And so we return to the tale of the dragon and the fairies.

Just an update, I forgot that Mataras summoned Sinon into Ylisse with her black hair instead of her cyan hair color from GGO/ALO. I altered the first chapter to reflect this due to a specific name that Sinon is called in a later chapter. It makes more sense throughout the story, so I'm sorry to forget this little tidbit.

Almost four hours later, in Castle Krakenburg, Corrin was making his way to the arena where his father was waiting. Corrin had Sinon, Yuuki, and Aiko following him through the halls of the black castle, so he at least felt safe. Still, Corrin couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive about the atmosphere in the castle itself.

"I can't help but shake the feeling something monumental is going to happen."

Sinon stepped up beside him. "Do you think it's something bad?"

Corrin nodded. "Slightly. I just, I don't know, I have a bad feeling is all."

Aiko sighed in agreement. "Though I feel the same way, don't let the others see it. Stay confident and they'll never know the difference."

Corrin smiled. "Right."

When they entered the arena, they were greeted by familiar faces from the stands. Garon was sitting upon the main guest's seat, with Corrin's siblings on his right side, and Gunter on his left. Garon held a great axe in his hand, standing tall next to his chair, the base of which was lodged into the ground at his feet. Leo held Brynhildr in his hands and Xander had his sword Siegfried in its scabbard at his side. Camilla and Elise remained without a weapon, but Elise held a small Heal Staff in her hand. Gunter also was unarmed, but his reason was under strict orders. Garon had ordered the Gunter to stay out of the first trial and remain with Garon for the duration of it.

Garon frowned down at his sheltered son. "I see you made here safely, Corrin."

Corrin looked up at his father with a prideful smile. "Yes, father. Long have I wished to see you and visit Castle Krakenburg again. I feel like I'm dreaming…"

Garon cleared his throat. "It is only thanks to your diligence that you are here. I am told you are now a warrior almost on par with Xander. You finally possess the strength to be an instrument of Nohr's power in the world."

Elise twirled her staff around in her hands nervously. "But, father, will he be all right outside of the fortress?"

Camilla adopted a concerned frown. "I worry about him as well. Isn't it dangerous for Corrin to step outside the protective barrier?"

Corrin looked up at his sisters with a knowing smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I earned my way here and I'm ready for combat."

Garon held up his hand for silence from his daughters. "Corrin, as you know, Nohr is at war with the eastern kingdom of Hoshido."

Corrin nodded in reply. "Yes, Father. I have heard as much."

Garon continued on. "We of the royal family are descendants of the ancient gods, the First Dragons. As inheritors of that divine strength, we conquer those who oppose us with ease. One who learns to wield that power can destroy an entire army of common troops. Each of your siblings have already shown that they possess this power. I expect no less from you."

Corrin nodded. "I am aware of your lofty standards, Father. And I have trained every day to become more like my siblings."

Gunter chimed in when Garon looked to him. "I've overseen his progress myself."

Garon mulled over Corrin's response. "Hmm…you definitely show promise. But you will need the perfect weapon for serving Nohr."

Garon snapped his fingers. As he did so, a blade materialized before Corrin. The sword had a curved design with a rounded hilt and a curved handle. The blade itself was made of obsidian, with glowing purple cracks etched into it. A red eyeball was moving slightly from within the hilt. This sword was clearly something else that no one else had seen before.

Sinon felt the surge of magic flowing from the sword. "Powerful."

Corrin was amazed by the appearance of the blade. "Wow."

Garon continued on. "This is Ganglari, a sword forged from magic found in another realm. With this sword at your side, you will decimate the Hoshidan forces with little resistance."

Corrin took up the curved blade in his right hand. "Thank you, father. I will use this generous gift well."

Xander scratched his chin with intrigue. "Hmm… Generous indeed."

Garon looked back, unamused by his son's reaction. "Now, let us see you put this blade to its intended purpose." Garon looked past Corrin at the other end of the arena. "Bring out the prisoners!"

A guard stationed across the arena answered the command. "Yes, sire!"

Corrin was confused by this command. "Prisoners?"

Earlier, deep beneath Castle Krakenburg, six captured Hoshidans were locked away in the dungeons. All of them had something unique about them. The first was a ninja, clothed in black and green, with a purple scarf, a black headpiece, and green hair to match his attire. The second was an Oni Tribesman, who was dressed in white and black attire with red accents, white hair, and a red headpiece to signify her place in the Flame Tribe. The third was a samurai, dressed in the standard Hoshidan attire, his black headband having taken some damage while being captured. The fourth was almost identical to the other samurai, but his left hand was in a sling to feign a wound from combat. The fifth one was dressed in blue archer's clothes and had bright blue hair. The sixth was dressed in black and purple, similar to the samurai, but he had a little more armor to work with. They were Kaze, Rinkah, Jeddah, Konoko, Homura, and Hanaki, respectively.

Kaze was merely off in one corner of the cell, preparing himself for his inevitable death. Rinkah was trying and failing to keep calm in the atmosphere. Jeddah and Konoko were both staring out the window into the dark street nearby. The archer was snoozing in the corner while Hanaki was trying to wake her up. As all of them were trying to make the most of their time, they heard one noise everyone dreaded hearing: the opening of the main door to the dungeon.

Back in Garon's arena, the king had set up a small field for combat to test his son in. Above the field, a large chandelier was positioned to illuminate the battlefield. In front of Corrin and his retainers, Garon placed a large stone platform with a wall protecting its border and rubble scattered upon it. Corrin held Ganglari the same way he did his practice blade, standing beside Yuuki and Aiko, who held their signature Levin Swords in one hand and Steel Swords in the other. Sinon stood behind them with Galesbane in hand and aimed across the arena. All four of them were to be tested for Corrin's first trial, more so to test Corrin's skill with his sword and his commands in combat.

Across the arena, Corrin could see five prisoners being lead out from the gate behind them. Each of them were armed, but only with certain weapons. The two samurai were wielding standard-grade katana, the ninja held a stash of shurikens, the Oni Savage held a brass club, the archer held a standard iron bow, and the swordmaster, based on his extra defense, was wielding another standard grade katana. Corrin didn't see this as strange, but their attire was certainly foreign.

The Oni Savage was the first to speak. "I am Rinkah of the Flame Tribe. Who are you to face us in battle?"

Corrin replied promptly. "I am Prince Corrin of the Nohrian Family."

The ninja and the swordmaster both looked at each other. "Could it be…" the ninja asked.

"The one and only," the swordmaster replied.

Corrin looked at them in confusion. "Is something wrong?"

The ninja merely shook his head. "I am Kaze, a ninja of Hoshido. Show me your strength and your talent on the battlefield."

Garon's order echoed throughout the chambers. "KILL THEM ALL!"

At his words, Corrin felt a strange sensation coming from just ahead of him. "Is that…"

Sinon looked over to him curiously. "Is there something wrong, Milord?"

Corrin shook his head. "I can sense a pulse of power coming from the ground ahead of us, right in front of the defensive platform."

Yuuki nodded in response. "I would suggest trusting your instincts here."

As Yuuki finished saying this, Corrin stepped forward swiftly, before raising his left hand where he felt the emanating power. A bright yellow flame burst forth from his hand before enveloping the rubble on the platform. The Flame vanished to reveal the rubble had been removed and a healing segment was in its place.

Aiko seemed to be in shock. "Incredible. You cleared our path of the debris."

Sinon cleared her throat quickly. "If you're finished here, let's focus on the battle. This isn't training anymore, so our fight is for our lives."

Yuuki nodded. "Right!"

All four of them took cover behind the fortified wall on the restorative tiles. Corrin held his ground on one side while the twins were watching the other. Sinon decided to try something unheard of by the Nohrian Royal Family. She reached into her quiver, pulled out an arrow with a claw head and a rope attached to it, aimed the arrow at the chandelier, and loosed it into the air. The arrow wrapped its claw around a segment, giving Sinon a steady grappling point to hang from. Feeding the other end of the rope into a pulley system at her belt, she cranked it, hoisting herself swiftly upward until she hung from the chandelier, giving her a vantage point for sniping.

Garon noticed this immediately. "What is she planning?"

Gunter answered his questioning. "Sinon prefers to get a superior vantage point, no matter how she gets it. For her to use such a tactic now is slightly astonishing."

Garon smirked. "She definitely has drive, I'll grant you that."

Sinon didn't reach for another arrow, but instead returned her grapple arrow to the quiver and dropped down to the ground. By rolling away from the fortified structure, Sinon gained an advantage in range as one of the two samurai turned back to close the distance between them. Instead of knocking an arrow from her quiver, Sinon pulled back the string on her bow and an arrow of fire formed in her fingertips. Releasing it, Sinon sent it flying into the shoulder of the first samurai, Konoko, and knock him back from the impact. When Konoko hit the ground, his head hit it hard and he lost consciousness. Homura began an offensive by unleashing two arrows, but Sinon dodged them and returned a lightning-based arrow. Their exchange became a competition between the two with both of them dodge-rolling and trying to evade the other's arrows.

Corrin and the twins, however, were busy with a three-man offensive against their two-point defense. Corrin was able to hold off Rinkah until now, but it was at this point that she began taunting him.

"Your strength is fading, Prince. You may be royalty, but I have the upper hand."

Corrin smirked. "How do you figure?"

Rinkah was slightly taken aback by his counter taunt, giving Corrin a small opening. Corrin managed to flick his sword underneath Rinkah's club hand and flicked it away. Corrin then smacked the flat of his sword into Rinkah's chest, knocking her backward where she lay helpless and unarmed. With Rinkah down, Corrin swept in for another disarming move on Jeddah in the hopes that he could end the battle sooner.

Yuuki and Aiko, on the other hand, were twisting in and out between the ninja and swordmaster. Kaze was trying his best to damage them with his shuriken, but before he could get in a hit, one twin would deflect his shuriken while the other would switch to attack the swordmaster. The cycle continued for a moment, but Yuuki finally zapped Hanaki, who dropped his sword in surprise and pain. Aiko swiftly knocked him out with a quick kick to the head as Yuuki pulled Kaze into a choke hold. With Kaze being the only one left, he stabbed one of his shurikens into Yuuki's leg. She promptly flipped him over her, sending him tumbling into Rinkah, but her strength felt slightly weaker by comparison.

"What's happening to my strength?" Yuuki stumbled.

Thankfully, Sinon had neutralized the archer and Yuuki was able to shake off the weakened feeling almost immediately. Sinon quickly rejoined the group as Corrin held his blade towards Rinkah and Kaze, who were struggling to stand.

Garon chuckled and began slowly clapping at the results. "Impressive. You are definitely worthy of being a part of the Royal Family." He frowned at the prisoners. "Now execute them."

Corrin was caught off-guard by this. "Father?"

Garon grew slightly enraged by his son's question. "I gave you an order! Kill them!"

Corrin lowered his sword. "Father. They're beaten, battered, four of them are broken. Isn't that punishment enough?"

Garon stood up from his chair, launching a fireball from his hand at Corrin. Corrin swiftly blocked it with Ganglari, but the blast made him buckle slightly. Aiko looked over at Kaze and Rinkah with concern. Before anyone else could act, Xander swiftly stepped towards them.

"Get back, Corrin." Xander demanded, drawing Siegfried. "If you won't do the deed yourself, then stand aside."

Corrin simply held Ganglari defensively. "Not on your life, Xander!"

Leo heard Camilla and Elise begging him to do something. "Ugh, fine. I guess it's my turn."

With a swift motion, Leo sent a spell from Brynhildr that took out Kaze and Rinkah. The three fairies held their breath, not wanting Corrin to be on Garon's bad side. Xander sheathed Siegfried and stepped away from his younger brother.

Leo made a short bow directed at Garon. "The Hoshidans have been disposed of, Father. I beg that you be merciful toward your punishment of Corrin."

Garon calmed down slightly, pulling his axe from the ground. "I shall withhold punishment until I can set about your next task, Corrin. As for me, I have had enough of the shoddy display here." With that, the king left the room, leaving the royals to discuss the events that happened.

"Leo!" Corrin outburst. "There was no reason to kill them."

Leo smirked at the unknowing prince. "Exactly. So don't say anything else."

Sinon, at this time, had checked on their pulses. "Should we take them to your quarters, Lord Xander?"

Xander nodded. "Gunter, if you would help her that would be appreciated."

Gunter made his way over and picked up the ninja. "We must go swiftly, Sinon."

Sinon agreed. "I'm right behind you."

Corrin looked back at Leo, who still had his smug smirk plastered across his face. "Wait, that spell. Was that-"

"A knockout spell?" Leo answered. "No, but it serves the same purpose. I only sapped their strength and knocked them out by exhaustion."

Xander looked sternly at Corrin. "Don't let your own morals get in the way of fulfilling Father's task. He may be cruel, but there are ways around his commands to better suit your needs." With this, he turned to face the twins. "Keep him in check if need be, please."

Yuuki nodded. "I've got my eye on him."

Camilla put on a small pouty face. "Your kindness is cute, Corrin, but that doesn't mean it's always the best way."

Corrin nodded. "I appreciate the sympathy, sister, but if I die while showing mercy, I will die without regrets."

Leo shook his head. "This time, I was only swayed by Camilla and Elise. They'd be upset for weeks if you became upset over this."

Corrin relaxed his shoulders. "Thank you, Leo. I owe you one."

Leo frowned. "Then we will never speak of my collar this morning."

Elise smiled brightly. "Too late! Already saw it, brother!"

Camilla frowned. "I doubt we've heard the last of this. Father never forgets a slight."

Later that evening, Sinon and Corrin were out in the courtyard, sending Kaze and Rinkah off into the night for their escape.

Sinon looked at the Hoshidans in concern. "It's only by Prince Corrin's grace that you two are allowed to return to Hoshido. My advice is to return quickly and remain out of sight."

Kaze said nothing, but quickly took off. Rinkah, however, lingered briefly out of spite. "I am not a hostage to be returned home on my own. You said your name was 'Corrin'? Well then, when next we meet, it shall be as enemies."

Corrin shook his head. "I was hoping that the next time, we might meet as friends."

Rinkah growled slightly. "Softhearted fool! You do not know the implications of which you speak. I am a warrior of Hoshido and you are a Prince of Nohr. We're sworn enemies by our homelands!"

Sinon shrugged. "Hoshido and Nohr may be at war now, but I can speak for milord when I say that we both hope for peace between the two nations."

Rinkah smirked. "I have heard there was a sheltered Prince of Nohr. While I have proof of them now, I had no idea his retainers may also be just as sheltered."

Sinon frowned. "I've seen more than milord has, both on and off of the battlefield. I know that people have the capacity for change, both for good and for evil."

Rinkah looked thoughtfully at the archer. "You're sure of your knowledge, that's for sure." The Oni Savage smiled slightly at her. "Perhaps we will meet as friends later on. I just hope that it isn't on the battlefield when we meet next. If it is, then by that time the world will have taught you the error of your ways."

With that, Rinkah sprinted off after Kaze. "My Lord," Sinon asked. "Do you truly wish to travel this path? I understand your morals are aligned this way, but there may be another road for you to take that results in a more peaceful solution."

Corrin shook his head. "This is the only path I can think of, but if we remain focused on our tasks and try to spare our enemies of horrifying loss, we may find either another path or at least can take solace in our actions to spare in the midst of terror."

Sinon smiled at him. "I admire your resolve, Lord Corrin. Whatever path you lead, I'll follow you until the end."

Corrin returned the smile. "Thank you, Sinon. I know you won't be the only one."

Almost five miles away from them, Kaze and Rinkah kept up their pace through the forest. Kaze had something on his mind for quite some time, but he felt that now that they were out of earshot of the capital, they might be able to discuss it openly.

"Rinkah," the ninja began, causing their pace to slow down slightly. "Do you remember the name of the Prince who released us?"

Rinkah nodded. "Yeah. He said his name was Corrin. Why?"

Kaze scratched his chin. "My thoughts are on another individual, but this one from the Hoshidan Royal Family."

"Who exactly?"

"Do you remember the name of the kidnapped prince from nearly fifteen years ago?"

Rinkah nodded again. "Of course. His name was…. Wait!"

Kaze frowned. "My thoughts exactly."

Sinon: I guess that wraps this up.

Yuuki: Oh no you don't! You're going to explain what that thing in the arena was.

N-Sight: Okay, I'll explain this briefly. Firstly, all three of you have personal skills, like other characters from Fates, and will have special weapons, even if you don't have one now. Sinon has revealed her weapon, but not her skill.

Sinon: If I remember correctly, my bow has something unique about it?

N-Sight: Yes. While it has a Might of 9, it can only be used by you, has a range of 1-5, and can shoot physical arrows or ones made of fire.

Yuuki: OOH! Are we going over our skills now?

N-Sight: Not yet. None of these skills appear for a couple of chapters. Yuuki's is coming up the soonest out of them.

Aiko: I'll keep my eye out for it.

Sinon: So will I.