(The scene is a street in Cyrkensia of Nestra. Corrin, Hinoka, Sakura, Takumi, Azura, and Kaze lead the group.)
Azura: We're nearing the duke's estate now. He lives at the center of Cyrkensia to help watch his people prosper. It is common knowledge that he comes by the opera house once a week to see the performances of the traveling dancers passing through the town. If we're lucky, we might be able to catch him at the opera house and save ourselves a bit of a walk.
Corrin: I had no idea Nestra was so lively... It's surprising, but it's still welcome. I'd take this over the dreary fortress of Nohr any day.
Sakura: H-Hinoka, are you feeling alright? You look pale...
Hinoka: I'm fine... Don't worry about me. Let's just focus on finding the duke.
Takumi: It's been years since anyone from our family has met with Duke Blythe... It hasn't been since Father died all those years ago.
Sakura: Things sure have changed since then, haven't they?
Hinoka: Yeah... So much has happened...
Azura: Ah, here we are.
(The group stands outside the opera house of Cyrkensia)
Kaze: I heard the opera house was splendid, but it looks even nicer than I had imagined.
Corrin: Let's go on and head insi—
(Corrin is cut off when Kaze begins to urge the Hoshidan royals behind a nearby building. Coming around the corner is Garon, accompanied by Xander, Camilla, Leo, and Elise)
Elise: Do you really think we'll be able to see a show?!
Camilla: We'll have to see.
Leo: I wish we didn't have to come...
Xander: It's important that we establish strong diplomatic ties before we get much further into this war. It wouldn't do to have Hoshidans infiltrating our border through Nestra.
Corrin: Xander...
Kaze: Do you miss them?
Corrin: Of course, I do... I know that siding with Hoshido was the right way to go, but at the same time, I feel awful for leaving them. King Garon is a monster now. I get the feeling they can see that too. I wish they were willing to side with us in this war.
Azura: Fate can be cruel in that regard... No choice is ever easy, as I'm sure you can see now.
Takumi: It sounds like they're here to talk to Duke Blythe as well.
Hinoka: Then we have to get in there before they can. After that, we can get the hell out of here...
Corrin: Let's head inside then. If I get the chance, I'm going to try and talk to them.
Sakura: Nohr has done a lot of bad things to Hoshido, but from what you've told me about them, they aren't bad people at all... I trust your judgement, Corrin, but stay out of danger...
Hinoka: I won't have you getting hurt here again...
Corrin: Again?
Takumi: Come on, we don't have time to linger. Let's get in there.
(Azura, who is taking up the rear of the party, is stopped by a Nestran)
Nestran: You must be the dancer for tonight.
Azura: Excuse me?
Nestran: You're about to go on! What are you doing out here?
Azura: I'm afraid I'm not—
Nestran: We don't have time to chat! Come on!
(Azura is dragged away by the Nestran. The scene changes to the other Hoshidans, who are sitting in the upper area of the opera house)
Sakura: Wait... What happened to Azura? She was here just a moment ago!
Takumi: I don't know. She wouldn't have run off on us.
Hinoka: Guys... Look down there!
(Azura is seen standing on the stage. She looks somewhat confused for a moment before locking eyes with Garon. Her resolve seems to be renewed as she begins to sing Lost in Thoughts All Alone)
Azura: In the white light, a hand reaches through... A double-edged blade cuts your heart in two... Waking dreams fade away; embrace the brand new day...
(Garon begins groaning in discomfort)
Azura: Sing with me a song of birthrights and love... The light scatters to the sky above... Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone... Lost in thoughts all alone...
(Garon's groans grow louder as his agony increases. Duke Blythe, who is sitting beside him, looks on in fear. As Azura finishes her song, she looks up at Garon with a hardened gaze)
Azura: I knew something was wrong...
Garon: Kill her!
Blythe: What?!
Garon: Kill that damn songstress already! Anyone who was with her must die!
Corrin: Azura!
Sakura: What is she doing up there?!
Hinoka: We have to get out of here!
Xander: Is that... Corrin?!
Camilla: My dear sweet Corrin...
Corrin: Xander! Camilla!
Garon: Both of you, seize them! Traitors must be executed for their crimes!
Corrin: Xander, Camilla! Please listen to me! I don't want to fight you!
Camilla: Corrin, I—
Garon: Keep your sentimentality out of this! Seize them!
Corrin: It looks like we don't have a choice but to fight... To arms, everyone!
(The map is structured similarly to the opera house map of the game. Your units are set up in the same place as they usually are, but Saizo, Orochi, Reina, Kagero and Kaden are all gathered up at the bottom. All of them are allied units who will focus above all else on escaping through the top of the map. The objective is to have all of your units escape through the entrance to the opera house up at the top of the map. The green units will join your team if one of them talks to Corrin (will cause Saizo, Orochi, Reina, and Kagero to join at once if one of them is spoken to, though Kaden will join alone). Kaden cannot be recruited if he escapes before talking to Corrin, though the others will joina fter the fight if they survive. The four Nohrian royals are spread around the map but will not actively pursue you)
(Turn one begins)
Saizo: This is where Yukimura said we should go.
Kagero: He said we were to make an alliance with Duke Blythe to ease the war effort, but it doesn't look as if that will be possible.
Reina: An attack appears to be taking place... Maybe I can spill the blood of our enemies!
Orochi: I told you I had a bad feeling about this... I suppose the best we can do is get out of here before things get much worse. I don't see Duke Blythe anywhere.
Kagero: He must have left when the attack started.
Reina: Those look like Nohrian soldiers... Maybe the royal siblings are here.
(Camera pans over to Kaden)
Kaden: Phew... I managed to get away from those bounty hunters for now... Gods, it looks like we're in the middle of a fight. Maybe I can use the chaos to slip away from them...
(Corrin talks to Saizo)
Corrin: Ah! Saizo! What are you doing here?
Saizo: I could ask the same of you.
Corrin: We were going to ask Duke Blythe if he would be willing to ally with Hoshido in the war. What about you?
Saizo: Yukimura sent us to do the same.
Corrin: In that case, perhaps we should team up. We had a bit of a rough start, but it would do my army good to have you in it.
Saizo: Fine.
Corrin: Thank you, Saizo!
(Corrin talks to Kagero)
Kagero: You must be Lord Corrin.
Corrin: You look familiar... Have we met before?
Kagero: I am Kagero, one of Lord Ryoma's retainers.
Corrin: I remember now! I saw you around the palace a few times before the war started...
Kagero: I was sent alongside Saizo, Orochi, and Reina to ask for alliance from Nestra. However, if we crossed paths here, maybe it would be best for us to stick together from now on.
Corrin: That sounds perfect to me.
Kagero: Then consider it done.
(Corrin talks to Orochi)
Orochi: Aha! You're Lady Mikoto's child!
Corrin: Hm? Who might you be?
Orochi: I'm Orochi, one of Lady Mikoto's retainers. It's nice to meet you.
Corrin: As to you... If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing here?
Orochi: Yukimura sent us here to talk to the duke of Nestra. I had a bit of a bad feeling before coming, and it seems like I was right to guess that.
Corrin: Yeah. We didn't expect to run into Nohrian troops here.
Orochi: In that case, consider my magic yours!
Corrin: We're glad to have you!
(Corrin talks to Reina)
Corrin: Your armor looks Hoshidan... Are you from the Hoshidan army?
Reina: That I am! You must be Lady Mikoto's child.
Corrin: Yes, that would be me. I'm Corrin.
Reina: I am Reina, one of your mother's retainers.
Corrin: Would you be okay to help us out then? We're in a bit of a bind, as I'm sure you can see.
Reina: Of course! I'm already prepared to soak the battlefield in the enemy's blood!
(Corrin talks to Kaden)
Corrin: Hey, are you alright? You look pretty panicked...
Kaden: I'm fine... Hey, you smell kind of funny... Are you like me?
Corrin: Like you? What do you mean?
Kaden: You can shift into a dragon, can't you?!
Corrin: W-Well, yes, but—
Kaden: The name's Kaden! I'm a kitsune, so I can turn into a fox! I'd be able to smell someone like you a mile away. I'm in a bit of trouble with some bounty hunters right now, so would you be able to help you out? I can help you deal with your problem too.
Corrin: Bounty hunters?
Kaden: They want my luscious tail to sell!
Corrin: Okay, Kaden. We'll help you out. Nobody deserves to go through something like that.
Kaden: Thanks! I'll be sure to pay you back for it!
(Corrin initiates combat with Xander)
Corrin: Xander, I'm sorry about all of this...
Xander: I still don't understand how you could turn your back on Nohr after all those years.
Corrin: We can still join forces! We can work together to end this war! King Garon is not the man he used to be. I'm sure that you noticed it.
Xander: That... I'm sorry, Corrin. The time for talking is over. I wish it could be different.
Corrin: It doesn't need to be this way! Xander, please!
(Corrin initiates combat with Camilla)
Camilla: My dear, sweet Corrin...
Corrin: Camilla, will you please listen to me? It doesn't have to be like this. We can join forces and end this war together! Fighting won't do anything but tear us apart!
Camilla: I wish we could be together still, but fate has dictated otherwise. Please forgive your big sister, will you?
Corrin: Camilla, stop this! Please!
(Corrin initiates combat with Leo)
Leo: I should have known you would betray us one day.
Corrin: Leo, I really... I don't want to fight you. I want to be a family again, but... I'm sorry. I can't go back to King Garon after all I have seen him do.
Leo: You have no idea what you have done to my family...
Corrin: What are you talking about?
Leo: That is none of your concern. Die, traitor!
(Corrin initiates combat with Elise)
Corrin: Elise... I had to come and talk to you...
Elise: Why did you leave us behind? Everything is falling to pieces without you...
Corrin: H-Huh?
Elise: Camilla's grown depressed, Xander's all distant, and Leo... He's not himself either. I don't understand why you had to leave us.
Corrin: I couldn't go back to King Garon. I'm sorry. I wish I could be with you still, but I can't go back to him. He's not the man he once was.
Elise: I want to join you! I really do! Corrin, I promise you that I'll come back and see you one day! I don't want us to be torn apart anymore!
Corrin: Elise... Please, stay safe...
(Corrin initiates combat with Garon)
Corrin: King Garon. Prepare to die.
Garon: Traitor... Your betrayal earns only one punishment, and that is death. I hope you are ready to die!
(Azura initiates combat with Xander)
Azura: It's been a while, hasn't it, Xander?
Xander: Azura? Is that really you?
Azura: It is... I wish we didn't have to be crossing blades this way.
Xander: Much has changed since the days of our youth... I hope that we can one day be close as friends rather than foes.
Azura: I would like that.
(Azura initiates combat with Camilla)
Azura: I'm glad to see you're doing well after all these years.
Camilla: I'm glad to see you're still alive. I could only put you in the hands of fate after our last meeting.
Azura: I haven't heard of any Nohrian queens since the days when I was within the villa...
Camilla: The threat to you was disposed of after you 'went missing'. Unfortunately, you were no longer around to see that...
Azura: Even if we are on opposite sides of the battlefield, I truly am glad to see you... I hope we can be sisters once again after this war ends.
Camilla: I would rather like that... For now, be sure to stay alive, would you?
(Azura initiates combat with Garon)
Azura: King Garon...
Garon: You will pay for your insolence here today!
Azura: So, you don't remember me... Do you remember my mother? Do you recall anything of Arete?
Garon: That is none of your concern! Prepare to die!
(Garon is defeated in combat)
Garon: My men can handle the rest from here... For now, I must retreat...
(Xander is defeated in combat)
Xander: This is not over...
(Camilla is defeated in combat)
Camilla: I may need to retreat for now, but your ends will come soon enough!
(Leo is defeated in combat)
Leo: Urgh... I will not be felled here...
(Elise is defeated in combat)
Elise: I'm sorry for being a bother, guys... I'll see you again one day, Corrin...
(The chapter ends)
Corrin: Finally... We managed to get out of there... I have no idea how we pulled it off, but I'm not complaining at all.
Takumi: It looks like asking Duke Blythe for help is out of the question... Where was he during that fight?
Sakura: He's over there!
(The group hides around the corner of the opera house as Blythe slowly limps out of a building nearby)
Blythe: It's time to get out of here...
Garon: Blythe!
(Garon and the other Nohrian royals all come out of the opera house together)
Blythe: King Garon!
Garon: I came to Nestra in the first place to ask you for your alliance in the war.
Blythe: I'm afraid I cannot offer it. Everyone on Pheuyura knows Nestra remains neutral in all conflicts. I can't join your battle after you fought on my land despite this. Nestra will stay out of this war as it has done so in all previous fights. I must ask you and your troops to leave Nestra at once.
Garon: Wrong answer.
(Garon raises his axe and slices it into Blythe, who drops immediately)
Blythe: You... You dastard...
(Blythe dies)
Corrin: Ah-!
Sakura: N-No way...
Garon: Burn this city to the ground! Find that songstress and make her pay too! All who oppose Nohr must die!
Hinoka: No...
Azura: We can't stay here. We have to get out of here now.
Corrin: But what about all the Cyrkensians? We can't just leave them to die!
Elise: You won't need to worry about that.
(Elise appears nearby)
Corrin: Elise!
Elise: Xander, Camilla, Leo, and I aren't going to let anybody get too badly hurt. It's going to be okay. I'm going to heal up anyone who needs it... This fighting is pointless... I don't want to see anybody else die...
Hinoka: Y-You're from Nohr, aren't you?
Corrin: This is Elise... She's my younger sister from Nohr... Elise, please, I don't want you to put yourself in danger.
Elise: Father isn't like how he used to be. He's changed. Something is wrong... I can't join you now, but I want to help you anyways.
Corrin: Elise... Thank you so much.
Elise: We'll take care of this. Where are you going now?
Corrin: We're going to Cheve.
Takumi: Should you really be spilling secrets like that to the enemy?!
Corrin: I trust Elise. She wants this fighting to stop as much as we do. She would never betray us.
Takumi: Corrin, think with your head instead of your heart for a moment! She could—
Elise: It isn't the fastest way, but there's a boat that leaves Nestra and travels along the river on the border of Hoshido. It loops around the outside edge of Pheuyura and should help you get to Cheve. Going through Nestra to take the shorter route will just have you running into Father again... We have countless reinforcements here as it is. You'll be in a lot of trouble.
Corrin: Thank you so much for everything, Elise... I'll see you again someday.
Elise: I'm going to try and talk the others into siding with you soon. Until then, stay out of trouble.
Corrin: Alright... Until next time.
(The group keeps on moving until they reach a port at the border of Nestra)
Hinoka: I'm going to get us a boat. Stay here.
Takumi: What the hell were you thinking back there, Corrin?! You told the enemy exactly where we're going!
Corrin: I told you, I trust Elise with my life. She wouldn't do anything to turn us in. Plus, she told us where to go to get to Cheve. We have no choice but to follow her instructions. Cyrkensia is going to be a mess soon because of King Garon... If we don't get on that boat, we're going to have to face the full force of the Nohrian army.
Takumi: This is a bad idea...
Sakura: U-Um... Azura, where did you go? How did you end up on the stage?
Azura: One of the Nestrans mistook me for a performer singing at the opera house... It was good that I was able to sing for King Garon, in a way.
Sakura: He looked to be pretty distressed after you started singing...
Azura: I've never quite known why, but my song has the ability to expose people's inner demons and nullify corruption... I suppose it worked on him. Like Corrin has suspected, something has indeed changed for the worse.
Takumi: What are we supposed to do about it? We have too small a battalion to take on the full force of the Nohrian army. We have to keep going to Cheve to meet up with Ryoma.
Azura: I agree. It would be best if we pressed on.
Hinoka: Alright, we're leaving immediately. Let's move out.
Corrin: Thank you, Hinoka... Are you sure you're feeling okay? You still look rather ill...
Hinoka: Don't worry about it. Let's get going. Ryoma is waiting for us.
I'm getting back to posting this after a long time. I forgot to take care of it, so I'm going to wrap up business here. I'm up to the midgame of conquest now, so I've got a lot of daily posting to do before we're up to date. I don't think that's a bad thing though. Enjoy the excessive updates until then!
-Digital