I'm a huge Fire Emblem fan. I've played all of the games, including the spin-offs, and have always dreamed of a story where the characters from each game get to interact with each other in interesting ways. I got a taste of that in Warriors and Heroes, but I crave more. So, as one does, I took it upon myself to craft my own story that brings many of our favorite heroes together, and pits them against each other. The title of this fic references the Heirs of Fate DLC, from which this story is loosely inspired.

The setting starts Post-Azure Moon. Potential spoilers for all FE games, though I will warn ahead of time for each game as the story progresses.

Warnings: Characters will face potential injury and death. There will be mentions of blood and short descriptions of injuries when necessary, but I will not write anything that is too graphic. Swearing will be kept to a minimum, and there will be no sexual content. There will be references to romantic relationships with a few interactions here and there, but they will not be the focus of the story.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy In Endless Dreams!

Chapter 1: Prelude to Dispute

Gaspard, The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Fódlan

Imperial Year 1187

Breathe. Nock. Draw. Release.

Ashe unleashed his last arrow. His opponent dodged the projectile with a quick step, face twisting into a snarl. The man stalked towards him—having to step over the bodies of other bandits Ashe had already felled—and formed a bundle of sparks in his hands.

Ashe grit his teeth. He had run out of arrows, but the mage seemed to have plenty of spells to spare.

He rolled behind the cover of a nearby tree as a bolt of lightning shot from the man's hand, incinerating the patch of grass he had occupied seconds ago. His bow trembled in his hand, from fear, exhaustion, adrenalin, he couldn't say. All he knew was he needed to keep the man away from the village, and to do that, he needed one good shot.

The crackle and hiss from the mage's magic drew closer to his hiding spot. Ashe scanned the bodies of the previous enemies he had shot dead. Only one was close enough for him to reach, with a familiar arrow protruding from the bandit's heart. He inhaled, slow and steady.

Breathe.

He dashed towards the body. The mage released his spell and Ashe slid the remaining distance, feeling the air burning above him and singeing the tips of his hair.

Nock.

He ripped the arrow from the corpse's chest. The mage was forming another bout of lightning—Thoron, from the size of the spell—as Ashe placed the arrow against the bow's rest.

Draw.

The mage's hair flew wildly around his face as his spell grew with power. Ashe tightened his fingers around the grip and pulled back the bowstring. The trembling had ceased.

Release!

He leaned to the side, allowing gravity to help him dodge the spell, and let the arrow fly.

Ashe hit the ground, free arm raised to shield his face from Thoron passing mere inches from his body. The spell burned through his sleeve, the intense heat leaving a trail of angry blisters across his forearm. He sucked in a sharp breath, trying to ignore the pain, and staggered to his feet to face the mage once more.

But no mage stood before him. The man lay dead in the grass, Ashe's arrow lodged right between his eyes. He quickly scanned the field for any remaining bandits but, thank the Goddess, found it empty.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips. They had won—his village, his siblings, and his people would be safe.

He leaned back to stare at the sky, cradling his arm, and allowed himself a moment to take in the gentle warmth of the evening sun.

Breathe, nock, draw, release. Just like you taught me, Lonato.

Ashe couldn't help but grimace as he recovered the rest of his arrows from the fallen bandits. Despite all his years at war, he still felt sick after taking someone's life. He couldn't help but wonder what had led them to this point, if they had families that would miss them, if he really had the right to judge them by their actions.

After all, he probably would have ended up just like them if not for Lonato's decision to rescue him and his siblings from their life on the streets.

"I think that was the last of them," Ingrid called from above him, snapping him out of his thoughts. The beat of her pegasus's wings rustled the grass as its hooves touched the ground. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you while you were cornered like that. I wasn't expecting the bandits to have mages in their ranks."

"There's no need to worry. I was able to handle them just fine." His arm began to throb, blisters stinging with every pulse. He coughed to keep himself from gasping. "A-actually, you wouldn't happen to have a vulnerary on you, would you?"

"Sure thing." Ingrid tossed him one from the satchel tied to her saddle. After thanking her, he poured some of the liquid onto his burns then downed the rest. The medicine worked quickly, healing his arm until nothing but smooth, pale skin remained.

"Where's everyone else?" he asked, placing the empty bottle in a pouch on his belt.

"Checking on the village. They cleared out the bandits to the east just a little before we finished here." She lightly tapped her heels against her steed, spurring it into a trot down the long dirt road that would lead them to the town. "If we move quickly we should be able to catch up with them!"

"R-right!" Ashe jogged to meet their pace, feet kicking up small clouds of dust. They didn't slow until the village's entrance came into view where, to Ashe's relief, his friends stood waiting for them unharmed.

Annette was the first to notice them. She grinned and waved as they approached, calling out, "Ashe! Ingrid! You're okay!" Sylvain, dismounted and combing his fingers through his horse's mane, flashed them a smile of his own. Felix gave them a short nod, arms crossed and back leaning against the town's border wall, the Aegis Shield resting at his feet.

Panting, Ashe held a thumbs up before leaning over to catch his breath.

"We had a few close calls," Ingrid spoke the words he was too tired to form, "but we managed to pull through. How is everyone else holding up?"

"A little sweaty, but otherwise we're doing great," Sylvain said. He nodded to the rows of houses and businesses behind him, where a crowd of villagers had begun to gather, watching them with awed expressions. "We got here just in time, too. None of the bandits were able to get near the town and now, to celebrate our victory, they want to treat us to a nice home-cooked meal!"

"We'll have to take it on the road." Felix pushed himself off the wall. "Dimitri is expecting us in Fhirdiad by the end of the week. If we're going to make it on time, we need to use the last few hours of sunlight we have traveling, not partying."

"Don't be like that, Felix." Sylvain threw his arm over the swordsman's shoulders; Felix shrugged it off. "We've been fighting and traveling for days already. I think we've earned a nice break and a good night's rest. His Majesty won't mind if we're a little late." He grinned at the crowd. "Besides, there's still someone here I've got to meet."

Felix's eye twitched. "We're not waiting just so you can go looking for women to flirt with."

"It's nothing like that!" Sylvain looked to Ashe. "You promised we'd get to meet your siblings, Ashe. So, are you going to introduce us or what?"

Annette smacked her forehead. "That's right! Gah, and I totally forgot to bring their gifts! I had a really nice makeup palette for your sister, and Mercie and Dedue baked cookies—"

"It's okay, Annette," Ashe said, stifling a laugh. "Getting to meet real knights will be a dream come true for her and my brother. And for the other kids in the village, too."

"They've already met a real knight," Ingrid said with a smile. "You're as much of a knight as the rest of us."

Was he, though? He looked between his friends. They each held a Heroes' Relic, weapons that, when combined with their powerful Crests, allowed them to take down several foes at once with ease. All he had was his bow—his normal bow—and sore muscles from nearly being killed by a single mage and running just a few miles. He was a knight, sure, and he had worked hard to earn that title, but he would never be on their level.

He forced a smile. "Thanks, Ingrid."

After another minute of convincing Felix to stay—Annette won him over with an exaggerated pout—Ashe and his friends approached the crowd of villagers. They were greeted with cheers and applause, many of them stepping forward to thank them personally for defending their home. His chest warmed at the sight of all the familiar faces he recognized from his childhood, safe and happy. But as he searched the crowd, he couldn't find—

"Surprise!"

Someone jumped on his back, causing him to stumble forward. "Welcome home!"

A grin grew on his face as he recognized his brother's voice. Laughing, Ashe pulled him off and brought him in for a tight hug, rustling his light-brown hair. It was getting more difficult for him to do that; his brother was starting to catch up to him in height.

"Good to see you too, Edwin." He glanced around the area, frowning at the absence of their sister. "Is Laira not with you?"

"She's directing all the dinner preparations for you guys, overseeing the cooking, making sure every speck of dust is cleaned from the floor and each plate shines like it's never seen a day of use." Edwin rolled his eyes. "She takes her role as 'acting Lady of Gaspard' very seriously."

Ashe chuckled. "And you're not helping her because…?"

"I couldn't wait another second to see you! And, well…" His brother shuffled his feet. "Me and my friends didn't want to miss the chance to see so many knights in person."

"Friends?"

"Yeah, Kana and Sophie." Edwin gestured to two people standing outside of the crowd—a boy and a girl, not too unlike his own siblings in age. Sophie, clearly the older of the two, had an arm wrapped around Kana's shoulders, whispering to him and adjusting a blue scarf tied around his neck. Kana himself, though…

Ashe frowned. The boy's face was ashen, and his choppy silver hair was clinging to a forehead slick with sweat. One hand itched furiously at his forearm, leaving red trail marks with his nails, while the other was clenched around what seemed to be a pendant emanating a bright, blue light.

"Are they…okay?" he asked. "Is Kana sick or something?"

"He'll be fine now that the bandits are gone. He just gets like that sometimes when he's scared." Edwin shrugged. "Sophie said it started happening after their parents disappeared a few years ago. But it usually passes pretty quickly, from what I've seen at least."

"Oh…" Ashe felt his heart sink. He and Edwin knew the pain of losing parents all too well. "That's…well, once he feels better, I'm sure the others would be more than happy to meet—"

"Ooh, is this your brother, Ashe?"

He nearly jumped out of his shoes at Annette's sudden appearance at his side. "He has to be. I'd recognize those eyes and freckles anywhere!"

A blush crept up Edwin's face, which he tried to hide by bowing his head to her. "Y-yes, milady. My name is Edwin."

"What a nice name." She smiled at both of them. "I've heard so much about you, so it's great to finally meet you in person! Oh, I'm Annette, by the way. I'll introduce you to everyone else, if you'd like…"

As Annette waved the others over, Ashe found his gaze drifting back to Kana and Sophie. The boy was doubled over now, trembling, hands yanking at fistfuls of hair. One look at Sophie's panicked face told Ashe that this wasn't just a symptom of fear or anxiety. Something was wrong.

He took a step towards the pair—

Then froze as a blood-curdling scream shattered the air.

He whipped around towards the sound. Several villagers were fleeing from the town's entrance, crying out, "Monsters! Demons!" One of them nearly collided into Ashe in their terror. He caught the woman and asked, "What's going on? What monsters?"

She pointed to the village gate with trembling hands. "D-dark magic! The bandits, the soldiers they're—oh Goddess, please help us!"

Panic and confusion spread through the crowd. Dark magic? Bandits? Ashe thought. A chill from the autumn evening settled deep into his bones. Did we miss some? Heart hammering against his chest, he reached back for his bow, putting himself between the villagers and the gate. It only took a few moments for his friends to join him, brandishing their Relics side-by-side for the second time that day.

Ashe spared a glance behind him. "Edwin, get your friends and these people to safety. Find a place to hide and don't leave that spot until we come get you."

"But—" Edwin cut himself off with a gasp, frightened eyes staring at the gate. Ashe followed his gaze, and his stomach dropped.

Just past the village gate stood the disfigured form of the mage Ashe had shot dead.

The man was wreathed in a dark purple energy. His entire body seemed to flicker, turning nearly invisible for a few moments before revealing the walking corpse in its entirety, fresh battle wounds and all. Two soulless, pink eyes sat on either side of the hole Ashe's arrow had made, staring at something in the distance behind them.

"Edwin, go!" he ordered, nocking his bow. "Now!"

His brother flinched, face devoid of all color, but did as he was told.

The flickering bandit staggered towards them, lightning sparks forming in his palms. As soon as he stepped foot inside the village, Ashe loosed his arrow, striking him in the chest. Purple and pink energy burst from the new wound, but the man continued to approach as though it had no affect on him at all.

Felix rushed the bandit as lightning shot towards them. Aegis Shield raised, he absorbed the full force of the magic without slowing down and, before the man could conjure a new spell, sliced through his neck, separating his head from his shoulders. The decapitated body produced no blood—not even a speck stained Felix's sword—and fell the ground with a quiet thump. After a few seconds it disappeared, leaving only wisps of purple energy behind, rising into the air like steam.

"What the hell…" Sylvain muttered.

Annette gasped and shook Ashe's arm. "Look!"

They turned, watching in horror as dozens of flickering bodies climbed over the border walls in every direction and dropped into the village. Some of them appeared to be the other bandits they had killed earlier, while others wore the red and black uniform of the former Adrestian Empire. Dark magic, bandits, soldiers…

Ingrid whistled and her pegasus took to the air. "I'll fly around the perimeter and try to take out as many as I can! You all focus on protecting the—"

"Ashe! Help!" He heard his brother's voice scream. His chest seized at the sight of Edwin and Kana fleeing from a large horde of the invisible soldiers. "Help!"

Ashe sprinted after them. He heard Annette call out his name but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop, not when his little brother was in danger.

He unleashed a barrage of arrows at Edwin and Kana's pursuers, aiming every shot at their shimmering faces. Many struck true, causing their bodies to dissipate into the air, but there were several more enemies than arrows in his quiver.

Ashe still didn't stop.

One of the soldiers lurched into his path, thrusting a lance at his stomach. Ashe dipped to the side, dodging the steel, and bashed him over the head with his bow. Another soldier quickly took his place. The woman swung her sword with a terrifying speed, grazing his cheek with the blade's tip. Ashe blocked her next strike with his bow's edge, but the strength behind her attack sent him stumbling back. As he tried to steady himself, both soldiers reeled towards him in unison.

"Get down, Ashe!"

The wind began to whip around him. Recognizing Annette's magic, he dropped into a crouch as she summoned Exaclibur. Her tornado flew over him and spun in a wide arc, sweeping up a swathe of soldiers and launching them high into the air. Sylvain threw balls of fire at them as they plummeted; those lucky enough to survive the fall were quickly run through by Felix's blade.

"Help the kids!" Sylvain shouted to Ashe. "We'll cover you!"

Nodding his thanks, Ashe continued his pursuit. He spotted Edwin collapsed at the end of the road, struggling to crawl away from a burly bandit aiming a tomahawk in his direction. A flash of fury consumed Ashe. Without hesitation, he rammed into the bandit with all his might and tackled him to the ground.

The man's image seemed to ripple as they slammed into dirt. Before the bandit could recover, Ashe ripped the axe from his hands and brought it down on his skull, right between his soulless eyes. More pink and purple energy sprouted from his face and licked at the axeblade. Feeling a sudden coolness form beneath him, he rolled off the bandit, chest heaving, as both corpse and tomahawk evaporated away.

He looked down at himself. His jacket was drenched, gloves slick with moisture, as though he had grappled with a river rather than a person—if he could even call them that. Just what in the Goddess's name had happened to these people?

A whimper snapped him back to reality. He rushed over to his brother, carefully helping him back to his feet. Edwin tried putting pressure on his right leg but nearly collapsed again, tears streaming down his face. His trouser was torn and stained red around his knee.

Ashe moved to pick him up, but Edwin shook his head. "I-I'll be fine! Kana's the one that needs help!"

"Where is he?"

"The soldiers, th-they took him!" Edwin's voice trembled. "They freaked out when they saw him and started chasing him all at once! I tried to protect him, I really did, but they hurt me for getting in their way, and then Sophie got separated from us—"

"Which way did they take him?" Ashe helped his brother limp to the stairs of a small cottage, eyes darting back and forth for more enemies.

"D-down the alley past the tavern. Towards one of back gates, I think." Edwin handed him a pendant; Ashe recognized it as the one Kana had been holding earlier. "He dropped this when we were trying to escape. It made him really upset so I scooped it up for him, but that's when the soldiers started attacking me too and I couldn't…I couldn't…"

"You did all you could. You were so brave, Edwin." Ashe forced a smile. "Leave the rest to us, okay? We'll find him. Just promise me you'll stay here and have someone patch up your knee."

Edwin nodded, limping to the door of the building. After seeing him safely inside, Ashe shoved the pendant into his pocket, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and broke into another run to rescue his brother's friend. All this just to kidnap a child? He ground his teeth. What could Kana possibly have that dead soldiers and bandits would want?

Out of the corner of his eyes he could see his friends finishing off the remnants of the enemy's forces—those that had infiltrated the town, at least; he didn't want to think about the possibility of there being more of them waiting outside the village walls—and met Felix's gaze. Ashe signaled for him to follow as he ran into the alley Edwin had directed him to. No one in sight, but his ears picked up the sounds of a struggle nearby.

Ashe peered around the corner of the alley. It emptied into the back of the village, revealing the last group of the invisible soldiers attempting to break through the southern gate, dragging Kana with them.

"Let me go!" Kana cried, trying to twist out of their grasp. "Let me go!" His pleas were ignored, and the soldiers continued their destruction of the gate.

Ashe weighed his options. There were at least two dozen left, more than he could handle on his own with his quiver empty. He could try stealing another one of their weapons, but he doubted he would be able to take all of them on for long, especially with a hostage to worry about. No, it would be better to tail them until—

"Stay away from him!"

A javelin flew over his head and speared one of the soldiers in the back. They were launched with the projectile's momentum, weapon flying out of their hands as they smacked into the street.

"Wait, Avel! Slow down!"

Ashe had to press himself against the alley wall to avoid being trampled by Sophie and her charging horse. After a harsh tug on the reins, the animal skid to a quick stop, nearly throwing its rider off its back.

Ashe gaped at her. "What are you doing? It's too dangerous—"

"I can help!" Sophie regained control of her steed and whipped around to face him. The pale tufts of hair that curled around her ears bounced with the sudden movement. "I-I don't have much experience fighting but I've trained a lot with my father, and I'll be darned if I don't use what he taught me to protect my brother!"

Ashe could usually empathize with that sentiment, but all he felt was a pooling dread as the invisible soldiers turned their attention from the gate to him and Sophie, weapons raised. His hand moved to a small hunting knife he kept on his belt. Confrontation was unavoidable now—he would just have to stall for time as best he could until the others arrived.

As the soldiers began to descend on them, Kana's hoarse voice called out again, "Sophie, no!" He reached a hand out to them, to his sister, and roared. "Let me GO!"

Sharp claws grew from Kana's outstretched hand and swiped at the soldier restraining him, shredding through his torso like it was made of paper. He lashed out at two other invisible bodies, tearing them to pieces, before falling to his knees, limbs twitching and eyes wild.

Before the soldiers could take another step, the ground beneath Kana erupted in a flash of blinding lights. Ashe instinctively shielded his face. The air around him grew damp, cold mist blasted his face. All he could hear was a frightened gasp from Sophie followed by a deafening roar that rattled the sky like a wave of dangerous thunder.

When the lights died down and he dared to open his eyes, Kana was gone.

And in his place stood a silver and blue dragon.

The creature raised itself on its hind legs and emitted another booming cry. It towered easily over the rows of buildings behind it, with smooth silver wings spanning the length of a house on each side. When it returned to all fours the earth quaked, causing Ashe to nearly lose his footing.

The dragon bounded towards the invisible soldiers. It slammed half of them into the border wall with its tail, breaking right through the stone, then swung wildly at the others with its draconic talons, sending them flying in all directions.

Ashe threw himself backwards to dodge one of the flailing bodies. Sophie managed to weave herself and her steed out of the way as well, but the look of utter shock on her face indicated she was far from okay.

"I-I don't understand," she stammered. "Is that Kana? How…why…what's going on?!"

"I was hoping you could tell me that!" Ashe flinched as the dragon unhinged its unnaturally long jaw and bit one of the soldiers in half. Purple tendrils of vapor curled around its face and long, silver horns. "Your brother is a dragon?!"

"I don't know!"

Ashe continued to watch the dragon's rampage against the remaining invisible soldiers, stupefied. It wasn't the first time he had ever seen a real-life dragon—that honor went to the form Lady Rhea had taken to defend Garreg Mach from Edelgard's forces all those years ago—but to be so close to one, to feel the raw power it exuded, it filled him with an overwhelming mixture of awe and terror.

"What in the Goddess's name is that ?!" Sylvain rode over to them with wide eyes. Felix, Ingrid, and Annette followed soon after with similar expressions. "First bandits and Adrestian soldiers come back from the dead, and now a dragon appears out of nowhere?"

"It's Kana, I think," Ashe said quickly, "a friend of my brother's. He was being taken away by them and then turned into—"

Annette gasped. "Look out!"

The dragon's tail whipped across the top of a building, ripping off the roof and sending chunks of stone down on top of their heads. Annette summoned a powerful gust of wind to push the debris away before it could crush them.

"We need to stop him before he destroys the entire town trying to kill these damn things." Felix scowled at the now-ruined building. "Or us."

"He's just scared! H-he doesn't mean anyone any harm!" As soon as the words left Sophie's mouth, the dragon drove another group of soldiers through a different building.

"At least he seems to be on our side?" Ingrid suggested, though her tone was laced with worry. "If we can direct him away from the village and finish the enemy off ourselves, maybe he'll stop."

Felix tensed and raised his sword. "I don't know about that."

The dragon unleashed another roar. There were no remaining translucent bodies in sight, only the wisps of purple energy left behind from their defeat…

And the dragon looking directly at them, crouched low. Its long tail was tucked between its legs and its wings were folded close to its body. A low rumble escaped its maw.

"I-is he growling at us?" Annette gulped, her question coming out as a frantic whisper. "Oh no, what do we do?!"

"No sudden movements," Felix said through clenched teeth, "but be on your guard."

The dragon continued to watch them from afar, but it looked like it was prepared to pounce on them at the first sign of danger. Ashe cast a quick glance to Sophie. "Any ideas?"

"Huh?"

"You know him better than any of us. Is there anything we can do to calm him down, or at least make him trust us?"

She bit her bottom lip. "I'm not sure. Usually when he gets upset, I just hold him while he fiddles with our mother's pendant. He finds it comforting to hold on to." Her fingers grasped at her neck. "But we lost it during the attack, so I don't know how else to—"

"This pendant?" Ashe reached into his pocket with a slow, careful movement, and pulled out the necklace Edwin had given to him. It shone with a bright blue light that rivaled the glow of the setting sun.

She reached for it with a something of a smile. "Yes, that's it—"

The dragon screeched. Without warning it bounded straight towards Ashe and slammed its front legs on either side of him, sending a tremor through the ground that knocked Ashe right off his feet. He barely had time to roll onto his back before the dragon loomed over him completely, lowering its head mere inches from his face.

Someone called out his name but he couldn't tell who, not with the blood pounding against his ears. He held his breath, eyes screwed shut, trying to lay as still as possible. Don't set him off, don't set him off…

Something cold nudged at his hand. Ashe peeked open an eye to see the dragon's smooth, round forehead pushing his clenched fist around, seemingly taking an interest at the pendant in his grasp. He slowly unfurled his fingers, and, to his surprise, the pendant began to float just above his palm, dancing with tiny water droplets that were forming around it. Both Ashe and the dragon stared at it, transfixed. If he listened hard enough, he thought he could hear a soft melody playing from it.

"Kana, you're going to be okay." Sophie's voice broke him out of his trance. He peered up from the ground to see her approaching the two of them, having dismounted from her horse. She stopped not too far from Ashe's head and held out her hand.

The dragon tilted its head at her. She leaned forward, lifting her hand slowly to stoke the smooth scales on its face. The dragon flinched, and the world seemed to stand still.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, it nuzzled its head against her palm.

"It is you, isn't it?" She sniffed, hugging the dragon around its thick neck. It let out a quiet, heart-wrenching whine. "You're going to be okay, I promise. We're all okay now."

The pendant flashed one last time. Sophie took a step back and the dragon stumbled backwards, flailing its head from side to side. Black mist swirled beneath its claws and wrapped around its entire body.

Ashe took the opportunity to scramble to his feet. He held his chest, trying to slow his racing heartbeat. Annette ran over to him and immediately began checking for injuries, hands aglow with white light, but he shook his head.

The mist began to disperse, revealing a boy sprawled out in the dirt, unmoving. Sophie was at his side in an instant.

"Kana, are you—"

The boy sprung up from the ground. He threw his arms around his sister, sobbing into her shirt. She kissed the top of his head and held him close.

Ashe frowned, taking in the destruction of the village. His hometown, the place Lonato had entrusted to him, in shambles. His people, traumatized. His brother, injured. His friends, forced to fight enemies resurrected by an unfamiliar but dangerous magic. They had won the day, but…

A sinking feeling took hold in his gut. Something told him this was far from over.

Character Bios:

Annette: Gremory

-An aspiring instructor of sorcery. Former student of the Officer's Academy and Blue Lions House. An overachiever through and through, always striving to do her best and make people happy through singing. Wielder of Crusher.

-Relations: Daughter of Gustave (also known as Gilbert). Wife of Felix.

Ashe: Sniper

-Lord of the Gaspard region and a knight of Faerghus. Former student of the Officer's Academy and Blue Lions House. An ex-thief with a heart of gold who grew up in squalor with his two younger siblings before being adopted and raised by Lord Lonato.

-Relations: Son of Lord Lonato (adoptive; deceased). Brother of Laira and Edwin (biological), and Christophe (adoptive; deceased).

Felix: Swordmaster

-Duke of House Fraldarius and King Dimitri's right-hand man. Former student of the Officer's Academy and Blue Lions House. A swordsman without parallel who is always looking for opportunities to improve his skill with the blade. Wielder of the Aegis Shield.

-Relations: Son of Rodrigue (deceased). Brother of Glenn (deceased). Husband of Annette.

Ingrid: Falcon Knight

-A knight of Faerghus and foremost advisor to King Dimitri. Former student of the Officer's Academy and Blue Lions House. A dutiful woman who balances her responsibilities as a noble with her life-long dream of being a valiant knight. Wielder of Lúin.

-Relations: Daughter of Count Galatea.

Kana: ?

-A boy living in Gaspard and friends with Ashe's siblings. A gentle and optimistic soul who tends to forget to wear his shoes. Apparently, he can turn into a dragon.

-Relations: Brother of Sophie. Son of parents who disappeared from Fódlan long ago.

Laira and Edwin: Villager

-Ashe's younger siblings. They don't have any fighting experience, but Laira has been learning the way of governing by helping Ashe care for the region of Gaspard and has taken an interest in politics. Edwin plans to enroll in the Officer's Academy when it reopens to follow in his big brother's footsteps.

Sophie: Cavalier

-A young woman living in Gaspard and friends with Ashe's siblings. A knight-in-training who dreams of becoming as great a knight as her father once was—after she learns how to better control her horse Avel, of course.

-Relations: Sister of Kana. Daughter of parents who disappeared from Fódlan long ago.

Sylvain: Dark Knight

-A knight of Faerghus and heir to House Gautier. Former student of the Officer's Academy and Blue Lions House. A notorious flirt, though his behavior has improved since his days at Garreg Mach—for the most part. Wielder of the Lance of Ruin.

-Relations: Son of Margrave Gautier. Brother of Miklan (deceased).

In this story, Sophie is 17 and Kana is 14, slightly younger than Ashe's siblings as I've envisioned them. Kana's probably a bit older than what he looks like in Fates, but since there are no official ages for them I chose one I believed would be suitable for this story.

I am cross-posting this story from AO3, where the first 4 chapters have already been uploaded. I will be uploading them here over the next week or so as I reformat everything to make the chapters look nice on FFN. I generally update newly written chapters on Sundays, both on FFN and AO3.

Next chapter: The Blue Lions seek safety.