Unwelcome Change

Corrin winced in sympathy as a dagger from Felicia sank deep into the shoulder of the samurai locked in combat with her. The man flinched with a grunt of pain, leaving Corrin an opening to deliver a powerful upward slash with Ganglari - violet haze trailing the course of the blade as the Hoshidan was disarmed and sent toppling to his back. The sounds of combat had begun to die down behind her, and she hazarded a glance to see Gunter's lance trading blows with Kaze's flurry of movement. A strike with the wooden shaft sent the green-haired ninja down, and a knife from Jakob quelled his efforts at a renewed assault.

Considering her allies were handling themselves just fine, Corrin came to realize that her bet had been a miscalculation around the time a throwing club hit her in the square of the back. She whirled around, blade honed on the new attacker. Her armor had absorbed the brunt of the blow, but it still throbbed unpleasantly.

The culprit was a girl maybe a head shorter than her, hefting a second club as she approached with a ferocious glare. A red-feathered headdress trailed off some sort of horned mask resting atop her short white hair, accentuated by the thin crimson strokes of her face paint. She didn't have much in the way of armor compared to most Nohrian soldiers, but that only gave Corrin a clear view of the muscles rippling across her form, sweat dripping down finely-toned abs.

"Hey!"

"What?" Corrin squeaked back, raising her blade defensively as she realized the girl was talking to her.

"I said, what is your name?" the girl hissed, eyeing her up like she imagined a mountain lion might a small, delicious goat as she paced just beyond the reach of her blade.

"Oh! I'm Corrin." She frowned. "I'm sorry we have to meet like this."

The girl snorted dismissively. "I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe's honorable chieftain, blood of the dragon herself!" Rinkah roared a battle cry, charging Corrin head-on with an overhead swing of her club that sent Corrin sliding back across the reception hall's stonework. That was fine, she had the advantage with her sword. Just close the distance and-

Corrin yelped in pain, bare feet stinging as the floor began to burn. She leaped back to the safety of the raised dais in the center of the room, grimacing as Rinkah walked across the heated stone unfazed. She hadn't been remotely kidding about her blood, Corrin was sure the Dragon Vein beneath them would be sparking like wildfire had she the opportunity to tap into it herself. She didn't risk taking her eyes off her opponent again, instead tilting her head to listen. The others had to have dispatched their foes by now, and she'd be much better off fighting side by side with her allies.

"No," Father's voice thundered from the other end of the hall, halting the trot of Gunter's steed behind her. "I would see Corrin finish this Hoshidan alone."

Gunter grumbled, and if she knew Jakob he was scowling nearby. She was left little time to ponder as Rinkah pressed the attack. Her combat style was swift and violent, the momentum of the club carrying her forward in an oppressive assault. Even with the advantage of reach and height, Corrin was put on the defensive, dodging and parrying as Rinkah forced her in circles across the chamber's heart.

A particularly nasty swing sent Corrin leaping to the side, and she wasted no time capitalizing as Rinkah's club lodged itself in the stone wall she had been pressed against. A two-handed strike was barely deflected as she pulled the club free, and instinct took over as Corrin slammed the girl into the wall with her shoulder. Rinkah lunged in retaliation, blood trickling from her lip, but Ganglari struck first. The blow cleaved the club in two, sending Rinkah crumbling onto her hands and knees. Brass sizzled at her feet, and the faintest hints of fear lurked in Rinkah's fiery eyes as Corrin raised Ganglari high; edge poised, blade humming-

The moment passed as Rinkah lunged at Corrin's legs, bringing both girls to the ground in a tangle of limbs. A fist met Corrin's face - hard, and in response she sent an elbow flying into Rinkah's gut. Crawling back, Corrin rose to her feet unsteadily. Rinkah remained on the ground, coughing as she regained her breath, defeated.

Adrenaline still pumped through Corrin's veins, senses heightened, heart thrumming in her chest. With a deep exhale, she turned towards Father and her siblings.

Xander's expression was stern (as it usually was in Father's company), but he gave her an affirming nod as she made eye contact. Elise clapped and smiled back at her, while Camilla... was staring daggers at Rinkah as soldiers bound the defeated Hoshidans once more and rounded them up before the dais. Leo seemed surprisingly inscrutable, eyes scanning the chamber and only briefly meeting Corrin's own.

Kaze was the last to be collected, murmuring as he fell to his knees before the assembled royals. "So this is how it ends..."

Corrin glanced her left to see Gunter dismounting, Jakob and Felicia not far behind - wounds minimal, thankfully. Meeting her gaze, Jakob rushed forward, healing stave in hand.

She sighed as the warm light washed over her, patching cuts and mending bruises. "They're really tough, aren't they? I hope all Hoshidans aren't this strong."

"I will certainly be preparing some tea when this is done," Jakob said, wrinkling his nose. With a bow, he retreated back to the others.

Atop the dais, Father chuckled - a low, rumbling thing that caught her attention. "Well done, Corrin."

"Now, prove your resolve. Kill them."

Corrin furrowed her brow. Surely she'd misheard him? Rinkah had hit her pretty hard...

"Don't just stand there, girl," he ordered. "Finish them."

"But-" Corrin started, mouth ajar. She looked to Xander, who failed to meet her eye. "Father... they're beaten. You want me to execute helpless prisoners?"

"And what would you have me do?" He shut his eyes, running one gauntlet across his chin. "Feed them, when we could be feeding the people of Nohr? Release them, only to attack Nohr once more?"

She sputtered, mind not fully registering what was happening. "I won't do it! It's wrong!"

All at once, every light in the reception hall flickered as one. His voice rose, thundering like a storm as his eyes flung open. "You are MY CHILD. You do not DARE to defy me."

A heavy silence flooded the chamber.

Corrin suddenly felt very, very small.

Her father sighed, reaching for something beneath his cloak. "I won't argue this point any-"

His voice was swallowed up by the ringing cries of magic. Phantasmal trees ripped through the ground, vibrant and rich with life. They vanished as quickly as they appeared.

In their wake, the Hoshidan prisoners were gone.

"Father!" Leo called, turning towards him with tome in hand. "I have dispatched our enemies on behalf of our softhearted-"

"Enough!" he bellowed, though his voice lacked the roar it once held. He sounded exhausted, in fact. "I will consider this matter later. Leave me, all of you."

Xander stepped forward, "Father, I-"

"ALL OF YOU."

For a moment Xander looked like he might protest, before turning away. Her siblings followed without a word.

Jakob hurried forward, Ganglari in hand, as the group crossed the walkway back towards the royal quarters. Corrin spared him a nod, turbulent emotions not allowing for anything more. Blade secured to her side once more, she rounded on her brother.

"Leo!" she hissed. "How could you just... they were-!"

"Agreed. Now hush," he murmured, glancing back the way they'd come.

Anger gave way to confusion, then a flash of realization. "You didn't-"

"Brynhildr holds more than enough power to vaporize on impact. It has its uses in masking less powerful spells. Warp, for instance."

Corrin's eyes lit up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much, Leo. If you hadn't done anything, I..."

"Alright, alright," Leo said, holding his hands up. "Let's not get too mushy now."

She relented, containing the urge to pat his head in gratitude. "Still, I can't believe Father would-"

Xander cleared his throat. "Mind your words, little princess. Such things spread quickly in Windmire."

She turned to him, the proceedings stopped just within one of Krakenburg's many intersecting corridors. "Xander," she scoffed. "You can't possibly agree with him." She paused a beat. "Right?"

He took in a breath, seeming to consider his response carefully. "Corrin, there are words I would share with you. But not here, and not tonight."

"But, Xander-"

He lay a hand on her shoulder. "Tomorrow. You require rest just as much as any of us. Jakob and Felicia can show you to the castle's commodities."

Somewhere within, her desire to continue arguing lingered unabated. But Xander was right, it had been a long day. Their duel atop the Northern Fortress felt closer to ancient history than this morning. The immediate trouble had passed, the Hoshidans were safe. Xander was wise, anyhow, and he knew Father better than any of them. If he thought tomorrow was best, well, he probably knew what he was talking about.

Acquiescing with a nod, she bid her siblings' goodnight - absently wondering if she ought to get her armor cleaned as Jakob and Felicia led the way.

In her wake, Xander's sigh echoed down the hallway.

"Tomorrow, certainly, will be better."

Corrin sighed, a soothing warmth spreading through her body as her shoulders sank beneath the surface of the hot spring. Eyes shut, she leaned her hair against the cool stone margin, hair spread out like a wave behind her. Felicia had shown her the way to the royal bathing chambers, and gods was it worth it. A Dragon Vein conveniently controlled the temperature, and it even had healing properties - the scrapes and aches of combat fading away like a hazy dream.

Nonetheless, it only did so much to distract her from the evening's-

"Oh!" a voice exclaimed, cutting through her thoughts as they lowered themselves into the pool. "You always do keep the water rather hot."

Corrin smiled blindly, a yawn breaking through unabated as she opened her mouth to reply. "Hello, Camilla."

The water settled nearby, and she felt it cool down just so. Heat had always been comfortable to her, but she knew well that her siblings - and most of Nohr - didn't agree with it in comparison to the typical chill of the kingdom.

"I saw you head off to the baths and hoped we might have some quality time. "But..." and she could almost hear the frown in her voice. "How do you put it?"

"Dueling with unpleasant thoughts?" Corrin breathed a laugh. "Yeah, I guess I am." She rubbed her feet against the pools' stone foundation, feeling its coarse texture against her wrinkling soles.

"Do you remember that baby bird? The one I nursed back to health."

Camilla chuckled. "You wouldn't tell anyone how hurt it was, or even where it was. Xander was convinced it was some imaginary friend. Poor Jakob had to teach you how to use a stave before you were satisfied."

Corrin blinked her eyes open. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this point, but I don't remember any of that." She bounced one leg absentmindedly. "I wonder if I could still use a staff? Anyways!" she cut herself off, recalling her train of thought. "What I'm trying to say is, I feel like life is... really important. Thinking about it, I see why Father wanted the Hoshidans dead. Better them than us, I guess." A frown wormed its way across her face. "But I just don't see why we can't... work together! Hoshido has food, we have ore..."

She sighed, leaning up from the side of the pool. "Maybe I'm just weak, compared to you and Xander and Leo. But there has to be a better way than killing each other. Right?"

Camilla's violet gaze met her own from across the spring, her lavender bathing suit rippling beneath the waters. "I won't pretend to understand all of Father's decisions. I never have. But war is a messy business, dear. Father has always acted in Nohr's best interests." Her eyes took on a smoldering darkness, and it looked so strange across Camilla's usually kind, smiling features. "And Hoshido is not blameless in this, either."

Corrin couldn't help but sink deeper into the bath. "So that's it, then? War is inevitable?"

Camilla seemed to look past her, eyes locked on something unseen before snapping back to the present. "I think that's quite enough gloominess for one night. You need to relax, or you'll never sleep!"

"But, Camilla-"

"Ssh," she hushed, and Corrin sat up a little as the heat of the bath shot back up into the range she comfortably considered divine. "Trust me on this, dear. Now, tell me about where you and the retainers went for dinner! There are some lovely restaurants in the city."

"...Alright." She wrinkled her nose. "But don't think I don't notice you and Xander deflecting. I'm not a child anymore, I can handle... whatever it is."

Camilla's mouth opened in a suspiciously cooing-indicative manner, and Corrin quickly pressed on. "We found this great little steak place," she said, smiling as the memories and tastes rushed back. "And they had this delicious berry glaze..."

A swift knock roused Corrin from the haze of sleep. Pulling a blanket taut around her body, she stumbled to her feet.

"Lady Corrin," murmured a man's voice behind a golden mask through the crack in her door. "King Garon immediately requests your presence."

Corrin squinted, racking her brain as she tried to match a name to the voice. There weren't that many people at the Northern-

Her jaw hung open as memories flooded back. "Oh! Right! I'll just be a moment!" She swung the door shut, turning to her quarters. She was in Castle Krakenburg. And her father wanted to see her!

It was only as Iago led her along the castle walkways, early morning fog drifting over the subterranean fortress, that Corrin recalled the rest of yesterday's events. Was this a punishment? Had the Hoshidans been captured before they could escape?

No, she shook her head, dismissing the thought. Leo was smarter than that. Kaze and Rinkah probably were too. She'd just have to go in there and apologize. Surely he'd understand, he was her father!

The pair journeyed deeper into the central complex, past the reception hall along red velvet carpets. They came to a stop just before a set of towering double doors, intricately engraved with gold and silver. Swinging the great doors open, Iago gestured for her to follow.

Krakenburg's throne room was as intimidating as it was beautifully ornate. Metal curved across the far wall like a nest of Brynhildr's thorny trees. Great pillars flanked the walkway, boasting blazing crimson lanterns and great swathes of cloth that stretched to the ceiling. Haphazardly placed candelabras and decorative cages only added to the sense of controlled chaos. The pitch-black throne itself sat upon a raised dais, metal vines weaving into elaborate patterns of ivory and pale red above it. The entire display was handly topped off by Gunter, Felicia, Jakob, and one glowering Father. Felicia shot her a glance of sympathy.

"Corrin…" he began with a rumble. "You disobeyed a direct order from me. Ordinarily, any citizen of Nohr would face swift and harsh punishment."

She took a breath. "I understand. Please, allow me to-"

He raised a hand, and Corrin fell silent. "You are my child, Corrin. Furthermore, I still require a test of your abilities. As such, I have a mission for you. If you complete this task successfully, I shall pardon your crime in full."

Corrin smiled in relief, a hidden weight releasing from her chest. "Thank you, Father! What sort of mission?"

He gestured towards Iago, who stepped forward with a nod. "There is an abandoned fortress perched on the Hoshidan border. King Garon wishes to know if it remains serviceable. No combat will be required. However…"

A tall, burly man stepped out from the shadows of the throne as Iago trailed off - muscular form and axe at his belt betraying his profession.

"...Milady," he greeted with a gruff nod. Corrin smiled in kind.

"This is Hans," Father proclaimed. "Rest assured, he is a veteran warrior. No trouble will befall you in his company."

"Thank you again, Father. Glad to have you with us, Hans!"

"Mmmh," he grunted in response. A man of few words, then. That was fine, she'd cracked tougher shells!

"Your retainers will be accompanying you, and have made preparations for your immediate departure." Father intoned. "Do not fail me, Corrin. My mercy does not extend to third chances."

"Yes, Father," she nodded. "It shall be done. Oh, but one more thing? Have you seen Xander around? I was hoping to speak to him before we left…"

He shook his head. "Your siblings have already departed on important missions of their own. Your request will be relayed upon his return."

"Ah, that's alright! Again, thank y-"

"Enough flattery, girl," he very nearly growled. "Get on with it."

"Right!" she said with a hasty nod. "Goodbye then!"

In conclusion, Robin scrawled into his tome, Nohr sucks.

Sitting up from his position leaning against a scratchy, barren tree with a stretch, Robin slid the blue-bound book back into his cloak and took in his surroundings. Dead earth, dead trees, haphazard patches of snow, little to forage and less to hunt, sucks perfectly encapsulated his time in Nohr thus far. The morning's rabbit had less meat on its bones than his arm, and he was a beanpole!

"You're sure there's a village nearby?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in the direction of his companion. "I'm not sure we can last more than a few days out here."

Anna waved a hand dismissively, turning her gaze from the horizon. "Quit your whining, we're almost there. And if you hadn't had to spend a couple days healing, we'd be there."

Robin raised a finger. "In my defense…" and lowered it. "Well, it worked and nobody's dead. Those are really the only two requirements."

Anna glanced back, already setting off towards rolling hills. "You know, you have an awful lot of preconceived notions for an amnesiac."

Well, he pondered, she does have a point. Amnesia was usually more of a permanent affair, wasn't it? ...Not that he'd have any hard knowledge of the topic. He couldn't really complain, though. The lack of insight into his ailments and origins was disconcerting at best - a blank void where he should've had... a bit under two decades of memories, at least. If they were going to keep creeping back through sourceless facts and hazy dreams, fine by him.

"Speaking of recollection," he said, jogging to catch up with her. "You said you were going to fill me in on that whole Dragon's Gate business."

"Oh. Right." She fell into pace beside him. "The Dragon's Gate is an inter-dimensional gateway that harnesses the Astral Plane to access other lands and realities. Normally you'd use it for travel, but someone on one side can also use it to pull things through."

"...Huh," Robin murmured. "Well, that answers that. What were you doing there, then?"

"Trade secrets are gonna cost you extra."

"What, no discount for a friend?"

Anna shot him a deadpan stare. "Associates at best."

"Okay," he said, raising his palms. "That's fair." He knit his brow for a moment, debating whether or not to press on. "...Know anyone named Chrom?"

She paused mid-stride, one finger coming to rest on her chin. "Mmm, doesn't ring a bell. I'm no expert on worlds beyond Nohr and Hoshido. We compartmentalize, obviously."

"We?"

"Anna & Company." She adopted a completely alien sing-song tone. "The one and only cross-Outrealm merchant guild!"

Robin pantomimed a silent whoop. "I knew we were friends!"

They continued their walk in comfortable silence for a while longer, giving Robin plenty of time to think. "So..." he cut in. "If I came from an 'Outrealm', but the Dragon's Gate is shattered..."

"Oh," Anna waved a hand dismissively. "I can fix it. The problem lies with the Nohrian stronghold. They wanted to use the Dragon's Gate to end the war - it is a war, stagnating as it may be."

"Buuut," Robin finished. "They're the bad guys."

"King Garon and his lackeys are only interested in conquest." She let out a sigh. "The war won't end with Hoshido."

"So, what's the plan then? We go scrap together some resources, lend Hoshido a hand?"

"Maybe. First, we track down my sister." Anna cocked her head. "You're sure you want to get involved?"

Robin shrugged in response. "Not many better uses for my skillset. Besides, we make a pretty good team. I'm a tactician, you're a war profiteer..."

Anna snorted. "Gatekeeper. Believe me, if we were really trying to profit off war this place would be much worse off."

On that ominous note, Robin crested another row of hills to reveal a small, stone village nestled within a rocky taiga, lightly scattered with snow.

Rather, it had been a village. The township boasted more piles of brick and rubble than homes, and even most of those were barely intact.

Anna came up behind him, taking in the sight. "Gods, you have got to be kidding me."

"Wouldn't want to run into whatever did all this..." Robin murmured under his breath.

"Faceless. Watch my back." With that, Anna slid down the hill and took off at a brisk pace into the village, Robin cursing under his breath as he made to catch up.

By the time he had, Anna was stopped just within one of the more house-looking houses in the heart of town. Looting corpses, to his ever-joyous surprise.

"Seriously?"

"Hm?" Anna glanced up from her work. "Oh, don't worry, these guys were bandits. Look, you can tell by the hat."

Leaning over her, one of the muscular, balding men was definitely wearing a hat. A black, feathered tricorne hat boasting a poor depiction of a skull... but a hat nonetheless."

"Isn't it a little far inland for pirates?"

"Yeah," Anna murmured, tongue stuck out as she continued to rummage. "That was kind of their thing. My sister left a sign, she made it out fine. Once I finish up here we can skip town before any Faceless catch our scent."

"Just so we're on the same page, I have no idea what a Faceless is-"

His questioning was cut off by a roar, as some sort of creature smashed down the building's only intact wall. It was a hulking thing, all rippling diseased muscle - easily the size of two or three ordinary men. Straps and nails littered its skin, topped off by a steel mask covering its head like some sort of...

"That's a Faceless!" Anna shouted, raising her bow. "Go for the joints!"

"Way ahead of you!" Robin shot back, tome in hand. "ARCFIRE!"

The sizzling fireball buried itself in the Faceless' leg, the scent of melting flesh joining its awful, shuddering cries as it stumbled forward... and stood back up, the remains of another wall crumbling beneath the weight of one arm.

Does nothing stay dead these days? Robin grimaced, tome poised just as the Faceless raised another massive fist-

Only to be pierced clean through the heart (or at least where the heart should be) by a smoking, blackened blade - the Faceless collapsing to reveal a girl in silver armor with long, pale hair.

"Are you alright?" she asked, red eyes (why did that set him on edge?) glowing with concern. Behind her, what must have been her comrades contended with a few more of the monsters. It wasn't much of a fight, to be honest - a man and woman in servants attire ran circles around the Faceless, and they posed little threat to the grizzled old knight on horseback and a lightly-armored man with axe in hand.

Yeah, we're still in one piece. I'm Robin, and this-" He glanced back to Anna - who was right back to her looting. It wasn't even noteworthy at this point. "-is Anna."

"Anna?" she asked, glancing past him. "I just met one of your, uh..."

"Sisters," Anna said with a polite smile. "Thanks for the save, but my friend and I aught to get back on the road-"

"Hang on," Robin cut in, holding up a hand. "Where's your group heading?" She was clearly some sort of noble, and a well-armed one. The lack of armor prominently featuring ominous cloaks or blackened skulls also happened to be a plus in his book.

"Oh, we're on our way to the Hoshidan border. I'm Corrin," she said with a smile. "If you're going the same way-"

"We're not."

"We are!" Robin responded, shooting Anna a questioning look. "As a matter of fact, I'm a tactician. If you're going to end up in any more scrapes like this, my friend and I would be happy to accompany you."

Corrin nodded thoughtfully. "That would come in handy if we run into more of these monsters. My little brother is the more strategically minded of the family," she said, smiling apologetically. "I don't have any parchment on me, but Nohr recognizes verbal contracts for arrangements made on the field - so I can compensate you for your help."

At the mention of coin Robin glared Anna's way, and she replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "That's... agreeable," she finally relented. "What's your business at the border?"

Corrin waved a hand. "Oh, just scouting an abandoned fortress, it should be quick. Now!" she exclaimed. "I, Corrin Krakenburg, welcome you, Robin and Anna, into my service under the Kingdom of Nohr - with promise of compensation upon the completion of our mission." She coughed, dropping the formal tone as she cleared her throat. "Did I do that right, Jakob?"

"Indeed, milady." the butler from before affirmed. "If we return to the road now, we should arrive at the border by late afternoon."

"That's that, then. Good to have you two on-board!" she said, shaking Anna's hand and Robin's in turn.

"Likewise," he grinned. "Let's hope it's smooth sailing from here."

As they followed the group back to their horses, Robin fell into pace beside Anna. "What was that all about?"

Anna looked back to him, mouth knit into a smirk. "Oh, nothing. You'll figure it out."

Corrin looked ahead, squinting at the sky as it began to darken and rumble. The legends had been accurate, this place really was shrouded in endless storms. The back of her neck bristled unpleasantly. First the Faceless (Why weren't soldiers protecting that village, or at least hunting them down?), now this sense of eeriness... finding Anna and Robin had really been the only positive of this trip so far. Neither of them had horses, so the group was doubling up - Anna behind Gunter, Robin behind her on Faxi. They'd made pleasant small-talk so far, but Anna seemed pretty tight-lipped. Much like someone else I know, she thought, casting a rueful glare towards Hans. He was taking... longer than anticipated. Maybe he was just that much of a professional?

Gunter raised a hand, looking her way. "We should leave the horses here and continue on foot. We've been told the fortress is abandoned, but caution would be prudent nonetheless."

Nodding in agreement, she curved Faxi in the direction of a gnarled grove of trees, the others following suit as they dismounted and tied up their horses. Eager to continue her conversation with the one new friend she was making, she turned back to Robin.

"So!" she began. "I saw your tome back in the village. You're a mage? I could never get the hang of tomes myself."

Robin hummed an affirmation. "I.." he paused, brow furrowed in though. "Well, I guess it just came naturally to me. Though, speaking of!" he exclaimed. "I'd really like to get my hands on a-" he paused, words cut off by a rumble that could almost be mistaken for thunder.

"We have some bread and meat packed," she offered, stifling a laugh. "We might be able to stop to eat in the fortress depending on its condition."

"Hah," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "A sandwich sounds great right about now."

"You sound like Leo," she laughed mirthfully. "He's a mage too, actually! I bet you two would get on great."

He paused, turning her way. "Leo?"

"Mhm," she nodded. "I mentioned him earlier, he's my little brother."

Robin broke into a cough, which itself broke into a heaving fit as he glanced Anna's way. Corrin leaped forward, patting his back worriedly. "Robin? Are you alright?"

"F-fine..." he gasped. "I'm fine, really," he claimed, raising a hand and straightening up once more. "Corrin- I mean, Princess Corrin! Milady. Forgive my dreadful manners! I didn't realize-"

"It's fine, really!" she reassured. "Just Corrin is fine. If we're going to be allies, I'd like to be equals as well. I tell my retainers the same thing."

Granted, they'd never once listened to her - but that was an unnecessary detail, really.

Clearing his throat, Robin shook his head. "Just, uh, caught me off-guard is all. Tactics and surprises don't mix."

She snorted. "Now you really sound like Leo."

"Imagine that," he grinned. Well, maybe more of a grimace...

"So, where were we," he pressed on. "No dark magic for you?"

Corrin shrugged. "I'm sure Leo tried to teach me at some point, but it never stuck. Why do you ask?"

"Well," Robin began. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you stink of the stuff. I thought it was the Faceless at first, but they're a few hours back by now."

"Really?" she said, cocking her head in curiosity. "It's not uncommon in Nohr, but like I said I never had a talent for it. How can you tell?"

"It's a mage thing," Robin answered. "I assume. That sword of yours doesn't help."

"Oh, Ganglari?" She patted the hilt, recent events ghosting the edge of her mind once more. "They're a gift from my father."

"...They?" he said almost warily.

"Well, they have an eye, so..." Corrin unsheathed the blade, revealing Ganglari's unblinking red pupil.

Robin looked down at the sword with an unreadable expression. "...That's an eye alright." She got the impression he wasn't enthused about that fact.

"Er, so," he said, changing the subject. "My point is you should be careful. Dark magic has a lot of uses, some of them volatile. Those Faceless, for example - they're roaming about because their summoners lost control of them. It's a... messier scene than Anima."

Corrin nodded thoughtfully. She appreciated the concern, but Ganglari had been a gift. It wasn't as if she could just throw them away - what would she say to Father? Besides, they wouldn't hurt a fly! ...Any more than swords normally hurt flies, that was. The two of them were partners now! That was the impression she'd always gotten from her brothers and their divine weapons, at least.

Gunter called from up ahead. "The fortress lies ahead. We'll be crossing the bridge across the Bottomless Canyon - slowly, single-file. Those who fall in never return."

Robin turned to her as the party proceeded. "So, the border is across this..." he trailed off, eyes betraying a vague sense of dread. "...Bottomless Canyon?"

"It is the border," Corrin corrected. "Isn't that where you were going?"

Robin grimaced. "Er, yeah. Something's just not right about this place. It's got an... energy to it."

"Mage thing?"

"Call it tactical intuition. So..." he said. "Maybe we can stop for those sandwiches a bit further off from the eternal darkness?"

She laughed openly, patting the back of his head. "Oh, it's not so bad. I've been living in a fortress for most of my life, this is downright exciting!"

He simply shrugged in response, a small smile revealing itself. "As you say."

Just as Gunter had warned, the party was arriving on the edge of the canyon. It truly was immense, a cavernous swathe of shadow vanishing into the earth - only briefly lit by flashes of lightning above. A rickety wooden bridge stretched a ways off to a suspended pillar of earth, and from there wider, sturdier paths stretched to the fortress proper. With the poor visibility of the storm, they'd at least have to cross the first bridge. Nodding to the others, Corrin took the first careful step - calloused soles meeting worn wooden plank. Robin followed behind, and thankfully didn't seem to mind the height either. Her heart panged for Jakob, who she knew would be struggling to keep his gaze forward.

"Uh," Robin's voice cut through a blast of thunder. "You did say this was an abandoned fort, right?"

Her response was interrupted by the now-familiar schiiing of a blade being drawn from its scabbard. A Hoshidan samurai stood before her atop the earthen pillar, katana in hand. Squinting through the haze she could make out more of them now, taking up defensive positions across the 'abandoned' fort.

"Hold!" the man before her shouted. He sounded young. Just older than Elise, maybe. "Crossing this bridge is a violation of our border treaty! Turn back at once, or we'll be forced to attack!"

The samurai's teeth chattered in the bitter chill.

Corrin lowered Ganglari, holding out one palm. "We mean you no harm, soldiers of Hoshido!" She glanced back to Gunter, who nodded approvingly. Keeping her party in sight, she pressed on. "We only came to survey. We're going to turn back and report to Father."

The first lesson Xander had drilled into her head had seemed deceptively obvious. "Never take your eyes off your opponent. There are no guarantees in war, and little honor to be found. Those who can take advantage of you, will."

She'd figured after taking a dozen or so hits to the side with a training sword, that lesson had become second nature. But with her eyes turned from the Hoshidan onto her own forces, she'd never been more glad to have broken a rule.

It almost happened in slow motion. Hans was looking past her, and that was her only warning as he shoved through and made a beeline for the Hoshidan - separated from them by ten feet of bridge.

Tactics, tactics, tactics. Hans was about to murder a kid in cold blood, he was out of range - Jakob had knives, Gunter could throw his lance, Robin could-

"ROBIN!" she shouted. His words were lost to the storm, but his spell was not - a sparking golden bolt of lightning that hit Hans square in the shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground halfway through his charge.

"Bastard!" he grunted, making to stand up, but Corrin wasted no time. She charged forward, Ganglari raised high; heart beating, edge poised, blade humming.

Killing was a strange thing. It felt more like something happening to someone else, someone far away. But her hands gripped Ganglari's hilt, and Hans's blood coated its surface as his lifeless body tumbled into the canyon.

She was breathing hard. Crying, maybe. There were other voices, but they were swallowed up by the storm. The Hoshidan boy stared at her wide-eyed, turning back as he fled to his comrades. Her head buzzed, violet flames flooding her vision.

Corrin blinked in confusion. All of a sudden, she was far away. Too far away.

She was-

She hit the side of the canyon hard, hiss of pain muffled by the thundering storm. Lunging out, she tried to grip the rock wall only to slip down its smooth surface.

Darkness closed in as the bridge faded from sight.

The earth and the wind roared in time with her beating heart.

"MY KIN."

"MY BLOOD."

"MY CHILD."

"IN THE NAME OF THE KING OF VALLA."

"RETURN HOME."

:)

Up next is Chapter 6: Seal of Song

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