Robin and Felicia - Prince of Plegia
Hoshido was bright.
And not with the type of brightness that illuminated his empty castle when Elise and his siblings would visit him.
Not the type of brightness that radiated from Robin's face when he finally cast his first spell.
And certainly not the type of bright that Robin would use to describe his recent ideas getting to Hoshido in the first place.
At a loss, dear Tactician? This light is rather overwhelming. Even-
"Much better. Overwhelmingly bright," he whispered to himself, soft enough that even Kaze couldn't hear.
On his own insistence, Robin and Felicia were tied by their left arms to the horse that the injured Kaze and Rinkah were riding on. Not that the Hoshidans would complain, though.
"If I may, it's just in the event that that I lose your trust on the way there. Plus, we have working legs. You two do not. My horse is strong, but it can't possibly hold four grown adults."
"Prince Robin, you are surrendering yourself to Hoshido. This horse is Rinkah's only possible means to get home, not to mention mine. Why would we be concerned if you decide to change your mind and leave?"
"A Nohrian horse only follows its rider. You two have the forced honor to capture me and turn me in. Not to mention the fact that if you were to in fact tag along with me back to Nohr, which I have no intention on doing, a certain King wouldn't be very happy to see you, or the one who should have executed you."
Of course, now that they were pretty much there, Robin could have done without the miles of walking and now his feet were quite sore. Felicia didn't complain verbally or even from her usually expressive face, but he knew that he was going to get an earful from her once they were alone. She'd probably freeze his small clothes in the middle of the night.
Wait.
She's an Ice Tribe princess, remember. Here's a freebie: Ice does wonders for sore feet.
I was just about to say...
"You know, I'm not saying you are ordered to... but I would certainly not mind if you iced certain areas of our bodies that happen to be sore from walking," Robin suggested, the thought just now venturing across his mind. Felicia looked at him in awe and then groaned to herself in pity.
"..."
"..."
"I... should have thought of that sooner, milord."
Quite promptly, Robin sighed in relief as he felt the biting numbness take place of the soreness in his feet and legs, smiling at Felicia in gratitude.
"There we go... Thank you, Felicia."
"R-right..." Felicia mumbled, still frustrated at herself for walking across countless miles uncomfortably in her maid uniform. Robin seemed to notice this and grinned in uncharacteristic mischief.
Mind if I take control? Ah, who am I kidding. Boom, let's play 'Seduce the Maid,' featuring me, Robin's mind, tongue, and actions, and of course the star, Felicia.
Robin felt his headache return as the voice seemed to take control of his actions. Granted, the pain wasn't nearly as severe as in the courtyard with Garon and Elise, but it was just noticeable enough to realize that he didn't have control over his own body. Even when his mouth opened, Robin yelled internally for the voice to relinquish control, but it was to no avail.
"Y'know, if your uniform bothers you that much, you could always take it off."
Damn son, where'd you find this?
Obviously, Felicia was caught off guard by Robin's incredibly blatant and out-of-character flirting and instead blushed maddeningly away from the prince a few inches behind her.
"W-what did that... mean?" she stammered, not finishing her complaints.
Here. Your turn to redeem yourself.
And just like that, Robin was back in control, flustered and trying all the while not to appear too entertained.
"I... err... meant, of course, your shoes," Robin attempted weakly, not really seeing how that would redeem him after the lewd remark he had just shot at his friend. Felicia's embarrassment turned into a spiteful grimace which made Robin cower behind the horse as far as his tied arm would let him. Putting his hand over his eyes, he cringed at his failure. "Sorry. I had no idea what just came over me."
"Ignoring the fact that you just asked me to take my clothes off, milord, what idiot would walk around these rocks with no shoes?"
Ah, if only you knew.
What was that?
Referring to Felicia's comments on shoe-less adventurers. There happens to be one that you are well acquainted to.
Who?
You'll see. Come to think of it, there's actually two of them who don't wear shoes. You're about to meet one in a few hours. At most, a day. As for the other... I don't think you'll see her anytime soon.
Thrilling.
She is.
What was that supposed to mean?
It means exactly what you want it to mean.
Yes, but your nuance makes it seem that this shoe-less companion of mine is going to turn out to be... something I don't want to delve into. First you make me flirt with Felicia, which isn't entirely awful, but it's unlike me. Now what are you scheming at?
I did no such thing. You flirting with Felicia just now was clearly none of my doing.
I knew you took control of me again, whoever you are.
No, I merely uncorked your inner thoughts and let them loose. Your words just happened to be the nearest exit. Be thankful it wasn't somewhere... lower.
What? I would never take advantage of Felicia like that, let alone-
Says the one who suggested to his maid that she take off her clothes. You have more class than that, tactician.
I had no say in that crude remark. If anything, you were the one manipulating me. How do I even trust your grand plans when you're so whimsical?
Very well, I shall cease securing bedfellows for your lonely self. Don't say I didn't warn you. Then again, if I were at the helm of your tongue with unbridled freedom, Felicia's clothes would actually be scattered across the path and you'd be balls deep-
...That's quite enough.
Anyway... Smile for the guards. They're posted right around this gate. Then you'll be one step closer to finding out the truth to all this. From there, you'll have to... fake things a little. Manipulate your way towards the Hoshidan court. Being a prince, that shouldn't be too hard. Felicia on the other hand... You'll figure things out just fine on your own.
True to the voice's word, Robin saw himself face to face with a few Hoshidan guards who promptly addressed the four in a rather confused manner. Obviously, if they were tied to the horse, Robin and Felicia were... prisoners? Certainly an odd looking stranger at the gates, that was for sure.
"Felicia?" Robin whispered quietly.
"Yes milord?" the maid responded, just as silent.
"Remember when we were kids, you told Flora you had a crush on me and you wanted to be a princess in our little castle?"
Instantly, Felicia bowed her head in infinite shame and laughed away the shudders that arose from the painfully embarrassing childhood memory.
"W-what's with that, all of a sudden?!" Robin shrugged and placed his free hand around Felicia's comfortingly. And somewhat romantically, if he delved deeper into the thought.
"Well, I'm hoping you still have that wish." Immediately, Felicia grinned and turned away, her blush darkening further.
"Milord, are you seriously proposing to me right here-"
"Play along."
"Huh? Oh..."
"Halt! In the name of the Kingdom of Light and Queen Mikoto, identify-"
"I am Prince Robin of the Kingdom of Nohr, accompanied by my... wife, Felicia, princess of Nohr by marriage and Princess of the Ice Tribe by birth." Felicia remained straight-faced despite her mortification but nodded in agreement.
Well, that's one way. I hope you know what aftermath you're bringing about, tactician.
"R-right," Felicia stuttered, still nodding.
"And what is your business here in Hoshido?" the guard asked, still perplexed at the odd sight.
Robin thought to himself before answering, his tone level and confident. "I have stained my hands with your countrymen's blood. I have come here to turn myself in for crimes inflicted against Hoshido and her people."
"W-what?"
"I understand that this is not exactly the Nohrian way, but I am not like most Nohrians. This whole... conflict... it is rather detestable to me. I have tasted the wine of bloodied victory first-hand... and... I don't think I want another glass."
"So you would abandon your country and get yourself executed or captured just because you can't live with the guilt of killing some of us?"
Felicia butted in now, growing impatient with the guard.
"My husband, a prince of Nohr, turns himself in without complaint and your first response is to question him?"
"Now now, milady," the guard retorted, getting defensive, "This is all very nice, but as convenient as this sounds, this whole event reeks of subtleties and slights."
"Yeah," one of the other guards added. "He could be at some ploy or scheme as we speak! How do we even know he's a prince! We've never heard of Prince Robin!"
"So you want some sign... that I'm of the Nohrian royal family?"
"With respect, supposed Prince, we've never heard of a Robin. There's a Leo and a Xander. No Robin."
"Will this suffice?" Robin asked, feeling around for a dragon vein, which happened to be right underneath the guard's feet. "Oh, and you, border guard. Do step back a little."
"Wait, why?" the guard wondered aloud, backpedaling all the while. As soon as he had cleared the safe zone, Robin erupted the dragon vein and a geyser sprung up underneath the ground, well on its way to flooding the road. Felicia scowled further as her shoes, unlike Robin's boots, had no protection against the water.
"Oops," the prince sighed, as if that was a complete accident.
"The dragon vein! He commands the dusk dragon's powers! So he is telling the truth!"
Of course, having multiple naginata now pointed at his neck did not go according to Robin's plans in the slightest. Thankfully, Kaze stepped in and raised his hand in assurance, lowering the weapons with a simple command.
"Peace brothers. This man rescued me and Princess Rinkah from King Garon himself in Castle Krakenburg. I will be escorting them personally to the Hoshidan court. I believe someone like this would warrant urgent business with Queen Mikoto and time is of the essence," the ninja stated softly, his voice still carrying despite the lack of emphasis.
"Right," the guard in charge nodded, opening up the gates and staring at Robin and Felicia slowly.
"Hmm?" Robin wondered, before the guard started to prod him with the butt of the naginata.
"Weapons, concealed or otherwise, anything of the sort. Don't want you killing any more of our countrymen, eh prince?" Felicia stepped in boldly, covering for her master.
"Then you should search me," she ordered in confidence, kicking out a couple daggers into the dirt next to her for emphasis. "I'm the one with the concealed weapons. All Robin has is his sword, and that is on his horse, not his person." Robin smiled at his maid and then tilted his head at the guard with an equally parallel grin.
"You break her, you buy her," Robin warned quietly. The guard returned his smile slightly and continued his search. "And trust me, a woman like this isn't easy to reimburse."
"With respect," the guard mocked, "For a princess of the ice tribe, you are quite fiery in comparison to the stories we've heard of your people. You're more like the Flame Tribe-" Robin softened up and glanced quickly at Felicia, who was still maintaining her cool despite the gossip flying past her.
"Ah," Robin agreed, smiling as he delved deeper into the act, "You should've seen her on our wedding night. Or, even better, the morning after-"
"Milo- R-robin!" Felicia piped, glaring at her husband as far as her actual station would let her.
"Ah, my apologies love," Robin cooed, "but a man's last moments should be of home. And you, Felicia, are what comes to mind when I think of it." The maid, who still had no clue what Robin was going with this whole act, grinned sheepishly and sighed in embarrassment.
"You are oddly optimistic for one seeking to face Hoshidan execution."
Oh, that won't be the case.
"Atonement is... freeing," Robin lied. "I'm hoping for a massive cathartic payout when this is all through on the gallows. Or the chopping block, whatever you Hoshidans do for such things here."
"This whole scheme is embedded with suspicion," the guard grunted, finishing up his groping on the flustered Felicia, who had managed to keep her bravado up the whole time. "But I can let the Saizo clan take the hit for this if this goes south. Be on your way then, ninja. You too, Nohrian prince. May the Dawn grant you His mercy, no matter the outcome."
"May the Light keep you, kinsman," Kaze responded, bowing his head in respect as the horse passed into the Hoshidan interior.
And we're in. Now what, creepy voice in my head?
I suppose I'll give you credit for pulling that off. I really do forget how resourceful my human- you... were. Oh, and for the record, the name is Grima. Don't try trying to recall me, because you won't. You'll learn all about me in your time to come. Just keep trusting me and playing along, and I'll keep you alive. Not only that, but you'll learn a lot about everything here and even make it back home safe and sound with a little help. For now? Have fun with your cellmate, and I'll be out of this prison - your head - soon enough.
Robin sighed and rolled over on the cot he was sleeping on. In his cell, as cozy as the Hoshidan court would allow, were just two cots, both of which were occupied. The walls were damp and mossy, and the darkness was a much more welcome atmosphere than the blinding luminescence that pierced the cracks in the mortar. Felicia had been given a set of Hoshidan robes, though Robin was still wearing his cloak and the Nohrian armor underneath.
"Felicia, you awake?" The pink-haired girl turned and faced the prince before smiling back.
"Yes, milord."
"I'm sorry for dragging you through all this." Again, Felicia got defensive and sat up, waving her arms about in exasperation.
"Please, milord... I swore an oath to be at your service until my services were no longer needed. If it wasn't me, it would've been Jakob or Flora."
"Perhaps, but the fact that you're here with me in this cell, knowing nothing of what's to come... It is comforting to know I have someone this loyal to me."
"Two others would share that sentiment, milord."
"Even if. That doesn't downplay the fact that you have been by my side. You deserve better from me than shameful flirting and objectification..."
"Milord, even if I didn't know your schemes at the moment... I still don't, but that doesn't change the fact that you've taken care of me not just through this little trip, but all my life at the Northern Fortress."
"So you know why you're my wife for the time being," Robin asked, his eyes honest and caring.
"You wouldn't have gotten me past those guards if I was just your servant," Felicia guessed.
"Yeah... But you're still my wife, even if for an act. And that means something to me, if it doesn't to you."
"It means a lot that you would even consider the notion, milord..." Felicia smiled gratefully, lowering her gaze if just for a moment. "But I want to know why, if that may be so bold."
Allow me. She deserves this much. I know more about the big picture than you do, at the moment.
The headache returned, very slight this time. Robin could only watch as his words came out without him controlling.
"There's... a certain myth regarding the Hoshidan throne," Grima began, taking a seat in front of Felicia on the floor, which was something a little too humble for even Robin to do. Felicia knew to take this tirade seriously, at least.
"I heard... it can grant one's wishes," Felicia offered. Robin's guess was similar as well. He let Grima continue without voicing his own thoughts.
"Close. It can reveal one's true self to the world."
"What could that mean?" Felicia mumbled, not knowing why Robin was willing to get himself killed for such a trivial... unless... Did he figure out he wasn't Nohrian by birth?
"Are you aware of the rumor of Prince Kamui of Hoshido?" Felicia nodded, the pieces already in place.
"What does this have to do with your 'true self?'"
"As kids, you told me I don't look like a Nohrian. My face wasn't stern enough, my hair wasn't blond or brown, and my skin was too pale. You said I would fit in better with the Ice Tribe."
"I didn't think much of it, but you're right. You look nothing like your siblings. But... if what you're thinking is along the lines of what I'm thinking... you don't look very Hoshidan either."
"I know," Grima sighed, leaning forwards and stretching his back. After a few moments of thought, he returned back to his sitting position and craned his head at the maid in earnest curiosity.
Here. You can handle this with your own words. I don't want to reveal my plans to you or Felicia just yet. And... I know your heart is in the right place. Mine isn't.
Robin felt control of his body return to himself and he continued his own thoughts, which happened to be along the same train as Grima's.
"...and that has bothered me to no end, no matter how much I tried to think otherwise. And after doing so much research with Brother Leo, I think I finally found a way to see for myself. Maybe, just maybe, it turns out I'm the lost Prince Kamui, who ended up in Nohr after all these years. Then again, maybe I'm not. But I'm not sure what I am, even if I'm the only one who can find that out."
"Even if... I know Prince Robin of Nohr, Lord of the Northern Fortress is the kindest, most gracious master I could have asked for. Trying to tell me that you're anything otherwise... wouldn't settle with me. It certainly wouldn't be worth your life."
"And that knowledge certainly isn't worth yours," Robin replied, a weak smile on his face. "That's why I wanted you to come with me."
"Why?"
"Because... I don't care what I amount to, as long as I am free of that tower. Whether it is groveling at Father's feet, or charging into battle alongside my family in a pointless war, or rotting away in a cell here, it doesn't matter. As long as I find out the truth of myself, I can finally live my own life. And... you deserve to be free of it too. You and Flora, and Jakob... I'm releasing you from my service. You're a free woman, Felicia. At the cost of my life, you and Flora are free of whatever debt you owe to me."
"Huh?"
"When you came to the Fortress, we were just kids. I didn't know that you were forced to be underneath me. The moment I learned... I had to treat you like family, just like my brothers and sisters. You, Flora, Gunther, Jakob... you're all my family too. And now, I'm setting you free of whatever political reason you've had to be connected to me. In my eyes, you were never my servant, or my maid. You were my family. And family doesn't need any other reason to stick together other than the love they have for each other."
"Robin..."
"The moment I sit on that throne, no... the moment I leave this cell, whether I live or die today, tomorrow, or in the near future... I release you from your captivity to the Northern Fortress and its master, Prince Robin of Nohr."
"..."
"..." Robin looked up and saw slight tears rolling down Felicia's cheeks. Her hands were quivering, and frost was forming near her fingertips and toes.
"W-why..."
"You've proven your loyalty time and time again over the years, Felicia. But I know you miss your home. So does Flora. And... after I somehow get on that throne, if that is fate's will... know that my wishes won't change, no matter who I turn out to be. You deserve anything in my power for what you've done for me."
Felicia remained silent for a while, but took a deep breath and got up, before kneeling next to Robin. They locked eyes for a brief instant before she kissed him before quickly retreating and instead using her arms in the warmest embrace she could muster, despite the tears and frost. that stained her.
"W-whoa-" Robin muttered, shocked at the maid had just... rewarded him like that.
And the somber moment is gone.
Oh shut up you, I've liked Felicia ever since she came to the Fortress-
Oh, enjoy it while it lasts. Once you sit on the throne, everything will change. So go on, I won't judge.
With a reluctant grunt, Robin pushed Felicia off him for a quick second, but his grin was much too earnest to take offence at.
"I think... Flora can handle the Ice Tribe throne all by herself," Felicia decided, nuzzling into Robin's chest. "Obviously, being a maid isn't really for me. I even got fired, despite trying my hardest!"
"Hey," Robin laughed nervously, "when you put it like that-"
"Wherever you go, whoever you turn out to be... I'll stay by your side. I swore the oath myself as a child and I won't break that now, no matter what you say! And besides! For the time being, I'm your wife! It'd be weird if I left your side now!"
"I... suppose it would," Robin muttered with a gulp. "I suppose being your husband isn't the worst thing that could've happened- I mean, it's great!"
Great job genius. Now you got her hopes up.
What's wrong with that? Can't a prince propose to his own maid?
You know what? Find out for yourself. I'll stay quiet.
When Kaze and another man entered the cell, they found Robin and Felicia huddled together on their cot, asleep. If anything, Kaze had presumed they were an item even if their marriage was an act. He rapped on the bars lightly, unlocking the cell door. They woke up and looked at their situation, before rapidly separating in front of the two Hoshidans.
"It seems that Queen Mikoto has anticipated your visit," the ninja said without expression, letting Felicia and Robin exit before shutting the door behind them. The other man glared at the couple but didn't vocalize anything except for a few grunts.
"Right this way, Prince," Kaze directed, leading the way.
"So, the rumored Prince of the Northern Tower. I've heard stories of a boy who wandered alone in his icy fortress, waiting for the moment King Garon would release him upon Hoshido not unlike a huntsman releasing the hounds on a hunt."
Robin gulped quietly as he stepped into the middle of the hall, utterly alone aside from the unarmed Ice Tribe princess behind him.
The Nohrian prince stared back at the offending party, a tall, broad-shouldered male with gleaming red and gold armor and a white robe. The katana by his hip had no sheath, so it was easy to see the lightning arcing off its honed edge. Without a doubt, he could tell that that was the Raijintou, the divine blade of the Dawn.
Which made its wielder Hoshido's crown prince.
"Crown Prince Ryoma," Robin replied slowly and deliberately with a well-rehearsed bow. "Your swordsmanship and blade technique are peerless, according to my sibling's reports. I... am in no attempt to contest that claim," he added after a brief pause. "And I am certainly in no condition to start a quarrel."
"Odd words, from one trespassing into my homeland, dragging his feet onto my doorstep, with the intent of professing of the blood he has spilled in Nohr's name to the very people that would take the most offense to those words. You being here in our midst is an insult that will not be taken-"
"Now now, I come here seeking my own justice by Hoshidan law, and you complain about this being an insult?"
"A prisoner that turns himself in is not the same as a prisoner captured during a skirmish. Not to mention how suspicious this act is."
"Well, capturing me is going to be hard if I'm already in your dungeons. And for the last time, my ulterior motives are not in the slightest malicious."
"Hoshido has no use for a prisoner like you. If it's a death wish you have, why not face it in the battlefield, like a regular Nohrian?" Robin stopped, his plan springing into action.
"I am no Nohrian. Tell me, when you gaze upon me, what do you see?"
"A coward seeking a dishonorable death."
"Honor is... debatable. But tell me. Was Princess Hinoka cowardly for trying to break into Castle Krakenburg for whatever reason? That in itself if a death wish, no?"
"Explain your motives, Nohrian, or you may yet find your death by my own hand."
"With all due respect," Robin interrupted, laughing at Ryoma's seriousness. "If you wish to strike me down, then by all means," he waved his arms as if inviting Ryoma to stab him, but the crimson samurai did not budge.
"I will not attack an unarmed opponent."
"Funny you say that. Because I'm about to attack an armed one."
Without warning, Robin charged forwards, opening his cloak to reveal...
Nothing?
The punch he threw was clumsy. At most, it was passionate. At the very least, it was aimed at Ryoma's face. But most importantly, it stopped in midair as soon as Ryoma's right hand flew to Raijintou's hilt. Robin backed away, nodding at the results.
"What was the point of that?" Ryoma questioned, not understanding Robin's ploy.
"Your reflexes," he lied, smiling it off as the doors behind him opened.
Mikoto's aura of peace doesn't affect her own people.
The two princes were interrupted when Queen Mikoto herself entered the hall, escorted by a purple-haired diviner and an unmounted knight of sorts that had both a bow and a naginata cross-holstered on her back.
"Ryoma, my son, please step away from the prisoner. I will... settle things myself."
Doing as was asked, the samurai backed away from the cloaked prince, still grimacing at what Robin had been attempting to accomplish.
"So..." Mikoto began, walking around Robin as he stood stationary, hands tucked behind his back in attempts to look respectable. "You're Prince Robin. The Prince without a Kingdom."
Robin nodded and softened up, clearly in a different state of mind than when Ryoma had him locked in.
"I assume you know why I'm here then, milady," Robin replied.
"Five lives lie against you. Five Hoshidan lives."
"Murdered, each one, in combat amidst the Castle Krakenburg court," Robin replied. "Their deaths were neither merciful nor swift. I expect the same treatment for myself."
"But that is not the only reason you have traveled all this way," Mikoto continued, walking past Robin to the throne that was shining in the glimmer of first sunrise. "You doubt your heritage."
"It's not doubt if you're certain, milady."
"So it seems."
"..."
"..."
"Robin, not wanting to say anything more than he needed to, backed up until Felicia was back by his side, taking small comfort in the company. Mikoto appeared lost in thought, but her face was wreathed in pain.
"Milady?" her retainers asked.
"It's... a vision," the other retainer realized, backing away from Mikoto to give her room to concentrate. "She's having another premonition."
"K-kamui..." Mikoto whispered, before gazing at Robin. "You know where Kamui is?" Robin raised his eyebrows in honesty, shaking his head.
"I was thinking that maybe I'm..."
"Sit on my throne, Prince Robin."
The Crown Prince immediately rose to object, voicing his claims quite loudly.
"B-but... Mother! That is only for the ruler-" Mikoto shushed Ryoma with a palm, letting Robin free reign to her seat of power.
"He knows something about Kamui... Something we don't."
"Mother..."
"Let him take the seat, Ryoma. Trust me and what I've seen. No harm will come to Hoshido through this man."
Robin took this as his cue and placed his foot on the first step towards the glimmering seat. Turning back to Felicia who held his arm, he nodded in assurance.
"No matter who I am... Thank you, Felicia."
He took another step, and another, until after a few dozen more he found himself several feet above the heads of everyone else in the hall. His hands brushed against the armrests gracefully, and the prince was not sure whether he was fit to even touch the throne.
Here we go.
"Before I sit," Robin announced, still in a reverent state. "Can you tell that archer up there to ease off?"
Seeing that his cover was blown, said archer cursed and fired his arrow with startling precision, nicking Robin's shoulder before pinging off the plate. The impact alone forced Robin onto the throne, and-
"Designation H017: Takumi, Hoshidan Prince, Archer, Born December 14th. Skillful, Cunning, and very quick on the uptake, whether the task is strategic, motor, or artistic. Underneath his cold facade is a prince overshadowed and overwhelmed by his older siblings, and a hatred for Nohrians, especially those that can overpower him. But to those he swears to protect, he will stop at nothing to keep them safe. Has the services of both Oboro, H015 and Hinata, H016.
[Tactician's Note] Along with Prince Leo, his Nohrian counterpart, it is clear that Takumi would be the first choice as replacement Commander if me and Corrin were to become compromised. He is very skilled, even if he won't admit it, in the ways of warfare. His stratagems rival my own, but his determination and cunning outshine mine. In fact, the only area I have him beat is in experience and... unconventionality.
[Personal Note] His nightmares have been getting worse. He freezes up when he has flashbacks of some sort of event where Corrin killed his Mother. That seems to be his biggest shortcoming..."
"What the hell..." Robin gasped, finally able to stop the flow of words that spewed from his mouth rapidly. What just happened? He sprang away from the throne and nearly fell down the stairs had not Felicia caught him halfway down.
"The truth has been revealed," Mikoto stated, her voice wavering but still level with a shred of grace. "And maybe my visions will make more sense."
"W-what visions?" Robin wondered, fearing to touch the throne again with his body.
"A boy, still an infant, spirited away from his father in the middle of a storm of sand. And then... it is dark. Very dark. But then a hand reaches to me, telling me..."
"There's better places to sleep than on the ground..."
"Orphaned at such a young age... you are my child now."
"You are a prince of Plegia, bearer of the blood of a perfect Grimleal! Rise to your office, Fell Blood!"
"I... It's coming back to me..." the Tactician of Ylisse realized, looking back at the throne. He realized where he was now.
"I'm... I'm reliving Corrin's... No. Kamui's memories," Robin stated, still at awe at his revelation. "I'm not Prince Kamui... because Kamui was a princess! The missing child of Hoshido... I did know her... gods..."
"Please, what else can you see?" Mikoto begged, eager to hear of her long-lost daughter. Ryoma listened to, while Takumi was still in shock at hearing his own... profile, or whatever it was that the stranger had recited when he was shot.
"I see your daughter, Princess Kamui of Hoshido, or Princess Corrin of Nohr, as I know her... She has united Hoshido and Nohr under a single banner... She dreamed of a world of peace, and woke up to it as a reality..."
"Where is she?" Mikoto insisted, eager to see her lost child. Robin shook his head.
"I can't... She killed you, I see you... dying at her feet."
"What?!" Ryoma and Takumi yelled simultaneously, drawing their weapons.
"The sword Garon gave her. It was going to kill her. But... you dove in the way, Queen Mikoto. Why?"
"I dreamed many times of that event. I was wondering if it was a sign that one day... the day I would see my daughter, I would die."
"But why am I here?" Robin asked, still confused at why he was in Hoshido. "I'm an Ylissean! But yet... what I saw..."
Sit back down. Hear me out, one more time.
So he did. He heard the devil inside his own head and complied to its will.
And time froze to a halt.
"What you are sitting on," Grima's voice rang out, "is a dragon throne. They're seats of power, embedded with a dragon's will. I have one in Old Ylisse, Naga has one on Mt. Prism, and such is the nature of Hoshido's throne."
"G-grima..." Robin growled, still confused that he still remembered his entire life as a Nohrian prince.
"Yes... that is my name," Grima said, appearing in front of Robin and removing his hood. "The title I had to bear when I took upon myself this burden." Robin gaped at the splitting image of himself, not believing his eyes.
"Y-you're... me..."
"In most iterations, you would have met me sooner, back before you filed an acquisition for Plegian ships. You would've learned a lot that day, including the reason Lucina will be the one to kill you."
"W-what? Why Lucina?"
"We'll get to that later. For now, what do you remember?"
"Everything," Robin gulped. "And I know enough to remember that I should kill you where you stand-"
"Perhaps. If I truly was the Fell Dragon, I would treat such a threat as nonsense. But... I'm human, just like you now. The heart of Grima, the last piece of his human self, thrown onto the world he wills to destroy. And I'll break, just as easily."
"So you're saying... Grima is a good guy?"
"No. I'm a good guy. The Grima you're trying to kill? Not a trace of humanity left. That's the Grima that nabbed your son and daughter. The Grima that killed Lucina's hopes. The Grima that... will not hesitate to get one last shot at repeating history."
"So what are you?" Robin asked.
"The human, an infinite number of iterations ago... that accepted Validar's designs for me. The human who couldn't think for himself. And the human that paid the price by watching the ones he had come to love die. Over and over again, by his own hand."
"W-what are you?"
"The god of destruction and malice," Grima sighed, sighing as he walked around the Hoshidan throne, putting his hood back on.
"Why show me this?"
"You were put under a curse, by Iago. Remember him?"
"Yeah... my strategy tutor during my tenure in the castle. Tactician for the army of Nohr."
"The one and the same. He's the one responsible for this curse that is upon you and Corrin."
"Corrin?!" Robin gasped, "She's here too?" Grima shook his head.
"Just as you're shaping your path through her memories, she is doing the same towards yours. A few days ago, she woke up in Ylisse, helped to her feet by Chrom. A day later, she rescued him and his sister from Risen. And now she's going to learn the truths that I can't trust you with. But don't worry. I still have a lot for you to learn in this world before I can let Kana and Lucina find you. Now, before we start... one more thing. Remember Felicia?"
"Of course. I... well, Prince Robin was smitten with her. She is quite charming. I'm surprised I didn't notice it earlier."
"Sorry to break it to you, but you can't have a princess and her servant. Just one. And I'm assuming you'll be sticking with the princess because the other is quite taken. In all aspects. And to a Prince no less. You kept your promise to her in the end."
"Well what do you know," Robin laughed, thinking of Laslow and Felicia, along with their daughter Soleil. "She gets to be a princess in a castle after all."
"Now that you're fully aware of yourself, it looks like I've weakened the curse enough, no doubt with your help."
"What curse?" Robin asked, still feeling fully normal.
"Right now, you're in a dream state. It may seem real, feel real, but this world will never come to be, in any universe except the one in your head. When you wake up... you'll be back in Ylisse. But like I said, we have a lot to teach you, and Corrin isn't making this easy on herself either."
"Right. So what next?"
"Well, tactician, wanna tell me who is Roster designation H001?"
"Princess Azura... I figured she knew more than she let on."
"Well, you're about to bite off a lot more than you can chew. Ah, chew, get it? Because she wears no shoes? And I told you you would be... never mind. Yes, Azura is the next teacher of your tenure here in Corrin's head. Take very good notes, because even I am having trouble keeping track of all the people that can't die."
"I'd prefer no one in my army dies," Robin grumbled, feeling time speed back to normal as he rose from the throne, Mikoto still looking for answers.
"Well... some people, like Azura... have to."
