The only thing that lit up the upper echelons of the castle were the dim torches that lined the walls. Liz likened it to a haunted house – she expected to be jump-scared at any moment. Their shadows danced alongside them as they walked further and further into the blackness, readyfor anything that might strike.

Nothing ever came, however, and it was freaking Liz out.

"No soldiers," Liz murmured, looking around wildly as she walked silently behind Corrin. She was flanked by Camilla and Kaze, with Lilith and Beruka behind her. "There were a shit ton of soldiers down there. Why aren't there any up here? Where did those ones even come from, anyway?"

"This castle could have many hiding places," Kaze answered quietly, "or it could have many hidden entrances. I do not know where they were keeping their number, but you are right to be suspicious. There is something strange going on here."

"Not to worry, dears," Camilla said, her axe's edge scraping against the ground for a moment. "I'll be sure to send them to the devil screaming."

"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel a whole helluva lot better," Liz remarked.

"Everyone, quiet," Corrin ordered, turning around and pressing a finger against her mouth. "We're here."

Before them stood a set of double doors. If nothing else, Liz thought, people there really liked their grandiose double doors. She wondered how many more she would be standing in front of before the end of their journey.

"Perhaps the time for stealth has passed," Kaze said.

"Mission's change," Beruka commented. "It's time to kill."

"They probably already knew we were coming," Liz supplied, walking up beside Corrin. "Besides, I've been waiting to put an arrow between this fuck's eyes."

"My, how violent," Camilla giggled. "Not that I disagree."

"Alright then, I suppose we're all agreed," Corrin said. She gestured for everyone to move back a bit. "I don't want to hurt anyone with this."

"Oh, God, is she going to do that cool dragon thing?" Liz asked excitedly, "Oh, Lord, here we go-!"

Before Liz could finish her sentence, Corrin cocked her free hand back, and lunged forward. Within a moment, her hand grew several times its normal size, and became covered in bluish-silver scales. The moment it hit the double doors, the wooden frame shattered. A horrible shriek of broken iron nearly deafened Liz as she covered her ears. Her eyes remained open, however, just so she could see the aftermath.

One door landed harshly upon the ground, kicking up dust as it did so. The other side swung to the side, broken and twisted into a different shape as it hung limply from its bent hinges. Corrin took a deep breath as her fist returned to normal, and she pointed forward with Yato.

"Come on, let's go," Corrin said, and Liz and the rest followed her into the dark.

"Those doors came from all the way to the north, you know," a voice rang through the great throne room. "Polished sakura wood. That cost more than you could ever know. Good thing I'm not the one who paid for them, eh?"

"I had a feeling it was you," Corrin intoned, the person speaking coming into view. "The sorcerer from Castle Reppu. The coward who tormented hundreds of people for no reason, we finally meet face to face."

"Oh, indeed? I suppose that's right," the voice raised in pitch, almost like a spell was wearing off. Corrin's vision spotted the man on the throne, his cowl covering his face. He stood up and removed it. "Besides, it's not like you'll recognize me, huh?"

Corrin was puzzled by the man's appearance. His face was clearly Nohrian, with the high cheekbones and blond hair. His hair was blown back and his eyes were a light blue, and his robe implied a very slim figure underneath.

"You're right, I have no idea who you are," Corrin said, "Who do you work for? Why have you done this? Answer me, now, and I may show mercy."

Liz looked to Corrin incredulously at that but refocused her attention on the sorcerer, itching for the chance to send an arrow at him.

"Mercy? You would speak to me of mercy, Princess Corrin?" the man replied with a laugh before bowing. "Ah, but I do apologize for getting ahead of myself. My name is Zola, once the apprentice of the great Iago of Nohr, now nobody's lapdog!"

"So, Iago's machinations run farther than even Nohr," Camilla mused, "and what's more, his 'apprentice' doesn't show nearly the same amount of subtlety his master showed. You, Zola, are sloppy."

"Who needs 'subtlety' when I have all this power?" Zola asked, a purple light dancing between the fingers of his outstretched hand for a moment. "Being of the Nohrian royal family, Lady Camilla, I thought you would've appreciated this. I'm overturning an entire front for your war effort! The King will be too busy with his war effort to notice a new country springing up near Hoshido! Besides, who cared about these people, anyway? They would have lived boring lives, toiling away at the dirt and drinking themselves to death! When you think about it, becoming materials in my experiments is a mercy!"

"These are the words of a madman!" Corrin shouted, her voice steadily increasing in volume. "The suffering you caused in the Wind Tribe, the dozens you've kidnapped here, what was it for? Was it all in service to your own power!? All of it!?"

"That's the way of Nohr, Princess Corrin!" Zola responded, placing a hand against his chest as he stood up. "Were you to actually be of Nohr, you would think no different than I! Our way is to conquer! To dominate! That is how it has always been! It's how we brought the Ice Tribe to heel! It's how the northern barbarians vanquished beneath the snow and ice, and we endured!"

"There's no goal here!" Corrin rebuked, pointing Yato's tip at Zola. "No more. Your reign of torment ends here."

"Oh, does it?" Zola asked, tapping his chin. "No, I think not. You see, I've prepared a little surprise for you and that little freakshow you call an army. May I introduce you to a few old friends-!"

Before Zola could finish his sentence, an arrow sailed through the air and struck him in the shoulder. He staggered back and let out a pitiful yelp as he collapsed onto his throne. Corrin whirled around to see Liz with her bow raised. The blonde let out a curse.

"I'm too damn rusty," she complained, "I was aiming for the head."

"You stupid bitch!" Zola yowled, standing back up while holding his wounded shoulder. "How dare you interrupt me-!"

"During your pretentious monologue?" Liz asked, nocking another arrow. "Nah, I've heard enough to last me the rest of my life. Besides, I think I've got a good handle on your head now. Shame it's so small of a target."

Corrin saw Kaze wince at that, placing a hand against his mouth as if he was trying to hide a smile. She heard Camilla giggle.

Another arrow loosed from Liz's bow. This time, however, Zola was ready. With a flick of his hand, the arrow was burned to ash before it even reached him. The sorcerer grit his teeth, and with a flick of his hand, doors on either side of the throne room opened.

"Kill them," Zola ordered, "Kill them all! Leave the half-dragon alive, but kill the rest! I will send their heads as a warning to King Garon! When you're done here, go down below and do the same there! Go, my pets!"

Like a tidal wave, a massive force swept through the doors, nearly ripping the already opened doors off their hinges. The same pale humanoids that attacked them in the Wind Tribe came surging forth from the darkness. Their lanky limbs made them look like white spiders as they plunged into the room.

"Kaze, into the shadows!" Corrin ordered, "Beruka, Camilla, with me! Liz, keep pelting them with arrows! Lilith, stand back! We'll call if we need you!"

Liz gave a mock salute as she paled in the face of the abominations. "Aye aye, Cap'n."

By the time the abominations slammed into them, they were ready. Yato sliced through one's arm, spraying its blood onto the ground as it screamed before Corrin ended it with another swipe through its neck. Camilla used her immense strength to send several tumbling to the ground with a single swing. Her axe cleaved through their limbs and their torsos, ending with over a dozen on the ground writing and biting. Beruka was in a similar situation, except her swings were more precise. Each one was precise and fast, sending abomination after abomination to the ground with grievous wounds.

Whatever ones they missed, Kaze or Liz sent the stragglers to the ground. A shuriken or two here, an arrow or three there, the both of them kept their numbers manageable.

Still, as effective as they were at keeping the abominations at bay, there was no doubt in Corrin's mind that Zola was up to something. There could be Faceless waiting for them next, and while Corrin and Lilith could go into dragon form and manage them somewhat, the others could easily be swarmed by their superior strength.

"Cover me," Corrin ordered, taking a deep breath as another abomination fell to the ground before her. "I'm taking Zola down."

"Be careful, dear," Camilla said, sending another abomination screaming into a wall.

"Let me come with you," Lilith demanded, "he won't be able to take two dragons."

Corrin blinked before smiling and nodding. "Can never have too much help!"

Corrin pushed forward with the blinding light of Lilith behind her, moving forward steadily. Her arms turned into long, muscular claws that tore through the abominations as if she were cutting through paper, all the while Lilith stood behind her, head held high as she waited for the sorcerer to make a move.

"W-what?" Zola stammered, "Oh, fine then! Of course you are here as well! Looks like I'll need to go to the main course before I planned-!"

Another arrow whizzed through the air and struck him in the shoulder, sending him into his throne again before he fell to the floor. A sickening 'snap' echoed through the room, above the sounds of carnage around them.

"I'm sick of your shit! Shut up!" Liz snarled, quickly nocking another arrow and sending it into an abomination's eye socket.

Taking the time allotted to them by Liz's outburst, Corrin and Lilith moved forward quicker. Lilith's teeth sank into the flesh of several abominations before she sent them flying into a wall, painting the walls red. Meanwhile, Corrin did what she knew best: she smashed through them with one limb of scales while the other used Yato to cut a bloody swath through the ranks.

Before long, they were upon him.

Corrin stood above the fallen sorcerer, Yato pointed squarely at his throat as he knelt right next to the throne that he'd stolen. The rest of his forces were dwindling, with only a few stragglers squirming among the dead abominations. He looked up, frustrated tears streaming down his face.

"You've lost," Corrin said, "Surrender now and face judgment by the people you have wronged, or don't and face judgment by me. Choose."

Zola gritted his teeth as his hand disappeared beneath his cloak. "Where are they…? Daisuke, what have you done!?" Taking a deep breath, the sorcerer looked up to Corrin. "Your friend there really should've aimed for the head, princess Corrin. It pains me to sacrifice so much like this, but-!"

Before Corrin could swing her sword, Zola produced a strange orb. It looked like a simple crystal ball, but fire danced within its confines. With all of his strength, Zola squeezed it, and the glass began to crack.

It never shattered, but Corrin and Lilith were blown back by a completely different force. Lilith tumbled over like someone had pushed her, while Corrin was sent to the ground in a heap. When she looked up, her jaw nearly dropped.

A tree had suddenly sprouted from the ground beneath Zola, ensnaring the dark mage in a web of branches and leaves. His eyes nearly burst out of his sockets as he struggled to move, but the wood was unyielding.

The clanking of armored footsteps rang out through the throne room as someone stepped in from the darkness of the entrance.

"Honestly, sisters, I'd say you have the devil's own luck, but it seems as if you had this covered before I even got here," Leo said, rubbing the bridge of his nose before looking up at the captured Zola. "Ah, but then again, maybe not."

"L-Leo!?" Corrin stammered out, scrambling to her feet. "W-what are you doing here!?"

"A favor for father," Leo answered easily, as the crystal ball Zola had taken out simply fell to the floor, the flame within it disappearing. Leo knelt and picked it up. "Ah, a flame orb. I had no idea Izumo had access to this kind of siege weaponry. No matter. To answer your question, Corrin, father decided to give me the honor of ensuring the Izumites do not interfere with our conquest. Although, considering what has happened here, I'd say that we'd already done that long ago."

"It was Iago," Corrin spat out, "Zola was his apprentice. He's gone mad!"

"Indeed?" Leo asked before turning to Camilla. "Is this true, sister?"

"We never were able to find out how far Iago spread his web," Camilla answered, crossing her arms. "And it's good to see you too, my darling brother. And here I was hoping you were here to meet with us again."

Leo let out a chuckle. "Much as I wish it were so, no. Now… what should be done about you, worm?"

"S-spare me!" Zola suddenly shouted, squirming harder and harder as Leo approached. "E-everything I have done, I have done for the glory of Nohr! You cannot say this does not benefit you! Izumo would have-!"

"The mouth on this one!" Leo unsheathed his sword. It was a thing of silver, although Corrin swore the air turned several degrees colder as it was unleashed. The leaves of the newly sprouted tree began to freeze at the edges as Leo brought it closer to the caught Zola's neck. "I cannot even begin to count the crimes you've committed! What was there to gain from this, fool? No, you wanted to serve your own power, not the power of your sovereign! You are a worm!"

"Leo," Corrin said, "Don't. I want him alive."

"You want him alive!?" Leo suddenly shouted before shaking his head and looking to Corrin, blue eyes filled with fire. "After what he's done here? No, sister, I will not allow it. I am already no doubt disappointing father at the fact that I haven't taken you in yet, after what happened on the plains."

"Of course not," Corrin said, "What I want is not a mercy, Leo, rest assured. This man – this thing – has killed and tormented thousands all in a vain attempt at personal glory and power. I want him to face the people he has wronged, and I want them to decide his fate."

Leo's sword faltered slightly as he looked away.

"You can kill him. I will not stop you," Corrin continued, "but I believe this would be the most appropriate course of action."

Leo stood still for a few more moments before sighing exasperatedly and sheathing his sword. "You have certainly changed, haven't you, Corrin?" he said. "Months ago you wouldn't think twice about arguing. I should've known your defiance against father would embolden you."

"I have had to make a lot of decisions since I've left Nohr, Leo," Corrin said quietly. "I really hope we're not meeting here as enemies."

"That depends on your reasoning, Corrin," Leo said, stepping away from Zola and marching up to her. He stood just a bit above her, although he seemed much taller than he actually was. He looked down at her with cold, calculating eyes. "For what reason did you run? Was it because you feared father's repercussions? Xander spoke about what happened at the plains, you know."

"Then you'll know that what I did, I did for both the safety of Nohr and Hoshido," Corrin replied, not taking her eyes off Leo's for a single instant. "There's a far more dangerous enemy than each other, and if we don't stop her, the world will be drowned in blood."

"…Yes, Xander spoke of that, too," Leo sighed, "You know me well enough, sister. I want to know. To learn. Xander has his sword, and I have my mind. Without it, I am a simpleton. A man of neither brains nor brawn. I must cast my suspicions upon everything, and everyone. I would not be a good tactician otherwise."

"I think you're looking for a complicated answer to a simple question, brother," Camilla said, walking up beside Corrin. "I have seen first-hand what Corrin is speaking of. You know that I would not willingly follow a madwoman into the fire."

"Corrin isn't just any old madwoman though, is she?" Leo asked, biting back a small chuckle.

"Hah. Perhaps not."

"Regardless," Corrin interrupted, "the things we fight against, most of the terrible things that have happened, it's because of one person. One entity. What do you know of Anankos, Leo?"

Leo raised his brow in surprise. "An ancient horror story, that," he answered, "A mythical beast of legend, said to have wiped out the land known as Valla hundreds of years ago. Most texts don't go into detail, or even give a name, but luckily for me, I found several references."

"I'll let Azura explain more when we go back downstairs…" Corrin's eyes narrowed before blinking. "Wait a second, Leo. How did you get up here? The platform wouldn't budge earlier!"

Leo smirked. "Let's just say I met someone who could get it working. I'll tell you more when we get back down."

"Using my own words against me?" Corrin murmured before wiping her forehead. "Alright, then. Let's get Zola down."

Leo walked away, and Liz took his place, looking at the retreating form of the Nohrian prince.

Liz's brows were furrowed as she looked at Corrin. "I'm starting to think this family tree is a lot more complicated than you let on."

"That's surprising, considering how much I let on," Corrin said, tapping a finger against her chin. "But I guess you're right."

"What is he to you?" Liz asked, "You guys sound like you're siblings, but – Okay, I guess what I meant is, what is he to us?"

"A powerful ally," Corrin replied. "Now, help me get Zola down. I think he's passed out. And… Gods, what's that smell?"

Liz looked around before her eyes settled below the new tree Leo had created. "I think he pissed himself."

Corrin's face blanked at that, before she mumbled and shook her head. "This night has been way too long…"

The ride down the platform was silent. Nobody spoke a single word. The only sounds were the pathetic whimpers Zola made as he was carried down. Once the rumble of the platform ceased and the great hall came into view, Corrin nearly did a double take.

There, just at the entrance, stood Hinoka.

"H-Hinoka!?" Corrin nearly shouted, stumbling slightly as she found herself surging forward. However, Hinoka was quicker than she was. Corrin yelped as a pair of thin, but strong arms wrapped around her and nearly crushed her in their grip.

"Corrin, you stupid, stupid-!" Hinoka shouted, hugging her closer. "We just get you back and the first thing you do is run away again!? I'd kill you if you weren't family!"

"I-I think you're about to, s-sister!" Corrin choked out, squirming.

Hinoka reluctantly released Corrin, but kept her hands firmly planted on her half-sister's shoulders. "If I'd known I'd find you here, I wouldn't have fought against father about going on this mission! Even if being captured was nothing short of humiliating…"

"Hmhm," Corrin heard a chuckle behind her, and the hairs on the back of her neck raised on end. "I do have to wonder, Corrin, who is this Hoshidan, and why is she calling you sister?"

Hinoka took a step back, looking Camilla up and down. "Nohrian," she replied succinctly, "What's it to you what I call my sister?

"Oh God, they're doing this now," Liz whispered, her lips thinning. "This can only end so well. Corrin, please, do something."

"Everyone, please!" Corrin called, looking behind her. "Calm down! Leo, help me out!"

Leo crossed his arms. "Oh no, this is looking to be the only amount of entertainment I'll get in this far-flung part of the continent."

"I knew my dear sister had siblings within Hoshido," Camilla stated, looking down on the red-haired Hoshidan princess. "Although I'd never imagined they'd be so filthy. At least Takumi had the sense to clean himself up."

"Why you-! I've been stuck here for over a week, rotting in a jail cell!" Hinoka snarled, "Who in their right mind would think I could get into a bath!? Let alone within enemy territory!"

"Well, perhaps if you hadn't been captured," Camilla said, trailing off and not finishing her sentence, completing her message instead with a smug smile.

"I may be exhausted, Nohrian, but don't think for a second that just because I'm weakened that I can't take you on!" Hinoka growled, her hand on the rusty naginata strapped along her back.

"Everyone, please!" Corrin all but shouted, finally gathering everyone's attention. "We're not here as enemies! You're all family! Every last one of you is here to-!"

"I still need to be convinced of this enemy you speak of, Corrin," Leo said suddenly. "Although considering Camilla believes you, I suppose I'll entertain it."

"Huh?" Hinoka blinked, turning to Corrin. "What is he talking about? What enemy?"

Corrin sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She looked to the great hall, where the rest of her companions milled about. Liz had left long ago, to be beside her niece, and Beruka had taken Zola with her. Nearby, she could make out the forms of Takumi and Azura making their way towards her.

"Everyone, you may want to sit down for this," Corrin advised, "I – we – have much to discuss."

By the time Corrin and Azura were done, the sun had already begun its ascent. Tiny rays of light pierced through the windows. To Corrin, it felt as if an age had passed. How one single night could feel like a hundred years was not known to her, but it was how it seemed to go by. When they were done, Hinoka was looking off to the side thoughtfully, her eyes glazed over. Leo stared at his boots over his crossed arms, his expression unreadable.

"Why the equinox?" Leo asked suddenly, looking up with furrowed brows. "In the past two-hundred years, Anankos has had innumerable chances to invade our world, if what you say is true. Why is it only now that they decide to attack? Why is it only during the next winter equinox that they will destroy us?"

Azura shrugged. "Recent events have made it clear that she's planning something. Trying to use Corrin as a vessel, inciting war between Hoshido and Nohr – I have no proof that she will, for certain, make her final move during the next equinox, but it is not insanity to assume that will be the case. And before you ask, no, I know not why it is specifically the equinox that allows her power to wax. My mother never told me."

"Arete," Leo scoffed before shaking his head. "I have only just met you again, sister, and I find myself- Dusk Dragon, I will stop myself. I apologize if I am being harsh but this is all just so-!"

"Stupid?" Hinoka finished, looking toward the blond Nohrian prince. "Is it stupid, Prince Leo?"

Leo's lips pursed. "I wouldn't, exactly, call it that. Just startlingly convenient. Or, inconvenient, considering that we have mere months until the winter equinox, and we have no idea what this Anankos has planned."

"I put my trust in Corrin," Hinoka said, looking to her half-sister. "Since that day on the plains, I have been wondering what was going through your mind. What could have possessed my sister, my own flesh and blood, to go out on their own? But you didn't. Not by choice. Your hand was forced. All because of the circumstances of your birth. And to that, I say no more."

"Hinoka…" Corrin sniffled.

"I just wish you'd told me all this before," Hinoka said, "Although I guess you didn't know all of it before we met again. Still, I'd like to believe I would've helped, you know?"

"You can help me – help us – now," Corrin said, stepping forward and holding out her hand. "I know I'm asking a lot of you, Hinoka. I'm asking you to abandon Hoshido for a time, to fight a near-impossible enemy. I know this, but…"

Without hesitation, Hinoka grasped Corrin's hand. "Abandoning Hoshido? Don't be stupid! I'm not abandoning Hoshido with this. This is me helping it. Even if father… even if father likely won't see it that way, once word reaches him."

"I'm surprised he didn't send anyone already," Takumi grunted, "You said you've been here for a week, right?"

Hinoka shrugged. "It gets difficult to tell time when you're trapped in a jail cell. The only thing I had was a tiny opening into the outside world."

Takumi scoffed, looking away. "Guess he didn't care either way."

"Takumi!" Hinoka snapped. "What is that supposed to mean!?"

Takumi turned back around and waved a hand. "Don't worry yourself about it, sister. Wait until we're all alone, right? We don't want to have a spat in the middle of the great hall, do we?"

Hinoka grit her teeth before settling down, and the group became quiet. For several seconds, they continued to stand there, until Corrin finally turned to Leo.

"What do you say, Leo?" Corrin said quietly, holding out her hand once more. "Will you help us?"

Leo looked at Corrin's outstretched hand. The prince took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"You're asking me to commit treason, Corrin," Leo said softly. "I… I loved father. The thought of betraying him, however far gone he is, sickens me. I know he is not in his right mind. I know that! And yet…"

"We would be doing him a favor, Leo."

Leo spun around to see Camilla beside him. Her hand clasped his armored shoulder gently, as a small smile spread across her lips.

"I hate to say it, but I have never held love for that man," Camilla stated, "but you do, and that is okay. I just want you to know, I did not join Corrin's cause out of spite. I do this for the same reason that Hoshidan princess is. I am doing this for the good of Nohr, for the good of all the known world. If we do nothing but bleed each other dry in a pointless war, then we have already lost."

"I…" Leo's fists clenched so hard Corrin thought blood would start dripping from them. "I… I trust you, Camilla. And as such, I suppose I trust you, too, Corrin. I admit, I have always had my suspicions about you. Not as to your intentions, no, but as to your origins. To hear all of this, to know what you were intended to be – it's horrifying. And yet, this path you have laid out for yourself, I cannot help but admire it."

Corrin's lips thinned. "Does that mean you…?"

Leo grasped Corrin's hand softly. "It means you now have a capable tactician on your side, as well as the wielder of the legendary Brynhildr. I pray that you do not waste this chance."

Corrin didn't even finish shaking Leo's hand. She surged forward and hugged him, nearly bowling the poor prince over before he steadied himself. With a grunt, he hugged back for a few moments before subtly pushing her off him.

"Oh my goodness, that has to have been one of the cutest things I have seen all day! And believe me, I've seen some pretty cute things today!"

Corrin's eyes widened as she unsheathed Yato within an instant, pointing it directly at the throat of the pale man that had spooked her.

Before her stood the emaciated form of Archduke Izana. Corrin's eyes widened marginally.

"Are you actually Izana?" Corrin asked, her voice deeper than it had been. "Because I have had enough of imposters for one day."

"Corrin, relax," Hinoka said, coming up behind her. "I'm the one who released him. Well, after I was released by someone else, that is."

"Aha, what the redhead says is true!" Archduke Izana squeaked, holding his hands up as he visibly sweat. He didn't try to remove the tip of Yato away from his throat, which Corrin suspected was out of fear. "Now, please, I beg of you, put your big, shiny, very sealed sword away! Or at least away from me! Daisuke might like it, however. Point it at him."

"Daisuke? That- I thought he was-!" Corrin slowly lowered Yato before massaging her temples. "By the… it has been much too long of a day for all of this to happen."

"Believe me, it's been an even longer few weeks for me, Princess Corrin," Izana loudly complained, acting as if he was about to fall over dead before standing straight back up again. "I really need someone to remind me to fix up our dungeons. It has been much, much too long since I have had them repaired, or even cleaned! And now they're even dirtier, what with me being down there for so long!"

Corrin looked at the pale man, blinking. She looked just as dumbfounded as when they'd found his doppelganger.

"I wasn't lying when I said he was strange," Takumi commented, "Turns out, Zola was more effective at acting as him than you thought, huh?"

"Pish-posh! Acting!" Izana scoffed, crossing his arms and pouting. "It's you guys who are acting! I'm the only sane one here! Okay, well, that might not actually be true. I could've sworn I came up to you to say something – Oh, right!"

Izana bowed. "From the bottom of my heart, Corrin, Hoshidan and Nohrian royals, I thank you for freeing my country from the claws of that pretender. Were it not for your timely arrival, I probably would have starved to death in my own dungeons! And while that may have been rather ironic, considering how often we Izumites like to party, it also would have been very sad, least of all for me!"

"Erm," Corrin stammered out before gently nodding her head. "Of course, Archduke. I am glad we could help. However, we didn't come here completely out of the goodness of our hearts."

"Ah, I see! When does anyone ever?" Izana remarked, rubbing his chin. "I should not be so surprised. Everyone wants something, after all! And besides some good sake and healthy greens, well, there's only one thing Izumo exports. You want a reading, don't you? A vision?"

"Yes," Corrin said, her lips pursed. "We need direction, Archduke. I know what we need to do, but I don't know how to do it. If we must turn to the gods for help, then we have no choice."

"There is always a choice, Corrin," Izana replied, "Luckily for you, though, you've made the right one this time! At least, I hope you have! I won't actually know until I start burning the incense, gather the sacrifice – the gods are really fickle about that last one. Always asking for a chicken or a goat or a cow, but never at once and never in order! It can get a bit maddening at times. The point is, it'll take a moment or two, but it can be done. First, however, I wish to stabilize my dukedom. I can't exactly concentrate while my citizenry barges down my doors!"

"Take all the time you need, Archduke," Corrin said, bowing her head. "We will wait for as long as it takes. I do ask that you hurry, though."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Izana laughed. "Always wanting to go so fast, you young people! I suppose you have the right idea, however. Visit me tomorrow evening at the latest. We'll get it started then!"

"Uh, alright," Corrin replied, sighing once she saw the Archduke walking towards the platform. "How long have we been awake? It feels like we've been awake for years."

"About two days, dear," Camilla replied, "I think we've all earned a bit of rest, don't you?"

"I suppose we could handle Zola's execution in the morning," Takumi yanwed. "And believe me, it will be an execution. I will see to it personally, if I have to."

"It's good to see you haven't changed one bit, little brother," Hinoka said.

As the others descended into petty, if good-natured, bickering, Corrin's mind began to wander. She reflected on the past few hours, and one thought above all else dominated her mind.

…that was disappointing…

It wasn't disappointing in its outcome. It was just that Corrin thought it would have been more difficult. Something inside of her felt awkward with the ease they had in dispatching Zola and his minions. She looked to the bodies around the room. How many of them were trained assassins? Or were they simply common mercenaries and thieves, only lured there by the promise of plunder?

Whatever the case was, it didn't matter anymore.

That feeling of disappointment never left Corrin.

"Gawd, you guys were up there forever," Severa complained, crossing her arms as Liz approached. "What the hell did you do up there? Talk the sorry dastard to death?"

"No, I shot him several times, but the asshole refused to go down," Liz replied, her brows furrowed. "Both shoulders, but he still kept sending those pale guys against us. Whatever, it's over now."

"Over?" Severa questioned before shaking her head. "This part may be over but we still gotta long way to go, ya know? Gotta go through Mokushu, then… Okay, I don't know where we'll go after that, but knowing Corrin and Lady Camilla, we'll probably be going somewhere incredibly dangerous."

"Speaking from experience?" Liz asked.

Severa let out a 'hmph' before crossing her arms. "I've been fighting for my life long before I entered Lady Camilla's service, I'll have you know. I'm used to this kinda stuff."

"Guess that's what I need to do, then," Liz mumbled, "Get used to it."

Severa looked down, her eyes hidden from view for a moment before she glanced back up at her aunt. "Don't let it control you."

Liz raised a brow. "Huh?"

"You heard me," Severa replied. "Don't let it control you. You can get used to something. Can even let it become normal, but never revel in it. That's how you become…"

Liz closed her eyes. "I think I get it."

Do you?

Liz's eyes opened so quickly her eyelids almost peeled off her face. She whirled around, looking for the source of the voice.

There was no one. Only Severa stood in front of her, and in that moment she stepped toward Liz, concern plastered across her face.

"Did something happen?" Severa asked. "What? What's wrong?"

"I thought I-" Liz shook her head, rubbing her forehead. "I thought I heard someone talking but it's probably just the sleep deprivation talking. I don't…"

The other possibility was too frightening to consider.

"…Get some sleep, auntie," Severa advised, "It's safe here now. I can feel it."

Liz coughed. "Yeah. Yeah, I think so too. Hopefully. God willing."

The shadows watched her and followed her.

If you're feeling about as disappointed as Corrin is, then I apologize, but this was never gonna be some grand conspiracy. There're some awful people out there, even without Anankos to guide them. Zola is just one of them!

(I am seriously sorry if this ended up being disappointing. Even Corrin up there agrees with you.)

Don't worry, though, this was just an appetizer. The main course is on its way lmao.

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

Hope to see you next time!