The broken stonework of Castle Reppu continued to crumble as Liz and Corrin walked through its halls. Earlier, they had found a stairway that led down into the depths of the castle, with not a single sound emanating from the cold, dark abyss. Signs of their battle against the enhanced Faceless monstrosity were everywhere – cracks in the stone marred their path, and even the stairs themselves looked about ready to collapse.

"I hope Fuga has homeowner's insurance," Liz mumbled.

Corrin furrowed her brow as she looked at Liz curiously. "What?"

Waving her hand, Liz replied, "Don't worry about it, Candy Corn. It's not something I think you'd have around here. Seriously, though, this place is a mess. God knows what's down in those dungeons."

"Well, we know the chieftain's son is down here," Corrin said, "and that he has likely been down here for some time. All the more reason we should probably stop talking and hurry up."

Liz held her arms up in a placating gesture. "Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. Just sucks to have to be down here. I was in a place like this once. I hated it."

Corrin ignored that conversation hook for now, filing the information for later. The most important thing they had to do was get Fuga's son, Hayato, out of the dungeons, and nurse him back to health, if the situation called for it.

The further Corrin and Liz traveled down the stairs, the darker it became, even with Liz carrying a torch to light their way. Eventually, they met the dungeons. Corrin saw Liz shiver, but the blonde-haired woman was silent.

"Hello?" Corrin called, "Is anyone here?"

There was no response.

"Corrin, I don't wanna be a debbie-downer," Liz said, "but, do you think that, maybe, he could be, ya know, dead?"

"I'd rather not think about this story ending in tragedy," Corrin murmured, peering further into the dungeon. "I've read enough of those to last me a lifetime, and most of them are historical accounts."

"Oh, good. Nice to know I've ended up in a death world," Liz sighed before perking up as the faint sound of rattling chains reached their ears. "I think I might've heard something."

"Yeah, me too," Corrin said, nodding as she called again, "Hello! Is anyone here!? Hayato!? Your father sent us!"

A faint echo reached their ears, coming from the very back of the dungeons. It was a strangled voice, barely audible.

"H-help…"

"Let's go," Corrin ordered.

The sound of their footfalls reverberated throughout the dungeon. Corrin and Liz made a beeline for the back, whereupon they found the chieftain's son. He was in the very last cell, as if the sorcerer sought to bury him. With the poor lighting, all they could see was that he was chained to the wall.

A jingle of keys later, and the barred cell door opened with a loud screech. Once they were inside, Liz gasped while Corrin kept her eyes firmly planted on the emaciated form in front of them.

Hayato looked as if he hadn't eaten in weeks, the boy was so skinny. His skin was deathly pale, almost luminescent in the light of Liz's torch. His brown hair was matted and long, and when he looked up, his eyes only betrayed the faintest hint of light. He shrank away from the light, as if it was hurting him.

"Y-you…" He muttered out, his voice still barely above a whisper. "Y-you're not him…"

"We need to get him out of here," Corrin said.

"I guess we can pull out the chains," Liz whispered, "He looks like he'll die the instant we try to move him, though."

"It's a chance we'll have to take," Corrin said adamantly, "it's either that, or leave him to rot. I will not let that happen. Not after all of this."

Liz sighed and nodded. "Well said."

The light of the sun was almost painful to Liz as she and Corrin left the ruined castle. Scars of the battle that had been waged within dotted the outside; the cracks that had formed before were massive fissures in the stonework, and the sun only made the structure look old and ruinous.

As gently as they could, they carried Hayato to the Wind Tribe village. The reactions of the people ranged from morbidly curious to horrified at the sight of their chieftain's son in such a lowly state. Thankfully, he had passed out not long after he was released from his bonds. Liz didn't think he'd have a good reaction to the sun otherwise.

They brought him to the medical tent, where most of the healers were. Their work was far from over, what with the wounds of the previous battle still fresh, but it would have to do.

"By the Dusk Dragon…" A voice rang out. Liz recognized it as Jakob. "Lady Corrin, is that-?"

"Please don't sit there and gawk, Jakob!" Corrin ordered frantically. "I'm not sure how much time he has left! Gather as many healers as you can and help him!"

"A-at once, Lady Corrin!" Jakob replied, bowing.

Liz was silent as Hayato was taken out of her and Corrin's arms and placed on a futon. She watched as the soft light of staves and festals washed over the tormented boy, feeling weird to be on the other side of such an event.

"Gawd, what happened to him?"

Liz blinked and turned to her side as Corrin left her behind. She took a breath once she saw Severa beside her. Bandages still around her midsection, it was good she was up and about again.

"Long story, Sev," Liz replied, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "It was ugly down there. Reminded me of…"

"Auntie?" Severa asked, looking at her.

Liz shook her head. "Probably a story for another time. Shouldn't focus on me. Focus on him."

"There's not much I can do for him," Severa muttered, "I'm good for slashing and cracking skulls, but healing like that, well, I never got the hang of it."

"What, with those staff thingies?" Liz asked, pointing at the green glow. "I mean, what's to understand about it? It just looks like they're waving it around in front of him and it just works."

Severa turned to her with a narrowed gaze. "It's a lot more complicated than that, idiot."

"I'm not an idiot," Liz rebuked haughtily, placing a hand against her chest in mock hurt. "I prefer to think of myself as 'differently intelligent'."

"So, you're an idiot."

"You really are my brother's kid. You got that same dry tone of voice," Liz pouted.

Severa snorted and crossed her arms, wincing a little as she did so. "You gotta know the human body in and out to heal like that. You can't just 'wave it around' and hope it heals whatever damage was caused. It could take years of study to get the hang of it, and countless hours of training. Sometimes, though, I guess a prodigy could come around and do it no problem. Aren't many of those around, though."

Liz blinked. "Huh, doesn't sound so bad. Makes it seem like even I could do it."

"You also have to be smart," Severa added.

"And I'm not?"

"It's not nice to pick on family, and I'm trying really hard to be nice right now," Severa continued, giving Liz a toothy grin.

"Good Lord, save me, this family was a mistake…" Liz groaned, causing Severa to frown.

"Well, if that's how you feel then I guess I could just, I dunno, go away," Severa growled, turning away.

"No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that!" Liz quickly said, grasping Severa's shoulder. "Look, we're both all prickly, alright? Like a cactus. Except I'm clearly the prettier cactus."

"As if!" Severa barked, "I'll have you know-!"

"Shhh!" Liz hushed, "it's okay, we can't all be drop dead gorgeous. You'll have your time, my wonderful niece, but until then, let the grown-ups do their thing, alright?"

"Auntie, I'm older than you," Severa said, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Ah." Liz rubbed the back of her neck. "Y'know, sometimes I forget about that. And I'm happy when I forget about that. Time travel is a helluva drug, huh."

"I won't take it easy on you during your training," Severa said, "I hope you know that. Definitely after what you said here today."

"Wha-?" Liz did a double take. "What do you mean, 'take it easy on me during training'? Are you gonna be-?"

"I'll be the one to train you in swordsmanship," Severa said, nodding with a smirk reappearing on her face. "It's not official yet, but I'm sure Lady Corrin wouldn't mind if I helped out."

"Suddenly, I don't mind if I die," Liz muttered, "You know, let's just – let's just get outta here. I don't think they'll like us just slinking around the medical tent. Are you able to walk?"

"I walked up to you, didn't I?" Severa answered.

"Good! Here I was, thinking you'd be dead weight," Liz sighed. "Alright, let's go."

"Is my son safe?" Fuga asked as he lay on his futon, Corrin standing over him. "Tell me, Corrin. Tell me he is safe."

Fuga and the other's wounded in battle with the great Faceless were taken to the infirmary while those who could use staves and festals healed them. Corrin bit back a snarl at seeing her older sister and her friends in pain, but most of all, upon looking at the wounded chieftain in front of her, she felt like weeping.

The chieftain had nearly had his ribcage broken in by the golden Faceless. Even with the priestesses and priests with him, his chest had become one giant, purple, ugly bruise. His breath came out in wheezes that made Corrin wince.

Despite all that, however, Fuga was still worried more for his son. Corrin's hands balled into fists as she spoke.

"He's alive, Chieftain Fuga," Corrin reported, her voice a distressing monotone, even to her own ears. "And he will survive. I will not lie to you – the condition we found him in was grim, but the priests assured me that he will make a full recovery, given enough time."

Fuga nodded once before laying his head against a pillow and closing his eyes, letting out breath after painful breath.

"Whatever you want, Princess Corrin," Fuga croaked. "Whatever you need, the Wind Tribe will provide. You have done me a service that I am afraid I will never be able to fully repay, but rest assured, you will have our strength when the final battle comes."

Corrin closed her eyes and nodded, the light of the sun shining painfully on her through a tattered opening in the structure. After a moment, she relaxed and looked down at the wounded chieftain of the Wind Tribe.

"I accept your offer of aid, Chieftain Fuga," Corrin intoned, "but several times now, we have come close to a subject that is close to my heart. To Azura's heart. Please, tell me about what happened decades ago. You traveled alongside my father and King Garon. A-and my mother. What happened? Please, tell me."

Fuga opened his eyes and focused on Corrin, lifting his head up ever so slightly.

"It is a long tale," Fuga said, "one that spans over a period of five years. The first joint Hoshido-Nohr expedition. I was the representative of the Wind Tribe back then. I saw it all first hand. And unlike that snob Sumeragi or that mad king Garon, I have no qualms about sharing that story with you." He let his head back down. "Gather your siblings, if you would. Especially Azura. They deserve to hear this story as well. To have their minds put to rest. The world was not always this way. We had hope, once. And we shall have it again."

Corrin pursed her lips before bowing and leaving, her mind a whirlwind of emotion and nervousness. Fuga's head echoed in her head all throughout her search.

Once her family had been gathered, Corrin had Fuga returned to his old house in the middle of the village. Felicia sat over him for a few moments, staff in hand before looking at Corrin.

"He's stable now," Felicia informed her, "and I don't think he'll be in danger of dying, but just, erm, be careful. He took a nasty blow and, to be honest, I'm not much better at healing than I am at cleaning."

"It's fine, Felicia," Corrin said, patting her old friend on the shoulder. "You're a lot better than you think you are. Stay outside and wait for us. If we call for you, that means something has gone wrong, alright?"

Felicia bowed, stammering, "O-of course, Lady Corrin! Whatever you say!"

The former maid quickly hustled out of the room, leaving the royal children alone with the Wind Tribe chieftain.

"Are all Nohrian servants as skittish as that?" Takumi asked. "No, wait, I misspoke: are they all as dreary as Jakob and as nervous as Felicia? Because if they are, it's a wonder your country hasn't collapsed yet."

"Most of our servants were handpicked and came from long lineages of servants," Camilla answered, flashing a nostalgic smile. "Ah, but Felicia and her sister were special cases. Why, it'd take me longer to explain the intricacies of their position than for Chieftain Fuga to begin his explanation."

"Speaking of which," Azura interrupted, her blue eyes focused on the wounded mountain of a man in front of them. "Chieftain Fuga?"

"Oh, do not mind me, young ones," Fuga waved off, "Allow yourselves these last few moments of respite. What I am about to tell you will rock your world, so to speak. Especially considering it appears Sumeragi and Garon have forgotten to tell you their own history."

"Father has never been very forthright with his bastard son, no," Takumi remarked.

"Heh, likewise," Camilla added, curling a lock of purple hair around her finger, a small smile on her face.

"A prisoner is hardly worth explaining things to," Azura said.

"…Likewise," Corrin said softly.

"By the Wind Dragon, you all are a sorry lot, aren't you?" Fuga grumbled, rubbing the back of his bald head. "You could all stand to lighten up a little. Perhaps if my village still wasn't in shambles, I'd take you all to a night of relaxation. But I suppose that will need to wait. You asked me about the history between Garon and Sumeragi, and their shared past with Anankos. Allow me to say, children, that the truth of the matter is stranger than whatever conspiracy either kingdom has concocted…"

Castle Gyges stood as a monolith in front of them. The final obstacle before their victory over the Silent Dragon was like a towering cathedral, or a massive, otherworldly beast just begging to be slain.

Fuga was not of the Flame Tribe, but even so, he felt his blood boiling with anticipation at the sight.

"Calm yourself, friend," Sumeragi said to his side, "It would not do to lose our cool heads before the final battle has even begun."

Fuga flashed a toothy grin, running a hand over his reddish-brown hair. "Keep talking, Sumeragi! It just gets me more pumped!"

"Come now, Sumeragi!" Garon boisterously laughed, clapping his friend's back. "Where's your sense of adventure? Did it fall off on the way down?"

"Look at these two barbarians," Arete sniffed, "Acting as if the trials before can hold a candle to the trials ahead. This is Castle Gyges, my family's old home. Anankos has made a nest inside and will not let go of it willingly. What does that tell you?"

Garon stroked his full blond beard. "It means this might actually be a challenge, correct?"

Arete sighed. "I cannot tell if your blood lust is worrying or endearing, And honestly, that's the true frightening aspect of this, not the fact we're about to storm my house."

"She knows we are here," the wistful voice of Ana spoke out. They had long distinguished her from her homicidal dragon half, and it helped that she and Sumeragi clearly held a flame for one another. Tall and lithe, she could almost be mistaken for Arete's sister if it weren't for the large pointed ears underneath her white hood. "She will have prepared for us. Is everyone ready?"

"Ah, I cannot let the Nohrian hog all the glory, now can I?" Sumeragi chuckled, before letting out a loud guffaw. "Just watch, Garon! Four score more will fall to Raijinto than to Siegfried!"

"That's the way!" Fuga said, pumping his fist into the air. "There's the Sumeragi I know!"

A near-crazed smile appeared on Garon's face. "Then let us be off! To Gyges!"

The group moved forward as one, ready to greet a future they would never live to see.

"…Mother," Corrin muttered.

"I find this all hard to believe, Chieftain Fuga," Takumi said as he leaned back. "Sumeragi and Garon have been enemies almost as long as I have been alive. So, what, they were once friends? With each other? Next you will be telling me that Anankos was not always a scaly dragon hellbent on destroying humanity."

Fuga shrugged. "Both are true, Prince Takumi."

As Takumi's eyes widened, Camilla spoke up, "There was a time when father disappeared for a long, long time. It was somewhat before I could remember, but I was alive, then. My mother – devil take her soul – complained loudly about it. It was where Arete came from, wasn't it? This expedition."

"It was where they met, yes," Fuga said, nodding before turning to Azura. "And I assume you are the product of their union."

Azura looked away.

"We thought we had succeeded that day," Fuga continued, scratching his chin. "Anankos' twisted form laid dead before us. We had won. The last curse of Valla was no more, and its ghost could rest easy. But we were wrong. We were not strong enough to resist her. Even as her human form walked among us, we could not stop our nature. A nature she saw fit to exploit."

"What does that mean?" Takumi asked pointedly. "You're making it seem like they're under a spell or something. Actually, in hindsight, that'd explain much…"

"Not so much a spell, Prince Takumi," Fuga admitted, "And it only seems to affect Garon and Sumeragi. Some of the things I have heard, the tales from the wind, it is all so very strange. An attack in the middle of Cheve? During a peace meeting that had been planned for well over a decade? Garon was hot-headed and near-sighted, but he was not megalomaniacal. He would not have slaughtered Ana so brutally. However, here we sit. A princess of Hoshido raised in Nohr, born to the last true dragon and the scion of light. It is a thing only seen in legends."

"You think they're being controlled," Corrin whispered, "No, not controlled. You think they are being manipulated. Torn apart and turned against each other, don't you?"

"It would make sense, wouldn't you think?" Fuga mused, looking off to the side as his eyes glazed over. "My memories have not faded yet. I may no longer be in my prime, but I am far from dead. We were as thick as thieves. As close as brothers and sisters. And yet we are all torn apart or dead just the same. Your mother, Corrin, was Ana. Not Anankos. Ana was human, she was compassionate and mysterious. And though she was considered a concubine, I could tell that Sumeragi loved her as much as he did his 'official' wife and queen. And Ana returned those affections. Never forget that love, Corrin. Never forget that things were not always this way."

"Chieftain Fuga," Corrin sniffled, rubbing at her eyes. "T-thank you…"

"Oh, dear…" Camilla said, scooting over and putting an arm around Corrin's shoulders. "It'll be alright, my dear sister. I promise."

"I-I know, sister," Corrin said, "it's just that, t-this is the first time I've been told about my mother, it feels like. My real father wasn't very forthright. And to know she was once a hero…"

"Sumeragi truly has changed if he was mum on the subject," Fuga barked a wheezy laugh. "When we were traveling together, all of us, he would not stop talking about her. And if he was not talking about her, he was talking to her. That man certainly found many different ways to describe someone's hair flowing with the breeze. Not all of those landed, though."

"Anankos' influence runs deep, then," Azura summed up, trying not to look at Corrin. "She was slain once, but… perhaps…"

"Perhaps she never died," Takumi finished, closing his eyes. "And we're left to finish the job our parents started. Is that it? Gods, but this is a mess, isn't it? And here I was, thinking being a bastard was the only thing I had to worry about."

"Mmm. I can see the intent behind your words, Prince Takumi," Fuga continued, "And no, as you are, you cannot defeat her. It took us all, the strongest of our generation, just to cripple Anankos. You have the potential in you, but you do not yet possess that strength."

"Then how?" Corrin asked, standing up. "Tell me, please, Chieftain Fuga. I have been speaking of striking down Anankos for over a month now, but without the power to do so, they are nothing but empty platitudes! I will travel wherever I need to, do whatever I have to do, to ensure that my m- that Anankos does not destroy all that we love!"

An impressed grin spread across Fuga's face. "That burning fire, girl, that is inspiring. I am truly sorry that I, myself, cannot give you the answers you seek. I can only offer what little information I have. You were on your way to the Dukedom of Izumo, weren't you? You had to have been, and to avoid the main roads, you tried to cut through my territory. Keep on that path, young one. The duke of Izumo is a strange but good man, and he can communicate with entities beyond our ken. Seek him out. Let him guide you."

"So," Takumi snorted, "just do what we were going to do in the first place? Look, I don't want to be 'that guy' and say that this entire ordeal has been a waste of time-"

"But you are, in fact, going to be 'that guy', are you not, Prince Takumi?" Camilla quickly interrupted.

"We did good here, for certain," Azura chimed in, "and I know we can count on Chieftain Fuga and the Wind Tribe's help when the time comes, correct?"

"Aye, girl," Fuga intoned, "The Wind Tribe is at your beck and call, and it honors us to be your first allies against Anankos. But, one more word for you, Corrin."

Fuga leaned forward as Corrin listened. The Wind Tribe's Chieftain looked to her, his eyes steely and hiding a sea of simmering rage.

"The sorcerer who did this," he snarled, "this monster who wears the skin of a man. Find him. Slaughter him. He does not deserve the breath in his lungs. This may seem harsh to you, but believe me when I say – monsters like that never change. They do not serve as valuable allies or worthwhile prisoners. Show no quarter. Take his life as easily as he took the lives of my people."

"I won't, Fuga," Corrin answered, laying a hand across her chest. "You have my word that I will bring this sorcerer to justice, wherever he may be."

"His ilk, they hide in plain sight," Fuga grumbled, "be wary of those in high positions. Look for those acting out of character as they are described. This rogue sorcerer has immense magical power, but in the end, he is mortal. He will bleed just as well as anybody else. Keep an eye out, Corrin."

Corrin bowed. "It will be done, Chieftain Fuga."

The meeting adjourned after that, and Corrin felt more exhausted with each passing second. The sun shone mercilessly overhead, and she wrapped her hood around her head, her hands shaking all the while.

"Well, that was informative, wasn't it?" Takumi mused, rubbing his chin as he stood in front of everyone else. "We fought a bunch of monsters, charged up a hill and wrecked through a castle's gate and killed a giant Faceless. All in less than two days. Are we on a roll?"

"Considering how my stomach feels, Prince Takumi, I'd rather we get our rest now," Camilla said, her voice barely betraying the exhaustion she no doubt felt herself as she gingerly held her stomach. "And that's not even getting into what Corrin is likely feeling right now."

"Camilla, I'm fine," Corrin said shakily, "I can- I promised to-!"

Corrin tripped and nearly fell to the ground. She was barely able to break her fall by holding both arms out in front of her, and she winced when she felt the stones cut into the skin of her hands. She knelt there and looked at her hands for a moment.

"And that settles it," Camilla said, "looks like it will be an early night tonight."

Corrin looked up for a moment at her siblings, all around her before lightly nodding.

"It will be alright, Corrin," Azura whispered as she helped Corrin up.

When she was hoisted up, all Corrin could do was wonder if Azura was right about that.

They were all to stay within the Wind Tribe for only a few days at the most. Once they had completely resupplied and ensured the ruined village could stand on its own two feet once more, they would set off for the Dukedom of Izumo to the south. It was the original plan, and according to Corrin, what Chieftain Fuga told them only solidified their need to visit the small country.

Of course, that left plenty of time for Liz to do other things. Corrin was unavailable on account of passing in and out of consciousness for hours on end, regaining all the strength and stamina she had expended trying to take out the golden Faceless. Unfortunately, Liz was still seen as a bit of an outsider; she could tell from the odd looks she still got. The only ones who didn't bat an eyelash at her were her niece, and her two friends.

...Are they her boy toys- Ow!

Liz took a step back as she held her arm for a moment, glaring at the redhead who twirled her wooden sword in front of her, a smug smile on her face.

"That hurt, kid," Liz grumbled.

"Stop spacing out, then!" Severa lightly chided. "Swear to gawd, you and dad really are related! At least he didn't space out while training. Actually, he did, but he's my dad so he gets a free pass. You, on the other hand, need to pay attention. If you don't, you're liable to get killed out there."

"I mean, I can use a bow," Liz noted, sighing. "It's not good for close quarters, but hey, what's to worry about if the enemy is dead before they reach me?"

"Gawd, that's ironically short-sighted," Severa grumbled, "You can't kill everyone with a bow, auntie. Though I gotta admit, you are pretty handy with one. Your sword skills are nonexistent though."

"Sorry, but swordsmanship practice wasn't in my school's repertoire of afterschool activities. Hell, when I first started out years ago, I wondered just how the hell archery made it on their list. Not like I'm complaining now," Liz said before tightening her grip on the wooden training sword in her left hand. "Alright, fine, you've convinced me. Let's go!"

It was a mistake to go to her niece for sword practice. Liz's clothes were dirty with dust and sweat, and she swore she felt her training sword creak under the pressure of the blows she was desperately trying to block.

Severa left no openings, no weaknesses, and she would not let up. From the onset, Liz was on the backfoot, desperately trying to keep the redheaded warrior off her, only to have her defenses broken time and time again. She found her ass on the ground more times than she cared to count.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Liz stumbled and fell just as she was about to swipe at Severa, only for her niece to easily dodge the attack. Liz yelped as she fell, and had a coughing fit once the dust from her impact kicked up.

"I think we're done for today, huh?" Severa asked, looking to the sky. "Besides, it's starting to get dark out."

"N-no, I can still keep going!" Liz declared weakly, turning over and waving her training sword around ineffectually. "En garde, vile hellspawn!"

"Is that any way to talk to your precious niece, auntie?" Severa asked, brow raised.

"It is to you!" Liz snarled, "Demon! Monster! I can hardly move because of you!"

"You're the one who wanted this, auntie," Severa pointed out, an amused smirk on her pale face. "Quit acting like it's not your own fault that you're like this."

"It can't be my fault!" Liz wailed, "My ego won't allow it!"

"I feel like I've heard that line before," Severa muttered.

"Whatever!" Liz spat, sitting up and crossing her arms. "I hope you got your kicks beating the shit outta me!"

"It was hilarious," Severa admitted, "It was like watching a baby try and walk, only to fall face first on their face. Except not as horrible because it's you, and watching you fail is just, ha!"

"There she goes laughing again," Liz grunted, "laughing at her poor old aunt like she's some sort of freakshow side attraction. I'm really feeling the familial love."

Severa barked another laugh. "Damn right you are! This is tough love at its finest!"

"Severa, I can't feel my fucking hands!" Liz nearly shouted.

"That sounds like a 'you' problem, auntie," Severa remarked.

Liz's eyes narrowed. "Keep talking, youngster. I'll get you yet."

"And now you're talking like an old lady," Severa chuckled, "Listen, auntie, I know it feels like its been a few years but you're barely nineteen, I think. But if you're trying to mock yourself, by all means, keep going."

"Who knows, maybe I took one too many thwacks to the head?" Liz questioned loudly as she laid back down in the dust. "You know, I've actually heard dust baths can be good for you. Keep you from getting sun burns. And considering how pale you are, you could stand for one."

Severa scoffed. "It's not my fault I was born in-!" Severa shook her head before finishing. "I'm not just doing this to break you, you know."

"Could've fooled me," Liz commented.

"Quiet, you big baby! I'm trying to be nice!" Severa snapped before rubbing her eyes. "I meant it, too! I'm making your training hell, so the next time you get out there, fighting won't be! I heard about what happened. You nearly got killed during the defense of the village."

Liz sighed. "Yeah, and I got through just fine. Not that I don't, uh, appreciate it, Sev. I know I'm not the easiest to get along with."

Severa stepped forward and sat beside Liz, nearly shoulder to shoulder. "We got that in common, at least."

Liz raised a brow. "You look like you get along with that ninja guy, at least."

"Only because he can give as good as he gets," Severa scoffed, looking away and into the sky before letting out a sigh. "I dunno, maybe it worried me. Maybe almost getting myself guttedreally put things into perspective. Before then, I hadn't had an injury since I left my home country. I guess that illusion is shattered, huh?"

Liz chuckled, folding her knees close to her chest. "That illusion's been shattered for me for my entire life. Ever since I was born really."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Severa asked.

Shrugging, Liz said, "I don't know. I've just never had that sense of invincibility, I guess? I never once thought that 'I can take this, it won't hurt me, I'm young!'. You know, that kinda bullshit. It's always been in the back of my mind, that there's always…"

…a way out.

Severa turned to her when she stopped. "Auntie?"

Liz shook her head. "It's nothing, Sev. Just, uh, old wounds, I guess. Not physical ones, you know. Those stupid, stupid emotional ones. The ones that never really go away." Liz turned to her niece, feeling as if she was about to cry. "I really do appreciate this, you know that? Not many people would be willing to put up with a moron like me. Corrin seems to be able to stand it, but I always get these weird looks from everyone, like I'll become that person they fought down in Valla at any moment. I-I don't think I'll ever be able to express just how much it means to me to have a part of my family here with me…"

Severa wrapped an arm around Liz's shoulder and pulled her close. Liz wept quietly, feeling stress from the past few days simply melt away.

"We'll get through this," Severa said, "I'll help you. Lady Corrin will probably help you next time but I'll be there, alright?"

Liz nodded silently.

Severa hummed as she got up. She held out a hand to Liz who merely looked up at her, her eyes blurry with tears. After a moment, she wiped at her eyes, and took her niece's hand.

Everyone was set to leave a few days after the battle in Caste Reppu. Fuga's recovery would be arduous, but in the end, it was deemed that the Wind Tribe Chieftain would survive to make a full recovery. His son, however, had barely any news about him. Only Fuga himself knew about his son's condition, and Azura couldn't find it in herself to really disagree. If the reports she heard were true, Hayato was in an even worse state than anyone else in the village when he was found.

Azura didn't know if it was cruel for her to think that or not, but she was grateful all the same.

What she was not grateful for, however, was the fact that Inigo hadn't arrived at their new convoy yet. For someone who had been assigned to be at her side, he was doing a less than adequate job of it.

So, of course, it fell onto her to retrieve him. She searched around the village for a decent while, perhaps no more than a few minutes, before Azura found him. When she did, she prepared to call out his name. She stopped just as she was about to shout, however.

Inigo was performing a dance.

Azura watched him all the while, just out of sight. He was in the middle of a clearing between buildings, away from most prying eyes. Though he had no music to dance to, she could imagine it in her head. A fancy Nestran choir, or perhaps an opera? She had no idea but she found it a comforting thought.

"Aaaaand one more pirouette, and we're done! The crowd screams their applause! Good job, Inigo!" the white-haired mercenary said, ending his private performance with a bow. "Please, hold your applause, my friends! It is the least I can do? Ah, but perhaps I hear the raucous pleas for an encore? Well, who am I to refuse such an accepting and passionate audience?"

As much as Azura enjoyed his dancing, they really needed to get moving.

"Unfortunately, I'll need to put a stop to that," Azura said suddenly, moving out of her hiding place. "Much as it was entertaining."

Inigo nearly jumped ten feet into the air, he was so startled. He played with his fingers with a massive blush and his face as he indirectly looked at the blue-haired princess.

"A-ah! Princess Azura!" Ingio stammered, "H-how do you do, my lady? How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to see a good portion of your dance," Azura replied succinctly, approaching Inigo. "It was mesmerizing, I'll have to admit."

"M-mesmerizing, you say?" Inigo repeated, the blush across his cheeks only intensifying with the small words of praise. "It really was nothing! Just my morning practice!"

"Morning practice, hmm?" Azura hummed, pinching her chin. "If this is you practicing, then to see you during a live performance would truly be a sight to behold."

"Y-you flatter me, my lady!" Inigo stuttered, "But that is neither here nor there! Enough about my subpar dancing skills. What can I do for you, Lady Azura? Might I suggest we have a cup of tea?"

"That would be a bit difficult, considering the circumstances," Azura pointed out, crossing her arms. "We are in the middle of a village recovering from countless monster attacks. I doubt they would just have spare tea leaves sitting around. And even if they did, we'd need to pay for them."

"Well, I have never had anyone answer me so thoroughly," Inigo muttered, "Or reject me in such a way. And I cannot tell if I'm hurt or impressed."

"It wasn't so much a rejection, Inigo, as it is a reminder of our circumstances," Azura continued, "Ask me at another time, and my answer may be different."

Inigo ran a hand through his snow white hair, chuckling lightly. "Well, that is certainly a better answer than most have given me. Not that I haven't had my fair share of successes! But, ah, that was the wrong thing to say."

"Indeed, it was," Azura concurred, nodding. "I find it hard to believe any woman has shared your bed when you so easily say things like that."

"Now that, that hurt," Inigo mumbled, his blush slowly fading away. "Anyway, I assume I stood out here for too long and everyone is wondering where Inigo has gone, hmm? I suppose I'll follow you back, then-"

"Before we do that, Inigo," Azura interrupted, holding a hand up to stop Inigo. "I must know, where did you learn such dance moves? I have never seen anything like them. I know you are a foreigner, but to move with such grace, you must be rather passionate."

"Passionate?" Inigo echoed before chuckling to himself and smiling. "I suppose you could say that, Lady Azura. I am passionate about my dancing. I learned them from my mother, you see. They were my last gift from her before she… before she passed on."

Azura blinked before looking down at her feet. "I see. I'm sorry for dredging up bad memories, Inigo."

"Bad? Gods, no!" Inigo replied incredulously, "These memories are far from bad! I almost feel as if I should thank you for reminding me of them! Without them, I…" Inigo shook his head. "My parents died long ago, Princess Azura, and while that wound will never fully close, it will scar over. And you should not put fault on yourself for being curious. I put so much passion into my dancing because my mother was passionate. As for my father, well, he was certainly supportive. Hah."

Azura looked up, gazing at Inigo's warm and inviting smile for a moment before smiling herself. "I'm still sorry if I caused you pain, either way. Now, we should be off. It would not do for my bodyguard to be slacking off and staying behind, would it?"

Inigo pounded a fist against his chest. "It would be my honor to accompany you, Lady Azura!"

Corrin had recovered after a few days. Her strength returned to her in such a way that she barely remembered having been exhausted at all, it felt like. She moved with ease, and not as if the entire weight of the world was pressing down upon her.

Beyond that, her full recovery marked their departure.

Her company made quick work of their packing. Scarcely a day had gone from when Corrin woke up fully before everything was set and ready to go. She and her friends stood at the edge of the Wind Tribe village, the broken ruin of Castle Reppu overlooking them as they lugged around their newly procured supplies.

Before they left, Chieftain Fuga saw fit to meet with them one last time, alongside a familiar face.

Fuga moved around with crutches, and behind him shyly walked his son they had saved, Hayato.

"Princess Corrin," Fuga intoned, "Let it be known that from this day forward, you are a friend of the Wind Tribe. Whenever you pass through here again, my people will welcome you and yours as a friend, whichever side you see fit to be with. By the winter equinox, we will make for the Bottomless Canyon, and help you put an end to Anankos once and for all."

Corrin nodded her head, her left hand on Yato's pommel all the while. "Thank you, Chieftain Fuga, it has been an honor to meet you."

"The honor is all mine, Princess Corrin. But," Fuga said, "before you go, my son…"

"I want to join you," Hayato said, his voice a great deal stronger than it was when Corrin and Liz first found him.

Corrin tilted her head, confusedly staring between Fuga and Hayato. Fuga sighed.

"My son has been requesting it nonstop," Fuga groaned, rubbing his forehead. "And I know better than anyone else what he has gone through. He told me as such while he was away. Consider him as our bid in your group. Or you can refuse. I will not see it as an insult if you choose to not take him with you."

"I'm just… perplexed," Corrin admitted, "I'll gladly take him. We can use all the help we can get. But for what reason does he want to come with us?"

"I want to get away from here," Hayato said, "for a little while, anyway. I intend on returning but for now, whenever I look up to our castle…" Hayato's still pale skin grew paler still before he shook his head. "And I want to apply myself. I want to help, whatever that means. Please, I implore you, take me with you! Even my father approves!"

Corrin closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. "You can, so long as it is, in fact, good with Chieftain Fuga."

Fuga shrugged. "His reasoning makes sense, and he's as good at magic as anyone I have ever known. And no doubt, if you find that mage…"

"I'll flay them alive," Hayato suddenly said, his voice becoming deeper for only a moment.

"Noted," Corrin said. "We'll take him to Chieftain Fuga. Thank you."

Fuga nodded, a smirk on his tanned and lined face. "Good. Let him air out his pent-up frustration. Besides, he has been complaining that I have been coddling him."

"Father!" Hayato whined.

Corrin giggled. "Thank you once more, Chieftain Fuga. I hope we meet again."

Fuga's smile dropped ever so slightly. "So do I, Princess Corrin. So do I."

And with that, we wrap up the Wind Tribe arc. Very different from what the game gave us, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I'm having fun taking things off the rails lol. Then again, as Fuga's tale shows, things haven't been the same for a long, long time.

Here's a link to our Discord server: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

See ya guys next time!