(The chapter opens with Corrin, Azura, Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura walking together through Valla.)

Corrin: I feel like we have to be getting closer... I mean, we've been traveling through Valla for days, and all the enemies have been coming from this direction.

Hinoka: I'm sure there's something in this direction. There just has to be.

Sakura: I hope you're right... I don't want us to have to change our course so late into our travels. There are people that need our help now.

Azura: To be fair, I feel as if traveling through Valla feels much slower than anywhere else.

Takumi: I agree. There aren't any notable landmarks. It's all empty land and destroyed buildings.

Ryoma: This place truly is a shadow of its former self... There's barely anything left.

Corrin: I'm sure that we'll come across Anankos when traces of civilization appear.

Sakura: That would make sense... I doubt someone as grand as Anankos would operate out of a broken building.

Takumi: He seems pretty damn bold, so there has to be something that survived the invasion around here that he's living in.

Ryoma: All we can do is press on and pray that we encounter something soon.

Azura: Patience will be our best friend.

Hinoka: Even if we want nothing more than to charge ahead and just take care of everything...

Corrin: Hold a moment. I feel like something is wrong...

Sakura: What do you mean...?

Takumi: I feel like I'm being watched.

Hinoka: I feel it too... It's weird.

Azura: Look around... There are Vallite soldiers here.

Ryoma: It seems they were planning an ambush...

Corrin: I don't know who your leader is, but I suggest that they come out as soon as possible! We'll attack if you don't comply!

?: This will end in a battle regardless... I know how this is bound to go.

Ryoma: That voice...! It couldn't possibly be...

(Ikona walks into view.)

Hinoka: Mother...

Azura: This is... This is Lady Ikona of Hoshido, the previous queen... I've seen paintings of her in Shirasagi...

Takumi: Anankos... You dastard...!

Sakura: This can't be happening...

Hinoka: Well... It is. Let's get ready and take care of things.

Ryoma: I agree. She's counting on us to free her from this spell that she's fallen under, and I don't want to let her down.

Takumi: I hate the idea of following through with this, but you're right.

Sakura: Alright... I'll trust your judgement, everyone.

Azura: I'll ready the rest of the troops, Corrin.

Corrin: Thank you, Azura. There's not a moment for us to lose. I doubt this battle will be easy, so we must be prepared... No matter what happens.

(The battle begins. The objective is to rout the enemy and defeat the boss, Ikona. The enemies are stationed around the edges of the map, respawning every so often. All of the enemies are in Hoshidan classes. Ikona herself is classed as an Onmyoji with immense magical strength.)

(If Corrin initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Corrin: Lady Ikona... We never got the chance to meet, but... I think your children think highly of you.

Ikona: You must serve Anankos or face the consequences...

Corrin: And it's because of that respect they have for you that I have to do this. Brace yourself. It's going to hurt.

(If Azura initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Azura: I always admired the pictures of you depicted in the capital, you know... I didn't expect to ever see you in person though... But that matters not. I have to defeat you here and now for the sake of the future of Pheuyura.

Ikona: I'd like to see you try...

(If Ryoma initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Ryoma: Mother... So much has changed in the years since your death... I simply wish it didn't have to end this way for your sake.

Ikona: I'm happy where I am, serving the great Anankos...

Ryoma: This isn't like you... For the sake of the memories I have of you, I'm going to do what I must to free you of this sick spell.

(If Hinoka initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Hinoka: I... I saw you die all those years ago. I saw you as you were murdered, and... You're back now... I don't want to do this.

Ikona: I will defeat you today...

Hinoka: Regardless of my wishes though... I know what I have to do, and I'm going to carry out my duties... I'm sorry, Mother.

(If Takumi initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Takumi: I recognize your face from paintings, and yet, I remember so little about you... I always wished we could make memories together, but this was far from being what I meant.

Ikona: Join me... And you can have all you wish...

Takumi: Thanks, but no thanks. I have other priorities at the moment, including defeating you... Let's end this here and now, Mother.

(If Sakura initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Sakura: You and I... We never got the chance to meet in my memories, Mother... I wish things could have been different, but... Not like this.

Ikona: Come with me...

Sakura: No... I can't. There are too many people counting on me, and I'm not going to let them down... I'm sorry it had to end this way...

(If anyone else initiates combat with Ikona, the following dialogue plays out.)

Ikona: You have no choice but to fall before the power of the great Anankos... Step aside or suffer...

(When Ikona is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.)

Ikona: I feel... Different... Lighter... Ah... So this is... The end...

(After the battle, Corrin, Azura, Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura stand over a dying Ikona.)

Hinoka: Mother...

Ikona: You... You're all here... Ryoma... Hinoka... Takumi... And sweet Sakura...

Ryoma: Yes... We're here.

Ikona: I... I love you all... So much...

Sakura: M-Mother... I-I...

Ikona: I'm proud... Of what you've become...

(Ikona vanishes into purple fire.)

Takumi: ...She's gone.

Azura: How are you all feeling...?

Hinoka: Truth be told... Like utter garbage.

Takumi: So soon after what happened in the capital, we're forced to fight our birth mother... How low does this supposed god go in the name of victory?

Ryoma: At least she's been freed from his spell. We did what we had to. Rest easy with that knowledge.

Sakura: Yes... You're right. I know you're right, but... I still think I need some time...

Hinoka: Knowing you did the right thing and fully accepting it are two different things...

Corrin: That's alright... Take all the time you need. All of you.

Ryoma: Thank you, but... We're not going to hold you back.

Takumi: We're going to be ready for the next fight. That's a promise.

Sakura: Yes... Exactly.

Corrin: I admire your resolve, but... Don't push yourselves, alright?

Sakura: Okay... Thank you, Corrin...

(Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura walk away.)

Azura: You seem to be lost in thought, Corrin...

Corrin: I am... If someone that died years ago was free game to be used by Anankos, then who else are we going to have to fight on the way to him?

Azura: Only time will be able to tell us for sure... We'll simply have to press on and see what happens.

Corrin: Between the endless destroyed land and constant fighting, it feels hopeless, but... We made a promise to make things better, so we can't be discouraged just yet.

Azura: Remember that you can always lean on us for support, Corrin. You aren't in this alone.

Corrin: Yes... You're right. Thank you, Azura... We're all in this fight together, and we're going to pull through as one. Anankos won't stand a chance when we find him. After all, we have a lot of lost souls to avenge.

Azura: And avenge them we shall.

I played so much Digimon while preparing for this update but hey here it is that's what matters

-Digital