Review Time:
SuperNova23 - Alas, I had no luck getting Morgan OR FGrima. My only hope will be to get luckier in the FE5 banner...Anna, give me some of your luck!
Guest - Oh my god, it really is the HL3 of the series now. If we don't get anything come e3 then I just don't know anymore.
Cyberchao X - Thanks, I'm proud on how it came out.
CompletelyRossone - This makes the 2nd wyvern I've killed, Cherche would be horrified...
Raihan Sayuko - Hayato was someone I hadn't really used in many scenes, glad the kid got some spotlight when all was said and done.
Daisysmartheart - We are.
Chapter 55 – Sovereign
Beruka wasn't the only soldier to experience the elemental hazards of last battle; stray burns, frozen skin, crushed bones due to the rocks...it was a much rougher battle than Shirasagi's. But now, with the arrival of the visitors from Ylisse – and Lilith – things would play out differently...
"You say your name is Lucina, correct?"
"Yes." The princess formally bowed towards both Xander and Ryoma. "I came to this world with my companions to find Severa, Owain, and Inigo. I understand what's going on in your world, and in exchange for guiding us, we will help you."
"This Ylisse...Xander, has your retainer spoken of it before?" Ryoma asked.
"In some words," he replied. "I only learned about it recently, and even then...I dismissed it. All this time...he served you?"
"Well...I suppose that's not false," said Lucina. She wasn't used to having so many people give her attention, but it was up to her to properly represent the group's interests. "He is my friend, not my servant. But he and his parents reside in my homeland, the Halidom, lead by my father."
"And you wish to take him back home?"
"Yes." Lucina was looking straight at the Nohrian prince. "I made a promise. If he's really pledged his life to you..."
"..."
"Ahem." Fuga broke the silence. "Lilith, you are the prince's true brother, correct?"
The dragon maid nodded. "Yes. It was only because of Lucina's group...and perhaps, a stroke of good fortune, that I broke free of Anankos's control. I...know where he is."
"WHAT?!" the room was shocked. "Where?!"
"Castle Giyges. It's the least I can do, after all the suffering I've indirectly caused..." now, Lilith felt shame, and couldn't even look at Corrin. "He created me. I have his blood. But the curse prevented myself, Severa, Inigo, Owain, and even Lady Azura from being more honest about this from the very beginning. All those lost lives, all this destruction and chaos...I'm sorry." She pressed her head to the ground in a shamed bow. "I'm sorry Valla has ruined your world!"
"Lilith...don't cry."
Corrin had gotten up and looked down at her.
"Please, you're with friends now. There's still hope, especially since you're safe. We can stop more deaths before Anankos conquers the world. He's...he's our father."
"..."
"Lucina..." Corrin somehow felt a little anxious when he saw her Falchion, but he brushed it off. "Your friends followed him here, because there was still a piece of good left in him."
"Yes, I saw their memory." Lucina shifted. "Our world knows much of dragonkind. It too was once threatened by a foul monster, only he was true evil, with no remorse. With what I saw of this Anankos...he is not the same."
"I'm sorry. Our world took your friends away. Their families miss them terribly, don't they?"
Lucina was silent. Her face said it all.
"Pardon me." Xander stood up. "Leo, we need to have a chat with our sister."
"Yes, brother. Excuse us."
Once the Nohrian brothers left, Lilith found the strength to stand up tall...and stare into her brother's eyes. They were still pure, and still reminded her of the lost part of Anankos.
"C-Corrin..."
"Lilith...I wish I got to know you better during my time at the fortress." the prince smiled. "Not too late now, is it?"
"C-CORRIN!"
Lucina watched the girl cry openly and embrace her kin. It was familiar. The feeling of letting everything go, being honest...and seeing the one person you had left...she wiped her eyes.
Oh, Father...
She wasn't the only one that felt like crying. Poor Camilla was distraught over seeing her retainer in such a state, even if her body wasn't frozen anymore.
"Oh dearest Beruka...please, wake up."
"Lady Camilla...here, you want some tea?" Severa had been watching over as well. "You...you look so pale."
"I want Beruka to awaken. Oh Severa...you saved her life." Camilla pulled the girl closer, into her chest. "I can't thank you enough. Oh thank you, thank you!"
"I was just doing what any re...friend would." Severa felt so confused. Beruka was supposed to be an expert in combat, and yet, one simple moment almost killed her like it did her trusted wyvern. In a way, she wished she could've done more.
"Severa..." Camilla's voice snapped her back to reality. "I have a confession to make."
"..."
"When you revealed your identity to me, your origin...I didn't care about you being so unsure, I was just happy you confided in me. And yet...seeing my Beruka almost die, you address that girl...who is she? Your lover, perhaps?" Camilla sounded both curious and jealous.
"N-No!" Severa turned red. "Lucina is my friend, we grew up together, and...well, MAYBE I was her retainer first I guess, if you can call it that."
"Oh!" Severa was pulled even closer. "And now, she wants you back."
"..."
"Be honest, Severa, please. You pictured yourself going home one day."
"...yes."
Camilla looked at Beruka, grateful for every breath her chest took. "And there was a chance I could've lost TWO retainers? No, unacceptable! You mustn't leave, not now."
"Lady Camilla..."
"You're too precious to me..."
"Lady Camilla..."
"Severa..."
"LADY CAMILLA!" Severa forced herself out of the princess's grip. "I came to this world for a purpose, but believe me when I say...I like you. And I liked being your retainer."
"Does this mean you'll stay?" Camilla breathed.
"You're not listening. I, I...don't know, okay! All of my friends showed up, and we saved our own world, together! I can't turn my back on them...not anymore."
"Severa, please..."
"Just...let me talk to them." She left no room for argument, as she ran off. Camilla whimpered and looked back down at Beruka.
"Oh...y-you'd never leave me, right?"
"Milady, your brothers are looking for you." It was Azama, and he knew better not to make any sort of color commentary. Plenty of people gave him warnings about pissing off Camilla, Hinoka included. "I'll watch over her for now."
"Yes...thank you, Azama, it's in your hands. Please, keep her safe." Camilla couldn't even steady herself, she just kept looking back at the assassin.
Azama, however, set down a candle.
"You're an interesting one, you know that? Here I was, saying you were a heartless killer, and yet...a girl was willing to save your life. The princess cries over your fate. Clearly, I was wrong. I...do hope you'll forgive me for misjudging you."
Beruka was still unconscious.
"Rest for now, Beruka."
XXXXXX
"Yes, Xander...?"
Both of her brothers were staring at her critically. "Lucina and her friends came here to retrieve our retainers. You understand what must be done?"
"No!" Camilla shook her head. "I refuse."
"Sister, you're being emotional." Leo sighed. "Their home is Ylisse, not Nohr. And we'd be doing ourselves a dishonor forcing them to stay here, when their presence has caused so much grief to them."
"I don't care!"
Xander glared at her. "You're not being reasonable, Camilla. Can you imagine the suffering of their mothers, their fathers?"
"No...Xander, and I think you of all people should know this."
"..."
"Unlike your mother, our mothers treated us like pawns. They beat and starved us, and you...you were spared the horror of having to drown your own siblings..."
Leo tensed up, the memories returning. "Even so, Camilla...that isn't an excuse."
"Hmph!" Camilla glared right back. "And Father...do we need to discuss what happened with him?"
"STOP IT!" A tearful Elise ran up and put her arms around her older sister. "Stop fighting! It doesn't matter what happened back then, we still have each other!"
"..."
"..."
"Well?" Leo scoffed. "She's right, you know."
"I'm sorry, Camilla, I didn't mean it like that," said Xander. "The fighting in the Nohrian court has long since passed...and we would do well to spare our retainers the same parental pain...we have."
"...I'm sorry too." Camilla put a hand on Elise's soft golden locks. "It's just...why do I have to lose anymore people? The ones I care for? Am I truly being selfish for wanting that?"
"Being a princess means tough decisions must be made." Xander looked at Elise. "Right, sister?"
"Yep!"
"So it's settled. We have to discharge them, and let them take their own paths. It's been an experience...I did't think any would be willing to put up with Niles..."
Elise dragged Camilla along, and Leo followed. But before Xander could join them:
"Hey, Lord Xander."
"Hm? Ah, Charlotte. Were you listening to our conversation?"
"Uhhh...forget about that." The fighter pointed a sharp finger in his face. "YOU still need to clean up some of those wounds before the next battle."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but-"
"No buts!" Charlotte crossed her arms. "You're gonna be our king when this over, right? What kind of Nohrian would I be, letting you get hurt like that? A country ain't nothing without its leader!"
Xander looked her over. "I'm surprised you fight in such an outfit."
"Well, you know me, I get...hot easily! ...yeah, that's it..."
"Are you lying to me?"
Charlotte winced. "Fine, I did this to seduce men, happy? My parents barely got by under Hydra's thumb, and I was trying to support them with...those more affluent. But there's bigger fish to fry, and damn it, I'm still fighting! So if you want to arrest me or something...go right ahead!" she held out her bandaged arms, in a rather dramatic fashion.
"..."
"Well?"
"You were rather forward with your intentions. Why?"
"I thought it was rather obvious," she said, puzzled. "If you're gonna be king, you can't be like the last. Nohr...Nohr shouldn't hide things anymore."
"..."
Although the Shepherds only came for one purpose, they all seemed to mix with some member of the army amidst the Outrealm space. They were waiting for Lucina to finish the meeting, and it all started with Nichol's fixation on Morgan:
"Hey, Chief, why don't you settle a bet for me. These guys don't think you're as strong as you look. You can prove them wrong, right?"
Morgan closed her book. "Sure. But I really want to brush up on my strategies. I can throw a spell around anyday! Right, Cynthia?"
XXXX
Said pegasus knight was in awe of Arthur's rather heroic appearance.
"Hmm? Do I have something on my face, fair maiden?"
"There's something about you...but you look AWESOME! And what a voice, too! Hey, can you say, stay safe, citizen?!"
"Uh...stay safe, citizen...?"
XXXX
Then you had Yarne being eyed at both beastmen.
"Never seen a guy like you around. You some kind of halfling?"
"Is it really that obvious? I mean I am a Taguel, but my dad was a human so..."
"Taguel?" Kaden's ears twitched. "What the heck is that? You look like some kind of...rabbit creature. What do you think, Keaton?"
"I was gonna say mole, but yeah, that seems about right." The unconscious lip licking made poor Yarne break out into a sweat.
"I'm not a..."
XXXX
With Noire, she was trying to practice her archery, and although she was a perfect shot, seeing Takumi watch her performance made her yelp.
"You're not half bad, stranger. Where did you learn the bow?"
"Um...when I was younger..."
Takumi nodded. "You definitely have the knack for it. Hey, maybe we should see who gets the most shots next battle. I won't go easy on you, though."
"That's...okay..." Noire twiddled her fingers. "...you're probably better than me anyway." She then shot a shuriken out of Saizo's hand. This only made Takumi more determined to beat her.
XXXX
Kjelle, meanwhile, saw Effie reading her weapons despite all the maids and prietesses telling her otherwise. She was still roughed up from the last battle.
"Hey, that's some nice armor, miss."
"Huh? Oh thanks." Effie couldn't decide on what weapon would be the best. "But I can't talk right now, I have to sneak in some last minute training."
"Why's that?"
"I was trying so hard to protect Lady Elise and everyone..." her voice seemed...disappointed. "And it wasn't enough. The battle's not over yet, so I have to keep trying."
"Well if you want my advice-"
"I do?"
"You do." Kjelle picked up the heaviest lance like it was a sponge. "Strength doesn't come if you shut everyone out. Don't overdo it."
"I won't...can you give me some tips?"
"Sure!"
XXXX
Little Nah had mostly been ignored by passersby, but her interest was piqued once she spotted Nyx reading a book. "That looks like a long story, huh?"
"Hmm. This isn't a novel, child, it's an encyclopedia. I'm reading up on some dangerous creatures."
"Those invisible things? They seem pretty weak to me."
Nyx eyed her...and her pointed ears. "Pride before the fall, you know."
"I'm not being arrogant, it's the truth. I found TONS of guys just like them back home. They weren't invisible, but when you spend your whole life fighting, what's the difference?"
"...you're of dragonkind, aren't you?"
"Finally someone who understands!" Nah smiled. "A manakete, to be precise. You know...scary dragon from a stone, shifts into this?"
"There is no such term in my books."
"What?! But...but you know what I'm talking about?"
"Yes, I do. Prince Corrin can turn into a dragon from a stone, but he's never called himself a...what was it, a mamkute?"
"Manakete, lady."
Now it was Nyx's turn to be stunned. "You...don't see me as a child?"
"You're just like Mother, actually. Only the only books she reads are those pop-up books you give to babies. Man I do miss her though..."
"If you'd like...you may read something."
"Sweet!" Nah picked up the first book she saw. "This looks like something Father would crack open and start blasting people with. It'd be a neat souvenir."
Nyx cleared her throat. "Yes, if you say so...
XXXXX
Members of the army required constant medical attention, but what impressed Jakob was how much this...punk, as he first thought of him...knew how to heal and treat those wounded. "Excuse me, Brady, was it?"
"Yeah? You need somethin'?"
"Well, you're doing a better job than I thought! Hospitality is second nature to you! However, I must point out that is the incorrect way to wrap a bandage."
"Oh yeah? Who made you the expert?"
Jakob smiled. "I've been butlering for many years."
"Well clearly you're bad at it, because THIS girl was complaining her arm was sore!" Brady held up Setsuna's arm, who could only muster a very weak oww.
"Excuse me?" Jakob stepped closer. "You're not very polite, are you?"
"Takes one to know one, you ass."
"Bleh! Who taught you such language, you punk?"
Brady's aggressive edge cracked. "Aww, I'm doin' it again, Ma would flay me if she knew what I was saying..."
"What?"
"Hear..." Brady handed him a cup of tea. "Consider this my apology."
"I don't want your filthy dishwater, you little..." Jakob took one sip and stared back down at the cup. "...god! How did you brew this flavor?!"
"Whaddya mean? It's regular tea."
Setsuna blinked. "How do you guys make tea in a place like this anyway...?"
XXXXX
But Gerome wasn't having any of it. "Have they no shame...?"
"You can't stop them from socializing, you know." Laurent was keeping a journal of the events, a memento he'd knew his mother would appreciate. "We have no grudge against the world as a whole."
"Tch...there's Lucina now. It's time we address the elephant in the room."
"Yes," said Lucina, scanning the space. "It's such a relief we can finally reunite with them...Severa is coming this way, as is Inigo!"
"Relief? I hope you're not going to just forgive them."
"Relax yourself, Gerome, we will not undermine Lucina's command."
"But it's okay for them to undermine her command?" Gerome glared at the mage. "They need to know the severity of their mistake."
"Gerome."
Both youths looked at Lucina, back to them.
"I will handle it." She flagged down each member of the Shepherds, and those nearby had the right feeling to back away when Severa, Inigo – and finally, Owain – came closer.
"Gracious cousin! Is it really you?" Owain examined Lucina's face. "Not some kind of trick crafted by the Silent Dragon himself?"
Then Brady socked Owain in the face. "You really gonna waste more of our time with your stupidity, Owain?!"
"Brady! Enough." Lucina helped her cousin get back up. "We know everything that happened. Anankos coming for you three, the journey here..."
"Then...you know..."
"We know you've been acting as retainers for quite some time, for your own reasons...concerning Corrin and the fate of this world. And...it's such a relief to see that all of you...still draw breath."
That wasn't what any of them had expected. Inigo spoke up with: "Surely that isn't all you have to say, Lucina..."
"No. Naga sent us here with the task of saving you, and if it wasn't for Owain's brand, that wouldn't be possible. We'll band together, stop Anankos, and free this world, just like the last. We've all agreed on this."
"No! Lucina, you..." Severa winced. "You should be yelling at us."
"Why?"
"W-What do you mean, why?!" Owain rubbed his bleeding nose. "We left our realm without consulting all of you! We hid our identities with fake names, because...we didn't want to leave a mark..."
"And yet, you've done just that," Lucina replied. "Because you're not made of stone. Bonds form no matter where they are...maybe not every day, maybe not every minute, but we were always in your hearts, no matter what."
Severa grabbed her liege's hand. "Stop it! Stop...stop going EASY ON US!"
"..."
"Why don't you all say what you're thinking?! We abandoned you, and we abandoned Ylisse!" Severa yelled in her face. "We don't have any right to see you again!"
"..."
"We...we took an oath," the twintailed girl whispered, "...to follow you, Lucina. We betrayed you. Why don't you hate any of us?"
"...is that how little you think of us, Severa?"
"W-What...?"
"Gerome, Brady, Noire...some of us DO have grievances against you three, and they have a right to feel that way. But would any of us be here if we truly hated you?"
"You're all idiots, but it's not the craziest thing I've ever heard," Brady said.
"I'd be disgracing the taguel name if I just left a friend behind," Yarne said.
"All this time, we just wanted to find you. And find we did!" Cynthia said.
"If you think about it...our original world was lost along ago. Being with our families now...that was a stroke of fortune no other soul would have. Home...is where our friends are," Laurent said.
"You used that wish to restore that world. The ruin, the desolation Grima caused...you could've picked anything else," Nah said.
"We were apart when we first went back in time...was it really that different?" Noire said.
"We wouldn't feel right, leaving this world like this," Kjelle said.
"Make no mistake. It will take a long time before I will forgive you three...but we've experienced too much pain from draconic tyranny already. It stops NOW, be it this world or the next," Gerome said.
"We're the Shepherds! So let's go out there and do what Shepherds do best!" Morgan said.
Together they all put their hands on top of each other, and then they looked to their found companions. Owain, Severa, and Inigo all mustered a teary smile, and joined the formation.
"There's nothing we can't do...together," Lucina said.
Meanwhile...all was not so bright in the world itself.
While it was true the Annas and the survey teams brought many to safety, not everyone had that luxury, and there was confusion and disorder across the world. For those small settlements grappled with the horrible choice of dying, or submitting to Valla and becoming a puppet, effectively dying but in a different way.
But now, a new order was given to the Vallites.
"I want that army FOUND, do you understand me?" Iago commanded of his droves. "They are the enemy of Valla! They must be destroyed!"
He had been hard at work summoning all the Faceless in Nohr to the ranks, and that didn't stop there. These were mindless beasts that only knew how to kill, and that was what he needed. No need for soldiers that let sentimentality stop them.
"G-Go to hell, sorcerer! I'd bite my tongue before I tell you anything!"
"You won't win!"
"The royal family of Nohr will crush you!"
"When Lord Ryoma finds you, you'll be sorry!"
Scout after scout, and all of them refused to yield. He tried using Faceless to torture them, but none of them were willing to disgrace their only hope in restoring the world.
"DAMN IT! My patience is at an end! Nobody has talked, and those brainless civilains don't know a damn thing! WHAT DOES IT TAKE, TO FIND THAT PRINCE'S ARMY?!"
A golden Faceless threw the next unlucky soldier to Iago's feet, a green-haired gentleman of Nohr.
"Well, well...I recognize you! You were a captain to the south, correct?"
Randall looked up at Iago, and it infuriated the sorcerer to see his prisoner crack an easy smile. "And you're the menace of Nohr, I heard."
"Do you think this is a game, worm? I possess no shortage of ways to crush you."
"Hey now, let's talk this out...you got me. What happens now?"
Iago snapped his fingers, and two more Faceless lifted the man rather roughly. "You tell me one simple thing. Where is this...Anti-Valla Army?"
"Guess someone did talk."
"Hmph, it was entirely by accident. Pity they slit their own throat before I could learn anything else." To show he was in no joking mood, Iago released some dark energy from his hand. "That's when I learned, not to give them any free limbs."
"Ah ha..." Randall looked calm, but his brain was trying to think of an idea, and fast. "I suppose this is the part where you torture me for answers?"
"I won't have to, if you tell me."
"C'mon, Iago, we both know you'd torture me regardless."
Iago sneered. "You're not as stupid as you look, then."
"Geez. To be honest, I don't understand all the mechanics of the army, but we're all together, safe from your plotting."
Strike 1. One of the Faceless smashed Randall's leg. The cavalier was in serious pain, but he kept his cool gaze onto Iago.
"I despise smartasses like you, you know that?"
"Good to...know..."
"Tell me! How did they escape Windmire?!"
"I just said...I mean...does it matter? You can't get to them."
"What does that mean, Randall?" Iago paced around the soldier. "Because cryptic answers are another way to get on my nerves."
"Tch...Okay, okay...it was Anna. She had some...help."
"Anna...?" Iago's face contorted in pure, unrivaled hatred. "That merchant has been a thorn in my side since the BEGINNING! She's worse than the prince! Who helped her?!"
"Did you know she had a family?"
Strike 2. Now both arms were broken, leaving Randall barely able to stay conscious from the pain.
"I m-mean...her...s-sisters...from other worlds..."
"Of course. Of course that maggot has kin. How are they escaping this world?"
"I don't know..."
"Randall, don't make this worse than it already is."
The gambler could only stare at the dead, crumpled bodies of the other scouts Iago had gotten his hands on. The worse part was, he knew that was far from the only victims of this sick game.
"Randall!"
"Some kind of weird device, transportation. Allows them around the clock access."
"Of course...hahahaa...thanks for being so accommodating. You know what, I'm in a good mood now! Maybe you can join the others in the show."
Show?
"I'm surprised you managed to tell me. Stronger soldiers than you faced much, much worse."
Randall's face was grim. "I was trying to spare others from the same process, but that's a lot of wyvern dung, isn't it?"
"Throw him in the pit!"
As the Faceless dragged Randall away, Iago only resonated with more dark power. He was excited. If he could get his hands on Anna, he could finally stop her meddling forever!
XXXXX
Next thing Randall knew, he fell down a dark hole with a sickening CRACK
"...yep. That's the other leg." But then, he heard a small girl cry next to him. "Hey...you ok? Don't cry."
Shelley was inconsolable. "M-Mommy and D-Daddy...are d-dead...w-we're...a-all gonna die..."
"What's your name, little girl?"
"S-Shelley..." her eyes were so so red, and so so watery. "I come from...Cheve..."
"Well that's a nice place, my cousin lived there for a little bit." Randall could barely move, but he managed to smile at the Chevois girl. "But I'm from Tirando. Not as fancy, but we sell some pretty nice bread."
"M-Mister...you're...so hurt..."
"Bah, it's just a flesh wound. Now look, we may be stuck down here, but there's no reason why we can't have some fun, right? Wanna play a game?"
Shelley rubbed her eyes. "O-Okay."
"Great! I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 50. Think you can guess it?"
"Uhhh...2?"
"Nope."
"Oh, um...35!"
"Nah, one more guess."
"42!"
Randall clicked his tongue. "What do you know, that's it! Okay, now it's your turn, only this time, make it between 1 and 100. I like a challenge."
This got the girl to brighten ever so slightly. "Okay, mister..."
No progress had been made on the missing generals. While Arete still could not locate a trace of Azura (she wasn't really trying, to be fair), Mikoto and Sumeragi stayed off the radar. The latter only cared about his duel with Ryoma, and had no interest in following any other orders.
As for Mikoto...
"So you DID take the Raijinto back..."
Sumeragi jumped back in alarm. "...oh. Mikoto, how did you find me?"
The two were on a small floating island to the southeast, away from hair or hide of the Vallite army and Anankos.
"I wasn't trying to, Sumeragi. You realize the Silent Dragon has a better chance of finding you, right? You were revived by Hydra using his power, opposed to me...where now, Gunter has been freed..."
"I don't care," grumbled the king. "This is no life for a samurai. I'll stay out of sight and change spots every time, until the time where Ryoma appears before me."
Mikoto gave him a curious look. "How did you resist?"
"How did you?"
"..."
"Iago, Anankos...none of them understand. Those invisible puppets are one thing, but you can't control people like us so easily. If our will is strong enough...we stand in the crossroads, of being truly alive again, and being dead. We walk the road inbetween."
"Ikona...she's gone, you know."
Sumeragi crossed his arms. "I know. I'm surprised the two of you managed to get along in our glory days. Most women...don't like being the second fiddle."
Mikoto sat down. "You took me and my son in. Most men don't like supporting random families."
"I'm more of a father than Anankos is, and Corrin hardly remembers me! Hell, even Garon is closer to his heart. It's so sad, when you really think about it."
"Sad? It's all a feeling I know too well..."
XXXXXX
Mikoto and Arete climbed up the well just in time to see Anankos stare down the towering dragon, both halves of the same being. "Sister, we have to take the children to safety!"
"A-Anankos..."
"Stand down, wretched beast!" Anankos shouted at the monster. "You've caused enough ruin in my kingdom LONG ENOUGH!"
"YOU DARE ORDER ME AROUND, YOU HUMAN? YOU COME FROM ME, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!"
Carefully, the two future Queens got out, each holding their infant child. Azura and Corrin were both getting fussy, no doubt from the dragon's intimating voice. They quickly fled.
"Why do you hate humanity so much?! Tell me what those visions mean!"
Anankos the dragon and Anankos the human...it was a classic clash. Man against dragon, god against mortal.
"THE HUMANS YOU LOVE SO MUCH...THEY BETRAYED YOU! THEY BETRAYED ME!"
"I don't understand!"
"OF COURSE YOU DON'T! IN THE ERA LONG PASSSED, IT WAS I THAT BLESSED THIS WORLD, AND STARTED VALLA WITH THE FIRST KING, CADROS! I GAVE HUMANITY PROSPERITY!"
The human stepped forward. "But they saw you as a monster even back then?"
"FOOL!"
The dragon's mighty shout caused his better half to slide back, and some trees toppled over...exposing Arete and Mikoto in their escape.
"YOU DARE FLEE WITH MY SPAWN, WOMAN?"
"Stop, dragon! Your battle is with me!" This time, Anankos stepped forward further. "What made humanity turn on you?!"
"IT IS THE FATE OF ALL DRAGONS. OUR POWER...IS TOO GREAT. SOON, AFTER TIME...WE DEGENERATE. WE BECOME THE BEASTS OUR APPEARANCE REPRESENTS. WE CANNOT CONTROL OUR INSTINCTS...AND WE LASH OUT."
"What...? But that's crazy! Surely, humankind would understand and try to help you!"
"IS THIS HOW NAIVE YOU ARE?"
"Wh-"
"HUMANS ARE BY NATURE UNCARING, SELFISH CREATURES. YOU HELP THEM, BUT THEY ONLY HELP YOU WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT FOR THEM. NOTHING MORE."
"But I'm a human, damn it! I care! I care about my friends, my king...my love, Mikoto..."
The dragon only stared at him. "YOU ARE A PART OF ME. SUCH PROSPECTS ARE MERELY ARTIFICIAL."
"No..." Anankos's fist shook with rage. "Mikoto and my son aren't artificial...they're real! Who the hell gives you the right to say they're not?!"
"BECAUSE I AM THE TRUE ANANKOS! THE GOD THAT GAVE YOU EXISTENCE IN THE FIRST PLACE! BUT NO LONGER. NO LONGER WILL I LET HUMANS CARRY ON, WITH THEIR SELFISH WAYS."
The dragon lurched back and fired a blast of energy from its mouth, right at the two women...but his other half intervened with a barrier.
"WHAT?!"
"I'm still a part of you, dragon...which means I have the same power you do! I won't let you hurt them, not when you've taken so much from them already!"
"A-Anankos..."
"GO!" He turned his head back at Mikoto and Arete. "I'll keep the monster here, for as long as I can! Flee from Valla...flee from this cursed world..."
"Cursed?" Both women were now aware of the blue aura circling around them. They clutched their crying children tighter.
"You cannot escape to the same place. There's two pools, by the edge of the forest...HURRY!"
"No, Anankos! I don't want to leave without you!" Mikoto shouted, touching the barrier. "You're the man I love, the father of my child!"
"Mikoto please! I can't hold this barrier forever!"
"NO!" Her face was nothing like he'd seen before. "Why should I lose something ELSE, when I've already lost my parents, my king, my land?!"
"Mikoto...you still have your sister. Our child."
"But..."
"Please. I don't want you or Corrin to get hurt. There is no hope for this world. Take him...and forget about Valla."
"ANANKOS!" But Mikoto was pulled away by an impatient Arete, and soon, the two were gone. The barrier shattered, leaving Anankos against his true self.
"HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU THINK YOU'LL LAST AGAIN ME, HUMAN?" the dragon asked, his menacing aura radiating. But, his human self had the same aura.
"For as many years as it takes, dragon. If there's a way to beat you...I'll find it! I'll avenge King Touma, the man that gave me a home...!"
"DID YOU SEE HOW MUCH THAT WOMAN TRIED TO DISOBEY YOU? DOESN'T IT PROVE MY POINT ABOUT HUMANS?"
"No. Humans may be selfish, uncaring beasts...but we can also be loving, gentle souls."
"YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THEM, YOU FOOL!"
"I'm more of a human than you'll ever be!"
"WHY BE A HUMAN, WHEN I CAN BE A GOD?!" The two zoomed towards each other, and once Anankos took one last look at the dead souls across the kingdom, their powers clashed with a violent and colorful explosion.
The Nohrian siblings returned to the war council, as now...it was the time to use Lilith's knowledge to corner in on Anankos.
"I know where the castle is," said the maid, "and attacking it with all of our power is the best course of action. Every second, Anankos threatens to corrupt your world further!"
"But Iago is still at large," Nyx warned, "there's no doubt he's prepared a way to protect him. We have to stop him!"
Just then, Anna ran in. "Guys! One of our scouts said he was attacked by some Faceless...and then, he found this!" A crystal, like the one the group found in the library.
"Faceless?! But that means..."
Anna broke off a piece of the crystal, which sent off an image in front of everyone.
"Hello, my rebels! You may think you're clever, hiding from the rest of the world while Valla conquers it, but you know...I've grown sick of these games. Why don't we just finish this?" Iago's grinning face meant bad news.
"What he is up to...?"
"You forgot quite a few innocent lives, how sad!" He stepped to the side to reveal the prisoners, all wounded and ALL surrounded by Faceless and Stoneborn. "But then again, what is the price for people to die, right? As long as you're cozy in your secret base!"
"Iago!" Corrin stood up. "Stop this!"
"By now I assume somebody is telling me to stop, probably that spineless prince of yours. Look, I won't mince words, if you want me to stop, and if you want to face me...you'll send him, and the Yato. Anna too, of course."
The merchant facepalmed.
"For every five minutes you aren't here, another prisoner dies. Oh look, it's five minutes now!"
The room stared in stunned silence when one Faceless smashed a child's face to a bloody pulp with its fist. Iago was NOT joking. Corrin ran out of the tent in anger.
"Let the games begin! Oh, and if my soldiers see any of the Corrin protection squad, I.e, the children of Sumeragi or Garon, I'll just kill all of them at once! What a black mark on your war record, hmm? I'll be in the Notre Sagesse area."
The image faded, and the light from the crystal dissipated.
XXXXX
"Prince stop! Can't you see Iago is laying a trap for us?"
Corrin spun around and growled. "He's gotten away with too many horrible things, Anna, and I won't take it anymore! I'll...I'll kill him myself if I have to!"
"Don't be silly." Anna poked his chest. "We can make this work just fine, with my BEST plan to date!"
"What do you mean?" asked Apotheosis. "I mean, that guy has clearly lost it."
"Easy! Team Anna takes the case, while Ryoma, Xander, Azura...they lead the rest of the army to Anankos! Iago is so cocky, he thinks we'll cut the army down the middle just for his trap?"
"Not a bad plan...but sister, he knows of your group."
Anna smirked. "But he doesn't know of Lucina and the Shepherds."
XXXXX
Anna, Mozu, Shura, Flora, Reina, and Izana would be the ones to take Iago's little challenge, and Corrin would come along with Felicia, Jakob, and Gunter...followed by their new help.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Corrin? This twisted sorcerer was betting on a reaction from you. He wants to draw the important members of the army out," said Ryoma.
"And Anna."
"Shut up Takumi!"
"What's the right choice, Ryoma? Ignore the pleas for help just because it's convenient? This could be our chance to stop Iago once for and all."
"But to set this game up..." Leo pondered. "...this means he's more than capable taking you on in battle. Worst of all...what if the killing blow approaches, and he uses another child as a shield? Would you strike him down then?"
"..."
"Just be careful, brother."
"...Silas."
"Yeah, what's up?"
"If you're going with the other group, I want you to protect Lilith, okay?"
"Of course!"
"Corrin..." Lilith took his hand. "We can't kill him without the Yato. So if Iago wins...this army will not be able to."
"Don't worry, Lilith, I'll come back alive, I promise. Anna?"
She threw Azura's pendant to Kaze. "If Silas is in charge of watching his sister, you get to guard Azura's prized possession. Better if Iago DOESN'T find it, in fact, I have another idea for him..."
"Understood," said the ninja. "I'll protect it and Lady Azura with all of my strength. Good luck, Lord Corrin."
He wasn't the only one. Tons of people wished him and the team good luck, including all the new recruits to the army received from both Shirasagi and inspired civilians. But his eyes looked to Azura, who was staring right back.
"Corrin...you'd best be going. All of us have work to do."
"Azura...I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize to me."
"No, I do. I'm sorry for getting so mad at you, I...I just didn't like being kept in the dark. You're my family too, and family always forgives each other."
Azura's lips curved upward. "All this time, we were cousins. If only such a thing was apparent much sooner, we could've made some beautiful memories."
"It's not too late, Azura. There's hope. We can win this war!"
"YEAH!" the army broke out in thunderous cheers, Nohrian and Hoshidan alike.
"Wait!"
The berserker bros all crowded around Anna. Dragon and Stripes recoiled; they had bad memories dealing with bandit brothers in their own adventures.
"Boss, let us come with you! We want to rack some heads too!"
"No way! Lloyd, Llewelyn, you guys are better off helping the army kick Vallite butt! Make sure Azura doesn't get a scratch on her!"
"YOU GOT IT!" shouted the brothers in unison. Anna smiled.
"Hey, after all of this, maybe you boys can come work for me! What do you think, Mozu?"
"..."
"Mozu?"
The farmgirl pointed to someone sitting alone...Daniela.
XXXXX
"Oh!" She hissed and turned away. "Leave me alone, Anna, I don't want your mocking today!"
"Daniela, what's wrong?"
"...Iago. You're all going to kill him, aren't you?"
"That was kind of the plan, yes."
The valkyrie winced. "I thought I had something special with him. We were going to serve Nohr together, as lovers, masters of magic!"
"...ew?"
"Anna!" Mozu swatted her arm. "Miss Daniela, I'm sorry Iago betrayed you, but if you really want some closure...you can come with us. You'd come in handy, actually."
"Sniff, sniff...you'd really want me, after I called you a hick? Many times, not just to your face?"
"We're all friends ain't we?"
"Hm..." Daniela took Mozu's hand and stood up. "That honesty will get you in trouble one day, girlie, but that's not today. Let's make this bastard fry."
FIN
Ending notes: And that makes the third cipher cameo, only Yuzu left. I needed some cooldown before jumping BACK into fights, but I've got some work coming up. And yep, I've already got Iago's demise planned out, fufufufu...
It's been two years since I started this fic, and geez...I didn't think we'd still be here! But sometimes your muse takes you in interesting directions. Over 300 reviews and a crapton of favs, follows, and views...
I seriously cannot thank you guys enough, from the bottom of my heart. I'm grateful the slower pacing hasn't deterred the lot of you, and I really want to finish this fic in the most satisfying way I can. Just a little longer, I promise. *bows*
Until next time!
