Chapter Twenty-One

"Someone, help, please!"

"I've got you."

Layla opens her eyes and sees red. It's a step up from the concrete roof that had been about to crush her.

"You alright now, miss?" the stranger asks, stepping back and looking around the crushed opera house.

"Y-yes," Layla says, shaking and falling to the ground. "H-how?"

The woman giggles and waves her hands. "Magic." Then she holds out hand, looking expectant. "I think we'd best get you out of here."

"Thank you," Layla says, letting the woman pull her up. "I- thank you."

The woman smiles softer, a little less crazed. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, but how do you feel about using a dagger?"

"…I'd rather not." Layla says, grasping the woman's arm so to not fall over. "Dancing- it's what I'm good at. But…"

"There are people that aren't people, knocking down buildings," the woman says, pulling a dagger out of a pocket too small to have fit it. "They can only be seen out of the corner of your eye, like a mirage. I want you to take this and use it on them. Get out safely."

"Yes," Layla says seriously, grasping the dagger and adjusting into a warrior stance. "Thank you."

The woman nods, turning to the crumbling hole in the wall. "Your friends with tails are looking for you."

Layla turns to the hole, edging forwards. When she turns back, the woman's gone. Layla clutches the dagger harder and runs out of the room. "Keaton! Kaden! Where are you?"

"Layla! You're okay!"

"We're over here!"

;;;

When he read the script, looking for any help he could gather, Corrin was left with dread. He wants to see his siblings again, truly, but not like this.

Not like this.

He expects the ruins of Cyrkensia, as the script warns him of. What he isn't prepared for is the sight of the concert hall. It's collapsed. Broken. The ruins of the city clash with his memories of other lives.

seeing Elise in the balcony and he's only being held back from running and hugging her by the script

fighting on boats that rock too much for a powerful attack, while Leo throws bodies into the water with his magic

While the script assures him that Keaton and Kaden will join his group, the ruins don't give much hope.

"…What happened here?" Camilla says. Corrin looks over and is taken aback at the sadness and anger on her face. "Cyrkensia is in ruins!"

"So much destruction…" the words of the script are on his tongue, but he doesn't feel the need to say them. If it was any other moment, he'd feel ecstatic at the freedom. This isn't the time or place to be upbeat. His sister's distraught face brushes away any of the well-meaning. "Who could have done this?"

"Cyrkensia has never been a target before…" Camilla closes her eyes, turning her head away from the destruction. "…This isn't how I wanted you to see the city."

Corrin moves over and offers his hand. His sister leans down from her dragon to squeeze, take some comfort with the contact. The others come off the boat, gazing around with mourning eyes. Corrin tells her honestly, "When this is all over, I want to hear the stories. I want to hear how it was."

Camilla smiles sadly.

The growing echo of footsteps draws their gaze. A giant wolf and fox sprint into the corridor, skidding to a halt before the group. The wolf changes into a human, tucking and rolling, while the fox paws nervously at the ground.

"Oh my," Sakura gasps, rushing to the front of the group. Elise, Takumi, and the royal retainers face the new arrivals. "W-what is-s a Kits-sune doing s-so f-far f-from t-the mountains?"

"You're a Wolfskin," Elise says, eyes wide and trained on the wolf-turned-man. He gives her a small smile and turns to the Kitsune.

And Corrin's heart almost stops at the sight of a woman being helped off the Kitsune's back.

"Please," the woman begs, clinging to the Wolfskin while the Kitsune changes into a human. "Do you know a clear way out of town?"

"We just arrived by boat," Takumi says. The woman's face falls. "What's going on here?"

"Invisible people started attacking the town," the Kitsune says, holding the woman's arm for support. "I know it sounds crazy; everyone thought the buildings were falling down on their own!"

"Layla saved us when we were attacked by them," the Wolfskin says, smiling proudly at the woman. "You can see them shimmer in the corner of your eye; otherwise no one can tell they're there!"

Felicia sucks in a harsh breath, while Corrin pales and mutters, "It's just like…"

Beruka and Subaki drop from the sky. Subaki looks panicked as he glances between everyone. "Prince Ryoma's and Prince Xander's forces are fighting up ahead! There isn't a way out of Cyrkensia without intercepting one of them."

"Something strange has surrounded the area," Beruka says, looking faintly puzzled. "The air shimmers in the center of town and around the docks, slowly making its way through the alleys."

"That's them!" the woman, Layla, exclaims worriedly. "They must have followed us."

"Looks like we've got three sides to stop," Corrin says seriously. "Beruka, Subaki, can you help guide us towards those shimmers? We'll split up and clear the area. If you run into a Hoshidian or Nohrian army, do not engage. Camilla, Takumi; we'll work our way to the center of town. We need to see if we can stop the others from making a mistake."

"I'll come with you," Azura says breezily.

Corrin resists giving her a look. "I need you to go with Subaki's group. Kaze, Felicia, you're with me."

"Wait," Layla calls. "Please, is there anything we can do?"

Corrin goes to speak, but is cut off by the Kitsune. "Yah! You're trying to stop all this right? We'd be grateful if you'd let us help!"

The Wolfskin laughs nervously. "You wouldn't happen to have healers, would you? We've been roughed up a bit."

"We are!" Elise shouts, pulling Sakura with her. "I'm Elise, and this is Princess Sakura! We'll have you fixed up in a second!"

Once they are healed, the Kitsune laughs. "Thank you, Elise! I'm Kaden!"

"Layla, your highnesses."

"Whoa, you're a princess too," the Wolfskin says, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, and I'm Keaton! Thanks for that!"

"We have to help you nice people now!" Kaden says.

"I can use a dagger," Layla offers shyly, "but I'm much better at singing and dancing."

"You're with Beruka's group," Corrin says with no hesitation and so much relief. "The rest of you split. Camilla, Takumi, Kaze, and Felicia, let's get going."

He'll think about the fact that the script said Layla should never have joined his group later. That she should be dead. Right now, he's got to face his brothers and stop a battle from starting.

When the script controlled him, at least he knew how this battle would end.

Without that reassurance, Corrin starts to pray things go his way.

;;;

"Hold!" Ryoma shouts, halting the scouts and rebels he leads.

"What's wrong?" Scarlet, leader of the anti-Nohr resistance, asks.

The Hoshidian eldest royal points to the sky. "Saizo, Kagero, is that Subaki?"

Saizo's hands twitch into fists as he tries not to show his annoyance. Kagero nods and answers, "Yes, milord."

"Isn't he with Takumi, Sakura, and Corrin?"

"Yes, Lord Ryoma."

"And the youngest Nohrian princess," Saizo says with vainly withheld contempt.

"What?" Scarlet's eyes go wide and she lands her wyvern beside them. "Back up a second; your brother and sister are with a traitor and Nohrian royalty, and they aren't killing each other?"

"Corrin is trying to end the war with his own group," Saizo explains blandly. "He had delusions that there is a third side to the war, pulling strings."

"Huh," Scarlet says thoughtfully. "You'd think we'd have heard about this third group."

"Indeed," Ryoma says darkly. Before he can continue, everyone tenses at the sound of a battle cry coming from an alleyway behind them. He raises Raijinto, only to pause when Rinkah jumps out with her club above her head. Her battle cry continues as she moves to slam her club to the ground.

Except it doesn't hit the ground.

The ground cracks under the force of her power, but something invisible keeps her club from touching stone.

"Whoa!" a Kitsune pokes his head around, watching her with awe. "That was awesome!"

Rinkah grunts and swings her club back on her shoulder. She glares at the small army. "You're welcome."

"Wait a second!" Ryoma calls, but she doesn't stop walking back to the alley. The Kitsune waves at them until Rinkah pulls him back into the alley.

"I wonder what that was about," Scarlet hums, smirking as she watches the Pegues rider fly and make hand motions. "You want me to fly up there?"

"No," Ryoma shakes his head. "Just continue to lead us to Nohr's army. They must pay for the crimes they wrought on Cyrkensia. We can find my family later."

"You got it, Prince!" Scarlet salutes and winks, kicking her mount into the air.

Ryoma turns to his retainers. "Follow Rinkah and whoever she is with. Stay out of sight."

"Yes, milord." The ninjas bow and disappear from sight.

He turns to the small army of rebels behind him. "We continue our march to face those who have destroyed the neutral lands and killed the innocents in the name of their king! We shall defeat Nohr! For Cyrkensia!"

"For Cyrkensia!"

;;;

"Selena?!"

Said woman loudly swears. She steps into the branching alley and glares at the grey-haired man. "Laslow."

"You're okay!" he says. His wide smile falters when Elise peers around the corner. "Princess-"

"Keep moving without me," Selena commands, her hand curling around her sword hilt. "I'll hold him off."

"Hold-" Laslow stops, eyes wide, as a group of people pass behind her without a second glance. "Selena, was that Gunter?"

"Yes."

"And… that woman…"

"That's Layla."

"…She reminds me of my mother."

"Think of where we are," Selena taunts.

"Right," he laughs nervously. "Well, I am glad you are alive. Odin will be too. How is Lady Camilla after…?"

"Corrin is still alive," Selena makes a disgruntled face. "He defeated us, somehow."

Laslow freezes. "No."

Selena averts her gaze and unsheathes her sword slightly.

"Selena," Laslow laughs a little to hide the begging in his voice. "Please tell me you didn't side against us."

Selena completely pulls out her sword, meeting his horrified gaze. "I've sided against Valla."

She whirls around and stabs the air behind her.

The invisible soldier chokes and dissolves into purple smoke.

"They're here?!" Laslow cries out.

"They've invaded Cyrkensia," Selena says, disgusted. She gives Laslow a pointed look. "They're the reason most of the royalties have come here."

Laslow's eyes widen in understanding. He curses, "I have to report back to Prince Xander."

A loud, haunting roar echoes through the city. They turn to face where it originated, the center of town. Selena's face tenses in worry. "I think we need to start running, Laslow."

;;;

They make it almost halfway into the town before they come across a skirmish. Corrin sucks in a sharp breath because he, unfortunately, recognizes most people here. On one side, it's the people from Cheve. He remembers these people as allies from his time in Hoshido, and he remembers the slaughter in Nohr. A few of these people were his friends before they parted ways, and they have tried to murder him.

On the other side, there's Peri.

"Hehehe!" Peri giggles, wide smile on her face as she readies her lance. "Why don't you just die already!"

Corrin misses having Peri as a teammate.

"I'm going to draw their attention," Corrin tells his group. "Camilla, Takumi; take care of Peri. Felicia, Kaze; the others. And Kaze," Corrin's gaze flickers to the badly injured diviner trying to throw magic animals at Peri, "capture him."

Liam was a good friend of his once. He won't let the man die now.

They split to follow orders, while Corrin walks confidently down the middle of the street. Not that he feels confident. Has to fake it until he can make it. So, he stops a dozen feet away and turns into a dragon. His roar definitely gets the attention of the fighting men and women, but also the attention of the entire town.

"That was your plan?" Takumi gripes, firing arrow after arrow as Camilla and dragon lunge for the woman on horseback. "Do you even know how to be discrete?"

Dragon-Corrin and Felicia finish knocking out the Cheve rebels while Kaze uses the paper skill to capture Liam. Peri retreats a few steps when Camilla comes close to knocking her off her horse.

"No!" the bubble-gum blue and pick haired woman whines and pouts at Camilla. "You big meanies, interrupting my fight! Why couldn't you have just minded your own business!"

"Walk away, Peri dear," Camilla coos dangerously. She twirls her axe once with a careful look. "We wouldn't want an unfortunate accident to befall you, would we?"

"Gah!" Peri screams, pulling at her hair as her eyes fill with tears. "You're so cruel, Lady Camilla!"

She retreats without a backwards glance, and Takumi sighs in relief. Corrin turns back into a human, casting his younger brother a sorry look. "At least it draws the invisible soldiers this way, instead of leaving them to wreak more destruction."

"We could have done that before, with everyone together, instead of right here." Takumi glares.

Corrin sighs and explains, "I heard Xander and Ryoma up ahead."

Camilla and Takumi both pale. It seems Corrin isn't the only one who wants to meet his siblings in a different setting.

"Are we ready to go, Kaze?" Corrin asks.

"Yes, milord," Kaze appears beside him, nodding slightly. "Everything is in order."

"Then we have a battle to stop." Corrin turns to his siblings. "Can I trust you to help?"

"What do you need, Corrin?" Camilla says determinedly.

He looks to Takumi, who sighs hard and nods.

"Alright, here's the plan."

;;;

Clang!

Shlink!

Tink!

Clang!

"You won't see Hoshido waver!" Ryoma shouts, leaping back and going to strike again. "We will fight until the very end!"

"Fool!" Xander shouts, throwing his weight onto his sword to block the attack. He nobly snarls from atop his horse. "Stand down now and we shall make your death a merciful one!"

"I will never bow to Nohr!"

"Then die, Hoshido Prince!"

"Now!"

The eldest princes jump away to avoid the projectiles. They back up, eyes widening at the axe and light arrow stuck in the wall. Then they turn to the five people watching them.

"Camilla," Xander lets out a strangled gasp.

"Takumi?" Ryoma sounds relieved.

"Hello, Xander," Camilla says with a small smile, hefting another axe to her shoulder.

"Brother," Takumi nods, lowering his bow.

"Hello, big brothers," Corrin says calmly, making their eyes snap to him. He smiles coolly. They cut him off before he can continue.

"What are you doing here, Corrin?" Xander asks, pained.

"Leave this fight to us," Ryoma demands. "You have no right to interfere."

"I agree," Xander replies. The men snap eyes together, and move to charge.

A shrunken and dagger fly past their faces, stalling them.

"Thank you," Corrin says to Felicia and Kaze. To his brothers, "Now that I have your attention, cease and desist, and leave Cyrkensia with your armies."

"What?" Xander hisses, eyes narrowed. "You have no right to demand that."

"I have all right to demand that," Corrin says seriously, "as it is my group that has stopped those who destroyed the city. And, as your two armies are the last causing conflict in the ruins, it falls to me to see you out of the city."

"Corrin," Ryoma starts, irritated, "you cannot expect us to just leave –Sakura?"

"Elise?"

"Big brother!" the girls cry.

"Stop them from getting closer," Corrin whispers to the maid and ninja. A wyvern and Pegasus land to the side as the rest of his army gathers. "Beruka, Subaki, report!"

"All gone on our side!" Subaki says happily.

"None left," Beruka whispers, glaring at Xander.

Corrin nods, eyes never leaving his older brothers. "That just leaves your armies. I'm giving you one last warning, leave Cyrkensia peacefully, or we will make you leave."

"Corrin," Xander grits his teeth, something in his eyes hardening.

"The true enemies have been defeated, is that correct?" Ryoma asks stiffly.

"It is," Corrin nods slightly.

"And were they of Nohr or Hoshido?"

"Neither," Corrin explains, playing with the dragon stone in his fingers. "They are of a third party, wishing to continue the war between the two nations. We are trying our hardest to stop them, and this war."

Ryoma doesn't answer as his retainers move next to him to speak only for his ears.

"Tell me, Corrin," Xander says through gritted teeth, "who is this third party? Who would arrange the destruction of Cyrkensia just to continue this war?"

Corrin moves to say it. Despite all the fear, worry, and conservations he has about speaking the name, he wants to say it. Zinnia promises it isn't death for him if he mentions the name. But he can still be concerned. And as much as he doesn't want to die… this death would be worth it.

Corrin goes to say it, but Azura grabs his arm and tugs him off balance. He almost drops the dragon stone, and almost goes full rage-dragon because of it.

"You can't say it," Azura pleads in his ear as everyone watches. "You will die."

Corrin tries to pry her fingers off him, but it is like plying nails without a hammer. He locks eyes with his eldest Nohrian brother, and shouts to him, "There is a taboo upon speaking the name. It will be lifted the days the skies change above Nohr and Hoshido! We will be at the suspension bridge by the Bottomless Canyon, and can explain in full then."

Xander's hand clenches around his sword. "That is no reason to follow into a Hoshidian trap."

"It won't be a trap," Corrin says sternly, finally shaking Azura and her hissed warnings off and marching forwards. He stops and opens his hands in a surrender position. "And I won't make it a battle. I promise."

Xander stares long and hard while Ryoma nods to his retainers. The Hoshido crown prince looks at Corrin, "Our forces will leave Cyrkensia. I hope, for all our sakes, that you know what you are doing, Corrin." He nods to his siblings. "Takumi, Sakura. I shall let Hinoka know you are alive." And then walks away with a wary eye on the assembled group.

Takumi swears under his breath, and Elise moves to comfort the young Hoshido princess.

Xander's eyes track Elise, and then flicker to Camilla, and finally to Corrin. "Do not expect any mercy when we next meet, Corrin. You have betrayed Nohr, and there is no excusing your actions to the king. Camilla, Elise," he grits his teeth and turns his horse, "do not return to the palace if you value your lives."

"Big brother," Elise gasps, eyes wide.

And the eldest brother cannot look at her.

"Oh, Xander," Camilla mutters.

The Nohrian prince cantors away.

"I'm sorry," Elise calls softly, and now it's Sakura holding her. "Please, Corrin, Camilla, can't we stop him?"

"He will have to make up his own mind," Corrin says sadly. The prince turns to his army and gives them a strained smile. "Thank you, everyone. I-" he falters. "We can call Lilith in a few moments, if that is alright. I… must take a walk. Please, rest and recover. You all have done something amazing in defending Cyrkensia from further harm. Never forget the courage you showed in standing against three armies and succeeding to the very end."

When Corrin does move off, he doesn't see Selena's appraising eyes following. Nor does he ever realize she arrived a few minutes after the group she was supposed to be with.

;;;

The woman finds him walking alone, between two rubble buildings. He thinks she is Camilla at first, and doesn't know whether to be grateful or weary that she's not.

"You're a funny kid," says the woman with blonde hair and red armour, dropping down with her wyvern a dozen feet in front of him. "A taboo name? A third party you can't tell?"

"I'm sorry," Corrin says hesitantly, like he doesn't know who this is, "you are…?"

"The name's Scarlet!" says the woman, getting off her mount to walk towards him. "I'm from an anti-Nohrian resistance group in Cheve, and I think you have one of my members."

"Capture skill," Corrin counters. "Fair's fair."

"Yah, I get that," Scarlet says with appraising eyes. "Liam's a good guy, but kind of stubborn. Good luck swaying him to your side."

"Is that all you've come to say?" Corrin asks, trying to remind himself that this isn't the person who knows him. This isn't the Scarlet who jokes with him at dinner or flings acorns at people as target practice. "Because I promise no harm will come to the man under my care."

Scarlet hums and stops a few feet from him. "I heard you saved him, which gives me confidence in your ability, regardless of what stories Ryoma told about you." She continues before he can ask. "And you've got eyes that don't lie. So, I'm here to offer my services as a dragon's knight, dragon boy."

It takes him a moment to process. "You saw that, huh?"

"Yah," she smirks. "And, unfortunately, I can't stay with you right now. Would have been a lot of fun, but I've got to try and convince that stubborn brother of yours to go to the Bottomless Canyon for you. But hey, just know you have a knight on your side, dragon boy."

"Thank you, Scarlet," Corrin says, smiling in relief. Believes every word, because she's never been one to lie to him. "I look forward with reuniting with you and the others when the skies change."

Scarlet laughs. "See you, dragon boy!"

The simple fact of knowing that not everyone changes has Corrin feeling a little lighter. He waits until she's gone from sight before turning back to the group that stands with him.

He's got the Deeprealms to introduce, after all.


A/N: Had this in the backlog. Thanks for reading, and a really big thank you to Metal Vile for reviewing! The support means a lot!

I hope everyone is well and has a great day! Please take care