Chapter Fifteen

When they reach Izumo close to noon the next day, Corrin sighs in relief. "So that's Izumo's central palace. There's something… calming about it."

"Yes," Azura breathes, walking up next to him to stare at the castle. "Izumo has long been known as the kingdom of the gods. It only makes sense that the center of its power would radiate peace."

How she makes that sound condescending, Corrin doesn't know.

"It is a neutral kingdom in this war," Gunter says, trotting his horse to stand on the other side of Corrin. "I see the archduke just beyond the gate, milord."

"Then let us meet with him," Corrin says loud enough for the group behind him to hear. "Maybe he can direct on the correct path."

When Corrin sees Izana standing inside the walls, his first thought is, the man still has great hair. His second, more important thought, is, is that actually Izana, or Zola in disguise?

"I am Archduke Izana, first heir to the divine bloodline, descendant of the gods… keeper of prophecies, and winner of the best hair… five or six times? I forget."

It's Zola. Izana always makes sure to rub in how many times he's won best hair in the land.

While everyone in Corrin's group appears flabbergasted at the man's lackadaisical nature, Corrin plays along. When he insists about learning information about the Seal of Flames, Gunter surprisingly speaks up.

"Of course you haven't, you imposter." Gunter snaps, trotting his horse in front of Corrin.

"What?" Izana – Zola – sounds honestly surprised. "You're calling me an imposter? After I've prepared a feast for you all?"

"Don't be coy with me." Gunter's frown is more of a snarl. "It's plain to see you're hiding behind a magic illusion."

Corrin blinks and looks at Gunter with surprise because, no, it actually isn't. Zola is a master with his disguises. And if Gunter can tell now, why didn't he say something last reset, back on the Nohr route?

"Reveal yourself!" Gunter demands.

"Ah!" Izana's – Zola's – voice isn't the buttery, fun voice it was before. Instead, it's scratchy and whiney. "Gunter, you're no fun at all!" Zola does a twist, and is suddenly the shorter, creepy mage Corrin is used to seeing. "Eeheehee! It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Zola – I knew it was you behind that magic!" Gunter growls.

"Gunter," Azura says, grimacing and moving further to the back of the group. "Who is this?"

"This cretin is a Nohrian mage. He specializes in illusions and deception."

"Then where is the real archduke?" Corrin demands, stepping around Gunter's horse to glare at Zola.

Zola's smile is cruel. "I'm afraid it's off to jail for him – the clink, the slammer, the cooler! Oooh, the cooler! That reminds me – it's time to make use of King Garon's ice bomb! Everyone, fire! … Hehe, fire the ice bomb…"

Corrin turns around, sees Kaze and Felicia cover Sakura, and then covers his own eyes. A cold wind sweeps through. When it dies down, Corrin turns and finds the entire front of the castle is covered in ten feet tall snow drifts.

Corrin twitches. He wraps a hand around the dragon stone, activating it. Even if he can't breathe fire, having antlers has got to be good for something.

;;;

Elise pops her head out of her room. She looks both ways, and then quietly sneaks out. The door closes softly behind her.

The princess nervously tugs on a curl, but smiles brightly as she walks through the lesser-traveled sections of the castle. The servants she passes smile back at her, glad she looks to be feeling better.

The blonde stops behind a corner when she spots Niles making his way to Leo's room. She waits until he's gone before tiptoeing down the stretch of hallway. Elise waits until she can hear Niles close the door before she turns and walks the opposite way. Elise turns another corner, and then waits again.

Odin doesn't take too long to show up. Elise visibly brightens, and Odin smiles as he walks towards her.

"Hello, Lady Elise," Odin greets. "I am pleased to see you well on this bright morning! Stories of your heavy mind and body have reached the ears of Odin Dark. It is great to know your strength can surpass even the worst of illnesses, in such short time, too!"

"Thank you, Odin!" Elise chirps happily, not quite understanding what he says. "I'm glad to be feeling better, too! Just in time to travel with you guys!"

Now, Odin looks confused. "My lady? Are you truly coming to Izumo today? Is that not too dangerous?"

Elise shakes her head, smiling brightly at the blond in front of her. She makes sure to look cute, innocent, and excited. "Leo told me I could come yesterday!" She claps a hand over her mouth, as if she revealed a secret. She whispers her next words, making sure to look guilty. "But no one is supposed to know. I'm supposed to make sure no one sees me! Leo promised that I could come, as long as he didn't know I was there."

Odin smiles and nods. "No worries, Lady Elise! I, Odin Dark, shall keep your secret. We should hurry; Lord Leo will be sure to be suspicious if we are late."

Elise smiles widely, nodding fast, and follows Odin around the corner. She quietly congratulates herself. So far, so good.

Niles comes out of Leo's room.

"Odin," Niles raises an eyebrow. "Lord Leo was wondering where you were." Elise makes sure she is smiling when he spots her. "Oh, hello Lady Elise? What brings you to this part of the castle?"

"She's coming with us to Izumo," Odin announces. Niles raises both eyebrows and Elise wonders if Odin truly knows the meaning of secret. "We aren't supposed to let anyone know, though. Lord Leo told her to keep this quiet."

"Did he?" Niles says, smirking. "Well, best hurry inside Lady Elise. And do try to keep out of sight in Izumo. Odin and I have strict orders to keep an eye on Lord Leo, so we won't be around to protect you."

Elise keeps smiling and nods. "Don't worry, Niles! You won't even know I'm there!"

Niles keeps smirking and lets her in. "Of course, milady."

Elise enters the room, and sees Leo's back. She quickly moves out of sight as Leo looks over his shoulder. "Ah, Odin, glad you could make it in time."

"My apologies, Lord Leo," Odin gives a small bow and goes to stand next to the blond.

Leo nods and stands up, facing away from the group. "Make sure you are inside the circle. And please, stand still while I cast."

Elise follows the older men's leads and steps inside the large, white chalk circle. She watches as her brother flicks open a book with one hand, and makes a glowing, gold ball of magic in another. The ball gets larger and larger, and then slams into the book.

Elise is hit with a wave of vertigo. She stumbles slightly when her feet touch a different kind of flooring. It's wood. The three men don't seem phased.

"Odin, Niles," Leo starts, snapping the book in his hands shut. Elise's eyes widen as her brother starts to turn around. "Did you sense-"

A hand grabs Elise's arm and pulls her out of the room.

"- anything wrong with that teleport?"

Niles raises an eyebrow and shakes his head. Odin verbally answers, "no, milord."

"Strange," Leo mutters, looking around the room. He could have sworn it took more magic than it should have to transport them here.

;;;

Elise clenches her hands around the taller woman's arm. Odin is the last to pass by the doorway. He appears to look over. A split-second pause, and then he smiles and continues walking. Elise breathes a sigh of relief when her brother and his retainers have passed by the room they hide in.

"That was a close one," the woman says in relief. "Did you know he would have made his retainers stay with you, had he saw you?"

Elise blinks up at the strangely dressed, black haired woman. The blonde smiles widely. "Thank you for helping me. I really must be off, though."

The woman steps back, rubbing the spot where Elise had gripped her arm. "Don't worry about it. Are you going to try and release the prisoners now?"

Elise blinks. "Prisoners? Is there a Hoshidian among them?"

The woman nods, her short hair bobbing around her. "Takumi's tied up in the kitchen. The rest are in the banquet hall."

Elise purses her lips and looks at the woman's red eyes. "Will you help me get to Prince Takumi? I don't know where the kitchen is."

"Sure thing!" the woman chirps. She motions for the girl to follow her. "And I won't hurt you or anyone, your highness. Just thought I'd get that out of the way now. Oh, and it's nice to meet you."

;;;

"We've won," Corrin says firmly. Sakura runs up beside him, looking determined as they stare down Zola. Azura runs up behind them. The rest of the group is tying up the defeated soldiers in the courtyard. If it wasn't for the script, Corrin would have brought them along instead of foolishly chasing after Zola by his self. "You can't escape now, Zola. Tell us where the archduke is!"

"HA!" Zola spits the word at them. "You really think it'd be that easy? What a naïve little boy you are. I always have an escape plan!"

Corrin grits his teeth and Zola tenses. "What are you-?"

Zola lunges, and Corrin's eyes widen in horror as Zola uses black threads to pull Sakura to him.

"Ho!" Zola mutters, stroking a finger through Sakura's hair. The young girl starts to shake. "Look at me and my adorable hostage!"

Corrin can feel his older brother instincts go haywire as he restrains a growl.

"Corrin!" Sakura cries.

"Sakura!" Corrin goes to lunge forwards, but is stopped at the sight of red magic intertwining around his sister, under the black threads. Familiar looking magic. If he's here… then so is Corrin's younger brother. And Leo is better at handling magical situations than he is. "Let her go, Zola! Are you really going to stoop this low? Do the honorable thing!"

"Pfft to your honor!" Zola barks out a laugh. He releases Sakura to motion at the situation. He doesn't notice the red magic almost completely removing the restraining black threads. "I'd rather win than be honorable! After all, the winner is the one who writes the history books! Now, put down your weapons! If you don't, the girl-"

Golden magic fills the area around Zola. Sakura lets out a small shriek as she is pulled out of the way by red wires. Corrin catches her, cradling her and hiding her tears as they start to fall. A tree shoots up from the ground, impaling Zola. Then, it is gone. Just like magic.

Leo, Niles, and Odin rush past him and to the dead, fading body that was once Zola.

"You were the lowest of the low, Zola…" Leo says unkindly to the body. "Hiding behind hostages – you disgraced the entire Nohrian army."

If Corrin didn't love and understand his brother, he might think Leo's apathetic attitude terrifying.

"Leo," Corrin relaxes his shoulders and nods to his brother. He eases up his hold so Sakura can see her savours. "Niles, Odin, thank you. Thank you for saving Sakura."

Odin smiles widely, while Niles looks faintly surprised that Corrin knows his name. Leo is tense, staring down stiffly from atop his horse.

"Leo…" Corrin can feel the script fading from his tongue. "Will you and your retainers join us? We could use your aid in the battle ahead. I don't plan to fight with Nohr, nor do I plan to fight with Hoshido."

"What is it then?" Leo asks briskly. "Did you come to Izumo to seek shelter? To run from both sides?"

Corrin shakes his head once. "I have come here for guidance. There is a third enemy, one who continues to force Nohr and Hoshido to fight. I wish to know how to defeat it; how to stop it from manipulating both sides."

"What are you talking about?" Leo asks, a hint of shock breaking through his expression. Mostly there is disbelief. The disbelief is also held by Niles. Odin looks sombre.

"I have seen… things," Corrin works his best to not sound crazy. "King Garon has been controlled by this third enemy, and so I work to defeat it and end this war."

"Hmm," Leo nods. "Let's say I believe you. Then who is pulling the strings. Who is this new enemy?"

Corrin grits his teeth and looks down. "I can't give a name. I'm sorry, Leo."

Leo's voice is flat. "Unsurprising."

Corrin looks up and sees Leo's expression.

His heart breaks. It reflects on his face.

(Leo keeps going.) "I don't know why I wasted time listening to your ramblings." The blond on horseback turns to walk away.

"Leo, please!" Corrin begs, reaching a hand out. "Wait! If I can just-"

"You're a traitor," Leo's flat voice cuts through the air. He doesn't look at Corrin. "I don't want to hear your excuses."

"Why won't you listen?" Corrin begs. "Leo, why-"

"Let me make this as clear as I can…" Leo's voice is like ice. "You have abandoned our family, and I have extended you the same courtesy. I no longer think of you as my brother. Got it? I only came here to clean up that vile mage. If we ever meet again, then I will deal with you."

Gold magic starts to swarm around Corrin. The white haired man goes to push Sakura out of the way, when he registers the magic isn't threatening. (It reminds him of family.) The magic activates behind him, bursting open a hole in the wall.

"Corrin!" Sakura and Azura shout.

"I'm alright," Corrin soothes his younger sister. "We're alright. He wasn't aiming at us." He risks a glance at the wall – and part of a door – behind him. "The door to that banquet hall has seen better days, though…"

"Go on, Corrin," Leo says coldly, still not looking at him. "The real archduke should be inside. Along with the pathetic Hoshidan prince, Takumi."

"Takumi?" Sakura squeaks. She looks up at Leo. "My brother?"

Leo tenses, and then trots off. Niles rolls his eyes and follows. Odin bows, and then runs after them.

"Leo," Corrin mutters softly, watching them leave. He pretends this entire event wasn't like a dagger, twisting and cutting him inside. Corrin turns to his younger sister. "Let's go free your brother and the archduke."

Sakura walks out of his arms and looks around the hall. "And the other prisoners."

Corrin nods, looking around at the mass of people. "And the others."

;;;

"You're Hoshidan Prince Takumi!" Elise squeals with delight. She looks down at him with a wide smile. "I'm so happy to meet you! I'm Elise!"

Takumi glares at her. He tries to move, but ends up doing an odd worm because his legs are tied together and his arms are tied behind his back. The woman with black hair snorts and hides a smile behind her hands. Takumi switches his glare to her.

"She's Nohrian Princess Elise," the black haired woman says.

Takumi switches back to glare at the blonde. He tries shouting through the fabric in his mouth, but it all comes out muffled.

"I think we should keep that on a little longer," the woman says cheerfully. "It doesn't sound like he's thanking us for rescuing him."

Takumi pauses at that, looking between the two suspiciously.

"Of course he's thankful!" Elise scolds the woman. "And once we free him, he'll help us find Corrin!"

Takumi seethes.

"I think that's a no," the woman laughs.

Elise frowns. She puts her hands on her hips and stares down at the white haired prince. "Why don't you want to find Corrin? Is it 'cause he didn't choose your side? He didn't choose any side, you know?"

Takumi starts growling into his restraints.

Elise goes to take it off, but the woman puts a hand out to stop her. The woman bends down to be eye-level with the tied up prince. "Here's the deal, Prince Takumi. We are going to untie you. You're going to help Princess Elise find Corrin. Failure to comply means we leave you tied up, and you'll get handed over to Nohr and probably executed. And, on the off chance you do escape, I won't tell you where I've hidden your bow if you don't agree to side with Corrin when you meet him."

Takumi shouts through his restraints, wriggling again. The woman rolls her eyes and steps back. "That's the deal. We don't have much time, by the way, so I suggest you make up your mind fast."

Takumi glares at her, and then the princess. Elise turns on her full cute charm, and he falters. He grumbles and snarls a bit more, and then turns to the woman. He nods.

"I'm holding you to that," the woman says, bending down to undo the knots. "Your Hoshidan honor and all. Besides, you don't have to stick with Corrin. Just go along with whatever he yammers about."

"Nohrian scum," Takumi mutters in the woman's ear when she undoes the knot to the fabric in his mouth.

The woman laughs. "Nope. Sorry. Sit still so I can get your hands."

Takumi turns to Elise. "Why would a Nohrian royal help a Hoshidan escape?"

Elise looks truly sad, and Takumi feels awful for a moment.

The moment passes.

"I don't like all this fighting," Elise admits. "I never fought with my big brother." She pauses, cracks a smile. "Well, I guess you're my big brother too, now."

The pinch the woman gives Takumi stops him from saying anything to that.

"I just want you to help me find Corrin," Elise finishes.

"Why not get your other siblings to help?" Takumi asks, rubbing his now free wrists. The woman goes to work on the ropes on his legs.

Elise looks more heartbroken. Now Takumi feels like a jerk for even mentioning it. "My brothers hate that he didn't choose us, and Father has ordered my sister to kill him."

Takumi pauses at that. He looks away awkwardly. "I'm sorry to hear that."

When he looks back, his legs are unbound and the woman looks at him expectantly. Elise looks at him with big, watery eyes. Takumi angrily huffs, looks away again, but says, "I'll help you find Corrin."

"Thank you!" Elise cries happily. She hugs him, and Takumi squirms.

"Hey, get off!" he shouts, going red in embarrassment. "Stop hugging me!"

Elise leaps off and then looks to the woman. "You'll give him his bow now?"

The woman smirks and flips open a pocket on her belt. The bow comes out and hovers in air above her hand.

Takumi quickly snatches it, looking and feeling it for any damage. He glares at the woman. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," the woman huffs a chuckle. "Just a little," she waves her fingers, "magic to store it. Promise, nothing's happened to your bow."

"Come on," Elise says, grabbing Takumi's hand and pulling him towards the kitchen's door. "We have to go find our brother!"

"Stop touching me! And he's not my brother!"

"You may want to try the banquet hall!" the woman calls, watching them leave with a fond smile.

;;;

Leo returns the horse he borrowed from a loyal Nohrian. His fists clench and unclench as he makes his way towards the room set up for his departure. Odin and Niles silently follow behind.

Leo wasn't prepared to see his brother – not his brother, he has to remember - and now he's paying for it with emotions threatening to spill over. One thing Leo doesn't do, it's emotions. He is the one who does the things that need to be done. Executions, sacrifices, and lying, Leo can handle. He can do it.

He can't kill family.

Corrin isn't family.

Except he is.

Leo doesn't do emotions, but he does loyalty. Corrin broke the loyalty and trust Leo had, except he didn't. It is hard, because even after turning his back, Leo still has trust in Corrin. He wants to be loyal to his brother. He wants to be with his brother.

Leo is also smart, and realizes that his brother may not be the sanest at the moment. In fact, both brothers aren't exactly sane at the right now. Xander is trying his hardest to bring back Father, which is an impossible task. Leo knows that his father is too far gone to war and madness; a miracle couldn't bring him back. Corrin is going on about a third enemy in the war. Leo is sure they would have heard about another enemy by this point.

Leo is logical, doesn't do emotions… but really wants to believe in a happy ending. That's Elise's thing, though. Leo believes in stats, numbers, and reports.

Leo believes in family, even if he doesn't realize it.

The blond prince thinks that after he delivers his report to Xander – he will lie about Zola and his actions, of course – he is going to be in his room alone for a while. Corrin is the only person to ever see him overwhelmed, and Leo is going to keep it that way.

Leo pulls out his warp book in silence. He builds magic in one hand, the pages of the book fluttering in his other.

Then Odin speaks up. "Should we not wait for Lady Elise?"

Leo turns and lets out a startled, "what?"

His magic is so well trained, though, that it activates the warp book when his concentration snaps.

;;;

Corrin looks over from the freed archduke to the doors swinging open. His whole body freezes, and he can't believe the sight before him.

This wasn't in the script.

"Big brother!"

But he doesn't care.

"Elise!" Corrin shouts, holding out his arms. His little sister jumps at him, and he swings her around. He frantically runs his hands around her hair and face, making sure she's really there. "I'm so happy you're here, but how are you here? Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?" Elise asks, skipping out of his arms. "I'm here for you, silly. I'm going to be joining you and traveling with you, and never leaving you behind again!"

"Takumi!" Sakura gasps. She blurs by Corrin and Elise and slams into her brother.

"Sakura?" Takumi sounds confused.

Sakura starts to cry on him. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. Don't you ever get kidnapped again."

Takumi gapes around, eyes locking onto Corrin. "What are you all doing here?"

Sakura sniffs and leans back to look at her brother. "I decided to go alongside Corrin."

Takumi flinches and glares at Corrin. "So, you've turned my litter sister against Hoshido as well?"

"No!" Sakura shouts, squeezing her arms around Takumi as hard as she can, as if she's afraid to let him go. "I h-haven't! Neither has Corrin!" Corrin is so proud of her, standing up to her brother. "No one here has, actually. None of us plan to fight against Hoshido. Corrin says there's another part to this war, and we're going to stop it and end all the fighting!" Takumi cracks under her gaze. "I trust him, Takumi. He can't explain it all, but p-please, trust me, at least!"

Takumi is silent as he looks at his little sister. He runs a hand through her hair, reminding himself that she's okay.

"Takumi," Corrin starts, standing up while keeping a hand on Elise's shoulder.

Takumi sneers and opens his mouth.

"Remember what you promised!" Elise shouts, stepping forward with tears in her eyes. "Please, you said you would side with Corrin!"

Takumi's jaw clenches shut with a snap. He looks peeved, wrapping a protective arm around his sister. The prince glares at Corrin. "I may have promised to find and side with you, but I'm going to stick around and make sure my little sister is safe. If Sakura gets harmed even once in your little crusade, I'm leaving."

"Takumi," Sakura whines, eyes watering as she trembles.

Corrin nods. "Fair enough. Thank you, Takumi."

The Hoshidan prince scoffs and pulls his sister away from the group. Sakura breaks out of his grip and steps towards Corrin. Takumi's face flashes with hurt. "Sakura…"

Elise steps forwards and hugs Sakura, causing the red head to squeak. "I'm Elise, and I'm so excited to meet you! I've always wanted another sister! How long have you been travelling with Corrin?"

"A few d-days," Sakura says, blushing.

Elise lets her go and grabs her hands. "Oh? Have you seen any of his bad habits yet? He does this really weird thing at dinner where he sticks his little finger out when he drinks."

"I n-noticed."

"Elise," Corrin warns playfully. He smiles at both girls. "Would you two mind checking the other prisoners? To see if their wounds need healing?"

"You've got it, big brother," Elise says, straightening up. Corrin smiles when he hears her talking as they walk away. "You are a healer, too?"

Corrin turns and sees Takumi, arms crossed, angrily watching the two leave. When he notices Corrin watching, Takumi drops his arms and straightens. "Don't think I'll believe your story anytime soon."

Takumi walks off.

Corrin wonders why Takumi would ever believe him without even hearing the full story.

;;;

"It's okay, Izana," Corrin says softly. He is the last to leave, the archduke trying to insist he stay for a prophecy. "Take care of yourself. I'm sure we will meet again one day."

"Of course we will," Izana huffs, a hand coming to his head. "I have foreseen that, you know. That, and that Takumi's retainers are an hour's walk south. Do be careful, by the way. There is some trouble stirring in Mokushu. And I do apologize for not being able to assist with the Seal of Flames. Good luck on your search."

"Thank you, Izana," Corrin says, bowing in respect. "For the prophesies, and the meal. May peace continue to last in Izumo."

"Good luck, Corrin," Izana says, once Corrin has past Izumo's gates. "You are going to need it."

Corrin doesn't let it bother him that there was a major change to the script. He has Elise with him, and Izana didn't die.

It has been a good day so far.

;;;

()

Six year old Corrin hesitantly shuts the door to four year old Leo's room. It is the third time Leo has visited Corrin in his fort. Corrin quietly moves forwards, until he is standing behind the chair that Leo has curled up on. Corrin coughs.

Leo sits up straight, not having heard him until then. His voice is raspy. "Go away, Corrin."

"I'm sorry," Corrin blurts out. "I shouldn't have hugged you without permission. It's my fault, and you have every right to be angry with me. I promise I won't touch you without your permission ever again. Just please, please, don't leave and never come back. I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you. You're my brother, and I love you, and I don't want you to hate me."

Leo is quiet. Corrin can see the boy's shoulders shaking in the light from the fireplace.

Corrin hangs his head. "I'll leave now."

Corrin makes it to the door when Leo speaks up. "Wait." Corrin doesn't move. "I don't hate you."

Corrin quietly walks over to the chair in front of the fireplace. He and Leo lock eyes. Corrin's eyes widen and he feels guilty all over again. "You're crying."

"Yes," Leo says frostily. "And if you ever tell anyone, I'll curse you."

Corrin nods and goes to grab the other chair in the room. He drags it over to Leo. Before getting up, Corrin turns to Leo. "If you want me to leave, I'll go."

Leo lets out an aggravated sigh. "No. I don't want you to go."

Corrin nods and sits up in the chair. The siblings stare into the fire for a long time. Corrin breaks the silence. "If you ever want to cry, let me know. Promise you won't ever cry alone."

"That's a silly promise," Leo scoffs. "You won't always be around when I need to cry."

"Camilla would be there for you," Corrin says. Leo scoffs again. "But if you need to cry, come to me then. I'm always willing to listen, if you want to complain or rant or let out your feelings."

"I don't want feelings," Leo mutters and glares into the fire. "They make me feel weird."

"They can," Corrin says. "But they can also make you feel good, too. Like when I'm with family, I feel happy."

"Even when I yelled at you?"

"Not then," Corrin admits. "But now, I feel happy I'm here to help you."

"Even though I yelled at you?"

"Yes. You're family, and I will always be there for you. You, and Elise, and Camilla, and Xander, all make me happy. I don't like it when you hate me, but I love spending time with you."

Leo buries his head in his knees. Corrin hears him, though. "I love you."

Corrin whispers back, "I love you too."

And they both mean it.

;;;

()

"You're doing it wrong," Leo goads.

Corrin huffs. "I'm trying. I really am."

"You're not feeling it," Leo says.

"That's not helpful," eight year old Corrin tells him. "Maybe I just have no magic."

At Corrin's defeated expression, Leo nudges him and points to the fireplace. "It's okay. Not everyone can do magic when they first start. There are stories of people taking years to even light a fire."

"You did it as soon as you tried," Corrin says flatly. "You were five."

"I know," Leo smirks. He holds out a hand. "Here, let me guide you again, and then you can give it another shot."

Corrin grabs his younger brother's hand. Gold magic winds around their linked hands, and Leo stares into the fire.

Corrin will never tell his younger brother, but the magic he creates is almost relaxing. Leo projects all of his feelings into his magic. When being touched by the golden lines, Corrin knows how his younger brother feels towards him. There is trust, kinship, love, and a hint of jealousy. Corrin has been trying to stamp out that feeling as soon as he recognized it. He's done a good job, but it does pop up every now and then.

More importantly, Leo considers him family.

Corrin considers him family back.

The white haired boy never wants to hurt his younger sibling.

"Did you feel that?" Leo asks, looking from the now-burning log to Corrin.

Corrin blinks, having spaced out. He smiles and lets go of his brother's hand. "I still don't think I'll be able to get it."

"You won't know until you try," Leo huffs, extinguishing the log with just a thought and his magic. "Now, try."

Disclaimer: I do not own Zinnia. She is a character in the Pokémon ORAS games. All rights belong to their respective owners.

A/N: (A wild chapter has appeared.) I hope I did the characters justice here. Thanks for reading!

Thank you, prototype gear, for your review! I agree with you about pairings; it's harder than it should be to find pairing-does-not-consume-plot stories, but it's rewarding to find the good ones out there. This story may just evolve to be more meta than anyone expects, we'll have to see. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, Guest, for your review! Corrin really needs to reread the RPG handbook. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!