Haha... I'm sorry for the delay with this chapter, I know I've kept some people waiting. I've been having troubles with my mental health and other than that, I've just been working a crap ton because I'm basically the only person available to open 4 out of 5 days a week.

...Wyatt, you're making excuses, just write the damn chapter.

To Andromeda, Jax Smallbine, and Guest, here I am with the update!

Kneeling next to the unconscious prince, Sakura sighed. "I-it seems like he just passed out d-due to exhaustion. His arm isn't c-completely healed either..."

"So he rushed here from the Woods of the Forlorn without stopping for rest?" Corrin crouched down beside his little sister to look at Teale's unruly appearance. Dirt and dried blood had dried on multiple parts of his face, while his hair was slightly flattened from and sweat and the lack of grooming.

"Y-yes."

Corrin sighed, looking at Hinoka. "Do you think your pegasus could carry him for a little while? I'm sure that after Elise and Sakura heal him, he'll wake up within the hour. We need to keep moving. Felicia, if we come across any enemies, I need you to stay near Teale and protect him until he wakes up."

Both maid and pegasus knight nodded before jumping into action. Before they could move the prince, both princesses concentrated on fixing the damage done to his right arm and any fatigue that might have been present. Once they stepped back, Corrin heaved Teale up from the ground, Hinoka helping her brother place the Nohrian prince on he pegasus as she opted to walk, leading he steed with the reigns. Within no time, Corrin's army was marching once again through the tunnels under the castle.

Corrin breathed out, wiping sweat from his brow. "Whew... this passage just keeps on going, doesn't it? I'm beginning to worry that we made a wrong turn somewhere..."

"Believe it or not, I actually remember this part of the tunnel. So I think we're getting close."

"That's reassuring. Thank you, Azura. Although... this looks an awful lot like a dead end."

The blue haired princess shook her head. "No, look. There are stairs on one side. You just can't see them from this angle. The exit must be at the top."

"So. The heart of the Nohrian power is just above us. Perhaps a few of us should take a quick look. It might be reckless for all of us to burst into the palace at once..."

"Good idea. We're with you, Corrin."

Walking forward, Corrin shook his head. "Here goes nothing..." Coming up the stairs, Azura, Ryoma, and Corrin entered into an unfamiliar room, the sounds of swords clashing echoing.

"This isn't the throne room... Where are we?"

"It looks like a training facility. These soldiers are being put through their paces." Ryoma explained while he looked around.

"Well, at least we're in the castle." Corrin noted.

Ryoma nodded. "Yes. But of all the places the tunnel could have led... We're surrounded by Nohr's most elite soldiers!"

"Gods! Maybe they haven't noticed us yet. We should keep quiet..."

"Look, someone's coming!" Ryoma pointed out a figure entering the large training room.

"What are you idiots doing? This is a FULL CONTACT exercise! I want to see real blood! Get after it!"

"Yes, sir!"

Corrin's eyes widened. "That's Hans! It seems like Garon must have given him a promotion..."

"Yes. If I had to guess, he's in charge of this entire group."

"I'm not a vengeful person... but he killed Gunter right in front of me. I'd sure like to avenge his death."

"Well, well! What do we have here?" The three turned around to see a soldier in their full armor. "Captain Hans! Some intruders are hiding behind the statue!"

Hans grinned. "Great! Drag 'em out here- we'll use 'em for target practice. Wait..." As he looked at the intruders, the smile was replaced with a frown. "that's Corrin!"

The soldiers and their captain surrounded Corrin's small army quickly as Hans stared them down. "Hello, Hans." Corrin said plainly, a hand resting on his sword.

"How the hell did you get in here?" The bald man asked.

"I have nothing to say to a coward like you. I'd rather let Noble Yato do the talking."

Hans let out a loud laugh. "You'd threaten me in front of my own battalion? Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. Rip 'em apart, soldiers!"

Soldiers ran forward with weapons in their hands while they yelled. Within just a few moments, Nohrian soldiers started to fall like flies.

"Are all your soldiers this poorly trained, Hans? What will Garon think?"

Hans clicked his teeth in irritation. "Damn it... Don't be afraid of this pathetic child, soldiers! He's all talk! Sacrifice yourselves if need be. For King Garon's glory!"

"But, Captain..." A random soldier started to protest.

"What was that? Please, speak up, and I'll relay your comments to King Garon! I'm sure he'll be sympathetic to you and your family. Now SHUT UP and KILL THE INTRUDERS!" Listening to their captain, soldiers once again started to attack Azura, Ryoma, and Corrin.

As Corrin breathed heavily, Hans laughed at the princes and princess in front of him. "There's that pathetic crying baby I remember. Don't let up, soldiers! We've got him right where we want him."

"I'll show you who's pathetic." Corrin said as he glared at Hans.

"Ooh, look who learned to talk like a real soldier! We'll, you're not the only one who's gotten stronger. I'm King Garon's newest captain. Let me show you how I got my promotion." Hans bellowed as he lunged forward to Corrin, intending on striking the boy.

"Corrin, look out!" Ryoma yelled out.

Within the blink of an eye, something red and blue had lept in front of Corrin, blocking the axe from it's intended target. Corrin's eyes widened as he noticed what, or who, the object was as they fell onto the ground, not moving.

"Lilith! NO! Talk to me, Lilith!" When she didn't respond, Corrin growled in anger.

"Stupid bird! I'd have had him..." Hans shook his head. "Never mind. I won't miss again. I'll have your head off with the next swing- count on it!"

"You'll pay for this, Hans..." Corrin stated lowly, before he bared his teeth. "I'll kill you with my own two hands!"

I woke up to the sounds of steel clashing together. Forcing myself to open my eyes, I was greeted to the sight of the training facility in the castle, with multiple Nohrian soldiers already motionless on the ground. I pushed myself off the wall someone had leaned me on, scratching my head. When did I...?

"Stand down, Nohrians! Your captain has been defeated!" I looked up to see Ryoma standing with his arms crossed, talking to any remaining soldiers. "Drop your weapons, and your lives will be spared."

Soft murmurs from the soldiers erupted, as the tried to decide whether or not to continue fighting. One by one, weapons dropped to the ground.

"It looks like they're giving up." Takumi speculated.

"Good. Then we're done here."

Hinoka jogged over to her brothers. "Guys, we've got a problem. Lilith took quite a shot..."

"Gods, no..." Following their line of gaze, my eyes widened as I saw Corrin, Elise, and Sakura kneeling by a red and blue creature.

"Lilith... please open your eyes. Hans is dead, we finally got him." No response. "Please... You have to be okay!"

"She's too far gone for my rod to work. I don't think I can save her, Corrin..." Sakura quietly said.

"What?! No!"

Elise shook her head. "My staff isn't helping either. What do we do?"

"This can't be happening..." Tears started to fall from Corrin's face before a light shone in front of him, the maid Lilith now taking the place of the creature. "Lilith! You're... you're human again!"

Lilith coughed harshly before speaking. "Only for a moment, it seems... The Astral Dragon Moro has taken pity on me. It's giving me the strength to return to this form for my last few breaths..."

"Please don't say that! You're not going to die. You can't! Please! Stay with us!" I sighed lightly, quietly walking over to Corrin.

"I'm sorry, milord, but I'm not long for this world. Please don't cry. I decided to give my life for you, and I'm happy I succeeded. After all, you already saved my life once. This just makes us even. I die with no regrets."

"But... we could end the war today! You could live in a peaceful world... Don't give up!"

As I stood silently behind my brother, Lilith smiled. "It's okay, Lord Corrin. I know how far we've come. And I know you will succeed. I can die happy, remembering our time together and the progress we've made. Lord Corrin... be brave and go on without me." Lilith's eyes slowly closed before her body went limp in Corrin's arms, a smile on her face as if she was peacefully sleeping.

"Lilith... no. No..." Corrin wailed as he clutched the blue haired girl in his arms. I pressed my lips together, placing a hand on his shoulder for comfort.

"Lilith... This can't be happening..."

"I'm so sorry... I couldn't s-save you..." Sakura and Elise quietly cried beside their brother.

Corrin shook his head. "What are we even fighting for? Is it worth it?"

"Look up, Corrin." Ryoma softly ordered, causing everyone to look at him.

"Ryoma?"

"Dry your tears. Think about Lilith's sacrifice. She gave her life so you could continue fighting. And what are we fighting for? We are fighting for peace! We are fighting for Queen Mikoto and for the whole world! Do you think Lilith would want you to give up like this?"

Corrin only groaned in response, urging Ryoma to continue. "Listen. It is time for you to rise to the occasion. If we want to end this war, now is the time for us to take action!"

"I'm just so tired. Tired of loss. Tired of death." Corrin sobbed, his words barely understandable.

"There will be a time for rest. But that time is not now. Rise up! The sacred blade Yato chose YOU, Corrin. We're all counting on you!"

I looked down at my little brother as he was silent for a moment before he quietly sighed. "You're right. I know you're right. I will not stop until King Garon's reign of terror is over. Let's go, everyone."

"That's the spirit." I muttered, softly shaking his shoulder as he stood up.

"Father's room is this way, Corrin. Please promise you'll try talking first." Elise looked up at our brother with her teary yet determined eyes.

"I will." Corrin was silent for a moment before he smiled. "Thank you, Lilith. And good bye for now.

Sighing, I looked up towards the sky as soft flakes of snow fell down, as if the gods themselves were crying for the loss of Lilith.

I am once again very sorry for the long delay and the short chapter, I wasn't really motivated to write anything for a little bit and my mental health has been everywhere; and I thought that this would be a good point to stop, since Lilith's death was really sad to me and I can make you guys wait in suspense(but hopefully not for anymore than a month...). And for my mental health, I'm sure I need to go back to my psychiatrist because my moods have been running wild, honestly.

I'll try not to make anymore excuses for not writing, and I'll try my best to continue this story so we can move onto Conquest!