Review Time:
SuperNova23 - Hell yeah, maybe cuboon or something. I have to say, through writing the ship, I've become a huge fan of it. It's so cute.
Raihan Sayuko - maybe 8)
Cyberchao X - Me too, and it's her best support chain by far.
Chapter 53 - Sorry
With little time to spare, Anankos had fled with both women to hide in the well just outside of town. There would be no way to spare all of the people in Valla, but it wasn't too late for Mikoto and Arete.
"Okay….I had left to try to keep that dragon - out there - under control, but I had failed. Months of meditation in the forest, and….I couldn't prevent it."
Arete held Azura close. "That monster is an extension of yourself?"
"Perhaps it's more accurate to say I'm the extension. I kept seeing horrible visions of destruction, of the people yelling at me, but…..I realize now it wasn't a vision. It was a memory. I was once that dragon, centuries ago."
"…."
Anankos took off his hood. His golden eyes and distinct blue hair did not get passed to his son, but the astute one could easily sense the shared aura between the both of them. They were dragons, and at least shared pointed ears.
"From centuries ago…." Mikoto frowned. "Is there anything else you remember?"
But he didn't answer. Instead he climbed back up the ladder, intending to face the dragon head on.
Elsewhere, the Ylissean tactician was making the trip back to Ylisstol. He had plenty of time to properly articulate what he was going to say to Chrom and the other Shepherds, but that didn't make the task any less daunting. Essentially he had let all of them go off to parts unknown, with no way to ensure they would come back.
"Huh? Is that….?"
The wings of a pegasus briefly blocked out the sun, but Robin recognized the hair and form. It was Cordelia, who descended with her usual flawless flair.
"Robin! Thank goodness I've found you. Chrom ordered me to check up on the rest of you. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Cordelia, but….well, how should I explain this? Okay, uh….I have good news and bad news. Which would you want to hear first?"
Cordelia looked puzzled. "I suppose the good news, then?"
Damn it. "Okay, Naga gave us a way to find your daughter and the others. It's relatively simple, and I have faith they'll be back very soon!"
"Oh that's wonderful!" Cordelia's face lit up for a few moments with thoughts of Severa, but then it deflated. "But….the bad news would be?"
"Yes, here's the rub, um…Naga has no way to bring the rescue team back, they'll have to figure that out themselves. But with Lucina and Morgan leading the way, it s-shouldn't be too hard, right?"
"Robin."
"Yes?"
"Did you send your daughter, our liege's daughter, and everyone's child to go to an unknown world?"
"Technically Naga did the sending."
Luckily, the children were doing just fine. The chasms that littered the continent were nothing for the party - they had four ways to travel in the air. But there was no mistaking the bad feeling all of them had, that the struggle was just beginning.
"Look! There's a town!" Cynthia had pointed out.
But once the Shepherds landed, they heard locked doors and locked windows. The town itself was in shambles, as if something had attacked.
"Lilith, quick…do these Vallites like to play games like this?"
"No, Morgan, I sense not them, but actual people. No doubt Anankos's proclamation has given them pause…."
"We come in peace!" Lucina announced, dropping her Falchion. "We mean no threat to you or your families! We're here to save this world!"
One door opened up; the ragged and weary elder came out. "A-Are you? Please, we don't have anything, if you want to kill us, spare the children!"
"No! Please, let us help you. You're hiding from the dragon, aren't you?"
At that, some windows opened up, with nervous citizens peeking their heads out.
"Can you tell us where we are, specifically?"
"Oh yes, yes, you're…." the elder looked around, just in case something was going to attack. "…in Mokushu. Please, this village didn't support the Daimyo's actions! Is this supposed to be our fate? We were terrified to oppose him!"
"Daimyo?"
Lilith stepped in. "That's not important, I promise you. Whatever your leader did doesn't matter anymore, this is a fight for survival. What's the state of your country, right now?"
"Ah….w-well, there was a Nohrian presence, but we haven't seen hide or hair of their wyverns. It's as if they…disappeared. But there's only….so little time before the dragon comes after us…."
"Listen to me. If none of you have any intentions to serve Valla, then you must hide."
"But where?! They'll find and kill all of us!"
Before Lilith could think of something, a portal opened up behind the group. Instinctively they all readied their weapons, but even they blinked at the prospect of similarly dressed soldiers rushing out.
"Go go GO! Prepare the evacuation! And try to speed it up before that Anankos bastard wakes up…"
General Nichol stood, eying the village. The Mokushujins would've be cowering in fear over another Nohrian, but hearing "evacuation" was enough to make them run out of their homes.
"Who are you?" Lucina demanded. "Where are you taking them?!"
"None of your damned business, girlie. You don't look like any of his cronies…" Nichol snapped his fingers, and a pack of the soldiers surrounded the Shepherds. "so talk before the Anti-Valla Army guts you all like rotten fish."
The plan was to get the jump on the clock. Thanks to the assistance of the Outrealm orbs, sections of the army could enter the world, scope around, and report back to the main force. But they had to move fast….the Vallites would eventually get wind of their presence.
"This island over here….leads to there…" Hinoka zoomed downward, mentally taking in everything she saw. "Alright, this part's clear!"
She passed the message onto a pegasus knight on standby, but she was not the only one.
XXXXX
"Yes….yes, I understand, thank you!"
The information was passed on to 'trackers' - those in the space who marked up region maps and made notes and schematics for the main force. Some of the Annas were assisting, whenever they could.
"How much time we have left, Lord Leo?"
Naturally the most tactical mind had to coordinate the whole effort. "We have two hours and 34 minutes left."
As many had predicted, most of the Vallite destruction was to the east - meaning the greatest concentration would be in Hoshido. That was to be expected. That meant Hydra was content to stay where he was. Reina was the one that had reported the floating outline of Shirasagi, above the capital. However, the domain of Anankos remained unseen….for now.
"Ha….ha…."
Yukimura's heart was pounding, and not just from his blood loss. It was a miracle, or perhaps some kind of sick twisted game of Hydra's that he managed to escape, right as he was slaughtering Hans. He even made his way out of the castle, banking on over 10 years of residence memory.
"N-No….damn it….!"
However, Yukimura was currently looking down at a rather large abyss. There was no way to truly escape.
"Well, well….I'm surprised to see you around, Yukimura!"
Now his heart was beating so fast, he could hear the thumping. But the voice was not Hydra, or even Anankos. It was-
"Lord….Sumeragi….."
Sumeragi gave him a cheeky grin. "Only you could have the brains to escape Hydra, eh? Bet you already figured out how I'm standing right here."
"…"
"Well?"
"The mark on your person….it is not of Hoshido….meaning….you serve the dragon. You serve the same force that decimated…our country."
"Bah!" He tossed him an Elixir. "Drink that to help some of your wounds. Don't speak as if I'm some lapdog….there is only one thing I want, Yukimura! And if you give it to me…."
The potion burned at first, but it gave the green-haired man enough energy to stand upright. He would still need some proper care, however his chance to escape had gotten larger.
"Why are you letting me go? Don't you wish to slaughter humanity like the monster that sits on your throne?"
"Don't be so bitter, Yukimura."
"Bitter. I'm sorry, my liege, but I live in a corrupted world where my country has been ransacked, the royal family lost, the crown prince DEAD-"
"IDIOT!" Sumeragi's blade was now to his throat. "Shout any louder and you will be found! Then what happens? Ryoma is not dead."
"H-How do you even know?!" Yukimura gasped; another blade was attached to the dead king's belt. "Is….t-this…."
"I know it. I know for a fact my son still draws breath." Sumeragi took off the Raijinto and gave to Yukimura. "Find him, and give him that. Only he can give me the challenge I seek."
"W-What? That's….absurd. Sire, you're alive! You have the capacity to break free and return back to your family! Why, if you say Ryoma is alive, then surely the rest of them are!"
His family? Sumeragi seemed somewhat….conflicted by the thought. Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, Sakura….and even the child he helped raise with Mikoto, if only for a short few years. "Yukimura….once I help you escape, you must find him on your own. Understand?"
"C-Can't you just defect? Please sire, as your loyal tactician, I just want you to-"
He cut him off. "Loyal? Yukimura, I know you've had impure thoughts towards the Queen."
"Lord….Sumeragi, I….you mustn't understand, I-"
"Don't explain yourself. Mikoto was a beautiful wife, and I myself….was a bit of a scoundrel. But stop trying to pretend as if our stations are the same. They're not. You are an escaped prisoner….and I am the samurai that wants a worthy opponent and….a chance to see my son."
Sumeragi looked away. At his feet, a swirling pool appeared, and he stepped out to let Yukimura enter in.
"Milord…..you will always be my king. It doesn't mean much, but-"
"Damn it, Yukimura, if you keep talking, I'll throw you back in that castle. Give your king his last wish."
"…..yes…."
It took a heavy heart, but Yukimura obeyed the final command Sumeragi would ever give him. Once the blade and prisoner had disappeared, the samurai king lowered his head.
A samurai should never turn his blade against friends and family. And yet…..here we are.
One of the Outrealm portals opened up below, in the ruined Shirasagi. A normal soldier would be consistently anxious that they would blow their cover, but Kaze was no normal soldier. He was a ninja, one of Hoshido's finest.
His brother was on standby while the small pack of ninja moved silently, through the shadows.
The entire capital is worse than that day….there's so many dead bodies, so much suffering. Forgive me, Hoshido. We will avenge you all.
All of them had noticed the floating castle looming above, like a cruel reminder that the country was a hollow reminder of itself. Even in the center, the Dawn Dragon statue had been crushed to dust. Kaze was remorseful, but he reminded himself of his mission and continued onward.
XXXXXX
His brother stood perfectly still from the vantage point. And then, something came into his view. It was a small boy, clothes in tatters and hope nearly gone.
"Mommy…..? Daddy…..?"
Saizo tensed up, but only for a fraction of a second. He had to save that child, but the second any Vallites caught wind, it be for naught.
44…45…..46 steps. 23 one way, 23 the back way.
He waited. A few ninja in the team whizzed by to pass on their information, so he waited some more. The boy kept crawling across the ground.
"Mommy….!"
A quick look up to make sure nothing was flying down from the castle. All clear.
"MO-"
Zip
The child's teary eyes widened in surprise when he saw Saizo, who looked at him back. Don't cry. I'm here to save you.
Only one hour remained in the countdown.
"Yes…..YES! It's perfect! It's all so perfect!"
Iago hadn't wasted his time. With his own powers, he was zipping around to get more valuable soldiers….more figures of years past. The enemy was in hiding, how would they ever know?
Iago! Are you listening, you idiot?!
"Hmm?" Ah, Lord Hydra, I forgot all about our little mental link…..and certainly, I forgot how….demanding your voice is…
I said that bastard Yukimura escaped! He just escaped my torture session, and he even managed to swipe the Raijinto!
So what? He won't get very far with his wounds. I'll simply give the order to retrieve the blade promptly. In the meantime, be a dear and make sure Siegfried is kept safe?
Are you ordering ME around?! Know your place, tactician, I am your superior!
Iago chuckled with delight. You are not. We both serve the interests of Lord Anankos, in case you have forgotten. The prisoner was YOUR folly, not mine.
You piece of…
He closed the link. Hydra's voice was too annoying for his good mood. And why shouldn't he be happy? Things were changing, and he had picked the winning side!
But for how long?
All of the trackers had complied the information together, to make the best path the army could take.
"Yes, all of the reports confirm Reina's initial sighting. Shirasagi Castle is floating above the capital, obviously where that bastard Hydra lies."
"Seizing it back is the key to reclaiming Hoshido," Gunter said. "However, we're still missing a few pieces of the puzzle. No one has been able to track down Anankos or any of his generals."
"They must be in the same place. Perhaps higher, in the atmosphere?" Leo pondered for a bit. "We've only been able to perform basic scoutings due to the scope of the world, but time is ticking…hold a minute. These graphs don't make any sense!"
The world had been reduced to segmented islands in the air, but why wasn't each chart leading into the next?
"Are our scouts not reporting it correctly?"
"No….Prince Leo, I think I've got it. The land…wasn't divided up in a clean horizontal way," said Nyx. "Some ascended, and some descended. See?"
"Ah…we don't have enough fliers to carry the whole army across the skies! So we'll have to reorganize our Warp users, like this…"
"Excuse me! I have an urgent report!"
Kaze had appeared. The beads of sweat and tension on his face meant the plan wasn't going completely smoothly.
"Say it, then. Were you followed?"
"My team spotted some Vallite movement. It was centered right under Shirasagi Castle. Are they sending reinforcements so soon?"
Leo consulted the other brilliant minds in his midst. "So the attack begins now?"
XXXXX
"GET YER WEAPONS! SWORDS, LANCES, TOMES, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF!" Zipper announced. "And don't worry, it's all going on Ace's tab!"
"That's NOT funny!"
"Heehee! All of us will be cheering you on, sis. You and Apotheosis, make us proud, okay?"
The bulk of the army gathered together, arming themselves to the teeth with weapons and potions. Azura, Ryoma, Xander, and Corrin were at the front.
"Is everyone ready?!" Apotheosis asked the army, or rather, yelled.
"YEAH!"
"Are we gonna kick every Vallite butt out there?!"
"YEAH!"
"Then let us begin!" Azura shouted, something she almost never did. She gracefully twirled as the army rushed ahead, and two paladins picked her up so that she could be in the center of the formation.
Castle Giyges; the destination for the final battle. It represented the strangeness - and the dominance - of Valla itself, so high above in the sky one could see the lower echelons of the atmosphere. It would be marvelous if the mere presence wasn't so cold-hearted.
But even now, Anankos's true form was concealed by a stone wall. The floating head was soon joined by another soul.
"ARETE."
"You wish to see me, Lord Anankos? The battle is about to begin. Your countdown will end. Humanity will make their final choice!"
"YOU'VE SEEN MIKOTO….HAVE YOU NOT?"
The former Queen put on her poker face, not that it would really do anything. "My treacherous sister? If you recall, none of us were able to find her."
"THAT WOMAN IS STILL RUNNING AROUND IN MY WORLD. SHE TOOK LILITH, AND NOW THE LINK BETWEEN ME AND HER HAS BEEN SEVERED COMPLETELY."
Arete raised an eyebrow. "I doubt Mikoto has the tools to do that."
"IT IS NOT HER!" the head shouted. "SOMETHING….UNKNOWN HAS INTERFERED WITH MY POWER. THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN."
"…what should do I do, my liege?"
Anankos was silent for a few moments before saying: "YOUR DAUGHTER POSSESSES THE KEY TO STOPPING MY POWER. YOU MUST MAKE SURE I NEVER SEE HER FACE."
"But…..Lord Anankos, her pendant is lost, remember? She may know the song, but it means nothing without the token."
But the head wasn't convinced. "I'D RATHER REMOVE ANY MORE VARIABLES. FIND HER, AND DESTROY HER."
Destroy her….
Arete pictured the face of the child she had sired. Her flowing blue hair, the golden eyes, she was a perfect replica of her in her own youth. The closest she had gotten to seeing her again was to taunt Anna.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"…..yes. I do."
The doors to the Shirasagi dungeons slammed open, and Hydra's malicious form slithered inside. There were some Hoshidan civilians inside, and all of them tensed up at his presence. Children clinged to adults.
"Hahaha…..the grace period is over…..and you know what that means? Conscription….or death!"
"M-Monster! N-None of us will j-join y-your army!"
Hydra sneered. "Big talk for your stuttering tongue. But don't get the wrong idea, I have no patience to fiddle my time slaughtering you. My goal is the Nohrian prince. Instead, I have an inquiry….who was it? Who gave the sword to Yukimura?!"
The prisoners looked confused.
"W-We've been in here since the attack….didn't you imprison him in a different room?"
"DO NOT TALK BACK TO ME!" Hydra shouted. Furious, he extended his sludge limbs through the bars of one cell, grabbing the speaker closer to his menacing face. "Was it you, then?!"
"L-Let me go!" the girl squeaked. She had owned a pegasus and wanted to join the army.
"Emma! Put her down!"
Hydra moved closer. "How. Did. Yukimura. Escape?!"
"….."
"What are you…." The beast fell silent too. Indeed, through a small vent in the wall, there was the distinct sound of a battle horn. "What is that?!"
XXXXX
"CHARGE! CLEAR OUT THE CITY OF THE VALLITES!"
To Ryoma's left was Kagero. To his right was Saizo, and right behind him was Scarlet and his siblings. Besides him was Xander.
The samurai was the first one to make a move- his blade zoomed ahead, at the flickering of purple flames, and with a mighty roar, Ryoma cut the head off the Vallite.
"WE WILL FREE OUR HOMELAND!" he shouted, and the army advanced. Unlike the Windmire battle, this was far more coordinated and had a lot more people in its midst. Those used to the flickering of Vallites could hunt down with ease. Those who couldn't see as sharply had others to guide them.
XXXXX
"They're attacking! Onward!"
No assault is complete without an aerial component. Hinoka and others zoomed through the sky, Shirasagi Castle locked firmly on by the princess's eyes. There it is…. Her peripheral vision saw one of the flyers get knocked down with a sharp object and a blood trail. "They have ballista! Be on your guard!"
She snapped the reigns and took a sharp turn.
"Princess Hinoka, I'll shoot them down!" Reina was right behind her, armed with a Silver Yumi. "Please don't do anything reckless!"
"Don't worry Reina, you just aim that bow!"
Hinoka circled around once more, hoping to find some weak point to the structure. She hated the idea of attacking the same castle where she grew up, but this was no time to be sentimental. Claiming back Shirasagi was the army's second goal.
And then-
What….what is that?!
It was a scream. A scream of a young girl as a sludge-covered hand threw her off the ledge, into the abyss to fall to her death. Some of the flyers looked up in alarm. A few lost their pegasus as a result.
"KEEP FIGHTING!" Hinoka ordered. "I'LL SAVE HER!"
Emma fell and fell, her entire life flashing rapidly before her tear-stained eyes. She didn't want to die, as much as she didn't want to see her country ransacked by invisible soldiers. Hinoka dodged arrow after spell after spear as she zoomed upward.
"Almost…..there…..!"
Before she realized it, a wyvern lord was in her way, but Camilla swooped down to knock the rider off and behead the mount.
"Camilla!"
"Now now darling, you really should take your own advice~"
Hinoka's hand grabbed Emma's arm, and as the girl realized she wasn't going to die, she was pulled up. "Prin….P-Princess…."
"Hang on tight, okay?" Immediately the pegasus dived to dodge more fire, and Hinoka's red eyes were enflamed with focus and determination. When she felt the gust of wind from the titular tribe hit her face, she changed course.
"You…s-saved my life…."
"It's not over yet." Hinoka looked up and scowled. "He's gonna start throwing more civilians off, isn't he?! He's just….a…."
"Princess?" Emma gulped. "Are you okay?"
She was not. In Hinoka's line of vision was another woman with red hair, standing on the edge of the castle platform while the ballistas reigned down. It seemed from her signal, they stopped aiming at her.
"It….it's her…."
"Who?"
Lady Ikona, the deceased Queen of Hoshido. She was dressed in robes not unfitting of an Onmyoji, with long, flowing red hair that was a shade between Hinoka's dark hue and Sakura's lighter one.
Mother….
ZAP
It was a powerful Bolting spell, that had nearly electrocuted Hinoka and Emma. I can't get down! I'll need to ask for some help….
XXXXXX
"Oh! Someone needs help!"
Felicia quickly raised her Rescue staff, and Hinoka and Emma were teleported down. The flyers had been given red flags to signal the staff users below.
Currently the battle was raging on, but the push had enormous momentum - soon, the city would be theirs.
"Thanks, Felicia." Hinoka looked around. "Sakura nearby?"
"U-Uh….no, why?"
But the princess zoomed off, without Emma of course. "You guys are fighting those goons, right? You'll save Hoshido! Lemme help!"
"Absolutely not." Jakob bonked her with his own heal staff. "You are a civilian. I suggest you retreat to *that* lady over there, so you can hide with the others."
"But that slime jerk, he….he has to pay!"
Felicia frowned. "He does, but the army doesn't want to put anymore lives in danger. Don't disappoint Princess Hinoka, okay?"
"But I…"
Jakob gestured with his glove. "Go on. If you're good, I'll make you some tea."
"Now?!"
Two priestesses took Emma, and she soon disappeared into the Outrealm ether. "Very well done, Felicia! Let's keep at it!"
"Right! You're my partner, Jakob, and we'll support the army every step of the way!"
"I am surprised," the butler noted, "that you still wish to dress up as a maid?"
"I….like being one. A-And if the tribe is free after we win, then it's not so bad, right? I….kinda want to get better at cooking….ehehehe…."
Jakob grimaced. "Oh Felicia, you'll never improve if I'm not helping you. Fortunately for you, I am content with this life and shall assist you."
"Really? But why?"
"….well, it's all I've never known. Unlike your doting father, my parents simply left me. And Lord Corrin is quite appreciative of what I do, so…truth be told, I've never thought of something else."
"Oh…" Felicia quickly changed staves to Physic the damaged Benny in the distance. "Jakob, I…."
"Yes?"
"…..nothing…."
"Say it, Felicia, for crying out loud. You're strong, or at least I like to think so."
"I…..mighthaveacrushonyoubutthat'snotimportantcanwejustfightrightnow?" she said quickly, throwing a dagger at a Vallite aimed for Rinkah's head.
"Capital idea! But first, a word."
"Huh?"
Jakob grabbed Felicia, leaned down, and kissed her for an undisturbed thirty seconds. He was skilled enough to accurately hit every enemy aiming for him in that span. When he released her, she was completely frazzled.
"You…..wha…..h-huh….?"
"Do wipe the mental patient look off your face, Felicia, it's unbecoming. A little motivation, hm?"
Ikona looked down at the dogfighting. "So remnants of the armies have formed a resistance force. That's quite troublesome. More so that my daughter is involved."
"You little….you missed on purpose!" Hydra accused. "As punishment, you are to guard this castle! I must warn Lord Anankos these rats have gathered together…"
"I thought you wanted to take on Xander? The body of the Nohrian king is more than just some person that flees at the first sign of danger."
Hydra hissed. "They have ALL of these soldiers and supplies, HOW?! I don't intend to fall her this early in the battle! I'll take Siegfried and escape! You'd better kill your children, Ikona, or at least you'll pay the price!"
"…."
Soon, he vanished in a thick haze of dark energy.
"Aren't I already paying….?" The queen asked somberly. "To aim at my own flesh and blood….is this what compelled Mikoto to flee?"
But the entire army wasn't marching on Shirasagi. Other small teams were disappearing in and out, rescuing whatever civilian they found. This also included Nichol, who had "conscripted" Lucina and company.
"You still haven't told us who the leader of your army is!" she demanded. His team was traversing the Mokushu forest for stragglers, but the general had his own ideas.
"Technically, I serve only the Nohrian royal family, but I guess it's the singer girl….Lady Azura."
"And that would be….?"
Nichol ignored her, instead turning to Morgan. "Hey chief, you're the real leader of this pack, right? Tell your knight to shut her mouth."
"You-!" Lucina clenched her grip on her blade. Instead Morgan decided to play it cool.
"I guess I am, huh? Nichol, sir, we're looking for our friends. We'll happily kick all kinds of butt for you if you can help us!"
"Friends, huh? Don't need them, never did."
"That's…..kinda dark…."
Nichol stopped them. "A test to see if you're worth half the dirt you're standing on." He pointed ahead. "Sense that?"
"Vallites!" Lilith gasped.
"Wasn't talking to you, Gumbo. Chief, you're up."
"Well, okay. I guess I can do the classic Ignis play!" Morgan took her tome and ran ahead, while the others watched anxiously. Vallites - ninjas, to be exact - picked up on her presence and threw shuriken from all angles at her. "A one, and a two….!"
Robin's daughter spun and flipped, dodging one set of fire, and cartwheeled to dodge the rest. She quickly picked up her book, hummed a tune, and flipped to a random page.
BOOM
BANG
POW
The air was filled with the color of multiple spells, bombarding Morgan's foes without a hint of restraint or mercy. She was a little reckless, but that could be owed to her sleeping Grima blood….mostly. She easily had the highest potential of her generation of Shepherds.
"That's it? Lame!" Morgan closed her book and turned around, smiling like a child that had rained death upon her foes. "So we have a deal?"
Nichol looked so….happy. "You….you know how to survive, don't you?"
"Well sure! We've all fought a giant dragon before! I once-" she trailed off. Nichol was kneeling down, and he kissed her hand. "Uhhh….what is this now?"
"You could be a real go-getter in the Nohrian army. I'd love to have you as a protégé…no a teacher! You have to teach me your zeal, your willpower! The way you just obliterated your enemies!"
Morgan giggled. "Come on, stop being so cheesy, Nichol! Can you help us?"
"Anything for you, chief. Listen up!" He turned to his pack. "The Chief's the boss now, you got that? So follow her orders."
"Yipee! This is exciting! Let's go!"
"YES CHIEF!" the unit shouted, including Cynthia, Brady, and surprisingly, Gerome. Lucina shot him a glare.
"What? Anything to move this along. And if they're this weak, it shouldn't be a problem."
The unit, under Morgan's new command, continued on. And the Anti-Valla Army soldiers were slackjawed as to how good the new recruits were, not just Morgan.
Lucina's powerful sword cut down anything in her path.
Yarne's strange beast form ripped through his foes
Nah's dragon breath incinerated even the strongest steel.
Laurent's thunder spells laid down hell from above.
Noire was capable of a berserker-like rage and shot down anything point blank with her arrows.
Kjelle's raw strength smashed the ground, trees, and feeble limbs of her foes.
Gerome's axe rippled through the air and slaughtered all, same with Minerva.
Cynthia's lance was fast, accurate, and her poses were unparalleled.
As for Brady-
"Hey! Any of you bastards want some tea?" He handed out a few cups. "The village back there gave us some, ain't that nice?" Then he punched a Vallite dead with one fist. "Damn, no sugar though."
"G-General Nichol….these kids are…"
Nichol was openly crying tears of joy. "They're the greatest soldiers I've ever seen. Oh, dear Dusk Dragon….thank you for this pleasure….I don't deserve it…"
Lilith had no words. After all, she now understood what they were capable of.
Back in Shirasagi, Ryoma and Xander both looked at the floating castle. Both of their swords were covered with Vallite blood and the wrath of 1000 countrymen. "….your mother is up there?"
"Aye, but I have no intentions of cutting her down. I need my sword, as do you. Sakura!"
"Y-Yes, big brother!" Sakura ran over to the two. "Y-You want me to warp you?"
"Don't be foolish, the distance is far too great. Hinoka will take me up there. Can you give us a Pure Water?"
"Hey!" incame Takumi. "You're not going alone! I want to come!"
"A small group of soldiers should be able to storm the castle….but look, they're firing long range magic. Izana!" Xander called out for the Archduke. "We need your assistance!"
"Can do~! What's the 411?"
XXXX
Soon, Hinoka was back in the air, only this time, Izana was on her back. Behind her, backup pegasus knights were ferrying Ryoma, Takumi, and Sakura. Reina and Camilla provided some cover.
"Can you see her, Izana?"
"Yep! That's the Queen alright!"
Takumi was already hard at work shooting down any enemy he saw. "Then hurry up! You have TWO things to do, remember?"
"Sigh….so testy!" Izana raised a Silence staff. Mere seconds later, Ikona's Boltings had stopped. Moving quickly, he switched staves and warped the four Hoshidans higher.
XXXXX
"W-What?!"
Ikona hardly time to register her magic cancelling when her four children appeared in front of her. Ryoma immediately ran past her, cutting down Vallites and then, he kicked down the castle doors and ran inside.
Next, Hinoka's mount smacked the ballista men off their posts. Takumi pointed his bow, and Sakura cowered behind him.
"Takumi…..H-Hinoka…."
"Don't move, Mother, or I'll do something we'll both regret," said her son. "That bastard Hydra's ruined our country long enough!"
Hinoka descended. "We're prepared to fight and fight we will."
"…"
"What? Don't try to trick us, Mother!" Hinoka narrowed her eyes. She was shaking and could hardly keep her naginata up. "You work for him, we know you do. And if you hurt Sakura….I'll…"
"Sakura…."
"I said don't move!" Takumi warned, but he was shaking too. "Please….."
"May….may I see her?"
Sakura showed her face. Unlike the two, she had no bond with Ikona, but that didn't make the task easier for her. "H-Hello…please drop your weapon, Mother."
"Sakura…..l-little Sakura…."
"Please….I don't want Takumi or Hinoka to hurt you. I don't want to hurt you. But we have no choice. We have to save our homeland." Sakura bowed, as she typically would. "I'm sorry." She didn't raise her head.
"Sakura…..I will drop my weapon…..if you just let me….hold you."
"It's a trap, don't!" Takumi shouted.
"Takumi…." Hinoka nudged him. "Let her."
Sakura's heartbeat was rapid as she as she walked towards the Queen, terrified something would come out and hurt her. But her panicked eyes felt relief at Subaki and Beruka's battles in the air. She reached Ikona, who had her arms out….and embraced her daughter.
"M-Mother…"
"Sakura….I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never got to see you grow up. Oh, you're so beautiful…."
"Hmm…" she leaned into the woman's touch, her eyes tearing up. "I'm so glad….I got to see you too…."
"Sakura, listen to me. I hope you never blamed yourself for my death. My body….there was a complication. But you're here now. So am I…."
"Mother…..oh, Mother!" Sakura buried her face into Ikona's top. "It's really you! Ohhhh!"
Takumi and Hinoka both lowered their weapons and approached. Ikona smiled at them both, and….they smiled back. They leaned to embrace their mother.
Ryoma reached the dungeon room, and the prisoners looked so happy to see him.
"Lord Ryoma, you…."
"Hydra had prisoners?" He looked around. "Where is he?!" He saw the hole in the wall that the monster had made, just to throw Emma out of it. "That's the courtyard….where my siblings are." But when he stepped outside…..he froze.
"Lord Ryoma….?"
"Mother!" Ikona's form seemed to be disintegrating into the wind. "What's happening?!"
"Oh…." Ikona cupped Ryoma's cheek. "My son…..you look so much like your father…."
"MOTHER!" Sakura tried to heal her, but it did nothing to stop her form from breaking apart. "Oh, why is this happening?!"
"Heh…..because I wasn't supposed to break the control and spare you all…." The Queen closed her eyes, and a big smile passed on her face. "But what mother could raise a weapon against her flesh and blood?"
"Mother, stay with me! We have more advanced healers and mystics below! Surely they can-"
"Ryoma, you knew this was going to happen. You're alive, all of you. You've opposed Lord Anankos, and life is not….supposed to be corrupted like this. But at least I got to see you….all…."
"Wait! What about Hydra?" Hinoka asked. "Did he do this?!"
"Hydra….is not here…." Ikona whispered. She moved her hand to feel each of her children's faces, one last time. "…if you want to win….you must travel….higher…."
"MOTHER!" the four of them shouted.
But Ikona was no more. Sakura cried into Takumi's shoulder, leaving Ryoma and Hinoka to nearly snap their weapons in half from the frustration and grief.
"Stay strong, Sakura. We still have prisoners to save," said the archer. "That slippery bastard…!"
"YOU ABANDONED YOUR POST?"
"Lord Anankos, forgive me! But the resistance, they…..they're suddenly more capable. A day ago the entire east was divided and conquered, but now….it doesn't add up!"
The head's aura darkened. "AND YOU DISPOSED OF ONE OF THE GENERALS?"
"She was being baited by sentiments! If she stuck around, who knows what she could tell the enemy!"
Anankos seemed to consider this. "VERY WELL. BUT THERE WILL BE NO MORE REPEATS. YOU MAKE SURE THAT SWORD DOES NOT REACH THE ENEMY'S HANDS."
"Don't you worry…." Hydra slithered out of the room. "I won't."
XXXX
He passed by a mirror.
"Hahahaha…so THIS is the monster that took my body?"
"What?" Inside of the mirror, shockingly, was Garon's smirking face. "I dare you to say that to again, you failure of a king!"
"I may be a failure to you…..but at the same time, I sired four capable children that are coming for your head. Especially Xander. And you're scared of him, aren't you?"
"What?! Why would I be scared of him? Your boy is the coward. Look at how long it took him to get a backbone and oppose you. He thinks you'll return to him!"
Garon laughed - not maliciously, but in genuine amusement. "And yet, you fled Shirasagi. What's the matter, is the monster unable to take on a few royals?"
"You little…."
"Face it, Hydra. You've taken over me, body and mind, but my soul will always linger inside of you. You cannot run from me. Your joyride of Nohr ends soon."
"Never! NEVER, do you hear me?! After years and years of plotting, delicious suffering, I WILL destroy your precious son! He seems strong, but he will be the easiest to break."
"If you say so. If Xander finds you, he will not give you a painless death. No…." Garon chuckled again. "He will make sure your death is completely agonizing. To be honest, I'm looking forward to it."
"SHUT UP!" Hydra smashed the mirror with Siegfried. "Your son is no match for me without this blade, do you hear me?!"
But Garon just kept laughing.
The battle had been won.
All of the civilians remaining in Shirasagi had fled, and every Vallite had been slain. A few deaths in army were unavoidable, but it was a great low number for this first battle.
"So we have to travel upward…." Leo looked into the sky. "Alright. At least we have a destination. Once we match up the right land with the right access point, it should be a breeze."
"Let us retreat before the enemy tracks us," Azura said. "Everyone, thank you for your assistance!"
"WAIT!" Anna noticed some rubble moving. "We got a live one!" She gestured for her sister to hold up the slab, but she ended up pointing her bow at-
"YUKIMURA?!"
"Y-Yes….it's me…." He looked surprised to see so many non-Vallites, Nohrians especially, but they were the surprised ones when they saw Raijinto in his hands.
"Where did you get that? Ryoma, that's your sword!"
"Yukimura….tell us, what happened to you?"
"Ha….can I get some water first, milord? It's quite the tale…." But before he could stand up, his eyes caught the person he had wronged. So Yukimura did the only thing he could…..bow to Scarlet's boots.
"Yukimura…?"
"Miss Scarlet, a few hours ago I was on the verge of death, and I have to say…I am truly sorry for the horrible way I treated you. Please….if you can find it in your heart to forgive me…"
"…Not just me, Yukimura. Shura, Anna, Corrin….you owe some people a lot of apologies. But don't feel so choked up about it, cuz right now, we're all in the same fight." Scarlet held out a hand for the tactician to grab. "Save the sorries for when we win."
"Miss….Scarlet…."
"I HATE to interrupt this, but….." Apotheosis gestured to the portal.
"Right. We'll pick up this later." Ryoma took his sword back and placed it on his belt. "Retreat, everyone!"
And so, the battle had begun with a string of good fortune….for now.
FIN
Ending notes: Well, it begins. Think of Lucina's group as kickass green units (i know, contradiction much?) and they'll join the main group soon. I was thinking of doing a "level" kind of conflict, each with more traps, trials, and generals. Since Rev endgame has you in "space", why not?
Yes, Emma is the same Emma from the Echoes DLC, but her bio says she's from Hoshido, so here we are. Will we see Shade or Yuzu too, as little easter eggs? I dunno, maybe.
Next Time: Tribal Warfare.
