"Are you sure about this?" Chrom asked one last time as he held up the Fire Emblem to the mercenary. He was far from confident about this plan. Even if he could get it to work, he was not sure if he could seal again as that had been an accident. Looking around the room, it was easy to see several concerned expressions.

"She is the closest we may have to an expert. I am admittedly taking a risk here, but we do not have many immediate options for finding this hunter."

"It admittedly wouldn't be the first dragon we've been on the receiving end of their ire," Chrom remarked, "Very well. Let's begin."

Holding up the Fire Emblem, Chrom focused like he did back when he performed the Awakening. The idea was that it should hopefully work here as well in a similar enough manner. A few moments later, the gemstones began to glow. Byleth clutched her head in pain as her hair shifted back to the bright green as did her eyes as shown when they suddenly opened.

"You!" The other being was in charge and was clearly not happy, "You dare bring that thing here! Why I-"

"Hold on," Chrom held the Fire Emblem up again as she got increasingly aggressive, "We wanted to talk. That was an accident before, but if you're not willing to have a civil conversation, then I can just seal you again."

"Such insolence," She was not happy, but she stood down, "To talk to a goddess that way."

"We know what you are," Robin interrupted in an uncharacteristically cold tone, "The Fire Emblem wouldn't have worked if you were anything else. So drop the act."

Sothis narrowed Byleth's eyes, "Quite a bold one, aren't you?"

"I've dealt with your type before," Robin scowled, "I don't like frauds."

"We know you are a dragon," Lucina interjected more diplomatically, "And while you may be powerful, even Naga was no deity."

"Naga," That seemed to get her attention, "So a Naga sent you, is it?"

"No," Chrom answered, "She'd dead. A man in mysterious armor armed with a sword of unknown origin killed her and her daughter."

"So, the line is finally dead."

"Milady," Lucina started, "This is a serious threat. If he could kill Naga, he potentially could kill you. This world may be out of his reach for the time being, but he may yet find a way to infiltrate it."

"Yes, yes, I am quite aware," The ancient one huffed despite her age, "But what do you want of me?"

"I want a way to track him," Chrom spoke with confidence, "He's out there likely causing more death, and I want to save his would be victims where I can."

"How brave and chivalrous," The tone came mockingly, but she was considering it, "That said, I would need something to work with. As it stands, I don't even know where he hails from."

"I have his home address," Robin handed her a piece of paper, "Is that enough?"

Sothis looked at the paper, "Yes, I believe it may work. I'll need time though. My host has agreed to let me work unhindered for a change as well."

"You mean Byleth," Shez interrupted with his sword still not put away. Much like Robin, he was very put off by this business.

"Yes, yes. Same thing, but if it makes you feel better, Byleth has agreed to work with me on this until the matter is settled."

"And then you'll give her body back?"

"I don't see I have much of a choice with that thing about," She glared at the Emblem, "Why they would make such a device is beyond me."

"Because," Robin started, "Not all dragons are so full of themselves."

"Hmph, maybe they should be."

"Let's," Chrom stepped in, "Focus on the matter at hand. We can debate ethics and philosophy later."

"Right," Robin agreed begrudgingly, "In the meantime, we have preparations to make. Lucina."

"Right," Lucina quickly followed after her husband knowing he was in no mood to talk. Really, she could not blame him. It hit a bit close to home for him after all.

Lucina tapped her chin as she looked over the pegasi in the stables. King Dimitri had kindly agreed to her request to borrow one, but she still had to pick which one she would be taking with her on her mission with Robin. While she knew how to ride them, she was far from an expert in picking out a good mount.

"Here to pick a mount?" Lucina looked away from the pegasi to see a blonde woman in what seemed to be pegasus knight attire walking toward her.

"Yes. I'll be going on a mission soon, and a mount could prove invaluable."

"Ah, you must be one of the guests that His Majesty mentioned."

"He told you about that?"

"Only a select few. I'm Ingrid," She offered her hand.

"Lucina," She took it.

"Is that how pegasus knights dress where you come from? Sorry, but it is quite different from what we wear."

"Oh, no, I'm not actually a pegasus knight, but my mother was. She made sure that I knew how to fly. However, if you want combat, you'd be better off asking my mother or sister. They do actually dress somewhat similarly to you."

"How interesting. I'd love to hear more when you get back, but as for your mission," Ingrid looked over the stalls, "I think this one would be best suited for your needs."

"Um, actually, if I may, I think this one might be a better fit."

Lucina was taken aback by the soft spoken voice. He looked back to see the blue-haired girl she had assumed simply worked there. She had been there when she arrived and refused to so much as look her in the face the whole time she was there.

"Really?" Ingrid seemed surprised, "Well, I know better than to doubt your opinion on the matter at this point, Marianne."

"You're going on that mission, right? The one to the," Marianne looked around conspiratorially, "The other world?"

"I'm surprised Claude told you about that. He seems like the type to keep things close to his chest."

"Oh, it wasn't Claude who told me. It, um, it was Dimitri."

"Oh!" Ingrid's eyes widened for a moment before calming down in realization, "That makes sense I suppose."

Sensing the poor girl's discomfort, Lucina stepped in to change the subject, "Are you a pegasus knight as well?"

"No, I just really like animals. I'm usually really shy, but I feel a lot more comfortable around them."

This made Lucina smile, "Sounds kind of like my mother when she was younger. She's really good with animals too, but she was particularly nervous around my father."

"Well, I'm sure our Marianne will overcome those nerves as well," Ingrid was being supportive, but there was an underlying level of teasing with the comment.

"I-if you say so."

"So, if you aren't a pegasus knight, what role do you fill if you don't mind my asking?"

"Oh, um, in battle I'm actually a dancer. I know it must seem silly for someone so shy to be a dancer though I do more fighting than dancing it seems."

Lucina smirked, "Actually, it sounds a little familiar too. Perhaps when I get back I can share more stories of my world in exchange for some about this one?"

"I like that idea."

"I-I suppose it could be interesting."

"Good. Now I need to get this pegasus mission ready."

"We can help with that. Can't we, Marianne?"

"O-oh, yes. Of course."

Robin was walking along looking at the selection of wares and provisions the market offered that might be beneficial. It seemed he was never safe from the Anna family, however. Fortunately, he was one of the few able to haggle with the group effectively making the merchant pout and seek easier prey.

He was about to make his way back when someone ran up beside him.

"Captain," Robin greeted the young man.

"Hey," He seemed serious, "I wanted to talk to you."

"About Byleth I assume."

"Yeah, I don't like this."

"Neither do I. Trust me, I really don't."

"But can you really be sure that she'll be okay?" Shez stopped and grabbed his arm.

"You care about her, don't you?"

"I, yeah, I do. So can you tell me she's going to come back from this? This kind of stuff is terrifying. Dehumanizing."

That sounded almost like first hand experience, Robin noted, "I know. I know. She will come through this. The Fire Emblem is sort of a trump card with dragons."

"Dragon. To think that Sothis was there the whole time, and she was actually a dragon."

"Yes. It's a bit odd to me. In my world, dragons were common knowledge, and yet here it seems hardly anyone knows."

"You think there's a reason for that?"

"I have some theories, but for now just be there for Byleth. Let her know it's her that you're there for. Trust me, I believe she'll be able to hear you."

"You seem pretty confident in that."

"I heard the others."

"You mean you…"

"Wasn't quite the same. I think you have somewhere to be," Robin cut him off, "Go. Be there. You'd be surprised how much that can do."

"Right. I'll do that. Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Robin watched the young man leave. He hoped he was right.

"Come on! You're making a scene!" Nah chased after her mother with a dark jacket in her hand flowing as she ran.

"I don't wanna!" Nowi stuck her tongue out as she ran through the monastery grounds.

"Mother, please, we're supposed to avoid drawing attention to ourselves."

"Then stop chasin-woah!" As she was looking back to taunt her daughter she tripped lightly over the start of a stone path. She caught herself easily, but not before Nah caught up and forced the jacket she had found in storage over her mother's shoulders. With the top few buttons secured, Nah breathed a sigh of relief.

"There. Hopefully now you'll be a bit less conspicuous."

"Poo," Nowi pulled at the collar, "So stuffy."

"I'm sorry, but Robin ordered us to try and keep a low profile. I'm afraid that we already," Nah paused as her ears twitched slightly under her borrowed hood. Looking around, she quickly saw someone watching them intently.

"Oh, you sensed her too," Nowi seemingly forgot her displeasure at the jacket, "I wasn't sure if you could do that."

"Don't spook her," Nah tried not to make it too obvious she had seen her, but it was clear that she had. With that in mind, Nah decided to approach. "Hello. My name is Nah. This is Nowi."

"Hiya!" Nowi greeted with her usual lack of grace.

"Oh, hello," The girl curtsied politely, "My name is Flayn. Sorry if I disturbed you, but you had gained my interest. You two seem fascinating."

"You seem interesting yourself," Nah replied awkwardly, "I don't see that many people like yourself."

"Oh, I do not think I am all that impressive."

"Don't sell yourself short," The two stood there in an awkward silence with Nowi switching her gaze between the two before letting out a groan.

"This is just silly. You're a dragon," Nowi put a hand on Flayn and Nah's shoulders, "She's a dragon, I'm a dragon, we're all dragons."

"D-dragon? Whatever could you be talking about?"

Nah sighed, "Pardon my mother's lack of tact, but I think we do both know."

"Oh dear. Seteth will not like this at all."

"Don't worry about that," Nowi fully draped her arms around the two, "It's not every day we meet more people like us. Let's play!"

"Mother…"

"'Play?' I don't get to play much. Seteth doesn't really trust me spending time with, well, almost anyone."

"Well no time to start like the present," Nowi cheered, "Oh, so much to do. Where to start?"

Nah sighed again. There was no way she was stopping her mother now, but Flayn looked interested so this could be a learning experience she determined. She thought that maybe she could learn something about this world's dragons.

Chrom looked fairly nonchalant as he leaned up against a wall while Sothis in Byleth's body was doing some sort of meditation. However, he was keenly aware of any movements made. With arms crossed, Chrom was carefully watching for any signs of danger.

While this Sothis seemed more benevolent than Grima, Chrom had misgivings about anyone that would quite literally force their will on another. It was all too eerily similar to what they had already been through. He would not blame Robin for being testy. Truth be told, he did not like this either, but she was their best bet.

Then she stirred. Sothis stood and addressed Chrom, "I have your address."

"You're sure it's him?"

"There aren't exactly many options. Lucky for you, he's near the gate it seems, but I can't be much more specific. I shall write down the address."

With a few scribbles, Chrom was in possession of his target's realm at least, "Great. Thank you for your cooperation. Though, you know we can't just let you run free while I'm gone."

"Hmph, sealing me away again?"

Chrom shrugged before lifting the Fire Emblem, "Can't have you running off."

Catching Byleth before she hit the floor, Chrom sighed. He hoped they did not need Sothis again, but he doubted they would be so fortunate. Hopefully she would not be too livid when freed again.

"How is she?" Robin asked when they met up in front of the gate. It had actually been his idea to reseal Sothis to make sure she did not try to flee while they were away. Considering what she put Byleth through, he did not feel that bad about it.

"Resting," Chrom answered, "But we got the realm he was in."

"Good, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I borrowed a horse to help outrun him. It seems Lucina and I had similar ideas as to weaponry," Chrom pointed out how both of them had lances strapped to their backs.

"It would be beneficial if I'm forced to fight from my mount," Lucina hesitated for a moment, "And…."

"Falchion's bite has dulled. I noticed it too."

"Perhaps a result of not having anyone to lend them power," Robin suggested, "Just a theory though. We don't really know how they work, just that they were tied to Naga. In any case, I think you should take the disk. You'll likely need to make a quick escape. Assuming you find what you're looking for at all."

"I'll do what I can," Chrom took the relic before removing the Fire Emblem and handing it to Lucina, "We don't know what you're walking into. I want you to take this."

"Father, this is Ylisse's treasure."

"I know, and I know you'll bring it back to me," Chrom smiled.

"Very well," Lucina accepted the Emblem, "I will keep it safe."

"I'm going with you."

The trio paused to see the Queen of Valla had joined them with her ornate armor freshly polished. Chrom, however, was not exactly happy about it.

"Absolutely not. You're one of his targets."

Corrin did not seem fazed by his refusal, "You shouldn't go alone. Besides, that may make it easier to find him if he comes to you. Once you rescue his target, he'll be able to track you anyway."

"She has a point," Robin ceded.

"Please, let me do this. For my friend."

Chrom sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "Alright, fine, but you stay close. I definitely don't want to explain to your family if anything happens to you."

"Of course," She nodded, "You're in charge."

"Well, let's get going before anyone else decides to tag along," Chrom sighed.

"Be careful, Father."

"You as well. Remember, one week of reconnaissance."

"We'll be at the portal in time," Robin reassured.

"Right. Well then, let's get to it."