Deliverer of Birthright

by romeoraiden

My First Story. Two Nations. One desperate enough to bring a terrible war, the other more concern for themselves, and at the center, a sheltered Princess is forced to make difficult choices for the good of all. In her quest to do what's right many will stand with her and many more will oppose, throwing her in a state of despair. And from the chaos a Fallen Hero will rise again.

3. Chapter 3: Distrust

Chapter 3: Distrust

"Robin!" Corrin cried in joy, thrill to see a familiar face as she rushes to her friend's side, ignoring Kaze and Rinkah behind her as the two embrace in a warming hug, something she desperately needed ever since she awoke to find herself so away from her home.

"Is that guy Nohrian?" Rinkah asked, her only reason for not bashing Robin's skull open is because of Corrin.

"Yes, but he is no enemy yet, I've encounter this man before and we can partially trust him." Kaze assured.

"Corrin, what are you doing here in Hoshido, so far from home?" Robin asked with concern, especially upon feeling her tremble.

"Oh, Robin… it was horrible! Everything in the canyon fell apart and… Felicia, Jakob and Gunter are… are… dead…" Corrin tries to let out all the grief she has kept locked inside ever since the Bottomless Canyon, not given a chance to mourn because of the Hoshidans, especially Mikoto and her bombshell of a revelation.

"What…? It can't be!" Robin gasped in horror, unable to accept the news, however neither are given the chance to mourn as they are attack by another Type of Grimm, an avian of colossal size that has features resembling those of several other bird species. Two notable examples of this are its resemblances to condors and ravens. Like other creatures of Grimm, it has a mask-like, white bony structure overlaying the upper front of its head. It also has four glowing red eyes, two on each side of its head. The headpiece also includes a dorsal spine or fin, reminiscent of that on the heads of condors and some prehistoric pterosaurs and it seems to have two clawed "fingers" extending forwards from the outermost wing joint.

"A Nevermore! Take cover!" Kaze shouted as the Avian monster attacks the group by throwing its own black feathers like a volley of arrows with effective range, most of them directly at the two white heads. Robin keeps Corrin close as he unleashes his magic, his Tome starts to move by itself, opening up and shifts its own page for the purpose of having one spell to use, creating a barrier of purple energy around them that easily repels the extremely sharp feathers that upon reaching the barrier, the force of their hit made Robin believe that they could cut through flesh and bones like butter, even though he easily blocked them. Once the attacks stop, Robin removes his barrier and summons multiple spheres of white energy and sends them all at the Nevermore. For the most part the giant black bird did well moving fast enough to avoid most of the spheres but eventually gets caught by twelve of them, each causing concussive explosions that greatly damage the Nevermore and make it crash land. It's probably not dead yet.

"I'm afraid we have no time to mourn, first we fight." Robin said, sadness in his voice but still determine to survive this day for Corrin's sake.

"Yeah, I know." Corrin said trying to wipe away her tears just as Kaze and Rinkah regroup with them.

"It's been a while, Sir Robin." Kaze greeted the White Mage.

"You're one of the Ninjas that directly serves the Royal Family of Hoshido. Kaze, right?" Robin said recognizing the Ninja.

"You two know each other? And what even are those things?" Corrin asked.

"It's a long story. And those things are supernatural beings made of pure dark magic native to Nohr and serve as the main force of their army." Robin informed.

"How come I've never heard of them while back home!" Corrin argued.

"Well, you have been living in a fortress your whole life so that's no surprise, and why Xander and the rest didn't fill you in is anyone's guess, but what I can tell you is that they are relentless and will attack anyone that isn't faithful to Nohr, and they don't seem particularly fond of me." Robin explained.

"If you speak truth, then you do well to earn Hoshido's trust once again by helping cleanse our lands of these monsters." Kaze declared.

"Is that really a good idea?" Rinkah questioned, not willing to trust the stranger.

"I will use anything and anyone at my disposal to guarantee the safety of the Hoshidan Princesses." Kaze declared.

"Fine, I've been chasing these things since yesterday anyway." Robin said as he begins to examine their surroundings and notice seven more Grimm arriving at the scene, boxing them in along with the steep hills. Four Beowolves, follow by three others who are of another type of Grimm, in terms of appearance, these Grimm lack any animal equivalent and are just creepy. They have no forelimbs, only hindlimbs. Said hindlimbs are dual-clawed and are inverted at the knee joints. They also possess tails, which may be use for combat. Their skulls are rather stubby and have four eyes. Like all other Grimm, they feature a dark black color, with white external bone all over the body, alongside deep red eyes and accents. They didn't have many places to maneuver, but then again, sometimes the best strategies are born from limitations.

"Kaze! Are Grimm affected by your shurikens?"

The ninja nodded, already holding a few in his fists. "Yes. Each Grimm has their own advantages and disadvantages, Ursai are resistant to fire, Beowolves can handle lightning attacks, while the Creeps over there have thicker highs than most Grimm so I'm mostly useless against those three but I can certainly slow them down, and luckily none of these are resistant against poison."

"Robin is a gifted Tactician so he'll find a way out of this, no doubt." Corrin said with the utter most confidence in Robin, and he responds fast.

"The Creeps are mine, Kaze, go hit each of the Beowolves to the left of you, and then retreat for that hill." He pointed. "Corrin can handle the other two Beowolves. You, you seem to be from the Flame Tribe, so your strength should be invaluable so you deal with the ones Kaze hits." Robin instructed, finishing with Rinkah but he did not have time to see if they understood, as they need to move fast.

Corrin stabs upwards with the Yato at one of the Beowolves, as it tries to evade her strike but isn't fast enough, cutting off its head. This attempt briefly distracted her to fail to notice the other Beowolf go in next, attempting to sink its fangs on her but she manages to notice in time and uses her sword to block the fangs as the wolf bites the sword instead. The Beowolf tries to push forward in an attempt to bring Corrin to her knees, forcing the young Princess of Nohr to use up her dormant strength to keep herself up and starts pushing the Beowolf while placing her left hand on its neck, in an attempt to give herself an advantage, and it seems to be working as the Beowolf is the one being pushed back but the beast is more intelligent than it appears as it allows itself to be pushed, knocking itself to the ground while dragging Corrin down and with its feet, knocks her aside and sent crashing into a tree.

"Can't help but wonder if maybe death by wolf is predestine." Corrin muttered as she gets up in time to avoid the Beowolf's next assault, as it tries to maul her, Corrin retaliates by trying to slash it in two again but the Beowolf is agile, able to avoid and proceeds to strike the Princess with its claws, only for her to parry the two slashes with her Yato and then slashes its chest, leaving a gash that she can't quite see but judging by the amount of black miasma coming out of it, the gash must be big but it is not enough to keep it down as the two would continue their clash but the Beowolf is briefly stopped as it gets hit in the back with a moon-shape blade of sorts made of wind that makes it lose its balance, giving Corrin the chance she needed to decapitate it.

Corrin turns to see that the one who assisted was Robin as he turned away from his enemies to help her, allowing one of the Creeps to get close to him to strike him with its tail, however Robin easily evaded it by leaping away, and it instead hits the tree the White Mage was next to, that gets swiftly cut in two. Robin retaliates by firing one of his wind blades that also cut it in two despite Kaze's claim of high durability. Disposing of the remaining few should be easy for him.

"Milady! This Alpha is tougher than expected!"

Corrin turns to face her two companions, who were surrounded with the bodies of dissolving Grimm. One, however, still stood. This one is different, covered in more bone-like armor and spines, with a more angular skull, larger teeth and sharp triangular ears. Its stronger and it doesn't seem like Kaze and Rinkah can take it, forcing Corrin to step up and assist them, as she gets behind the Beowolf, or Alpha and attempts to cleave it in two but the Alpha is better than she thought as it saw her coming and turns around in time to block the Yato with its right forearm, and as it tries to slash her face with its left claw, Corrin manages to back away in time, earning its attention away from Kaze and Rinkah.

"Aim for its knees!" Robin shouted as he rushes to the scene, having just dispatched of the Creeps, and Kaze quickly throws two shurikens right at the back of each of its knees, forcing it on the ground, and Corrin takes the chance to finish this as she swings down the Yato at the Alpha's skull, cutting it in two.

"That's the end of this bunch." Rinkah sighed.

"Is everyone alright, I brought Vulneraries just in case?" Kaze asked as he reaches for his satchel and pulls out a clear vial filled with a yellow liquid. Those are Elixirs with magical properties that can offer people strong healing but not to the same extent as actual users of healing magic but still very invaluable.

"No, I'm good." Corrin kindly declined.

"This area seems to be clear." Rinkah said.

"Not quite." Robin said, watching the Nevermore he brought down get back up and angrily turns to them with the intent to finish them, firing more of its feathers, of which Robin steps in front of Corrin and counters all of the arrows with more wind attacks, afterwards he shoots another bolt of lightning that vaporizes the Nevermore's head, finishing it.

"Damn, didn't think anyone could one shot a Nevermore except Ryoma and he needs the Raijinto to pull it off." Rinkah muttered.

"I'm not one to accept praise, and if I recall correctly, Kaze said something about the Hoshidan Princesses in danger." Robin said.

"Yes, let's keep up the pace." Kaze said as the four warriors carry onward, moving between two of the larger hills in the direction Ryoma had run off in. All they had to do was follow the trail of burn marks cause by all the electricity Ryoma unleashed because of his lightning magic sword. In the distance, they could hear shouts and the clang of metal.

"We must be close. Prepare yourselves." Kaze warned.

Coming around a particularly steep hill, Corrin caught sight of Ryoma, cutting his way through a group of Ursai. He sliced with purpose and skill. Behind him, a young woman with fiery red hair was engaging a Creep with a strange looking spear, using the large shield attached to it for blocking strikes. Ryoma seemed perfectly fine with his group, but the red headed warrior seemed to be struggling. Robin turned to Kaze and Rinkah. "You two help Ryoma, Corrin and I can help Lady Hinoka."

"Sure, if you don't mind her cutting you to ribbons, Nohrian." Rinkah replied, not sure if the Hoshidan Royals will take kindly to his help.

"I don't gamble but I like to think I have high chances." Robin stated.

"We'll see." Rinkah grinned and rushed into the giant brute of Ursai, ready to crush more Nohrian abominations. Kaze stayed at a distance, hurling shurikens with pinpoint accuracy. They had the larger group but they'll be fine, considering Ryoma is leading the assault.

"Are you familiar with all the Royals of Hoshido?" Corrin could not help but question Robin now.

"Later Corrin, now we must fight." Robin insisted.

Charging around the larger fight, Corrin held the Yato ahead of her. "Get back!" She shouted.

The Princess of Hoshido turned her head to her and nodded. Stepping away, she allowed Corrin to sweep in front of her with a hard slash. The harsh slash cut open the Creep, causing black miasma to spill out onto the snow. Apparently not caring, it continued its assault, trying to sink its teeth at Corrin. She avoids the horrid mouth but was forced to block the second, driven backwards by the force. The redhead warrior princess leapt around her, stabbing her spear into the right of its lip. It let out a roar, but Corrin cut it off by stabbing her sword hilt-deep inside its mouth. Pulling it out to a gush of black ichor, she laughed shakily as the beast slumped down.

"Guess I did that right."

"It's not over yet! We got a Titanboa!" Hinoka shouted as they look to see another type of large Grimm, a giant snake that dwarfs all humans, where normal snakes have only one pair of large fangs in their mouths, this one sports many fangs in its jaws, with a long, black forked tongue to boot. The body is primarily black in color, though it does contain a few speckles of white on its underbelly, as well as some isolated areas along its body. Its color scheme is very similar to that of the Beowolves and Ursai. It has large, blood-red eyes and a white bony covering with red markings on the top of its head.

It gets closer before any of them could react to intercept it, minus for Robin as he gets between them, creating another energy sphere, but one that is much bigger for the Titanboa to sink its fangs into instead of the three of them, which then releases a shockwave that forces the serpent to back off, afterwards he fires a massive gust of wind, that blows the Titanboa hundreds of feet in the air, sending it violently crashing on top several more Beowolves heading their way.

"They won't be a problem for now." Robin said.

"Wait a second… you're Robin, the Nohrian I met in Notre Sagesse." The oldest Princess of Hoshido said, also familiar with him, baffling Corrin. Just what was he really doing in the ten months he was away?

"A pleasure to meet you again Lady Hinoka, a pity that it has to be under violent circumstances." Robin greeted.

"Not that I don't appreciate any form of help I receive, but why would you protect me from the monsters of your people?" Hinoka questioned.

"I told you before, I hold loyalty to certain people who I owe a debt to in Nohr but I hold no real allegiance to the Dark Night Kingdom as a whole, and these things have deemed me their enemy." Robin assured her.

"I'll hold you at your word for now, foreigner." Hinoka said as she turns to Corrin. "Sorry for being dismissive. I too thank you for coming all the way out here to help me, even if it didn't go so well. I owe you one as well."

"It was no problem at all." Corrin brushed off.

"Hey, you never did tell me your name."

"Oh, sorry. I'm Corrin. Nice to meet you!"

A look of confusion passed across Hinoka's face, but before she could ask her question a roar echoed out over the snowy plain. Looking at the tall hill just ahead of them, a gang of seven titanboas came over its crest. The sight of them troubles even Ryoma as they began to slowly descend the hill.

"Corrin, get the Dragon Vein." Robin instructed her, pointing at the Dragon Vein that is encircling the hill, the Nohrian Princess wasting no time as she breaks into a sprint. Reaching out with her hand, she tried to access it. Not close enough. She kept running, constantly trying to trigger the vein while Robin runs beside her to cover for her.

"Corrin! What are you doing?" Ryoma yelled out to her and starts to run after the princess, anxious to stop her running straight into the horde.

Finally, Corrin felt the Dragon Vein react to her power. It gathered into her clenched fist, bursting to move into the heart of the hill. Unsure of how to release such a huge amount of power, she acted on instinct. Drawing her fist back, she punched the hill. Yellow energy rippled outwards, causing the surface level snow to evaporate quickly. The rock then began to melt, becoming the strange liquid/solid combination that she has little knowledge of. The Grimm sank into the hill, roaring as they were cooked by the super-heated rock. In just a few moments, the once tall hill had retracted into the ground, and the Grimm were nowhere to be seen, incinerated entirely.

"Nice job." Robin praised.

"Thanks, it's strange how all the Dragon Veins seem to be connected to each other, though not as strange how you can also spot them." Corrin said aroused before growing bitter. "If only I could've made use of them in the canyon."

"I'm so sorry Corrin, if only I wasn't so wrapped up in what I was doing, I could've been there when you needed me the most." Robin said with regret as he should've been there for Jakob, Felicia and Gunter.

"No, it's not your fault, the blame falls solely on me, I got them killed." Corrin cursed herself, fruitlessly trying to keep her tears under control.

"I hate to ask but what are you doing here with Hoshido, your parents and siblings have to be worried sick?" Robin asked.

"Well… long story short, they kidnapped me, took me to see their Queen and High Prince who both claim to be my 'real' mother and eldest brother and that the Nohrians kidnapped me after they killed my 'real' father, Sumeragi and raised me to be their soldier against my birthplace." Corrin explained all she's learned. "Of course, it turns out that Sumeragi and his kids are really my step family."

"What! That's insane. Nohr's Royals don't seem like the kind of people who would do that." Robin snapped in denial. "I mean, I never really seen your father, people frequently say he's wrathful but not an authentic tyrant."

"That's what I keep telling myself but even though I don't doubt them, I can't help but wonder what my family has been keeping from me all these years. I'm sure if I ask Xander he'll tell me the truth out of obligation after what I've been through." Corrin said confidently.

"Want to make a run for it, I know my way around these particular lands and there's no way that even their Kinshi can catch up to me as I propel us to the sky." Robin offered.

"As much as I want that no, I want to stay and discover the truth from them. I supposed there's a part of me that wants to trust Mikoto, even if I loathe to call her mother when it is Queen Arete who I feel attached to." Corrin declared, making Robin sigh.

"Whatever you decide I will follow, the Hoshidans don't seem as hostile to outsiders as Leo would always brag about." Robin bowed.

"I hope that's true." Corrin muttered. "Now tell me, what are you doing here, did you rush to Hoshido to find me."

"I did, I finished the errand Xander requested of me sooner than he expected but because you were off to be with your folks I felt no rush to make it to you and decided to explore the forest of the Lycans, there is something there that earned my interest for a while and decided to finally explore it but before I could get to it, I decided too late that since Garon would have you sent out on missions you may need me so I rushed back. I regret to say I acted slowly." Robin explained.

"You're here now, that's all that matters." Corrin assured him.

"When I learned that you were sent to investigate the Bottomless Canyon I rushed as quick as I could but by the time I made it you were taken by the Hoshidans and I came across those black creatures crossing the Hoshido borders and butchering anyone they came across, me included once they saw me alone."

"Corrin!" Ryoma called out, reaching his sister, alongside Hinoka, Kaze and Rinkah. "I'm glad you're alright."

"Yep, Thank Gods for Dragon Veins, and… curse them at the same time." Corrin muttered.

"… Incredible. There was a Dragon Vein there this whole time?"

Corrin nodded. "Yes. Most of the hills in this region seem to be connected to one."

Ryoma laughed. "And I didn't even notice any. Thank you, Corrin. I don't know if even I could have fought all of them." He then turns to meet Robin. "So we meet again, Robin, is it an act of Fate that we would cross paths when my siblings are again in need of aid or a mere coincidence, I wonder."

"I'm not one for Fate, but I assure you that I mean no harm to Hoshido, I came here only in search of my Princess." Robin informed.

"So you knew Corrin all along. I knew we should've questioned you more on your ties to at least their army, still you aided us again, and so I give you my thanks and none of my hostility." Ryoma said.

"I am grateful."

Hinoka stared at Corrin, now certain in her suspicions. "Sakura! You can come out now!"

A pile of soft snow shifted, and from behind it stepped a girl in a priestess robe. She carried a healing stave and had the same red hair as Hinoka, albeit much more organized and with a lighter tint. Ryoma turned to the royal princesses.

"Hinoka, Sakura! I'm so glad that you're both safe." He looked around. "But where are your troops? Hinoka, your Pegasus?"

Hinoka stared at the ground. "We were ambushed by the Grimm hiding on the hills. All… all of my soldiers are dead. My Rukia injured. I told her to fly back to the castle, lest she died too."

Ryoma laid a hand on her shoulder. "Strength sister, the blame is not on you. They gladly gave their lives to defend Karakura."

Hinoka looked up at Ryoma. "Are they safe?"

"Indeed, as expected you served our people well, Hinoka, you always do." Ryoma praised.

She nodded sadly. "Then perhaps it may have been worth it. We need to find their bodies, so that they can be returned to their families."

The younger princess hugged her sister from behind. "You were so brave, Hinoka. I wouldn't have survived if you didn't help me. Don't beat yourself up so much."

Hinoka nodded, and gently tore herself free of their grips. "Thank you. Both of you. I'll be fine." She turned to face Corrin, staring at her intently. "Just fine."

Deciding this was a good time for proper introductions, Corrin stepped forward. "Greetings, Lady Sakura and Hinoka. My name is-"

"Your name is Corrin. I know. I suspected it from the moment I saw you." Hinoka cut in.

Suspecting where this was leading, Corrin nodded. "Er… yes. Nice to meet you properly."

Sakura looked up at her elder sister, who had tears brimming in the corners of her eyes. "Hinoka? Are you okay?"

Hinoka ran forward, closing the gap between them around throwing her arms around her 'sister's' neck. "Finally… After all these years." She sniffled. "I… I've missed you so much!"

Corrin remains silent, not sure how to respond, like with Mikoto, she feels nothing from her warming embrace, and again, Corrin doesn't mean to be selfish but Hinoka doesn't hold a candle to Camilla's loving embrace but that's just her being completely bias when all it takes is getting used to it.

"Ah… it's… nice to be on friendly terms with all of you so quickly." Corrin said in a weak attempt to be kind towards her.

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be to my little sister." Hinoka cried.

Ryoma smiled as Hinoka's embrace on Corrin tightens. "You and Hinoka were always so attached to each other when you were little. When you were taken from us, she cried for months. One day, she stopped crying and picked up the naginata. Every day she has spent training, training to get you back from Nohr. And now… Here you are."

Hinoka sniffled, breaking away from Corrin. "I'm sorry, Corrin. I'm not usually this emotional. But I'm just so happy to have you back! Take that, Nohrian Scumbags! We win, you lose!"

"Hey!" Corrin suddenly snapped at the insult since she still sees herself as a Nohrian. The outburst silences Hinoka, forcing Corrin to take back her words. "Sorry, sorry, this is just too much to accept so suddenly."

"It's fine Corrin, the journey to the truth is not meant to be a blissful one, we realized that too late and for that I'm sorry." Ryoma said.

"What even were those monsters, I know of the Beastmen Tribes but those things felt so surreal." Corrin questioned.

Hinoka shrugged. "Surreal is too kind a term for them. Nohr sends a new wave every few weeks. Usually our border guards hold them off and take advantage of the Corrupted Dragon Veins in the canyon to dispose of them, but one of our forts were in chaos and this lot slipped through."

Corrin's thoughts returned to the evil monster that attacked her. Was that Wrath's true intention for his attack on the fort? Robin said he confronted most of them.

"The swarm was expected to be much bigger than what we encountered, though." Hinoka added while concern if she missed a few. "Word is that a rogue mage of Nohr intercepted them and gave us a fighting chance, though I brushed it off as a farce until now."

"Yes, there's no doubt now that the rogue mage is you, Robin." Ryoma stated.

"You're welcome." Robin replied gently.

"Those things are not of this world, are they?" Corrin wondered.

"They are an ancient army created by the God of Darkness the Nohrians worship to serve as their protectors and ultimate weapons." Ryoma began to explain. "Long ago, roughly fifteen hundred years ago, a kingdom from the eastern continent, Gristonne, had a falling out with the King of Nohr at the time and launched a very cruel and cowardly surprise attack on Nohr after organizing a false peace treaty that nearly led to them conquering Nohr as well as Hoshido and the other nations here, however to save his people the Crown Prince at the time struck a deal with the Dusk Dragon, in exchange for his life, his god will lend his people the power to repel the invaders, and Qliphoth accepted the offer and granted the Nohrians his army of the underworld; the Grimm, who the Nohrian royalty can easily control with a mere thought due to having Qliphoth's blood in their veins, and with the Grimm, the Nohrians defeated Gristonne and saved our lands. At first the Grimm were a frequent sight in Horus as the Nohrians used them as the bulk of their army to settle disputes and force alliances with their neighbors. However despite their reasonably good intentions with them, they are still demons and the Nohrians eventually began to hate how they held such loyalty from others through fear of being wiped out from a seemingly endless army of demons and so the Nohrians made the army vanish back into the Underworld so that they could earn back the trust of the other nations the right way and the Grimm became another legend."

"That is until King Garon went completely blood mad, murdered our father, kidnapped you and brought these monsters back and constantly sent them after our people, desecrating our lands and murdering everyone they come across." Hinoka continued for Ryoma, the hatred in her voice all too obvious.

"I knew father was desperate to take these lands but to use such creatures on the innocent." Corrin muttered, not sure if she can believe it. Sure, Garon is demanding and violent but…

Hinoka scoffed. "Spreading chaos is all he knows! The Grimm have no will of their own so they're the perfect weapons to send after us since mother's barrier doesn't work on them like their human soldiers. All they want is for us to give in. To surrender. I won't ever forgive them for that, or for stealing you away. They'll pay for all the suffering they've caused!"

Corrin thought back to what she had seen of King Garon. All her siblings respected and cared for their father, Garon seems compassionate enough, sure he clearly disapproved of Corrin showing mercy to the Hoshidan captives but he didn't object and allowed them to go free for her. He's brutal but only because he's so committed to pulling his people out of the poverty they have endured for centuries. If its true that the Nohrians of old could've used the Grimm to take over Hoshido then and there but didn't because they knew it was wrong, they chose to try and provide for their people the right way, so how could Garon fall astray from the path? Was she wrong about him?

Noticing the stress on his sister's face, Ryoma speaks again. "Corrin, I understand that you have mix feelings about all of this and still see Nohr as your home but the evidence is all around you. The Grimm live to bleed, kill and die for the Dusk Dragon Bloodline, they are obedient to a fault, I've faced their Crown Prince in combat before and seen how protective and loyal the Grimm are to him and do as he says without any consideration for themselves, if you're really his sister by blood then why haven't the Grimm you've come across deliver the same courtesy to you, their Princess? They were supposed to bow before you, take every word you say as if they are the word of a dark goddess and protect you with their very being, but no, they attacked you, tried to kill you, because they know you're not one of them. Even if you weren't royalty they had to have known just by looking at you that you're a citizen of Nohr by birth, or at the very least loyal to their Kingdom and would've still avoided engaging you in battle, because Grimm attack all who are against or are disloyal to the lands of their Dark God. You are of the land of the God of Light; Sephiroth! Hoshido!"

"I'm… disloyal?" Corrin took Ryoma's words of reality hard, not sure how to even respond, placing her hands into her face, while shaking and struggling to keep her tears under control again, her mix feelings and faith in Nohr rapidly seeding with doubt, but monsters of all things isn't enough proof to convince her to abandon the family she actually knows. She could never! But…

"Prince Ryoma, I'm not really sure what to believe about this scenario but perhaps now is not the time to discuss such matters, especially with so many blows thrown at her in just one day." Robin suggested, placing his hands on Corrin's shoulders for comfort, the way she is shaking indicates that any minute she's going to break. He's surprise that she hasn't already.

"Yes, I supposed it was selfish of us to have our hopes so high considering all the time she spent with them and expected that everything would be perfect. Come, we should return to Shirasagi, you have my permission to come along as well, Robin, Hoshido does owe you, even if Takumi is too thick headed to ever admit it." Ryoma offered as they begin their return to Shirasagi.

---

Queen Mikoto was waiting for them at the front gate of Shirasagi, anxious to see their safe return.

"Oh, my children! I'm so glad to see you safe!" She stooped down and embraced Sakura, stroking the younger girls hair. "Are you hurt at all? Should I call for a healer?"

Hinoka shook her head. "No, we're fine. A few moldy beasts aren't going to take down the royal family of Hoshido!"

Mikoto smiled at her elder daughter. "Quite right. But of course, I do so worry when you go out on these missions. Surely it would be safer if you stayed in the castle?"

Hinoka frowned. "Please mother, quit worrying so much, I'm a knight before a Princess."

"I know, I know but I just can't help myself but worry for the five of you." Mikoto insisted.

"Come now, you two, let's not start any debates, now is time for rest." Ryoma insisted.

"Quite right as always, my son, now come, I have prepare dinner for you, you must be hungry." Mikoto said as she is about to take her children to the banquet hall but stops upon noticing Robin. There is no hostility in her expression only curiosity, and perhaps a little concern, Corrin only felt the concern part and quickly gets close to Robin and wraps her arms around his left arm. "Oh, a newcomer, who might this be?"

"This is Robin, a friend of Corrin's from Nohr, however he harbors no alliance to Garon considering the aid he has presented us in the past, such as his assistance in repelling the Grimm in Karakura today and it was he who ensured Takumi's safety when we sought the Rainbow Sage." Ryoma explained to his mother. "He's good people."

"I see, well then…" Mikoto seemed pleased with the response and since its coming from Ryoma, there is little reason to doubt him, plus, Mikoto can see the attachment Corrin has for Robin and because of her desperation to earn Corrin's trust and affections, she won't do anything bad to him. "If that is the case, then I welcome you to my home, please help yourself to whatever you like." She offered.

"Thank you, your Grace." Robin replied with a half vow of respect.

Corrin expected a small table of snacks. What she saw when entering the banquet hall was more than she could ever expect. A long table, filled with fruit, meat, and vegetables she didn't know could be so colorful. With all the food there, they could have fed everyone in the Northern Fortress for a month. Ryoma, Hinoka and Sakura sat down and began to eat, using strange instruments to pick up the food. Corrin stared at the display, not sure how to react. They had this much food in Hoshido? Enough that they could just throw dozens of banquets at a whim? Such luxuries in Nohr are few and far between, even with them forging alliances with other nations and even conquering them, and the Royal Family only has five members, based on what she knows thus far about her ''real'' family so there is no way they can eat all of this, and they likely always have leftovers

Now Corrin doesn't want to judge or speak for anyone's behalf, especially now but with all of this food and resources, she can understand from the perspective of the desperate, why her father would be so determine to take all this food to feed his people, Nohr is richer than any kingdom due to the gold mines located in the mountain regions, but gold can't help make the sunlight more frequent to raise crocks, hence why Nohr has depended on the assistance of their neighbors. Hoshido used to be willing to help Nohr but due to a falling out decades ago, Nohr has been struggling to survive ever since. Perhaps… perhaps father is not in the wrong after all.

Corrin's thoughts are caught off, hearing her stomach grumbling. She is starving, the whole day was just stressful, so she decides to cease her inner debacle until she is fed and sits down on the table, right beside Sakura and Robin. And Sakura goes and offers her one of the strange instruments they use to eat

"H-Here, big sister, you're very own chopsticks." Sakura offered her but very nervously. Wow, she is so shy that she can't even eat calmly, but then again she was hit with the news that Corrin MIGHT be her long lost sister so it is understandable why she would be as such to a supposed family member who's just a stranger to her. She calls them chopsticks, how strange, wonder why they don't use spoons and forks. Kaze did say they were old fashion. Leo also taught her a bit of what he knows of Hoshido's culture.

"Thank you." Corrin said as she accepts the chopsticks and goes to eat but… she doesn't know how to use them and can only stare at the food baffled. Sakura notices and gets worried but not for concern just questioning if she knows what she's doing.

"You… you do remember how to use them, right?" Sakura asked.

"Ah… sure, I mean come on, it's obvious how this can be done." Corrin lied, not wanting to take lessons over something that is clearly so basic.

"Liar, you never once liked using chopsticks and always prefer to eat with your hands." Hinoka smiled, reminiscing on happier times.

"Oh, you were so adorable back then, refusing to be all ladylike and leave a mess wherever you go, honestly, it's like you knew you wanted to be a warrior from the get-go and just didn't know how to express yourself." Mikoto chuckled, doing the same.

'That's how Camilla used to describe me when I was younger.' Corrin thought.

"No, I can do this." Corrin insisted stubbornly as she goes to pick up a piece of apple with the chopsticks but does so the wrong way as she instead stabs the chopsticks deep into the apple to pick it up. "There, see, I got it done right." She declared proudly as she goes to eat the apple, only to stop as she hears snickers from Sakura and Mikoto. "What?!"

"Try it like this." Robin said as he shows Corrin how to use the chopsticks the right way to pick up a small piece of meat. "There, I know using a fork seems more practical since its the norm for you but when experiencing other cultures it's more interesting to go with the flow. Also, most Hoshidans would view your poor attempts as disrespectful." The White Mage offered to feed her. "Now open wide."

"I'm not a baby!" Corrin shouted enraged but the blush on her face made her look silly, turning back to her apple, pulls it off her chopsticks and attempts to pick it up the same way Robin did but she does so poorly and the apple slips off the sticks. After the seventh failure, she gives in and reluctantly allows Robin to feed her, which is embarrassing given the constant chuckles she is receiving but at least everyone is having a good time. AT HER EXPENSE!

"Don't be so hard on yourself sister, you'll get the hang of it eventually, and there is no shame in asking your friends and family for help when you can't do something yourself." Ryoma advised more casually and even playfully than Corrin would ever expect, does he ever even take off that lobster armor of his? That really long spiky brown hair of his is already giving off a no-nonsense mentality.

"Yeah, I suppose." Corrin muttered, still feeling like this is really all an elaborate ruse just to humiliate her. Though, she has a change of heart when she looks at Mikoto, the heartwarming smile on her face, small tears of joy that she wipes from her eyes. She has been longing for this moment for far too long, being here, eating with all her children together as a family, however, one is still missing and she imagines that having a stranger along as a substitute was not in her dreams but Robin is anything but unwanted. They'll do more than warm up to him in no time.

"Oh, if only Takumi would show up already, then everything would be perfect." Mikoto lamented. "Azura too, this calls for a musical celebration and none can surpass her."

'Azura?' Corrin repeated, that name is so familiar to her.

"I don't know, all Takumi does is be a jerk about everything when there is nothing better to do. And you all know how I feel about buzzkills." Hinoka said reluctant about having her own younger brother to dinner to celebrate Corrin's return.

"Yes, I imagine he would respond negatively to the news; however it is still wrong to exclude him, even worse on his part for not being here. I best go find him." Ryoma offered as he is about to stand up to find his younger brother.

"No, Lord Ryoma do not trouble yourself, I'll find Lord Takumi for you." Kaze offered, who has been standing idly by and at a fair amount of distance from the royal family as they eat.

"Oh yes, please do Kaze, you're aid is always a blessing." Mikoto replied as Kaze takes his leave before making a respectful bow.

"S-So… Corrin, how… how long have you and Robin known each other?" Sakura asked politely.

"That doesn't feel like the kind of question that should be asked." Corrin replied, more confused than intrigued. Kind of feels like she's asking if the two are dating?

"W-Well… I'm just surprised, I mean, when Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, Azura and I first met him in Notre Sagesse, we would've never guessed that you two actually knew each other." Sakura raised a really good question that earned Robin the attention of everyone in the table.

"Huh, you know that's a really good point, you never really told me what you did during your last month of your travels across the world searching for answers about your past, all you did was give me a shining new sword for my birthday. What's up with that?" Corrin questioned Robin.

"Corrin, if I'd told you that I went in search of the Rainbow Sage for his wisdom you would've told your brothers, and Xander and Leo, being the questioning types they are would've eventually made me tell them that I encountered Hoshido's Princes and Princesses and they would've overreacted, even if I lied and told them that I spent most of the ordeal trying to evade their murdering intents, which was only true for only a few of them." Robin professed. "I wasn't even wearing this uniform at the time."

"Right…" She muttered, now seeing things from his perspective. "Those two and Camilla weren't exactly very welcoming after you came back, especially Jakob and have spent weeks being a real pain ever since Hallo… ween."

Corrin suddenly goes silent, gaining an emotionless expression that they all take notice of.

"Ever since what? Corrin?" Hinoka asked curious over why her sister has gone suddenly quiet.

Emotion returns to Corrin's face, sheer embarrassment, also becoming as red as Hinoka's hair and is quick to cover her face with her hands.

"Never mind." She uttered.

"Sister?" Sakura grows curious herself.

"Oh my Lord…" Mikoto makes a weak gasps, probably on to what has gotten her so flustered, and is intrigued.

"I am not prepared for having this conversation." Ryoma muttered, becoming uncomfortable, also coming to the same conclusion as Mikoto.

"Let's change the subject please." Corrin begged.

"Corrin, if Robin is to remain with us, it's only right that we are given the full details of your…"

"CHANGE THE SUBJECT, RYOMA!" Corrin snapped at the High Prince, silencing everyone and causing each of them to drop a sweat at the sudden change in demeanor.

'And I thought Takumi was emotionally frail.' The older siblings mused at the same time, already having a better understanding of Corrin and are actually enlighten, giving weak chuckles but still feel intimidated.

'Big sister is already strong enough to stand up to big brother. Amazing.' Sakura mused in awe.

'Oh, they grow up so fast. All those birthdays and wondrous moments, gone.' Mikoto now shows tears of sorrow, though in a comedic fashion since this is more based on self-pity over her beautiful daughter already a woman.

"What has gotten into you?" Robin questioned, deeply surprise by Corrin's poor manners.

"I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed out by everything." Corrin apologized.

"Oh, it's okay sweetheart, I realize now that all this has been one bad day after another but I promise that I'll do better." Mikoto promised.

"Oh, it's not your fault, none of it is. I just… don't want to talk about my problems right now." Corrin uttered.

"Right, a change in topic never hurt anyone. Robin, if I recall correctly, you sought the Sage for his infinite wisdom in search for answers." Ryoma recalled.

"That's the sole reason, Robin is suffering from amnesia, I met him almost four years ago, during my first time traveling Nohr outside of the fortress I have been living my whole life." Corrin explained, having calmed down. "Me and my sib… retainers found him in an open field, covered in serious cuts and bruises, something really awful happened to him and we nursed him back to health but the trauma of what he endured from the near death experience took away his memories, with the only thing he can remember is his own name, and the name and face of a little girl named Morgan, who we both concluded must be his sister but apart from that Robin pretty much had nothing and so I took him to live with me in my fortress, and has been with me for more than three years." Her revelation earning Robin some gasps of horror from Mikoto and Sakura, and narrow eyes from Ryoma and Hinoka, despite the different reactions, there is sympathy from all of them.

"Oh, you poor thing, could it be that you were assaulted by a pack of Grimm?" Mikoto wondered.

"Unlikely, considering his astonishing prowess when it comes to magic and battle tactics." Ryoma said.

"All those times I saw them in Nohr was among the citizens while they are patrolling the land, yesterday was the first time I encountered them alone and they didn't think twice about attacking me, even though I've never seen them attack anyone from Nohr so it's clear that I am not Nohrian myself by how eager they are to sink their teeth and claws into me." Robin concluded. "The cloak I used to wear were definitely not from back there, even with the obvious signs of a Dark Mage are present in the design."

"If you were Nohrian my barrier wouldn't have allowed you to use your magic for any sort of violence as the spell is very thorough about keeping those vipers under control under our soil, so you check out." Mikoto said in confirmation, also deciding to trust Robin but the Mage suspects that she is still wary of him, and quite honestly, Robin would be concern and suspicious if the White Night Queen was so quick to trust him just for Corrin's sake.

"And I am most grateful for that. Anyway, ten months ago, I finally decided that I have been nurtured long enough and set out to find my lost past. I hit mostly dead ends, and there was no one in any nation who could help, my best chances was in Izumo, who the Archduke is said to have a deeper connection to the Gods than any of the Elemental Tribes and Royalties of Nohr and Hoshido should and can see the future and past of others. Sadly that did not go so well." Robin muttered, visibly troubled by whatever went on in the Dukedom of Izumo, earning Corrin's curiosity but he quickly continued. "My final hope was with the immortal sage, and making it pass his Sevenfold Sanctuary was not something I want to deal with again, though half the reason why it was so unbearable was because of Takumi. That guy has some serious trust issues. And I'm sorry for offending a family member but I feel it needs to be address."

"Takumi can be extreme when it comes to outsiders, but I assure you that his attitude, while not always warranted, has merit." Ryoma spoke in defense of his brother.

'Xenophobia is not something you should defend.' Corrin hissed scornfully. 'Wait, does it count as xenophobia to be hostile towards a xenophobic? I'm so confused, and now my head hurts.'

"I was surprised to run into four members of the Dawn Dragon Bloodline, in search of Sacred Treasures, though Ryoma already had his Holy Katana Raijinto but their goals were clear, though if I recall, the Rainbow Sage only gave Takumi a Sacred Treasure, the Holy Bow, Fujin Yumi." Robin added.

"Still can't believe the Sage didn't acknowledge me!" Hinoka snapped in frustration as she slams both her fists on the table, not that anyone can blame her, being rejected by such a holy man can shake anyone's spirit. "And all Takumi really accomplished was almost getting himself and his Retainers killed, just because he didn't consider Robin's profound strategy, and he had to be the one to save him from the trial of the Sevenfold Sanctuary."

Sakura yelps at the mention of the trial out of fear, and that is something that Robin, Ryoma and Hinoka can understand as that battle was BRUTAL!

"At any rate, once we passed the trial, the Rainbow Sage heard me out and while he didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, he instructed and assured me that the answer I crave I will find in Mount Garou." Robin finished.

"Mount Garou! The home of the Lycanthropes, what could you possibly find in that horrid place that could help you find your family?" Mikoto questioned.

"I don't know, I haven't been there yet, once the ordeal in Notre Sagesse ended I went back to Nohr to rest and told Corrin most of my misadventures. I was planning on finally going there when I learned of Garon sending Corrin to the Bottomless Canyon of all places and I instead rushed to find her, and you should know the rest." Robin finished.

"Well, I am glad that all your hardships have lead you here, where it's safe." Mikoto said happily.

'We'll see.' Corrin and Robin unknowingly said in their heads simultaneously, doubting that things will bow well for them in the long run.

"Milady, I have returned." Kaze said as he arrives at the banquet hall in the blink of an eye, now beside his queen and on his knees in a form of respect. "However, I regret to inform you that Lord Takumi is no longer in neither the Castle or Capital as he departed for Fort Jinya at noon without letting anyone know to speak on some matters he wished to talk about with Commander Haitaka, according to his retainers Oboro and Hinata who he strangely didn't bring with him this time and left in the castle and won't probably be back until tomorrow in the afternoon."

"What…?" Mikoto becomes distraught by the news, along with Sakura, while Ryoma and Hinoka become angry.

"That little punk, and we instructed him never to do anything without letting us know first while war becomes ever more inevitable." Hinoka scoffed.

"It's because war with Nohr is becoming more inevitable that he is being this way, I'm afraid, however the fact that he didn't even let me know is odd." Ryoma said concern.

"Any chance the reason why he left is because he found out first before everyone else that I was being brought in?" Corrin whispered to Robin, not wanting the others to hear them.

"Probably, you were taken hostage during the morning so news spread fast and decided he wasn't ready for you, he does strike me as someone with a severe inferiority complex, I guess that you being the 'long lost sister' who was finally found after so long in Nohr struck a nerve on him, not understanding why everyone else is so quick to trust you." Robin whispered back, offering his thoughts on Takumi based on past experience. "Like Ryoma said, his attitude holds merit even if it is unwarranted."

"What a prick." Corrin muttered, already holding his supposed real younger brother at low regard.

"Oh, and today was supposed to be the most important moment of our lives. I'm sorry Corrin, I know that deep down you want to see him again." Mikoto said naively.

'Oh no, it's the complete opposite. I only partially like it here.' Corrin cursed.

"Well, this simply won't do, Kaze, can you please go and find Oboro and ask her to come have dinner with us." Mikoto requested, earning her suspicious stares from her children, minus Corrin.

"Of course, but… may I ask why?" Kaze asked confused.

"Oh, come now, I think we both know that he plans on courting the semi-lovely girl eventually, its hilariously obvious how she feels about him and she's the only girl outside of the family that Takumi feels comfortable around. It's inevitable I'm telling you, so I feel like we should already make the newest member of our family feel welcomed when he finally proposes." Mikoto insisted.

"So punish him for being a no show by going after his crush." Robin concluded. "That's downright child abuse and a violation of your kids' trust."

"I am their mother, I have a right to know about their love lives when it eventually happens, as I'm sure it will." Mikoto declared while winking at all three of her daughters, making Corrin furiously blush again.

"Mother!" Hinoka and Sakura cried at once, the older princess burying her face at the table while the younger one gets up and runs away from the banquet hall embarrass. Ryoma can only sigh, annoyed at his mother's antics and involvement in their none existing love lives because not one of the royal siblings are ready for a serious relationship with her around.

"She's lively at least." Robin smiled at Corrin, who can only sigh. She might be just as overbearing as Camilla. There's a reason why she dreads having a boyfriend with her around, and Mikoto might be just as bad.

"I'll go get Lady Oboro, as soon as I confirm that Lady Sakura doesn't hurt herself while running without looking." Kaze said as he takes his leave.

After dinner, which the Nohrian Princess enjoyed very much, Queen Mikoto took her out of the banquet hall and led her down a few corridors that had exquisite murals painted on them, and finally through a sliding door.

"Welcome back, Corrin. This is your old room."

Corrin looked around the room and it certainly did look like the kind of place she would have loved as a child. A huge display of wooden and mechanical toys were stacked neatly in a box, and a bed far too large for a child dominated the far left corner of the room. One wall was completely filled with childish drawings.

Corrin walked over to it and pulled one off the wall. "What was this?"

Queen Mikoto looked over her shoulder. "Oh! That's a picture you drew when you were a little girl. This is your stepfather, that's me, and that at the center is you. It's so cute!"

"Why does my head look like a deer-like monster?" Corrin questioned as her face in this drawing make her look subhuman.

"Not sure, Sumeragi suggested that maybe it was because you wanted to appear as someone powerful. That face is actually that of an ancient dragon that lacks the typical lizard-like appearance. Odd how you knew about that so young." Mikoto said most curious. She never put much thought into that detail of the drawing until now.

'Is this the face I took when I vengefully attacked Wrath?' Corrin's thought, remembering the metamorphosis she went through in the Canyon. Was she always aware of that transformation at a subconscious level?

Not wanting to think more on the matter any further, she brushes these thoughts off, and not getting any flashbacks from it, Corrin places it down on a carved wood desk and sighs. Queen Mikoto continued to walk around the room.

"We couldn't bear to touch a thing in this room after you were taken. If we put your things away, it would feel like giving up." She turned to her, smiling. "You've grown so much. I can't believe how beautiful you have become!"

Corrin coughed. "I still don't remember any of this."

Mikoto cocked her head. "Oh?"

"I… I just don't know how to respond to your stories. Everything and everyone here is so new to me, I don't know what's real anymore."

Mikoto smiled sadly. "I understand, Corrin. Please don't worry about it."

Corrin sighed. "I'm so sorry. You've been so kind to me, while I have been hostile but I still don't feel anything…"

"The best you can do right now is make yourself comfortable. Sleep, if you wish, or explore the castle grounds. I'm sure there will be plenty of food left over if you are still hungry, as well." Mikoto said as she exits the room, leaving Corrin to rest.

'I bet they'll be leftovers, alright.' Corrin thought darkly.

The Princess locked in a Crossroad hadn't been able to sleep. The bed had been too soft, and too large, a far cry from the functional and adequate bed she'd had at the Northern fortress. She walks out of the room given to her and starts walking the long halls of Shirasagi, wanting to leave the castle grounds and get some more space from all this. Wandering the area around it, taking in the beautiful view and fields full of bountiful crops growing without any problems. A harvest like that in Nohr would be unheard of. Dammit all, she wants to go home so badly, to Xander, Camilla, Leo and Elise but the desire for the truth is too strong, she can't help but want to stay.

"You doing okay, Corrin?" Robin asked as he too exits Shirasagi and walks to her side.

"Not in the slightest, what's your excuse for being out?" Corrin replied.

"Even though I hit it off surprisingly well with the family, I can't help but feel threatened in there, mainly because all ten Royal Retainers are all present inside and six of them have made no attempt to hide their distrust, including Oboro, who's giving me a very intimidating demonic glare." Robin explained, feeling very unwelcome. "She reacted the same way towards me back in Notre Sagesse, judging by her expression I say that she suffered a great injustice as a child by Nohrian hands that traumatize her and has been hostile towards them ever since. At least that's what I can deduce based on her glare alone."

"She seemed nice at dinner." Corrin said.

"Yes, because Queen Mikoto kept her attention on her while bombarding with question about her son, making her blush like crazy. I find it sad how no one can have a retainer of the opposite gender without people making rumors about secret affairs."

"No kidding, one of Xander's current retainers is a battle maniac who he hired because of her warrior prowess even though she critically injured so many knights for no reason other than wanting a good fight but Jakob says that people are convinced it was because he felt she's too pretty to be in jail. Luckily the others have an easier time with Camilla's retainers being both women, two men for Leo and Elise's are too old for her, and then there's the fact that Father expects to meet whoever they are courting or is courting them before any relationship is made official and he always seems to find out about any sort of relationship going on, if what Camilla said regarding an old boyfriend is any indication." Corrin said.

"It's a good thing hardly anyone knows about me then, a hardly handsome amnesiac found in an open field unconscious by a Princess and brought in to live in her personal fortress, that would give your other family headaches if word got out." Robin joked, trying to get a laugh out of her, which seem to work partially as Corrin chuckles nervously with a slight blush.

"Right… right." She tries to brush off the subject, not wanting to discuss this further, even though she deeply appreciates his kind words. "So, what's your opinion in all of this, do you really think this might all be true. Can Mikoto really be my mother?"

"I hardly think my opinion is noteworthy but they seem so genuine, then again so are the Nohrians but I see no family resemblance between you and your siblings from both families." Robin said.

"And what about Mikoto?"

"Oh yeah, definitely, I have keen eyes for details and I can totally see you looking like her in a decade or two." Robin said with much certainty.

"Really?" The response surprises Corrin more than she cares to admit. "But then, what about my eyes, hair and ears."

"If Mikoto really is your mother then it means that whoever your birth father is, it's clearly not the late Sumeragi, and regarding Garon, I honestly feel like not being his child is actually a good thing, I mean that while Queen Arete being your mother is extremely enlightening, she's just your stepmother and I don't think he's someone you should aspire to be like or follow." Robin said with total honesty, making Corrin contemplate some more.

"There's still something else that has me thinking a lot. You and Ryoma mentioned that the Grimm will protect and avoid harming anyone who was either born in or is loyal to Nohr, but… how can I not qualify as the latter, I was raise among the nobility, partially at least, and I still see myself as their Princess and Garon as my father. What is it about me that those monsters consider distrusting?" Corrin questioned. "Was it because they saw me with Hoshidans, mistook the ancient blood within me for that of the Dawn Dragon?"

"I know as much about the Grimm as the common folk do, if the Grimm can tell when someone is loyal to their kingdom or not must mean that they have a mystical sixth sense that allows them to snuff out rats. Queen Mikoto married into the Dawn Bloodline and if her claim holds truth then you were born before her marriage to King Sumeragi so you are of a different Precursor Bloodline that can use Dragon Veins and according to every history book I could find, only four among the Precursors who've created human descendants with their blood can actually use them, who are the Dawn, the Dusk, the Stone, and the Ocean Dragons." Robin explained what he knows.

"The God of Earth and the God of Water?" Corrin commented. "Well, I've never displayed any earth based or water abilities, even with a Dragon Vein so I wouldn't be able to tell which of the two Tribes I belong to."

"The Earth Tribe wasn't really known for bending earth, but yes, apart from being able to use Dragon Veins way better than any of your Nohrian siblings, you have yet to show up any real abilities that would suggest you are of any of the clans of Vein Users." Robin said. "And it's not like we can go to a Earth or Water Tribe Village to seek their council."

"Right, because they supposedly went extinct long ago due to unforgivable crimes they both committed against Nohr and were hunted down in the process." Corrin replied, according to what she read about in the books of her personal library.

"Or so Nohrian historians would claim, though History can be easily shifted to suit the needs of others, not that I mean to discriminate Nohr, I'm just stating facts." Robin said.

"I know you are, I'll take options and opinions at this point."

"Whatever the case, the Grimm must be hostile towards you because of your blood not because of your faith, I know it's too soon to give up on Nohr."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

"~You are the ocean's grey waves~,"

Corrin and Robin turned their heads towards the stunningly beautiful voice, coming from the large lake just outside the castle grounds. A figure was standing by the shore, singing a haunting yet beautiful melody. It resonated with her, striking at some primal part of Corrin that she didn't know she had. She walked towards her, anxious to hear better.

"~Destined to seek, life beyond the shore, just out of reach~"

"~Yet the waters ever change,"

"~Flowing like time~,"

"~The path is yours to climb~"

Corrin took a step onto the boardwalk the mysterious singer was standing on, and she stopped immediately. She turned around to face them, a questioning expression on her face. Corrin cleared her throat, realizing she had just snuck up on her.

"Er, hello. I'm sorry to bother you, I just... got lost in your singing. There was just something about that song that captivated me."

The mystery singer smiled, as if that was something she heard a lot. "You must be Princess Corrin. It's nice to finally meet you in person."

She nodded. "Yes, that's me. Who are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm Azura. Former Princess of Nohr."

Corrin stared at her. With long blue hair, fair skin and a petite, light body, she didn't look anything like the Nohr nobles that Corrin knew. "Former? But that means… you're the daughter King Garon and Queen Arete lost years ago to the Hoshidans."

Azura's smile fell. "Correct. I have been in Hoshido a rather long time. Almost as long as you were in Nohr. When you were taken, the Hoshidans tried many times to get you back, but you were too deep in Nohr territory. I, however, wasn't nearly as well guarded. They kidnapped me, as a hostage to try and trade for you." She smiled grimly. "But neither my mother nor stepfather tried to get me back. I suspect it was because they realized that the war would've begun sooner if they gave you back, and while Nohr specializes in manufacturing, they weren't ready at the time for war so they were forced to leave me behind."

Corrin could only guess how it would have felt growing up in Nohr if she knew the royals had taken her from her rightful home, and there's no way a comforting lie can make things easier. "Gods… I'm so sorry."

Azura shrugged. "It's not so bad. I've lived a happy life here. The people of Hoshido tolerate me, and Queen Mikoto seems to treat me like one of her own daughters. I may always be an outsider, but I've not been mistreated." Corrin is left again to her thoughts on the matter. Azura then turns to Robin surprised.

"Oh my, is that you Robin." Azura asked as she only now notices the other whitehead.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lady Azura. I only partially heard your singing back in Notre Sagesse but it was easy to deduce it was you once I heard your voice again." Robin greeted with hospitality and a half bow of respect.

"I am surprise to see you again and in Hoshido no less, and if you're with Corrin now must mean that you two have known each other for a long time." Azura concluded.

"Three years and half a month, the other three Royal Siblings have made their hostility for Nohrians very clear when we met in Notre Sagesse, especially Takumi and Hinoka, the latter weakly mentioned Corrin, something I found most strange at the time and I didn't think they be more merciful if I brought her up." Robin said.

"Indeed, I'm glad to have met you again under better circumstances, though." Azura smiled at him before turning back to Corrin. "I truly hope that your time here is a good one."

"That's not something I'm entirely looking forward to. Mikoto seems perfectly lovely, everyone here does. But I don't feel any connection to them, nor am I getting any flashbacks of any time lost from here."

Azura nodded. "I understand. If I were to go back to Nohr, I suspect I'd feel the same way."

Corrin felt an immediate affinity for the strange, blue haired songstress. They were similar in many ways, she decided. "Do you think you could start over there? Live a new life among strangers?"

"I am not sure to be honest. In many ways, I feel it's okay to choose to stay here, since Nohr is far too alien to me at this point for me to even consider going back." Azura confessed.

"And yet so many would oppress me if I say the exact same words for Nohr." Corrin said spitefully.

"I am so sorry for the position you are in and wish I could help but I don't think I am of use to you." Azura said weakly. "Truthfully, I do miss King Garon, Crown Prince Xander, Princess Camilla, and above all my mother, Arete. They were very kind and heartwarming to me but war is something I loathe very deeply and mother assisted Garon in going this far when they summoned those demons, together."

"That's another thing we have in common, at least." Corrin mused.

"At least I've finally met the woman I was to be traded for. All I ask of you is this: What are you going to do with your new life?"

Corrin sat down on the boardwalk, letting her feet dangle in the clear water. "I don't know. For now, I'm just going to spend some time thinking. This seems a good place for it."

"I pray to the Dawn Dragon Sephiroth that your choices do not have a profound impact on your life and those around you." Azura said softly.

'Pray all you like, but when its finally time to cross that bridge, a lot of people are going to get hurt.' Robin mused dreadfully as he can only fear the worse for Corrin, with the Lost Princess, no longer sure of what path could possibly be the right one.

---

Six days passed but it feels like it's been longer, in which Corrin is barely seen with anyone that isn't Robin, the two are practically inseparable at this point. She would often be approached by Mikoto, Ryoma, Hinoka, Sakura and sometimes Azura, to start more and more conversations, they are very likable but she still feels nothing for them. She drifts around the castle grounds like a ghost, desperately trying to grasp at possible forgotten memories that drifted at the edge of her mind, just out of reach. But again and again, she feels nothing, as if there were never any memories at all of this place, and she really is being deceived. It's infuriating but not because she wants to remember and interacting with her 'family' only made things worse, as they all brought up memories from her past. She understands they are just trying to help her but in the end it only frustrates her further. Instead, she keeps to herself, only speaking to Robin, and despite having amnesia, Robin always has a topic to bring up a conversation.

While walking peacefully through one of the halls, she notices three people about to walk pass them, one of them being Takumi, her younger stepbrother. He has a long head of silver hair, much longer than Corrin's own and drawn back into a long ponytail reaching all the way down to his back, and his blue and silver clothing are what she expect of a Hoshidan warrior of nobility. Even within his own home, he still carries his sacred bow, the Fujin Yumi, and with him are his retainers, a blue hair spear master girl named Oboro, she's nice but as Robin said, she has some demons influencing her emotions, and then there's the brown hair samurai so close to being a Swordmaster, Hinata, now him Corrin likes, he's very sweet and considerate but kind of dumb.

Takumi arrived at the same time Kaze informed her and he has made no attempt to get to know Corrin, it's clear right from the start that because of her time in Nohr he doesn't trust her, and the way he looks at her troubles Mikoto and Hinoka more so than Corrin, who is only apathetic towards him, also uninterested in getting to know him, viewing him as an inferior version of Leo. Though now that Corrin thinks about it, Leo is also going through some sort of inferiority complex for some reason. So strange considering how amazing and competent he is when in comparison to her and Camilla. She's always wanted to address the matter but never found the time.

As the two siblings walk pass each other, no words are spoken between the five, though Hinata does wave at Robin, who waves back at him, the Samurai making no attempt to hide his gratitude for what he did for the three before, while Oboro has a look of contemplation which Corrin can only partially understand, and as for Takumi, he was deeply surprise to see Robin again and was against him staying here, unsurprisingly ungrateful, but it's his word against Queen Mikoto and High Prince Ryoma who chose to trust Robin. Plus, Corrin made an ultimatum that either Robin stays or she walks away from them immediately, something that made Mikoto more adamant about Robin staying.

Using her strange ears that give Corrin a minor level of enhanced hearing that has always allowed her to overhear people much better, even through walls, she is able to hear Takumi whisper something as lowly as he can, she definitely heard him call her a 'Nohrian Scum'.

"Hoshidan Pineapple Head." Corrin whispered back, not having any of Takumi's hostility. Fortunately, only Robin heard her insult and gently places his right arm around her right shoulder and makes her walk faster to move further away from the wayward brother.

"Please don't start a fight with anyone here, from Hoshido's perspective, Lord Takumi has a right to be suspicious of you." Robin insisted. "And please, never call his hairstyle pineapple head to his face, that's an argument I am sure no one wants to have. Kind of like how Ryoma vaguely looks like a lobster with his armor on."

"That's up to him at this point because I sure as hell ain't going to let him be a jackass around us." Corrin hissed, just waiting for the right moment to start a fight with Takumi.

"Why, because engaging one of the royals in physical confrontation will encourage everyone else that you're too Nohrian and throw you out?" Robin questioned.

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing." Corrin protested.

"1) They'll more likely lock you up in one of their dungeons. 2) While there is no questioning your love for your Nohrian Family, and trust in King Garon, you go back to them you'll be force to fight these people, including your own mother, and 3) Do you even believe in Nohr's cause?" Robin questioned.

"Invading other countries to provide for my people, I say I am completely against that and I'm afraid to know how far father and mother are willing to go to achieve their goals but I trust Hoshido to know what's best for the world even less." Corrin confessed, her understanding of the moral gray line of both kingdoms better than she ever did.

"Yes but what if instead of changing Nohr from within we try to change Hoshido, if every harsh thing Leo said about them is true, than Hoshido's only true flaw is that they refuse to help outsiders out of fear of being betrayed, they have been double crossed by other nations in the past before, not just Nohr. By staying here and reaching out to them…"

"We can change their minds after almost two centuries of refusing to provide for Nohr, and finally do a better job at ceasing wars altogether? C'mon, Robin, you said it yourself, that from Hoshido's perspective, Takumi is in the right, so how are we supposed to change an entire nation when bastards like him are in control?" Corrin demanded.

"We can start from seeing things from their perspective, like the old saying goes, keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. No one here is really our friend despite their attempts to earn your trust, and that simply means that we have a lot of bonds to forge, and hopefully, in the long run we might, MIGHT accomplish a better understanding by acting as representatives of Nohr. Nohr has hurt these people in so many ways so their rage is justified but fighting for a just cause doesn't always mean the people are in the right. Light burns while Darkness soothes after all." Robin concluded in his own way to assess the situation they are in. Seeing no other way, Corrin sees only benefit from Robin's ideals.

"It could work but that's all a maybe, but it's all we got." Corrin said.

"It's all we may need." Robin assured her.

"Lady Corrin." Kaze appears before the two out of nowhere while on his knees. Kaze is another that has tried to interact with Corrin more, grateful for sparing his life back in Nohr, it's almost like he's trying to be a retainer for her service. The Ninja is loyal to the Hoshidan Royals to a fault. Loyalty that Corrin admires deeply and reminds her so much of Jakob, Felicia, and Gunter, who she still mourns for. "Forgive my intrusion but Queen Mikoto summons you."

"Thank you, Kaze. I'll try not to keep her waiting." Corrin thanked the Ninja as she and Robin depart for the throne room while Kaze stays behind, having someone else to talk to as he sees Ryoma also passing by.

"I trust that all is well, Kaze?" The High Prince asked the loyal ninja.

"Of course Lord Ryoma, despite keeping her distance, Lady Corrin remains gentle, however the only issue thus far is that Lord Takumi remains uncooperative and giving her a reason to start a fight, she even said that she's waiting for that chance. Everyone is getting unnerved." Kaze informed.

"Takumi always seemed the least interested in getting Corrin back, deeming her too far gone. It is infuriating but I know that deep down inside he still harbors love for his sister, I know he does." Ryoma said, putting a lot of faith in his wayward brother. "And our guess?"

"Robin is gentler and more levelheaded than most Nohrians we've encountered, and though he distrust us, he cannot deny the evidence of Corrin's birth and has been trying to discreetly encourage her to remain with us, why, it be better for you to learn it from him when you two next converse." Kaze continued as he and other Ninjas have been watching every move the two whiteheads make out of concern that they might be planning something and so far nothing threatening against Hoshido has occurred. "He's clever, despite our best efforts he noticed the subtle signs that we are watching them 24/7 but wisely chose not to inform Lady Corrin, out of fear that she might overreact."

"I see. Though, I sense that there is something else concerning you. I appreciate it if there were no secrets between us like me and Saizo." Ryoma insisted.

"Forgive me, High Prince but I still can't wrap my head around what I learned six days ago, about Lady Corrin not being King Sumeragi's birth daughter." Kaze said with a bothered expression. "It all makes sense now, I mean there is no record of her date of birth and it seems odd that there was no public appearance of her youth until a year after Lady Sakura's birth, though I wasn't around much in the castle much in our younger years but I still don't understand why this piece of information was kept from everyone."

"I cannot really claim to know why father and mother wanted to keep this a secret from all of Hoshido, only speculate as I always assumed it was because all the nobles weren't at first too keen about Mikoto's place as queen, almost everyone had yet to get over the loss of my birth mother, Ikona." Ryoma said.

"I have heard whispers of animosity towards Queen Mikoto even to this day but I always assumed it was because the more stubborn of our people are unsatisfied that she erected the Barrier of Concord to keep invaders out instead of something more violent to set an example for our enemies." Kaze said.

"Not even I can deny that my stepmother is not a perfect ruler and some of her choices have backfired on us but regardless, she is the reason we have held peace for so long, and Hoshido owes her more than the queens that have come before her." Ryoma declared very sternly. "If she and my father believed that the knowledge of Corrin being my father's stepdaughter would raise concerns and objections from the people about having a Princess who lacks the blood of the Dawn Dragon than I intend to honor their choices with my silence. I trust my answer will satisfy your curiosity, Kaze?"

"I mean no disrespect milord, Lady Corrin is the child of Queen Mikoto, that's all the reason I need to bleed and die for her!" Kaze declared solemnly. "Though, I must ask if Lady Hinoka, Lord Takumi and Lady Sakura are aware of the true depth of their bond with Lady Corrin."

"I fear that they are just in the dark about the truth as everyone else, they were too young to understand at the time and I was entrusted with the truth because it was easy for me to notice Corrin's sudden arrival in our lives. The only other person who knows the truth apart from you, Rinkah, me, mother and father would be Yukimura, who father and mother trust so much and confide with when they don't feel like talking about certain matters with just anybody. But they will learn the truth soon enough, until then I request for your silence for a while longer." Ryoma requested. "I know there's no need to request this of Rinkah, she always seems to be the kind of person who knows when to mind her own business."

"My lips are sealed until you deem them worthy of speaking again, High Prince." Kaze obeyed.

---

Corrin and Robin made their way to the main hall, that is also the throne room with Queen Mikoto already waiting for her up by the ornately styled throne.

"You look as though you're feeling a little better after a few days on your own, Corrin."

Corrin nodded. She greatly appreciated that Mikoto had given her the space she needed. It must have been very difficult for the poor woman to stay away from the daughter that had just returned to her.

"Yes, I think I am. I thank you for giving me the space to think."

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Her mother smiled warmly.

"So why did you bring me here?" Corrin asked politely.

"Oh, I just wanted to personally let you know that a very special ceremony is about to begin and I would like for you to participate in it with me and your siblings." She requested.

"Well… I did enjoy the last big activity I snuck off to be in, so I see no reason to object." Corrin replied, while blushing before calming down two seconds later. "What's it about?"

"Oh, well, it's not really a ceremony is just that every year I perform a ritual, a totally harmless and none sacrificial ritual for my barrier that needs to be recharged once a year, today and I always perform at the center of Suzanoh where everyone gathers to see me do it. They always describe my ''performance'' as very flashy like fireworks that everyone insists I make a celebration about it." Mikoto explained. "Personally, I don't see it as a cause for celebration but I supposed our people are too grateful for my protections and host it in my honor. I do it for them even though I really distaste parties, but your brothers and sisters also like them so it's all for them as well."

"Well in that case, I really want to see it." Corrin smiled.

"I am so relief to hear you say that." Mikoto smiled back.

"Am I to assume that there is more to this ceremony, after all, no one in the Capital has seen Corrin yet, so there will most likely be a lot of questioning glances at the newcomer beside their Queen?" Robin asked, raising an obvious dilemma, making Corrin doubt coming.

"I was getting to that…" Mikoto began, nervous about revealing this next part. "You see, I also plan to make a public announcement about Corrin's arrival here. There have been rumors circulating about how she is just a captured Nohrian Princess, and I would like to crush those rumors once and for all."

Corrin is not happy about this but miraculously chose to keep quiet about it and not raise her tone, though the subtle anger in her face is enough to make Mikoto feel dishearten.

At the far end of the hall, another person walked into the room. Queen Mikoto tapped Corrin on the shoulder as he walked closer. "Oh, hello Yukimura. What brings you here?"

The robed man bowed deeply. "Pardon the intrusion, Queen Mikoto, but the ceremony is about to begin."

She raised a hand to her mouth. "Goodness, already? How could I lose track of time?" She gestured to the man for Corrin's benefit. "Corrin, this is Yukimura. He's our prime strategist, and one of the reasons Nohr's Demons hasn't overrun us yet."

Yukimura laughed. "You are too kind, Milady. You yourself deserve far more credit. That said, it is good to meet you, Princess Corrin. I am here to help you in any way I can."

Before the conversation could continue, the rest of the royals entered the throne hall. Hinoka in her Pegasus rider gear and Sakura in a simple Priestess robe. The door was almost thrown off its hinges as the third sibling walked in, Takumi, and Azura quietly stepped into the room as well but also trying not to be noticed.

Mikoto smiled as nearly all her children stood before her. "Thank you all for coming. The ceremony is about to begin and I would like to ask all of you to accompany your sister in showing her around Suzanoh for me. Yukimura, is everything ready?"

The tactician nodded. "Yes, milady. People are already beginning to gather at the plaza."

Hinoka nodded. "Leave everything else to us, mother."

Takumi shrugged. "As you command, mother."

Azura dipped her head. "It would be my pleasure."

Their mother bowed to them slightly. "Thank you. If you'd excuse me, I need to speak with Yukimura first, but I'll join you at the plaza soon." With that, she walked down and out of the hall, Yukimura already discussing matters with her. Once she was out the door, the nobles dispersed slightly. Sakura smiles, grabbing Corrin's hand and pulling her towards the door.

"Come on, Corrin! I can't wait to show you around. I think you'll l-love it here." She cheered.

Smiling, Corrin followed her youngest sister out of the hall, followed by Azura, Hinoka and much more distantly by Takumi. As they walked towards the castle exit, Robin also follows at a fair distance, not wanting to be a bother for the four siblings.

"I hope Corrin is truly okay with this…" Mikoto wondered with concern.

Yukimura shrugged. "Yes. I can't imagine the position she's in. It's a lot to process. That said, I do think she looks happy there."

Mikoto smiled. "Yes, I'm sure she is. I just can't help but worry."

Yukimura laid a hand on the queen's shoulder. "Leave worrying to me, Milady. Simply focus on the fact that you have your daughter back. It is alright for the Queen of Hoshido to be happy, you know."

"I know. And truly, I've never felt happier than I have now. I just… Don't ever want to lose it."

---

The city square was full of more people than Corrin had ever seen in one place. She could barely move through the crowd, full of vibrant banners and bartering voices and the sweet aromas of various foods on sale. The old woman manning the stall she was currently trying to move past grabbed her sleeve.

"Hey, young woman! Would you like to try a sample of one of our world famous roast potatoes? They're delicious and nutritious! I swear you'll love 'em!"

It was just a free sample, right? Corrin reasoned. "Well… sure, why not?" She took a small handful of the thinly slices potatoes. Taking a bite, it was unlike anything she had ever eaten. "Wow! I've never tasted spices like this before. These are amazing!"

The old lady grinned. "Heh, thanks. I call 'em chips. I swear, these things are the future!" She pointed a wrinkled finger at Azura, who was having a similar problem trying to move through the crowd. "Here, take a basket on the house, give some to your friend there! Just tell all your friends about 'em!"

Corrin took the small thatch basket filled with the strange, thinly sliced potatoes. "Well, thank you very much!" They are a bit salty but she feels like having heavy salt and probably some vinegar is the only way to eat these things. "It sure was kind of her to give them to us, everyone is really friendly here. And it's so… Bright. It's quite a contrast from the fortress I grew up in."

"I'm glad you like it. Like I said, I've always been happy here." Azura smiled back at her.

A new voice cut in from behind Corrin. "Just don't get too comfortable, 'sister'."

Corrin turned to face Takumi, who had pushed his way through the crowd to them. "Excuse me?"

The Hoshidan grimaced. "Don't go and settle in too much. Shouldn't you be heading back to Nohr soon?"

'And here we go.' Corrin sighed, expecting an argument with Takumi for days now.

"Takumi, please." Azura also sighed.

"Don't get involved Azura, this doesn't concern you anymore." Takumi snapped at her but it was not done harshly. In all honesty, Corrin is surprised by his words.

"Wow, I am honestly surprise to hear you say that considering we both have ties to Nohr." Corrin replied as honestly as she could without sounding harsh but her annoyance is easy to spot.

"Don't drag her in to this, you're the real problem here, and I don't trust you. I just wanted to say that to your face." The Young Prince of Hoshido spat.

"Pesky little…" Corrin began, wanting to let her frustrations out but is stopped after giving a quick glance at Robin, who maintains his distance and makes a hand gesture to indicate to tone it down and not make a scene, which she reluctantly complies. With nothing more to say, Takumi stalks back into the crowd, leaving Azura and Corrin.

Azura sighed. "Well, not everyone can be kind, I suppose. Don't let it get to you, he's like that even to his actual siblings. Though he used to be much harsher to me but he loosens at his own pace, which is rather slow."

Corrin was about to reply, until she felt a soft tug on her cape. Looking to the left, she saw Sakura had made her way through the crowd and was trying to get her attention over the noise. "Hello, Sakura."

"I'm so sorry for losing you in the crowd! I got quite lost there for a while." She looked at the irritated look on Corrin's face and then at the rapidly retreating form of Takumi. "Is he being mean again? I apologize for Takumi's rudeness. He's a bit of a hot head."

"So I have noticed." Corrin sighed, taking another chip from the basket.

Sakura shrugged. "Truth is he has been suffering from a form of inferiority complex for a while, Ryoma's the crown prince, you're the long lost daughter everyone is searching for, and then he gets stuck in the middle. He can't help but feel a little ignored."

'Spot on as usual.' Corrin randomly turns to Robin again after hearing Sakura say that.

Hinoka burst through the crowd, catching sight of Corrin and Azura. "There you are! Come on, mother sent me. The ceremony is starting!"

Corrin followed Hinoka and Sakura up to the podium, where Queen Mikoto had just stepped up to. The whole royal family made their way onto the podium, minus for Corrin with her thoughts going back to Windmire, where the people had bowed to her and her siblings, sure there was respect in their bows but certainly no ecstatic clapping and cheers. Nohr has its moments of excitements but they are rare and only occur once a year, or more because of the food shortages. Those thoughts also fade as Corrin starts feeling dizzy by the huge crowd surrounding her even though she's not at the center. She REALLY hopes that Mikoto doesn't call her to speak. With a wave of her hand, Queen Mikoto brought the crowd to silence as she would soon give a speech.

'So all of this is really supposed to be my true home?' Corrin has been giving herself that question repeatedly each day since she arrived, still in denial. 'At least it all looks prettier than Windmire, one of the perks of being the White Night Kingdom. Still… it doesn't feel right to be hostile towards Garon without hearing his side of all this. Though… I've always known I won't like the answer to his reasons. And the fact that he killed Sumeragi for refusing to his terms. My… Father.'

"Oh… You want a larger reason to want to stay here." Corrin is left gasping in immense horror upon hearing the demonic voice of Wrath coming from seemingly nowhere, making her hysterically scour the surroundings for the source of the voice, though she immediately deduces that the voice is actually coming from her head. "Very well, just remember that the signs were always there, you just pretended that they weren't."

Instantly, Corrin's entire world fell apart as she began to feel pain so intense coursing through her whole body, shaking so much that she felt like every bone in her body was going to crumble and she falls to her knees while breathing heavily now, earning her the attention of everyone nearby, the numerous whispers of concern and confusion spreading quick that Mikoto, Ryoma, Takumi, Hinoka, Sakura, Azura and Robin, who all got separated from her through the crowd only now realize her condition. Mikoto hasn't had the chance to give her speech to her people, completely lost in her thoughts of fear over what might be happening to her lost daughter.

"Sister!" Sakura called out to her with pure dread.

Corrin's breathing gets heavier until she is no longer able to catch her breath and begins to vomit out a lot of her own blood that is mix with some black gooey substance. Horrifying everyone.

"CORRIN!" Mikoto cried out in pure hysteria, with her, Corrin's siblings and Robin rushing to her aid, only to halt when Corrin begins to breathe fire instead from her mouth, black flames that spread through the ground surrounding her and forcing everyone to step back, already a panic ensued, so many citizens wasting no time in fleeing the scene while others remain for a variety of reasons.

"SISTER, HOLD ON!" Ryoma roared in complete desperation. Corrin screams in pure agony as she raises her head to the sky and out from her comes out a massive pillar of blackfire, spreading far and wide to the sky, and it can be seen from all over Suzanoh, spreading greater turmoil, but that is not the worse part, as there is something within the blazing pillar that also comes out of Corrin. A massive monster.

"There's no way!" Hinoka gasped in pure horror.

"Gods! Is that what I think it is!" Takumi screamed unable to keep his own terrors.

"EVERYONE BRACE YOURSELVES!" Ryoma shouted.

Out from the black flames comes out a real lived Dragon, a massive lizard-like monstrosity with darkish scales surrounding its whole body, massive bat-like wings and horns all over its body with spikes spreading through its back, but the most intimidating part of all is it's face that has holes covering the glowing red eyes within it while the rest of it is covered up in darkness, or perhaps it has only one eye, it's hard to tell from their distance. The flames finally cease and Corrin falls to the ground, unconscious but it's easy for everyone to mistake her for being dead.

"CORRIN! MY BABY!" Mikoto cried out to her as she rushes to her daughter's side but is stopped by Takumi who grabs ahold of her arm.

"Get back Mother! That thing is about to strike!" Takumi pleaded.

"I don't care!" The grieving Mother cried out while the Dragon above unleashes a violent fire breath straight at all below it, setting Suzanoh ablaze.

---

Longest Chapter I hope I ever write and to me, my most complex, though I am sure the next one will be just as long. Corrin meets more of her step siblings, spends quality time with them, has her first embarrassing moment with them, got fed by her possible crush in front of everyone and is learning how to properly use chopsticks, and I put more lore of the Grimm in my story. And I know, Robin having amnesia is a bothersome cliché but just role with it, If I actually manage to make more chapters and complete this, you make like where I'm going with it. And about Takumi being Takumi, I just want to say that I've seen the Birthright CD Drama videos about him and I sympathize with him completely and get where he's coming from and feel that his wrath against Corrin is okay, not warranted but okay, however I always saw him as an antihero material due to his willingness to burn Nohr to the ground unlike Ryoma who shows more restraint about his need for revenge due to him agreeing to help Nohr after the war once he saw firsthand the state Windmire was in Birthright so I intend to keep Takumi as someone who hides his true emotions by being an asshole most of the time and remain hostile towards his lost sister, but Corrin will have none of it, due to her short temper, and having received constant mocking and bullying from his other younger brother, since both Leo and Takumi are alike and have an inferiority complex with a reasonably childish grudge against Corrin for all the attention she gets and I want them to be more direct about their hostility with our Silver Princess being more confrontational. And yes, I will be addressing the common joke about Takumi's hair making him look like a pineapple head and Ryoma's armor like a lobster. Personally, I don't see the resemblance but I'm not good at making comparisons and this is all fun and games. As for the Throne of Hoshido, I ignored that all together because it was just a lame plot devise to make Garon a boss fight even though Corrin was on his side in Conquest, as unfortunate as that was, though that does not mean that it still won't be relevant.

Robin will have a major role, obviously due to being the Deuteragonist, while Azura is instead the Tritagonist and will serve as a moral compass and mentor, guardian and tactician for Corrin, following her with whatever she chooses. And in terms of romance, let's wait and keep going through the chapters until the end because Corrin will have more important things to worry about. And about the Blight Dragon, I had to come up with something to burn the Capital of Hoshido to the ground since Garon couldn't give Corrin that ridiculously evil sword since Robin gave her the Yato after he got it from the Rainbow Sage. More on that later. Furthermore the Blight Dragon is not the same as the Birthright Endgame. And let's just say that I have a twisted mind out of inspiration from disturbing mangas like Berserk. No, I'm not going to go THAT far but my ideal of moral gray and evil are… let's call it volatile.

Also that Tome, the one Robin is using with the infinity symbol, that tome is fanmade, my Tome, it's mine! Capable of performing many spells. More on that next time. Maybe…