(The chapter opens to show Corrin, Azura, Sakura, Takumi, and Hinoka in a port town.)

Corrin: It looks like we're at long last... I'm glad to see it.

Azura: We managed to get here with relatively few issues after the Mokushu skirmish... I'm rather thankful for such.

Takumi: I just hope we don't run into any other troublesome circumstances from here on out.

Sakura: W-We're going to be fine... I'm sure of it.

Hinoka: I pray you're right there, Sister... After all, we don't exactly have all the time in the world to be traveling towards Notre Sagesse. After we finish our business there, we're going to have to set our sights on Nohr and stopping the war. I fear that they won't be quite so easy to convince.

Corrin: I think it's going to be fine. The Nohrian royals are reasonable people aside from King Garon. I believe that they'll listen to me.

Azura: Emotions were high on the Plains of Hoshido, so it's understandable that they were upset then, so perhaps things will have changed by the time we see them this time...

Sakura: Yeah... You know them better than the rest of us do, so I'm sure that they'll follow what you predict.

Takumi: I don't think we should be worrying about the royals at the moment... We have far larger issues, I'm afraid to say.

Azura: What are you saying?

Hinoka: Nohrian soldiers...

Corrin: If I had to guess, I would say that they're here to either stomp out our resistance or take me back to Nohr.

Sakura: Neither of those outcomes are particularly favorable...

Hinoka: If it's a fight they want, then that's fine by me. It's a fight they'll get!

?: Don't start fighting yet! Wait for me!

Corrin: Is that... Elise?!

(Elise appears with Arthur and Effie.)

Elise: Corrin, I'm so glad to see you! I'm here to warn you! Father is sending soldiers after-

Corrin: We know... But what are you doing here? It's dangerous for you to be so far away from the palace since you can't fight!

Elise: I'll be fine! I brought my retainers along. Effie and Arthur will do everything they can to keep me safe from any source of potential danger.

Effie: I'll defend her with my life!

Arthur: And I'll ensure that justice always prevails!

Corrin: Alright... I'll trust you on this. We're going to have to tread carefully from here on out.

Elise: I'll be okay. You're all here to defend me now, after all!

Azura: Corrin, we're out of time. It's time for us to fight.

Corrin: I agree. Ready your weapons! The battle awaits us!

(The fight begins shortly afterwards. The objective is to defeat the boss. There are many enemies scattered around the port area, but three of them are particularly notable: Charlotte, Benny, and Silas. The camera pans over to them at the start of the fight.)

Charlotte: Ugh, I can't believe we're doing something like this... Chasing after a traitor of Nohr? What sort of job is that?!

Benny: Charlotte, it's going to be alright... Just be careful.

Silas: I wonder... Is Corrin really here...? If so... Hm...

(If Corrin enters Silas' movement range, the following dialogue plays out. Silas turns over to your side as soon as this dialogue finishes.)

Silas: It is you! Corrin, I'm so happy to see that you're okay!

Corrin: Silas? I didn't expect to see you here of all places!

Silas: It's alright now. I'm going to stay here with you. Who cares about fighting for my country if it forces me to fight against the people I believe in?

Corrin: Thank you so much for everything, Silas... I don't know what I would do without you.

(If Corrin talks to Charlotte, the following dialogue plays out.)

Corrin: I'm giving you the chance to step aside now. We don't have to fight. I would prefer to avoid violence, but if you really want to fight me, then... It seems I'll have no choice.

Charlotte: Your clothing is so fancy... I have to wonder... Just who are you?

Corrin: You may call me Corrin.

Charlotte: Wait... Corrin as in... Lord Corrin?

Corrin: So you've heard of me.

Charlotte: Oh, my! I had no idea that you were the one we were supposed to be chasing after! Now that I've heard about this, I don't want to fight you in the first place!

Corrin: What?

Charlotte: I have little reason to fight for Nohr, but I could certainly stand to fight with you instead... If you would have me, I would be sure to serve your cause well.

Corrin: Well... Alright. Just be careful out there, alright?

(If Elise talks to Charlotte, the following dialogue plays out.)

Elise: You don't seem very intent on fighting here today...

Charlotte: What's it to-Hey! You're Princess Elise, aren't you?

Elise: I am! And who are you?

Charlotte: Well, I'm Charlotte. I'm a border guard for Nohr, though I was dragged along for this mission pretty forcefully... I would much prefer to fight alongside you instead of the country.

Elise: Luckily for you, there's an ability to switch sides now. You can come with me if you would like to.

Charlotte: Oh, that would be swell! Thank you so much!

Elise: It's no problem at all!

(If Corrin talks to Benny, the following dialogue plays out.)

Corrin: If we're going to have to fight, then fine... Raise your weapon... Why aren't you trying to fight me?

Benny: I have no reasons to fight you. I never wanted to engage in battle here in the first place.

Corrin: Really? Well... Maybe you can come with me instead. I'm carving a path that might be covered in bloodshed, but... I'll still do what I can to get you away from here.

Benny: ...I'll take you up on that offer, if you don't mind.

Corrin: Then welcome aboard!

(If Elise talks to Benny, the following dialogue plays out.)

Elise: Wow, you look pretty scary... I bet you hear that a lot though.

Benny: Yes... I suppose I do.

Elise: Do you really want to fight here? I feel like you're trying to avoid it. You haven't even pointed your lance at me.

Benny: I... I do not.

Elise: Then why bother? You can come with me instead, and everything will be different for you! Better, I bet!

Benny: ...I... I think I will.

Elise: Perfect! Come with me then, Mister!

(After the fight, Corrin, Elise, and Silas stand together.)

Corrin: I'm glad that's over... Elise, what are you doing here though?

Elise: I heard that Father was sending some soldiers after you, and... I couldn't stand the idea of you getting hurt. It was too awful to bear.

Corrin: So you followed them here?

Elise: Yeah! I had to warn you. Even if you aren't with Nohr, I still care about you.

Corrin: Elise... Do you want to come with me?

Elise: Huh?

Corrin: I want to make peace for everyone, regardless of if they're from Hoshido or Nohr. I want everyone to be happy... And if you want to come with me, then I'll help you find the same peace. I know that you hate this fighting just as much as I do, and we can work together to be happy.

Elise: I would love to! I'm sure that my other siblings feel the same... Even if they aren't as open about expressing it.

Corrin: How are they doing?

Elise: Struggling, but... If they decide to come with you, then I'm sure that they'll feel a lot better. We're bound to see them sooner or later.

Corrin: I'm glad to hear it... What about you, Silas?

Silas: I heard that you were being pursued, and I came to see if you were really here. I was planning on siding with you from the very beginning.

Corrin: I'm happy you managed to find me then... We're all going to Notre Sagesse now if you guys want to come with us... Granted, I suppose you don't have much of a choice in the matter, but... Oh, you know what I mean.

Elise: Of course! I'm sure that Silas feels the same way, right?

Silas: How could I refuse? You're the reason I came all this way, and I'm not going to turn away from that purpose now.

Corrin: Perfect. Welcome to the group then, both of you.

(Azura appears.)

Azura: Corrin, the boat is ready. We should get going before we're followed once again.

Corrin: Alright. In that case, let's keep going. Follow me, everyone!

Since yesterday's chapter, I rewatched all of Digimon Adventure Tri, and it has me feeling a lot of things right now. That show is amazing.

-Digital