"And I have a sensed a great destiny about you Lucina!"
Lucina simply stared back at the goddess. She tilted her head in confusion. "Destiny? What are you talking about?"
Palutena smiled. "Oh, you know… your fate." She replied, waving her hands nonchalantly. "What the future has in store for you. That sort of thing?"
"I see." Lucina placed her hand on her chin in deep thought. What her future has in store for her? "I don't mean to be rude… but I believe you have the wrong person. I'm just a simple princess from Altea. What would be special about me?"
The goddess tilted her head back and released a jovial laugh. "My dear you are much more than a simple princess. I have been watching you for some time now and you clearly have a noble heart of a warrior."
Lucina blushed at both the compliment and… "What a second! What do you mean you've been watching me?"
Again, Palutena waved her hand, dismissing the question. "As I said, I believe you will have an impact on the future of this region."
Lucina was curious to learn how she could make an impact but, she had more pressing issues bouncing inside her head. "But what about my friend? What happened to Corrin?"
Palutena took her staff and tapped the floor. The door behind Lucina swung open as though a gust of wind past into the room. "After you." Palutena invited Lucina to exit the room. "Let's take a walk around the palace and I shall answer all of your questions."
Knowing very well how her parents would react poorly if they knew she was going to accompany a stranger. And yet, there something comforting about Palutena. Perhaps it was the soothing light that radiated from her body. Or maybe it was how well composed she held herself. Whatever doubts Lucina had disappeared and she took the goddess's offer and left the room. Palutena followed and closed the door behind. The two started their stroll down the hall.
Their footsteps echoed through the marble hall and the air was awkward between the two. Lucina struggled to find the right words to her ask her questions without coming across as rude. She felt herself catching her breath upon catching a glimpse outside a passing window. When she had just woken up, she saw nothing but the sky, but now she had a clearer view. The palace they were in was atop a fluffy cotton clouds.
Other than the palace, Lucina could see several ancient looking buildings floating on nearby gigantic clouds. There were wonderful rainbow bridges that connected the clouds, shimmering slightly in the light of the sun. In the center, was a building that looked even more grand than the one she was in.
It looked like a cathedral of sorts. The columns outside the structure seemed to dominate over what appeared to be a well-maintained garden. The garden was also under the watchful eye of an enormous bronze statue of Palutena.
"What is that building Lady Palutena?" Lucina inquired, looking back at the goddess.
"You can relax," Palutena smiled. "You don't have to be so formal."
She looked over Lucina's shoulder to see which structure she was asking about. Her face went stony. "That building... was a place of worship."
"Was?" Lucina noted the past tense.
Palutena nodded solemnly. She gripped her staff tighter as she asked, "You have never heard of me before? Or of Skyworld?"
Lucina shook her head and the goddess sighed sadly. "Very few remember this sacred ground... but centuries ago this place was actually a part of the land below and brimming as a place of worship for peace and order. We were once a part of the region that you call Hyrule."
She gave off a thousand-yard stare as she was reflecting on a time long ago. "But why did you leave the surface?" Lucina inquired. "Were you driven out?"
Palutena simply shook her head. "I... It's not really that interesting of a story."
Lucina wanted to ask more about the topic, but the goddess looked deeply distressed. Her face wore a mask of terrible pain for something that was 'not really that interesting.' What could have made a goddess so upset? "So, we are above Hyrule now?" Lucina asked quickly, trying to find a happier topic.
"At one time, yes, however this place as you may have guessed is enchanted. It is constantly moving along with the wind. Presently, we are currently floating high above the land of Altea."
Palutena moved back from the window and silently gestured for Lucina to move along. Lucina did as she told and tore herself away from the window. She felt a little upset that she wouldn't get a chance to look outside and see a new region. However, guilt washed over her as she realized she kept sidestepping an important question.
"You saved me from those female thugs," Lucina began, trying hard to stay calm. "But how come my friend wasn't saved as well."
She looked back and saw the goddess giving her a look of deep regret. "I may be a goddess, but most of my power, much like this place, has been lost to time. I can only warp those who swear their loyalty to me or those with weak spirits with no difficulty. Anyone else and… it wears me out."
The goddess sighed and looked away from Lucina, focusing her attention on a mundane looking cardboard box along the wall. "Again, I caught a glimpse of your destiny and I saw that you were in trouble… and felt the urge to get you out of there. Upon safely brining you here, I didn't have enough energy to retrieve your friend."
"But you must have gone back and tried to save her after your recharged?" Lucina urged, trying desperately to keep the desperation out of her voice.
"…By the time my powers recharged, there was no sign of your friend or your attackers." Palutena was still avoiding looking at Lucina. "It's been three days since the attack."
Three days! Lucina had braced herself for the worst, but it still dealt a heavy blow to her. Corrin was gone and her family was surely panicking about her disappearance. Those female warriors... Lucina balled her hand into a fist just thinking about them! They said they only needed one of them alive. So, they should have taken Corrin with them!
Though that wasn't exactly a comforting thought, Lucina would take that over Corrin being dead.
"Have you tried making contact with my parents?" Lucina suddenly asked. "I'm sure they are already looking for Corrin and I."
Palutena shook her head. "I have not been able to reach Exalt Chrom. There is old magic that helps block out unwanted interference from outsiders. That is why I couldn't directly warp you up from within your borders. The only way into Altea is on foot."
"Well, what are we waiting for!" Lucina blurted out, turning around, and stormed down the hallway. Her family must be worried sick about her, and she needed to get home right away.
She had barely rounded a corner when she came to a roadblock. Palutena was standing before her, her arms crossed. "I realize your in a hurry… but how do you plan to get home? It is a long way down after all."
Lucina bit her lips. In her haste, she kind of forgotten that tiny detail. "So… how can I get home?"
"I'm not keeping you hostage… But I would request that my Captain escort you home. He must do a mission for me anyway. So, I might as well kill two birds with one stone."
The blue haired girl stared blankly at Palutena. "What's this about killing two birds?"
Palutena's eye twitched before she let out a cheerful laugh. "Forget it. Let's go meet go the captain and you shall be on your way. He should be out training some of the elite troops of my army."
Lucina wasn't exactly what to expect when she had her first glimpse Palutena's army. Back home Lucina had witness General Ike's hand picked warriors, the pride troops of Altea. Lucina felt good and well-protected just thinking about them. All she thought looking at Palutena's warriors... was laziness.
The warriors were little winged men decked in ancient looking armor that fit loosely on them. Most were just lounging around the courtyard, basking in the warmth of the sun. Lucina could see five of them sitting down at a table, exchanging cards as though they were playing a game.
Palutena was positively beaming. "These are my proud little Centurions! Aren't they wonderful?"
She swept her arms out toward the courtyard. Wonderful wouldn't come close to what Lucina thought of them as one near them rolled over in the air and let out a loud belch. Still she didn't want to be rude to her host. "They... certainly are unique."
"Of course they haven't seen much action since we are so isolated. Still they are charming and adorable."
"If you don't mind me asking." Lucina hesitated before plunging in. "Why would you need an army in the first place?"
Palutena simply shrugged. "Its more for protecting this sacred ground rather than seeking conquest. As you know, the tension between the regions in the world below is rising fast."
She looked somberly over the courtyard for a moment before snapping back to reality. "But I have come up with a plan that may avoid such a conflict."
Lucina looked back curiously at the goddess. "And what is your plan?"
"The plan is..." Palutena paused as her eyes widened. "Oh Lucina. Here comes my Captain and his elite troops!" She pointed skywards and Lucina gazed in the same direction.
Upon looking in the sky, Lucina thought it was a swarm of insects soaring towards them. Then she realized it was a pack of those Centurion rushing towards them. Several feet in front of the herd was a taller figure dressed in not armor but what looked like robes. The person looked down and upon seeing Palutena, went quickly into a steep dive, leaving his troops far behind. Lucina only got a minuscule glance as the person descended towards them at a breakneck speed. She was impressed at his speed... but then the person crashed landed right in front of them.
The brown haired boy let out a loud groan, as he laid crumbled on the ground. "This is Pit," Palutena beamed as she waved her staff above the crumbled body.
A golden shimmering mist sprinkled down from the tip of the staff and floating onto the boy. Upon contact, his entire body glowed brightly and warmly. Once the light diminished, he sat up shaking his head slightly. The light seemed to have revitalized him.
"Thanks Lady Palutena," He exclaimed, helping himself get back on his feet using a conveniently placed carboard box. Lucina got a better look at the smiling Pit now that he was on the ground. He was a few inches shorter than her and was giving the goddess he served a salute, not giving Lucina as much a single glance. "Sorry about the landing, forgot the brakes," Pit sheepishly added, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
Palutena giggled. "It's quite alright Pit." She placed her hands on Lucina's shoulders. "This is our guest Pit. The Princess of Altea, Lucina."
Pit looked Lucina up and down, his eyes momentarily halted upon seeing her sword. A little uncomfortable, she readjusted her belt, so the sword moved a little bit out of his line of sight. His eye left the sword and extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you..."
Their introduction was interrupted as the herd of soldiers had finally caught up. Like their captain, they too had a crash landing… right into Pit. Lucina was dumbfounded as she looked at the groaning mass of bodies that lay before her. Palutena let out another cheerful laugh as she again sprinkled some of her healing light onto them.
Seconds later, the elite Centurions eagerly saluted their goddess and were dismissed by Pit. They nearly tripped over each other in their hurry to run over to the tables, whipping out playing cards. Pit looked rather longingly at his men as they started shuffling their decks. "They are playing a popular trading card game Myths and Monsters," Palutena explained to the confused Lucina.
"Trading card… game?" Lucina tilted her head in wonder.
"You've never heard of Myths and Monsters?" Pit incredulously asked. "It's only the most popular game in the world! How can you not…"
He was silenced as Palutena gave him a hard look. "Pit you'll have plenty of time to play that silly game… after you complete your mission."
Hearing her words brought a twinkle in Pit's eyes. "You mean I finally get to do the mission I've been training for all my life?"
Palutena nodded and Pit let out a loud whoop! He leapt into the air; his fist pumped. "Oh yeah! I can't believe my time to shine has come at last!"
"Of course, you will be escorting dear Lucina home as well," Palutena quickly added into the mix of his excitement.
Pit's enthusiasm dropped like a falling rock. "Whaaaa… What do you mean Lady Palutena?" He looked back and forth between both women.
"Lucina wishes to return home to aid in the search of her missing friend… and as you know you will your mission."
"And what is Pit's mission?" Lucina asked Palutena, ignoring the anxious angel.
Pit opened his mouth to reply, but Palutena quieted him with another sharp look. "The conflicts between the regions are escalating more and more every day. Your friend's recent kidnapping is just one example of many issues. I feel that its time to step in and try to alleviate some of the tensions." Palutena looked skyward up at a passing cloud, her grip tightened on her staff. "I wish to bring the leaders of the four regions together here and host a peace summit to talk things over."
She lowered her head and focused on Lucina. "That is why I wish Pit to escort you home. Not because I believe you to be weak. So, he can pass along the message to Exalt Chrom because I believe its less likely he'll get hurt by arriving with you."
Pit immediately went off on a rant about how he should go solo. His voice was drowned out as Lucina stared into the distance, mulling over Palutena's words. Was this that destiny Palutena had mentioned? Helping deliver this message to her father to prevent a conflict?
She was sure it was a good idea. Although her father was hardheaded sometimes, he would listen to his tactician who would convince him to attend the peace summit. Of course, Chrom would never consider ignoring his tactician seeing as how that was his wife.
Lucina laughed at the thought of the last time Chrom had snubbed his wife… it didn't end well for him. Poor Chrom had to sleep in the stables for a week before Robin forgave him. Her laugh brought Palutena's and Pit's attention back to her. "I'm game," Lucina said with confidence. "I'll make sure the message reaches my father safely!"
Palutena clapped her hands together while Pit looked disgruntled. "Splendid! Well lets get this show on the road!"
Chrom let out a wild roar as the dismembered practice dummy collapsed to the floor of the arena. He was breathing heavily, his brow soaked with sweat. Three days. Three days have past without a single clue on Lucina's disappearance. As though she vanished into thin air.
His sword arm shaking slightly, Chrom continued to wail on the already destroyed dummy. Chrom kept swinging his blade until the dummy was nothing more than a stain of straw and wood on the floor.
"And I thought I issues," a gruff voice replied from behind Chrom.
Chrom swung around, pointing his blade inches from the person who spoke. "I am not in a good mood Ike!" Chrom growled, lowering his blade from his general's face.
Other than raising an eyebrow, Ike showed no concern that he nearly was impaled. "I thought as much," He muttered, gesturing toward Chrom's victim. "Anyway, I came to deliver a stature report."
He cleared his throat before speaking. "There have been no signs of the unknown warrirors so we don't have any clues about where they came from. But we took the time to secure the border."
"I don't give a damn about the border," Chrom spat out. "My daughters been taken, and I am worried sick! Robin's worried!"
His angst expression soften when he looked down at his sword, the original that his daughter demanded a replica of. "I just want my daughter back," Chrom whispered, a plea of desperation in his voice.
Ike crossed his arms and turned away from the Exalt. "If that what you want Chrom… all you have to do is order it."
Chrom looked back up at Ike. "Ike… I want you to bring my daughter home… and strike down anyone who gets in your way!"
Ike looked back over his shoulder. "Don't worry Chrom. They'll get no sympathy from me!"
