Chapter Four

He sees it with his own eyes; the eldest siblings of the rivaling nations trying to frame the other for Corrin refusing to choose a side. Yet, Corrin can't believe how far this choice has already gone to destroying his wish for a happy ending.

"Xander! Ryoma!" Corrin shouts, watching in horror as his older brothers draw their weapons and ready for battle.

- Xander holds still for just a second, and Corrin misses the understanding in his eyes. Yato does not miss its target –

- Ryoma says he trusts Corrin. The older brother's eyes hold a plea, for Corrin to lead them to a safer world, before the light in his eyes fade –

Lost in his memories, Corrin misses his chance to stop them.

"Don't think for a moment that I will let you take Corrin without a fight," Xander says, glaring down from atop his horse. "It seems only right to cross swords with my opposing equal. As the heirs of our respective families, why don't we settle this here and now?"

"Prepare yourself, then," Ryoma says, glaring back at the man atop the horse without a shred of fear. "I will defeat you in defense of my kingdom and my brother!"

"Please," Corrin cries in desperation, "both of you stop! We can still try-"

The older brothers scream, and go to attack each other.

Corrin lunges, ready to try and stop them and - oh please no, not again, no, not again - Azura grabs his arm before he can take a step. Corrin takes shallow breaths, trying not to let the battles starting in front of him startle his outward appearance. Inside, he's a broken mess.

But what else is new?

"We have to get them to listen," Corrin says to Azura.

"I have an idea…" Azura replies. Her voice is calm, even, and airy. Corrin can already feel the regret churning in his stomach. "Why don't we attack the groups closest to us?"

Corrin has a decent amount of reasons on why that would not be a good idea.

"If we defeat the leaders, Ryoma and Xander can't possibly ignore us," Azura continues.

Corrin thinks they could very well ignore them, since two armies are battling on the field. A group from either side may be missed, but not completely noticed by the angry heirs fighting further away.

"It's the only plan we have," Corrin mutters. He turns to Azura and makes sure to state his commands to complying with her plan. "Don't kill anyone."

Azura's only reaction is to raise an eyebrow. She does not show any emotion otherwise, not that he is surprised. She nods her consent.

Corrin draws his sword, but halts at the sound of footsteps. He turns his back to the armies fighting each other, and sees a head of pink hair run towards him.

"Phew!" the pink haired maid grabs Corrin's arm. The man relaxes, relief shining in his eyes at the sight of a staff in her other hand. "I made it in time. Lord Corrin, I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Felicia," Corrin breathes.

His best friend smiles shakily at him. "I was so worried when you disappeared. I spent all my time trying to figure out where you went! It took a while, but I've finally caught up with you."

"Felicia," Corrin cuts in. He slips a small smile and grabs the hand on his arm. "I'm glad to see you safe."

Felicia smiles brightly, eyes shifting nervously to the battle ahead of them. "I don't know what's going on, but you can count on me to help!"

"Thank you," Corrin says, releasing her hand and stepping towards the fights ahead. "I'm grateful to have you here."

Azura makes a noise, directing their attention from their three person group towards the feuding armies.

"So…" Felicia drawls out, "who exactly are we fighting?"

Corrin grimaces. He shifts his eyes across the field, spying the two opposing leaders close to them. "The short version is…" His eyes flick to Felicia, and then Azura. Corrin starts walking forwards. "We're up against the Hoshidan army and the Nohrian army right now."

"You can't be serious!" Felicia shouts, causing two soldiers nearby to stop fighting at her sudden exclamation. They back off, watching as Felicia runs up and cuffs Corrin's shoulder with her staff (by accident). The pink haired woman huffs but pulls out her throwing daggers with her free hand. "What have you gotten yourself into, milord?" She huffs, though doesn't stop walking after Corrin. "But I suppose it doesn't matter. Your enemies are my enemies. I promise you can count on me!"

A dagger whizzes by Corrin's shoulder, stabbing into the neck of a nearby wyvern.

Corrin smiles back at one of his closest friends. "Thank you, Felicia. Though I do ask you keep the injuries they sustain to healable."

"Of course, Lord Corrin," Felicia says with a small bow. Her next dagger halts the wyvern, leaving it for Corrin to strike down.

Azura hesitates at the back of the group, her face impassive and thoughts hidden behind unbearably thick walls. She starts a small dance, encouraging the small group that they are to keep fighting.

Finding themselves against the leaders of each army's forward commander, the small group of three needs all the help they can get.

;;;

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"Felicia!" nine year old Corrin whines and clutches his shoulder.

"I'm not healing that," six year old Felicia says, sticking out her tongue at him. She draws her staff back for another whap.

"Felicia," Gunter warns. "That is no way for a maid to behave."

"But he started it!" Felicia cries, pointing to the white haired boy on the couch. "He won't stay still!"

"Don't worry, Gunter," Corrin gives a fake laugh, hoping to give his friend some leniency. "It is my fault. Felicia has all the right, as my healer."

Gunter sighs, turning away from the two and walking towards the large door. "I expect to see you on the terrace in an hour, Felicia."

"Yes, sir!" Felicia shouts after him. She waits until the door is completely closed before hitting Corrin in the shoulder again. "You made him leave in the middle of our lesson!"

"Um, ow," Corrin says, rubbing his now-bruised shoulder. "But hey, that must mean he trusts you to heal me! Look at the bright side, Felicia! You can fight and heal wounds!"

Corrin helps the small girl up to sit on the large couch with him. She pokes his bruising shoulder. "I'm still not healing that."

"Felicia," Corrin groans. It quickly turns into a yelp when Felicia tangles her legs and knocks him into the cushions, the original bruises on his arms stinging. Felicia's staff flies away, and shatters into splinters as it hits the wall. Corrin gapes at the sight. Then, he feels shaking above him. His gaping turns to worry as he hugs the sobbing, pink haired girl. "No - ow - don't cry! We'll get you a brand new healing staff next time Gunter goes out! No, no, no, no, don't cry! Come on, Felicia, don't cry! Ow! You know how easily those things break. Please, please, please, stop crying!"

The next day, Felicia heals Corrin's shoulder with her new Heal staff.