A/N: I hate to say this everyone, but things are not going to start getting easier yet. I also gotta say I know I'm not taking this too far. Keep in mind for the pack, as Keaty stated, they are never safe. Being attacked is normal for them…
Being attacked by a coordinated army isn't.
Oh and… I might have developed a new-found soft spot for the Queen of the Thighs… er, Skies. Princess Hinoka. Once more, her viewpoint is in this chapter.
Canon Name = Nickname: Corrin = Lupus. Velouria = Vella. Keaton = Keaty. Setsuna = Seta. Hinoka = Hina. Sakura = Saku. Subaki = Superman. Ryoma = Red. Selkie = Silky. Kaden = Ka-da. Orochi = Viper. Takumi = Tako. Lastly, only Selkie/Silky refers to Corrin/Lupus as Lu-pu.
Half-beastdragonsoul2013: I'll admit, I used to make Sakura an Onmyoji… but then I discovered how much of a killing machine she becomes with being a Priestess, 'C' rank in Yumi/Bow, and a Shining Bow… I endured leveling her bow skill ever since.
Besides, I think that Sakura would show more respect towards Mikoto if she upgrades to a Priestess. Like mother, like daughter.
Frankly, it's the same deal with Lissa. I usually go with her being a Sage, then I tried out War Cleric once, and I never really went back. What is it with these small, deli… er, not-so-delicate Princesses and physical-based weapons? The next thing you know, Elise is going to be hauling a greatsword around. Oh, Oh no…
Imagine. Elise classed as a General. Nope, I'm done!
Consort: Agreed, Hina and Saku will make it in time. I'm sure Lupus's family would be more than willing to delve into the highest quality herbs for the sake of Vella.
As for Subaki? I suppose you can say he gave Lupus…
'A Support' conversation. HA! Get it?
I'm going to see myself out now.
Lupus doesn't know how she missed it… a day after Keaty had her switch out positions, she felt it. A burning in her core, an urge that is both unknown and known. Not to mention the scent. She knew, without doubt, that yes, she's in heat.
Why now?
She can see it in the look of the other males' eyes, that glint. However, due to her own strength, none have yet to dare approach her. Besides, Keaty is the alpha, he has claim by default. She suddenly shivers. Keaty has every right to claim her. The very thought sends her body temperature shooting up.
It's no wonder Keaty sent her off. She would undoubtedly cause Keaty to lose himself. Still, she can't deny the allure it holds. Shifting her prone form, she instead thinks about Hina. Ever since Superman shared that story of him and Hina, she's gotten much more calm... but, Keaty sent her off a day ago. That day was yesterday… so Hina's been gone for three.
She trusts that Saku's magic and a bundle of herbs is enough. She then looks over to Vella's den, the hunting party leader is currently shifted, while Keaty and Dadaan are on standby. "Vella…" She whimpers. "Please hurry, Hina…" Back down her head goes, followed by a deep breath. "Hm?" Her ears perk up… another disturbance? Why now? It isn't the gentle flapping she considers a Pegasus. No familiar scents… not heavy beating of wings like a wyvern.
…
In fact, she can't smell anything from the direction of the sounds. Absolutely nothing. She rises, and shakes the extra dirt off of her. She focuses her eyes towards the scentless sound. Somehow blocking scent only makes it more suspicious… just like a completely silent forest. Has to be humans. She takes a breath and lets out a howl.
Thankfully, the Wolfskin that have been injured against the fight with Camilla, Selena, and Beruka have recovered, but…
Vella still needs to be watched.
Lupus taps into her Dragonstone and shifts, further enhancing her senses. Two… three? No, four. No again. Three humans, one beast… four legs, horse? She can pick up Keaty's frustration at this… he can hear them too, obviously. Of course they would come in at the worst time.
A single man, riding atop a single horse strides in, as if he owns the place. He looks… bored? "Hm, so this is the Wolfskin… ah, there she is." His horse neighs as he directs his gaze onto Lupus. "Hmph." Blonde hair, though he has well-crafted armor… as does his horse. A sword rests on his side, though he has a tome in hand. "I'm not sure what surprises me more, the fact that you beasts allowed humans to heal you, or the fact that more of you aren't dead." He scoffs, "Well, at least it seems your best are occupied, aren't they?" He smirks. "And all that took was a few infected strikes from my sister's wyvern."
Another 'noble', then. "Lady Corrin!" Superman comes atop his Pegasus… before an arrow soars through the air, to which he quickly grounds himself.
"Ah yes… Subaki, correct? Hoshido's best Sky Knight." The man calmly states. "Yes, I suggest you stay on the ground… I understand that falling to your death is… painful."
"What's your name?" Superman asks… but, why does that matter?
"I am Prince Leo." He announces, before returning his gaze towards Lupus once more. "Tell me, had it occurred to you that killing your precious pack was not the intention of Princess Camilla?"
"She said…!" Lupus quickly bites back.
"What she says and what she was ordered to do are two separate things. No, she was to weaken your best. And that is what she did. Tell me, what shall you do when I order the attack? Will your 'alpha' turn his back on the most dangerous?"
"Lady Corrin…" Superman trails off.
Lupus shares a look with Keaty. "...I'll guard the den, alone." The hunting party leader states. "The pack can't afford to not have either of you in the fight."
"And you won't last against Velouria!" Keaty snaps back… he's under pressure. There is no real 'right' choice here. Without Keaty, Dadaan, and a cured Vella, the pack's chance of fighting off Leo has dropped… if Camilla and her retainers are anything to go by. But, leaving only one Wolfskin guarding the den might as well result in not guarding it at all. Vella would slaughter him, which would leave the pack vulnerable to an enraged Vella.
This situation seems even worse than a burning forest.
"Niles! Odin!" Leo calls out, prompting two more men to show. One is familiar… that white hair man with an eyepatch, who uses a bow. The second is new, sorta dark-blonde hair, he is wielding a tome like Leo.
"Executing the weak? How delightful…" The archer purrs.
"You dare wish harm upon our liege?! I, Odin Dark, will summon the darkest of darkness to crush thee into oblivion!" Oh, so he's Odin… the other is Niles.
Keaty growls, but isn't able to do much more… not while guarding Vella. By now, the other Wolfskin have shifted.
Leo sighs, "What a nuisance. Niles, take care of that winged pony. Odin, keep those wolves away with some simple fire."
"Of course, Lord Leo…" Niles takes aim.
"With the fires of wrath, I won't let a single Wolfskin be even within a lance's reach!" Odin pulls out a fire tome.
...But, Leo's tome isn't red like Odin's or Camilla's. "Let's make this quick, shall we?" he then adds under his breath, "Remember, barrier's weakened for twenty minutes. We must leave in fifteen." Leo must have underestimated a Wolfskin's and Lupus's hearing.
"Superman, we just need to hold them off for fifteen minutes." She quickly whispers. "We need to kill Niles so you can get into the air… and Odin so there's no fire spells to be worried about, Leo's last…" She blinks her eyes.
Where did that come from?
"Lupus?" Superman asks, "I understand you aren't familiar with human weapons, but… do you remember Lord Takumi's bow? The one with the glowing string?" Lupus tilts her head, but nods, "That is one of the four Divine Weapons, the Fujin Yumi. Your big brother has one, too, the Raijinto… That tome Prince Leo has? That is called the Brynhildr, and it would be a terrible idea to disregard it, simply because it isn't a fire tome. The fourth is Siegfried, in possession of Nohr's Crown Prince Xander."
Of course… of course there would be a magic spell that is as dangerous as fire. "We'll just have to stay on guard for Leo's spells while we kill Niles and Odin, then." Still that strange… feeling is in Lupus. She can't figure out how that order came out so easily. "Ready?"
He simply nods in responds, whilst standing in front of his Pegasus. All it'll take is one arrow and Pegasus can be crippled for life. So, Superman can't fight at his best, Keaty, Dadaan, and the hunting party leader are making sure Vella doesn't attack everyone. Hina is still out…
Lupus stamps the ground. And running sure isn't… Running. It clicks. Not right now… well, hopefully not at all, but if there's an opportunity, it should be taken. "Keaty!" She calls out, to which the two share a gaze. No words are needed. Keaty nods in confirmation. "Alright." Lupus nods, but this time it's to Superman. "I'm ready." She takes a breath and lets out her own roar...
Hinoka has a new set of armor on, riding a different Pegasus, while her little sister is holding on for dear life as they soar through the sky. True to big brother's word, Hinoka found Sakura in the training yard with Takumi… a practice bow in hand. And now? She has a basic iron yumi strapped to her back, alongside a Wane Festal and a small bag of highly specialized and expensive herbs. The healing equipment Sakura has on her alone right now is worth a small fortune.
Hinoka isn't taking any risks, she said to get 'nothing but the best', and that's what happened.
She still feels bad, though. Hana didn't take it well when she found out that her liege is flying the length of Hoshido near the border of Nohr. Even having Subaki and Hinoka there wasn't enough to calm her nerves…
Hinoka just hopes Hana doesn't end up following. She already warned the Samurai the dangers of 'just arriving'. Keaty ordered her to only bring Sakura, if she ends up arriving with more… gods. She recalls what her little sister said, who was raised by Wolfskin. "As long as you're here, you gotta live by Wolfskin tradition. If the alpha wants something done, it gets done. If he tells you to stop, you stop." Hinoka shakes her head.
"B-Big sister?" Sakura asks. "Are we almost there? I'm… feeling kind of air-sick."
The Sky Knight mentally scolds herself, of course Sakura wouldn't be able to handle an intense flight… it's her first time! Yet, then she sees the forest, "Can you hold it in for about another minute?"
"Mhm." She replies with her mouth closed.
"...I'm sorry, but…" Hinoka takes a breath, "Keaty's right. They won't ever be safe out there. I'm worried. How much longer until the Nohrians…" The Pegasus whinies, while he isn't as hardened as Hinoka's personal Pegasus, there are some things that can't be erased as fear… And considering that there are no forest fires, that means only one other thing. "Archers…" Hinoka harshly whispers. "Sister, hold on. I'm going to have to land early."
"Mmk…!" She squeaks through a muffled mouth as Hinoka all but dives down.
With a skill that probably only Subaki could match, Hinoka weaves the Pegasus around trees and branches, landing safely… if a bit ruffled, on the forest floor. She grabs her naginata, "Alright, Sakura… stay here. I know you've trained and…"
Instead of actually saying anything, Sakura hops off of the Pegasus and runs towards the nearest tree. A high-pitch retching noise soon follows. "G-g-go ahead…" She waves her off. Gods… Now feeling terrible for getting her sister air-sick, Hinoka dashes off towards the sound of fighting… again. It hasn't even been three whole days! Yet, sure enough, when she crosses into the den, she sees the entire pack is shifted, including Corrin. Instead of Princess Camilla and her retainers, now there stands, undoubtedly, another Nohrian Royal and his retainers.
"Brynhildr!" A tree magically sprouts from the ground, ripping and tearing into one of the Wolfskin. Dead? No, not now. But, unless he gets direct healing, he'll die from bleeding out before anything else. The only good thing… well as 'good' as it can get, is that the battle seems like it just started. Hinoka takes a breath as she joins. She sees that Subaki, too, is grounded. She then spots the bane of Pegasi… an archer. Raising her Guard Naginata, she makes a flanking charge.
"Oh, well hello, there…" The archer spots her. "Permission to ravage, milord?" Oh, his voice sounds anything but pleasant.
"Don't mess around, Niles."
"Oh-ho, as you wish…" Niles fires an arrow and has a second one knocked before the first is even blocked. A second, a third arrow follows. "No no no, stay down there…" With an incredible speed, he redirects his attention to Subaki, firing off an arrow that spooks his Pegasus, before firing yet another arrow at Hinoka. It's… not her best idea by far, but she has this… sense. This, feeling that… Niles gasps and his grip on his bow falters. The archer begins choking, before stumbling forward, frantically reaching to his waist, no doubt for healing tonic.
"Niles! Who…?" Prince Leo shouts while turning, as did Hinoka. It obviously couldn't have been anyone near them.
Hinoka's eyes scanned the area. Her curiosity on how Niles just started choking and dying caught everyone… or at least, all of the human's interests. That's when she saw them, by Vella's guarded den. The infected Wolfskin lies unconscious at the front, which means she attempted to escape… the sounds of battle probably spurred her. The third Wolfskin guard, who Hinoka doesn't know the name to, is also unconscious, but… blood pours from a number of spots. Keaty and Dadaan are both panting, but they seem unharmed… hopefully.
Hinoka doubts, that even with all the skill Sakura has, she can't cure more than one or two with the amount of herbs at hand.
Still, that doesn't answer why Niles keeled over.
"My liege!" Odin erects a magical barrier as some sort of magical beam shoots out, failing to ram through Prince Leo due to Odin's interference.
Corrin.
Prince Leo scowls, "It seems you need some playthings, beast." An aura of Dark Magic seeps from him. "Odin, support Niles, we need to leave." The Nohrian Prince raises his arm as that magic goes from him… to where, actually? The trees?. "Hmph." He rears his horse and flees. Hinoka can see Niles's fingers twitching, as well as some wasted tonic on his clothes.
"Left flank!" Subaki calls out, "En guarde!"
…
A howl follows, but it… sounds off? Following Subaki's warning, she looks and... up those three deceased Wolfskin rise, dead but not dead. Hinoka's stomach turned at the sight… she's never seen such a spell first-hand, and she wishes still hasn't.
Keaty howls out some sort of command, now that Vella has been visibly subdued. "Hina! Infected?" Keaty asks.
"I… I guess?! They've been out there for days!" She slightly stammers. "Why didn't you move their bodies?" He lets out a low growl… uh oh, Wolfskin tradition, then. "Nevermind that, then. Treat them like Camilla's wyvern. Don't get hit." Easier said then done, of course.
Which is why the pack is more on the defensive right now. "Lady Hinoka, if we could have just one more frontline fighter that isn't Wolfskin, we can distract them for the rest!" Subaki advises.
"Corrin?" She quickly asks.
"I'm worried her dragon blood may leave her vulnerable to the same diseases Wolfskin are." He admits. The half-dragon in question is stepping back, trying her best to get a hit in, but she clearly still isn't completely used to her form yet with how uncertain she is about her fighting.
Yet another arrow soars through the air, skillfully landing and hitting one of the risen Wolfskin… the source of the arrow then squealed as the undead beast turned its attention to her. "Sakura?" Hinoka asks, seeing her little sister now trembling with her bow… whatever bravado she had while firing that shot has went away. "Oh no, you aren't gonna lay a finger on her!" Hinoka splits off, intercepting the shifted risen Wolfskin. One of the pack lands a hit on him, then moves out of the way as the undead turns and swipes, however Hinoka couldn't even get an attempt in before he attempted yet another strike on her.
Is he faster, too? She can't help but think this one is faster. A arrow flies by, but it comes rather close to Hinoka herself. "Sister! Breathe! Focus!" She warns the now Priestess. "Don't fire another if you're going to keep shaking!" She then feels the sting of slam as the Wolfskin lands his first hit on her. Enough to knock the wind out of her.
Then the Wolfskin falls once more, this time to Corrin. "Two more." She states, nearly breathless, "Hina…" Wounds, bloody. "Can't." She collapses.
"Big sister!" Sakura screams as Corrin shifts back, exhausted. Those magic streams must have taken a heavy toll on her, then. A howl follows as Corrin falls, and… gods.
Keaty hefts up one of the risen Wolfskin on his own, before slamming into the ground, headfirst. "Heal her!" The Wolfsegger snarls.
One left.
"C'mon, Sakura. I'll protect you." Hinoka beckons, to which she quickly shuffles over, Festal in hand.
"Big sister, big sister…" Sakura mutters as healing energy flows over Corrin. "Just spent, not too injured." She breathes a sigh of relief. "She… hm?" Sakura points at a set of lacerations on her other side as Corrin was gently rolled over, they're still bleeding. "Those aren't claw marks, sister."
In fact, they are slightly glowing.
The sound of fighting soon died down, and Keaty was at their side first, "Is she healed? Is she?"
"I-I-I-I-I…" Sakura cowered under his aggression.
"She's going to recover, right sister?" Hinoka places a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Who slowly nods, as magic is sent out one more time. "Just needs rest." Those wounds close, but the glow remains. "I'm going to need more supplies… anti-magic. I think she's been cursed." Sakura rises.
"Cursed?" Keaty echoes. "She'll live, right?"
"Weakened, but yes. Until I can figure out what exactly the curse does, I'd recommend absolutely nothing too demanding." She takes a breath, "Can I see Vella now?" With her bag of herbs in hand, as well as the Wane Festal, Sakura rises and follows Keaty, who takes her to the still unconscious Vella.
"Gods, sister…" Hinoka chokes on a sob. "Some protector I am, huh? You're critically injured and I…" She strokes the now sleeping Corrin's face. "Vella will get better, I promise." She whispers. "You will, too." It dawns on her how serious the pack's situation is. Sure, Keaty told her that the pack is never safe, but to have it this bad? No wait… this isn't 'normal' for them, either. They never had to deal with… wait.
"Lady Hinoka? Is something wrong?" Subaki asks.
"Prince Leo wasn't trying to kill them, neither was Princess Camilla." She runs the injuries through her head. "Vella fell victim to a disease that would have had her killed if it weren't for Sakura. Corrin has been struck with a curse. This… if King Garon really wanted them dead now, why send one Royal and two retainers at a time?!" Her voice slowly raises. "Why send just two, three? An entire platoon?!"
"...Then we need to figure out their intentions so we can counter them." Subaki nods. "What are the facts here?"
"King Garon knows the Wolfskin aren't stupid, he lost Corrin because of that, so there's no way he wouldn't let Princess Camilla or Prince Leo fight the pack without that kind of information. Princess Camilla infected more of the pack than she actually killed…"
"They routed the pack down a specific line, hm…" Subaki closes his eyes, before opening them and looking around. "This den is less secure than the last. But… you believe that Prince Leo also wasn't trying to kill the pack?"
Hinoka nods, "I'm sure he's more than capable of using his tome faster than he was." She thinks it over. "We're missing something here."
Corrin groans as she shifts around… before yelping as that glowing part of her wounds makes contact with the ground. She shoots up, then stumbles from the sudden movement, her breathing is rapid and her eyes are wide… fear. "V-Vella? Where's Vella?!"
"Sakura is taking care of her, she'll be fine." Hinoka gently speaks.
"Saku? Saku's here?" A deep breath, then a second. "Vella will be fine, she'll be fine." She turns and sees the mentioned little sister tending to her Wolfskin sister… Corrin nods again, "Vella will be fine." She then looks herself over, "What's…?" She sees the glowing spot. "H-H-Hina?"
"Sakura says you have been cursed, and that you shouldn't do anything intense."
Corrin glares at her. Hinoka sees something that she hasn't seen in a long time… all the way back when Corrin was reunited with Hinoka, that pure danger in her eyes, the force that shouldn't be let out, "And what if the pack needs me to fight? What am I going to do then?! Watch them die!" She then clamps a hand over her mouth. "I'm going to see Saku…" She says the second her hand drops. "Please, not me, too…" She whimpers.
"Gods…" Hinoka breathes. It was no less bone-chilling than last time, maybe…
Maybe Corrin is right. 'You humans' isn't as far off as she thinks. No matter how close Corrin can get, no matter how loving she can be… there is still a part of her that is wild, an untameable spirit. She isn't fully human, she's a half-dragon. Hinoka frowns as she looks towards both of her little sisters. Sakura is gently tending to Vella, but then jumps in place a little when Corrin curls up around her feet and lies down. And... Dadaan moves next to Corrin? He is simply standing there, as if he doesn't know what to do. "Lady Hinoka?" Subaki reaches out.
The red-hair princess takes a breath, "We should see what Keaty wants us to do. We can't leave just yet. I won't stop until the pack can rest easy for weeks. Until they are no longer threatened by the Nohrians. I get that they won't ever be safe, but the Nohrian army is not something they should be dealing with alone! I won't let them die!"
"...Then, you fight for the pack?" Hinoka startles as Keaty stands behind her… even in his human form, he seems like he towers over her. "You are fighting for more than just Lupus, aren't you? You're fighting for us. A pack of Wolfskin."
"That's right." Hinoka nods. "I'm not helping just because my little sister is a part of all of this. I'm not just helping because Nohr threatens to invade Hoshido. I'm helping because I want to, because it's the right thing to do, because I refuse to let any of you die. I've already failed enough times, and by the gods, I won't keep failing!"
Keaty smirks and his tail starts wagging. "Lupus mentioned about how dedicated you are about us." A short pause, "But I can smell it for myself now… honesty. A human… choosing to fight for a pack of Wolfskin." He takes a step closer to her and perhaps it was due to the raw power from him, but Hinoka found herself… unable to move away. "Tell me, how far are you willing to go? How closely will you follow Wolfskin law?"
"I…" Hinoka starts… she hasn't thought about that. "I can't answer that right now."
Despite the fact that they are roughly the same height, Keaty seems taller right now, "Then figure it out." Is that... disappointment? He states as he turns to Subaki. "Do you have more of those… uh, 'Festals' that you can use?"
He smiles, "I brought extras on my return trip from the fort. Who do you want me to heal?"
"Any of them. Lupus and Vella are safe, they're the strongest ones. Whichever Wolfskin needs healing now." He pauses, "And… I'm… going to…" He visibly flinches, "Make sure that… the dead can't be… used against us… again."
"Keaty?" Hinoka asks, "What are you planning to do?"
For a moment he looks like he isn't going to answer, but… "Can't fight without limbs…" Is all he says as he leaves.
Gods… "Well, I shall get to my task, now." Subaki states, though his voice does sound pained… not that she blames him.
How much is it weighing on Keaty? To dismember the dead? "Hold on, let me help." Hinoka chokes on some air. "I need something to do, too…"
A/N: Oh, I have several things to cover now. Where to start? I suppose at the start of the chapter.
So, Prince Leo and his retainers, Odin and Niles. Or more specifically, what Leo claimed: That Camilla was not meant to kill the pack, only weaken them. At least, those were her 'orders'... maybe the forest fire was not part of it? What about Leo's orders?
Now, allow me to present this: If King Garon truly has a rage saved for the pack for stealing Corrin away. If he really wanted them dead… then why only send one Royal and two retainers at a time? Maybe Hinoka is right, and that there is a bigger plan here.
In terms of location, remember that the original den, where the fic started, was located in Nohr, relatively close to the main road. By the time Lupus got back, the pack has been pushed into a den in Hoshido, where a weakened barrier protects them. Camilla and the mages that caused the fire routed them even further… into Hoshido. If Mikoto's barrier was the problem, then why make a route deeper into Hoshido?
Unless… Unless Garon isn't looking to kill the Wolfskin himself…
Now then! Lupus's little, uh, burst of knowledge. Even without any proper training, she still has a sense of tactics on her. It just goes to show her natural talent for it… though it's a shame it probably won't ever be honed.
...And on the topic of injuries. Vella is recovering, but now Lupus is suffering from a curse. What kind? Considering that Lupus quickly turned aggressive, is it a curse meant to simulate the effects of rabies? Ah, as for rabies, it seems Vella managed to strike the hunting party leader.
Oh! Sakura! Yes, while she does have training in bows… let's not forget that this was also her first real fight. Whatever bravery she held from that first shot went away when she became the target. I think this is reasonable enough. I mean, how would you react if there was a beast thrice your size rushing towards you?
I'll get the reason why the dead Wolfskin weren't removed yet next chapter.
Oh Hina, oh Hina… You just keep climbing up with Keaty's approval, don't you? And how must it feel, Hina? To live knowing that any second now, a force of humans will come and attack? To know that there is no safety like there is in the castle?
And how about Keaty himself? It's clear the stress of being specifically targeted by an army is getting to him. He keeps having to make decisions that stand against what a Wolfskin should be or do.