Chapter Nine
Corrin forgot how the world at the bottom of the Bottomless Canyon defies physics. He has only been here once and, while being attacked immediately does leave a lasting impression, it isn't the unreal look of the world that he remembers clearly. Corrin remembers that Gunter is down here, somewhere.
"We made it," Corrin inhales, still trying to catch his breath from the fall.
"I said we would, didn't I?" Azura hums. Her eyes drift from him to someone behind him. The blue haired woman's smile turns smug. "Felicia, are you all right as well?"
Corrin whirls around and spots his maid kneeling on the ground, her back to them. She takes one hand away from her mouth to wave back at them. Corrin flinches when she shudders, but Felicia weakly calls back to them. "I-I'm fine. Just…" She lists, and Corrin strides forwards to catch her shoulder before she falls. She gives him a weak smile. "My stomach is a little upset. I'll be okay…"
"Take your time," Corrin mutters to her. Felicia nods and covers her mouth with a groan.
"This is the kingdom of Valla," Azura says. Corrin turns to see the woman frowning and tense. "Valla is responsible for the war between Hoshido and Nohr."
Corrin's eyebrows furrow. "How is Valla responsible?"
Azura is silent. Felicia moves to get up, and Corrin steps back to give her space.
"Follow me," Azura says, starting to walk away from them, "both of you. If we linger here, we'll be spotted."
"Are you well enough to walk?" Corrin whispers to his maid.
Felicia nods, shakily walking after the blue haired woman. "I just needed to settle my stomach."
Corrin loops an arm through hers, keeping her from falling. Felicia grips his arm hard for support as they move. He leans down to whisper into her ear while Azura leads them to a cave. "Thank you, for following after me."
Felicia gives him a shaky smile. "I believe this proves I would jump off a cliff if you asked, milord. Though, uh, do please make sure the next cliff has a height that is survivable."
;;;
"The throne of Valla is occupied by King Anankos," Azura explains. She speaks softly, airily, and doesn't look back as she guides them further into the cave. "Before his arrival, this land was a peaceful one. All was well until Anankos killed our king and took the throne for himself."
Corrin pauses for a half a second. 'Our'? Though, it is not hard to believe that Azura came from somewhere other than Nohr. Her powers always did seem too otherworldly, even for a land that has magic users.
"Once bountiful farmlands were devastated," Azura continues, "replaced by wastelands and graveyards."
She stops at the entrance to one of the cave's rooms. Corrin's eyes glance back and forth, but there are no enemies at the moment. He looks over to the woman, pity in his gaze. She can't see him, her eyes closed as she reminisces.
"Why would he destroy a kingdom?" Corrin asks. Felicia flanks him, and he motions for her to keep an eye out. "Was there a reason for him to bring ruin?"
He watches Azura swallow. She opens her eyes and stares at him with a cold glint to her face. "Destroying Valla was first, and now he aims to finish Nohr and Hoshido. He wishes to lay waste to the entire world."
Corrin notices she doesn't answer his questions.
"Even now," Azura continues softly, "he's the hidden influence that quietly forces Nohr and Hoshido to fight. King Garon's invasion is the result of Anankos's subtle manipulations."
Corrin is quiet. His mouth and his voice are controlled, and he is not the one who speaks, even if it is his body that moves. "That's horrible! But… if it's true, then maybe we can stop this war by defeating Anankos! We need to get back up above and explain this to everyone!" His shouts, that aren't his, echo through the cave. "If we can get Nohr and Hoshido to work together with-"
Azura cuts him off. "I'm sorry, but you can't."
Corrin is glad the force making him speak is gone, but he stiffens at her words. His stance goes dangerous, composed. Felicia recognizes this, and slowly pulls out her throwing knifes. Azura, who has not been with him long this time, does not notice anything off.
"What do you mean I can't?" Corrin says. His voice is smooth, low, as if the calm before the storm.
"You mustn't talk about Valla to anyone when you're beyond its borders," Azura explains calmly. Corrin has a hand behind his back, stilling Felicia from taking action until Azura finishes her peace. "If you do, you'll trigger a curse that will cause your body to dissolve and disappear. That's what happened to my mother… To Arete, the former queen of Valla."
Corrin calls off Felicia altogether. As shocking as the news is, it puts a lot of pieces together for him. Corrin doesn't have to hide the surprise, but keeps his voice coaxing. "Your mother was a queen in Valla?" He remembers her mother was also the second queen of Nohr. "Then, that makes you…"
"Yes…" Azura says, relaxing as she tells him her story. "I am a Vallite princess. The king that Anankos murdered… He was my father."
"My deepest condolences," Corrin says, face reflecting his acknowledgement of the pain she must carry.
Azura nods and closes her eyes. "We tried to flee… But because of the curse, I was prevented from talking about my past when not in Valla. I was trapped – no matter how much I missed them… I had to keep it all bottled up inside." She opens her eyes. "Until now."
"Azura…" Corrin's face has just enough sympathy and understanding that Azura smiles. She takes it as a sign that he believes her. Now she knows she has his trust, his belief, and him at her side.
In truth, Corrin does understand how she must feel about bottling it up. He cannot tell anyone that he is Corrin, and yet not Corrin. He can't tell anyone here about his past jobs – because it is easier to refer to them as jobs then lives – and he can't say anything about the resets. He has to help Azura make friends once again, watch the family he has time fight against each other, and try to stop a war from killing the people he cares about.
Corrin's sympathy for Azura runs as deep as a kiddie pool. He can't help thinking about the last time he was in this Valla place. She never said anything about her true origins, and if she really needed to speak her mind, they were friends enough that she could have said something then.
But this isn't then. This is now.
Felicia is still ready for a fight. Corrin is still the calm before the storm. Azura continues on as she ignores the danger she is in, believing Corrin trusts her because of gut feeling rather than because they were decent friends in his past routes.
"Listen, Corrin." Azura has only eyes for him. "I'm sorry to say this, but… Now that you've chosen this path, you'll know exactly what I've been feeling."
Felicia narrows her eyes. Corrin clenches his fists together behind his back, his only sign of anger.
"No matter how much you want someone to understand what's happening…" Azura continues, something in her tone making it feel like she is talking down to him. Her tone is a warning. It is condescending. She purses her lips. "No matter how much you want to tell them the truth… You won't be able to tell them. You need to prepare yourself for that."
Corrin keeps his face straight, nodding in understanding. He is better at that then she thinks.
He is also rather handy at multitasking.
Which is why he realizes that coming to Valla was for Azura's benefit, not his. Whoever jumped down a pit after her is more trustworthy than someone who makes sure she isn't drowning in a lake. She wants power and protection on her side; she was raised as royalty after all. First Valla, then Nohr, and finally Hoshido. She has ties everywhere. Her song is her offensive. The group she sides with is her defence.
Whether she believes Corrin is a strong defence, or believes he will defend her because she gave him the dragon stone, Corrin doesn't know.
"I can't even express how painful it is to know the truth and not be able to say it." Azura levels a look at him as ends her sentence.
Azura has forced the curse on him by taking him to Valla.
She believes she has the power in this route.
Corrin keeps his anger in check by gripping his hands tighter behind his back. He nods to show he believes her. "Alright. I understand."
But there is no f****** way he will ever let her have power over him.
Thud!
Azura skitters back, hiding behind Corrin and Felicia, and looks towards the pathway the sound came from. "What was that?!"
"Milord?" Felicia mutters, pulling out a few more knives with lithe fingers.
"Corrin," Azura says, inching up towards him. She wraps a hand around his arm, and he stares down at her over his shoulder. "We'll need to deal with this threat, the large amount of enemies up ahead, before we continue."
Corrin has to resist shaking her off, an occurrence that has happened too many times in past routes with a few other women. Never has Azura initiated contact this early before, and the only times she had in the past routes were emergencies. Felicia helps the prince before he gives in to his first reaction by prying her hand off him. He shoots his best friend a grateful look as she drags the weak-link of their group behind them, where she can be protected.
"I've got lead, Felicia," Corrin mutters to her.
"Tread carefully…" Azura speaks up, her voice hard. "Our enemies may use the shadows to ambush us."
Corrin grunts and slinks towards the dark path ahead, hand on his sword, Yato. He's gone through pits of lava and been in close quarters with a furious Ryoma. A little darkness doesn't scare him.
;;;
Invisible soldiers. Not something he hasn't faced before, but it does take a while for Felicia to get the hang of hitting them.
"Their outlines shimmer," he instructs his maid. "If you are truly having trouble, though, I must suggest you pretend it is training with Gunter. When he makes you hit moving targets blindfolded."
Felicia nods seriously. "Yes, milord."
Corrin chuckles and pulls on her sleeve to get her full attention. "I do ask you aim away from me. I am not running and holding a target this time, and I would appreciate being able to keep running after you attack."
Felicia flushes at the memory. "I will always be sorry for that."
Corrin chuckles again. "I've forgiven you, remember? You stabbed and healed my foot in a matter of minutes. No scar, no lasting damage. "
"The person who catches your eye better not take advantage of you," Felicia says, smiling back. They don't notice Azura stiffen behind them. "You are too forgiving, milord."
"You are my best friend," Corrin says simply. "In a heart's beat, I would likely forgive both you and Jakob for anything, stabbing or not."
They don't see Azura frown.
More invisible soldiers attack. Felicia doesn't miss hitting a single soldier, even with her eyes closed.
;;;
"Oh my-" Corrin cuts himself off and waves his arms in the air, drawing the attention of a man on horseback. The relief at seeing the man is almost suffocating. "It's Gunter."
"Lord Corrin!" Gunter calls, riding over to them.
"You're alive," Corrin whispers to himself, sending a silent thank-you to his boss. He gives an honest, relieved smile at the sight of the man who practically raised him. "It is great to see you, alive and moving."
Gunter nods sharply from atop his horse. "I lost consciousness as I fell, and when I awoke, I was here. I thought I had heard your voice earlier, but I never believed… I swear on my blade I'm no ghost. My arms and legs are as sturdy as ever."
Corrin blinks, slightly shocked. Gunter doesn't seem to be joking, but those last words felt a bit lighter than his mentor's usual sentences. Corrin relaxes and doesn't question why the man might have finally gained a sense of humor. He is just happy the man is here. "It's good to see you in one piece, Gunter. I'm so glad we found you."
For Corrin, this is the best thing to happen since he's been in Valla.
Gunter joins their group and obliterates the remaining foes, while Corrin and Felicia team up to take down the boss soldier.
Azura stands in the back, lips pursed to hide a smile as she watches only Corrin.
;;;
Corrin and Felicia are smiling up at their mentor. They see Gunter's lips twitch once, but he doesn't smile. They catch up a little; though Gunter breaks the ease around the three with one question.
"Why are you here alone?"
Azura steps forwards, staring the older man down and speaking to him for the first time. "I brought them. My name is Azura, and I was a princess kidnapped from Nohr as a child."
Gunter nods, looking her up and down. "I remember you. You were very little last I saw you. I apologize on behalf of those who were unable to protect you from your Hoshidian kidnappers."
"There is no need to apologize, really…" Azura says. Her smile says that she is innocent and holds no hard feelings. Felicia tenses beside Corrin, not having seen this mask of Azura yet. If Gunter picks up on his student's unease, he hides it well. "It doesn't matter at the moment. I'd rather learn how you've survived here." Corrin has to grip Felicia's arm in order to keep the maid still, even though he is as angry as the pointed nonquestion as she is. "You are quite the knight to have avoided meeting a terrible fate."
"You seem familiar with this place, Lady Azura," Gunter says slowly. Corrin doesn't have to look to know Felicia is smirking. Gunter is too experienced to let the sickly sweet woman's expression deter from noticing the accusation in her nonquestions. "Where are we, exactly?"
Azura frowns slightly, yet still manages to look innocent. "This is Valla, an invisible kingdom tied to the world by the Bottomless Canyon."
Only through past resets does Corrin know she lies with that sentence.
"It is ruled by Anankos," Azura continues, "who wishes to destroy the entire world. So long as he remains on the Vallite throne, the world will not know peace."
"Oh," Felicia speaks up, leveling a worried look at Gunter. The man tilts his head, signalling he catches her underlying suspicions, "but, Gunter, you must be careful! If you talk about any of this when you aren't within Valla… a curse will dissolve you and you'll disappear into thin air!"
Gunter's eyebrows raise, but only Corrin and Felicia catch that small sign of disbelief. He goes for shock, voice gruff. "What? Is that possible?"
"It seems so," Corrin answers firmly. Gunter's eyes travel to him, and the prince tilts his head toward Azura. She told us. Gunter's face hardens, and Corrin decides now would be a good time to bring up the reason why they are down here. "Also, I've… made enemies of both Hoshido and Nohr."
Gunter turns to him, waiting for an explanation for this.
"I couldn't bring myself to side against either of them," never again, "so both turned on me."
Gunter stays silent, nodding. From living years in the same castle Gunter, Corrin can spot the concern aimed his way.
"I know this is a lot to ask," Corrin starts, keeping eye contact with the man on horseback, "but will you stand with me, Gunter? Knowing what I have told you."
"Of course, Lord Corrin," Gunter says firmly. Corrin forces his face to remain passive, while Felicia sags in relief. "I shall always remain at your side."
"Thank you, Gunter," Corrin says, flashing a smile at his mentor.
Thud!
Everyone turns and draws a weapon towards the three, very invisible soldiers. If not for the purple smoke curling around the soldier's feet, outlining only their legs, Corrin never would have noticed them standing there.
The middle soldier speaks. It sounds like a woman, commanding and warning them in her hissing voice. "Leave now… You should not be here."
"Who are you?" Corrin commands, Yato held in front of him. Felicia stands like a statue, fingers curled around a knife. Gunter turns his horse to fully face the new threats. Azura shifts further behind the group. A blue ball starts to form in one of the blue haired woman's hand.
"I am a mage of Valla…" the woman hisses softly to them, demanding their attention even though they can't completely see her. "You were warned. Vallite warriors, eliminate them."
"This is bad…" Azura mutters, slowly inching towards the cave exit. The sound of weapons being drawn echoes. Corrin's group slowly starts to walk backwards, eyes searching for their attackers. The ball in Azura's hand starts to fluctuate size. "I don't think we're strong enough to defeat them. Let's retreat to the other world!"
The ball in her hand breaks just as Corrin's group reaches the cave's exit archway. The group backs into the blue light without noticing, and disappears from Valla.
A sword with black energy slashes at the area where Gunter last stood.
;;;
While the group blinks at the sudden change in surroundings, Corrin turns to Azura. "It looks like we've made it back." Though how we got here…? Azura stands beside him, looking down the canyon they had originally jumped down. "Who was that woman down there? She said she was a mage…"
Azura is silent, not answering him. Corrin resists sighing. He turns back to help his friends. Barely a step away, Azura starts to speak. "When dawn turns to dusk. When dusk turns to dawn. Then the door will spawn."
"What do you mean, Azura?" Corrin says softly, his back still to her.
"My mother… She said those words to me a long time ago." Azura turns to face him, but Corrin keeps his eyes on Felicia and Gunter, the two stopping their chat to listen. "She said that when dawn turns to dusk, and dusk turns to dawn… The pass in the Bottomless Canyon opens or closes."
That could mean so many things. Corrin's eyes close in thought.
Gunter speaks up. "When the dawn turns… Hm… Oh, I get it. Once every few decades, the skies above Nohr and Hoshido will reverse. If I remember right, that should happen a few months from now."
Corrin was thinking along the lines of jumping into the Bottomless canyon at night means you jump into an open doorway. Jump in the day, and the door is closed.
"Yes." Azura says. A serious tone backs her convictions, and Corrin opens his eyes to look at her. She is still staring at him. "I'm sure that's the sign that the pass down there has opened or closed. Since we're obviously able to travel there now, it will close next time."
Corrin wonders if they could use the lake to reach Valla like he and Azura did when he sided with Nohr.
"Once it closes," Azura continues, attempting to stress this to Corrin, "it will stay that way for decades. We won't be able to get there… We don't have much time."
If not for Gunter's training, Corrin would have sighed right there and then. All eyes turn to him. Corrin stares at each of them. "If we are to attempt to free Valla, then we will need the help of both kingdoms. That means we have to convince Nohr and Hoshido to stop fighting and help us before the skies change. If we lose, then all three kingdoms will be destroyed."
"But how can we convince them?" Azura snaps, lips thinning. "We can't tell them the truth!"
"We will find another way, then." Corrin says calmly. His determination shines through the grim look on his face. Felicia straightens when he turns to her and Gunter. "Are you up for the challenge?"
Felicia smirks and bows slightly. "I'm at your service, milord."
Gunter nods. "I shall always remain at your side."
Corrin nods his thanks. "Then I think we can save Nohr and Hoshido."
"Corrin…" Azura pauses. She latches her hands around his arm, staring hard into his eyes. "I felt so powerless on my own, but together we might be able to pull something off!"
Her desired effect, to convince Corrin to put all faith in her, has the opposite effect. Felicia pulls Azura away, suddenly saying Corrin and Gunter need a little time to catch up before they call Lilith.
Gunter hands the reigns to his horse to the maid, and walks over to the prince. He stands beside the white haired man, both males staring blankly towards the ladies.
"You don't trust her, do you Lord Corrin?" Gunter asks in his gruff tone.
"I trust her," Corrin answers honestly. He has a quick, wirily smile. "I did jump off a bridge for her. What concerns me, are her thoughts. She does not come up with the best ideas - hence jumping off a bridge - and offers no explanations for her thinking. I fear we will not be able deny her requests, for the start at least. I need all the allies I can get at the moment. Be careful, because she only respects those of noble standing. You and Felicia will not sway her convictions."
As if to prove his point, Azura glides towards them; a lost looking Felicia is left standing holding the horse's reigns. She only has eyes for Corrin. "Nothing will change if we stay here. Let's return to Hoshido first. I feel like they might be more willing to listen to us."
Corrin feels differently. He might be less likely to die on the spot in Hoshido, but that half of his siblings always have a lot of anger when betrayed. If he could get Hinoka or Sakura alone, they might be willing to listen to him. If he confronts his siblings in Nohr, though, they would welcome him back and try to hide him away.
Even when it feels like he isn't choosing a side, it still feels like he is choosing a side.
"Let us call Lilith," Corrin says calmly. "We will head to Hoshido in the morning."
He wishes they could head to Nohr instead.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
Thank you, Guest, for your reviews! There really are a lot of things that the game could have done… Thank you again for your reviews, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!