A/N: Ah, one thing that I would like to clarify. While I did make it clear that Corrin is younger, I would like to mention that it is only Corrin that is dialed back in age. Every other character is at their canonical age.

Ultimately, that means the only thing that truly changes is that Corrin will be referred to as the Youngest Sibling (Maybe at about the same age as Elise/Sakura?)

Corrin comes to a halt as he spots a mountain side coming into view. His eyes scan it, and he can easily imagine dozens of caves, some occupied, some not. He coughs again as mucus starts to come out.

Sick. He can't deny it now. His walking speed has been slowly decreasing, and the sheer amount of times he sneezed and coughed in the last few days has left his mouth sorely dry. He can't just stay by a lake, because that denies him the warmth and security of a den. Without a den, he has no real means of being able to combat this sickness.

His shivering has ascended to constant shaking, he lost feeling in his extremities. The pelts can't keep him warm enough at night, the wind chills are unfathomably cold. He's surprised it hasn't started snowing, or the ground hasn't frosted over.

Warmth.

His Instinct has been largely silent. Only a few times per day does it act out… food, strands of water.

Still, he tredges on through this bitter Nohrian cold. He would wish for warmth, but he well knows wishing for things won't get stuff done. He focuses his mind, and continues braving this cold.

Xander breathes through his nose as he finishes off the remainder of the paperwork. His mind has been at unease. Father approved the higher-tier resources to be spent to aid in Xander's recovery, but one thing that even the most powerful of magics can't do is get rid of the fatigue and muscle soreness that came with his recovery. Setting the documents aside, he removes the blanket from him, and gets himself off of the bed. A little soreness isn't going to keep him from doing his duties.

He feels a surge of burning pain in his legs as he steps foot on the carpet. Tch, he'll push past the aches, he has more important things to do than to show any signs of slowing down, especially since he can walk.

Gathering up his papers, he walks over, adorns the rest of his Noble Outfit… and slings Siegfried with its Sheathe. His armor is likely repaired at this point, but he doesn't need armor to deliver these papers. He strides out of his room, and begins his trek over to Iago…

A look of disgust crosses his face for a moment. He holds no love for the vile man, he's well aware of the dirtied history of the Tactician… but he cannot deny his brilliance in strategy, and with War going on, Nohr will need every jagged edge that the man can provide.

Surely, disposing of Hoshido's extensive Food storages will set them back.

A number of servants bow their heads and give him pleasurable greetings, he gives a stern nod and a commanding tone in return. Step step, through the carpeted hallways of Krakenburg. Posture stiff and proper, a powerful look across his face, and every step is filled with confidence.

He fumbled as he gathered his belongings, fingers trembled as his anxiety grew with every passing second. The panic set in and his breath quickened, a tightened feeling in his chest. He stopped… and he looked in the mirror. "I am… the Crown Prince of Nohr." His voice came out, uncertain and ill-prepared. His eyes wavered. "I am… the Crown Prince of Nohr." He repeated.

Destined for the throne, the pressure crashed onto him like a tidal wave. King Garon was already in his later years by the time he had his potential heirs… dozens of potential heirs. He was rumored to have at least a Hundred.

And now he's down to merely three. Xander, Camilla, and Leo. There's word that a fourth is on the way.

The other potential Heirs? Lost to the Concubine Wars. All of those mothers and children claw their way to gain Garon's respect, to anoint their child as Heir to the Throne. A War that left only three alive. A War that left the remaining three damaged in some capacity.

At first, Xander felt a rush of relief when it ended, but then the anxiety and pressure mounted three-fold when he realized he was the Eldest of the three.

Camilla all but locked herself away, perhaps traumatized that her own sister attempted to backstab her. She only showed herself when it's time for lessons or other public appearances. Oh, and never attempt to go into her room without her explicit permission.

Leo seemed to take it the best, despite being only twelve. Xander… admittelly envies his outward confidence, even if it is solely bravado, even if Leo is trembling with fear inside. At least Leo shows that he's ready to be groomed into a proper Heir.

He grips his books tighter, and for a moment, he focuses on Leo's collected attitude. The way he so smoothly enters a room and seems to demand everyone's attention. His alert eyes as he scans each person, sizing them up before even attempting to speak. "I am the Crown Prince of Nohr."

Tch, and now here he is. The Heir to the Throne. Xander shakes his head, a proud smile forming. All that he has now was gained through sheer determination, a near endless fountain of willpower. He has built himself to get here… and he refuses to lose anything that he holds dear.

Which is why he's visiting Corrin after this.

He knocks on Iago's door. "Come in…" He opens the door. "Ah, Crown Prince Xander, it's good to see you up and about."

"Iago." Xander returns the greeting, closing the door behind him, and moving to hand him the documents. "Finished, read, and signed. As for my recovery, the Maid has me off of Bed Rest, but has not approved a Return to Action for another day."

Iago gives a chilling grin as he takes the papers. "Your injuries left us concerned, Crown Prince." He pauses. "I would like an account on what happened in that 'spar'."

Xander crosses his arms, giving Iago a stern glare. "I was overwhelmed by a hidden potential that Corrin possessed."

"There is more to this, Crown Prince. Corrin is nearly ten years younger than you."

"Twelve years, three months, and twenty-one days." Xander corrects him.

He leans back into his chair and crosses his fingers. "My point exactly, Prince Xander."

Xander feels a tightness in his chest… he believes he knows why Iago wants to know, and all he can think of is…

Elise… the moment she was introduced in the family, Xander knew that she would be exceptional. No, not as a Princess, a Fighter, a Healer, none of that. She would be a sort of… bond. Her outgoing smile, her constant giggling. Camilla put it best, "She's a ball of sunshine!"

Camilla had been isolating herself in her room, but when Elise was introduced? She actively took a part in her life. Taking her for walks, feeding her. Camilla opened a new chapter in her life, and it wasn't just Elise.

Camilla began caring for Leo and Xander. Acting not too different from a Maid or a Retainer. If Leo wanted Tea, she'd boil a pot up. If Xander was out of ink, she'd fetch more. When Elise entered her life, she held the new title of 'Doting Older Sister'.

Leo too, showed differences. While he remained largely impassive, he did open up more, he started sharing his wealth of knowledge.

However, out of all of the Royals, Xander held the biggest impact. The moment he realized how Elise changed the family dynamic, he doubled down on his Noble training, then tripled, quadrupled. He began developing greater and greater willpower, determination. He realized a new passion for his life.

Family.

A passion that was reinforced when Corrin was brought into the family…

He grips his fists tightly. Elise has already been sent to the Front Lines, she's experiencing the horrors of war… and from the questions that Iago is asking, he's probably looking to send Corrin to War, too, and knowing his tactics, he'll likely try to provoke Corrin to unleash that hidden potential. And all he can think of is Elise and Corrin going through the damage that he and Camilla went through.

But… he also knows that Nohr needs every edge they can get.

"It started with a growl." Xander begins. "But, it wasn't human… it sounded more like what one would hear from an angered dog or a snarling wolf…"

Iago leans forward, smiling, and holding a pen to a blank paper. "Go on…"

Finally! Shelter! Corrin barged into the cave, his legs nearly giving out as he came down onto the dirt. The wind chills are not a threat here, safety… he smiles as he inches further in. Away from the cold. The further he goes in, the easier he finds himself to keep warm. However, as he slowly manages to warm up, as feeling returns to his extremities…

He feels pain.

Severe pain. "Wha-?" He asks, moving his leg to look at his feet. He then finally notices it. He's traveled so far like this, only because he essentially lost all feeling.

The soles of his feet are thrashed open, dozens of gashes, likely from stepping on twigs, sharp rocks… his skin had peeled away. So much dried blood is caked onto the bottom of his feet. Tears fill his eyes as he carefully moves a hand to pull out a…

He screams in pain. Too much, too much. He stops attempting to pull out the jagged twig and cries.

"Camilla!" He chokes out. "I… I need you, big sister! Leo! Xander… E-Elise!" After days of swaying in and out of his Instinct, his humanity comes crashing into him. The lingering build-up of stress and anxiety slam into him. "...They can't hear me… of course they can't." How far is he from Krakenburg? The Northern Castle? "X-Xander probably doesn't want anything to do with me, anyway…" He trembles as he lies down.

He attempts to close his eyes, but he can only see Xander's beaten form, bloodied, armor broken.

Maybe it would've been better to stay out in the cold after all…

Xander departs from Iago's office after the extensive questioning of Corrin's new abilities. It sickened him with the details, and he could see Iago's eyes light up with delight from the information. Xander strode to his next destination, perhaps what he considered the more important one.

Corrin.

However, as he made his way to the lower levels of Krakenburg, he felt a sense of unease overcome him, and it wasn't until he got to the final level above the cells that he saw why.

"C-Crown Prince Xander!" A Maid exclaims.

A battle was had. Guards are strewn aside like unwanted toys. Many of them have crashed against the walls, others have been impaled… "What. Happened." He commands her.

"I… don't know. I heard shouting and screaming earlier and…"

Xander walks past her, Siegfried at the ready as he investigates the Guards… very quickly, he notices a peculiar pattern. The Guards that have all of their weapons sheathed… were simply knocked unconscious, thrown against a wall, or some other blunt force trauma that left them alive. The Guards that are missing weapons, or have them held in their hands were impaled with some weapon, he's assuming a lance, with how large the holes in their chests are…

He kneels before an Unconscious Guard and pats him on the cheek, on the off chance that perhaps… nope. Still out cold. This happened recently. Checking the body of one of the dead, the body is still fairly warm.

He rises and continues further, entering the jails proper.

The front door had been shattered, the hole large enough to shove a Wyvern through it, should it tuck its wings. He steps further, before…

"Crown Prince Xander?!" Xander spins around and sees Jakob. Flora is opposite of him. Felicia is in the next cell…

And one Cell's bars have been demolished. Two sets of chains and manacles are torn from the wall. "Jakob, report." Xander commands him. "Where. Is. Corrin?"

"Under most circumstances, I would consider myself insane for saying this, however… Corrin had turned into a Dragon and broke out." Jakob states in such a calm manner that Xander was half-convinced the Butler had gone crazy.

"Flora?"

"It's as Jakob says, Crown Prince. I heard milord growling and scraping against the wall, and the next thing I knew, he broke out. He knocked the Guard here aside, but when he drew his blade, milord slaughtered him."

"Felicia?"

Felicia is trembling, "I-I… s-saw it… h-him." She backs to the wall. "M-Milord glowed with m-magic, his b-body started to change and…"

Xander takes a breath, attempting to keep him calm. Corrin is… gone. He fled. He sheathes Siegfried and tightens his fists. What did they do to him?! Xander turns his attention to the deceased guard… and takes the Key. His mind works quickly…

Corrin in such a powerful form is easily a threat to all around him. However, since he broke free in Nohr, then Nohr will take the greatest of casualties.

He also refuses to let Iago get his hands on him. He nods.

He walks over to Jakob's cell first. "Jakob." He states. "I give you my personal pardon." He unlocks the door, and pulls out a coin pouch. "Take this, buy whatever supplies you need. Find and take care of Corrin."

"Bah, is this a Command? I would have done this even if you forbade me from pursuing this line of action!" Jakob exclaims… taking the coin.

"Flora. This imprisonment will lead to severe relationship complications with the Ice Tribe. As much as I would prefer you to go with Jakob, I cannot let the Ice Tribe revolt. Return to them." Xander unlocks her cell.

"As you wish, Crown Prince Xander." Flora dips her head.

"Felicia… I want you to head out with Jakob. Flora can vouch for your safety for the Ice Tribe, and Jakob will need the assistance with searching, as once you both leave Krakenburg, you will both be on your own."

"I… of course! I'll do my b-best!"

"You have your orders, and I best see results!" Xander exclaims. "Jakob, Felicia… and by all means, make sure that NO Nohrian Army reports are made on Corrin's location. Once you find him, write and send a letter to Princess Elise. She will be stationed in Krakenburg, and she will know where to send a letter to reach me."

Corrin… wherever you are. Be safe.

Corrin startles awake… oh, he actually managed to fall asleep. He yawns, blinks his eyes and moves to stand, nearly realizing that…

His feet are fine?

"Huh?" He questions, moving his foot to look at it… yep. All of the punctures are gone, there are no scabs, and the blood has been cleaned. He looks around. "H-Hello?" He asks. "Um… whoever did that, thank you." He clutches his furs tighter. He waits… hoping for a response. "My name is Corrin." Silence… He knows someone is here. He can… feel it. "If you don't wanna talk, that's okay." Another pause. "Well, I should probably go and get some food…"

Splat. A chunk of meat is thrown his way… and within the span of half a blink, he forms a lance that impales the meat, the lance reforms into a hand and now the meat's in his hand…

He drops the meat as he realizes it's raw.

Wait, the cave stopped where he slept earlier. Did his helper… also, how?!

Footsteps are heard and he sees a woman approach him. Light-blue hair, piercing yellow eyes, a single small ruby on her forehead. "I… think I remember you?" He asks. "You look like the lady that worked at the stables." Actually, now that he thinks about it, he never actually asked for the stable girl's name. He smiles. "I liked her." His smile briefly fades into a frown. "I miss her and my family. She'd always show me how to best feed and groom the horses…" No, can't be the same woman. The stable-lady was outgoing and talkative. "Do you have some sticks for a fire, too?"

He clutches his hands into fists… his Humanity on full show. He misses Elise's bright and cheerful nature, Leo's calm and collected outlook on life, Camilla's endless doting, and Xander's…

Xander… There it is again. Sorrow strikes Corrin. Jakob, Flora, Felicia… Alone.

She crosses her arms, a disappointed look on her face. She sighs. He hears her approach and she gently places a hand under his chin. "I suppose it can't be helped." She closes her eyes briefly… then smiles. "You're still learning to control your Draconic Heritage, it'll probably be another week or two before you learn to merge both aspects and do things like eat raw meat without issue in either form." Eyes still teared up, he looks at her.

Her voice is gentle… entrancing, beautiful. But, out of all of that, one thing stands out. "Draconic… Heritage? Oh! You mean the Royal Blood like my siblings have!" He smiles again.

She pauses… then nods. "Yes, but yours is very special. Very special. The heritage in your blood is strong enough to allow you to shapeshift into a Dragon. Come, sit down. I'll explain while we cook this meat, okay?"

Food… his stomach growls. "Okay… but, I wanna know your name first, ma'am."

"Lilith."

"That's a pretty name, Miss Lilith. I'm Corrin."

"It's nice to meet you, Corrin."

She extends a hand and focuses her magic, forming a streak of blue fire that burns on the ground, despite not having a proper fuel source. Corrin watches with amazement, a childlike wonder in his eyes… and then she remembers that he is a child, barely breaching the cusp of maturity. Lilith has never been so simultaneously impressed and embarrassed of anyone in her life. About as young as Elise, yet stronger than Xander, and more oblivious to the actual world than probably literally anyone else.

Corrin managed to push through the Nohrian Cold, with injuries that should have caused him to fall and die… yet he's here. Draconic Strength? No, his Draconic Heritage has been largely absent since he escaped Krakenburg. His Humanity? No, he's clueless to survival tactics and is only twelve… 'teenager' age in Human years, if Lilith recalls correctly.

She grabs the meat and holds it above the flame, unflinching. "Wow, how can you do that?" Corrin asks, reaching out… but he pulls his hand back. He looks at his hand. "...Can you explain that, too?"

"Instinct is not something that can be detailed, Corrin." Lilith starts off. "Instinct… just is. You avoid fire because it's hot. You eat because you are hungry. You drink because you thirst. You fight because you refuse to die. You run because you want to conserve your energy."

"But, your hand…" He points out.

"I know how to weave my magic well enough as to not hurt myself." She states.

A short silence follows as the fire crackles and Corrin watches. He hesitates, gulping before asking. "Lilith? You were going to talk about my Draconic Heritage? How is mine different from my siblings?"

Lilith gazes at him, into his eyes. She sees the power lurking behind his red-hued eyes. She narrows her eyes. Corrin doesn't flinch, matching her gaze. A few seconds pass, and she can feel her own Instinct reacting. She eases her grip on the meat and the meat is in Corrin's hand the next second. She smirks. She knows how closely he holds his 'family'... she knows how much he's invested in them, how long he's lived with them. She knows the truth will be denied. He's too young to understand. "I should probably first explain why Royal Blood is, in essence, different from any other…"

His eyes light up. "Oh! Big Brother Leo explained that to me once!" He smiles. "A loooong time ago, the Dusk Dragon gifted the long deceased King Draconith a cup of his blood, mixed with wine. The King drank from the cup, and his blood was empowered. The blood was so potent that, despite dozens of generations later, the power still courses through Nohrian Royal veins."

She nods… yes, that is the truth… for Nohrian Royals. Yet… "That is correct, Corrin, but not every Royal inherits equal amounts of this Draconic Blood every generation. And you, for some reason, had procured enough to enable you access to Transformation. An extended lifespan, large amounts of powers, both physical and magical, are within your grasp, and there's only one thing keeping you from wielding all of it…"

"And that is?" He asks, his eyes briefly, ever so briefly show a glimmer of remorse, mixed with intense desire.

"Normally, Draconic Powers will form without your notice, as you are probably already aware of. Your Humanity is locked away when this happens, especially when you are in peril… or to prevent you from experiencing traumatic situations." She pulls out her precious stone, a blue stone that glimmers intensely with magic. "A Dragonstone will allow you to maintain control, and you will be able to choose when you want Instinct to take control." His eyes sparkle at the sight and explanation. "However… these are not easy to make. Rare materials are required, and an even more powerful source is needed to make one." She stashes it away. "And Corrin, I'm afraid you're too young to pursue this."

"What? No! Miss Lilith, please! I… I don't want to accidentally hurt anyone! I can't stand the sight of unneeded violence or pain!" He grips his hands into fists again. "A-and I heard there's a war coming, I don't want that!"

Lilith crosses her arms, nodding. "Perhaps… perhaps you might be able to mentally handle this ordeal, Corrin." She finally stands. "I will need to head out for some time, Corrin. While I'm gone, you will need to brave this land on your own." She begins walking.

"...Alone?"

She stops, and shakes her head. "You are never alone, Corrin. If the stress becomes too great, remember to stop thinking, and let your Instinct flow through you." She resumes walking, leaving Corrin, his den.

Good, he wants to learn more from her. She's both grateful and frustrated at this. Grateful that his youth allows her to gain his trust… frustrated that this even happened in the first place.

Plan B is a go.