The weeks following the battle at the Bottomless Canyon were a blur to Corrin as his captors kept him in a state of nearly constant unconsciousness, only allowing him small meals before knocking him out once again.
With the few opportunities available to him, Corrin theorized how he might escape.
I need to appeal to their sense of mercy. He thought. Since I let Kaze and Rinkah go before, maybe they'll allow me the same curtesy. What if they don't? Challenge them to combat?
Only a handful of options presented themselves to Corrin before Rinkah and Kaze presented him in chains before a red-clad samurai in the Shirasagi throne room, the capital of the kingdom of Hoshido. Even though it was his first time in front of this man, something about him seemed familiar.
The Castle Shirasagi was nearly the polar opposite of Castle Krakenburg. Where the Nohrian Castle was cold, dark and uninviting, the Hoshidan throne room was cloaked with tapestries that warmed the room and glistened in the light of the Hoshidan sun.
"We've brought you Prince Corrin, just as you requested Lord Ryoma." Kaze said as he and Rinkah kneeled in front of the Hoshido royal.
"Sorry about the chains. He was a bit of a handful." Rinkah added.
"You've done well Kaze, Rinkah." He said, addressing both warriors before turning to Corrin. "We've been looking for you for a long time."
"What are you going to do to me?" Corrin yelled pulling at his chains. "Torture me? Kill me?"
"We-"
"I showed your soldiers mercy, the least you can do is show me the same." Corrin continued, not letting Ryoma get a word in edgewise.
"We-"
"Not going to show me mercy? Fine, I challenge you to combat! I will win my-"
Corrin's desperate ramblings wear cut off by a sharp blow to the back of his head from Rinkah.
"Shut up and let the Prince speak." The Oni Savage said bluntly.
"Heh heh." Ryoma chuckled "Thank you Rinkah. As I've been trying to say, we have no plans to torture or kill you. We only wish for you to return to your family."
"Y-You aren't going to kill me?" Corrin asked confused. "You're just going to let me go?"
"You showed Rinkah and Kaze that courtesy, the least we can do is return it to you." Ryoma replied. With a slight nod, Rinkah released the chains holding Corrin's hands and legs while Kaze set the Ganglari at his feet. "All we've ever wanted is for you to be happy."
This Ryoma is really nice and he looks so familiar. I just can't place where I've seen him before.
"So I'm free to go?" Corrin asked once again as he turned toward the throne room door.
"Yes but there is someone who wants to meet you first."
Walking into the throne room was a beautiful priestess clad in in nearly all white, accentuating her black hair which was worn in a ponytail. While her face displayed an endless well of kindness, the Priestess' eyes betrayed a deep sadness.
"I-It truly is you." The Priestess said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"This is the Queen of Hoshido." Ryoma commented. "Queen Mikoto."
Why would the Queen of Hoshido want to meet me? Corrin thought, mind racing at these new developments. Why have they been so nice to me? And why does everyone I meet here look so God damn familiar. Lost in his own thoughts, the Nohrian Prince didn't notice when a single word escaped his lips.
"Mother?"
Overjoyed, Queen Mikoto burst into tears and rushed to embrace Corrin. "You do remember!" She exclaimed as tears began to run down her face. "I knew you would come back to us one day! I knew he could never make you forget! My boy! My beautiful baby boy!"
After a couple of moments, Corrin came back to his senses and pulled away from Queen Mikoto. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. I'm a Prince of Nohr and I don't know any of you. How could you possibly be my Mother?"
"So he was able to do it..." Mikoto mumbled as she recomposed herself, wiping away her tears. "Garon has made you forget..."
"Only the conscious mind has forgotten. Deep down he remembers." Ryoma commented, trying to comfort his mother. Turning to Corrin, he said, "What Queen Mikoto has said is true. While you have grown up believing you are a Nohrian Prince, you were actually born here in Hoshido. Queen Mikoto is your Mother and the late King Sumeragi was your Father."
That would explain why everything here looks so familiar... and I can't sense a hint of deceit in their words.
"If that were the case, how did I end up in Nohr?" Corrin asked.
"You were taken by Garon." Mikoto replied. "He lured King Sumeragi to Cheve under the pretense of peace and used the opportunity to kill your father and steal you away."
"That's awful and I'm truly sorry you had to go through that but-"
"Even if you don't believe our story, all we ask is that you stay with us for a few days." Ryoma interrupted. "You will be free to go at anytime but I know our other siblings will want to spend time with you. If you end up believing our story, Hoshido will gladly welcome you back and if not, you can return to Nohr with bonds that may help us bring peace to our kingdoms. Does that sound fair?" The crown prince extended his hand toward his younger brother.
"I think I can live with that." Corrin replied, shaking his brother's hand.
The happy reunion between brothers was interrupted as a samurai burst into the throne room and hastily knelt before Ryoma.
"Milord, I have urgent news! The Northern village of Rigel is under attack!"
"Rigel?! That can't be! That's where Sakura and Hinoka are!" Ryoma turned to Corrin before continuing. "Come with me Brother. I believe this battle will tell you everything you need to know about us and about Nohr."
"If there are people in trouble, I'll gladly go with you."
"We will come too." Kaze declared, as he and Rinkah stepped forward. "We will protect you both should the battle turn ugly."
"Thank you Kaze, now let's go! Time is of the essence!" Ryoma declared, leading his small fighting force into the field.
It was a solid half day's march to the Northern village but smoke from destroyed buildings could be seen from miles away. When the four fighters finally arrived, they truly witnessed the damage done. The charred remains of trees and buildings alike littered the snow-covered ground, with only a few homes left standing.
"Kaze, check the wreckage for survivors!" Corrin ordered, trying desperately to keep up with Ryoma. "We'll keep pushing forward to find Hinoka and Sakura."
"H-Help! Help us!"
"That was Sakura!" Ryoma declared. "And it was coming from this way. Come on!"
Wasting no time, the samurai began running Northwest, his comrades following close behind.
"W-What are those?" The Nohrian Prince asked, gesturing toward the enemies standing in their way.
Those standing before them were more monster than man, each standing seven feet tall with sickly green skin and huge muscles.
"Those are Faceless. Probably the cause of all this too." Rinkah said.
"We need to focus on saving our sisters and getting across this snowfield." Ryoma cut in. "There will be time for explanations later. For now all you need to know is that these are your enemies. Got it?"
"Got it. Lead the way."
Boldly leaping into the fray, Ryoma drew his Raijinto in a crackle of lightning, easily striking down Faceless one after another.
He's good. He might even be a match for Xander. Corrin observed before he and Rinkah joined the battle.
While they may have looked like imposing enemies from a distance, the Faceless were surprisingly weak. Their strikes were strong but slow, easily avoidable to anyone with combat training.
"That's the last of them." Ryoma declared, "We need to keep moving forward!"
"That's going to be difficult sir." Rinkah replied, "The snow is deep beyond here. It'll slow our progress considerably if we continue on this route."
"Dammit! There's no telling how much time they have left."
"I-I might be able to help there." Corrin said meekly before crouching down and activating a Dragon Vein. In a flash of magical power, fire burst from the ground to melt the snow pile blocking their way.
"So that's the power of a Dragon Vein..." Kaze said in awe as he rejoined his comrades.
"Good thinking Corrin!" Ryoma said, drawing his blade once more. "I'll handle the Faceless and you keep activating Dragon Veins."
"Can do!"
"We'll protect you every step of the way." The ninja continued, pulling out an Iron Shuriken.
The Hoshidian strike force continued pushing forward with Ryoma at the helm and Corrin blazing a trail with Dragon Veins. Even though there were Faceless swarming around the village, they were no match for the lightning filled strikes of the Raijinto and any that did manage to survive a strike were quickly struck down by Rinkah or Kaze. Like a well oiled machine, the four made their way easily through the village until only a single snow mound remained between them and the two Hoshidian royals.
"This should be the last one!" Corrin declared as he activated yet another Dragon Vein. After activating so many in such a short time, the Nohrian was becoming quite proficient in using his Dragon blood and the final snow pile melted in a flash.
"Great!" Ryoma declared. "I'll go ahead and make sure Hinoka and Sakura are Ok." He smiled and said, "You fought well today, take it easy for a bit." Before running off.
"Whew." Corrin said as he collapsed into the snow. "That was a workout! I'm glad we were able to save the princesses though. Kaze, how were the townspeople?"
"Sadly they didn't fare quite as well. The entire village is practically destroyed and only a few families were able to make it out unscathed..."
"That's terrible. What will happen to them?"
"Most of them'll probably move on." Rinkah replied, "A few sorry souls will stay and try to rebuild what they lost but the rest will move to other villages and simply try to forget what happened here."
Disheartened at Rinkah's assessment of the village, the three remained silent until Ryoma returned with the Hoshidian Princesses. One had red hair, an athletic figure and was wielding a naginata while the other had a smaller build with salmon colored hair wearing the garb of a shrine maiden. Just as when he laid eyes on Queen Mikoto and Ryoma, Corrin was struck with an air of familiarity when he saw the two girls.
As the Hoshidian royals approached, the younger of the two girls asked Ryoma, "I-Is this the boy who helped you get to us?"
"Yes it is. Hinoka, Sakura this is-"
"I know who he is..." Hinoka said teary eyed before rushing in an wrapping her arms around her long lost brother. "It's Corrin! You've finally come back to us!"
"Y-Yes..." Corrin replied nervously as he tried to comfort this complete stranger.
"Hinoka was quite broken up when you were taken." Ryoma explained. "I think she took it the hardest out of all of us. She cried for days after you were gone, hoping you would come back. Then one day she realized crying would accomplish nothing and picked up the naginata. She's now one of the finest Sky Knights Hoshido has to offer."
"I never gave up hope!" She said, face red with tears of joy. "And now you're back! Take that Nohr! We win, you lose!"
"This is the brother that was taken from us!?" Sakura exclaimed in her quiet voice. She straightened her back and said, "I may have been too young to remember you before you were taken, but we all missed you and..." She bowed before finishing her statement, "It's great to have you back!"
"You don't have to be so formal Sakura." Ryoma said, "He is our brother after all!"
"O-Of course! S-Sorry..."
"There's no need to apologize." Corrin said, "We've been separated for a long time, it's only natural to be a bit nervous. There will be plenty of time for us to reconnect on the way back to the capital."
"He's right." Kaze interjected, "The queen is probably worried about all of you and we'll have to leave now if we want to make it back by sunset."
"We shall leave immediately then!" Ryoma declared, "Hinoka, grab your pegasus and then we'll be off."
With Kaze and Rinkah scouting ahead for threats, the Hoshidian party began their trek back to the capital. All along the way Corrin and his siblings traded stories about the time they had missed in each other's lives, rekindling a bond the prince had not realized he was missing.
They're all so nice. I've only known each of them for a matter of hours but I already feel a real connection to each of them. I wish Xander and the others were here, I bet they would all hit it off.
"Hey Ryoma, you never did explain to me what we were battling back there. What are the Faceless?"
"They're Nohrian soldiers made through magic." Ryoma explained. "Queen Mikoto has erected a magical barrier around our kingdom to protect it from those who would do it harm. The Faceless are the only things capable of breaking through the barrier."
"Which is why we're sent out to kick their collective asses!" Hinoka declared with pride. "They might as well be called dead meat at the end of my naginata!"
"Who would create such monstrosities?"
"N-Nohrian mages." Sakura said, "They create them to hurt Hoshidians but end up hurting themselves."
"What do you mean?"
"In most cases the created Faceless turn on their creators." Ryoma expanded. "The spell is apparently very draining to the user and leaves them defenseless. The only mage known to have survived each of his creation ceremonies is the creator of the spell himself: Garon's right hand Iago."
"The commoners call him the Father of Faceless over in Nohr." Hinoka added.
"I never knew Iago was such a well renowned mage..."
"Hoshido has some pretty amazing people too. You'll see." Hinoka replied as the force neared the castle where Queen Mikoto was awaiting their return.
"How did the mission go? None of you are hurt I hope."
"Of course not Mother." Sakura said, "But Rigel is in shambles..."
"That's terrible... I shall send them aid as soon as possible." Mikoto said firmly. "But it is late, let me show your brother to his room."
The small party went their separate ways and Corrin was left to follow Mikoto through the winding halls of Castle Shirasagi until the two reached a room covered in dust.
"This was your room when you were a child." Mikoto said with a soft smile. "Everything is exactly as you left it. None of us could bring ourselves to come in here after you were taken. There were too many memories here."
Stepping inside, Corrin observed a room done in the typical Hoshidian style: an open design with sliding doors used for the closets and door. Small toys and drawings were strewn about the room supporting Mikoto's claim that it had been Corrin's at one time. The same feeling of familiarity washed over the Nohrian as he cautiously stepped into the room and picked up a crudely drawn picture from the floor.
"You drew that when you were little." Mikoto said from over her son's shoulder. "That's me on the right, your Father on the left and you in the center. You always loved to draw as a child..."
"Everything here feels so familiar, like there are memories just below the surface." Corrin said as he turned to face the woman claiming to be his mother. "Each one of you has been so nice and after everything that's happened I can't deny that you could be my mother but I'm just not sure. If what you're saying is true, my entire life up to this point has been a lie. It's a lot to process."
Rather than getting angry at her son's refusal to believe her story, Mikoto simply smiled a mother's smile and said, "Take all of the time you need. You're safe here so explore the castle and process everything you've learned. When you're ready, I'll be here waiting." Unknowingly making things even more difficult on her son.
"Thank you. I'll do that."
Walking past his mother, Corrin began to slowly meander about the castle as he tried to resolve his conflicting feelings.
Everything the Hoshidians have said fits together too well to be lies but if they're telling the truth, what does that say about Xander, Leo and the others. Why have they been lying to me my whole life? Why have they doted on me if I'm not their blood related sibling? Eventually I'm going to have to choose: should I believe the Hoshidians or do I return to Nohr?
Now in the castle courtyard, Corrin was pulled out of his stupor by a beautiful voice emanating from the nearby lake.
You are the ocean's gray waves,
Destined to seek life beyond the shore just out of reach
Entranced by the song, Corrin raced along the lake's edge until he found its source, a young woman with long blue hair who seemed to be stepping out of the water. When she noticed Corrin she quickly stopped singing and turned around in surprise.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you, it's just your singing was captivating."
"N-No it's fine." The girl replied in a calming voice. "I am Azura, a former princess of Nohr. What is your name? I haven't seen you around the castle before."
"I'm Corrin and I'm-" He cut himself off, unsure as to whether to call himself a Nohrian or Hoshidian Prince. "I'm actually from Nohr. I grew up with the Nohrian royal family. It's a wonder we didn't meet during your time in Nohr."
"That would have been very unlikely, considering I was kidnapped from Nohr shortly after you were taken there."
"Y-You were kidnapped from Nohr!? How did that happen?"
"After you were taken and brought to Nohr, countless attempts were made to try and retrieve you but each one failed. I, on the other hand, was less closely guarded than you and was kidnapped in retaliation. Yukimura, Queen Mikoto's strategist, hoped to trade me back for your freedom but overestimated Garon's compassion. With negotiations broken down, I was left here in Hoshido."
"I'm so sorry! You were kidnapped because of me."
"Don't worry yourself. There's nothing you could have done." Azura replied with a small smile, "Besides, all though I am technically a hostage, I have enjoyed my life here in Hoshido. Queen Mikoto has accepted me as one of the royal family and gives me free reign to move about the castle."
"Don't you ever miss Nohr?" Corrin asked, seeing the parallels between their stories and trying to gain insight. "I'm sure the other Nohrian royals miss you just like the Hoshidian royals have missed me."
"Someday I would like to reconnect with my true siblings in Nohr but if given the choice, I would rather stay here in Hoshido." Azura replied before explaining, "Queen Mikoto rules through love and compassion while King Garon rules through fear and subjugation. There is no way I can support someone who rules like that, even if he is my father."
"That's quite a compelling argument. Thank you for the insight." Corrin replied, feeling more at ease. "If you wouldn't mind, could I listen to your song some more? There's something about it that's very soothing."
"Of course." Azura replied, happy to have met a kindred spirit as well.
While Corrin enjoyed peace in the sun of Hoshido, the Nohrian royal siblings were just returning to Castle Krakenburg where Garon was waiting to receive news of the mission.
"I bring news your majesty." Iago said as he entered the throne room and bended his knee. "The fort you desired on the Hoshidian border is now ours."
"Excellent. And what of Corrin's test?"
"Hans moved exactly as expected." Iago replied with a smile. "By threatening to replace him with Corrin, he attacked the prince mid-mission."
"And the result?" The King asked.
"The prince's retainer, Gunter, was knocked into the Bottomless Canyon-"
"He always was a troublemaker." Garon interjected. "Go on."
"Yes well Hans as returned to us but is quite badly injured. Unfortunately before their battle could be finished, Prince Corrin was captured by Hoshidian reinforcements. He's probably learning the truth about his heritage as we speak."
"That is most unfortunate. I had hoped to use him as a weapon of Nohr in the upcoming conflict..."
"Shall I activate the contingency?"
"Wait a few days. Knowing the Hoshidians, they will throw a festival to celebrate the safe return of their prince." Garon schemed. "Activate it then."
"As you wish sire." Iago replied before leaving the throne room to prepare for the King's contingency plan.
AN: And there's Chapter 4! I hope you guys didn't mind my glossing over the Faceless Battle. Individually they weren't that tough and the real puzzle of the chapter was how to activate the Dragon Veins so Ryoma could move forward. I think I portrayed that well at least. Only a couple more chapters until the route split and I come bearing some good news: You too will be able to choose your route. My friend TheThirdRoute has decided to overhaul the route of Revelations in "Revelation Revamped". The first chapter is already out and picks up at the route split. I hope you enjoy!
Now on to the changes made this chapter. There were a few minors changes but I'll only discuss the 2 major ones here
1) Connecting the backstories of Iago and the Faceless. Both the Faceless and Iago are supposed to be threatening characters in Conquest but neither really fills that role. By connecting the Faceless to Iago, it gives the Faceless a better backstory then just "ambiguously created by Nohrian mages" and should give Iago a bit more depth (which will be built upon later in the story).
2) The added scene between Garon and Iago. Maybe I didn't need to add this scene but I feel like it ties up some of the lingering questions from Chapter 3 and lays groundwork for Chapter 4. Hans attacked Corrin because Iago told him his job was in jeopardy. Garon gave Corrin the simple mission at the border because his true test was the fight with Hans. As for Garon's contingency, you can all probably guess what it is but, just in case you can't, I'll leave it mystery until it's revealed next chapter.
I hope you enjoyed and feel free to leave a review with your thoughts! Until next time!