June: Valla's Liberation

The next morning, everyone arose bright and early for a meeting. Sophie began, "We should attack the Vallite base! Because . . . because . . . It's the closest!"

Azura supported, "That is true. It would make sense to strike there."

Shigure agreed, "If it's the most logical choice of action, it is the one we should take!"

Sophie and Silas took charge of guiding the warriors to the Vallite Twilighter base. Caeldori approached Shiro when she was sure her friend wouldn't be able to hear. "Hey, have you noticed a change in Sophie's behavior?"

Shiro contemplated that for a second, but ultimately shook his head. "No. Why?"

Caeldori gave him a side-eye glance. "Really? She's much more reckless. Sophie charged right into Valla and is demanding we take out Valla's stronghold first. She's more . . . like a commander?"

Shiro commented, "Now that you mention it . . . Sort of. She's like a leader ordering subordinates."

Caeldori teared up. "She's been like this ever since Siegbert got hurt. Even though we fought the war against Anankos, no one on our side really got hurt. At least, not so bad that they had to sit out of the fight for a long time like this. I hope it didn't affect her."

Shiro mused, "Well, her fiancé almost died. It would be stranger if she didn't feel anything."

Caeldori threw her hands up in the air to get out her worry. "Ugh! I know that. I mean, what if it changed her? Like she'll never be the same old Sophie again."

Shiro brushed the speculation off. "Ha! I doubt it. Just give her some time. I'm sure once Siegbert is back on his feet, she'll revert back to herself."

Caeldori covered her face with her hands and blew into them to relieve some anxiety. "I hope so. She's my best friend, Shiro. I don't want anything to happen to her."

Shiro slung an arm around her. "It's going to be okay. We'll take on any problem head-on! We're the dream team!"

Caeldori giggled. "You're right; it's silly. Of course Sophie will turn out fine."

Owain studied the geography. "This is different from when we invaded Valla to fight Anankos."

Silas elaborated, "Yes. Ever since we killed Anankos, the land was restored to what it was like before his degeneration."

Ophelia lamented, "But it was lovely! The floating islands were whimsical! I felt the flurry of magic teeming with every step! Now it sleeps, dormant under the earth."

Silas scowled slightly out of confusion at Ophelia's colorful description. "Um . . . I'm sorry? Personally, even though Valla's landscape is less exciting, I like it better. Before it was a reflection of the scrambled state Anankos was in. Now that he's finally at peace, the land healed."

Ophelia took his words in consideration and amended her previous statement. "Now that the horrible fate of degeneration has ended for Anankos, Valla has been restored to its former glory! The magic of the ancient heroes has retreated into the deepest corners of the earth to rest again, until a new dawn approaches and its needed once again!"

The rest of the march was slow until Sophie announced, "We're here!"

Khalid eyed the enemy hideout. "There doesn't seem to be any obstacles that are any different from the ones we've already taken down. That's a relief."

They quietly snuck to the front door. Shiro hollered, "THIS IS AN ENEMY RAID!" He kicked down the door and the army rushed in.

A dark mage screamed, "How did they find us?!"

Subaki taunted, "Of course we'd find out! We're the perfect investigators! We tracked you all down with our amazing detective work."

A brawler growled, "They must have used the device in Adrestia! That's how that detestable Hubert discovered Shambhala's base."

Ferdinand thought, "There is one thing we will always agree upon. To have something in common with such disgraceful individuals is not a good sign. But I suppose Hubert truly was unlikable."

Byleth smacked a valkyrie with her sword. "You don't have enough time to speculate!"

Annette weaved icicles from the air and punctured a general's heart. "You won't hurt anyone ever again!"

A war cleric thrust his axe in the air, bringing it down on Caspar's head. Caspar, being the war master he was, took the blow in stride and wiped the blood off his face. "C'mon; you're gonna have to do better than that!" He delivered his own blow to the war cleric, taking his life. "Well . . . I guess you tried, at least."

Inigo jumped back and forth, dodging blades left and right, and then returning the favor. "Hah! I have a lot of practicing with the performing arts, you know! Avoiding attacks is just like a dance routine!"

Soleil cheered, "You go, Dad!"

Sophie snarled, "You won't be able to touch my kingdom anymore! Valla is out of bounds! You hear me?! GET OUT!" For extra emphasis, she killed a mercenary and pocketed the Killer Lance he dropped.

Silas hacked away at a gaggle of sages clustering in the woodwork. "I am the king of this great nation! You will not harass her any longer!"

Owain noticed a mortal savant preparing a spell. Sure enough, a bolt of Miasma flew right toward him. He deflected the attack with his sword and faced the menace. "Hide not behind the blinds of shame! Come fight me like a real man!"

In response, the mortal savant unleashed a deadlier Miasma. Owain did the same as before and lunged at him. Unfortunately, a cloud of Miasma knocked him to the ground. Owain acted as if he was on the verge of death, dramatically, and perhaps over-the-top, hacked out a raspy cough. Just as the mortal savant believed he was about to finish him off, Owain kicked him in the shin and rolled out of the way, then delivered his own finishing swipe. "Acting has its benefits."

Shigure cut through a rather fierce pack of pegasus knights. "Amateurs should not yet be on this stage."

An assassin moved toward Sophie. "So you're the princess, eh? It's only fitting that you breathe your last in your own kingdom, and I, Commander of the Vallite Base, am your conqueror!" The tip of the Venom Edge struck dangerously near Sophie's throat, who maneuvered out of the way, anticipating an attack from the direction of the voice.

Sophie went into a defensive stance. "I wouldn't be so cocky. I've gotten better and better!" She rushed toward the assailant, and jumped in the air to avoid a deadly slash from the Venom Edge. She landed right on the assassin, and with one swift move, cut the commander down. "Looks like the reverse happened. Oh well. No hard feelings, though."