Ignoring the odd feeling, Azura focused on her task. Every moment mattered in this fight, and she would not cost them their lives. She decided to sing once more, in the hope that her song would help Corrin fight. She knew it made no difference for her, but if there was any chance she could keep him safe...

She didn't care that using this dragon vein was so difficult, nor was it important that she was sinking downward. Her expanding surroundings didn't matter either, save for the ever-bigger man fighting for his life. In her head, she prayed for his success, singing as loud as she could. The dragon vein's power grew stronger and stronger, overtaking every sensation, and she passed out.

"Azura?"
The low rumbling of a giant's voice. She wanted to keep sleeping, but she knew she had a task to perform. Besides, this was Corrin's voice.
Her realization jolted her awake, eyes opening instantly.
"Corrin!" She called out, seeing his huge face, "are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered.
"I see. I'm glad..." she sighed.
"More importantly, are you all right? You fainted there for a moment."
"Yes, I'm just... Very tired," Azura answered, feeling drained of energy.
Corrin's concerned look only deepened. "This is taking a lot out of you, right? You can sleep in my pocket, I'll look after you."
"No." Azura forced herself to sit up. It was only now she realized she had been sitting in Corrin's palm, lying against his fingers. Taken aback by her difference in size, she nevertheless insisted. "Put me on your shoulder again."
Corrin raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Azura nodded, "I can't just make you do all the work, can I?"
"It's really fine..." he began, before seeing her expression turn cross. He carefully placed Azura on his shoulder. Azura stood, feeling a bit woozy, quickly sitting down. She hoped Corrin didn't see her nearly fall over, if he had he would surely have insisted she rest. She shifted her rear a bit, nestling between Corrin's shoulder and clavicle. Staring up, Corrin's ear was quite a bit further away than before. Remembering that she halved in size every time she used a dragon vein in this land, she worked out she must be about four inches tall now. She was probably too small to get on top of his head without assistance.
"All right. Let us be off," Azura instructed.
"Are you really alright, Azura?" Corrin asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm quite well. Get going!" Azura insisted.

A staircase had formed from the dragon vein, leading upwards to yet another new island. This staircase seemed quite long, and brittle looking Corrin worried. He started his climb, going higher into the sky. He felt the object on his shoulder shudder slightly.
"Are you cold, Azura?" Corrin asked.
"N-no, I'm fine!" She replied quickly, taking quite a stern tone.
The air is a bit colder here. Corrin thought. Maybe it's harsher on her because she's smaller. Fumbling in his pocket, he found a handkerchief he had been given back in Hoshido. Neatly folded, he was glad he hadn't needed to use it before now. He plucked Azura from his shoulder.
"C-Corrin!" She squeaked in alarm. He quickly wrapped the handkerchief around Azura, leaving only her head free. She wriggled around on his palm, pulling her arms out from the big blanket.
"You'll be warmer if I hold you, right?" Corrin asked, gripping the tiny Azura in his hand.
"Well, yes, but..." she stopped herself, sighing loudly, "thank you, Corrin, but I should stay on your shoulder. That way you'll be more likely to hear my song."
Corrin frowned in thought. "All right," he gave in. He placed Azura back on his shoulder.
"Thank you. This is for the best," Azura told him.
He couldn't help but worry about her, but Corrin kept going. He felt a tiny hand on his neck. Azura told herself she had to keep her hand there to stabilize her body on his shoulder, but she knew the real reason. Corrin saw through her intentions too, but didn't say anything, only smiling to himself.

The air got colder the higher Corrin climbed, the wind getting stronger. Azura was now huddling against Corrin's neck. He brought up his free hand, trying to shelter her from the wind. Though her makeshift blanket was clumsily folded round her tiny body, Azura was very glad she had it.
"Why is it so cold up here?" Corrin wondered aloud. Nohr wasn't exactly warm, but he had never felt so cold in his life.
"Anything seems possible in this place," Azura told him, trying to keep her teeth from chattering.
Finally reaching the top of the steps, there was only snow as far as Corrin could see.
"How is there snow here?" he huffed.
"J-just keep going! We have to go through it!" Azura told him. Corrin took a tentative first step into the snow. It crunched around his bare foot. Starting to shiver, Corrin wished he wore shoes.

Corrin pressed onwards. Luckily there was no snow falling, nor a blizzard blowing, but his feet felt like blocks of ice. He hoped he was bearing the brunt of this weather, worried about how it was on the shrunken songstress.
"Still with me, Azura?" he asked.
"Y-yes," she said with a small sniffle.
Corrin was frustrated. Enemies he could handle, but there was little he could do about the cold. Even Nohr seemed nice at this point. He could only grit his teeth and press on, hoping for an end to this place.