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.

4. Chapter 4: Scourge of Nohr

Chapter 4: Scourge of Nohr

"Mother! Brother and Sisters! Are you all alright?!" Ryoma cried out for anyone around, the Dragon's attack struck everyone by surprise, the High Prince actually saw his life flash before his eyes and could do nothing but get down and use himself as a shield to protect his youngest sister, however meaningless it may seem, but to his tremendous relief, they all survived.

"Somehow." Takumi muttered as they look at their surroundings and discover that the reason they survived is because a magical barrier, smaller and more visible than the one Mikoto created is protecting them from the Dragon's flames. It is big enough to cover up the center of Suzanoh and probably more but either way, they are safe, and the one who made this barrier is none other than Robin, his hands pointing upwards, his tome floating in front of him, open with the words in its pages glowing purple. Odd though, where has he kept his magic book all this time? There is nothing in his clothing that can hold on the Tome while not having a need for it, there aren't even any visible pockets in him to carry smaller things.

"R-Robin…?" Sakura muttered.

"All of you have better get ready to make a run for it, because it's not over yet." Robin warned, fatigue plainly noticeable in his voice as he is putting a lot of effort into this barrier. And he may soon be put to his limits, as the Dragon responsible for this calamity comes crashing down on top the barrier, causing some kind of shockwave that forces Robin to his knees while everyone else does it mainly out of fear. The cries of horror can be heard coming from Sakura and few other civilians, the panic gets worse as the Dragon continuously slams his left fist on the barrier in its attempt to break it, each hit seems to put a strain on Robin, because the magic creating the barrier is coming out of him, each blow causes a feedback of intense pressure on him.

"I can't hold for much longer, you have to leave now, into that hole, behind Ryoma! GO!" The White Mage demanded, as everyone looks to the High Prince's back and see that Robin makes a hole in the barrier big enough for all of them to pass through, and quickly they begin to run through without hesitation.

"Wait! We can't leave Corrin!" Mikoto shouted, staring down at her still unconscious daughter.

"I got her!" Ryoma shouted back as he rushes to his sister and carries her bridal style and makes a run for it, briefly looking back at Robin, reluctant to leave him behind but does so for Corrin's sake. The Dragon doesn't seem to notice all the survivors leave the barrier, focus on dealing with Robin first and once outside they noticed that while so much of the Capital has been devastated, with so many people burned alive, there are plenty of survivors and the collateral damage is not as severe as they had assume judging by how much magic the Dragon's fire breath had packed in it.

"I can hardly believe that the city is not as bad as we feared, those flames felt strong enough to spread and burn a great majority of the Capital." Ryoma uttered in disbelief.

"No doubt because of Robin's barrier, it must have the capability to absorb the flames to minimizing whatever damages it takes to a favorable extent." Mikoto concluded.

"We can't leave him!" Sakura cried.

"We have no choice! There is too much riding on all of us staying alive!" Takumi shouted, though while the rest of the citizens continue to run, the Royal Family and Azura soon stop once they are at a safe distance and turn back to the Dragon.

"It can't be helped brother, we can entrust our soldiers to aid the survivors and take them to a secure location. The Nohrians have finally made their move and we need to strike now! Starting with this wretched beast!" Ryoma commanded, raising his Sacred Katana, Raijinto after gently placing Corrin on the ground.

"How exactly do you proposed we do that against that horrid thing?" Takumi questioned, staring down at the Dragon that remains trying to break the barrier and get to Robin.

"We can strike it now while its distracted, it seems more interested in the Rogue Nohrian and he is doing fine." Hinoka stated. Only for seconds later for the Dragon to deliver one final blow with its claws that finally manage to break the barrier, forcing Robin to lie down on the ground while the monster lands on top of him, preparing to sink its teeth on him. "I stand corrected."

Robin manages to save himself as his Tome begins to shine with a green glow and a gust of wind manifest around the Mage, propelling him away from the Dragon's teeth as it instead leaves a hole where he was. As soon as Robin gets back up, his Tome begins sparking electricity as Robin prepares to attack.

"Arcthunder!" The Mage shouted as he releases a mighty thunderbolt at the Blight Dragon, directly at its face, making it roar as its whole body surges with violent electricity, though rather the roar was out of pain or rage is irrelevant since Robin's main objective is to focus its attention on him alone.

"Alright big fellow, let's see how much those wings work." Robin dared as more mana courses through him and he begins to levitate from the air and takes to the sky, flying away, with the Dragon chasing after him.

"That crazy bastard's actually trying to lure it away from Suzanoh, there's no way he can out fly it." Takumi protested as everyone watches the two fly away.

"Why is the Dragon even chasing after the Nohrian, I thought that thing was on their side." Hinoka questioned.

"It must think Robin is one of us and feels threatened by him, his unusual magic power does feel benevolent and some dragons are believed to be drawn to attack humans with strong magic." Mikoto concluded.

"Either way, he won't last long on his own, that monster can destroy all of Hoshido if left unchecked." Azura said.

"I-Is no one going to point out the fact that Robin is actually flying all on his own." Sakura pointed out but apparently goes ignored.

The Blight Dragon launches its fire breath at Robin, who narrowly dodges it and shoots back another thunder attack, a Thoron, right through the holes on its head, straight in the eye, now doing some damage as the Dragon stops chasing after him, placing its hand on its head, while roaring in pain.

"Can hardly believe that worked." Robin muttered as the Blight Dragon continues with its fire breath even though it can't momentarily see, spreading the black flames everywhere, practically setting the sky ablaze, while Robin manages to avoid the flames and they were far enough away from Suzanoh that he wouldn't have to worry about the flames reaching anyone, however, all the blackness from the flames darkens the sky that he can barely see where he's going and gets caught by the dragon's right hand, holding him tightly and moves him closer to its face as its eyesight returns sooner than Robin expected, and he begins to squish the life at of him with Robin barely struggling to resist the great beast's brutality.

However, Robin's Tome remains floating in the air, keeping it's distance from the two and starts to glow with a red aura, granting Robin the chance to perform another spell.

'There are many reasons why this will end badly but it's better than nothing.' Robin muttered as he prepares to make another spell.

"Valflame!" He howled, and from his body, he summons an insane amount of intense and smokeless fire that spreads to the Dragon with the purpose of incinerating it, the intense pain forces it to release Robin and once freed, he lets loose even more of his flames with the aim to kill it as fast as possible, creating what appears to be a miniature sun that traps the dragon inside in the sky for those below to see, and bright enough to cause those who look to avert their eyes.

Unfortunately the Dragon's resilience is superb and holds on long enough to fight back and furiously swings it's left arm out of the sun and hits Robin with enough force to toss him aside to crash back into Suzanoh, ending the spell and releases it from the Valflame. And to make sure he dies, it shoots a fireball directly at him, blasting Robin straight down, causing a blazing explosion at the center. Miraculously, Robin survives but is now seriously injured.

"Well… that could've gone better." Robin muttered weakly. Unsatisfied by his survival, the Dragon tries again to finish him up this time as it returns to the ground, right in front of Robin and is readying to deliver one final breath attack that should definitely kill him this time. It is stopped however as an arrow of light is shot right at its face, halting its attack, and knocks its face to turn to its left from the shock but this only irritates it and turns to see that the one who shot him was Takumi using his Fujin Yumi, pulling the greenish blue glowing string of the Sacred Treasure, with an ominously wind magic forming into a tangible arrow of the same light that Takumi shoots at it, that the Dragon is able to block by raising his right arm as a shield as the arrow hits the palm, though Takumi does manage to pierce it and leave a small hole in the palm that does hurt it.

Ryoma then steps forward making a mighty swing from his Raijinto that fires a wave of lightning at the Dragon, prompting the beast to attack the High Prince by swinging its right arm at him with Ryoma taking the hit head on with Raijinto as his only defense, and because of the divine power, he takes the hit rather well, Robin's efforts have weakened it so the blow wasn't delivered with all it's might but the impact was still painful for the next King of Hoshido. Still, he continues as he makes what just might be the greatest slash of his life by drawing more power from the Raijinto than he has so far as he successfully slashes off the Dragon's forearm. The roar it makes was one of agony, forced to back away from the two Princes as it gets on its knees from the pain but only briefly, while Ryoma gets on his knees from minor exhaustion. The Blight Dragon is not done yet as it continues its assault on the two princes, with Takumi ready to fire another arrow.

"~You are the Ocean's gray waves…~"

The two Princes and Dragon turn around to see the stolen Princess of Nohr step into the conflict, all around her, blue lights began to dance. The amulet around her neck glowed the brightest, seemingly hovering on its chain around her neck.

"Azura! Get away from here!" Ryoma yelled out to her, getting back on his feet.

"What is she doing?!" Takumi shouted. Despite their protest, Azura continued with her song.

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

The Evil Dragon starts to growl, feeling something strange. The song stirred something deep within it, something painful, and is not happy! It couldn't understand what was happening. The lights pulsed rhythmically, beginning to form a circle around Azura and the Dragon.

"~Yet, the waters ever change…~"

The Blight Dragon leapt forward, seeking to kill the lost princess to stop whatever pain its feeling, however, his remaining hand, which he uses to bash her instead hits Ryoma, Takumi, Hinoka and Robin, who immediately rushed to her aid and use themselves as shields for Azura and are able to hold the attack off, despite the intense force they have to endure for her safety.

"Azura! Whatever you're doing… keep going. It seems to be working!" Robin pleaded because they are able to hold on a lot better than they initially thought, the Dragon's ungodly strength diminishing due to Azura's singing.

"Hurry!" Hinoka yelled as the four of them won't last for much longer. Azura clenches her amulet and continues to sing.

"~Flowing like time, the path is… yours to climb…~"

In the end, the Dragon couldn't take the song anymore, pulls it's arm away from the four who deny its kill and falls on the ground, screaming in further agony, red miasma comes out of its whole body as it begins to fade away into the air, with Azura falling to her knees and breathing heavily.

The Battle had ended with the Dragon's defeat, everyone can now rest and tend to the survivors. Robin, while in worse condition than the three Royals, still manages to stand back up first and walks towards Azura and offers her a helping hand.

"Are you alright, Azura." Robin asked with much concern.

"Yes… thank you." She replied accepting his aid to get back up but with her legs shaking, she needs him for support to keep herself steady at the moment.

"My Children!" Mikoto cried out to Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi and Azura, rushing to them along with Sakura, while she is carrying the still unconscious Corrin.

"I'll pull through." Ryoma assured his mother as he attempts to get on his feet but because of the blows he took he requires a bit of rest and nearly falls back on his knees, prompting him to use Raijinto as a cane for minor assistance to remain on his feet as he would prefer.

"Well… that all went better than expected." Robin muttered feeling worse for wear.

"You're hurt! Let me heal you." Sakura offered as she wastes no time in performing her healing magic on him, prompting the White Mage to lie down and get some rest with Azura beside him.

"Just what in the Gods' name was all that! First dragon seen in thousands of years and this happens!" Hinoka protested with complete frustration and horror over what has become of their home.

"That monster didn't look anything like the dragon-like Grimm Nohr have." Sakura pointed out.

"I don't think they were really in control of that thing." Mikoto said as the Blight Dragon brings more confusion over the situation, as well as distraught while patting the head of her returned daughter who may very well be the biggest victim of the day.

"What kind of magic was that, the Dragon completely evaporated to nothing?" Robin asked Azura, quite surprise that she was able to stop it. "That kind of magic is not common, especially ones that involve singing of all things."

"I've known that song ever since I was a child. My mother gave it to me, along with this amulet. When I sing it with passion, it has been known to cleanse the soul, refresh the mind. If often puts people's minds at ease, calms tensions." Azura explained clenching her amulet again. "I initially wanted to make the Dragon docile and apathetic towards its own wellbeing, allowing you all to finish it off unhindered, however the way it died was a happy accident as I had no idea I could do that, though I suspect that it was not really a living entity, just like the Grimm, though I've never once used it against them so I wouldn't know if that is the case just yet."

"So it's a magic song." Sakura concluded as this is the first time any of them have actually seen her perform her magical capabilities to such an extent. They are familiar with the song at least.

Azura rolled her eyes. "Yes, if you wish to put it bluntly. There is power in its words. It is ancient, and I don't fully understand it myself. Still, I suppose today has shown that it can be useful on the battlefield." She looked back to Robin. "I supposed we owe you once again, taking almost all the hits and burns for us."

"Don't mention it, and in reality you are technically the actual dragon slayer of the day." Robin shrugged off.

"You've all done spectacularly in the service of Hoshido." Mikoto congratulated with relief.

"Hinoka barely did squat." Takumi pointed out.

"Fuck you, Takumi." The High Princess hissed.

"Language, you two!" Ryoma scolded in disapproval but could not help but chuckle at the sudden change in atmosphere to a more satisfying one.

"Your Grace!" The Royals turn around and see each of their Retainers, along with Yukimura, Kaze, Rinkah and several other soldiers. Both of Mikoto's Retainers, Reina and Orochi cried out for their Queen. Reina being a much older woman than anyone in the group with blue hair and an X shape scar on her face and is riding a bird-like large animal to ride on. A Kinshi.

"Lord Takumi!" Oboro and Hinata cried out to their Prince at once.

"Lord Ryoma! Are you alright!" Saizo asked, alongside him is a female ninja with long black hair, her left eyes cover in a long bang, Ryoma's second retainer, Kagero!

"Sakura! Please tell me you're okay!" Hana, one of Sakura's retainers, a long light brown haired samurai rushes to the Princess and gives her a warming hug of desperation while she continues to heal Robin.

"Hana! I'm alright." Sakura tried to assured her retainer and friend but her constant shaking and crying did not help her claim.

"Glory to the Dawn Dragon." Said the red head Pegasus Rider Subaki, Sakura's other Retainer.

"Oh good, you're still alive, we were worried that monster fried you or something." Setsuna, Hinoka's Bluenette female, lazy archer retainer with a bandana said sounding casual but her face said that she was just calming down from a shock of the attack and is truly concern.

"You're nothing if not too stubborn to die Milady, I supposed there really are benefits to being a hothead after all." Azama, the large and spiky brown haired monk added also pleased to see the Royal Family safe but has a hint of smugness in his voice.

"I really don't have time for either of you right now." Hinoka hissed.

"Thank the Heavens you are all safe from this devastation." Yukimura said with great relief.

"What's the status of Suzanoh?" Ryoma commanded to the retainers.

"Only the square has been devastated but the damage isn't as bad as it seems and the number of survivors are promising." Saizo reported to his Lord.

"We've already began rounding up the survivors, taking them to the south of the Capital, they are being healed of any injuries as we speak and will recover in no time." Kagero added.

"All and all, things looks fine for the most of it." Oboro concluded.

"I'm afraid things are much worse than they appear." Mikoto said most grimly. "My barrier, it's gone."

"WHAT?!" Ryoma screamed in horror, as is everyone else over this revelation. Without the barrier, Nohr's entire army both men and beast alike are free to invade their lands with minor interference.

"How can that be!" Takumi yelled.

"I… I don't know. That Dragon must've generated some sort of magical blight that spreads through the air and infected the barrier and diminished it." Mikoto guessed, more horrified than anyone else.

"The Mana in the city's atmosphere does feel unusually thick and unsettling but it doesn't seem to affect living beings." Orochi, who's an expert when it comes to the mystic arts concluded as she does feel something 'toxic' in the air.

"And since Suzanoh is the focal point, just being here was all it took to destroy it." Robin added.

"B-But… but, you can reforge it, right, mother." Sakura desperately asked.

"I can't, this Blight is too strong, and while I could make another focal point elsewhere, it's likely that the blight will eventually keep spreading everywhere in Hoshido, making it pointless to try." Mikoto regrettably admitted.

"NO!" Sakura cried.

"The War has finally begun." Rinkah cursed.

"Our army is ready nonetheless, though I don't think we stand a chance against an all-out assault against a whole army of Grimm." Kaze said, expressing his doubts.

"We don't have a choice!" Takumi growled.

It was only then that Corrin finally wakes up while in her mother's arms, screaming out of pure shock and hysteria, shaking madly, with Mikoto trying to keep her under control, holding her as tightly as possible.

"What's happening! What is this! Where am I!" The Lost Princess cried out from pure shock.

"It's okay! You're okay! Baby, you're alright." Mikoto tried to assure her daughter, comforting her as best she can, only for Corrin to push her aside as she starts to vomit again, but this time only the black substance, much to the horrors, shocks and disgusts of the rest.

"It hurts… it hurts so much!" Corrin sobbed intensely as her entire body feels like it wants her to just give in and die.

"My poor girl." Mikoto hugged her daughter and rocked her back and forth, while also beginning to use her magic of healing, as she, unlike other Maidens and Monks has no need of a magic-conduit to use Heal and uses all the power she can muster to strip her daughter of all her suffering but at the moment she can only dull it.

"Where did that abomination even come from?! No beast as ever made it pass Suzanoh's defenses and that thing didn't even look like a Grimm." Reina asked.

"Where else, it came out of this walking disaster." Takumi scornfully pointed at Corrin.

"Wait… what?" Hinata muttered.

"Enough! Takumi! Your wrath is unwanted!" Mikoto snapped at her wayward son, causing him to stutter at his mother's harsh words towards him.

"Saizo, I need to verify, was the report you gave me in the incident at the borders thorough!" Ryoma asked his most loyal servant.

"I gave what I could best describe, Milord. Your sister was attacked by a giant humanoid being with long twisted horns that could pass up for a demon, wounded her and slaughtered all of our troops in the fort that was also destroyed before vanishing to the depths of the canyon. All the burn marks indicate that it could use powerful fire magic." Saizo confirmed. "Do you believe that the two monsters are connected?"

"That atrocity came out of my sister, the black liquid she vomited along with the black flames, this all reeks of ancient lost magic of the dark arts that have not been used in so long." Ryoma said. "This was all a set up."

"Milord, are you suggesting that the Nohrians planned for Lady Corrin to be captured by us just so that Dragon could take down the barrier from the inside." Kagero asked incredulously.

"That is exactly what I'm saying!" Ryoma snapped out of pure hatred for how his sister has been treated.

"That Fire Demon must've implanted the Dragon inside her somehow, where it was waiting for the right time to come out. Meaning that the Nohrians have their army line and ready for an assault on us." Kaze added bitterly.

"No…" Corrin barely whispered, taking every horrible word she just heard hard, as if they were blows, with tears coming out. The dark revelation of betrayal finally sinking into her heart as it lies in pieces, both mentally, and because of the evil dragon that was just inside her, possibly literally that it's a wonder she's still alive.

"Then this makes the following news all the worse. A massive Nohrian force is gathering on our border, near the Kurosaki Plains. They are armed for war." Yukimura gives further bad news.

Ryoma stamped on the ground, fury visible on his face. "This is the last straw. Both me and my mother have worked hard to avoid an all-out war, but now…" He stabbed his holy katana into the ground angrily. "Death is too good for them. Who is with me?"

The Hoshidan soldiers gathered around him all yelled in anger and hate, raising their weapons in violence. Hinoka stood from to her brother's side, a great fury rising up inside her. "I am with you too, brother. Let us show those Nohrian dogs that we are not a weak country to be bullied into submission! I will get revenge for Corrin!"

"I'm going to kill all those Nohrian Scums." Takumi also took his place at Ryoma's side as they all marched away, Sakura also following once she was done healing Robin, not that he is fully healed, not wanting the rest of her siblings and comrades to go without all their healers at their side, with Corrin, Mikoto, Robin, Azura and Yukimura being the only ones left at the square.

Corrin frees herself from her mother's embrace and struggles to remain on her feet, still weaken from what she had endured.

"Corrin? You aren't planning on going too, are you?" Mikoto asked dreadfully.

"I have to go… I…" Corrin uttered, moving but is stopped by Robin who grabs her by her left arm.

"Corrin, enough. You are not ready for something this massive." He pleaded.

"Xander has to be there, leading the charge, I have to see him… I… need to know the truth." Corrin sobbed, her tears falling like a waterfall in her eyes, the defiling of her body still not enough to make her have a clear view of the reality that has fallen before her. "Or at the very least, Leo. Someone I can talk to make sense of all this."

"Corrin! If you go there, and if your Brothers from Nohr are really there then you will be force to make a horrible decision that no person should ever be forced to make and rather you choose the right path or not, either choice will bring you more pain." Robin warned her, having a better understanding on all of this and knows that what comes next will scar the tormented Princess to no end.

"Corrin, please listen to him, regardless of my own hatred for Nohr, I cannot allow you to make such a choice, your heart is already destroyed." Mikoto also pleaded, fearing for Corrin's already tortured soul. "Please, my darling, you aren't meant to fight a war."

"I HAVE TO KNOW!" The Princess screamed, refusing to relent from her ordeal.

"Fine, fine! Dammit! But don't say we didn't warn you, and do not leave my side." Robin sighed heavily and grudgingly relents to Corrin's decision as, holding on to her and take to the sky.

"Corrin! Please come back to me, don't let our family remain impaired." Mikoto pleaded to her but the Princess gives no reply, now melancholic, as they fly off on to war.

"Nothing but pain and regret awaits us, and Corrin will be at the center of it all." Azura said with much sadness in her voice as she watches the two white heads fly off to possibly their doom.

"Yukimura, please go as well, I'll be fine." Mikoto insisted to her Chief Tactician.

"Forgive me, Milady, I was still baffle by the fact that you're still alive, when I saw the horrid black flames from Shirasagi I thought the end you spoke up towards you had finally come." Yukimura said with such relief in his voice.

"What…?" Azura uttered.

"Today was supposed to be my end but not anymore, and we can discuss it later, for now, my children need you more than me." Mikoto commanded, though typically it sounded more like her pleading. Fitting given the situation.

"It shall be as you command." Yukimura bowed in respect before leaving for their army's aid.

"Lady Mikoto, what did you mean by you were supposed to meet your end today?" Azura questioned with much confusion, while feeling more distress but does well in maintaining calm. The Queen sighs seeing no reason to hide the truth any longer.

"You know of my unique ability to make prophecies and see the future, just like Orochi but more accurately put. But like all fortune tellers I can only see fractions of the endless Storm of Destiny, there is always so much to see at the same time that if I look for much longer I will be beset with insanity. They come to me, I don't look for them, and last year I gain another vision, that Corrin would return to us but our family reunion would be short lived as she will have unknowingly brought a great evil with her that would claim my life and the war would begin." Mikoto confessed. "I could not tell Ryoma and the others about this because I knew how they would all react, Yukimura was the only one I felt I could confide in and he would swear a vow of silence, just as he's always have and have been preparing for the inevitable war against the darkness that has corrupted Nohr."

"But you survived." Azura replied.

"That's the part that I cannot fathom, when I saw the Dragon I knew what I had to do to stop it, I initially planned to channel all the barrier's power to focus only on Suzanoh and the Dragon, getting it to cease its assault by making it completely docile, force it to leave." Mikoto revealed.

"But the barrier is spread all over Hoshido, to get something so massive to shrink and focus all its power on one location, especially in such a short time would've put your body through ungodly amounts of stress." Azura concluded.

"It was clear that I would die right then and there, I was prepared for it, as long as Corrin remained with her siblings I would have no regrets, and as awful as it may sound, my sacrifice would've fully open Corrin's eyes to Nohr's evil." Mikoto continued. "But Robin reacted first and his magic exceeded my own to an extent that he unintentionally cancelled my spell."

"He saved you from your fate."

"HE is the biggest anomaly of all, all the visions I kept having regarding Corrin's return and afterwards, all the hardships she will endure, my first family dinner with her after so long. Robin… Robin wasn't supposed to be there, for any of this. He doesn't belong with neither Hoshido or Nohr, or this world. He's nobody, and yet his presence is so strong, Destiny has been defiled." Mikoto said with a mix of extreme relief and dread.

"Isn't denying Destiny her chosen course for the best, your survival is for the best for all of us, none more than Corrin." Azura argued with a hint of anger over Mikoto's choices. "You should've told us the truth and done more."

"Every time I tried to deny fate I end up making things worse, all the animosity I've received from my own people because of poor decisions I made because I try to prevent bad events that were supposed to happen but I continued to make mistakes. Again and again." Mikoto said now more bitterly than Azura had ever seen her behave. "I'm not strong enough to change Fate, I'm chained to a life I can never truly control, not even for the sake of my family. And now Corrin will be dragged by the same chains as well and there is no way out, even if that sword she has truly is the Sword of Salvation. My beautiful daughter is not strong at all for what's coming."

"She has to be, we've run away from our troubles long enough. The Yato is the key to Mankind's freedom towards all oppression. And Kaze and Rinkah have seen her wield the blade to slay Grimm, if she wasn't chosen by the sword than the blade wouldn't be able to cut anything." Azura remarked. "And if Corrin really can't do it then perhaps Robin can lead the charge. The Yato also chose him, I've seen it come to him back in Notre Sagesse."

"Then why isn't he wielding the Yato now then! Why is Corrin still following the cruel course set out for her still." Mikoto demanded.

"I don't know, but though the answer may elude us it is not lost to us yet." Azura stated.

---

The Day of Fate has finally come as Corrin stares at the plains known as Kurosaki that is wide open and situated near the border between the two great warring nations, vast as far as the eye could see, only stopped by the mountain range border in the far distance, green, rolling hills swept outwards, with a river that flows through it with several bridges that allow safe passage. Corrin can feel several Dragon Veins around, each with different capabilities. She is now above in the sky with Robin who continues to hold her by wrapping his arm around her waist, able to see everything in Kurosaki, such as the Hoshidan army preparing for the long awaited showdown with their dark counterparts, Ryoma leading the thousands of strong men and women, Takumi and Hinoka beside him, along with all their respective retainers. There are so many types of soldiers that make up their forces, the ones that catches Corrin's attention the most are the Sky Knights divided between the Riders of Pegasus and Kinshi with Hinoka no doubt leading them.

Advancing towards them in strict, regimented units was the Nohrian army, stretching from one end of the plains to the other. Try as Hoshido might, they could never match the military force of a country bred from war. Legions of cavalry advanced with spears held aloft, berserkers stomped out war beats, the Wyvern Brigade danced their intricate and ritualistic battle ceremony in the sky, and the Dark Mages scattered throughout the army were busy casting dark hexes of power over their allies. There was no doubt; Nohr was the power to Hoshido's elegance. But that is not what catches Corrin's attention, but the other forces of the army, which are the Grimm.

There are so many of them, Beowolves, Ursai, Titanboas and Creeps right beside the humans of Nohr, and they are not hostile towards them, they stand with the Nohrians as allies, just as she was told. So it's all true then.

And there are other types of those monsters that she hasn't seen yet, like ones that are boar-like with cloven-feet, a line of hair sprouting from their spines, snub snout, and tusks, four eyes and a bone-like masks that seem to be strapped to their faces by a black vein-like organic tether. They have a series of plates along its back and on its thighs, and two extra sets of tusks, including two large curving tusks. However, their underside is comparatively under-protected and vulnerable, with little to no body armor or shielding. Boarbatusks.

Up next are gorilla-like Grimm. Like many of the other Grimm in the deadly army, they are covered in black skin, with bone-like plates covering their bodies at certain places like armor. A red pattern or symbol resembling an eye is present on their back, and also all appear to have "burnt" skin, with an internal red glow visible from within, where the skin is thinnest. They have well-developed hands with opposable thumbs. They are quite large, at almost twice the height of a human. Beringels.

Then there is the giant scorpion-like Grimm that unlike most of its kin instead have jet-black exoskeleton underneath several white, bonelike plates upon their backs, which are adorned with red markings. The more prominent attributes of these Grimm are the glowing golden stingers on their tails that look like they can glow in the dark to lure greedy pray because of it seemingly being made of gold. They also each have a pair of large pincers that they can use to defend themselves and grab/cut into their targets. Finally, they have ten red eyes and unique markings. Death Stalkers.

The most massive Grimm that have to be twenty stories tall at the shoulder resemble Elephants, black bodies, with giant, white tusks, and white and red patch on their foreheads. Like most Grimm, they have bony, white protrusions on their bodies, with a massive row of them going down their spines. Goliaths.

Flying alongside the Wyvern Riders are Nevermores, accompanied by other flying Grimm, like hornet-like Grimm that have three-segmented black bodies with three sets of legs. They have white armored mask and armor along their backs. On the back of their abdomens, the armor is in four overlapping plates. They have jagged pincers, antenna, four red transparent wings and a stinger. Lancers.

Next are another bird-like Grimm that have the heads, wings and talons of large predatory bird and the rear legs, tail and bodies of a lion, black fur and feathers, with white bone-like spines on their bodies, including a row of bony spikes on their wings, as well as a white birdlike skulls. On their heads, they have bone-white beaks and four red eyes, along with gray webbing on the sides of their beaks. Griffons.

Two more types of flying Grimm, One that have the bodies and heads of lions, wings of predatory birds and scorpion tails. They also have black fur and feathers, with white bone-like spines on their bodies, including white lion skulls and large, crown-like manes of bone. Each have a pair of bull horns also protrudes from the skulls. Manticores.

The final type of Grimm so far strongly resembles the lion-like grimms but have more slender, furry, feline bodies and large feathered wings, with four-crested bone masks, and white snakes for tails. Sphinxes.

But what really bothers her the most is that even from her distance she can see them, her family from Nohr, Xander, Camilla, Leo, and even Elise of all people are with their army as well. Brothers Xander and Leo riding their armored steeds with their Sacred Treasures in hand. Camilla is standing beside them, along with her favorite and most loyal Wyvern. The winged creatures that are believed to be the sister species to the long thought extinct dragon race have always been of great fascination to Nohrians, Camilla being their best rider so far that holds a lot of compassion for them, her personal wyvern; Escanor being the main example. Elise is next to them, her healing staff in hand as she is a gifted prodigy in the healing arts of magic, credited as Nohr's best healer, and she is riding on top one of those Griffons that remains on the ground, and she's even petting it, though it looks apathetic towards her contagious affections but at least it's not hostile because the Royal Family of Nohr really have power over them, they would never harm them, only protect them. And yet… they didn't hesitate to try and kill her. Corrin was still in denial of not really being blood related to them, but now it's all so painfully clear.

"How did they even managed to get so many of their forces pass the Bottomless Canyon and avoid the Corrupted Dragon Veins unharmed. They don't look like they've lost much of their forces." Corrin wondered.

"They must've used Warp Tomes, powerful spellbooks that allow one to teleport into locations the caster has personally been to." Robin explained. "To be able to send so many of their forces here must've taken a lot of casters so they clearly didn't bring all their Mages, that's where the Grimm come in."

"Odd how Leo never mentioned such magic to me." Corrin wondered.

"That's a mystery for another day."

"Is there really no way to stop this without violence?" Corrin asked bitterly, the answer so obvious but unacceptable in her heart.

"Not for the Hoshidans at this very moment. In their eyes clouded by wrath every life they take, every yard they gain they will be avenging years of oppression and insults to their sovereignty. For them to refuse to fight now and resolve things peacefully will torment many of them internally for not being able to let all their frustration and rage out. It may damage some of them mentally." Robin explained as best he can about what he has witnessed and heard of their antagonistic rivalry against Nohr. And Corrin remains silent by that statement, not sure how to respond yet. "Both sides are ready and will strike in no time and these beautiful plains will be bathed in blood. I sure hope you know what you're doing because this is really the most regrettable thing I have ever seen so far, and I have little understanding of regret."

"I can't just sit in the sidelines while these people begin to slaughter each other, and look at all those monsters, the Hoshidans don't stand a chance." Corrin argued.

"I know, but even if we do manage to stop them now, they will start again another day and we may not be there to stop it. Whatever happens today will change the route of our lives." Robin predicted.

Their debate is halted as the white duo are caught up by the roaring sounds below as both armies at last attack, the plains about to be drenched in the cries of anger, resentment, and pain. Both sides believed, fanatically, in their cause, one side are desperate for resources after so long and have reached their breaking point while another want to preserve their way of living and continue to not get involve in the troubles of outsiders, regardless of how dire the situation. To Corrin's horror, the one that Ryoma is setting his sights on first is none other than her other elder brother of Nohr, leading the dark army; Xander, also aiming towards Ryoma. Both have fought before, both are viewed as the strongest of their respective kingdoms, both are the heir to their respective thrones, the idols of their respective families. Their rivalry will only fuel the fires of hate.

"Take me down there now! Having me in the middle of all this should stop them!" Corrin pleaded.

"Yeah! Briefly!" Robin hissed as he does so by flying down as fast as he can, landing right between both armies and the first one to notice are Xander and Ryoma, and as Corrin hoped, the sight of their sister in the middle of all this forced them to stop and they both simultaneously raise their Sacred Swords in the air, firing bolts of lightning and dark energy for their respective armies to see.

"HALT!" At once the two Heirs screamed everyone to stop, and they almost don't but quickly they all do so and remain on standby, so close to sink their blades, arrows, magic, and for the Nohrians, beasts into each other.

"CORRIN! What are you doing here!" Ryoma demanded. "You should be recovering from what was done to you."

"Sister! You're alive!" Xander cried in relief to finally reunite with his young sister after so many days of worry. "They haven't hurt you, have they?"

"Big brother." Corrin spoke up next so relief to see him again after so long apart. "I'm… not sure how to respond to that yet but how I feel doesn't matter now. Why are you here Xander?"

"Iago and his Dark Mages assured us that today is the day to strike against Hoshido, and I wasn't going to wait any longer while you remained here rotting by Hoshidan hands." Xander informed.

"Iago said that…?" Corrin repeated in confusion.

"What's more, father wants us to show our true strength. If we can conquer Hoshido here and now, we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed." Xander continued.

"You can't…" Corrin stops her words as she looks to see the rest of her siblings moving forward to greet their sister.

"Dear! I was so worried about you. Don't ever wander away from me again." Camilla greeted as motherly as usual, while on top of Escanor.

"There you are, sister. I'm glad you're okay. After what we heard happened, you must have the devil's own luck to have lasted this long on your own." Leo said also relief.

"I told you she would be okay! Big sister is the best!" Elise cheered with an ecstatic grin.

"Camilla, Leo, Elise!" Corrin uttered, a whirlpool of emotions going wild inside her, not sure how to respond to all this and the need to ask if Garon kidnapping her, much less about Wrath being planned was all true have both been buried into her mind.

"Keep your distance Corrin! These four are the Underworld's Princes and Princesses!" Ryoma warned his sister before turning to Robin. "Robin! Get her out of here, now!"

"I…" Robin is left in silence with Hinoka rushing to the scene with her Pegasus, with Takumi and Sakura not far behind.

"Nohrian Scum! First you kidnap her, now you lie to her? Corrin is MY sister, not yours! How dare you!" The Oldest Princess of Hoshido scoffed, years of venom and hate sowing in her voice, finally the perfect chance to express them presented before her.

"Hinoka…" Corrin barely whispered, visibly shaking as the moment Robin dreaded is now here, and it's too late now.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. Corrin is my sweet little sister, and you may not have her. Not that she would want you, anyway." Camilla remarked, her kind expression now gone and replace with animosity mainly at Hinoka for her audacious words while she strokes her Wyvern. If Corrin recalls correctly, whenever someone angers Camilla, she would often try to calm herself by seeking Escanor's surprisingly gentle presence, stroking him is a sign that she is trying her best to show restraint apart from typically showing him her affections. And at this very moment it is a remarkable thing to do considering they are in a battlefield.

"Camilla… don't." Corrin pleaded, getting worse. "Brothers. Sisters. Please, it doesn't have to be this way. War here will only mean bloodshed and sorrow. There must be… there is a way to settle all this without using our blades."

"Ah… Little Princess, it both saddens and pleases me to see that even now you remain a light of Nohr alongside Elise, however such thoughts are also ill and can still bring more harm than good in certain moments, like right now." Xander said, sadness in his voice, likely because he is the only one besides Robin so far that is noticing her distraught state before becoming more serious. "Those days are gone now, Nohr tried negotiating, we have pleaded with our Brethren of the Light to give us aid and received only hollow words in the end. Words gets us nowhere but deeper into a hunger crisis. Do you propose we return to our father and mother, King Garon and Queen Arete empty handed with nothing to feed their people? Our will, our mercy has been taken for granted long enough!"

"Who are you to speak of mercy!" Ryoma's own inner hatred reaching the surface as he steps forward to Xander and takes an attacking stance. "Nohr has bullied our borders, slain our countrymen, and sent horrific beasts to rape our lands, all while deeming us the evil ones! It is our good will that has been taken for granted and now the day of reckoning has finally come!"

"As if anything can be expected of those blinded by so much light. This is the true nature of the world you have dreamt of seeing with your own eyes for so long, Corrin. What father, mother and I have strived to prepare you for. War cannot be solved easily. Words cannot fix scars." Xander declared. "This is how things must be."

Ryoma scoffs at what he views as hypocritical nonsense and lies as he turns to Corrin and holds up a hand out for her.

"Corrin, cease this vain effort for your make belief peace. Do not try to shoulder the burden of all this evil on your own anymore. I have accepted the horrors of today, tomorrow and forward. Made peace with the fact that I am leading my country into a war that will claim thousands of lives. All that I ask today is that I don't lose you."

Corrin stepped back. "Wh… What are you saying?"

"Leave now my sister, return to Suzanoh, to mother, where it will be safe for now. I don't want you to see what's coming next." Ryoma pleaded with her, apparently he also realized what all of this is doing to her, as if a dragon of disease coming out of her womb wasn't traumatic enough. "If your heart still holds a place for these four then you must not see what must be done."

Xander shook his head violently. "Do not listen to him, Corrin! I am your brother! I… I Confess, I have always known of your true lineage. But blood ties do not decide who your family is. Love and loyalty do, and I have given my all for you, just as mother, Camilla, Leo and Elise have." The Crown Prince felt anxious for confessing that bombshell but does not relent as he too extends his hand to her. "Come back to me, Little Princess and let me be your shield once again. We're your family!"

"You knew…" Corrin gasped, his words doing more harm but the positive effect was still received.

"No, don't listen to him Corrin! Nohr isn't your home, Hoshido is!" Hinoka pleaded with her.

Takumi and Sakura have remained silent upon reaching the front line and watching the entire scene unfold and stood behind Ryoma. Takumi simply stared at Corrin, waiting for her to decide. Sakura took a shaky step forward, mustering all her confidence.

"B-big sister…!" Was all Sakura could muster, not sure of what she can really say to convince Corrin, mainly because Corrin's broken state of mind is more visible now. What's worse is that Sakura's words had a negative impact on another young princess in the group of ten.

"SHE'S MY SISTER!" Elise yelled in a tone of anger that no one has ever seen her show before, and it seems like her Griffon can feel her jealous anger as it turns to Sakura and makes a furious roar, threatening to strike her down, forcing Takumi to pull her sister behind him for her protections. "MINE!"

Corrin can do nothing but look back and forth between her two families, the tears streaming down, pure despair in her face, combined with a massive headache as she places both her hands on her face.

"My sweet sister, what's wrong?!" Camilla asked with concern, only now noticing her condition and can only worry while wishing she could go and hug her tightly and never let go.

"STOP CALLING HER THAT!" Hinoka screamed in respond to her counterpart's words, not sure if she can restraint herself anymore, worsening things more for Corrin.

"What's the hold off Corrin?" Leo demanded. "Let's finish this nightmare already so we can take you back home all the sooner."

"Quit stalling and decide already!" Takumi is harsher than anyone and seemed to have the biggest impact as Corrin begins to growl and her body surges with a red aura that erupts from her like a shockwave, though it does nothing to Robin it does startle all eight siblings, presumably doing them harm, and causes all the nearby Grimm to become agitated, Elise's Griffon looking ready to attack and almost knocks the Princess off it.

"Easy, easy!" Elise pleaded with the monster as she pets it again, and it immediately relaxes.

"Shit! She's pulling something out of her again!" Takumi is the most agitated, looking ready to attack.

"No, she's not!" Hinoka shouted at him.

"I swear, if another bastard comes out of her, I will shoot her before it does!" Takumi warned, fearful of another Dragon coming out again, readying his Fujin Yumi to fire.

"Brother! What are you doing?!" Sakura cried in horror.

"Takumi put your yumi down now!" Ryoma commanded furiously. Takumi is stopped by Leo with Brynhildr in retaliation but only as a warning as he uses the dark magic from the tome to create or summon a tree, one with a missing top to come up from on top of Takumi, causing his Hoshidan Counterpart to trip and fall to the ground but his Sacred Treasure never left his hand.

"Just try it, you raging dog!" Leo scoffed in defense of Corrin.

"You claim to love her and still you point your weapons at her like some animal! Worthless Fiends!" Xander shouted with malice.

"You be quiet! You have no business with the situations with my family!" Ryoma snapped with his own malice. "Your father has done enough when he murdered ours in cold blood!"

"Again with that false accusation against my family! The Light will do anything to burn those who do not stand with it, it seems." Xander scoffed.

"Please… Please no more! Don't make me choose. There's a better way to solve this! There has to be." Corrin pleaded with them to stop as she's only getting worse to the point that she can't even breathe.

"Corrin!" Robin can do nothing but hold her tightly, giving her as much comfort as he possibly can as he has no idea how to stop this madness either.

The two heir cease their argument and see how worse it has gotten for their sister and can only feel regret.

"There is no other way out of this, Little Princess, it has to be this way."

"I'm so sorry it has to come to this, Corrin. But I trust you can make the right decision."

She's dead. That's the only thing that makes sense, she died and did something in her past that she can't remember that landed her in Hell. Or at the very least is in the process of dying, her life slipping pass the mortal coil, with her broken mind showing her nightmares for no reason that is perhaps giving an accurate depiction of the horror of dying she feels. Anything other than this reality. Her reality! But it's real, all of it and there is no getting out. How can she possibly choose between two families? What sane person could find a logical answer in such a disaster?

On one hand, it seems so simple, choose the family you've known your whole life, her Nohrian siblings have made it clear that they love her, bloodlines be damned and they are all she knows and really has left besides for Robin. But… Garon, her father… all of her doubts are pointed towards him. She wants so badly to believe that he didn't do it, that he didn't planned for that dragon to be put inside her just to take out Mikoto's barrier but the Grimm, the chaos they can bring, all this darkness.

On the other hand, Mikoto, Ryoma, Hinoka, Sakura, Azura, hell, even Takumi to some extent, are all wonderful who love their people and don't really want to go to war. They're so kind but based on everything she learned they don't understand what is going on outside of their borders and can't seem to comprehend why the Nohrians are doing this, not that they ever gave a proper explanation. Too much Light and Too much Darkness, there's no Balance. Everything is falling apart. There's no clear right answer to any of this at all.

One thing is clear though, the next words that come out of Corrin's mouth will not be coming out of a sound mind.

"Xander… withdraw your troops." The choice has been made, with the Nohrian siblings looking at Corrin with confusion, shock, sadness and betrayal.

"Corrin! What are you saying? Do you really mean to stand against us after everything we've been through?" Xander demanded, looking the most betrayed.

"NOOOO! I just… I just… I can't stand for any of this! I never believed in Nohr's cause, I never wanted to fight!" Corrin cried out as she faces the Crown Prince. "I don't want to leave Nohr's people behind to starve but I can't let you hurt Hoshido either! These lands aren't yours to take!"

"Sweetheart, you're just confuse. You're under a lot of stress after being with these cowards for so long." Camilla spoke up next, trying to make sense of this new unforeseen outcome.

"Yes! That has to be it. I don't know what horrors you've endured after being with these fiends but it's painfully obvious that your heart has been torn in two and can no longer see right from wrong anymore. Very well, Little Princess, as your 'True' Older Brother, it is my duty to make you whole again." Xander declared as he points his sword at the Hoshidan Siblings, who are the true source of his newfound hatred. "You're coming back home with us even if you think you don't want to, and once this is over you will find clarity!"

"Over my dead body, my foolish blind dusk counterpart!" Ryoma shouted. "I will put an end to all this once and for all!"

"No!" Corrin cried out.

"Took the words right out of my mouth." Xander scorned. "When we last fought, I spared you to focus my efforts on saving my retainers. I shall now retract my kindness for your unforgivable act against my family by bathing my dark blade with your blood!"

"Time to see where your true loyalty lies." Takumi said, more ready than ever for this.

"I'll be your shield, Corrin! They won't take you from us again!" Hinoka declared, her resolve now strengthen.

"I'm r-ready. I won't let them hurt you, Corrin."

"NO! NO! STOP!" Corrin pleaded for them to stop but they fall on deaf ears once again and both armies, the ones in the front at least heard most of the argument and ready themselves to fight with those behind them doing the same.

"Corrin! We got to move now." Robin shouted to her, ready to fly them away from this fight, though Robin plans on coming back to try and force the Nohrians to fall back.

How… Why? Corrin's mind raced, unable to comprehend why the Gods had seen fit to put her in the center of all this chaos. WHY? WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WWHHYYYYYYY?!

Corrin did not remember much after that. The world became a blur of red and blue, pain and destruction. But everyone could see, and what they saw brought terror. Corrin became enveloped in a burning red aura, starting at her hands and spreading all over her. It glows so white hot that Robin and the warring siblings are forced to look away before the shockwaves blast them all away from the now truly broken Princess. When next they looked back, it was not their friend and middle sister that stood over at the center of this carnage.

There now stood a huge monster with four pointed legs, like the delicate legs of a deer, ending with black feet that looked like human hands. Pure white plated skin, stooped over onto all fours, and with a long neck ending in a head with seemingly no eyes. An ancient dragon. Corrin had transformed into an ancient dragon. The beast stood, shaky on its legs, standing for the first time.

"CORRIN!" Elise and Sakura cried out in horror of what's become of their big sister.

"How can this be!" Hinoka gasped horrified.

"Oh, great, instead of a dragon coming out of her again, she instead becomes one!" Takumi protested but is still equally horrified.

"Mother spoke the truth." Ryoma looks at his transformed sister more in awe than horror, as he also knew about this hidden power inside Corrin.

"All this misery has awaken the monster inside her once again." Xander cursed also aware of Corrin's inner power and has seen her in this form before.

"NO!" Camilla cried.

"What have they done to you, Corrin!" Leo shouted, rashly holding the Hoshidans responsible for what's become of her.

"She's the Manakete the Sage warned me about." Robin gasped.

Both armies stand still once again, fear holding them steady. All the kingdoms know of the legendary Dragon Race, and their tremendous power, but have long been thought extinct, and here now one stands before them, though it lacks the common lizard-like traits they are so accustom to, they know that not all dragons have the same features and that this monster truly is a Dragon.

The Ancient Dragon lay there silent looking down on all before she paws the ground with her feet and makes a truly terrifying and ferocious roar of pure anguish that can be heard across all of Kurosaki before what looks like water and blue glowing energy starts to manifest around her, and this causes all the Grimm to turn completely hostile, and without receiving any orders, they all attack, to strike down the Ancient Dragon, except for the Griffon Elise is riding on who lowers itself on its knees to use itself as a shield for the still knocked down Princess to keep her safe as Corrin releases a geyser of water from her mouth, perhaps, that strikes at all the nearby Grimm, vaporizing them instantly, and also strikes at so many of Nohr's soldiers and dark mages but did not hit any of the Nohrian Siblings.

"Corrin! STOP THIS!" Xander cried out to her but she will not listen, she's too far gone. However, not even Hoshido is spared as she also attacks the army of her birthright, catching them off guard and strikes down so many. Both sides have received the first set of casualties. Now the War has truly begun.

"She's lost her sanity! ATTACK!" Takumi screamed loudly for all the Hoshidans to hear and immediately they all charge, the Nohrians do so as well, finally letting their fury out in the open.

The Grimm make the first move with Nevermores, firing their razor sharp feathers, Lancers by firing their stingers while they are still visibly attached to its body even though they each release so many, while the Sphinxes and Manticores shoot fireballs from their mouth, and Griffons instead release gusts of wind.

The Hoshidan Mages, the Diviners counterattack as they each hold scrolls that they use as conduits for their magic just like regular mages use books and from the scrolls they summon spirits of animals that range from rats, ox, tigers, rabbits, snakes, horses, sheep, monkeys, birds, and even dragons, some of which are made of elements and aim them after the enemy projectiles, creating a series of explosions in the air, most of them manage to hit the Grimm but they hardly face them, while the Diviners who took the hits were not as fortunate with few of them die on impact, fewer got injured while the rest manage to avoid the hit and continue their barrages.

A Beringel begins a berserk assault on Samurais, pounding on them without mercy, bashing their skulls and breaking every bone in their bodies with just one hit of its large arms, some of them managed to hold their own but only for a brief moment, as they are killed regardless. The Beringel then sets its sights on a new prey, which is Takumi's samurai retainer, Hinata. It picks up one of the samurai corpses and throws it straight at Hinata, as the Retainer charges forward towards the demon gorilla. Hinata does not halt and makes a swift slip and slide as the body of his fallen samurai brother flies pass him with him dead set on eliminating the monster, making a quick leap to sink its sword at it from above, with the Beringel ready to easily break the katana with its fist. However, Hinata receives assistance from his partner, Oboro, Hoshido's best spear fighter, as she wields a special spear specifically design to slay creatures with animal traits, like the Grimm, a Beast Killer. Stabbing the spear through the right abdomen, the Beringel screams in pain, losing its focus as Hinata delivers the finishing blow by stabbing his katana into its mouth, pinning it to the ground, killing it as it disintegrates.

The two Retainers exchange looks over their kill, but it is short lived as a Creep bursts out of the ground behind Hinata, about to sink its teeth at him, luckily a quick arrow moves pass him and hits the Creep through the right eye hard enough that it knocks it back and it instead lands on the Samurai's left side, Oboro not wasting the opportunity to strike it down.

"WHOA! That was a close one, thanks Lord Takumi." Hinata turns to meet his savior in gratitude but to his surprise, it was really Hinoka's retainer, Setsuna.

"No problem. It really sucks to be mistaken for someone else, but oh well." Setsuna said with her usual tired and unconcern tone, even in the midst of all this chaos, while Hinata remains baffled over his mistake. Takumi shoots arrows made of tangible wind magic, how did he mistake that for a regular arrow made of steel. The distraction, leaves Setsuna unprepared to defend herself against a Knight of Nohr about to impale her with his spear but she is saved by two shurikens that hit the knight in his unprotected armpit and neck, slowly killing him as he hits the ground. And only now does the Archer notice the danger she was in.

"Oh, thank you Saizo." She turns to her savior in gratitude, however she too made a mistake as it was actually Saizo's twin brother, Kaze who is now busy trying to avoid fireballs being shot at him by a Dark Mage with Sakura's retainer Hana assisting him. "Oh, my mistake, guess today is not our day."

"Yeah…" Hinata muttered.

"You're both idiots!" Oboro shouted as she goes to face off against a Paladin, using a different spear surging with electricity.

Corrin rampages through the battlefield, attacking members of both armies, making no discrimination between them with none able to defend themselves. Her desire for both sides to stop fighting perverted by her anguish and now wants to stop them by ending their lives, stomping on any soldier beneath her might. A Nevermore aims to stop her by stomping on her with its talons, but the dragon is faster and swiftly dodges and with a mighty and swift swing from her long tail, the Feral Corrin slices the Nevermore's legs, causing it to fall down and on top of Nohrians and Hoshidans fighting. She then jumps on top of it, landing close to its neck, and with her bare hands swiftly tears off the demon bird's head off its body, with the crushed men and women critically injured or dead.

Robin fights his way through the battlefield, trying to reach Corrin as the waves from her transformation pushed him pretty far and he couldn't reach her because of all the carnage and her rushing randomly everywhere but repeatedly he is forced to stop, being attacked by both sides of this war, either because none recognized him, with Nohr is more understandable since he spend most of his time in the Northern Fortress with Corrin or because they saw him as the one who brought Corrin here in the first place and started her carnage, regardless the Great Mage has no time for them.

A Spear Fighter attempts to stab him but Robin catches the weapon with his bare hand and with impressive strength he lifts and throws both the spear and its wielder aside, sending him crashing into a nearby cavalier, knocking both men and horse to the ground. He then narrowly avoids an axe wielder slamming his weapon on the ground instead, Robin then stomps his foot on the back side of the axe, forcing it to go deeper on the ground to the point where the Fighter couldn't lift it anymore, with Robin summoning his Tome out of thin air and uses it as a blunt weapon, hitting the Fighter in the face so hard, his nose breaks.

Robin then summons a bolt of lightning from his hands and uses it to blast a hole through a Beowolf that nearly gets him from behind but he noticed on time. Facing off next against a Death Stalker, the Demon thrusts its stinger at the Mage that he blocks by generating flames from his left palm that takes the form of a tangible lance that easily blocks the golden stinger and pushes it away from him, only to quickly throw the fire lance, cutting the stinger off the tail for it to land on the Death Stalker's head, stopping it on its tracks. Robin then flies off but not before firing a wind blast at the stinger, forcing it to go deeper into the head, killing the scorpion monster. Robin continues to pursue Corrin only to be stopped by a Goliath that hits him with its trunk, sending him crashing into a rather bulky Oni Chieftain.

Both try to get up, however another Goliath next to where they landed raises it's foot to stomp down on them, starting with the Oni Chieftain, who is incapable of moving out of the way in time and fruitlessly tries to defend himself by holding on to the Goliath's foot with his muscular bare hands but fails and gets squashed, his blood splattering on the ground and on the back of Robin who only now notices the Goliath as it stomps on him next but unlike the Oni Chieftain, Robin is physically stronger and succeeds in catching the foot with his hands alone and struggles to prevent himself from being squashed.

"Thoron!" Robin shouted and his Tome responds to his command, empowering his arms with magical electricity and from both palms he fires a mighty straight lined lightning bolt that not only pushes the Goliath's foot away, it vaporizes it completely, along with its head, killing the giant Grimm, freeing Robin with him now breathing heavily and forces himself to stand up.

'I'm still worn out from all the magic I used off fighting that Dragon. But… I can't stop now.' Robin mused as he continues to get to Corrin.

Up above, there is another fierce battle going on, mainly between the Wyvern Knights and flying Grimm led by Princess Camilla versus the Sky Knights led by Princess Hinoka, with the two Princesses only concern with each other. The two newly rivals clash with their axe and naginata respectively that are both magical and sparking with electricity.

"You will take nothing more from me!" Hinoka shouted enraged as she lifts her Bolt Naginata and shoots a bolt of lightning at Camilla, only for her Nohrian Counterpart to block with her Bolt Axe, that absorbs the lightning into it.

"You're the only thief here and none of you are getting Corrin! She's ours!" Camilla howled as she opens up her tome, as she too can use magic as a Malig Knight and fires a bullet-like stream of fire, directly at Hinoka, that the Sky Princess narrowly avoids, only to be then intercepted by a Manticore, that she faces head on by jumping out of her Pegasus and towards the demon and succeeds in striking first and slices the lionhead in two with her weapon. Her victory is short lived as Camilla charges at her again, aiming to maim her with her axe that Hinoka manages to also block.

Camilla's stunt ended up blowing Hinoka further in the air and miraculously lands on top of Escanor and behind Camilla, and she will not waste this opportunity as she swings her naginata only to hit the axe instead. Camilla parries it off but cannot evade Hinoka's next move as she places her lance around Camilla's neck with the aim to strangle her. Camilla is physically stronger than her so she should have no trouble getting out of this mess but Hinoka is able to keep things in her favor by kicking Camilla on her back, pushing her neck back under the naginata's hold. Sensing his master in danger, Escanor makes a risky move by flying upwards, forcing the two princesses off of him, and sending them falling from the sky, which allows Camilla to free herself from Hinoka's hold and in spite of the situation they're in the two stubborn Sisters continue to clash with their weapons while falling.

"MILADY!" The nearby Riders of both kingdoms cried out in unison, watching their princesses fall to their deaths and without thinking, they hastily fly down to save them, along with the nearest Manticores, Sphinxes and Lancers.

"Big Sister!" Elise cried as she and her Griffon fly towards the two, using her own magic tome, she summons a small tornado in the air, that does not touch the ground that catches the two Princess and hurls them back up and Camilla lands on a Lancer that saves her while Sakura's second retainer, Subaki catches Hinoka by her hand and throws her to a nearby unmounted Pegasus that just so happens to be Hinoka's personal Pegasus, Rukia. Escanor also makes it back to Camilla as she jumps off the Lancer and back to the only creature she ever wants to be her mount.

"Are you okay? Holds still as I make you feel better." Elise asked as she gets closer to Camilla, quickly noticing how exhausted and hurt her eldest sister is and begins to heal her using her staff. While she does this, both Grimm and Wyvern Knights form a defensive circle around the two Princesses, keeping all enemies at bay long enough for Elise to finish her work and they don't have to hold on for long as Camilla feels all better.

"Aw… thank you darling. Now fly along, these pigeons are all mine." Camilla instructed her baby sister before turning to an agitated Hinoka as she and her knights are ready for another round. Elise makes no arguments as she takes off with both sides resuming their conflict.

Elise's Griffon keeps a fair distance from both battles above and below as she searches around for allies that need healing, so far the Hoshidans are preoccupied with Grimm, saving her human forces much trouble to dirtying their hands entirely but are still at the front. She eventually spots two Dark Mages injured after fighting off a Swordmaster and plans to aid them next, however she fails to notice some of the Hoshidan Archers aiming their bows at her and do not hesitate to shoot the Princess down but she is saved by a Sphinx who takes all the arrows that don't even faze it. Afterwards it makes a feline-like yet monstrous howling that draws the attention of a lot of Lancers that focus their attention on the same archers that dare attack their young princess and shoot their stingers at them without them noticing, killing them all each painfully. Those same Lancers then surround Elise, acting as shields for her with the Sphinx close as well. Elise never noticed the arrows and just assumes that the Grimm are only guarding her because it is their purpose.

Before Elise could reach the dark mages she also notices Robin as he tries to make it to Corrin only to be attacked by more Grimm.

"Hey! What are they doing, Robin's on our side." Elise protested before turning to the Sphinx. "Mr. Tinkles, tell your siblings to leave Robin alone. The Whitehead Mage with the white coat."

The Sphinx does as it is told and flies off towards Robin, about to face four Boarbatusks, but Elise's Sphinx makes its command howling again, and all the nearby Grimm stop attacking Robin and turn away, focusing on the Hoshidans.

"Well this is curious but not really important right now." Robin said curious before resuming his chase.

"This can't go on!" Leo protested as he uses his magic to summon tree branches from the ground with enough force that they impale fourteen Diviners that were about to overpower some Dark Mages, killing them instantly while his gaze are focus on his feral sister's senseless rampage on both sides.

"She'll kill everyone if we don't take her down now." Takumi shouted as he fires a mighty arrow that instantly penetrates the heavy armor of a General, killing him as the majestic arrow leaves a huge hole on him but the Arrow doesn't stop there as it also hits three Boarbatusks at a farther distance in a straight line. The Prince then turns to Saizo, the stern and faithful ninja throwing some shurikens at some knights who are no more than an inconvenience to his master, Ryoma as they charge to fight him but are cut down by him instead. "Saizo, get some Dragon Scroll users here, if they can penetrate through Wyverns they will certainly work on an actual dragon, even if it's to a minor extent."

"I fear we have no choice." Ryoma regrettably admitted, as Corrin needs to be put down for her own good, as well for his soldiers, but definitely not out. "Be quick about it, Saizo!"

"Right!" The Redhead Ninja replied as he leaves the scene in a hurry to make it back just as fast.

Ryoma confronts several Grimm, seven Ursai, one Titanboa, three Manticores and one Death Stalker on his own, the divine lightning of his Holy Sword surges through him, and with seemingly lightning speed he swiftly cuts down all monsters who come his way, saving the Death Stalker for last, narrowly avoiding the scorpion's pincer-like arm by leaping passed it and lands on top of the Death Stalker, forcing it to try and stab him with the stinger of its tail but Ryoma acts first, swiftly cutting off the tail entirely before returning to the top of its head and impales his sword, through the exoskeleton and into its brain, if these demons really have any, considering their lack of will.

As Ryoma jumps off the dead Grimm, he ends up parrying against Siegfried with Raijinto as Xander attacks and the two Princes begin their long awaited rematch.

Leo sets his sights on Takumi, choosing him as his main target, him being is own dawn counterpart but first has to worry about Corrin who is still rampaging through the plains. In the nick of time, a Manticore that has been knocked out of the sky due to the aerial battle lands next to the Dark Knight Prince and is about to fly back up but halts when Leo raises his right arm, earning its attention.

"We need to fully ensure our troops maintain the advantage in numbers, get that dragon's attention and lure her to Hoshido's side, in particular where their healers are." Leo instructed and the Manticore obeys and flies off straight towards where Corrin is while Leo focuses on Takumi, who too notices him. "Now then… let see how sharp those arrows really are."

"Nohrian Scum!" Takumi shouted as he fires one mighty arrow while Takumi fires a lance-like attack of dark energy, the clash of both attacks, releases a mighty shockwave that blew everyone nearby away, including Xander and Ryoma but the two younger Princes remain standing.

A Great Knight and Master of Arms both scream in agony simultaneously as Corrin grabs both of them with her hands and is about to crack their heads open but is stopped by the Manticore Leo send after her, ramming itself over Corrin's head, almost knocking her to the ground but that doesn't happen and she releases her two latest preys to focus on this foolish demon. The Manticore flies off from her and fires a fireball at her face but it only agitates her enough to completely focus on the flying lion flying off to the Hoshidan side and Corrin mindlessly flies after it, firing another stream of water but the beast managed to dodge each blow, trying to stay alive until it brings her towards Leo's chosen target and they make it to where Sakura is with the other Shrine Maidens and Monks are about to heal recently injured soldiers.

"Look out!" One of the monks cried out as they turn to see the Feral Dragon fire a mightier water breath that the Manticore could not evade and gets hit, along with several injured Hoshidans that were brought in, able to make it out of the front line now all dead without mercy, so close to salvation. Sakura cries out in horror with Kagero dragging her out of the way before they can get hit. Corrin's water attacks are so thick that they can probably cut through iron, Sakura had better not seen what it does to human flesh.

With her current target now gone, Corrin looks for another with lots of Hoshidans to choose from, and tragically sets her sights on Sakura with Kagero, Orochi and Azama stepping in front of her for defense.

"Big Sister! Stop this! You're not in your right mind!" Sakura pleaded with her big sister to stop her madness but it falls on deaf ears as Corrin steps forward to attack with Sakura's current defenders not backing down.

"Ah, what a pity that this is how it must end, and no Nirvana either, instead I get stuck with three violent women with no real class." Azama said rudely.

"You better hope we die today or you won't see tomorrow anyway." Orochi said with a scowl.

Orochi's may get the chance to fulfill her threat as Robin arrives at the scene, using his wind magic to strongly propel himself like an arrow towards Corrin and manages to knock her to the ground, while he lands on the other side. The two get up at the same time with Robin as Corrin's new target.

"Corrin! I get where you're coming from, you're in a place where you see no way out but with Death but there IS another path." Robin said as he places his hand on one of the pages of his tome and from all the magic swirling in it he picks up a blue round stone that comes out of it. "I can show you the way."

His words also fall on deaf ears as Corrin attacks him, with him taking to the sky and her in hot pursuit, subsequently leading her to the middle of all this carnage again with her firing a powerful water ball and he counters with a wind spell with icy properties.

"Fimbulvetr!" He shouted as the two attacks clash, making a shockwave like the one Leo and Takumi caused but much stronger as it spreads further, knocking many more above and below with few of the fliers managing to keep themselves in the air. Robin and Corrin end up crash landing, and what can be best described as a coincidence or fate, Corrin now stands exactly where she first transformed, and as she stands back up, she remains still, breathing heavily, the exhaustion of her rampage finally getting to her, and her finally remaining silent causes everyone around to stare at her not sure what to do after that last attack, except ready themselves for what comes next as the Diviners wielding Scrolls with the power to kill dragon-like lifeforms are at the scene, ready for the worse.

Robin walks forward, again attempting to reach out to her.

"Corrin…" He began but again Corrin attacks, raising her left hand to grab him and Robin raises his right hand to block, both hands touch and hold each other tightly, much tighter for Corrin since she's trying to tear it off his body but still the White Mage persists.

"You're only bringing harm everywhere you go Corrin! You need to calm down and let us help you, before you truly lose yourself to the Dragon inside." Robin pleaded for her to listen as he is force to his knees.

"I… I…" Corrin's voice is heard coming from the Dragon but it is now deeper and distorted and it seems like she is struggling to speak. "I… I don't know what to do! I just want them to stop. I… just want to give in to the darkness, go back to my fortress where everything was… Silent. I want Silent."

"I can help you find it. All you have to do is take both my hands." Robin offered her his other hand that carries the blue round stone for her to take, and while at first hesitant, Corrin complies and reaches out for his other arm and upon touching the stone, both it and her shines in a brilliant blue light that illuminates Kurosaki, forcing everyone to avert their eyes and to the horror of the Nohrians and relief of the Hoshidans, the light causes a negative effect to the Grimm and wipes them all out. By the end of it, Corrin reverts back to normal and is now in Robin's arms.

The whole Plains of Kurosaki remains completely silent, again, unable to react to the sudden events, except for the Royals, as Corrin's adoptive and step siblings gather, each on the side of their respective armies.

"Big sister?" Elise and Sakura spoke up simultaneously.

"Has she found peace with the wrath of her true self?" Ryoma wondered.

Corrin slowly opens her eyes, finding herself being carried bridal style by Robin, and he can easily tell that she only has enough strength left in her to whisper.

"Corrin, I'm sorry for bringing this up yet again but you have to decide now, which side do you stand for." Robin whispered to her so only she can hear him. "But know that there is a third option; Choose neither. We can make a run for it now, both sides are heavily exhausted even if Hoshido now has the advantage at the moment. Run and we'll be hunted by both sides and you may lose everything but you won't betray anyone, not really. We can find another way." Corrin gives no reply but understands him completely.

"Robin." Xander spoke up next, getting the Mage's attention, the Crown Prince extending his hand, asking for his sister. "Bring her here, it's time for our family to become whole again."

"NO, Robin, you've seen for yourself that she belongs with us." Ryoma argued, extending his hand for the same reason. The rest of the siblings remaining quiet and waiting anxiously.

"Corrin?" Robin turns to her for an answer instead, whatever she decides, he will follow. The Broken Princess can only stare at her only friend left with a dead expression on her face as she makes her choice and whispers in his ears.

"So be it." Robin replied as his body begins to surge with pinkish flames that radiate magic so intense, the oxygen in the air feels like it will burn the lungs of anyone who breathes it forcing the royals to step away as Robin makes one final spell.

"BOLGANONE!" Robin roared and an earthquake occurs so strongly that a fissure opens up in the ground that spreads far and wide, both armies might mistake it for reaching two miles or more and from the fissure, comes out a massive wall of magma, reaching the sky, a farther altitude than any wyvern and pegasus has ever been able to reach, and worse of all, keeping the Nohrians away from Corrin.

"What are you doing Robin?!" Xander demanded in outrage.

"I'm so sorry, Prince Xander but Corrin has made her choice and doesn't have the will to go back now that she knows the truth." Robin declared, regret ever present in his face. "Thank you for everything you've done for us but this is where we part ways."

"YOU TRAITOR!" Xander roared out of hatred and betrayal.

"You're no longer in your homefield, Xander, your forces may be stronger but the Hoshidans are many and reinforcements should be on their way any moment to smite you all." Robin boasted, while turning to Ryoma, with the High Prince quickly knowing what he's referring to, recovering from the initial shock of Robin had just pulled off and develops new found confidence with Robin and Corrin siding with them.

"That's right! More of our army is coming and it won't be long now, and you got no more abominations left at the moment to save you. Consider this our final act of mercy, return to your Demon King and savor what's left of your humanity, Prince of Hell. Next time, I really will end you all." Ryoma declared boastfully.

"Xander, we can't stand up to so many without the Grimm to help us, we need to leave." Elise said, tears in her eyes for losing Corrin and their numbers are much smaller than when they arrived. Corrin took out so many in her feral state and they heavily relied on the Grimm for this invasion but there are none left.

"This Firewall is too intense and the altitude it's covering is higher than any Wyvern or Grimm is able to reach, by the time we come up with a new plan, their forces will have increased and we can't waste our warp magic on passing through either." Leo regrettably concluded. "We've lost this battle and have been betrayed twice."

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS ROBIN!" Camilla swore vengeance on the Mage they have foolishly brought into their lives, worse, into Corrin's life.

"RETREAT! EVERYONE FALL BACK TO THE CANYON!" Xander gave the order to retreat as they have no choice but to fall back, with the Nohrians wasting no time to run. This fight was a failure, and as they run they can hear the Hoshidans from the Bolganone wall cheer over their first victory in against their sworn enemies and it's a good thing that they did retreat because Robin and Ryoma were bluffing, there were no reinforcements coming, the amount they brought to fight is all they could call out at a moment's notice and the Nohrians were actually the ones who still had the higher numbers.

"AND DON'T COME BACK!" Takumi roared in triumph.

"My, what a spectacular battle that was, I can't wait for the next one." Reina said eagerly for more conflict as she, like the rest of the retainers go to regroup with the Royals.

"Now we rest Reina, but most of all, we prepare for when those battles do come." Ryoma decreed, having a heavy sigh of relief before turning to Robin and the now silent Corrin who had finally fallen into unconsciousness after everything that has been done. "Thank you, Robin, for bringing my sister back to me. We won't forget this."

"Don't thank me yet, there is still so much to do." Robin said as he walks back to Suzanoh with everyone following.

The long awaited War between Dawn and Dusk has begun, Hoshido's lost Princess has truly returned and the Scourge of Nohr had been born.

---

The Choice has been made and more future heart breaks should be expected. We can all agree that while Xander in his supports make him easily the most likable character in Fates, the events in the story make him unbearably naïve and completely dumb, especially since Garon was plainly evil but since my version of Garon will be more reasonable and anti-villainous, Xander's reasons for defending him will make much more sense, and I feel like I played his reaction to Corrin siding with Hoshido much better because while the Crown Prince understands why Corrin would leave them he is still not ready to let her go, after all family is his everything. Like I said before I'm not yet good with fight scenes but I like to think by skipping from one fight to another due to there being so many characters I can do a better job at flushing out the war. In regards to Elise being able to perform anima magic, well while upgrading units too early in the game may be a bad idea due to all the missed out experience it is perfectly okay for storytelling, all the royals are at (What I strongly believe to be) their true final classes, Elise a Strategist, or Valkyrie as they are actually called in other games but they will be called Rod Knights in this story. Takumi a Sniper, Hinoka a Falcon Knight, Sakura a Priestess, and you already know what Xander, Camilla, Leo and Ryoma are already, same with their respective Retainers being at their peak, for the most part. For the record, I know that Wyvern Riders and Wyvern Knights are different classes of wyverns but knights are kind of my thing so let's think of the Wyvern Riders of Nohr as Knights.

Robin and Corrin did seem pretty OP in this chapter, even though I said there weren't going to be any among the "heroes" but next time there will be a valid reason why they'll both be much weaker from here on out. Mikoto's alive! I always hated the anime mother syndrome thing and since Fire Emblem originated from Japan, Mikoto has that same issue, well not on my watch. She'll be sticking around and will have a bigger impact on the story, and if you haven't figured it out already, Arete is still alive too. Ain't that a drama kick to Azura's heart since she'll be fighting against her own mother for Hoshido's sake. The Nohrian Siblings are more furious towards Robin than Corrin and will be gunning for him big time.