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.

22. Chapter 22: Recovery

Chapter 22: Recovery

"Mother!" Xander called out to Arete as the Nohrian Army were forced back to Castle Krakenburg after their failure to take Suzanoh. If only they had succeeded in taking the Hoshidan Capital they might've won the Twilight War by default and ended all the sooner due to aiming at the heart of their nemesis and taking their Queen as well. Though they were all frustrated by their recent failure they forced themselves to focus on tending to their wounded as they sustain a lot of injuries due to Suzanoh's defenses having much higher numbers than they expected, they were sure that they managed to stretch Hoshido's army so thin that the Capital's defenses wouldn't be completely challenging to their surprise attack, though they couldn't get as many as they initially wanted through because one of their Gates was stopped from activating, plus even though they have dealt with Hoshido's new Army of Light prior there was little time they had to actually prepare to face them and they couldn't bring so many Anti-Magic artillery.

"Quickly, you imbeciles, the Queen needs medical attention!" Iago ordered as he is beside Queen Arete groaning in pain over her burned right arm caused by Mikoto as it is severely damaged and looks like it may no longer be usable unless treated immediately with their advance healing staves.

"I can take care of myself!" Arete scoffed annoyingly and takes one of the staves of a nearby healer and begins healing the wound herself.

"Please, mother, now is not the time to be stubborn, we are all at a loss and are in need of treatment." Xander pleaded with her stepmother to accept the aid of her subordinates.

"Exactly, while I tend to myself the others can focus on themselves." Arete countered.

"The sentiment is most appreciated, you're Shadowiness but what you ask simply cannot be done." Iago said with a surprising amount of sincerity and concern for the Queen that many of the soldiers share.

"That's right, you're Grace, let us help you." One Troubadour replied determined with the rest of the healers insisting on helping her.

"You people are so annoying." Arete sighed.

"Annoyance over stubbornness as you once said when we celebrated Leo's previous birthday." Xander said with a light chuckle and it does take a little bit more persuasion before Arete finally relents. Moments later, a Butler arrives to meet with Xander.

"You're Highness, I am pleased to see you are unharmed." He said, bowing before stating his reason for being here. "I bring news that his Majesty, the King has returned to the Castle."

"What? But I thought he was adamant about pressing forward with speaking with King Alexander." Xander said confused. He was surprised enough when he learned that Arete came back sooner than expected and her only response was that things in the Capital alone were too crowded for her liking, hinting that Nestra is more divided than they dared imagine when the Royals of Nohr and Hoshido did battle within their property. But that is all the more reason for Garon and Arete to have an easy time seeing Alexander and hear them out but that doesn't seem to be the case. Garon is more stubborn than Arete so he wouldn't have allowed any state of chaos to deter him from anything, but there the real problem lies on why him being back is so concerning. Just what is going on in Nestra?

"It seems the state of affairs is even worse than I imagine if even Garon gave up on trying to reach Alexander." Arete said most concern herself.

"What do you mean, mother?" Xander asked.

"When we entered the Capital of Muse, tensions were higher than they should've been this early as news of what the Hoshidans have done barely even reach Muse yet and already our supporters and Hoshido's have begun clashing with each other already. Vulgar words are unavoidable but physical violence is frown upon in any court, more so in Nestra with Alexander's strict laws affecting the nobles more so than the commoners but for whatever reasons, they've completely lost their minds." Arete explained. "To make matters worse, poor Crown Prince Donatello was caught in one such bickering."

"Donnie?" Xander gasped in horror by this news.

'I see Wrath is taking a more "subtle" approach. How odd, and more so intriguing.' Iago mused secretly.

"That cannot be, King Alexander's High Court is made of men and women with the highest standards, discord among them is nigh-impossible." Xander said dishearten by this news.

"Indeed, the people of Nestra may possess a military might that rivals our human forces but strength holds no sway in their lifestyle, they cling to their traditions too tightly it's concerning." Iago added. "And as deceiving as the Hoshidans can be they never resort to trickery that would lead to something like this happening, their pathetic pride will rarely ever allow them to win anything through dishonorable methods, their nobles aren't that easy to manipulate, otherwise I would've driven them to a civil war ages ago."

"Whatever the case, Nestra is in chaos, and it's partially our doing no matter what people say, though I imagine Hoshido will receive their wrath either way but we won't know anything until we hear from Garon." Arete concluded.

"Yes. I will go and get to the bottom of this, please stay in recovery until you are well, mother." Xander said as he departs to see his father.

"Allow me to accompany you, you're Highness. I best be the one to inform his Majesty about what has transpired in Suzanoh." Iago volunteered and follows the Crown Prince.

"Very well, Iago. Besides, there is something I want to discuss with you anyway." Xander did not object as they walk through a large hall on their way to the Throne Room where King Garon will undoubtably be at as he prefers to be there more so than his own room chamber.

"My ears are yours wherever whenever, same as the King and Queen." Iago replied curious by what the Prince wants. Xander, nor his siblings never particularly liked the Top Tactician, mainly because of his violent methods but they've never engaged in any sort of argument, though that is because the Royals and Tactician never talk unless it is necessary, which is only when King Garon is in their presence. Of course, his dislike of Corrin is another reason, Xander more or less understood his behavior but that did not mean he would stand for it, especially the other three, so really, engaging in a conversation, even if it's just work talk is quite the rarity for Iago but that doesn't mean he is looking forward to it as he prefers not being around the Prince and Princesses, except Leo, Iago genuinely likes the younger Prince.

"During the battle to take Suzanoh as I made my way to Castle Shirasagi I learned a very interesting tale about you." Xander said with a deep frown.

"Oh? Is it another tale about being like the Boogeyman again, I've been hearing a lot of those lately, but mainly here in Nohr. Wonder what the Hoshidans think of me, no doubt I have become more infamous than his Majesty with my machinations." The Tactician smug in delight at how people seem to be scared by the mere mention of his name.

"Clearly, however this one is more absurd than the rest. Do you recall the monster that Hans said attacked him and Corrin in the Bottomless Canyon, the fiery demon who left him with those burns?" Xander asked.

"Of course, I'm the one who led the expedition to find our former princess and nursed that useless soldier to health after finding him near death escaping the Canyon. A real life demon that just attacked the Hoshidans who have taken the border for themselves despite the unstable Dragon Veins and could use the veins himself and forced Corrin to fight it, afterwards tragically dropped the Great Gunter to his death. What a tale most grim, no pun intended." Iago said sounding bothered. "Our spies have searched the canyon high and low but there seems to be no trace or proof that this demon exists, however, the King has discovered something just as concerning in Izumo but refuses to disclose anything with me, or even the Queen."

"The existence of demons is not something we should dismiss, especially with where our lives have led us now. But what really got my attention is that I was told that the attacked on Corrin was not by chance but planned and that you were the one who orchestrated to use her as a suicide bomber." Xander accused.

'He'll obviously deny it. He's a snake through and through, and if I push this, he'll become more wary of me than he already is and possibly plot against me but perhaps I can use that to my advantage. His hold on our Spy Network and Assassins is not as tight as he believes.' Xander thought, desperate for the truth and has chosen to take a very dangerous gamble.

"Oh? That's a new one and unexpected. But really, Crown Prince, can you really buy anything that comes out from the mouth of a Hoshidan in times like these. I made it no secret how I feel about that walking disaster you once had the indignity to call sister but you know my loyalty to the Crown and his Majesty has made it clear many times in the past that she is not to be harmed, at least not until the time for her sentence to be carried out finally comes. Besides, it is only natural for our enemies to want to spread the seeds of doubts upon us." Iago countered, playing ignorant as expected.

'What is he up to, he knows I will never admit to anything, he's much wiser than any of those noble imbeciles in the Royal Court. Does he actually think he can bait me into making a mistake and reveal something? Ridiculous.' Iago mused in irritation at what Xander may be implying. 'Still, I best play along and take whatever I can gain from this, easy enough, the loyalty he commands from our Spies and Assassins isn't as absolute as he deludes himself into believing.'

"Of course, such a thing has happened before from our more dishonorable foes and tricksters, however, the one who spread these words are from Corrin herself. And while lying is not above her, I find it curious on why she would accuse you of all people instead of father who is from Hoshido's point of view, the cause of all her suffering." Xander replied, leaving out the part that Corrin mentioned that he confessed the crime to her and the Hoshidan Royals. The two stop talking, Xander noticing that Iago had become startled by this news.

"What?! Corrin was in Suzanoh during the invasion?" He asked very surprised. "That cannot be, she was in Kyoto assisting her true siblings in apprehending their treacherous uncle, Yamamoto, where they became trapped by our prison spell to keep their strongest members in that city while we swarm the Capital. I oversaw the battle and cast the spell personally. The Magic Seal Dome was foolproof against even Mages as strong as that boytoy of hers!"

"Do not doubt my words, Iago, I saw Corrin with my own eyes and even fought her in a true battle for once, what's more, Robin was also there as well, we have no idea how great his magical prowess is but it's clear that he is beyond all of our magic users, even though he didn't seem that fierce when I faced him in the Opera House in terms of magecraft. I have no doubt that he was the one who reversed the effect of our Gate to pull us all back here somehow." Xander countered his words, while unknowingly tightening both his fist when Iago called the Hoshidan Royals Corrin's true siblings.

'Damn, it must've been Lilith. I was warned of her true nature before but even then I did not account by how strong that little dragon really was.' Iago concluded. 'I should've killed her long ago but even if I had managed to perfectly make it look like suicide, Jakob or Gunter might've still found an excuse to hold me responsible and considering how all the Royals, minus the King are fond of her I never would've been able to recover from that so I couldn't even spare her a glance, and I had no idea where she was when Corrin was sent to her personal hell.'

"Curses, so we didn't even manage to take Kyoto. How could we have underestimated that traitor so severely." Iago struggled to keep his composure and hide his newfound frustrations; this whole day has been a colossal failure. Unacceptable! "Still… I am surprised by this accusation. If Corrin held a grudge against me all these years, I would've imagined she send me a fair warning that she was coming for me but accusing me of using her like that. Why, I find myself flattered by this newly acquired malice."

"Is that a confession?" Xander accused.

"I'm just saying, as bad as everything is getting, they are also growing interesting and as it stands we just might turn it all in our favor still, I just need more time to clear things up." Iago assured him.

"Clear things up for who exactly?" Xander persisted.

"Xander?" The two stop their discussion, or rather interrogation and turn to see Xander's siblings walk to meet them along with their Retainers, including Xander's and Benny.

"What are you two doing back here so soon? Don't tell me the invasion on Suzanoh was also a failure?" Leo asked, greatly troubled.

"I'm afraid so, victory was within grasps but the Hoshidans managed to turn the tables on us with an impressive spell that forced us back here against our will." Xander said regrettably, to the frustration of his siblings, minus Elise and the Retainers don't seem phased by this news.

"Qliphoth's Bane! What went wrong this time? Was it Corrin again?" Leo muttered, unsurprised by this continued defiance.

"Robin." Xander responded, and in a flash, the one to react to this is Camilla as she succumbs to rage and blindly swings her axe at her left, cracking a wall, along with a portrait of an old previous king of Nohr, startling mostly the Retainers and Elise by her sudden outburst.

"That was a precious portrait of your grandfather; King Tyr." Iago pointed out nonchalantly.

"She knows what she's done." Xander muttered.

"You said he was DEAD, Xander!" Camilla snapped furiously at her brother, her behavior strangely mirroring the heartless Malig Knight Robin faced.

"That was what I thought as well, I left a deep and large gash on his chest with Siegfried, he shouldn't have recovered from that but he was more than capable of defeating the largest Carnage we summoned so swiftly and took control of one of our Gates and used it to pull us back here like a vacuum." Xander explained, nervous himself by Camilla now.

"Impossible." Leo uttered, not able to believe what he just heard. "His magic was below my own last we saw him."

Without anyone noticing, Odin, Laslow and Selena exchanged knowing looks of nervousness and relief to hear about Robin.

"Damn him! Damn him to the Sea of Despair! He just won't stop tormenting us!" Camilla cursed venomously, looking like she's ready to shed tears of anguish. "Oh, why Corrin… why does it always have to be him?"

"Wait, what about mother, she was in the invasion as well?" Elise asked, desperately wanting to drop this uncomfortable subject.

"She's fine, out of everyone, she received the more minor wounds, her right hand was burned but nothing that our healers can't heal immediately, I'm sure she's alright now." Xander said with a confident smile to remove all worries but that did not work with her as Elise quickly runs away from everyone to see Arete and aid her herself.

"Milady, wait for us!" Effie called out as she and Arthur run after her.

"Please, Princess, these halls are dangerous, take it from me!" Arthur pleaded. Benny also followed them due to being Arete's retainer, though he was strangely dismissed from partaking in the previous attack.

"Stubbornly believing that no one can be properly taken cared of unless she's the one doing the healing, like her Shadowiness." Iago rolled his eye in annoyance.

"Her best trait, without a doubt." Odin replied.

"So, now what do we do, we just lost our golden opportunity for an easy win and can't just go rushing in on another offensive?" Zero asked annoyed.

"We shouldn't remain on the offensive, we committed too much to this assault and losing like we did cost us a lot of magic." Leo countered.

"I agree, we've pushed too hard on Hoshido and now we must focus on our defenses." Iago added.

"Have you both lost your minds?!" Camilla argued against them but her words held little venom because one of them is Leo. "We can't just hold back now; Corrin is still within our reach!"

"You're ferocity and fighting spirit is admirable you're Highness but we must not push our men any further. Our recent major battles have resulted in failures and the Royal Guard has been reduced to a meager few dozen from what occurred in the Opera House, we have been deprived of our full might, and while it bothers me to say it, we mustn't rely too much on our Grimm, otherwise our more weak-willed men will start to lose faith in their abilities and abandon their service. It's already happened six times within the previous month." Iago advised again.

"He's right, and I rather not let him do the convincing to not abandon their pose like the last time." Xander added as he turns to his raging sister and places a gentle hand on her left shoulder. "Sister, you know I feel your pain and your anger but you must not let your emotions make the decisions for you. Remember that you are a Princess of Nohr before an older sister to our siblings and right now you have to think of the welfare of those you can look after and depend on you rather than those who aren't here with us." He pleaded for her to embrace her duty as a Princess more since she does have a tendency to not necessarily slack off but definitely ignore her duties. Xander blames Arete for spoiling her a bit more so than the rest of them. While his words do not fall on deaf ears, Camilla still delivers a cold shoulder, tossing his hand off her.

"Don't tell me what's right and what isn't! I know what I must do, and I'll never stop until Corrin returns to where she belongs and I have Robin's head planted on my wall!" Camilla growled, refusing to relent and walks away from everyone to avoid this discussion further, leaving Xander to sigh in disappointment, Leo to shook his head in annoyance and most of the Retainers, in particular, the secret Trio nervous at her declaration.

"Well, she's a lost cause as usual." Leo muttered.

"Please, do not say such things, Leo, you know what Camilla is like when she gets emotional and things don't go her way. We merely have to watch out for her some more. On that I know I can count on the two of you." Xander said addressing Selena and Beruka.

"Sure thing, Lady Camilla's in good hands." Selena replied, looking confident.

"Affirmative." Beruka replied bluntly.

"Good, now I must be off to meet with my Father. Will you come with me Leo?" Xander asked.

"Of course, I too am curious over what's going on in Nestra." Leo said as everyone pretty much went their separate ways with the only ones remaining are Odin, Laslow and Selena who are alone now.

"So… we can all agree that Nohr is pretty much screwed at this point." Laslow asked, seeing their chances for victory dropping like flies.

"Well, if you want a precise percent on our odds I say we're about…" Odin tried to count their odds against Hoshido.

"We're gonna get our asses kicked." Selena blurted bluntly.

"Yes, there is a high probability that a great many of us will have our butts kicked really hard. We basically lost this war the moment Robin join Hoshido." Odin sighed. "Still though, something seems terribly off about what Lord Xander just said regarding how he was defeated."

"I know, defeating Xander in swordplay and reversing a spell so strong like that to do his bidding I can buy easily but defeating a Grimm as powerful as the recent Carnage that was sent to attack Suzanoh in such a short amount of time. That seems a bit far-fetched, and I say that despite aware of Robin's previous accomplishments, not including slaying Grima once and for all." Laslow added.

"He's never had that kind of power before. It's one thing to be the Strongest Mage among the Shepherds and all of Ylisse and New Valentia but the kind of power he's been displaying seems godlike." Selena muttered.

"Well, the man we've encountered and been fighting against is definitely not Grima, I'm sure of it. Maybe… maybe before he fell and was somehow revived he managed to absorb a fraction of the Fell Dragon's power. It's not outside the realm of possibilities given his use of Dark Aether and how he obtained it in the first place." Odin suggested.

"That could explain it but still." Selena said as she summons her Morgenstern into her hand and stares at it intently. "What does that mean then, that we turn the tables. It's not like we ever stood a chance against him, nor do I ever want to see any of our blades raise at him again."

"Severa…" Laslow replied with a sadness that all three of them share.

"Come now my friends, have heart and lift your spirits as the Prideful children of the Shepherds." Odin said as the voice of reason and optimism for his comrades and wraps both his arms around them to pull them closer. "Surely you have not forgotten our solemn vows? Win or Lose, we live together and die together. Nohr's crimes have turn the world against them and refuse to see their light because of it, as such we must do right by them and stick with them to the end. Right?"

"Always have to be the voice of optimism, don't you." Selena hissed but gratefully.

"If there's one thing I learn from my mother is that one must never give in to hopelessness, and that belief is a part of the Shepherds's Creed, after all." Odin smirked.

"Truer words, Odin, my friend." Laslow chuckled with the three more upbeat as they depart to see their allies and masters.

"By the way, Odin, how come you're not carrying the "Radiant Sword" with you? You usually can't stop yourself from showing the blade off to others." Selena asked as the golden sword that Odin wields was strangely absent during the fight in Cheve and since coming back. Odin and Laslow cease their walking, nervously looking at each other, not wanting to respond to that.

"Well… you see…" Odin uttered.

"Robin took it back, didn't he?" Selena surmised.

"Yeah…" Laslow uttered. Selena just raises her hands in defeat.

"I quit… I QUIT!" She just snapped, leaving her two ashamed comrades behind.

Sadly, they weren't as alone as they initially thought as a weak-looking warlock manage to eavesdrop on them without their knowledge.

"Oh my, this is certainly the kind of juicy stuff I've been waiting for. But who should I tell? The King and Queen will never make time for me and their Highnesses pretty much don't know I even exist. Guess that leaves Iago but he'll undoubtedly take things too far with this information. What to do, what to do?" He contemplated.

---

"Mother!" Elise called out as she rushes to her stepmother who is almost done being healed as she lies down comfortably on a chair with Charlotte and Silas beside her.

"Elise, dear, no running, the floor is quite bloodied and you could slip." Arete scolded but the little Princess ignores her words and runs in until she reaches the Queen and holds her in a hug.

"You're Grace, Charlotte, are you both alright?" Benny asked with concern as he, Effie and Arthur catch up.

"Yep, we may have lost this battle but I came back satisfied." Charlotte shrugged, referring to her besting Reina.

"No need to worry about me too much, Benny, dear. Our losses in the attack weren't that awful." Arete replied.

"I wouldn't speak so callously about our fallen, you're Majesty." Silas muttered.

"You know I meant nothing by it, Sir Silas." Arete said more empathetic.

"We know what you mean to say, you're Grace. Your words are truly the flames that spark morale to all our comrades and inspire us to walk tall in the face of injustice." Arthur praised.

"And it helps that you do a better job in keeping all of us from starving more so than the other Nobles." Effie added, admittedly for a much more selfish reason.

"As usual, you two never hesitate to speak your minds." Arete chuckled, amused. She then turns back to Elise who is shaking and may be sobbing. "Elise, honey, what is wrong? "

"You're alright. You, Xander and everyone came back safely." Elise sobbed bitterly, while excluding Corrin. She's been scared ever since she was forced to remain in Krakenburg while her family was out fighting against their enemies, not sure if they were going to come back alive with how the tables have turned against them with Corrin and Robin's betrayal.

"Oh, Elise." Arete smiled at her warmly as she holds her in her own hug. "I'm never going to leave you. No matter how bad things get, I won't do anything that will cost me to be separated from you and our family."

"You promise?" Elise pleaded.

"Mothers never break their promises, my daughter." Arete assured her. "Never."

With that solemn vow, Arete returns her attention to the strange emblem on her left hand and can't help but feel a sting of familiarity by the sight of it alone but she just can't put her finger right at it. The fact that the Queen of Hoshido also bared the same brand on her right hand also raises the mystery over what might be going on now all the sudden.

'How curious.'

---

"Goodbye, Yukimura. Your years of service and friendship shall never be forgotten." Mikoto said solemnly as she, her children and comrades mourn for their fallen who gave their lives defending the Heart of Hoshido. Ryoma and the rest returned roughly an hour after the battle had all but ended and were devastated by the mere sight of the state of their beloved Capital.

"Oh, poor Yuki." Orochi sobbed bitterly for the loss of their friend.

"Dammit all." Oboro cursed in sadness.

"This is the last straw. All of Nohr will suffer for this." Saizo swore with tightened fists.

Corrin keeps her distance from practically all the Hoshidans, not being of any use for comfort in such a grievous moment with only Robin, Lilith, Jakob and Felicia remaining by her side, feeling pretty much the same, mainly for having no such attachment to any of them in the case for the two newcomers. Corrin can almost feel the rage and anguish in the air, so thick and palpable like she could actually cut it with her sword. The once beautiful castle lies devastated, while still easily repairable it is still quite the stroke to the heart to see it in such a beaten state, though Corrin herself feels little for it, she understands clearly enough how it affects her Hoshidan Family to see their home like this, though the damages to Shirasagi pales in comparison to what's become of the Capital. The mere sight of Suzanoh distraught everyone, including those who just came back from Kyoto and freeing it from Yamamoto's clutches. Even though this isn't Rinkah's home, she too is bothered by this and not even Ryoma and Saizo could hide their own sadness, nor masquerade it with the rage they obviously feel inside, Azura herself is sadden by what became of the heart of their Kingdom of Light. Now more than ever, a peace treaty through words for the two nations is impossible, devastating Corrin.

"Oh, brother, why did it have to be you…" A Samurai on his knees sobs while mourning the loss of his younger brother.

"Why… you said we be together forever." A bitter maiden clings to the body of her deceased lover. It's pretty much like this everywhere around, the people in mourning for those they lost. It is truly a scene that tears one's asunder.

"Gods, this was all so pointless." Corrin uttered, completely taken by all of this. "None of this should've happened."

"We can all agree on that but sadly this is the reality of war, and the cost that those with little qualms are willing to pay for victory." Robin said, bothered by all this death and chaos but remains composed enough that some might mistake him for being apathetic like Azura is described sometimes. "What matters is that we managed to stop it before it got considerably worse and many more lives were lost."

"I didn't manage anything! I stood my ground against Xander for once in my life and he tossed me aside like I was a ragdoll and not worth anyone's time." Corrin cursed herself for being so weak.

"Corrin…" Lilith muttered.

"I couldn't protect anyone in this fight, I was as helpless as I was in the Northern Fortress. I had to be one of the protected yet again and even Reina almost died." Corrin continue to wallow in self-pity.

"Chastising oneself is never the answer Corrin. There's no helping it now but that doesn't mean you should bent it out like this." Robin persisted.

"Honestly, what baffles me the most is how calm you are taking all this. I get that you have no real attachment to Hoshido but the way you are handling all this is really upsetting me, Robin." Corrin complained, somehow finding her Tactician's gentle demeanor disturbing. "Hundreds of people died today, not just in the Capital. Husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters grandsons and granddaughters alike! Even if somehow only one person lost their life to this it still would've been too much for me because it was a death done by the hands of Nohr! That was our home and yet they've caused all this right under my nose. Worse and more. Doesn't any of that bother you."

"You and everyone else can say whatever they want about me, Corrin but at the very least don't mistake my lack of a reaction as being completely detached from everyone. I'm not apathetic to any of this madness. I've just closed my heart to it for the time being." Robin replied to her harsh words, looking pretty much the same but his voice gives a different tune.

"Closed your heart? You'd mentioned that to me before during our first fight with Envy." Corrin remembered.

"Yes, during my quest to find where I belong I discovered something. No, that's not the right word, more like… rediscovered something deep in the depths of my mind as I traveled across Nohr and saw the state it's in when compared to the rest of the world, and that is that on any journey, no matter how simple it might seem those who walk such paths will encounter any manner of hardship. There's so many people with their own individuality that sets them apart but the thing that binds them together still are ideals, rather it's for the wrong reasons or the right, everyone wants something to live by rather it's peace itself or combat, people walk towards a common way of living and when said way of life collides with others who are at odds in any way, no matter how similar, the seeds of strife are sowed. They may be resolved in peaceful matters in due time but it can be more natural for people to want to keep things in their favor and spread more strife, especially when they don't really mean to until eventually both sides start to fight, inflicting pain and worse for the sake of keeping their beliefs alive. And when a battle breaks those who fight must not feel for their enemies."

"I don't…"

"Cor, there is something you need to realize now and it is long overdue, and that is that while justice and everything else that makes the world and humanity pure and righteous may be real they won't always play a role in War. Both sides fight for what they believe to be noble and just, Hoshido wanting to preserve their way of life and Nohr invading to improve their lives by stealing from others, each one deems their cause and reason for fighting noble but what very few purposely ignore or refuse to accept is that there is no such thing as a noble fight. When people fight for a cause, all that happens is that different ideals are pitted against each other. All sides believe they're in the right and a battlefield where everyone is prepared to end someone else's life for their own purposes, who's to say that Justice really exist? So my advise to you and our comrades is this: When the time comes to face the Nohrians and your Nohrian family again be decisive and make your choices consciously. Most of all, steel yourself for what comes after, because, Corrin, those choices will always bear consequences and you will want to be ready for when those consequences do come and you're gonna have to live with your choices for the rest of your life." Robin gave out his deep words of advice to his Princess, leaving her again speechless on what to say on the matter.

"Sometimes there's not a clear right or wrong answer. Sometimes you can't have it your own way. Sometimes your choices may backfire on you. Sometimes your actions will have severe consequences, and sometimes learning the truth can be painful and outright change everything you've come to know as you've experienced firsthand, but ultimately when you do make that choice, you should stand by your decision and fight for what you believe in because while you may not be right in the eyes of others it is what you feel is best for yourself and the ones that matter to you the most no matter how much it hurts you to do so and it will hurt because your notion of peace; a world where all nations live together in perfect harmony is not the same peace that others want." Robin continued. "You're a Princess of Hoshido now and that not only means that you get to experience all the privileges of this kingdom, you have a moral responsibility to make tough calls when the time comes for it and to be effective in combat a warrior must not feel for those who will and must fall, closing one's heart to the wants and begs of those who can't be saved. Close your heart to their desperations, close your heart to their suffering, enough that you let nothing hold you back from your duties but never to the point where you stop caring for people in general."

"Well… as irksome as it is to admit, he is correct you're Highness. You can't switch kingdoms and expect things to go smoothly and make everyone live happily ever after regardless of all the pain and hate that was born from this war, if it were so simple I'd had done it all for you myself a long time ago, but sadly the world seems to favor selfishness over selflessness. Either one side has their way or no one can and this sort of thing happens." Jakob begrudgingly acknowledges the value of Robin's words and supports him to better help Corrin.

'The world favors selfishness over selflessness. Just as Hydra said before.' Corrin mused in sadness.

"But… I'm not a real leader, when do I know what the right choice is?" Corrin asked.

"You won't, not immediately, sometimes it just is, Corrin, a Leap of Faith." Robin gives her a soft smile while placing a hand on her right shoulder. Both Mikoto and Azura then walk to them to see how she's doing.

"Everything alright with you all?" Mikoto asked.

"I'll pull through, my wounds are physical after all but yours on the other hand I can already tell are the scars that can't be seen." Corrin said with worry for her mother regarding the death of Yukimura.

"Yuki was a longtime friend of Sumeragi's family, his loyalty held no equal amongst the soldiers and was your siblings' caretakers and mentor long before I came. An uncle to them and one of the first people to quickly accept me in the court." Mikoto said with great sorrow in her face. "A lot of brave souls have been lost ever since we first lost your stepfather, Yuki's death will impact the army just as badly as Sumeragi's."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Corrin apologized, sad for her sorrow but shamefully not completely for Yukimura since she barely knew him and only had the things she was told about by her new allies.

"We've both been hearing that a lot lately." Mikoto sighed, feeling largely stressed out. "Still, tomorrow things will start to improve, first thing in the morning, I'm reactivating my barrier, which will force all of Nohr's forces and all others who threaten Hoshido to fall back with their will to fight and bloodlust completely gone once again, and the Grimm stripped of more of their strength and we've decided to make contact with Archduke Izumo with the hopes that we can use his unique magic to reconstruct all that was destroyed at least in Suzanoh."

"I just hope it isn't too much trouble for him." Corrin said.

"I hope so too, it is regrettable to have such a sweet man get dragged into all this mess." Mikoto said.

"At any rate, mom, don't you think you should be doing something about your broken dress. Not that I'm one to talk or anything but it is unbecoming of a queen to leave herself in this state." Corrin said as she notes how Mikoto is still as much of a mess as Arete left her as.

"No, I think I'll hold off on that for a little while longer. I'm going to give a speech to our citizens and I want them to see me like this." Mikoto said, earning her confuse glances from everyone, though Robin and Jakob quickly caught on.

"Ah, I see, you want to show a strong front to the people by having them bare witness that even you endured the front of this invasion and survived." Robin noted.

"Yep, Queen Arete truly made things personal now and I'm not going to let her or anyone else treat me like a punching bag. I get enough of that from the Nobles." Mikoto said keeping a strong front.

"Hope that doesn't backfire. Stunts like this have a higher probability of not going well." Jakob noted.

"I'm painfully aware but I'm going through with it regardless. I just came here to let you know that." Mikoto said as she walks off to Ryoma and tell her what she intends to do, who will obviously support her and as she walks, Kaze moves pass her to check up on Corrin and overheard what she said.

"The Queen is tougher than people give her credit." Kaze praised.

"I can see the family resemblance." Jakob smiled.

"What are you going to do about that? I'm not sure if now is a good time to face the people but compared to what we're going to do moving forward, this should be merciful." Robin suggested to Corrin about what to do next.

"Words can be more powerful than a blade, as you have just proven with your bombshell words of wisdom. And I've always been all bite and no bark and my fangs aren't even that intimidating. Heck, as a Dragon I don't even have a mouth and yet I'm still able to use a breath attack." Corrin muttered, nervous about doing this. "And it's not like I can stay quiet during the whole thing."

"True but knowing Lord Ryoma, he'll most likely focus all attention to him because he and the royals have been to many large crowds before and seldom have I seen them besides the Queen and High Prince talk to the public. Lady Hinoka is a fighter first before a princess, same with Lord Takumi who prefers to let his bow do the talking most of the time and Lady Sakura is… well, Lady Sakura." Kaze explained. "While the people have a right to hear it from your own words that you'll fight for them, I believe that the Yato can ease their demands, after all, you are the bearer of its power so the odds should be in your favor. But if you don't want to that's alright. Not like you can focus on satisfying the masses when your heart is set on something else."

"Quite true, Milady, even though you have a royal duty to appease the masses, a Princess's life need not be just for the sake of the people. There can be no shame in wanting to focus on yourself, and more importantly." Jakob added.

"Wish I learned that years ago, otherwise I be even less nervous already." Corrin sighed.

"How awful." Mozu uttered, largely disturbed and saddened by all this sorrow, her thoughts returning to the day she lost her friends and family and the bitter grief when they were all buried and laid to rest.

"Yeah, this whole mess is as bad as my old man said it would but seeing it up close is actually a whole lot worse." Hayato said as even with his huge ego, is starting to lose heart with all this chaos and fears the worst for all of them if this continues.

"Even after all we managed to pull there were still so many we couldn't save." Mozu said with regret and the true weight of this war finally daunting on her.

"Hey now, don't put yourself down like that, little girl, you did all you could and more so than anyone expected you would. You're a true Hoshidan through and through." Orochi said comforting to the young Villager, while placing her hands on her shoulders.

"Darn right, you came close to defending the castle gates all on your own from what we heard. With enough training you can bet that both us and the people of Cheve will be in good hands in the foreseeable future." Hana praised.

"Aww, thanks guys I really…" Mozu is caught off from her words as a rock is suddenly thrown right at her forehead. While it did not hurt her much because of her awaken dragon heritage, it still cause her to bleed on the spot and shocks her, causing her to turn around and sees that the one who threw it is one of the grieving Hoshidans, glaring hate-filled eyes on her.

"Hey, what's the big idea!" Hayato demanded angrily, witnessing to the sudden occurrence, earning the attention of everyone in the vicinity, and getting alarming reactions from those close to Mozu once they noticed the blood on her head.

"What is SHE still doing here?!" The grieving Hoshidan demanded furiously at Mozu. "She's a Nohrian too!"

"What…?" Mozu uttered, speechless by the animosity thrown at her. Quickly Hayato and Hana pull her behind them to keep her from having more rocks thrown and Orochi holds her closely for extra measure.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Ryoma shouted, angry that one of his soldiers would dare disrupt the mourning of their fallen and attack one of their comrades.

"She's a Nohrian! I saw her get pulled into the portal same as the rest of the scums! She shouldn't be here!" She continued with her violent outburst.

"Kūkaku, shut up! Don't you dare mix her up with THEM!" Oboro warned, not standing for Mozu to be put down because one of her parents hailed from Nohr. As if to add more tension and make things worse, another one enters the argument.

"She's right! She shouldn't be here. All Nohrians are monsters! We can't let a single trace of them continue to live any longer!" Another angry Hoshidan boasted with more venom in his tone and hatred in his eyes. And while his outburst can be sympathized by all of them, the fact that he seems willing to kill even children for being of Nohr is where the line will be drawn.

"HEY, hey, hey, you shut your god damn mouth! If we want to hear you talk, I will shove my arm up your ass and move your head like a puppet! You Hear me! YOU HEAR ME!" Hinata raised his tone next in outraged and raising his right fist for emphasis.

"Anyone who defends a Nohrian is a traitor to Hoshido!" He persisted.

"Traitors, are we?" Takumi growled, hitching for a fight, though it is all stopped before it even began by a weak twister created by Robin made between them as a warning to cease this as he, and the rest of them arrive to quell the fighting.

"Everyone… as Queen, I beg of you to peacefully send off the souls of those who lost their lives today into the Eternal Flame so that they may find their way into Sephiroth's Garden of Eden." Mikoto pleaded for everyone to come together and not fight.

"You're Majesty." Orochi uttered.

"And if possible, I ask that you strive to restore our home. The Nohrians have finally personally ravaged us at our heart. To that end we must stand as one. It doesn't matter where we're from, everyone here is fighting for the same cause. If that's not enough to convince you and if my words won't reach you to mend your wounded hearts, I can do no more than hope that what you choose to do next is truly for the good of our people and not just yourself?" Mikoto continued. "But one thing I know with certainty is that one can never truly mend a wounded heart by lashing out their hatred at someone else, it will only make you feel worse and ultimately lead you to become what you hate the most."

Thankfully Mikoto's words did in fact reached everyone as the hostility ceased altogether with the two who started the fight now bearing shameful expressions and the mood returning to being somber once again. Corrin ignores all that and walks to Mozu.

"Come on, let's get that patched up." She insisted as she takes Mozu's hand and takes her back to the castle with her retainers and Azura following.

"Such a reaction was to be expected but I'm more relief and shock that they aren't pointing their rage at you as well, along with Jakob." Robin sighed.

"None more than me, especially after my pitiful attempts to protect the Queen from my mother's wrath." Azura muttered, clouded by shame and regret.

"Things are getting worse and worse every day, Ryoma." Hinoka muttered.

"I know." Ryoma sighed.

"And it's not just them but with what we experienced in Kyoto. How many more are out there who don't trust us anymore and are forming rebellions? How many were you forced to cut down to try and get to Yamamoto again?" She asked.

"Too many." Ryoma confessed shamefully. "But as bad as things are getting, Sephiroth's Light is still waiting for us at the end of this ugly tunnel, we just can't see it yet, but I'll find it. This I swear."

---

Corrin, Mozu, Lilith, Felicia, Kaze and Jakob return to their room with the former Maid beginning to heal up the younger one's injury effortlessly.

"There you go, good as new." Felicia smiled, all done already.

"Thanks." Mozu said feeling better.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you Mozu, it wasn't right how you were just treated, and I hope you'll one day find it in you to forgive my comrades for their behavior." Kaze said with great shame.

"Don't worry about that. I barely felt the hit, I was just surprised is all." Mozu tried to brush off and keep a strong front, but the small shake in her body tells them a different story.

"Even still, it shouldn't had happened, but people can behave so uncharacteristic when overtaken by grief and anger." Kaze said.

"Something that happens quite often in Nohr, I might add. How tragic that their influence would spread so quickly." Jakob sighed, most agitated.

"You've seen behavior like that before?" Corrin asked.

"Of a similar sort, whenever I depart from the fortress to gather the ingredients of the meals and sweets you've requested and we are out. The poverty has always been a common occurrence, although food hasn't been completely scarce in recent years but such depressions have led to plenty of rebellions from the commoners demanding for more food, accusing the nobility of having it all to themselves, which they are typically not always wrong I might add, so fights were constant and outbursts similar to the one we just witnessed are sadly not a rarity. My homeland truly is a sad place to call home." Jakob explained with great disappointment. "And yet, I cannot shake this sense of regret over standing against my people but still I must for this war is only exposing their worse traits even further and depriving them of their morals even more and it vexes me to be around such barbarians, even more so to let any of them be near you again."

"I always hated how everyone seldom told me about the real state the people are in, I kept fearing what would occur when I saw it all for the first time." Corrin said distress.

"We're sorry, Milady. Lord Xander was concerned for your health due to your lack of experience with the outside world and hoped to prepare you from a safe distance. But I guess all of that proved to be more or less another lie of King Garon." Felicia mumbled.

"You guys followed what you believed in is all, it would be selfish to hold you responsible." Corrin shrugged, not letting this get to her much. She then only now notices that Robin and Azura aren't here with them. "Hey, where did Robin and Azura go?"

"Lady Azura has grown weary and wanted to go to her room to rest early and Robin chose to escort her. Considering how on edge everyone is right now, I think it be safer if no one traveled alone at least until tomorrow when the Queen will finally be able to reuse the Barrier of Concord." Kaze explained.

"Good point, we should all rest up early. The Citizens of Hoshido may finally rest easier tomorrow." Corrin said calmly before shifting her thoughts to something else. "Kaze, did you know what Iago meant when he said he was a survivor of Shion? Is that a place?"

"I'm afraid I do know what he meant. Shion was the name of a border town that existed nearby the Bottomless Canyon alongside another town; Kuchinashi. They were both Hoshidan but like the Anti-Nohr zones, Nohrians lived there alongside purebred Hoshidans." Kaze explained visibly sad.

"Lived? You mean Shion is gone?"

"Yes, Not long after King Sumeragi was murdered and you taken, all of Hoshido despaired until their rage overtook them and since Shion housed Nohrians, the more violent members of the nation went berserk and burned the town to the ground, sparing no one, including the fellow Hoshidans, either for getting in the way or defending their fellow townsfolk, it was reported that there were no survivors until we were recently proven wrong." Kaze revealed, earning him horrified gasps from the others, minus Jakob who just narrowed his eyes. "And as for Kuchinashi, they were lucky as the Nohrians there returned to Nohr before they were caught and the riots would've reached the other zones but the Queen ceased all violence with her barrier as it was first used to quell everyone's animosity before she turned it on Nohr."

"How awful." Felicia muttered. "Is that why Iago is like this?"

"Most likely, though based on what I know there was never a mention of where he was born, only that his nationality is Nohr and he joined the army as a Warlock when he was fifteen, something about being in desperate need for money to provide treatment for a relative who was mentally ill." Jakob said bothered.

"Is that why he hates me so much?" Corrin uttered baffled by this revelation. "But he despises the Royal Family mainly, how can that be true when my mother was the one who stop the riot?"

"That's the spark that baffles me the most to this day. The real reason that started the riot was that supposedly, prior to his death, King Sumeragi issued one final order that all Nohrians were to be removed from Hoshido in retaliation for his unjust death." Kaze continued.

"That… can't be." Corrin muttered in disbelief.

"I completely agree with you, Lady Corrin. As brash as his Majesty was sometimes, it was difficult for even my father, who was the most loyal of his reign to believe that he would make such a harsh final command. There wasn't even anyone there to see him die but yourself. There's no way anyone among us would know what his final words really were but at the time no one questioned it because of the state of chaos. One could argue that his murderers were the ones to spread the rumor to put Hoshido in disarray but that makes even less sense because King Garon has been professing his innocence for years with many claiming that he was still in Windmire that night, even though there were eyewitnesses who saw him in Cyrkensia when it happened, leaving the city, carrying a severed head in his hand and his signature weapon covered in blood, and the King's cause of death was decapitation with his head nowhere to be found." Kaze added. "What's more, the street where his body was found was in complete disaster, like a beast of some sort went on a rampage and tore the buildings apart but whatever it was there's no proof that it is responsible for the death of the King."

"Gods dammit!" Corrin growled, frustrated by all this. "After all this time and still no one bothered to learn the truth? They just let themselves be convinced by only what was noticed?"

"I'm afraid that's how prosecution works on occasions." Kaze shook his head. "And of course, you must be thinking that maybe the Seven Deadly Sins must've been involved and while that's not outside the realm of possibilities you have to remember that humans and demons aren't all that different from each other so you shouldn't bother trying to absolve anyone over past crimes."

"I'm not going to absolve anyone of anything. But what I'm going to do is find Iago and ram him to the ground and get him to tell me everything he knows about the Seven. The Rainbow Sage's words are starting to make sense now. We get Iago, we get closer to my true objective and my true enemies." Corrin declared adamantly with new conviction to fight. Iago may have Nohr backing him up but he has no idea what he's started by making her his enemy.

"I'm glad you would say that milady because there is something Felicia and I need to discuss with you regarding this other world hiding in the Bottomless Canyon." Jakob said in a very serious tone.

"Right, forgot that was still a thing. What's up?" She replied.

"Well… it's about the brand your mother has on her right hand."

"What brand, she doesn't have any on her hands." Corrin stated.

"Not until recently." Kaze corrected, regaining the Princess's full attention. "According to the soldiers who were fighting off the invading Nohrians and later the Queen who was bested by the Shadow Queen, during the final moments of the fight Arete suddenly ceased her attempted murder after a strange brand suddenly manifested on her left hand that caught her off guard and at the same time one manifested on your mother." Kaze explained. "I didn't notice until I watched Felicia freak out by the sight of it and showed it to Jakob and I was tempted to see. You and the others never noticed, more concern with the wellbeing of the Queen and everyone else. And the sight of it honestly disturbed me."

"What kind of brand was it?" Corrin asked nervously.

"It was the same brand that you showed us before, the one that was savagely carved into Lord Izana's chest when he tried to communicate with the Dawn Dragon." Kaze informed, which immediately horrified Corrin as she did made a drawing of that same emblem to show the others to keep an eye out for it in the hopes to find out any clues of this mysterious assailant.

"That's not possible…" She uttered.

"There's more, I'm afraid, Felicia and I have seen that emblem as well in the other world in certain buildings that we easily deduced that it is the emblem of a nation, and while very faint it does show minor similarities to the emblems of Nohr and Hoshido." Jakob continued.

"Not to mention that we also found the emblem closely related to statues of a dragon unlike any we've seen before." Felicia added.

"But what does that mean, that my mothers, Azura and I originated from the same Deeprealm as the Seven? Is that why Wrath sounded like he knew me?" Corrin said growing increasingly scared.

"I don't think that this other world is a Deeprealm because people who live and originated from those worlds have this unique scent of sorts that can only be tracked by magical lifeforms like myself, and while my dragon nose isn't that good, or my hearing for that matter I would've still been able to notice it on Mikoto and no matter how many years one spends in the Central Realms like this one, the scent never goes away, leaving me to conclude that this other world is actually one of the Outrealms. As in, another universe, of which there's really no way to tell one of us apart from those in what lies beyond our own universe." Lilith explained.

"That still doesn't change the fact that Mikoto and Arete might be from this other place where we lost Gunter." Corrin protested weakly. "Wait, the legend of the Silent Dragon? In the Canyon there used to be a grand kingdom at the center of Horus."

"You're Highness, that's just a legend, out of all the Precursors who ruled all of Horus and every man, animal, beast and dragon not a single one of them goes by that title." Kaze informed.

"Y-yeah, it's just some folktale my dad used to tell me and Flora when we were young. A lot of gods spoken of over the centuries turned out to be make-believe." Felicia added.

"Plus, it's preposterous to think that such a terrible canyon used to be a lushes field once upon a time, magic aside there would've been hard proof and many scholars and adventurers have explored that deep darkness through a safe passage of sorts, spending over thirteen days going further and further down in search if somehow this forgotten kingdom really exists and aside from some very valuable treasure and unique items worth millions, nothing ever turned up that proves this kingdom existed." Jakob said.

"But you've been there, you've said as much, Jakob and you're no liar." Corrin countered.

"Yes, I know what we saw down there and the danger we were in was very real but still, during our struggle for survival we never saw that abomination of fire ever again and if he did originate from that place he must've known about us still alive and tried to find us and yet we uncovered no evidence that he or his siblings really live there and before hiding in that cave for days we discovered this old library that looks like it was abandoned for at least a decade or so and aside from some fascinating tales that resemble the archives found in Krakenburg, according to Gunter, nothing led us to believe in this Silent Dragon, nor the Seven Deadly Sins, the entire place felt like a Dead Zone and those flaming people certainly didn't feel like they were alive."

"But they're all real and this all proves that my mother knows something or used to know something but she has amnesia. DAMMIT!" Corrin snapped, punching a hole in a wall. "How can we be three steps behind those who want to destroy us?"

"We may need to speak with the Rainbow Sage again, he must know more than he is leading on." Kaze suggested.

"Obviously but he insisted that Nohr should be our top priority." Corrin said.

"That doesn't sound like a good idea, unless he knew about this evil tactician before we did." Mozu said.

"I know but what else can we do, it doesn't matter that the barrier will keep the Nohrians away, they'll just find a way to destroy it, Iago is in on the Seven's buddy list not to mention that there's still Garon's original assassination plan for mother that he hasn't pulled yet."

"Yeah but we told Prince Xander the truth of Iago's foul play and he looked like he believed us, so that could help." Felicia suggested.

"I know he believed me but I doubt he'll really help us, as much as he dislikes Iago, there's no denying his methods are effective and to father's liking. Leo is better but he lacks the fire that father prefers when achieving victory, or at least that's how Gunter put it once." Corrin muttered, certain that even if Xander decides to exposed Iago for being one of the main catalyst for her desertion he'll hold it off for another time, which could take too long for her patience.

"We should tell the others about this as well." Kaze suggested.

"No, not yet. Ryoma and the rest already have a lot on their minds, giving the faintest hint that mother's past might create doubt and that's the last thing anyone needs right now." Corrin declined.

"I agree but keeping everyone in the dark may prove to be just as bad." Kaze objected.

"I know, I know, but right now everyone's focus should be with the people, plus there's still the issue with Cheve and making sure they're ready to fight with us by doing something about the spies. Telling them can wait and we won't approach Mikoto about this, maybe she really knows something, maybe she doesn't but right now what everyone really needs is unity and if what just happened is any indication, everyone might as well be more divided than ever." Corrin declared.

"Very well, Milady. I trust your judgement." Kaze replied, somehow noting this as a small improvement from Corrin's usual troubled state.

"Good, as long as we're all in agreement. Though, I trust it's okay for Robin and Azura to also know about this already since they're way more open-minded about these sorts of things than me."

Corrin then shifts her attention to Lilith who begins to cough a bit and later breathes weakly while holding her chest.

"Lilith, are you okay?"

"Yeah… I just… used more power than I should have when dispelling that dome in Kyoto, I've never been this drained before. I don't even have the energy to enter the Astral Realm now." Lilith muttered.

"Then rest up and get better because Gods know you deserve it as much as the rest of us." Corrin demanded as she makes the younger dragon lie down on her bed. "No buts until you're all better."

"Yes, ma'am." Lilith smiled.

---

Azura falls down to her knees with her head buried on her bed as she begins to let out her emotions again once she and Robin return to her room, no one around for quite a fair distance. Seeing her mother yet again and seeing her like that really hurt her this time and her inability to stop her bloody rampage shook her to the core, eating her up inside. It was like she was really a demon posing as Arete, what hurts the most was that she couldn't tell them apart, her mother or the Shadow Queen of Nohr.

"I can't do this anymore!" Azura cried with a higher pitch in her voice than Robin or anyone is used to.

"You've lost the will to fight?" Robin asked in a gentle but somber tone, full of sympathy.

"I'm of no use to anyone as I am now. I don't have my pendant anymore. I have no real power to protect anyone. I lose sight of who I am just by looking at my family. What am I even fighting for?!" Azura sobbed, despair taking her over. "Why am I even fighting for Hoshido? I'm just a prisoner of war to them! Nohr is my home."

"Azura, you know that stopped being true a long time ago. Even though it isn't unconditional, Hoshido is just as much your home and the Royals view you as another sister and the Retainers your friend." Robin assured her getting on his knees to comfort her. "If you don't want to fight anymore, that's fine. No one has a right to think less of you for it, and if they do, I'll give them a piece of my mind. Very few can even begin to fathom what you're going through, fighting your own parents, what it can do to someone. Even when you don't know them at all or only recently met them, you can feel it, some sort of sting in the heart, threatening to fall apart if this fight continues."

"Do you know what Corrin and I are going through?" Azura asked, turning to face him. He didn't tell her everything.

"I do…" Robin said now looking so bitter he almost resembles Azura and she swears she might have to give him comfort instead. He gets into a sitting position with his back facing the bed before he continues. "As I said before, I've been to many battlefields ever since I was young. So many fights… forced to kill so many I've lost count, more so indirectly since I was more a Tactician than a warrior at first but I was still at fault. All of them were in the service of an unjust cause, either by choice or through deception but still guilty all the same but that meant little on my conscious. And in my bloodstain life I even killed my own father for becoming my enemy." His words leave Azura speechless but her expression did not change from this and just gets in the same position as him.

"Robin…" She muttered.

"He was mad, a broken shadow of the righteous man my mother once loved, all because someone he once thought of as a friend gave into his fears of a great threat and left him to drown in darkness. He saw me only as a means to an end even though he did love me in his own fallen way but the fact remained the same, he was in opposition to everything I believed to be just in favor of his own beliefs and no matter how hard I tried to get through to him he could not… would not let go of his hatred, nor let go of the past, and went as far to make everything be reduced into a graveyard and I was forced to strike him down like he was just another monster, a sheep for the slaughter." Robin confessed his sins to her. "My mother was hardly a saint also, she let her fear and hatred of the past cloud her, our lives were great but in the end she made me see myself as less than nothing, probably a monster as I used to fear my own talents with magic because I felt something like a beast crawling to get out whenever I really gave it my all. The other side of me that only my parents could see. A monster. That's all they could see. I was never their son. And if being a war veteran doesn't count as embracing the beast inside I don't know what is."

"And the guilt never goes away?" Azura asked.

"Never. I'll never recover from what I've done because I still love them so dearly and wish with all my heart that things could be better." Robin began to shed tears of his own. "When I parted ways with my previous comrades I told them with what little hope there was left in my heart that I wish to meet them again in a better life, and that prayer extended to my parents, and somehow I was given yet another chance. But nothing is how I wanted it to be. It's only fitting I guess; I can't change where I came from. What I am."

"Then why fight at all for us? For Corrin? Why risk your life, again for those who you don't even know and condemn yourself to more heartbreak?" Azura questioned.

"Because I see a kindred spirit in Corrin. Even though we could not be any more different, our paths are not inaccurate to say the least. Garon and Arete are both your parents no matter what blood flows through your veins and even though I can't stop them from fighting I can at the very least prevent her from staining her hands in so much blood like mine have been for so long. Deep down, I know that helping her is my true redemption." Robin said with more conviction. "Many years ago I met a Bishop with a dark and shameful past who found redemption of sorts with the cloth and I eventually sought his counsel even though I was never a follower of any church or belief, I needed closure of some sorts, though I knew without a doubt that I've always fought on the side of justice, of peace, my heart was completely lost to the pain of ending so many lives. I wanted… I needed someone to forgive me, for I can never forgive myself. I am not strong at all."

"What did he have to say?" She asked curious.

"What I will tell Corrin in due time and will now pass on to you first because you need to hear it as well. Rather you truly believe that Hoshido is the right path or not is something you have to decide for yourself and no one else. It's what I believe, at least, to be the best way to move forward and not allow the beliefs of others to sway your actions. His words to me…" Robin began.

---

"Brave, proud Hoshidans, please do not give in to despair, for the Light of Hope has not abandoned us yet, nor will it ever!" Mikoto spoke up loudly as she stands at the center of the Capital alongside her stepchildren to speak with the people who survive the attacked who eagerly came to hear what their Queen has to say about Nohr's latest audacity and whatever nerve they have for raising their justified roars of anger were quickly silenced upon seeing the current state of their typically serene sovereign both in appearance and attitude is now a near wreck, as she went through with her plan to expose herself in a beaten state and reveal that not even the great defenses of Castle Shirasagi could stop Nohr's onslaught. The sight alone frightens them with mix of concerns for her wellbeing and outrage starting to show so for the most part she received the desired effect.

"Nohr's tyranny may feel like it is bearing fruit with their victory yet again, but I assure you that it is not. Today marked their last and best attempt to destroy our nation and take our lands as their own but they have failed. They thought us weak because of their army of monsters backing them up and their advance use of magic but neither will do them good ever again." Mikoto spoke up loudly in a strong tone befitting a queen. "Yes, they've breached all of our defenses, violated our prize capital a second time and even tarnished our castle but in spite of our losses and the injuries you and I sustained we still stood our ground and still we stand!"

While her words do reach the people with morale improving, it is slow. Understandable, pretty words can't win wars, especially when ending things peacefully have become undesirable. Mikoto knows that as does her family and soldiers, still, none have raised their tone to voice their desire for revenge yet so her influence is still in effect, that is a miracle in of itself.

"Though, you must know that while our proud warriors are responsible for overseeing our protection, it must not go on without say any longer that the true saviors of this day are also your long lost Princess who has returned home at last to fight for our nation. My daughter; Corrin! And her champion, Sir Robin!" Mikoto said next and that kept the citizens in more silence as this is a genuine surprise to them.

"The same princess that is said to have lived with the Nohrians as THEIR Princess ever since she was kidnapped and our King killed?" One of them whispered as murmurs began amongst them.

"Yeah, they say that she was raised to think she was another of the Demon King's spawns and was trained to fight against us."

"I thought for sure she would've done something to the Royal Family after being so tainted."

"Me too, I mean she killed my brother in law in Kurosaki when she turned into a feral dragon."

"Is she serious?! Does the lost princess really intent to fight for us?"

"It wasn't long ago that she called Garon father."

"No, she's on our side! I saw her defend me and others while we were heading for the castle for safety and she got in the way of Crown Prince Xander from advancing. Her own adoptive brother."

"Yeah and nearly got killed by said former brother who tossed her around like a ragdoll."

"If Crown Prince Xander really tried to kill her then she truly has returned to us?"

"Maybe?"

"What about this Robin character? He came here looking like he was some Nohrian higher up warrior?"

"He wore the white design that shows he too was close to the Nohrian Royalty but when Lady Corrin defected he followed."

"What, are they lovers?"

"Can we even trust him?"

"I mean… sure, he's the one who killed that giant Grimm."

"My cousin is a Diviner who works closely with the Queen's Retainer, Orochi and he says that this Robin was the one who turned the Nohrians's own portal against them and vacuum them away."

"He also rescued my daughter from having her throat cut by a savage Wyvern Knight."

"But that still may not change the fact that he might have something nefarious set in motion."

"There they go again with the murmuring and bickering." Hinoka sighed, seeing one too many problems with this scenario.

"I don't know how you do it, brother, I just can't see myself lifting anyone's morale when they're like this." Takumi said largely nervous by all this.

"You only say that now because of your current condition but I trust you'll be singing a different tune when you're all better." Ryoma said fondly to him while patting his shoulder.

"I hate singing."

"Allow me next, mother." Ryoma insisted and she nods in approval. They always seem to prefer listening to him instead, likely because of his resemblance to Sumeragi, and as soon as the High Prince steps forward the people cease their bickering and pay close attention. "Listen up and listen well, my fellow Hoshidans! Do not doubt me when I tell you that I know exactly how you feel. Nohr has wronged all of us for centuries, our desire for retribution are one and the same! However, do not forget that what sets us apart from them is not our strength, not the Light itself but our higher capacity to show more compassion and restraint, to look beyond what is in front of us and find the way to move forward, no matter the obstacle. You all must have misgivings for Corrin, and I cannot, as much as I want to, fault you for doing so because of where she's been and what she was molded to believe in, but in spite of all that and whatever regrets she may harbor, she is still your Princess and you her people. AND SHE CAME BACK! Gave her best shot to protect us all and the Nohrians tried to kill her because of it. Our late King once taught me that the first true step to victory is not with certification but acceptance, so if you cannot owe it to yourself to at least give her a chance to try and be the Hoshidan she was always meant to be, then how is she supposed to fight for those who don't believe in her? How can you claim to put your faith in my family who have guarded you and your ancestors for centuries when you would scorn one of our own."

Ryoma's words do not go on deaf ears to the people who leaves them in contemplation and while they do not express it yet, already nods of agreement start to show among them but not all of them.

"Leave it up to Ryoma to get a good rise out of everyone, even if he did oversold a bit." Hinoka said, rather proud on how Ryoma has a way with words.

"Naturally, to be expected of our future king." Saizo said pridefully.

"You think he'll mention the fact that Corrin also has with her the Yato?" Hinata whispered.

"Nah, I'm pretty sure that part is already known by now." Subaki said.

"I just hope that at the very least order will be maintained in the Capital because starting tomorrow payback time can truly begin." Takumi said determined to return to action despite still mentally wounded by Envy.

---

"What you're suggesting is absurd!" Screamed a nobleman at the top of his lungs in a council room filled with several men and women of high importance in Nestra discussing issues with what happened not long ago in Cyrkensia and tensions are abnormally high in the typically stable and gentle council of the Nestrian King.

"In what reality am I considered absurd; you fool! The choice is clear, we must send our army and crush any Hoshidans that dares set foot on the West of Horus." Another Councilman declared, wanting to help Nohr fight off Hoshido.

"You want to drag us into the mad war? You truly have gone delusional, Lord Bool! Nestra has long held its neutrality to the affairs of the other nations. This war is not our problem and we owe Nohr nothing!" A Councilwoman spoke up next in defiance.

"So you would all prefer that we sit by and let such a crime go unpunished, Lady Jane?!" Bool snapped, slamming both his fists on the table. "They attacked our prized Opera House. Our very culture prides itself in the beauty that comes from that place, among many others and yet again it has been desecrated by a fight between those two nations, and it was Hoshido who started it a second time!"

"As if that helps support your decision to go to war? If anything we should be fighting against Nohr, they're the ones who restarted this horror all over again." Another one argued against Bool.

"Look who now speaks nonsense, Smahl! We have long since held a peace treaty with the Nohrians and whenever the trash from the East aren't around they continuously prove to be the trusted allies we know them to be for fifty years." Another Nohr supporter spoke up next.

"Only because we feed them, the Precursors know their farmers can't be trusted to do something as simple as raising crops, they have to depend on us to keep their putrid commoners from revolting every day."

"Pathetic. Beyond pitiful. We would benefit greatly if Hoshido would exterminate them once and for all and we take their mines for our own, so I vote we aid Hoshido instead." An overweight noble suggested.

"Aid Hoshido? Bah! You both speak treason. The White Night is no different than those disgusting cowards from Fódlan. In spite of losing the previous wars their recent generations could've stopped Nohr a long time ago and used their wealth and power to bring order and stability to Horus and yet they chose to keep their spoils to themselves for millennia and left us in the west to deal with Nohr's whining all this time. If you ask me, letting King Garon annexed their lands at last would be a nice start to spiced things up a notch for a change. He takes Hoshido, we don't have to waste our food ever again." Another Noble named Nathaniel suggested callously.

"HA! And what of you Nathaniel? You accuse us of treason and yet you would prefer we allow our soldiers to be subjugated to the Demon King's will just to satisfy more of his empty promises. If you ask me, you still have some of your whore grandmother's Almyran genes still in you and doing the talking again. Eh, bastard?" Lady Jane mocked, getting a real rise out of her fellow nobleman.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Nathaniel snapped with pure wrath, slamming his fists on the ground while clad in fire due to his magical prowess. A fight will ensue again.

"ORDER! There will be order in this council." The most tolerant member, the Chairman, finally snapped, having enough of all this senseless bickering, extending his hand to channel his magic and traps Jane and Nathaniel in chains to restrain them. "We are holding this council to discuss our course of action to maintain order in our Kingdom. How dare you all, raise your tones to speak nonsense and even think of fighting amongst ourselves again after the near-death of our own Prince."

"That was not our faults, you imbecile!" Nathaniel shouted.

"Doesn't matter. We're the higher powers of Nestra, second to his Majesty, we owe it to our people to be the voice of reason. And we owe no allegiance to Nohr nor Hoshido. Those two ''Superpowers'' have been nothing but a burden upon us all for centuries and neither I nor the King will stand by and let us fall apart because of them. NOT AGAIN!" The Chairman declared.

"And where is the King then? He's the one who has the final say and what to do in response to any affront like the one that just happened. Why has he been absent all day?" Bool demanded.

"That's a good question?" The Chairman said now feeling worry for their King.

---

"You're Majesty! Are you well, sire?" A Butler knocked on the doors to King Alexander's room chamber as he's been inside there all day. Sure, it's not odd for the King of Nestra to spend hours a day in his chambers as he treasures his privacy due to him having a hobby and passion for art and demands total silence when working on something new, however, what is odd is that he would take the time to paint while there is something serious occurring. Alexander is not known for being irresponsible on any scale, his servants and vassals can attest to that. What's more, he would at least respond after the first knock but he's been unresponsive all day.

"Still nothing." A Maid asked concern to the Butler as she walks beside him.

"No. It's not like his Majesty to be even remotely unresponsive. Has he even went to see the Prince after he was caught in the infighting between those supporters?" The Butler asked.

"According to Prince Donatello himself, yes but other than him, no one has seen him."

"Gods, it's one headache after another. When does it end?" The Butler groaned as he is about to knock on the doors again and much harsher and if there is no response again he might as well barge in no matter how offensive he has to be, but luckily the doors open from the inside, giving them hope that the King will finally show himself but sadly the only thing they meet is their deaths as two large hands grab the two servants by their necks and pulls them inside while the doors close by themselves. They didn't even had time to scream as their heads are crushed with the last thing they see are each other's horrified expressions. Their headless bodies are left on the ground, their blood tainting the beautiful floor and even coming out below the door. The monster responsible for this is none other than the Sin of Wrath.

"How bothersome, not even a shred of silence in this castle." Wrath said mildly surprised, sarcastic and smugly all at the same time as he walks to stand face to face with a man in the room, pinned to a wall. "How do you deal with such a noisy bunch? You have more patience than Pride?" He asked with twisted humor, addressing the now-former King of Nestra, who now lays dead with naginatas holding him on a crucifix, two shurikens jabbed on his eyes and four more on his mouth. A truly gruesome sight. On his left, the emblem of Hoshido around his size, painted on the wall with his own blood.

"Phase Two complete. Now Phase Three is a go." Wrath smirked, eager for his next step as murdering a peace-loving king and making it look like Hoshido did it is not enough for his bloodlust.

"You've had quite enough fun, brother." Said the stern and cold voice of another newcomer who waltz into the room chamber unannounced without Wrath noticing and the Demon turns to see that the source of this voice is just an orb, big enough that one would need both hands to hold it made entirely of white light.

"Ah, speak of the devil. Hey there, big brother. How's Valla?" Wrath greeted the Sin of Pride who is speaking with Wrath through this orb as a medium.

"Silent." Pride replied callously.

"I'm not sure what I was expecting." Wrath chuckled.

"Enough with this pointless rebelling, Wrath. There was never a reason to interfere with the mortals to this extent, things were always going to work in our favor." Pride insisted.

"No, things were always going to work in YOUR favor. I just spiced things up by making sure the Silent Demigoddess found out about her sugar mama much sooner." Wrath countered. "And it's thanks to me that Corrin's actions have made you think like this."

"Congratulations, you manipulated her into choosing the most boring path for her destiny to take." Pride said sarcastically. "This war already bores me and you, Envy and Greed have been ringing too much attention. You should've known better than to scream to the world, now the High Deliverer is on our tale."

"So, Fear's your bitch, unless her leash somehow got loose I don't see why you're so fixated on killing him. He may now have Grima's powers under control but so what, his human soul can't handle all that, he'll inevitably get himself killed again. Heck, even Lust has ignored your orders and is off doing whatever they feel like doing." Wrath protested.

"The only coward is him. He may refuse to use it again but he still wields Reficul. We can't take any chances with that sword now together with the full powers of Dark Aether." Pride scolded his brother for his recklessness.

"Let him use that sword, it'll make defeating him all the more exciting when we finally meet in combat." Wrath shrugged.

"So short-sided as usual. Can you still act so smugly since that Deadman also now has with him Ragnell." Pride informed Wrath, which earned him a surprised gasp.

"What? No, that blade remains in Robin's homeworld with Priam." Wrath objected.

"You idiot, the buffoon cousin of Lucina claimed ownership of a version of the Holy Sword after the Grimleal War." Pride reminded him. "He brought it with him on his journey to explore other worlds and used it in his new service to Nohr until Robin stole it. Were you not paying attention to the situation you caused?"

"Oops. My bad." Wrath shrugged nervously.

"Oops. That's all you have to say. As Robin is now, there's a massive risk that the sword could be just as powerful when Ike wielded it when we faced him all those centuries ago." Pride lectured.

"Well then why didn't he use it against Envy and Greed in the Sevenfold Sanctuary?" Wrath questioned. "Moreover, shouldn't Alondite be his trademark weapon?"

Suddenly a loud scream from another maid is heard outside the corridors, earning too much attention.

"Blood! There's blood coming out of the King's room chamber!" The Maid cried in horror.

"WHAT?!" A Knight passing by gasped in horror.

"NO! You're MAJESTY!"

"Doesn't matter. Come home at once, you're no match for him while he possesses those two terrible weapons and you have a more important task to deal with." Pride ordered, ignoring the panic outside.

"Well, if the big strong Deadman is too tough for me why don't you come here and finish him off yourself. You're the one who wants him dead so badly like a scary cat." Wrath dared while sounding like a whiny brat. At the same time, the doors to the room chamber are kicked open by the guards outside coming in with the hopes that their king is still alive but they barely have a second to see anything as a powerful shockwave is fired that causes every single human caught in it to implode from the inside and Wrath gets blown away with holes created on the floor that knocks him six stories down, leaving a trail of death and destruction, destroying half of Alexander's room in the process but his corpse and the wall he's pinned to remains perfectly intact. As for Wrath he crash lands right where the council meeting is being held and the resulting impact was so great that it seemingly killed everyone in the room, their bodies now splattered all over, leaving everything bloodied and tarnished. At the epicenter, an annoyed Wrath who has a large hole in his chest and his blood, or rather the water on inside his body is leaking out.

"How… DARE YOU give me a command!" Pride growled as he moves closer to Wrath and was the one who launched this attack, a mere fraction of his power that is beyond Wrath's. "How dare you even insinuate that you have a right to decide anything for me. You lowly mongrel! A being lower than an attack dog! No, you're even less than that and you dare test my patience to this extent. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PLACE IN OUR PYRAMID, BROTHER! If you weren't the closest thing I would ever consider to be even remotely my kin, I'd sent you to Hell long ago."

"Jeez, and you wonder why we love to disobey you all the time." Wrath mumbled as his wounds start to regenerate, only to have a spear of light come and penetrate his chest, and this time he really feels it as Wrath screams now truly in a lot of pain. "For Satan's sake… take a joke for once!"

"Greed and Envy I can forgive to an extent but don't expect the same courtesy for your disobedience, the same goes for Lust when I find them. Now get moving!" Pride commanded.

---

The day has finally come, Mikoto, looking more like a Queen again, stands at the center of Suzanoh, at her side her children, including Corrin now wearing a spared Hoshido Noble uniform since the previous one was ruined by Xander, as the Monarch of Hoshido unleashes her magic to recreate the Barrier of Concord, now more powerful than ever, thanks to the Noble Yato and the superior Dragon Vein the great spell spreads all over Hoshido, signaling the turning point for the Hoshidans in this War.

"That was easier than I ever dared believe but I guess I can't complain. Our counterattack against Nohr can finally begin." Mikoto said with assurance for her family.

"Well done, mother." Ryoma smiled as the siblings become ecstatic by this success.

"No, well done to all of you, none of this could've been done without your hard effort for our home." Mikoto praised. "All our sacrifices have not been for nothing."

"I'm pretty sure it's too soon to make that claim." Corrin said.

"Due true, however with such a big step like this, I'm confident that everything will turned out for the better." Hinoka said assure of herself.

"Now e-everyone can… feel m-more at ease." Sakura said.

"We can only hope so, dear." Mikoto replied.

---

"Dammit!" A samurai cursed as he is pinned to a tree by a Berserker of Nohr. Said Samurai's squad intercepted a Nohrian platoon nearing the city they were guarding. Granted, it didn't look like they were marching for said city, just passing by but regardless they decided not to take any chances and attacked, which proved to be a mistake as the Nohrians quickly overpowered them and already they lost one of their own.

"Stupid Hoshidans. You just don't know when to give up, do you?" The Berserker said smugly as he prepares to finish the Samurai off. "Don't worry, I'll put you out of your misery very… soon…" All the enthusiasm and bloodlust suddenly leaves the man as he drops his mighty axe and looks confused, like he's not sure what he was doing.

"What was I going to do?" He asked himself, feeling calm, real calm.

"I feel strange, captain." A Warlock said stopping himself from choking a man with dark magic.

"Are they okay?" A Spear Fighter asked confused.

"I've seen this before. By the Divine Wings of Sephiroth! It's the Queen's barrier, she's reactivated it." One of them declared with immense shock and relief.

"Really?! Does that mean we won?" A Diviner said with total desperation and pleading.

"It means we're definitely going to win now!" The Samurai declared as he decapitates the now harmless Berserker in retaliation.

"Whoa! Dick move, man! He was already beaten!" The Diviner gasped.

All over Hoshido, the Nohrians in their soil lose the will to fight, the effects of the Barrier working its magic on them and none are able to lift a finger against the Hoshidans and let themselves be taken captive or try to escape before they are killed. Even the Grimm are being affected, more deprived of their strength than ever, the beasts are more vulnerable under such powerful Light Magic. All who seek to do harm to the Hoshidans are being affected now, not just their counterparts. With this Nohr's invasion has been once again ceased for the time being.

---

"Peace has returned to Hoshido to a greater extent." Robin noted as he watches the large magical force that spreads across the land outside Suzanoh while standing right on top Castle Shirasagi. "Nohr will not take this well but at least we bought ourselves sometime before we can march on. I can already feel the amount of headaches I'm going to get from here on out. Now there truly is no turning back." He sighed exasperatedly and then opens Morgenstern with a magnificent golden sword coming out of it which is the one that Odin previously had that he stole from the young Warlock for his own purposes and unbeknownst to all in this world, the blade is of great significance and power, possibly greater than Yato.

"Priam, I will be borrowing your piece of Ike's power for a while. A pity though, she deserves to be more in Owain's hands than with me." Robin mused as he is the new owner of the Radiant Hero's Sword; Ragnell. He then looks down to see what looks like a very thin but long tornado coming from where the Royal Family should be right now, and it is easy for him to figure out that Corrin is using the Noble Yato to call for him. He puts Ragnell back inside his tome and flies straight down to answer his master's call into the city square, earning him a lot of attention from the public who again stand in a crowd before the Royal Family, though this is the second time Corrin is standing among them. And now he's starting to regret wearing this noble uniform because he is standing out way too much, especially with Corrin here to match, though getting the attention of a crowd is something he should be used to by now.

"You called." Robin greeted his Princess.

"Yeah, just wanted to give you a heads up that we'll begin assembling the army to lead a frontal assault on Nohr." Corrin explained.

"And in case your new uniform didn't give it away, we would like for you to assist us from a stronger position as a fellow general beside us." Ryoma added. "With great travesty we lost many good officers during the course of this war, not just our vanguards. In total, our army has one High General, two Lieutenant Generals, three Major Generals and four Brigadier Generals and as you should know by now, High General Genryūsai fell in the battle in Kurosaki by Prince Leo with some aerial assistance from Princess Elise."

Corrin gulp at the mention of Elise helping Leo kill someone, though she questions herself on why since she shouldn't be surprised. In spite of her delicate appearance, Elise has always shown strong resilience to violence, maybe because of her Dusk Dragon blood or some type of intense training, the youngest princess kept a strong front and optimism in the toughest circumstances as explained by Xander. Though, how many battles she has partaken is the real question.

"Lieutenant General Zaraki fell victim to a terrible curse by a Sorcerer and will be out of action for at least two weeks. Major General Tsubokura and Brigadier General Eikichirō have been relieved of duties for being just as ignoble as Yamamoto. And lastly, Lieutenant General Yukimura, who also served as our army's top tactician tragically lost his life in battle yesterday defending the Capital." Ryoma continued with evident sadness. "It is vital for our ranks to never remain empty for too long when in dire situations, and my siblings and retainers speak highly of your prowess as a warrior and tactician."

"You want me to replace Yukimura as top tactician?" Robin questioned, not looking surprised at all. In fact, he looks like he was expecting this.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, Yukimura would understand as he always said we have to prepare for the worst and make tough calls." Takumi said.

"And sadly this is one of these desperate times. There are too many voids in our army that must be filled as soon as possible." Mikoto added.

"It's not like we never brought up this kind of topic before, Rob and speaking from a military perspective, which admittedly I don't have but can still guess, it's only obvious to pick the best man for the job and you've already proven that you're pretty much unrivaled when it comes to what you do best." Corrin pointed out.

"I accept this honor and will fulfill your request for as long as I possibly can. Just don't expect things to always go smoothly. We don't exactly have the easiest enemies to deal with." Robin complied.

"Thank you. I know we ask a lot." Ryoma said with more gratitude.

"Don't mention it. So when do we march for Nohr?" Robin asked.

"If possible, in eight days, if we are truly fortunate, so I suggest we make the most of it and get properly ready for when the time comes, now is the time to rest, though for our soldiers we must regroup." Ryoma declared. "We still need to watch out for Grimm attacks; however things will undoubtedly be more stable to at least try to make things better."

"Ultimately there's no rest for the wicked, nor the righteous." Corrin sighed as she picks up a bag that contains chips inside and takes a bite off one.

"Are those the same chips from the o-other day?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah. That poor sweet old lady was among the smallest casualties in the Blight Dragon's attack but her grandson was still grateful that so many survived the ordeal, and apparently because Robin works for me I've been given some of the credit for the lives that were saved and I was given these as a small gratitude." She explained.

"Yeah, that's basically the dynamic of a retainer and their master." Hinoka said before turning sour. "Hence why my… popularity isn't so great apart from being seen as a Sky Goddess."

"You started talking to the people already?" Robin asked surprised.

"No, everyone started talking to the family and I just sat by and stayed pretty and some step by to say something to me, nothing negative and fewer gave me some gifts." Corrin said, somehow bothered about it.

"Baby steps and smile and nod, Corrin, progress is supposed to be slow. Rushing things is always a terrible idea. Take it from me." Mikoto advised recalling how rocky her first year as Queen was.

After everyone started celebrating the relief of the Barrier's restoration Corrin retreated to the castle and is back in her old room from her younger years, keeping herself alone while locked in her thoughts, a recurring thing for her as of late. Laying down on the floor next to her childhood bed both her weapons, Yato and Dragonstone left on the floor next to her while she stares at them, left with the same questions. How did her life turn out this way?

"So this is where you were, everyone's been looking for you." Lilith said stepping into the room, albeit unannounced, which is a rarity for the former stable girl.

"To me, that's more like an old tune that got boring the first time I heard it." Corrin replied.

"You should've said so sooner, Jakob might've developed a brand new way to phase that." Lilith joked that got a laugh from both of them. "But really, what has you all somber this time. Lost in thoughts all alone."

"Someone is feeling like a comedian." Corrin said sarcastically at that sort of, kind of pun. "Never mentioned this to Azura or Arete but I've grown tired of that song, especially now regarding the first part of it that turned out to be very foreshadowing."

"Sorry, I don't like that song either, nor does Robin apparently." Lilith mused.

"To tell you the truth, my thoughts are more focus on the parts that don't ring a bell." Corrin confessed.

"You mean your lost memories?" Lilith asked.

"I want so badly to remember and really know the truth already. Not being able to have the answers is maddening but I keep coming off blank." Corrin said.

"That's what traumatic stress does to someone, the brain blocks out memories too painful to have if given the chance and it's not something that people can do at will." Lilith explained. "You were old enough to remember the events and what you witness, like… your stepfather's murder and your kidnapping by Nohr so it's understandable why your younger self would want to forget."

"Yeah, but that's the thing that really vexes me. Xander, Arete, and even Yamamoto claim that Nohr had nothing to do with what happened to me, that Garon didn't kill Sumeragi, nor did he kidnapped me." Corrin pointed out. "It makes no sense if that were true, Ryoma and the others claim it was people dressed in Nohrian uniforms that attacked them. Sure, one could argue that it was some criminals or bandits posing as them to frame Nohr but based on all the more details Kaze gave, the attack was well organized in the same way a Nohrian ambush would've played out."

"It is one of the biggest mysteries we have to solve but we have nothing but dead ends and I have no uses for magic based on the mind, more specifically memories. Those types of magic are extremely rare and not something you'll ever find amongst military personnel." Lilith explained.

"I figured as much, otherwise mother would've had my memories fixed already." Corrin sighed in disappointment.

"Didn't Xander say anything else that might help us fill in the blanks?"

"He had more of the opposite for me. Xander and Camilla knew I could turn into a dragon long before I first changed in Kurosaki." Corrin revealed.

"What? But how? You've changed before, when you were much younger." Lilith said very surprised.

"How else could they have known, but the way he described it, the look in his eyes, like a part of him is afraid of me, or more accurately was at one point. Leo and Elise have also seen me like that before but they don't remember it. Garon and Arete knew as well." Corrin continued. "The mental trauma I experienced in those plains made me transformed while losing all cohesion, so maybe the shock of watching Sumeragi die made me transformed as well. Maybe I went on a rampage trying to escape and somehow eventually I ended up in Nohr."

"It's possible but dragons born in human bodies are too weak and fragile to ever assume their true forms so young, you weren't at an age were transformation should've been possible." Lilith said. "I really don't know what to make of this Corrin, I really wish I could be of more help."

"Don't make it sound like you've always been useless, Lilith. This just needs more time. I'm ghastly impatient to know the truth but I won't rush something I have no control over. Gunter always warned me not to pick fights I can't win and this is definitely a losing battle for me to take on now." Corrin smiled at her to be at ease. "Right now I just want to be in silence. You want to stay with me for a while."

"I'd like that." Lilith smiled more brightly as she sits down next to Corrin and the two just remain sitting down relaxing and not saying anything yet. They'll continue to exchange words in due time like always but for now, this is alright. Little does Corrin know that this means more to Lilith than she could comprehend as its moments like these that the Astral Dragon wishes could last forever.

'Sister.' She mused to herself in total bliss.

---

"Hurry up already you slowpokes! We got to go!" Shouted the Black Bulls Anna who is rushing at her associates to speed things up. Within the current hideout of the Black Bulls thieves everyone is packing up what they can leave with great haste in their eyes as if something or someone has unnerved them enough to want to leave their own hideout, some of them even look scared. It's rare for even someone like an Anna to look this troubled so that must mean that whatever's happening must be quite serious and downright dangerous to waste time.

"Anna, what's going on?" The Anna who was once the vessel to Greed asked in confusion, exiting her assigned room upon hearing all the commotion outside. "It's rare to see the Black Bulls be this quick to act on anything. You're all usually so well coordinated."

"There are always exceptions, little sis and this is one of them, we need to leave as quickly as possible because we've been found." Black Bulls Anna said in a very serious tone.

"What?! The Nestrian Authorities actually caught us?!" The Damaged Anna gasped in disbelief.

"No, someone else or something else, we have no idea what's going on but our scouts haven't reported back as they were supposed to every hour or so and the guys we sent to check up on them didn't come back either so that can only mean that shit is about to go down and I'm not risking a fight happening with you here." Black Bulls Anna replied.

"What does Shura think of this?"

"This ain't exactly the kind of place you want to start a fight on, or else we risk the whole structure falling down on us." The Black Bulls leader said as he walks in on the conversation. "And whoever these guys are they're getting closer so we better go right this minute."

"But we still need more time to pack all the gold we hid in here." Black Bulls Anna argued.

"Forget the gold. Something tells me that whoever these guys are, they're not here for our riches." Shura brushed off their currency, causing Anna, the not mentally damaged one to gasps exasperatedly at his words.

"How dare you! Good sir, even make so much as a joke that we should leave behind all our wonderous gold behind to some maggots." Black Bulls Anna argued.

"Oh, there you go again with the gold whining. You know I'm a gold digger too but even I have standards which is more than I can say for you, so quit you're nonsense, ready your bow and let's take our comrades and your sister out of here before we get into a possible trouble we may not get out of in time!" Shura lectured.

"I so too have standards! More so than you, I'm just saying that…"

The bickering is put on halt as a loud crushing sound is made with a huge chunk of the manner they are in starts falling apart with the screams of some of Shura's men being heard as they become crush by the debris. They also hear the sounds of weapons clashing as the battle has already begun and it doesn't look so good for the Black Bulls.

"Son of a bitch!" Shura shouted in outraged as everyone prepares themselves for what comes next with the enemy getting closer by the minute. "Everybody fallback! We got to make a warp jump cause I do not like our odds fighting here."

"Easier said than done given how fast these guys are." Anna pointed out before another loud blast is heard with more of the structure falling apart. "This all feels way too forceful to be anyone but the Nestrian Authorities."

"Well we can tell that it's not them because the Nobles we've been dealing with have been genuine thus far in backing us up for their own benefits so I can safely say it's not them." Shura countered.

"Who is it then?" Anna asked before the enemy reveals themselves and to the shock of Shura and the horror of the Recovered Anna that these foes are in fact the same Veiled Soldiers that Envy controls.

"Oh… what the hell. Just what the hell is this rotten luck." Shura hissed frustrated over how dire the current situation really is. Despite how well he held his own against them back in Izumo, he felt a great unease the first time due to how intimidating and "dead" they feel and seeing these things in his turf only make him feel worse, though his current discomfort does not compare to that of his friend.

"Wow, these things sure are creepy. If they want to stay invisible they could at least try to use a more proficient invisibility spell." Black Bulls Anna said as she is getting a headache just by looking at them.

"No…" The Recovered Anna mumbled.

"They're appearance or lack there off are the least of our worries." Shura muttered.

"No… no… no… no…" The Recovered Anna begins to fall into a panic that her sister and Shura take notice. "Not again! Please, not again!"

"Anna, what's wrong?" Her sister asked, turning her back on the enemy to check on her and once she places her hands on her shoulder, said sister becomes even more frantic, absolute fear consuming and starts crying.

"NOT AGAIN! I WON'T GO BACK INTO THAT HELL! SHE'S COMING FOR ME!" She screamed in complete despair and convinced that Greed has come back to take her away.

"Anna, please!" Anna pleaded with her to stay calm, just as the Veiled Soldiers resume their assault to take them away.

---

Well that was certainly a dark way to end the year but the whole continent is metaphorically going to hell, such as the nature of war and I did bring up many times that all of Horus would be involved in one way or another and yes, I decided to put Fates and Three Houses in the same world together just to make said world feel bigger and there's plenty of land in said continent that was never shown so let's pretend that the rest of Corrin's world has Almyra and Fódlan from now on, and sure, there's the continent from Warriors to boot. I admit that I did not put enough attention to the bickering between the grieving Hoshidans and left it purposely short because there was so much I wanted to add and I decided to make it the minority. How did Owain claimed ownership of Ragnell and why is it described as beautiful and not rusted with cracks, I'll bring up another time, and just to point out, I really like Priam and wish he was a main character in Awakening. A Descendent of Ike fighting alongside Marth's Descendants? Soren fanboys aside, that is just fantastic and please don't get the wrong idea but I like to think Ike is straight and had children for Priam's sake at least. Anyway, that is it for now and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's. Stay tuned until 2020. No goodbyes please, I just won't be here for a while. Hopefully.