Chapter Nineteen

Camilla misses her little brother.

When they were younger, Corrin was the only one who would look at her with love she'd wish came from her mother. Xander and her never truly became brother and sister until little Corrin played with both of them. And the crown prince had too much on his plate to protect her once they were away from the isolated fortress.

Leo and Elise were her only younger siblings to survive the bids all the concubines made for power. Leo, because Xander favoured him. Elise, because her mother was one of the last concubines alive. And, though Xander doesn't remember, Camilla knows of at least one concubine's child that was killed before the eldest sister's own birth.

But Corrin, who would offer them smiles and hugs, unknowingly offered an escape from the politics that threatened their lives. He unknowingly brought the siblings together. He allowed Xander to relax, Camilla to love, Leo to care, and Elise a family.

Her mother, who was never allowed to visit the isolated prince, never ruined the one thing Camilla stayed fighting for. None of the concubines or Queen Arete were allowed near her little brother. So, he stayed perfectly innocent, away from the troubles of the castle.

She tried to make up for leaving him alone – isolated – by pouring affection and staying close to him whenever she visited.

For her escape was his prison.

And she's planning to go against her father's orders by locking him far away from conflict. She wants to make sure her little, innocent brother is safe.

The woman tells herself that he'll, eventually, forgive her for slaughtering his friends and secreting him away.

So, lost in her inner thoughts and worries, she doesn't see the arrow coming from the forest until it's too late.

Good thing the arrow wasn't targeted to hit them.

Camilla twists her dragon's reins, pulling on them to maneuver by instinct alone. They roll to the side, Camilla catching sight of the arrow disappearing into light, and then abruptly level out. Camilla looks back for her passenger, but finds she's alone.

There's some screaming coming from below her.

"Oh," Camilla says, eyebrow raising as her little brother appears from the forest cover, catching Flora before she hits the ground.

"Lady Camilla?" Beruka says calmly, flying up beside her. Selena looks incredulously down at the ground from her spot behind the assassin. "Your orders?"

She looks down, smiling sadly as her brother almost gets skewered by Flora's ice. "Go after the others, but leave Corrin to me."

"You got it," Selena says, jumping off Beruka's dragon.

Beruka blankly watches at the falling redhead. "…"

Camilla laughs. "We can't let her have all the fun now can we."

She dives her dragon towards the forest floor.

;;;

Corrin takes back every moment he's said he's hated fighting in a forest, because this was such a great idea.

His team has every inch of the playing field covered. Scouting ahead: great idea, thank you Kaze. Creating cover: Felicia, you're a dream. Having Takumi take out the dragons: yes, Takumi, you can go back to Sakura afterwards.

It is so easy to incapacitate Camilla's army, now that they're forced to bottleneck in the forest. And with surprise on their side, Corrin could very well say it's been one of the easier fights he's ever been in.

So, of course, it's made harder by Camilla on her knees, defeated, and asking him to kill her.

Her retainers protest, and his side is oddly silent while he gets on his knees in front of her. "No."

"It's death if I go back to father," Camilla says simply, hands clenching in her lap. "I'd rather the last thing I see be you."

"So," Corrin blinks, feeling a tear go down his cheek. "You're giving your life to me?"

"I am."

"Then you're coming with us," Corrin says, standing and holding out a hand for her. She blinks, taken aback. He glances back at Beruka and Selena. "You ladies are, too. We'll protect you from Garon. And, uh," he glances at the barely conscious soldiers, "they can, too, if they want."

Corrin squawks as he's pulled down. He can hear the Hoshido's on his side drawing weapons, but he's more focused on not suffocating from his sister's hug. "You're too cute, brother." Camilla coos.

"Stupid, too," Takumi mutters.

Corrin disengages in time to see Camilla's razorblade smile aimed behind him. "Oh? Aren't you Hoshidan Prince Takumi? Do you want a hug too?"

Takumi flinches away, and ends up knocked over when Elise bursts from the back of the group, shouting, "I want one!"

"Elise!" Camilla exclaims, scooping up her little sister with wide eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Corrin laughs and puts a hand on her back. "That's an… interesting story. Actually, everything about this is strange." He goes to help Beruka and Selena up. The assassin looks coolly at him, letting him undo her ropes but standing herself. Selena rolls her eyes and takes his hand to get up. "We've got a boat to catch, so we'll explain on the way to the next town. Someone mind helping me wake the others?"

He gets a lot of blank looks for that, but Elise is happy to start healing the downed men and women.

;;;

"You are so cute!" Camilla coos, cupping Sakura's cheeks. The Hoshidan princess just stares with wide eyes. "I could just eat you up, darling."

"P-please, don't," Sakura peeps.

"Hands off my sister!" Takumi growls, trying to break free of Beruka's grip.

Selena sits on top of Oboro, filing her nails. Her leg kicks out and trips Subaki. "I'd just let Lady Camilla get it out of her system."

"Will you two do something?" Oboro hisses, face promising murder.

Hana looks up from the ice tribe member she's treating to see her charge being petted by the purple haired woman. Her hand goes to her sword. "Lady Sakura, do you need assistance?"

"No!" Sakura squeaks, getting tackled away from the hold by Elise.

Hinata just laughs at all of them.

"Sakura can ride on your wyvern, right sis?" Elise says, hugging the red haired princess from behind. "She's never ridden a dragon before!"

"Well, we can't have that," Camilla coos, cocking her wrist to motion her dragon forward. "This is Rieve. He's part dragon, part wyvern, and an absolute sweetheart."

The large, black dragon snorts.

Sakura looks even more terrified when his red eyes meet hers.

"You can ride after," Camilla says to Takumi, who's still threatening them. Beruka looks bored, having switched her hold on him to a headlock.

Selena is giving tips to Subaki on how to get grass stains out of clothing, while Oboro tries to claw at them.

"Let me help you up, darling," Camilla says, easily bridal carrying the stuttering girl to the dragon. She lets the girl settle, and then sits behind her, holding the reins with one hand and Sakura to her chest with the other. "Are you ready?"

Sakura, eyes wide, looks to her angry and panicking brother. She tries to send a smile. He freaks out more. She turns her head to Camilla. "L-let's g-go."

Takumi only stops struggling when Sakura's laugher is heard from above the treeline.

He lets out a low whine when he sees them go upside down.

"Yah!" Elise cheers. "Go Sakura! Go Camilla!"

Beruka hides her amusement at the horrified looks the Hoshidan retainers wear. "Lady Camilla is one of the best fliers in Nohr."

"She dropped Flora," Subaki points out.

"She wasn't paying attention," Selena says, poking him with her nail file. "If she drops Sakura, Corrin won't forgive her."

"That makes a difference?" Takumi chokes out.

Camilla's retainers nod.

"Lady Camilla greatly values Lord Corrin's opinion of her," Beruka says blankly.

"It's why she didn't try to kill any of you," Selena says with a shrug. "And why we're not allowed to kill you now."

"Why would you kill us now?" Hinata asks, finally calming down.

Beruka and Selena give him matching deadpan looks. Selena waves her nail file in the air. "Do we look like team players to you?"

Subaki puts a hand on her head, making her kick him in the shin for messing up her hair. "Sorry, sorry! Just, please let Oboro up before she decides to kill everyone."

Selena gives a long suffering sigh and takes his hand. As soon as she's up, Oboro is ten feet away with an ugly look on her face. Beruka shows she isn't restraining the Prince, and that he's actually leaning on her for support. If possible, Oboro's face goes darker and she stomps away and into the forest to destroy something.

Corrin returns from helping the defeated army, watching Oboro leave. He turns to everyone –is deeply disturbed by Takumi leaning on Beruka of all people – and asks, "What did I miss?"

;;;

"Lady Sakura!"

Sakura looks wide eyed at her retainer running towards her. "Subaki? Is s-something w-wrong?"

"Nothing, my lady," he says, straightening and sending her a slight smile. "I wanted to ask if you would like to ride the rest of the way to the docks with me."

Sakura smile looks somewhat shy, but is actually a bit fearful and sad. "Um… A-are you s-sure, Subaki? I k-know you r-rather… don't like p-passengers."

"It would be my honour," Subaki says with head tilt.

"…If you're s-sure…"

"Great!" Subaki cheers, walking towards his Pegasus. "Just make sure to hold on to me, and I'll give you the best flight of your life!"

Sakura giggles and follows behind her retainer. She has to ask. "This i-isn't because o-of Camilla, i-is it?"

"N-no!" Subaki denies, shoulders squaring in his march. "I just thought you'd might like to rest and watch the world beneath us!"

"…If it is, you d-don't h-have to w-worry. A d-dragon is m-much different f-from P-Pegasus."

"It isn't my lady!"

"Hehe, a-alright Subaki."

;;;

"And you remember Lilith, Corrin's maid?" Elise says excitedly to Camilla. "She's a dragon! Well, she doesn't really look like a dragon. More like a fish or squirrel. But she can make portals! And it's so cool! We can go to other Deeprealms and it's like whole other worlds, but they don't feel different from ours, you know? I thought it might be different, but it's not!"

"Mhmm," Camilla hums half-heartedly.

Takumi ignores them when her questioning gaze moves to him. He's struggling not to smile, but he completely understands.

How do you explain the Deeprealms to someone who's never been?

Takumi has new respect for the others who held off telling him much. It sounds way too unbelievable, and – considering he's following Corrin around blindly – that's saying something. Doesn't mean he's going to assist Camilla by giving her an out of the conversation. Actually, he's having fun watching Elise purposefully dramatize everything. Making the Deeprealms sound so unbelievable that Camilla will take her mind off her problems to worry about her sister's mental health, or encourage her daydreams.

"And Corrin transformed into a dragon – it was really cool sis, he looks like a giant deer but is super friendlier – and fended off Faceless by wrestling them with his horns!"

Well, from what he's heard, she's not wrong.

;;;

"Hey, you with the sword and cute sandals!"

Hana blinks and looks down at her feet. Then to the red haired, Nohrian retainer marching up to her. "Can I help you?"

"These Deeprealm things, is it true?" Selena demands.

Hana purses her lips uncomfortably. "…Yes."

Selena blinks. Nods. Uncrosses her arms and holds out a hand. "I'm Selena, and that's Beruka."

Hana takes her hand, glancing over the redhead's shoulder to see the other retainer. Beruka seems to radiate boredom and come-closer-and-die vibes. Hana squares her shoulders and shakes. "Hana."

Selena crosses her arms again. "I wasn't lying, I love your sandals."

"Thanks?" Hana says, uncomfortable. "You should talk to Oboro. Her parents ran a kimono shop before their death."

If Selena also notices Beruka stiffen, she says nothing about it. Just nods and smiles sharply. "I will later. Right now, we want to get to know you."

Hana can't see an out, and silently curses Subaki for taking their charge off the ground. "As long as I get to ask questions too."

Selena looks almost excited. "Oh, I like you."

Somehow, Hana isn't comforted.

;;;

"Leo did what?" Camilla inhales sharply.

Takumi actually has a smile. "I'm liking this story more and more."

"Well," Elise protests, "he didn't know I was there."

"But then he didn't come back?" Camilla's hand inches towards her axe.

"He only made one warp book," Elise tries to defend him.

Takumi laughs.

Camilla frowns at the prince, and then at her sister. "The point is, he didn't tell anyone he left you with Corrin, accident or not. I know we're all on good terms now, but I could have been sent to kill you because of your actions, Elise."

Takumi stops laughing, staring with wide eyes. "You're serious."

"That's probably the best thing he could have done!" Elise says, pouting. "Corrin and I decided to claim Corrin kidnapped me, that way no one can execute me for leaving the castle!"

"You're actually serious."

"Of course," Camilla looks at him sadly. "In Nohr, a traitor's punishment is death, and it's the one law that our father is never lenient with."

"Huh," Takumi says, glancing at Corrin chatting with Felicia and Flora out of the corner of his eye. "That… makes too much sense."

;;;

"Take care, Flora," Corrin says, releasing the blue haired maid.

Felicia is a mess, tears not ending as she hugs her sister. "You better come back, you hear? I won't forgive you like Lord Corrin will if you don't!"

"What?" he asks and the two girls laugh. "Come on, I'm not that bad."

"You really are, my lord" Flora says with a bittersweet smile. "Make sure he doesn't die from trusting too much, please Felicia? He's rather too delicate for this world."

"I will," Felicia says, releasing her sister. "Take care of yourself, and say hello to father from me, please."

"Take care, sister," Flora says, waving and stepping onto the boat's plank. "My lord."

"Good luck, Flora."

And prince and maid watch until the ship carrying the members of the ice tribe is out of sight.

"I better go find the boat," Corrin says weakly. "Will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine," Felicia chokes out, smiling. "Go, shoo! I'll be with Kaze if you need me."

Corrin nods and waits until the crowd's swallowed her before going off in search of dark hair and red eyes.

;;;

"Takumi!" Elise shouts, waving him over. The Hoshidan prince grumbles, but moves towards the blonde. Oboro looks disdainfully confused. Hinata is beaming as he follows. "Takumi! Come take a look at these!"

"What are you doing without protection?" Takumi snaps, not glancing at the items in her arms.

Elise smiles widely, practically bouncing in her excitement. "Look, I got you these books! You can read them when Sakura and I play chess!"

"Don't ignore me," Takumi hisses, shoulders hunching and expression flickering to interest, and then back to serious. "Elise, you can't go around without protection. Why aren't you with Sakura, or your sister?" He sneers. It quickly changes to surprise when she practically shoves the books in his arms.

"Sakura's in the tea shop," Elise says, still smiling. She watches, giddy, as he looks through the books, "and Camilla went to order more supplies. Well? Do you like them?"

Takumi's face blanks in true shock. He wants to tell her he does. Books on Nohrian culture, strategy, and any topic he's wanted to read but could never get his hands on. "I-" He wants to say thank you. "Uh-" But one nice gesture doesn't make up for the years of pain Nohrians have caused him. And it's hard to look past the prejudice. "I-"

He shoves the books back into her arms, shaking his head angrily. "Keep your books. I don't want them. Oboro, with me. Hinata, makes sure she doesn't get kidnapped."

"Wha-" Oboro starts.

Hinata stops her with a forced, cheery, "yes Lord Takumi!"

Takumi storms past Elise, barely side-stepping when he stumbles at her heartbroken gaze. Then he sees her purse her lips in anger as he straightens and marches away. He thinks it's good. He doesn't want her to like him.

Hinata is the only one to see her eyes sparkle with a wet sheen. "Would you allow me to hold your books, Lady Elise?"

"Thank you, Hinata," Elise sniffs, holding out the books. He gladly takes them and she discretely wipes her eyes. "You can read them too, if you want!"

He laughs sheepishly. "These aren't really my preferred reading material."

Elise straightens with a wide smile. "Then let's get you something you'd like!"

"Uh- Lady Elise! Please, wait up!"

;;;

"Do you think we missed her?" the blond says, scratching his chin.

Ellie casts a sharp look around the pier. "She's here."

"How do you know?"

She points.

"Isn't that-?"

"Yep."

"I thought he was dead!"

"Same here. Guess even death wouldn't take the old man."

"Should we go-"

"Do you want Gunter to skewer you?"

"Good point. Check the other side first?"

"You bet'cha."

;;;

"Your ship leaves at five o'clock."

Corrin stumbles. He looks over his shoulder, stopping and gaping at the woman with red eyes.

Zinnia just keeps that crazy smile on her face. "Well? You hear me?"

"Yah," Corrin coughs and nods. "Yes. I heard you."

There is a lingering silence. The woman opens and closes her mouth a few times. Finally, she shakes her head and leans back on the crate she's sitting on. "So, do you know anyone who can use ice magic?"

"Yes?" Corrin says, grabbing a seat on the crate across from her.

"Good," Zinnia nods shortly. Her fingers dig into the crate. "You were supposed to battle Camilla over the water."

"That's what the script said," Corrin replies. "Thanks, for the tip about the forest."

Her smile softens before its back to crazy. "No problem, First. Did the script tell you about your Camilla-fight battlefield?"

"Um…?" Corrin raises his eyebrows.

She laughs and her hands relax. "Your blue maid froze the ocean. Which is actually a good thing. Apparently there was going to be this invisible guy popping out of a whirlpool, and trying to kill all the Hoshido siblings. And your blue haired dancer. Mainly the dancer, though."

A low whine leaves Corrin's throat. "Like Birthrights."

Zinnia looks curiously at him. "Excuse me?"

"The first path?" Corrin tries again. When she still looks at him oddly, he elaborates. "You know, where I choose Hoshido instead of going solo?"

"…You actually have a choice on where to go?" the woman asks quietly.

"Not really," Corrin sighs harshly. "I have to go through all the options. Three paths, three different ways to finish. This is my final one, and then Corrin will probably come back and take over once I reach the end."

He doesn't expect her to break into giggles. That's why he almost falls off the crate when she does.

"No wonder it's so easy to change things," Zinnia wheezes in between giggles. "She didn't take out a chunk of a world. She took out a whole timeline."

Corrin doesn't know whether to run or not. Nobody else seems bothered by the woman on the docks, laughing so hard she can't breathe. "Please, just, tell me nothing's going wrong."

Zinnia waves at him, her laugher cutting out suddenly but crazy smile never faltering. "Nothing's wrong. Well, not for you. Hey, have you ever heard of the Terminal War?"

"...Vaguely," Corrin says slowly. He blanches when her gaze suddenly goes dark. "What's wrong now?"

"I'm trying to go back in time," Zinnia says like she's commenting on the weather. Like there's nothing wrong with casual time travel. "The fact that you've heard of it means I've gone forwards. It's a good thing I'm backtracking to Awakening when you're done. They at least have multiple portals to the past."

"Nothing you're saying makes sense," Corrin tells her. "Is there a point to this, First, or do you just like talking out loud?"

Her face twists into something dangerous. She hiccups. Then giggles and relaxes. "That's a no for both. But, I've got to tell you, Corrin," she throws her arms out as she hops off the crate, "you're inside a timeline. If you want to stay and die for good, you can. You have the ability. It's why she chose you. Why she chose any of us."

His mouth is dry as he tries to come up with something to say. He settles for, "You're crazy."

She nods knowingly, tapping her head. "Two sets of memories do that. Now, anything you want to ask before I skip across the country? Recruits? Deaths? Valla?"

He sucks in a harsh breath. Waits. Zinnia looks vaguely amused. He has to ask, "How are you not dead?"

"What?" Zinnia chuckles a little.

"We can't talk about it," Corrin hisses. "The curse kills whoever mentions that place once leaving it."

Now she looks honestly surprised. And Confused. Her eyes turn blue, and she gazes him up and down. "Who told you that?"

"Azura," Corrin says, standing stiffly. When Zinnia still looks confused, he elaborates. "Blue haired dancer."

"Oh," Zinnia's eyes widen in understanding. Her irises turn red again. "Well, duh. That's because she can't talk about it without dying."

Corrin makes a wringing motion. She takes it as a cue to continue.

"She's got the curse on her. It says it's been around since she was, like, a couple years old?" Zinnia shrugs like she's not turning his world on its head. "You don't have it. I only know of it because I kept the people I pulled through from getting cursed before getting them out of Valla. I sort of… destroyed the guy that tried to curse us with it. Whoops."

"Whoops," Corrin says weakly, swaying on the spot. "Who are you?"

She goes to answer, but is cut off by someone yelling, "Zinnia!"

Her eyes widen, a relieved smile crossing her face. She turns to the sound, waving. "Over here!"

Corrin can't stop gaping as Selena breaks through the crowd and grabs the red eyed woman. "We need to talk."

Corrin chokes out, "Selena-"

The redhead cuts him a look, stopping his protest. "Sorry, Lord Corrin, but I need this woman for a few minutes."

"Probably a good idea," Zinnia agrees. She waves at Corrin, letting herself get dragged away. "Remember: five o'clock! And ice the whirlpool!"

Corrin shudders, staring blankly at the ground. He's trying to process everything, but nothing wants to stick in his head.

"Big brother!"

Corrin turns to see Elise running up to him. He goes to call out, but pauses at the sight of two, insanely strong people behind her.

"Who are they?" he asks, already knowing the answer.

Elise smiles widely and introduces her retainers. Arthur gives a dramatic handshake, while Ellie just about breaks Corrin's wrist.

And, of all the things whirling in his head, Corrin wonders how he could ever stand not living with these people.

His very dysfunctional family.

'If you want to stay and die for good, you can.'

A/N: I was hoping to get this out for the year anniversary of this story but better late than never. Thanks for reading!

Thank you, Guest, for your review! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Have a great June