A few things:

The canonical ages of the Characters CANNOT work with a modern war story.

This chapter gets darker towards the end. Skip "North Fortress Bar" if you want to avoid that section.

[North Fortress Grounds: 18:30]

A beautiful woman entered the courtyard, accompanied by two bodyguards. She was an elegant woman of above-average height and long blonde hair.

Marth dropped to a knee as she entered the courtyard.

"At ease," she said. Marth stood, and they exchanged handshakes.

"Prince Marth… At long last. I am Nyna of House Archanea. My country's burden is to protect the world of crisis- a duty I have striven to fulfill. But Dolhr has laid waste to my kingdom, and now I find myself powerless to stop the world from falling into ruin. Marth… Please, pick up the banner where I have let it fall. Lead your might against Dolhr, and free us all."

"Of course, Princess Nyna. Altea swore fealty to Archanea long ago, a vow we have always kept. And, as you know, it is in my blood – House Altea's blood – to destroy Medeus just as Anri did before me."

"Thank you, Marth. Then let me give you this. This crest is called the Fire Emblem. House Archanea bestows it only upon a true champion, one we believe has the power to save the world. With it, you gain the right to open treasure chests across the land and wield the precious items within. I know you will use them well. Never give up, Marth. Fight, until the day you restore light to our world."

Caeda said those exact same words to me, Marth thought. It must be by my hand this terror is silenced.

[North Fortress Meeting Room: 19:30]

"Princess Caeda?" Nyna asked.

"Ah! M-my lady! Sorry, you startled me," Caeda said. She jumped to her feet and took a knee.

"Ah, relax you," She said. Caeda stood. "My kingdom is no more…" she trailed off. "Besides, you're a princess as well. May I come in?"

"Yes! Of course. Please," Caeda replied. She pulled a chair for the older princess.

"I've heard many things about you," Nyna said, taking a seat. "And I wanted to meet you myself. I heard so much about a beautiful princess who was a fierce pilot with skills that rivaled or surpassed the best of the Macedonian Air Force! My, you're even more beautiful in person!"

"P-princess Nyna, you're too kind. You surpass me greatly in beauty," she blushed.

"And you're Marth's right hand," Nyna mused. "You really are something, Princess Caeda."

"We grew up together, Princess Nyna. When he was in the military school, he came to Talys every summer to shadow the Air Force," she explained. "We're very close because I started Flight School at the same time."

Nyna nodded.

"Naturally, when Altea fell, we took them in," she continued. "and he means the world to me."

"I see… Well, with all that time together, you must love him very much. Are you betrothed?"

"I-" she stammered. She shook her head.

Nyna laughed. "He certainly is charming. Quite handsome too!"

Caeda only turned redder. "Umm…" she said.

This only made Nyna laugh harder. When she settled, she looked at the screen in the conference room.

"Oooh… what's this?" She asked.

"A topo-map of the next battlefield. Red's my no-fly. The greyish box is the kill zone," she sighed. "Thank God for warrant officers." She dragged the map around to show Nyna, explaining different parts and markings as she got to them.

"Oh! So you're busy right now!" Nyna exclaimed. "I'm so, so sorry!"

"No, you're fine! I like being distracted from time to time," she assured her.

"No, I really shouldn't be bothering you," Nyna insisted. "Thank you for your time, Princess Caeda. You're every bit as strong and sweet as I've heard."

"And you're every bit as elegant as I imagined," Caeda said, smiling.

"Caeda?"

"Yes?"

"Don't let him go," she winked and went off to her next appointment.

[North Fortress Bar: 00:30 the next day]

"Damn. You're sure drinking a lot," Abel commented as he slid next to his friend. "Especially by your standard."

"Oh, it's you," Cain said. "Why are you awake?"

"Recon means we actually have to walk. I'm still jittery," Abel said. Cain rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, why the long face?" Abel laughed. "Don't you miss me?"

Cain shook his head. Abel apparently got the memo and stopped laughing.

"Ah, I'm sorry man," Cain apologized. He wiped his mouth. "I do miss the good ole' days. Back when we were in Troop Leader Course together. Remember that?"

Abel smiled. "Yeah, I remember. I remember when you first got your riding boots."

Cain took another drink. "I try not to remember that."

Abel began laughing again.

"Damn," Cain said, looking at the bottle. "This is strong." He offered the bottle to Abel, who, after some urging from Cain, poured himself a glass as well.

"I'm only doing this for you, man," Abel commented.

"Ah, shut up," Cain snapped back. "Mr. 'I blacked out during the Royal Invite' apparently doesn't like drinking now?"

"D-don't remind me," Abel responded. Cain laughed and shook his head. Still amused, he raised his glass, and Abel toasted him.

They were silent for a moment. Abel sipped from his glass with Cain.

"Odd thinking we're both here," Abel said.

"Nah, not at all. I always knew you had it in you," Cain replied. "Ever since you offered to help me ace my classes in the academy. And when you helped me with that one project?"

"You were almost there, brother," Abel insisted. "I really didn't do much."

"Ah come now, you can't lie to me like that," Cain insisted.

They were silent again. Cain got up from the bar.

"I can sleep now," he said, turning to leave. He wobbled a bit and walked into a table.

Abel gave him a look. Cain glanced back at him and sighed.

"You know you can talk about it with me, right?" Abel said.

"Yeah," Cain replied. "But I don't want to."

"You can't possibly carry this burden alone," Abel insisted.

"I have been for the past few years," Cain retorted.

Abel sighed. "Whatever, man. I'm serious that I'm here if you need me."

Cain forced a smile. "Thanks," he said. He turned slightly away now. "It's been hard, man…" he started. "Surviving is a real pain in the ass…" He said trailing off.

"Yeah, man," Abel said. "I can imagine." He shifted awkwardly in his seat. Cain stumbled again and swore under his breath.

Abel put his arm around his best friend's shoulder. "Come on, let me walk you back. You don't look so good."