April 10th, 1506 AD
August looked out his window to see the rising sun beneath the darkened sky. Ravens cawing in the distance had reached his ears from within the fort. It's been four years since he first arrived in Nohr. Yet he could remember being hauled up to Gunter vividly. Now, it was to be the first in a long time that he would be able to travel once again.
His destination was Notre Sagesse, his home country. A few days ago, he was sent a message by a carrier falcon from the Rainbow Sage. He was asked to visit him, as if he were an aging father. Normally, August would have scoffed off such a request… However, he knew that his master wouldn't have gone out of his way unless it was important. And once he was sent this, his higher ups immediately allowed his visit‒ most likely due to the authority that the Rainbow Sage carried with him.
He made his way to the great hall, walking without any lag in his gait. While he did enjoy living here at times, it would be nice to get away from the chaotic blend of personalities here. August brushed the wrinkles in his coat before heading for the large doors of the Northern Fortress. However, the soft rapid patter against the smoothed flooring caused him to turn his eyes towards the source.
Corrin arrived behind him, still dressed in her nightgown and her hair wild with stray curls. The princess smacked her dry lips and rubbed her eyes as she walked over to her tutor, her lips slowly curled into a small smile.
"Wow... You're really leaving, huh?" She said in a low voice as she glanced over August before lingering on the ground.
Her tutor shrugged, "Only for… maybe a week. It won't be as glamorous as you think it would be, trust me. I'll be expecting blisters in my feet and to encounter possible brigands."
Corrin gave a short nod at that, her face still solemn and her eyes aimed at the ground. With a deep breath, she adjusted herself and looked to August with a light smile. The princess took her tutor's hand and clasped it, her smile still beaming towards him.
"Just come back home safe, alright?" The princess said in a sweet voice that caused August to gently pull back his hand.
He looked at Corrin with an awkward smile, "Sure… And hey, one day you'll be heading out of this fort and then you'll see how bad it is out there."
"Yeah, yeah‒ sure." She began to push him out the door, "Just get going!"
With that, he walked out the door. Giving one last goodbye to the fort before he went off to see his mentor.
April 15th, 1506 AD
The Dukedom of Notre Sagesse was a land of rock and very sparse green that lay within selective areas. The island was known for the birth of many philosophers that traveled all over Ragea to search for a greater power. Something that August hoped to be a part of. But what most people knew that land for, was the mystic Rainbow Sage. A man who had the ability to grant a blessing of great power within those who sought it. He claimed to have an attunement with the Rainbow Dragon, who helped forge the lands of Ragea. So it was still a question as to why such a powerful man would take in a helpless boy like August.
He remembered that day vividly, climbing up Mount Sagesse with the hopes of claiming that greater power that the villagers told him about. Such a foolish thought from the boy. The Sage instead took pity on him and raised him in the Sevenfold Sanctuary, where he began his studies. He could never pay him back for everything he's done for him, so he felt the need to travel back to his homeland after his letter. Even if August didn't want to.
He made it up to the Sage's home, the large fort that stood at the top of the mountain. August currently stood at the large doors of Nohrian design and Hoshidan colors. He stood with a small pit in his stomach, realizing how long he's been away from here. He wondered what the old man would say‒ perhaps give a warm greeting or a snide remark? Whatever it was, he moved forward.
Pushing past the unlocked doors, he found himself in a small room with seating mats laid out and a table with a single cup of tea on top of it. On the other side of the table was a familiar short man with a long beard, currently sipping from his cup.
"I still don't understand how this place works…" August commented as he sat down. Taking note of the odd room placement it had.
"Perhaps I'll tell you another day," The Sage smiled at his apprentice, "How are you, August? I know it must be difficult for you nowadays since you've been working at that fort, right?"
He let out a short groan at that, "Yeah… But it's certainly an interesting place, it's not like I don't have much research to be accomplished."
The Sage let out a small laugh as he raised a brow, "Gettin' to know any ladies there? Maybe a few maids or stable girls? I've heard you even met a few princesses."
"Don't be one of those types... Aren't you supposed to be a holy man?" August sighed whilst the Sage let out a chuckle. "Now, why did you call me here? To have a chat or something actually important?"
The Sage let out one last laugh before his expression darkened. He looked to August with a stern face, "As a matter of fact, I have a few things to entrust to you."
From underneath the table, the old man placed a box as well as something bound in red cloth. From the length, August could infer it to be a sword. The Sage slid them over for him to take.
"Take these along with you," He said in a grim voice before his tone sweetened, "How about you give it to a special someone?"
August let out an airy laugh as he opened up the box. He expected something cliche, like jewelry or a ring. He did not expect it to be a large crystal. But upon closer inspection, he found it to be a Dragonstone.
He took the stone in his hands and looked to the Sage, "What 'girl' do you expect me to give this to?"
"That's something for you to figure out," He said with a laugh, causing August's eyes to sharpen. The Sage looked at the cloth-bounded object, "As for this, it's to never leave its covering. That is… until it wishes to."
August looked at his mentor incredulously, "What exactly is in there?"
"Everything will be clear, that is all I can say…" The Sage said in a low voice, causing August to be taken aback. The old man perked up immediately, "I'm glad you came here. Please be a good boy and take care of these, will you?"
"Uh… Yeah, sure…"
April 17th, 1506 AD
August found himself walking near the border near the East and West. Most of the border was made up of forest and terrain too rough to get by. And if he continued his path, it was likely he was to meet with the border guard from the East. Hoshido has been known to be stringent with their border laws. So he would have a bit of a delay if he were to run into Hoshidan territory. Especially with the strange items that he's carrying.
As for the forest he was in, August had to be careful along the path. His hand clung onto the hilt of his sword, Laufey, as he walked. The sounds of the whistling winds and the high-pitched melody of the birds caused him to be tense. Anything that made a sudden movement could be on the receiving end of his blade.
But… he calmed down. He realized how paranoid he was. This was a mistake.
A sudden jump from the bushes caused him to turn his head. From the bushes erupted a large man clad in berserker armor. He swung his ax in a vertical manner, attempting to cut him from the head down. August reactively jumped, the ax grazing against the wisped of his locks.
"Hiding in the bushes? You're a patient bastard." August huffed as he unsheathed his sword. "I bet you were waiting for hours for someone to cross your path."
"Wrong," The man laughed as he hiked his axe, "I made sure to follow you since you got off that boat, even brought some friends."
At that, August could hear the whirring of an arrow. He immediately whipped his sword in front of his face, blocking the bolt. The large berserker was taken aback at how fast he was able to defend himself. But then he noticed how August's strange blade flashed with green wind.
August looked around to see several other men peeking out from the trees. From what he could make out, they looked Hoshidan. But it got him to think, why would Hoshidans ally themselves with a Nohrian Berserker?
He did not get much time to think after that once another volley of arrows was sent his way. August couldn't avoid this one, he just had to make sure they didn't hit him. He quickly raised his sword, causing it to burst with green wind.
A blast of air erupted around him, forming a shield that blocked the darts from hitting him. The brigands that surrounded him stood in shock at what they witnessed. Their quarry simply gave a salute before running off.
Arrows were sent his way in his rush, one nicking his shoulder and making a cut into his skin. He sent slashes of wind towards his chasers, not bothering to look back at the damage. He made it to a large river that flowed with great force. His hunters arrived to see him leap into the water.
A strong burst of wind propelled August forward. He used the water's flow to quicken his speed as well as his magic to send him a dart-like speed like a fish. He had to escape fast and he had to make sure that they weren't going to follow him.
August felt his body strain from the water pressure, but he persisted. He lost all concept of time inside of this jet. His body began to go numb and the speed he flowed with had begun to die down. His vision blurred as his lung began to collapse.
He found himself floating, unable to move a single muscle in his body. But he then felt himself being pulled. What happened next, he wasn't sure.
April 22th, 1506 AD
Corrin fluttered her eyes open to the sound of a creaking wagon. She found herself to be rocked as she laid against hardwood. The smell of dirt and pine wood flooded her nostrils. She lifted her head to see a familiar looking girl, an oni savage who sat beside her resting state.
"Ah, you're awake." Rinkah shrugged as she glanced over to Corrin. "It was pretty strange to see you lying near the Bottomless Canyon. But I guess you can call us even now."
"It's you, the Rinkah girl from the Flame Tribe!" The princess exclaimed with a weak voice. She looked around the wagon, hoping to see Jakob and Gunter seated beside her as well‒ to no avail. Corrin looked at the girl with a worried expression. "Where you found me… Did you see anyone else? A butler, maybe? An elderly knight?"
Rinkah raised her brows at that before shaking her head, "No, just you. You looked quite beaten up so we had to give you some vulneraries."
Corrin was crestfallen at the disappearance of her friends, but she was taken aback at what Rinkah was implying. "What do you mean, 'we'?"
As if on cue, the driver of the caravan pushed back the sheets that hid him from the passengers. Revealing himself to be the green haired ninja from before. Corrin blinked in surprise seeing him once again, getting that same familiarity in her mind at the sight of him. She's seen him before, she was sure of it. But she didn't know where exactly…
"I believe that would be me, milady." The ninja said with a polite laugh, "I'm glad that you are well. If it hadn't been for the kindness that you showed us, we wouldn't be here. So it's only right that we show you the same kindness in return."
"I am Suzukaze of the Kirigakure Clan‒ Or Kaze, if you would." The ninja greeted, "Despite our unfortunate meeting, I'm glad we crossed paths again."
Corrin gave a slow nod, "Yeah, but I wasn't the one who saved you… That was my brother, Prince Leo."
Kaze gave a quiet laugh and shook his head. He looked back to the road, where tall bamboo stalks surrounded the path. He spoke to the princess, "Our destination is Castle Shirasagi in Hoshido's capital, if you were curious…"
Corrin let out an exhausted sigh as she clung to the sheet on her lap, "It can't be helped. Knowing Nohr and Hoshido's conflict, I'm to be a prisoner of war. Is that what waits for me there?"
"No," Corrin blinked in surprise at that, she looked to the ninja who kept his sight on the road as he continued to speak. "Your name is 'Corrin' right? Are you sure that's true?"
"Yes? It's the name that I was given." Corrin answered, "My mother, Arete, gave it to me… Or, so I've been told."
Kaze physically tensed up at the word 'mother', he looked at the princess with eyes that dilated. "I believe there's something in Shirasagi that you'd like to see. And… that all will be revealed to you."
Corrin was taken aback at the ninja's words. She felt something dangerous was brewing within Hoshido. She looked to Rinkah, who kept herself stoic. The princess looked down to her sword, its eye dilated as its pupil slowly drifted around. She picked it up, letting out a sigh.
'You're worried too, aren't you?' She projected her thoughts onto the sword. With stifled breaths, she looked forward as they drew closer to Hoshido. From the distance, she saw a landscape that breathed with life.
Green fields, trees that decorated the scene, and a bright blue sky. Corrin sat agape at the sight of such a place, she heard of Hoshido's brilliant landscape from August's tales but she was never expecting this. And something about it all had rang with her.
The carriage stopped at a guard station, where soldiers stood with weapons at their ready. A samurai walked over to their vehicle and stopped them. He bowed his head at the sight of the green haired ninja. The two conversed in what can be assumed to be Hoshidan language, a few words she was able to infer but it was all gibberish to her. The guards allowed them to pass, and as they did, their eyes lingered on the back where Corrin was seated. Kaze led them to a stable, where they got off. As she stepped out, several of the attendants gave her odd looks. Most likely recognizing the armor she wore. The princess gave an awkward wave to them, the attendants moved away from her sight in response.
"Come," Kaze looked to the princess, "We should be moving."
Corrin walked alongside Kaze and Rinkah as they walked into the capital, several townsfolk could be seen going about their day. Each one of them was healthy and lively. Children could be seen playing together while shopkeepers cleaned the fronts of their stores. The three passed a statue of a serpent, what could be assumed to be Hoshido's god‒ similar to Erobos.
The stairs that led to Castle Shirasagi were a long trail that made her feel small. The castle itself, even more so. Its beauty contrasted that of Krakenburg, which evoked fear rather than admiration. She walked up the steps, each one felt heavier than the last. Once they stepped inside, they were greeted by a man in red armor. A swordmaster, who carried an air of royalty with him. At the sight of him, Kaze kneeled.
"Welcome back, Kaze." The man looked at the ninja with a gracious smile on his face, "Good work, the both of you."
"Thank you, Lord Ryoma." Kaze nodded his head as he kneeled while Rinkah shrugged and looked over to the side.
But his title caught Corrin's attention, " Did…did you just say Lord Ryoma?"
"Mhm," Rinkah hummed as she stood beside the princess, "That's high prince, Yamato Ryoma. He's next in line to rule over Hoshido."
"I see…" He reminded her of Xander, he carried with him the same attitude of stoicism and respect but to a slightly lesser degree. And… he felt familiar too.
The prince looked over to Corrin, causing her to jump at the sudden shift. However she calmed down once his lips curled into a small smile. Ryoma walked over to Corrin, keeping his posture straight as he greeted her.
"I...I'm glad to see you," He said as if he were greeting an old friend, which caused Corrin to reel back in surprise. "It's been almost thirteen years, but we finally found you…"
Corrin's lips tightened at the forwardness of the prince. She shrunk and stepped away, causing Ryoma to widen his eyes at her behavior. She meekly said, "If you're gonna mock me, don't bother. I know how much Hoshido despises Nohr, so you may as well imprison me… or… execute me, and get it over with."
Ryoma stood in shock, "I… Kam‒"
"Lady Mikoto!" One of the castle attendants called out to the queen, who ran towards the great hall with child-like glee. "You shouldn't be running around the castle like that!"
"Sorry but I can't help myself! Kamui!" She cried out with joy exuberating in her voice, "It's really Kamui!"
Corrin reeled back at the strange name. There was no 'Kamui' with them, so why was this woman so excited? And… Why did she look so familiar? The queen stood before the girl, tears flowed from her eyes as she held a smile.
She was beautiful. Before her stood a woman with gorgeous straight black hair, amber eyes, snow white skin, a beauty mark underneath her bottom lip. Yamato Mikoto, she realized, was the current queen of Hoshido. Married into her role as second wife to the deceased Sumeragi. She was Hoshidan royalty, so why did she look so happy to see a Nohrian like her?
The queen brushed aside her tears before wrapping her arms around Corrin. The princess tensed at her touch, completely taken aback at the sudden greeting. The two of them were left in an awkward silence that suffocated the room.
Mikoto released Corrin at the realization of her stiffened posture. She backed away to see how her pupils drew to slits. But the queen paid no heed to her body language and continued, "I cannot believe it is really you…"
Corrin rubbed her arm as she asked, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Mother…" Ryoma began, his voice too soft for Mikoto to pay attention to.
The queen walked to Corrin, clasping onto her hands. She said sweetly while her arms were raised for another hug, "Oh, I've missed you so much! Come here, Kamui, my sweet child."
Before she could be grabbed again, Corrin pedaled backwards. Her posture tensed at the strangeness of these people. She asked them in a voice that bordered on distress, "What are you talking about? A-And who's Kamui?"
Mikoto stood blankly at the princess, leaving a tense silence between everyone in the room. The queen steadied herself, and gently took Corrin by the hands. Corrin softened at her touch, but kept herself on guard.
The queen softly spoke again, "I remember the day when you were taken from us. You wanted to join Ryoma, Hinoka, and your father to see Cheve. You were always such an energetic child… So when I heard of your father's death and your disappearance, a part of me had… died. But somewhere in my mind, I knew that you would return to us."
Corrin was taken aback by all of this. Was she lying? She certainly was some actor if it was true! The princess went through an array of thoughts but she could only say so much. Corrin began, "That can't be true… My father was King Garon, my mother was Queen Arete…"
She noticed how Mikoto became solemn at the name, Arete, but she looked at her supposed child with a light smile. "Please, let me show you everything. Maybe jog your memories of all us. Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, Sakura, do you remember them?"
Corrin slowly shook her head. Their names were just foreign entities to her. Everything was foreign to her… But, she couldn't shake the feeling that this woman wasn't lying to her. Was it true? Was she… a princess of Hoshido?