More than a week had passed.

I was cold, wet and lost. The streams I had found had not been sufficient to bathe in, and food had been scarce. Even scarcer than my week's trek across the plains of Hoshido. And this time, there were no orchards in sight to go scrumping. I was fortunate Meiji had not reported me for that. Apparently, it was a serious crime.

I had awoken to a crushing pressure on my body, and particularly my head. After fighting it off me, I'd found them to be bones. Dead, charred and still warm to the touch. These were the remains of the prisoners Garon had brought with him to the meeting. They had outlived their usefulness to the king, and he had discarded them in a pile with my body. Their blood had caked dry onto the ground around, some flaking onto my healed skin when I went to move. Even now a swarm of flies pursued me.

I couldn't dwell on them. Part of me didn't dare, lest I become too emotional. The rest of me... was more distracted. And not just by state of undress. My clothing had not survived the burning of the body pile I had been placed in.

My head had been cleaved from my neck, and yet I had survived. People who had known of my odd regenerative capabilities had treated me like a monster. Kai had even tried to kill me, justifying my lack of popularity as reason for his bloodlust. Now, I didn't entirely blame them.

Even without healing magic, I had come back to life! Had I regrown from my head or my body? I had no way of knowing. Neither a spare body nor spare head were present, so perhaps they had simply reattached? Was there any way for me to actually permanently die? Given that I still felt the pain, and my neck still felt as though it would split from the sheer memory of Garon's axe swinging towards it, I wasn't sure I wanted to test my newfound immortality any more.

After scrambling away from that pile of bodies, I had found myself in a predicament. Somebody – either Garon in his fit of rage, or Omozu's forces in an effort to protect themselves, had destroyed the bridge to Hoshido. I was alone, with nobody there, and only one way to go. So, I had staggered across the rickety bridge to the western continent. Nohrian territory.

With these lands shrouded in darkness, only the most minimal of plants grew. Cruel thorned vines and twisted stems of rotten bark scattered amongst the landscape. It seemed even the plants knew better than to remain here. Amidst that wasteland of black dirt, I wandered, still reeling and recovering from my predicament.

I had never been so thankful for the power Anankos gave me. The strange device only I could see resembled a touchphone, and I had named it Jake, mostly on a whim. Despite its resemblance to a phone, I could not make calls with it, but it seemed to scan my surroundings and provide information about everything. My own health was shown as a number, the HP bar recovering slowly, but full by now.

The date had surprised me, when I had first seen it on the screen since I started my trek. More than a week had passed. Specifically, a month. I had been dead for four weeks. And now I had been travelling for just over a week. At least last time I had gone on a long solo trek, I'd had a definite destination. I had known I needed to go to Castle Shirasagi. This time, I was just trying to find something. Anything.

People in Nohr had the sense to not settle so close to the deadly border, apparently, so there was little in the way of notable destinations on the map. The nearest and most feasible was a small manor out seeming in the middle of nowhere. It had given me pause, originally, not knowing what I would expect there, but I had ultimately decided it didn't matter. At least it was refuge, and I clearly had no valuables to rob.

That was part of why I had already been travelling for eight days. Six hours walking, one hour resting, another six hours walking, then collapsing from exhaustion. My blistered feet healed by the next morning and the cycle began anew. I had found the stream on day three, too small to register on Jake's tiny screen, and had followed it along the plains straddling some hills, thanking my luck that at least this was something to keep me going.

Not that I needed it. Even before, when I had stolen those apples, I had felt I would die from hunger, but... I hadn't. I wasn't now, either. I was kept on the verge, never getting any hungrier than that torturous state. My body seemed to need no real nourishment to survive, as long as I didn't mind feeling like my stomach was devouring itself in an effort to fend off death. Naturally, of course, I minded very much.

By my estimates, I was only an hour away from the mansion now. I was no expert in geography, but it seemed unnatural how the landscaped faded from the dull greys of dead dirt to the sparse autumnal colours of flora. It was still far from the lush greens of Hoshido, but these signs of life were at least some indication that I was drawing closer to where people could survive in a permanent night.

Finally, the mound of the hills curved around before me. I had to climb to proceed. It wasn't too steep – about as much as the hill I had lived on back home – but still an arduous task given how exhausted I already was. Still, one foot went in front of the other, and I eventually managed to struggle my way up, as the stream silently crashed down the rocks.

And there it was, finally. The house was in view.

It stood proud and rich – some noble's well-maintained estate – with actual live trees decorating the gardens, and wrought iron fencing defending the decently sized building. The land more than likely only equated to a few acres in total, and its position in this odd valley of hills seemed strange. A road led to the north, stretching to places unseen, and it was north where the main entrance for the estate could be found.

I approached it, unsure. The gates were shut, and there was no way to alert the people inside, aside from perhaps shouting for assistance. Still, there was no guarantee the place was even occupied – the windows were darkened by wooden boards, preventing any signs of life showing from within. The gates weren't locked, at least, so my hands pushed a cold metal gate forward, silently.

The door opened as I approached, and a man stepped out to face me.

I stopped, halfway to the stairs leading up to the doors, as he made his way down and towards me. When he came close enough to realise my state of undress, he averted his eyes, choosing instead to focus on my face. He wore a formal suit, and carried himself with a practiced dignity befitting his groomed hair and clean-shaven face.

"The lord is not taking any visitors at this moment." His voice had a regal air to it, like the stereotype of a posh British person I hated so much, and I found myself internally cringing despite myself.

He was a butler, I realised. A servant of the house who had been sent out to turn me away. "Please," I said. "I need your help."

"Ordinarily," he began, with the air of someone who wanted this conversation to be over as quickly as possible. "The lord would be more than happy to accommodate you. Despite his hermitage, he is a kind lord who wishes nothing more than the best for the lower born. However, he is currently entertaining guests. Now if you will please excuse me, I trust you will remove yourself from the vicinity."

He took a step back, then moved to turn. I decided to change tactics.

"Viktor Marek born 1965 in Obernsten." I recited.

He froze, staring at me wide-eyed.

"You're holding a dagger. Iron. And you have experience using it."

"How do you-"

"There are..." I blinked, looking at the device only I could see. "Eighty-seven people inside..."

I looked at him, his hand twitching uncertainly towards his hidden knife. "Nobody is supposed to know that..." he murmured.

I held up my hands – including the one holding Jake. "I don't mean you any harm. My name is Derek Gruff. I was... am... an advisor for Queen Mikoto of Hoshido. I was attacked by King Garon in the negotiations at the Canyon and am trying to travel to Windmire to rescue Princesses Corrin and Azura."

Viktor scanned me, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Wait here," he said, finally.

He turned and entered, shutting the door behind him. I shivered briefly for a few moments, and then he returned, clutching a robe and with company. A familiar face.

Odin the dark mage, secretly Prince Owain of Ylisse, and one of the people Anankos had recruited while his human form still lived, so that they could help defeat his crazed dragon self.

"What illusion is this? Some wicked spell to betray Odin Dark's senses? Folly! You will not fool me, servant of darkness! Know this – should I be displeased by your answer, my fell hand shall surely slay you and lay you to permanent rest!"

I blinked at him, trying to parse his words, even as Viktor handed me the robe. Odin came closer, his tome at the ready. I raised my hands in peace again.

"It's really me," I said. "No tricks."

"Odin is not one to be fooled so easily. I, Odin, know well the ways of the darkness, hence my clad in its cold embrace. Tis a typical trick of my foes to send friends reborn to strike against me. Be thou risen or shadow?"

"Um... ris- oh. You mean... the Risen..." I blinked. "No, no. I'm Derek. I'm not a Risen. I... I just survived."

"What madness is this? You expect Odin to fall for this? I saw your head separate from your shoulders and tumble into the darkest depths. I watched as the foul wizard Iago emblazed your torso to ashes. Indeed, it was a tragic sight. I was greatly moved to tears, and spent many nights applauding your bravery in standing up to tyranny, though your efforts were in vain."

"Okay," I nodded. "Thanks for that. I got better."

Odin stared at me, his hand still outstretched in a menacing pose, before he turned his head, his hand moving to cover his face. His shoulders shook, and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Alright, alright," he said, once he had stopped laughing. "So, you somehow managed to survive a beheading and being set on fire. And now you've managed to travel all this way to Zandbergen's estate to find me, somehow knowing I'd be here?"

The butler, Viktor, looked hopelessly lost, but did regard me suspiciously at this. I shook my head, "Um... yes to most of that? But I didn't know you were here."

Odin sighed, "I suppose it's possible... I wish he or you had told us you had this power..." I nodded at him, relieved he finally believed me. He moved his hand to his hip – a less extravagantly dramatic pose, but still showing off his theatrical tendencies. "Come then! I, Odin Dark, invite you to join his mission here at the house of secrets."

"If I may interject, sir," Viktor spoke up, finally seeming to understand something in our strange conversation. "That would be a matter of my lord's concern. And I daresay your own lord would have some questions too."

"Then we shall bring him before our lords!" Odin said, spinning with a flourish. "I shall call forth my liege, and inform him properly of the situation."

Viktor muttered something under his breath, but ran ahead of Odin, who began striding purposefully towards the manse. Hesitating only slightly, I followed too.

…

Inside, Odin led me to what seemed to be a dining room, where maps and documents laid scattered across the table. Several people looked at us curiously as we entered, but most seemed to be busy perusing their papers and assessing all of the information, deep in discussion with each other.

At the head of the table stood Leo, prince of Nohr. At the side of him, a short plump balding man, looking every bit the typical pampered noble. Viktor scurried away from him, and the two turned their attention to Odin and I.

"Do be welcome to my manor, good sir," the man greeted me, his whiskered chin wavering like a blubbery walrus with every word. "I am Jurrijn Zandbergen and what a wonderful pleasure it is to meet with the Hoshidan queen's personal advisor! My accommodations are wide open for your every whim."

"You were present at the Canyon," Leo said. He stood, assessing me quietly.

"Come now, my young liege," Jurrijn replied. "That is no way to introduce yourself. Why if my father were here to hear you say that, he would give you a proper clouting for such rudeness."

"Were your father here, he would no doubt have many problems with our current plans, and my rudeness would be the least of his concerns," Leo rolled his eyes. He turned back to me, as Jurrijn adjusted his frills. "I thought you died."

"Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated," I replied. Odin chuckled, and the prince's lip quirked. "I'd... rather not get into that though, if you don't mind. It's not a particularly pleasant experience."

Leo nodded, "Fine then." He stood up straight, hands moving from the table as he raised one to me. "You have probably heard of me, but to introduce myself properly, as Jurrijn so wishes, I am Prince Leo of Nohr."

I nodded, taking his hand and shaking it loosely, "I'm Derek... I was... or still am... Queen Mikoto's personal advisor. Though I'm not from Hoshido."

"I thought not," Leo nodded, looking slightly pleased with himself. "I suppose it is fortunate that my father left the negotiations without formally declaring war on Hoshido. We have this opportunity to meet not as enemies, but potential allies."

"Allies?" Jurrijn repeated. "Do you think that wise?"

"Of course," said Leo, preening himself. "We need all the assistance we can get with this goal. And Derek has ties to Hoshido, as well as some sort of... ability to evade death. Both of these could prove extremely useful to us."

"Indeed, my lord! I, Odin Dark, am able to vouch for the trustworthiness of this ally, as well as the sinister power lurking within him," Odin spoke up, flaring to life dramatically once again.

"Sinister powers..." Jurrijn muttered. "My lord, I'm truly not so sure that this is a wise idea. What you are proposing is to spread our secrets to an additional party. It is hard work enough attempting to hide it from my father, with him having such loyalty to the king."

Instead of responding to Jurrijn, Prince Leo eyed his ostentatious retainer oddly, then turned to another man sat at the table. "What about you, Niles?"

The white-haired rogue at the table stirred, his one uncovered eye widening in faux surprise, "Oh, I'm allowed a voice now, am I? I was under the impression that all this planning and strategy was beyond me."

"Sir, I did apologise for any offence I caused, but..." Jurrijn began, but Niles shushed him.

"Yes, yes, you sought my tongue to still when it wagged too salaciously for your liking," Niles shrugged. He glanced towards me with his one good eye, and nodded. "I see no problems with hiring a new lapdog. Should he cause problems, I'm sure we can be creative enough to tie him down at the very least."

"What goal?" I interjected. This hadn't been in the game, so I found myself hopelessly lost. I glanced over at Odin again, then back to Prince Leo and Jurrijn.

The prince nodded. "Then it's settled. Derek, I shall entrust you with our plans, but know you will be watched carefully. We need all the aid we can afford at the moment, and this is an expense that has not yet proved itself fully." He gestured to a seat at the table, taking one himself. Jurrijn looked relieved, and collapsed into his own with a thud that made his flab like jelly. Sat down, he suddenly looked decades older, his face fatigued and pale, not hale and hearty.

Niles leaned forwards as I sat down, his one eye watching me with intrigue, "I have heard much about you, and yet much of it makes little sense. No trace of you exists prior to your sudden arrival in Hoshido only a few months ago, and yet you quickly became a close advisor to the queen of Hoshido. Your actions helped save Hoshido from a foreign attack, yet few seem to respect you. Rumours of an unnatural ability to evade death abound, which, judging from what we witnessed at the Bottomless Canyon, certainly seem to be grounded in some semblance of reality. I'd certainly enjoy testing my own theories, should I be granted the opportunity."

"In addition to that," Prince Leo said, "Your presence here is in large part thanks to an endorsement from Odin, who also has not been very forthcoming with his origins. And yet you seem relatively familiar with one another."

"Ha! Indeed, Odin Dark is a man shrouded in mystery!" Odin laughed. "Though I promise, my secrets are for your own security, and I would never outright lie to you!"

"Indeed," Prince Leo nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment before turning back to me. "I suppose there is no delaying it any longer. Let me tell you our plans." He rested his elbows on the table and rested his head on clasped hands. "My father, King Garon, began his reign as a benevolent king. Well loved and respected by allies and enemies alike, he ruled justly and fairly. His battlefield prowess, charisma and shrewd intelligence gained him favour with many, and he extended this to his own family. So much so that his family grew exponentially. Many women sought his favour, and he wished to please them all. Niles!"

Niles had made a crude gesture at the prince's words, and smirked at his liege. "Oh, by all means, my lord, continue," he said, sounding innocent, "I was merely stretching."

Prince Leo hmphed, but chose to continue his story, "The women fought amongst themselves, bringing their children into it, until few remained. Many say it was this fighting that caused him to retreat into himself. Gone was the charismatic king, and in his place, my father grew colder and more distant. Violence surrounded him and the country, including the incident where he took Corrin hostage, killing Hoshido's King Sumeragi."

He paused, closing his eyes and bowing his head behind his wrists. I waited for him to continue, and when he did not, I spoke up.

"I... already knew most of that. I'm sorry."

Leo chuckled. "I thought it important to clarify that. I love my father, I do. I love Corrin just as I love Xander and my other sisters, and though I knew Azura little, I love her the same. And that is why..." he raised his head, his eyes meeting mine. "I will fight for them. My father must die."

…

A/N: Turns out I don't know the Fates map as well as I thought I did. I was originally going to have this chapter take place somewhere very different, with entirely different characters, and a build-up to Leo's reveal. But I juggled around my plans and managed to get it into something I was relatively happy with, even if this Leo chapter became a lot shorter as a result.

Anyway, this is the point that the story really starts to diverge from the 3 canon Fates storylines. Despite the aforementioned juggling, the grand plan remains intact, and I'm very excited about it.