B2V1Ch5 Understandings

"… and that is how we arrived here in Chief Fuga's home, Milady," Jakob finishes his explanation.

I look around as continue eating from the pot of meat before me. The roasted meat is crisp and juicy. It is really delicious! And I guess Forneus was right about Tenkai and hunger because I ate more than I usually do, even when really hungry.

And I am REALLY hungry. It's like I haven't eaten in days.

My last memories before I woke up here an hour after the battle is transforming into Tenkai Anankos. I don't know what happened after that, but apparently quite a bit did. I've been sitting here eating while listening to Jakob, Azura, and Hinoka (who I'm surprised, but very glad to see here) catch me up on what I missed as the others eat separately from an even larger pot.

I should be panicking, but my hunger and pleasure from the various delicious flavors and the satisfaction of filling my empty stomach and quenching my thirst obscure my ability to do so. It's weird, but at least my anxiety is settled for now.

Only Jakob exited Lilith's Orb as Azura and I determined at this point it's best to keep as many cards we can up our sleeves. Jakob was needed to help me recover, although I've been secretly sending food into Lilith while I eat so the others can enjoy in the feast.

Azura also transferred Lilith back to me. Apparently, something was rejecting Lilith from within Azura that caused her to struggle to keep the astral dragon in her body. She is better now, but as usual, she didn't explain why. However, she did promise to reveal the truth to me, just right now isn't a good time, so I let it slide.

That boy Hayato said that Fuga admitted defeat and has been recovering upstairs all this time. He is letting us all rest and eat here as a part of his apology, but Hayato didn't say anything more than that. He occasionally comes down the stairs for fresh bandages and maybe some food, but all he does is gave me a strange look, or ignore us completely.

Now we're just waiting for Fuga to come down and talk.

"Thank you, Jakob, everyone," I say as I sit up from the pot. I finish my cup of water and place it down on the table. "I think I'm done eating now."

"Geez Corrin, I've never seen you eat that much before," Hinoka teases.

"I'm not fat!"

"I never said anything like that. I guess you like fried meat like this. I know I do," she takes another bite of the meat.

I hold out my hand to stop Jakob. This is only sibling banter, so I don't want him causing a scene as he defends me. But I can't just let him do nothing.

"Jakob, my hair got messed up in the battle."

"Understood Milady," Jakob replies. "Would you like it the usual or trying something new?"

That's a tough call. My hair got shredded by Fuga's wind spell, and my precious headband was destroyed too. It grew all back in Tenkai form in a flash from what Azura told me. To think it can regenerate that quickly.

"I'll try something new. But I don't know which to choose. Hinoka, Azura, any suggestions?"

"I'm sorry, I've never worn my hair other than straight," my melodious sister responds softly.

At least she is back speaking her usual tone. That means a good amount of her anxiety is gone, and that puts me at ease.

"What about you, Hinoka?"

"You're asking the wrong person."

"So you where your bedhead to work every day. Pretty sloppy for a royal if you ask me."

"Hey! I DO take care of my hair! Just because I wear it short doesn't mean I don't brush it."

"Right. My bad. My bad."

That's my payback from earlier!

"I have a suggestion, why not use a hair comb like mine and tie your hair into a bun or ponytail. That way before you need to transform, you can simply take off the comb first and it won't be destroyed." Orochi emotionlessly suggests. I forgot she was even here eating with us even though she asked to eat with us and not the others. She normally has such a presence, but I've never seen so melancholic before. She's not even looking at me.

"I like it. Jakob, tie my hair like a Hoshidan Noble."

"Understood Milady."

"But first, take this," Orochi hands me a large, gold haircomb like hers without looking me in the eye.

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a spare."

"Well, thanks! Jakob!"

Without a word, Jakob takes the gold hair comb and begins grooming my hair.

Azura suddenly shivers.

"What's wrong Azura?" I ask. I notice she hasn't eaten

"Nothing, I… just need some fresh air, that's all."

I try to send her a mental message, but I get one from her first, "I sense something wrong in this town. I am feeling sinister magic with my whole body, but it is too faint for me to tell exactly what it is. It is also making me nauseous."

I see. So, you don't want to alarm everyone over a hunch.

"Correct."

"At least take Kaze with you. Message me as soon as something suspicious happens."

"Alright."

"Kaze!" Azura calls.

The wind ninja swiftly appears beside her, "What is your command, Azura?"

"I am going to walk outside for a bit. Please accompany me."

"Understood."

Hinoka stands up. "I'll go with you."

"You do not have to come with me, Hinoka."

"I finally caught up with you guys. No way am I gonna give any chance of losing ya. Besides, I left Azama and Setsuna outside for a reason. I'll need to make sure he doesn't belittle you."

Azama. I ran into him a few times in the palace back when I was living in Hoshido. He always said horrible things to everyone for now reason, and most of the time it would trigger me to the point of being possessed by my dragon half. The result would be attacking him, him getting another scar after healing, and property damage. Mother eventually forbid us from sharing dialogue and being in the same room. I also heard he was on the verge of being arrested and tried before coming with Hinoka.

"Hinoka, tell Azama that if he hurts Azura, I'll have no quams eating him as a dragon or Tenkai."

The room goes quiet for a bit. I do regret what I said, but Azura is a very sensitive person and has years of trauma from harassment. I don't want to see her in pain.

"Alright, but I'll be rephrasing that last part. It's a bit weird for a person to say, y'know?"

"Understood."

Azura, Hinoka, and Kaze leave the table and head outside, leaving Jakob, Orochi, and I left.

"I am finished, Milady. What do you think?"

My butler holds a mirror before my face. My hair is tied in a neat Hoshidan-style topknot with the gold hair-comb holding it all together. Those knots really do hold a lot of hair as no strands go past my head.

"Looks great!" Although I prefer my old hairstyle, but it'll do till I get a replacement headband.

"It really does, I'm kinda amazed," Orochi says. Her tone is a bit lighter and she is looking towards us, but she is using her scroll/fan to hide her face, but not her sad eyes. This is really unlike her! Does she not like this place?!

Suddenly, I hear creaking wood as somebody walks down the stairs. It's Fuga, followed by Hayato. Fuga has changed into new clothes, but now has bandages covering parts of his torso and a few wrapped around his head. Despite this, he fills the room with the same commanding presence as when I first met him.

Fuga looks across the room. Everyone is spread out around various hotpots with meat roasting on top them. We all look back, although we try to hide our stairs. After all, he did put us through a horrible time.

Fuga stares at me awkwardly without making a sound.

The silence continues for a bit before I had enough, "Chief Fuga, would you please stop staring at me?"

"Oh!" he replies, followed by a loud laugh. "I'm sorry Princess Corrin, I didn't recognize you at first with that new hairstyle! I get confused whenever someone I know decides to wear their hair in a topknot like yours. But don't worry, you look great! And your injuries look like they have all healed too!"

"Oh! Wow! Uh, thank you," I stammer. I had no idea Chief Fuga was this kind of guy. "You seem to be looking better than… before."

That was SO awkward! Please be fine. Please be fine. Please be fine!

"Well, you did put a number on me in our duel! I've never faced a foe as vicious as you."

"Smooth move old man. You're bound to find a girl at this rate." Hayato says.

He said exactly what I was thinking.

"Oh, my apologies. I should have been more careful with my choice of words."

"No, it's fine Chief Fuga. I got the message. I'm not too good with my wordplay either," I reply with a little laugh.

Everyone else has their mouths hanging open (except for Orochi). I'd normally laugh, but I'm still a little dazed since I woke up.

"E-e-excuse me Chief Fuga?" Felicia runs up and asks, stumbling as usual. I signal Jakob to go lend her a hand.

"Yes, what can I do for you young lady?"

Felicia stutters. She isn't good under social pressure.

"Allow me to take it from here, Felicia," Jakob says as he holds her hand. Her shivering slowly stops. "My name is Jakob, and this is Felicia. We are both retainers of Lady Corrin and Lady Azura, as well as serving as their butler and maid respectively."

"I see. And how may I help you Mr. Jakob? Although, I don't remember seeing you among Princess Corrin's party."

"I wanted to clear up the confusion regarding the duel that took place earlier at noon."

"Ah, about that."

Fuga gets on all fours and bows to me, "I deeply apologize for what I put you and your party through Princess Corrin."

I didn't expect the Wind Tribe Chief to bow before like this. But this is a pretty hardcore apology, and it must be humiliating to bow like this for an apology to an outsider.

I stand and walk over.

"If you're willing to go this far to apologize for what you put us through, I forgive you. But I would like you to explain yourself."

Fuga rises. "I understand, thank you for your forgiveness."

"However, before we start, I would like to ask about the traveler we were looking for."

"Very well. I will answer to the best of my abilities. Did this person perhaps be a young female merchant with pale skin, red eyes, long and tied red hair, and carrying a glowing, ornate staff?"

"Yes! If her name is Anna, then that is definitely her!"

"I'm afraid she suddenly left our village this morning. Didn't even eat anything. But she said to me as she was leaving where she'll be going."

Guess we'll have to track her down, huh? "And where is that?"

"The Flame Tribe's mines in the mountains. Follow the passageway into the mountains from North of this village. It's less than a day's journey from here, and she said that she is looking for something there. As for why she left so suddenly, she said that she got a message from her patron that she had to leave immediately, and told me that I should expect a small group of travelers that would arrive later in the day where she was going. That's all I know."

"Thank you anyways."

At least she knows we're looking for her. But why would she leave so suddenly? Tiki probably sent her that message, but what's the rush? And why didn't she eat any of the food here? I'm starting to feel something's wrong.

Fuga walks towards Orochi despite her trying to avoid his view.

"I understand why you would be afraid of this place, and I apologize for making you uncomfortable here. However, I do not bare any malice towards you, no matter what you may have done in the past. Please, if there is anything I can do to help you, just ask."

Orochi slowly turns to Fuga, her lower face still concealed by her fan. She replies, "Thank you Chief Fuga. Your words are enough to relax me, at least until I leave this place."

Orochi is polite? But wait, I thought she told me she was just found by Kagero in the remains of a house belonging to a family of fortune tellers? What's the connection between these two other than that they are both Diviners?

Fuga walks over while reaching into one of the several pockets on his baggy pants. He takes out a thin, long piece of cloth with markings not Hoshidan or Nohrain. And not Vallite either. I can see a Serpent design on it.

"Thank you," Orochi says as she takes the cloth. She sends violet mana into it and it comes to life like one of her Serpent spirits she's well known for. The possessed cloth wraps around her arm neatly like a bandage. She looks calmer now that it is on.

"Now then, Princess Corrin, I would tell you why I had you duel me earlier and tempting you into transforming into something you fear, but I believe you already found the answer, am I wrong?" Fuga proposes.

He's not wrong. I kind of had an idea of why during our fight, and I'm now on the spot with everyone in the room staring at me. Here goes!

"Even though you knew I was innocent you wanted to test my power, but more importantly, you wanted to fight that me after what it did in on the Plains of Hoshido, right?"

"You are half-right. It is true I wished to fight a strong opponent in battle, but there was more to that fight than a simple exchange of blows."

"You wanted to test my resolve, right?"

"Not necessarily. When people are put into a desperate situation, such as a deathmatch, and their back is to the wall they will act on their desires and intentions. While dangerous, I battle those who threaten the village to see their true self. And after I fought you, I realized your intentions are true. That is why the Yato chose you."

"You mean the sword I used. The gold one with the bandages?"

"Yes. And you can have it. It is an ancient weapon forged by the Rainbow Sage to end wars long ago. Sumeragi entrusted it to me believing leaving it in Hoshido would increase the chances of it falling into the wrong hands. Again, I apologize for the trouble I've caused you."

"It's fine. The villagers would have become suspicious if you gave us special permission, and you had every reason to hold malice towards us."

"You're a very understanding person."

"Thank you-"

"-But!" Fuga cuts me off. "That other you, that monster-the one you changed into with that belt-is something else entirely."

"Were you able to get a read on its desire, or whatever?" Felicia asks.

"I was. After hearing what happened on the Plains several days ago and how it acted, I felt I needed to see it for myself. I had to know its true nature."

"What did you find, Chief Fuga?" Jakob asks.

Fuga closes his eyes and doesn't respond.

After a few moments of awkward silence, he reopens his eyes. They emit a stare of seriousness of the highest degree I've seen of him.

"That form is not human, a spirit, or like any living thing in this world. It is a being made of raw malice and desire. It acts purely on what it wants, and will go to any lengths to fulfill its desires. When it was banging my head against the battery, I sense it did not care for me or the match, rather it wanted get out. However, the monster is not without a mind. In fact, despite it being unable to form words, it is very intelligent. It was using both basic and your style of combat techniques like reading an open book, only it was precise and free from restraints like emotion and codes of honor. It is your opposite: the Yin to your Yang, so to speak."

Gulp! So Tenkai Anankos is like Evil Me?

"But why was, uh… Yin-Corrin trying to escape and disregard the duel?! If it did, the duel would count as a loss and all my friends would be executed!"

"That sounds pretty cool Corrin! Or should I call you Yang-Corrin?"

"And if so, should I refer to you as Lady Yang-Corrin in the future, Milady?"

"Actually, 'Yinrin' has a better ring to it. And it sounds cooler!"

"Yes, it does roll off the tongue better."

"You two! Talk later! Fuga, please continue."

"As I was saying: the secret to what I believe is the root of Yinrin's actions lies behind two tests I performed. The first occurred during the duel. I purposely allowed Princess Azura to be close to the arena and your friends on the opposite side to see if Yinrin would go after her family. Princess Hinoka's arrival also helped me reach a conclusion based on its reactions."

"How did it, I mean Yinrin react?"

'It disregarded the fight entirely and constantly tried to escape. Whenever I tried to fight, it would swat me away, or wait for me to fall from exhaustion. As for which side it was going for, it wasn't entirely clear, but it was attempting to go to Princess Azura's side over your friends' side."

"I was trying to kill her?!"

"I doubt that based on what happened when Princess Hinoka arrived."

"What did Yinrin do?"

"It defended her from me."

"What?!" Me and my retainers react in unsion.

"Furthermore, it allowed Princess Hinoka to forcibly change you back by leaving a purposeful opening for the warrior princess to grab the belt and reverse the handle."

"So, it was trying to get to my family?"

"The second test failed. I tried to take a peek inside your soul for more information, but Yinrin as a dragon appeared as soon as I got in and forced me out. But it seems you share the desire with Yinrin. So, it must be acting on your deepest desires. So, the answer would best be answered by you alone. Now then! Why don't we talk about something more lighthearted? Ahahaha! And I'm starving!"

Fuga walks over to the last pot and starts eating. The mood suddenly lightened.

He changed the mood before I got what I wanted. I learned a lot though. And "Yin-me" and "Yinrin" are much better nicknames than I had before. But Fuga is right: if I stay negative it won't do anything for me.

"Would you like to know more about the animal spirits we summon, Princess Corrin?"

"DO I?!"

"Ahahaha! I can see it in your eyes! It's like they are gleaming like stars in the night sky?"

"Actually, I read all about your culture back when they kept me trapped inside a castle till about 2 months ago but it never went into details about the spirit-manipulation arts!"

"Sorry, but we keep are teachings secret to our clan. I can't share with you everything, but feel free to ask me any question you like."

"I'll gladly take you up on that offer! Now let's see… Oh! I've always wanted to ask this one!"

"By all means, ask away."

"So, um, I know that the animal spirits summoned are the same animals on the Hoshidan Zodiac, right?"

"Ah! You've done your research! Yes, each of the animals on the Hoshidan Zodiac can be summoned through the ancient rite of divination passed down by our god and ancestor, the First Dragon of the Tempest: Shen-Wung. It is his teachings that founded the spiritual arts used in this village."

SO COOL!

Hayato smirks, "Can you name them all?"

"It appears Hayato has challenged your memory and knowledge. This is the first time in ages he has been interested in something other than his studies."

"Quiet old man! My life way of life has nothing to do with this! I'm… just trying to see how much this outsider knows! Yes, that's it."

So, you don't remember and won't risk your pride to ask before strangers who might know better than you. Fuga's son must be really dedicated.

"I'm in! Let's see: Boar, Cockerel, Ram, Bison, Horse, Tiger, Monkey, Rat, Wolf, Rabbit, and Hawk.

Fuga claps. Jakob quickly follows suit, then drags Felicia out of her daydream to clap too. Hayato looks down and away with frustrated face.

"Impressive!" Fuga commends and chuckles. He takes another bite and drinks some water. "It appears you know all 12 of the spirits!"

"I mean my friends often call me a book nerd," I reply with a nervous laugh. "But that leads into my question."

"And what would that be?"

"You see, in my research, I found some sources about a 13th spirit. It was like some big, scary monster that had to be sealed away and stuff. Does it exist?"

Fuga and Hayato's eyes widen. Looks like crossed a line.

"Please allow me and the old man to review our scriptures upstairs. We want to give you the most accurate answer," Hayato suggests.

"I agree with Hayato. Please give us a few minutes."

"It's not respectful to lie to your guests like that, Cheiftain."

A young man's voice reverberates through the air as he walks in from the kitchen. Wait! That build and wardrobe; it's the judge from the duel!

But what is he doing here?

And why do I feel a sinister aura filling the area?

"Watch your tongue, you-Nngh!" Fuga tries to respond but falls onto is knees while cluthching his stomach.

"Yang-Corrin, I got trouble with my stomach too."

"I apologize Milady, but I feel unwell as well."

Jakob and Felicia too?!

"This isn't good Corrin," Lilith, who sounds sick, tries to call out from within me.

What's wrong? Don't tell me-

"-Yes," she sickly responds. "Me and the other I here are all experiencing the same sickness. I only have enough energy for one transport before I have to rest to regain my strength!"

I swiftly grab Felicia and Jakob while the Duel Judge's attention is focused on Fuga and fling them into my Cognitive Castle.

You got them, Lilith?

"Yes. I now have to rest. You won't be able to use my abilities or access your castle until I'm better. Good night."

Good night Lilith. Get better soon! We'll need you!

Now Hayato is standing between the Duel Judge and Fuga. Wait, why isn't he sick too? For that matter, why aren't Orochi and I sick?

"You should leave while you still have the chance, Wind Boy. The adults are talking."

"I'll make you regret belittling me and the old man, traitor. I'm a fully-certified Diviner I'll have you know! Go! Bison!"

Hayato pulls out an ornate, green and silver scroll-fan and summons an ethereal bison spirit. It takes up most of the width of the hallway the two are standing in. It'll be pretty hard to dodge even with Bison's low speed.

Hayato then waves the second scroll like a fan, and a blast of wind magic bolsters the bison spirit, greatly increasing its speed and destructive force!

The bison spirit rams head first into its target's center, knocking them back into the room behind and crashing into the wooden table, destroying it.

"How did you like that, bastard?"

The Duel Judge gets up. He is badly injured with several bruises, many splinters, and an open-bone fracture in his arm! Ew! But how is he doing this?!

Even Hayato is shocked, "How are you even standing after that?"

"If I had to rate that attack like you wanted, I'd give it a 6. It's pretty good as you really messed-up this body I was borrowing, but nothing special. I think I'll call you 'Prodigy' from now on. Now let me return the favor."

The judge takes out a familiar crossbow with dials and switches on it from his robe and fires two shots at Hayato all in the blink of an eye.

The bolts hit Hayato's legs and he collapses as he whinces in pain.

"I… I can't feel my legs!"

"Hayato! Damn you!"

Wait a minute. Nearly unkillable, rates power of attacks, this casual/intimidating persona, and calling people by nicknames. And that crossbow. It can't be!

"Why don't you take off that disguise Forneus. I know it's you in that body!"

"Princess Corrin, you know this bastard?"

"Yes, but he isn't a friend."

"Ah! Corrin. Nice hair! And I was really impressed in your duel with Chief Fuga. Alas, I should've known you would see through my disguise," Forneus replies with his normal distorted voice.

"No. You knew and expected me to point it out for dramatic effect. I may not know you for long, but I know you never show up without a plan."

"Phew! You know me too well. Well then, I guess I should get rid of this broken host."

Forneus reveals his own version of a Legacy Symbol, except this one is slimmer and has the overall design of a cobra.

He pulls a switch behind the large purple crystal. Hatches around the crystal ball open and rotate as it glows. "COBRA LEGACY!" a deep, evil voice announces from the device.

"Stage 2," Forneus says.

Purple smoke surrounds Forneus as electricity shouts out around the smoky aura. The body of the Duel Judge falls out as the purple haze disappears.

And there is Forneus, just like I thought.

"You're probably wondering what this is all about," he says squatting next to Fuga. "So I'll tell you. We're invading your village."

It felt as a chill passed through our bodies as he said that last sentence.

"But everything looks fine outside!" I shout!

"Because I put up a barrier, and the real invasion only begun a few minutes ago. I just have to keep you here for a little bit. If only you didn't eat the food we poisoned, you might have given me a lot more trouble. Thank you, Corrin for weakening Fuga in that fantastic duel earlier today! Made my job a whole lot easier!"

Oh yeah. Hayato and Orochi didn't eat the food. So that's what why everyone got sick. Wait! Kaze, Hinoka, and Azura didn't eat either, nor did Setsuna and Azama as they were watching the mounts outside so they should be fighting outside.

Azura probably tried reaching out to me several time, but that's a magic barrier for you.

"You bastard! You dare trick me and invade my village!" Fuga forces himself up with sheer willpower. "I, as the Chief, will defeat you!"

"Sorry, but I'm no longer interested I you," Forneus stands up and flicks Fuga's forehead. The wind chief loses balance and falls once again.

Forneus walks towards me and Orochi.

I step in front of her.

"I won't let you touch my friend!"

Forneus lets out a cackling laugh.

"You really are something else! I can now tell you're your father's daughter. Do you really not know who your friend behind you is? Everyone else here knows? And you just asked about the subject before I came in! So, in the place of the Cheiftain and Prodigy, why don't I answer your question for you?"

His body is relaxed and his posture is that "What do you say?" one that you do with friends, or something.

"First tell me why I'm not sick like the rest?"

"So you ate the food? How was it? I'm rather proud of my cooking ability with meat."

I stomp on the floor so hard I break a few panels. Wild mode must have kicked in already. Must be linked to instinct.

"Sheesh, fine. Tenkai can get nourishment from any source of food. Part of that is why you sometimes eat humans, but it also means you can never get poisoned or sick from eating anything. Still, I was testing this theory, but good job pulling it off, nice!"

I slap away his hand in a thumb's up.

"That's rude! I was only doing what you asked, and I even complimented you. How ungreatful can you be? Kids these days."

"You're right, I'm sorry. Please answer my question (WHY AM I APOLOGIZING?!).

Forneus chuckles and states, "That woman behind you isn't a human, but an ancient spirit living in disguise! She is the monster that even the First Dragons feared in their war in ancient times for its power and destructive potential. She, Yamada Orochi, is the 13th spirit of the Hoshidan Zodiac! The demonic spirit: Yamata-no-Orochi! Now hand her over!"

"NO WAY!"

Chapter End