Keiji goes with Subaki to his first war council as a retainer for Hoshidan royalty.

Conflict

Lady Corrin and her siblings' advance into Nohrian lands will be halted if they can't defeat Camilla's army. With battle not far on the horizon, you've decided to spend your precious free time with a friend. Anything to forget your woes on this, a night that could be your last.

Subaki flashes a smile and passes the bottle of sake. You take a hearty sip, basking in the wonderful late-afternoon view. A wide lake of pure (crystal clear) water stretches out before you, and an orange sunset calms you with its soothing light. The trees sway gently in the breeze. Crickets chirp whimsical melodies all the while, uncaring of the world's pains.

Friends. Everybody needs them. No matter how much they say it's easier to cope with the burdens of life alone. The days since your dinner with Corrin have left you with more than enough to think about. Both about love and war. It isn't easy to admit one's shortcomings, but you feel it's the right thing to do - no matter how adamant you've oftentimes been with facing life's troubles alone.

"I feel somewhat guilty, Subaki," you tell the sky knight. "I know giving my heart to more than one woman isn't right... especially when both have such pure and honest feelings. My dear mother certainly wouldn't approve. She's a Shrine Maiden. To her there's value in companionship and trust. She'd rather see me married, not tripping over myself like I have been for so very long."

"You've been through plenty, Keiji, we all have," answers Subaki. "And it isn't as though you can't sidestep talk of marriage in your next letter home."

A fair and straightforward opinion on Subaki's part, yes. Even if you don't, Mother will worry for you regardless. "I wish it were that easy," you sigh, taking back a mouthful of sake before passing the bottle. "Yes, I'm a man of status now, but I've struggled to manage my affections since... Hana. Now, I'm in a bind - courting two fair ladies when neither knows about the other. Tis not something I can tell Mother easily."

Subaki whistles in what you imagine is awe of your predicament. "A bind indeed," he agrees. "Very risky. Tell me, my roguish friend. Just who are these two?"

"Miss Felicia," you admit, bowing your head. "And Lady Corrin."

"I see your trouble there, alright. They're both lovely women." Subaki pauses, and sighs. "And you've still no intention of fixing things with Hana?"

Your heart twinges. Pained by the past, you shake your head. "I struggle to look her in the eye at times, let alone try to fix what was taken from us. I just... can't." A sour taste builds in your mouth. "I don't think I have it in me after surviving such a massacre"

Noticing the pain to your voice, Subaki bows his head respectfully. "I figured as much. Sorry for bringing it up."

"No harm done." You inhale and exhale deeply to calm your gloomy thoughts. "We're friends. Tis what friends do, talk about their woes."

"Though some more than others," your comrade jokes, a brow raised. "And not usually you, Keiji of Izami. Might I ask why you're being so open?"

You've always believed in Subaki. He carries the weight of the army on his back - all while appearing calm and perfectly in control.

"You can thank Lady Corrin," you answer. "We talked over dinner, and she gave me pause for thought - about the war. I think that maybe I should aim toward helping her build a better future - by showing the Nohrians a better path. A life where I'm fuelled by far less anger."

"So the princess twisted your arm, did she?" your friend chuckles, giving you a supportive slap on the back to lighten the mood. "I'm glad to hear it."

You chuckle weakly, "Thank you." You then take a swig of sake and pass the bottle.

"Anytime. Anytime at all. And you know what? I think our Lady Corrin has the right of it. Perhaps we can show the Nohrians a better way. Maybe."

"I'm willing to try, for her sake. And because a pledge is a pledge."

For a time you and Subaki keep passing the sake back and forth, each taking hearty sips of warm rice wine

Your dearest mother comes to mind. You see her smiling at you your mind's eye - welcoming you home with a warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek. You're her only son - the living reminder of all she loves and holds dear. She was proud when you took up father's sword and joined the army, but she has very traditional views when it comes to matters of romance.

You can't let her down. Not your only living parent. Therefore, you must make a hard decision.

You let out a sigh, shaking your head. "I have to stand tall and take the hand of one woman, and if I hurt the other I'll bow at her feet and apologize for my folly, like a real man. It's the right thing to do. The last thing I'd want is to disappoint my mother."

"It's for the best, friend," Subaki comments. "If we went about our romances like Nohrians we'd have lovers all over the place. That besides, anybody can be foolish, but it takes somebody with compassion to admit it. Everybody has his or her struggles. Even me," Subaki adds with a thin smile. Getting to his feet, he stretches out his stiff arms.

"You? Struggle? I don't believe it a second," you fire back, standing as well. "You're a one man army. No challenge is too large. You said so yourself."

"If only, Keiji," the Sky Knight frowns, folding his arms behind his back as he walks. While he seems calm and in control, you can't help but notice a small red flush to his cheeks. "I suppose it's the same thing that you're struggling with. Although it's far less of a problem to me. I've got it well in hand."

"Women," you conclude. "Now there's a surprise." Subaki was the last person you expected to struggle with the affections of a girl. It was the very reason you came to him in the first place; there's nobody more outgoing. "The man who felled an entire gang of bandits is struggling with the ladies as well?"

"Oh be quiet," Subaki laughs, punching your army light-heartedly. His smirk widens into a full-fledged smile. "It's not just some simple village lass I'm after. I'll only settle for the most precious girl Hoshido has to offer. You know me."

Subaki's powerful declaration peaks your interest. "I wonder, good sir. Who might this lucky lady be?"

A wink from the sky knight. "Lady Sakura. I plan to ask for Lady Sakura's hand."

"In that case... I'll get everything in order on my side. Then we can hold a double celebration when you confess."

"Aye, Keiji. That sounds like a fine idea!" The two of you shake on it. A promise. "Now then, we have a strategy meeting, don't we?"

You nod, withdrawing your hand. "Indeed we do, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous."

It's your first strategy meeting as a retainer, after all.

"You'll be fine," Subaki reassures you coolly. "Just follow my lead, and be respectful when asking the royals questions, most of all."

"I hear you," you nod understandingly. Well then... Best we don't keep Lord Ryoma waiting."

You and Subaki pass the mighty sundial in the middle of Fort Dawnlight Square. Its detailed Hoshidan artistry and marvellous stonework fill you with a sense of pride. Sadly, it does little to settle your nerves. To the left of you is the mess hall, where Felicia usually spends the evening hours before bed. To the right, Corrin's treehouse home climbs into the sky - almost as high as the walls protecting the fortress.

Arriving outside of the War Room with your comrade, you breathe in and out to steady yourself.

"Sir Subaki, Sir Keiji," the samurai standing watch greets you both with a bow. "They're waiting for you."

Soldiers treating you with such respect is still surreal. Although you're not against it, in truth.

"Very good," Subaki says to the guard, patting his shoulder. "At ease." He glances back at you. "And remember, keep it calm."

"I'm hearing you." You breathe in and out one more time. "I'm calm, very calm."

"Good. Let's go then."

Subaki inside the war room. You follow.

Lord Ryoma stands at the head of a large circular table at the room's centre. To his left are Corrin and Sakura. Standing off to the side of the eldest Hoshidan sibling is Kagero. Arms folded and standing watch intently, she spares you and Subaki a glance as you pass.

You and Subaki take your places at the right-hand side of the table. Laid out across it is a large map of the Nohrian kingdom. Scrawled with markings and covered in troop markers, it serves as a well-detailed indicator of the current conflict with the Nohrians.

"As I was saying," Ryoma resumes, having paused as you and Subaki stepped inside, "Camilla intends to face us on the outskirts of Macarath. Kagero and several other kunoichi were tracking their movements. That was, until they were enshrouded by some sort of magical incantation: a dark fog."

"Correct," follows Kagero, pushing off the wall and taking her place at the table between yourself and Subaki. She points toward a Nohrian troop marker, which you assume represents Camilla's forces. "We tracked them as far as Graystone Village. That was when the incantation was cast. Once the enshrouding smoke dissipated, the entire army had vanished without a trace - several hundred men and women."

Subaki whistles, folding his arms. "Now there's something you don't hear every day. What could it mean?"

"Hell if I know," you answer, shrugging. It's the first you've heard of such a thing.

"Whatever the case," Ryoma speaks up, steely and serious, "I have doubled our patrols both here and outside of the Astral Plane. Furthermore," he continues, pointing toward the large town of Cheve on the map. "I would have Sakura and a large protective garrison stationed at Cheve, for safety's sake. Until Hinoka returns from Shirasagi with further reinforcements and we conclude our negotiations with Miss Scarlett, we are short-handed."

"Then what of our plans to liberate the Ice Tribe Village?" asks Corrin, settling a finger over the settlement. "With Brother Takumi still recovering, who will lead the effort to liberate those poor souls from Camilla's garrison?"

"Kagero and I are still considering our options," Ryoma informs his sister. "In the meantime-"

Horns sounds up across fortress. You freeze to the spot.

A samurai rushes into the war room, bowing hastily for Lord Ryoma. "We have a problem, milord!" he informs the royal, panicked.

Calm and collected, Ryoma ushers the soldier to his side. "What is happening?"

"A Nohrian force has materialized from a sphere of darkened energy, just a short ways outside of Fort Dawnlight. The invaders number two-hundred strong!"

"Then what we saw earlier must have been some kind of teleportation spell," Kagero surmises, frowning.

"Whatever the case, we've no time to dwell on it," Ryoma tells her. Eyes alive with purpose, he looks now to Corrin. "Sister, will you lead the defence while Kagero and I muster additional reinforcements from the barracks?"

"Of course," the dragoness agrees. She looks to you next. "Keiji, come with me."

"As you command, milady." You bow for your mistress, eager to serve. Corrin rushes out of the war room thereafter. You stay hot on her heels.

Outside, the windows of Fort Dawnlight's many buildings are alive with lights. Soldiers are hurrying across the pathways. Forming defensive lines, they shouting orders back and forth. "They're here! They've sent their forces into the Astral Plane!" you overhear one of them yell.

You stand at the ready, drawing your father's sword from its sheathe. Adrenaline coursing though you, you focus.

"Milady," you petition Corrin, touching a hand to her shoulder for a moment. "Are you ready?"

Corrin steals a quick squeeze of your free hand, and nods. "Uh-huh, I'm more than ready for these Nohrians and their dirty tricks." Bold declaration made, she pulls a shimmering stone from her pocket. You've seen it before - her Dragonstone. "If Camilla wishes to ambush us, I won't forgive her. There are innocent people here in the Astral Plane, servants and the like. We must protect them."

You couldn't agree more. "All the more reason we hold fast."

You eye the magical stone in Corrin's hands. The all-powerful object pulses with rainbow light, its energies consuming the princess in an almighty flash.

You whip your free hand in front of your eyes as a shield. Once the blinding light clears, you lower your hand once more. Corrin stands on all-fours, proud and powerful in her draconian form. Her skin is a hardened carapace, and two majestic horns have sprouted from her head. Invigorated, she slams her hooves into the concrete, cracking it. She declares her presence to her allies and enemies with an immense roar, her wings beating strongly.

"Lady Corrin," you utter, awestruck. "...That was outstanding, if the slightest bit scary."

"Fear not, Keiji," says the princess comfortingly, lowering her head for you. "It's still me in here." You brush a hand over one of her wings, touching the surface of her course outer-skin. "It's our duty to protect the people here. Stand by me, won't you?"

"I will, my lady. If need be, I'll give my life."

"Lady Corrin!" Felicia calls out to the left if you. Bursting into view a couple of seconds later, she skids to an uneasy stop next to you. She just barely avoids falling flat on her face. Huffing out a breath, she stands straight. "I'm here! Ready to serve!"

Looking between you both, Corrin bares her fangs graciously. "Thank you, both of you."

The three look to Fort Dawnlight proper. There are three entry points into Central Square. The one to the north stands protected by rows upon rows of samurai. Lord Ryoma, Kagero and Lady Sakura guard the eastward entrance. Subaki and Saizo are helping too, working in perfect unison to push back the black-armour-clad invaders. Ahead of you, a thin number of guards protect the northern path, and the Nohrians are pushing hard.

You bow on hand and knee to Lady Corrin. Felicia follows suit, holding onto your arm to support her poor balance.

"Your orders, Milady?" the two of you ask in unison.

Corrin flaps her wings, giving a swing of her mighty tail. She pans from left to right, eying the situation with her usual calm judgement. "We don't have enough men. Felicia, Keiji, sure up the northern gateway for us. I'll gather what support I can and join you there shortly."

"Understood." Together, you and Felicia rise to your feet. Then you run ahead to help.

"There are too many," you hear a soldier scream as you arrive by the northern entrance. Nohrian cavalrymen break through the handful of overwhelmed defenders, crushing many underfoot and condemning the rest to cold steel. What little who survive the onslaught form together around you and Felicia.

You take up a leadership position at the head of your beleaguered comrades. You'll protect everyone you can. No matter the cost.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite Hoshidan samurai," announces an all too familiar blonde axewoman, strolling calmly over the broken Hoshidan bodies littering the northern entranceway. You lock eyes with her, taking in her features with disgust.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Freckled cheeks. A sickening smile. "Charlotte," you snarl. Scowling, you fall into a combat-ready position.

"Hello again, Keiji. And yes, I learned your name," the blonde winks, "from one of our many captives." She pulls her axe from behind her back, gripping the massive behemoth in to strong hands. "Lady Camilla commanded I lead the first attack, and I had to redeem myself after our last meeting."

Gripping your katana's hilt tighter, you stir the girl down. "You're not getting past me," you state hatefully. "Not this time."

"We'll see, won't we?" Charlotte scoffs. "Cuz this time around, I'm alone."

A girl adorned in a red and brown gambeson with black trousers and gloves steps out from behind Charlotte. She's short of stature and youthful. Striking red twintails hang loosely down her back. "I can't believe Lady Camilla asked me to help you," the unknown woman scoffs, eying you with daggers. "But what Lady Camilla wants, she gets. What do you want from me, Charlotte?"

"Break his arms and drag him with us please, Selena," the busty lass orders with a wink. "And don't take any chances, especially after last time."

"Consider it done. He doesn't look like a threat to me," Selena surmises dismissively, unsheathing a shimmering steel sword.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Felicia shouts, tossing a pair of daggers at Charlotte.

Selena zips ahead of her, quick and agile. A swing of her blade knocks the projectiles from the air and sends them clattering to the crimson-stained concrete.

"Keiji!" Felicia calls out, falling in at your side. "I'll protect you," she promises, drawing a fresh knife. "Aim for the blonde. I've got the other one."

Charlotte sneers at her. "Doubtful. You'll be done before Lady Camilla gets here. Then we'll drag that sister of hers back to Nohr in chains. Let's go, Selena!"

"Way ahead of you," the redhead answers, rushing Felicia.

You temper your blade and step forward, ready to put an end to this.

For Hoshido you'll stand tall. For Corrin and Felicia, too.

Anything for the women you love.

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