenes too seriously so I sometimes freeze up and try to lighten the mood. Based on your complaints, that's not a good thing, and I'll try not to keep doing it. I'm sorry. :(

P.T Piranha - I find writing Corrin to be...kinda hard? because the main character isn't THE main character, you know? Ah well, I'll work on that too.

Chapter 39 – Illusion Delusion

While one of Ryoma's retainers was with Corrin's group, the other was dashing through the fair plains of Hoshido, wearing a lowered hood to mask her identity.

I've risked too much to remain in the capital. Yukimura knows. He knows I purposefully let Orochi escape, with the Yato at that.

Kagero had just enough food and water to last her for a few days, but the goal wasn't to be alone for the entire point – no, she had to catch up to her prince and potentially investigate the source of this mystery.

Forgive me, brother. I wish no harm to our land.

Cheve, meanwhile, was now thoroughly occupied by Hoshidan forces. The citizens were a little anxious about it, but after the failed rebel attack, anything was better than having the Nohrian army occupy their walls. Unfortunately-

"-they'll be back. Once King Garon receives word, he'll torch Cheve to the ground!"

"Make no mistake. We, as members of the Hoshidan army, support any enemies of Nohr, and we WILL despose of that monster of a king!"

One of the peasant women clasped her hands together. "Please….all of the fighters from the resistance were captured. You have to free them! Scarlet too, none of us know where she went!"

"She's in…..acceptable hands."

All of the soldiers cleared the way for Ryoma to pass; he was a tad wounded and his armor had been cracked, but the surprise attack proved to be successful. He looked the citizens over – now that the rebels had been apprehended, the city had no more formal protection.

"But if you want us to be successful, Hoshido must use Cheve as a base for the duration of this war."

"Oh of course!"

"Are you insane?!" barked another citizen, an elderly man. "Associating with them will only get us killed faster! Besides, it's not like they're going to help us!"

"You mean your crop shortage?" Ryoma asked. "I will do all in my power to give you aid."

"Wait, that's it!" a little girl ran up to the prince and shook his pant leg. "You can give food to Nohr, so the king won't be mad anymore!"

"Er…."

"Isn't that what the king wants?"

"No, Charles! Garon's a monster that just wants to conquer everything! There's no bargaining with him!"

"Oh that's rubbish and you know it! When I was a lad, King Garon had a lot more decency!"

"People change!"

The people of Cheve began to squabble, which made Ryoma a tad uneasy. Nevertheless, he managed to silence them all with a harsh clear of his throat.

"Our goal is to kill the king of Nohr, everyone. For those a little apprehensive, I'm sorry, but there is no adjustment of that goal. He's done too much and has clearly mistreated his people. He needs to suffer the consequences. And I'll personally make sure the rebels are freed, even if I have to cut down every soldier in my path!"

"But mister…."

Ryoma looked down; the girl was grabbing him again.

"Shelley, stop! He's a prince"

"If your people run around and hurt Nohrians….won't that just make the army more mad? Won't they just….try to h-hurt you guys back?"

For a second, he saw the faint image of his youngest sister, who had opposed the war from the very start. But what choice did he even have? The people lost their rulers, and the royal family lost their parents.

"Yes. That doesn't scare them." He crouched down, to her eye level. "Soldiers are trained to fight and anticipate a fight in turn. Without people like us….who protects the innocent like you?"

"Is Miss Scarlet really okay?" the girl whispered.

"Yes. I'm a good friend of hers."

"A Hoshidan?" someone asked. "Er, no offense…"

"Why yes." Ryoma stood up. "Scarlet told me that she had a Hoshidan mother, and that she's been to our country. That alone…..does give me hope for the future, although after what's happened…."

"Don't give up, Mr. Ryoma!" Shelley shouted. "Please!"

"Don't worry….I have no intention of doing so."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we-"

"I am not answering this question 12 times!" Nyx shouted. "Look, you fools, the Sevenfold Sanctuary rests on the top of the mountain."

Passing through Rogue without drawing any attention proved to be impossible due to the berserkers being, well themselves. The threat of violence was enough to prevent the people of Notre Sagesse from stopping them from going to the Sage, unfortunately.

"Oh….."

"There, Nyx has showed you the way, which means you don't need to kidnap us anymore," Silas pointed out.

"Psst, Silas! These jerks want to keep Layla, remember? We just have to follow them until we can escape…." Kaden whispered. Silas looked the party over.

A) Their weapons had been broken, and the beastmen had to hand over their stones.

B) Elise had no heal staff.

C) Charlotte was still unconscious, so Benny had her over his shoulder.

D) No mounts meant they couldn't get a head start.

Was escape possible?

"Hey, bros!" Lloyd pointed. "Someone's heading up there too!"

XXXXX

Indeed, that was the case. Anna's group had gotten the lead from their way of approach (the eastern town) over the others (the northern town). And as it currently stood, it was a rather tiring climb.

"Can we…." Corrin wiped his forehead. "….use Yuugiri and the others to get higher?"

"Sorry!" Izana shook his head. "One has to access the Sanctuary from their own two feet, it's a test of integrity! No shortcuts."

Some people grumbled, but they continued on. The prince simply looked down at the Yato in his hand. Would this trial make it all easier? Could he really shed the truth on Hydra and rescue Lilith from Vanilla?

Of course I will.

He ran forward.

"Brother wait!" Sakura squeaked out. "W-Wait for the rest of us!"

"Don't worry, Sakura, we're all in this together. I don't blame Corrin for being a little….quick." Hinoka watched him go. "Maybe the Sage can assuage his doubts."

Azura blinked when Anna followed him at top speed.

"Anna too?!"

"She's here for a specific reason, Sakura…."

Down the line, Mozu was starting to get a little tired, but she kept true and continued on, right behind Setsuna and Hayato. However, the sound of rocks falling caught her ears, so she turned to look down.

"….!"

She bolted through the line over to Reina.

"Hmm? Is something the matter, Mozu? Do you need to rest on Yuugiri's back?"

"N-No. Miss Reina, remember our boat adventure?"

"Why yes."

"And the…" she coughed. "the little visitors we had?"

"What on earth are you talking about?" Zola said, next to her. "The less I remember from that horrible ride, the better. Those annoying brothers…"

"Yeah…"

"With their horrible voices-did you know how hard it was to get away from them? Ugh, hopefully their boat sunk."

Mozu sighed. "Zola, I was talking about them. They're…b-e-l-o-w us."

"WHAT?!"

Nearly tripping over Felicia and Hana (who were having a nice discussion), Zola sauntered to the edge of the cliff and looked down.

NOOOOO! Not those wastes of human intelligence! Wait a minute….that's Princess Elise!

Mozu and Reina were watching as well. "What do we do?" the latter asked. She certainly looked to Yuugiri for a possible plan but the former had a cheeky smile.

"It's time to turn the tables! We've got waaay more people this time!"

"Payback, yes!" Zola looked excited. "My kind of specialty!"

"…"

"…"

"I'm not gonna doublecross you! S-Stop with the stares!"

At the front of the line…

"Lord Corrin! We must catch up to him, post haste!" But before Jakob could run for it, Gunter grabbed his arm.

"Allow me, Jakob…."

Of course, this caught Azura's attention as well….

"Hero! Wait up!"

Corrin hadn't realized how much of a hurry he was in, because when he turned around (just outside the Sanctuary's double doors), only Anna was close.

"Anna, can you stop calling me that?"

"Why not? You carry that special blade, you're on everyone's radar….don't be so shy, milord, you freed those Izumite villagers!"

"Frankly, I don't want to see myself as a hero."

Anna blinked. "Excuse me? Why the heck not?"

"Being….being a hero means everyone looks up to you, looks at you for guidance. Half the time I can't even figure myself out." Corrin sighed. "I want to be strong, but I just keep having doubt…"

"Aww, Corrin. Didn't we have a big pep talk before leaving? You can't lose hope now!"

"Anna, you're not the one, you're just the helper. Didn't you admit that?"

"Uh….."

"I know what has to be done, but the price of messing it all up is….pretty heavy. And truth to be told, aren't we just winging it? The Sage might not even have anything to offer us."

"Tell you what…." Anna dug in her pockets and dug out a single coin (lucky for her). "Why don't we let Lady Luck decide? Heads we turn around right now and go home, tails we go right in and keep on trucking!"

"What home can we even go back to?!"

"Sounds like a bet to me!" The coin was thrown into the air, and when it was caught, Anna grinned proudly as she showed the tails side.

"...after you, then."

"Kay!"

XXXXXX

"Should we wait for the others?"

The Sanctuary's rooms seemed eerily quiet, and empty at that. Torches were lit in the four corners of each one, and Anna was sure she could make out a faint tune.

"They're just along for the ride, WE'RE the ones that need answers first! Besides, this place is huge. I'll go that way, and you go that way."

"What?!"

But she had already taken the western door. So Corrin sighed and took the right.

"Uhhh…"

"Charlotte? Are you up?" Benny whispered, keeping his voice low so he couldn't get slammed with another axe. His armor WAS a little cracked. But she managed to open her eyes, and the sight of seeing one of the brothers was-

"Ohohohohoho…..Benny, if we ever get out of this, I'm going to kill them. All of them. Look at my face, it's bruised!"

"Sssh! Try not to talk." he looked up, and stopped.

"Hey big man, we're supposed to keep moving!" Llucas snapped. "Why'd you stop?"

"LOOK!" Elise pointed, mouth agape. "There's something in the sky!"

Simple heckling wasn't enough for Mozu, so the counter attack would start by Yuugiri, Issei, etc. releasing the rocks in their talons at the berserkers.

"Hey!"

"What's with these things, bros?!"

Tom narrowed his eyes. "That's the….flying chicken?!"

"EAT THIS!"

A burst of flame shot into the brother, followed by Rinkah smashing her club into his face. Kaze landed down and threw shuriken, while Saizo flanked the other direction.

"We're under attack, bros! Get them!"

But more hits kept coming; Setsuna and Felicia threw arrows/knives to slow them down while Orochi and Izana fired their magic. Nyx certainly recognized the latter.

The Archduke! Realizing the brothers were distracted, she gestured for Elise, Effie, and Arthur to head up the path, then did the same for Layla, Keaton, Kaden, Silas, and Benny.

"HEY! THEY'RE GETTING AWAY!"

"Hurry, hurry!" Mozu whispered, standing at the turn of the path. Hana and Subaki were there to usher the group along, while Reina and Shura distracted them with more arrow shots. Flora and Rinkah's elements only slowed them down more. This is for the farm's horses!

She had found a boulder. When Hinoka gave her the thumbs-up, she forced it forward, straight down the slope.

"WATCH OU-" it smashed into Lloyd and Llewelyn, then each of their brothers, and the ice slick generated by Flora made it roll further, and faster.

SMASH

"Have a nice fall!" she shouted.

XXXXX

"Okay, WHAT is going on here?" Nyx crossed her arms. "You!" She pointed to Mozu, Reina, Izana, and Shura. "Why are you folks involved with the Sage?"

"We need to see him!" Izana said. "And we'd better make our way to the Sanctuary. Corrin's already gotten a head start."

"Brother?!" Elise gasped, and now she had realized Hinoka and Sakura were there. "Yay! We finally found….wait, where's Azura? She's with you guys, right?"

HURRY, BEFORE THEY APPROACH. KILL THE SAGE!

Gunter made his way over to the entrance but Azura blocked his path inside.

"What the-?!"

"Gunter, you've been acting more and more suspicious. I think it's only fair you start telling me what's going on."

"Hahaha….." but the knight didn't look pressured at all. "….what about you? Am I truly the only one keeping secrets?"

"What….?"

"Your little discovery," he began, eyes staring holes into her. "You managed to conclude that Lord Corrin is your cousin. And yet, you have decided to keep it a secret?" behind his back, he was readying his hand.

"The recent chaos of Corrin's heritage-"

"-Has he pieced together that he is the son of Anankos? No, that's something you don't feel is important either. None of you do."

"You misunderstand, I told everyone to….." Azura paused. "….wait. How on earth do you even know about that? We didn't meet up with you until AFTER Anthony attacked."

"Oh….well, it took you this long?"

"What?!"

Seizing his chance, Gunter's hand flew forward and ripped the pendant off Azura's necklace. She gasped, and she watched in horror when it was thrown off the cliff.

"Gunter, why would you-"

SLAM "-out of my damn way, Azura," he hissed, smacking her into the dirt. "It's high time I end this!" He ran inside. As the princess picked herself up, the others were on the scene. An excited Elise reached her first, wrapping her arms around her.

"Ohhh Azura! You're okay! I missed you so much!"

"E….Elise….?!"

"Lady Azura, what happened?" Reina asked. "Where did Gunter go?"

"That man isn't Gunter!" came the realization. "He's….he's being controlled!"

Inside the Sanctuary, Corrin felt like he was going in circles. Every room seemed to look the same, even when he tried going through different doors. However, the next door led to-

"Greetings, traveler."

-a room where multiple soldiers (namely generals, archers, ninja, and onis) cornered him. He turned but the door had faded.

"Heroes don't run," said one of the ninja. "You want to pass? You'll need to defeat all of us!"

"F-Fine," Corrin said, drawing the Yato with one hand and readying the Dragonstone with the other. "Then come at me!"

"Big talk for a person that ran from their problems at first glance…."

"What? How the hell do even kno…..illusions," he whispered. "This is a test, isn't it?"

"Very astute, traveler. I would expect the yielder of the mighty Yato to pick up on such a fact."

The illusions circled around the prince, but he kept his guard up. "I just want to see the Sage. I'm not going to waste my time fighting you all day."

"Ha! It's not up to you!"

An archer fired, but Corrin blocked in time. However, this only gave an oni an opening to hit him, knocking him to the floor. Luckily he rolled to avoid a few shuriken, then got right back up.

Need to focus….

"We'll fight you for years if that's how long it takes!"

"I don't have that long!" he exclaimed, cutting down one and sidling to dodge another's attacks. "I don't have years! I don't even have months!"

Fortunately for him, the illusions barely had any durability to speak of, but that was negated by the fact that more kept appearing and their attacks could actually hurt him.

"The intensity is good, but a leader, a hero needs more." All of them seemed to speak with the same analytical, wise tone. "You think a hero runs when it gets too challenging?"

Adding to the fray were spear fighters, mages, and diviners. Corrin panted but kept at it, although now it felt like the room was getting bigger and bigger. "N-No…."

"Do you truly wish to save your family?"

"Of course I do!"

"And your kingdom?"

"King..." a moment of pondering resulted with a large axe slamming him into the wall. "Kingdom?!"

"Where do you fight for, hero?" the illusions mocked. "The land that birthed you? The land that raised you? The land where your mother died?"

"So the Sage DOES know of Vanilla!"

"That's not the answer I was looking for. Where does your loyalty even lie?"

Corrin dodged sword strikes and lance pokes. This is getting ridiculous! I…have to play defensively! He focused, and he turned into a mighty dragon once more. "Who needs a land?! Isn't my family enough?" A quick roar and tail swing knocked the soldiers back.

"How selfish! You're implying you'd let those innocent people out there burn because of your failures?"

"Stop putting words into my mouth!" Corrin headbutted an archer. "I'm trying!"

"Trying is just delayed success, traveler. Make all the excuses you want."

"No excuses!" the dragon roared out. "If you want me to save the entire world, then I'll make that leap! I'm sick of people making the choices for me!"

The illusions were getting harder to take down, but so was Corrin, what with his hard dragon skin. Hooves smashed around, the tail zoomed around, and each stomp unleashed a torrent of water.

"Well! Let's see…."

Corrin was about to take another ninja out, but he froze up when suddenly….the image of Garon appeared before him.

"What about me, Corrin?" he asked in his voice. "What will you do about me?"

"You…..Hydra's controlling you! Hydra started this!"

"Blame, blame, blame, it's so pathetic, my son." Illusion Garon shook his head. "What about ME?"

"Wha…..?"

"Be realistic about this whole thing. Hydra or not, I still raised you as one of my own. What if you have to kill me just to get rid of that monster? Will your siblings forgive you?"

"…"

"Or were you thinking you could separate us? Did you even think this far?"

"Why didn't you fight it, then?" Corrin asked, turning back, sword arm ready. "I made my own mistakes but you…..you could've stopped this whole thing."

Illusion Garon said nothing, as if to concede defeat, but his form morphed back into the soldiers. As such, the prince leapt forward and attacked once more.

Back at Jiro's house-

"What? You froze a path here?"

Scarlet had stayed behind to watch over Crimson, but she insisted the others go on, as to not waste anymore time. Which meant she could talk to the Ice Tribe chief.

"Yes. The Nohrian army is around these waters, which potentially….spells danger for all of us. If Corrin can seek out the Sage quickly-"

"Kilma. We got here because Izana had a fancy warping staff, but we can't get back so easily. We have to find a boat."

Outside, Jiro and his uncle were chopping firewood.

"What is your plan….?"

"After this? Well, I didn't get to talk it over with the others but-" Scarlet pulled a map from the nearby desk and laid it down. "-we need to find Prince Ryoma of Hoshido. He'll help us."

"Save both of our captured units, you mean?"

"Yeah. Hydra needs to go down."

Kilma stared at her. "Tell me, Scarlet. What makes you believe this possession story? We've both been damaged by that wicked king. How convenient is that he's not really himself?"

"….."

"All this time, your people have been condemning a leader that has bullied and threatened his own people. In a flash…..the blame fades."

"Are you implying Anna and Corrin made it up just excuse Garon? Listen Kilma, the name doesn't matter. What matters-" she jabbed at the map- "-is that some person who had the nerve to call himself a king has done all of this terrible stuff. Cheve and your tribe can't prosper while he lives."

"…."

"And…..maybe it shows that Garon is a victim too," she whispered.

"Elaborate."

"People aren't born evil, Chief. It's how the world around them shapes them. The Chevois think that he's a devil now, but once a time ago, people weren't so afraid of him. I dunno when this happened, but….people change."

"Be that it as it may…..I can't muster any sympathy for him. My tribe could be dead for all I know!"

"I know. Same with my soldiers. But say for a second that this Hydra story is 100% legit. That means….some imposter has been ruining Garon's reputation. And I get the feeling that a lot of people will be dead before they'll ever know the truth."

Sadly, Scarlet would be 100% correct.

Gunter's heart pounded as he advanced through the Sanctuary. At first glance it seemed a regular old sword was in his hand, but he was a vessel for Anankos now, and so it glowed faintly with his aura. What was surprising, however-

"You're the Rainbow Sage, correct?"

"…!"

"Why yes, I am. And you are….?"

-He seemed to have stepped back to a moment in time. In front of him, a 20-something version of the knight was bowing before the Sage.

XXXX

"I am Gunter, from the land of Nohr, wise one. I've….I've passed your trial, didn't I?"

The Sage smiled. "Indeed, you have. I'm surprised. You're the first person that has."

"What?!" the knight's head snapped up. "Surely you jest! I'm just a regular soldier."

"I tell no lies, Gunter. Dozens and dozens of conceited and arrogant people have come, trying to seek out my power, but all have failed. All have failed to see the truth of the world before them."

"I…I see." Gunter scratched his thick black locks. "Then I thank you."

"It is I who must thank you. I had given up hope! I sit on the top of this mountain day after day, month after month, just hoping the right ones can come through." he sat down, cross legged. "Would you like some tea?"

"Wait….this is all you do?"

"Yes."

Gunter sat down. "But why? Why can't you spread your wisdom across the world?"

"…tell me something, Gunter. What brought you here in the first place?"

"I…..needed that wisdom. My father doesn't know of my status, for he wants me to continue his delivery business. And my mother….she wants me to marry someone I don't even love."

"How interesting," the Sage mused. "So you feel pressured by these things?"

"My calling is to be a soldier, but I fear disappointing Father if he were to know. And my sights….my sights are on someone else. But I couldn't disappoint Mother, either…"

"Gunter, the bird cannot fly free if the cage surrounds them, how matter how big it truly is."

"Um….what does that mean?" the look of youthful ignorance was enough to make the Sage smile again.

"You must craft your own destiny, free of what others think of you. Because how can you value yourself if you're always wondering what they think? Follow your heart."

"But…..to resist the whims of my own parents…."

"There is a difference between obeying them and letting them dictate who you should be. Tell me about this woman you fancy."

"Ah, well…" Gunter blushed. "H-Her name is Elizabeth. She's a bit upper class, but she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Ever….seen….

XXXX

Present-day Gunter put a hand to his head and kept running through the rooms. What was the Sage's power trying to do? He reached the next room and what he saw next=

XXXXXX

"N-No…."

Was a flash to his darkest day. He finally had gotten some time off from the army, but when he reached his village – Dew – dead bodies littered the ground.

"What…what happened here?! Somebody! Somebody answer me!" he ran towards his home, praying to the Dusk Dragon above that all was well. Once he got inside… "Elizabeth! Trevor!"

…he was greeted with the dead bodies of his wife and son. A son that wanted to join the army too, to honor his beloved father! Gunter fell to his knees.

"Why…..?" he choked out, but then he noticed something. Something that told him exactly who had ordered this. A Nohrian flag was flowing outside, stained with blood.

It was only three days ago that the king offered his blood for the knight to drink, but Gunter had said no. Which meant Garon had said "kill them all". Slowly, the face of anguish morphed into one of pure, unrivaled hatred, and he grit his teeth.

"Garon…..you…..m-m…..MONSTER!"

XXXXXXX

"Ugh!" the memories were too much for the vessal, so he tried to ignore them. But with every step, the sight of his dead wife kept digging and digging at his mind.

"Psst, Senno!"

"Hmm?" the tactician closed his book. "What's the problem?"

"That Hoshidan general wants to see Lord Izana!"

"What?!" he ran down the hall, and quickly shut the door leading into the Archduke's empty bedroom. Soon Tokazawa was there. "I'm sorry, but milord is feeling sick this morning."

"That's odd. He seemed so chipper last night."

"Well, it was something he ate, you see-"

"Do you think I'm stupid? I've been in the Hoshidan army for over 40 years."

A bead of sweat was pouring down Senno's forehead.

"None of my soldiers have seen any traces of him, and your citizens deny seeing him as well. And yet….we still can't seem to locate Lady Hinoka or Lady Sakura."

"I assure you, those two issues are not related."

"I think they are."

"Hahahaha well…" Senno wiped the sweat away. "Humor me, General, with your hypothesis."

"If I had to venture a guess…." Tokazawa began- "I predict that Lord Izana fled the country with the princesses AND the defectors. He knows who they are, he knows who Lady Azura is, and he knows who Anna is."

"That…..is the silliest thought I've ever heard!"

"You're right. As the adage goes, innocent until proven guilty."

Phew…

"Oh wait," the general feigned a look of surprise, "this is war time. And in war time, we stick to the saying of guilty until proven innocent."

"I-In a world where you're correct, you can't suddenly declare everyone missing to be with Lord Izana! That's too much for Izumo to prove!"

"Some of my ninja spotted Kaze, a soldier, Hayato, a member of the Wind Tribe, and Rinkah, a member of the Fire Tribe, enter the castle earlier."

"….."

"And they haven't seem to come out….."

"Er…."

"Need I remind you, good sir," Tokazawa got so close, Senno was hugging the front of the door, "-that two of those are members of the elemental tribes. Them linked to this could equal a violation of neutrality."

"E-Excuse me, they're the ones that came here!" Senno realized what he had just done. "..er….that is to say…"

"You Izumites are in big trouble."

So were any flyers that got pierced by a Fujin Yumi shot.

"Nice one, Lord Takumi!"

"Don't get so happy now, Hinata, there's more warships! Turn the cannons to aim, men!" Takumi kept his cool, managing the fleet clashing with Daniela's. Dogfights littered the air, and while his ships had ballista, the enemy had fire orb torrents.

"Lord Takumi, look! Is that the commander?!" Oboro yelled out. The prince ran up to the deck.

XXXXX

"Well well, a prince. Now quaint. Surrender now!" Daniela called out.

"In your dreams, Nohrian scum!" Takumi fired back. "Surrender is NOT an option for Hoshido!"

"Look who's the big boy now!" she mocked. "Nohrian scum? Are you five years old? This is war, fool!"

"I know that! That's why I suggest you all surrender before more of you drown!"

This pampered punk….

Daniela snapped her fingers, and suddenly, a Stoneborn came up, shocking those (read: all) that never saw one before. It had a very large boulder in its hands.

"What is THAT?!" Hinata gasped.

"CRUSH THAT SHIP!" Daniela barked. The Stoneborn threw the boulder as if it was a small pebble, and the Hoshidans manning the ballista ran for the hills before it smashed into the side of the ship. Takumi ordered for some of the pegasi to attack it, but the monster swatted them away.

Above, purple flames littered the skyscape…..as kinishi, wyverns, and pegasi materialized….

"What?! Repeat yourself, soldier!"

Last night's attack of Dia could *not* go unreported to the higher-ups, but the story seemed insane and borderline impossible to the paladin in question. Nevertheless, the cavalier continued:

"A bunch of b-beserkers, sir! They had Lady Elise, I swear it! They hijacked a ship from the harbor and fired cannonballs on the town!"

"This is bad….tell me ships went to retrieve her."

"Uh y-yes but there was a LOT of damage! My sources told me they had to put out fires and rescue from the rubble…"

In the shadows, a certain assassin was listening.

"General Daniela better fix this! The king will FURIOUS if he knows Dia is a wreck! Head back to your post!"

"Yes sir!"

Both riders galloped off in opposite directions, leaving Beruka to rise out. I'd better inform milady…. Searching for more hoofprints had proved to be very fruitful.

Anna's adventure through the Sanctuary, unlike Corrin and Gunter, wasn't littered with illusions or bad memories. In fact, all seemed uneventful until she reached a room with a golden pool.

"Huh….? How many rooms does this place have?"

Step into the pool, child.

"Huh?! Are you the Sage? Where are you?!" Anna looked around.

I know what you've come for, Anna. And you can find out everything if you take the chance. Be warned, however….there is no leaving until it's done.

"Like that bothers me!" She took a deep breath and dove into the pool, and slowly….everything seemed to become hazy…

XXXXX

Anna was falling through an endless vortex. She would've screamed, but frankly, her being subject to falls was getting a little old.

"Wow….uh, sure is exciting. Whee…." she flapped her arms, clearly bored.

"I thought you would appreciate the scene better!"

"Wha…?"

To her surprise, the Rainbow Sage had appeared next to her, and they were falling together. He seemed unfazed as well.

"Sage! Great, I've been dying to see you!"

"I know, Anna. You don't have to explain the story. I should tell you, however, that I anticipated your arrival."

"Me? How come?"

The Sage gave her an odd look. "Well, for starters, I haven't heard of an Anna stealing the Fire Emblem out right before."

Anna blushed and laughed awkwardly. "Early bird gets the worm, Sage!"

"Hmm."

"Do you even have the time to help me, though? Because Lord Corrin is kinda-"

"-I know. This is merely a projection. In fact, I predict that my death is imminent, so it's only fair I show you what you've been craving."

"Huh?! How do you die?"

The Sage chuckled. "Anna, we can't do this if you're distracted, understand? Clear your mind….and think only if you and your sisters."

"Oh…okay….." she shut her eyes.

"Now, before we go….tell me why you're here."

"Uhhh….okay. I want to know why we Annas have to help a hero in each world, and why Mother was so cryptic about it. Where does it all begin?"

"It begins….right here."

Anna opened her eyes, and then there was a flash of white light.

FIN

Ending notes: A little short, but I've mapped out the events, and I want to time them at the right interval! And why not have the big 4-0 be Anna's origin? I also took some liberty and said Gunter was the first to get the blessing (then Garon, Sumeragi, and Xander). I don't think the game gave a specific order.

So yeah, one year later, 200+ reviews, and almost 40 chapters. I really have to thank everyone who's read so far, and especially those that have given me constructive criticism. Really can't believe the fic has gotten this popular.

Next Time - It all started with one kingdom, and one merchant named Anna.