Can I just say that you guys are amazing? You are! You've helped me keep up with this story and keep writing onward without hesitation. I'm hoping these weekly releases can continue, so I'll do my best to set aside time for this.

All of that aside, I've pre-determined the path this story will take and(not really a spoiler if you read Fire Sword by Mataras) it's going to be the Revelation Path. I know, cliche, right? Well, I've got a slight twist to it that'll make this a fresh take on the story in the Fanfiction Community.

Laslow and Sinon were off in their own segment of the dining table reserved for royals and their retainers. While the other royals had already eaten and left, these two had lingered a little bit for different reasons. Sinon needed some time to think and let Corrin go on ahead of her with the twins. Laslow saw Sinon's expression all throughout lunch and was concerned for her well being. Sinon finally stood up and exited the room, with Laslow following to try and console her in any way he could. The two walked for a moment, with Sinon at least acknowledging his presence with a nod, but no verbal communication as they stepped through the silent halls.

After nothing was said for a moment, Laslow finally voiced his concerns. "Is something wrong?"

Sinon shook her head. "Nothing I can't handle."

Laslow wasn't buying it. "I can tell you're not the most cheery lass of the crew right now, but you never really were. However, your attitude took a small dive over the past couple of days."

Sinon sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I've been thinking about what Corrin said."

Laslow raised his eyebrow. "What did he say two nights ago?"

Sinon knew he wouldn't remember. "Not something that recent." She took a deep breath. "You remember what he said when he helped us defeat Grima in Ylisse?"

Laslow was shocked by her openness about this topic. "I thought we swore not to speak of that due to the curse!"

Sinon held up her hand. "But that was only concerning the event from one year ago. I'm talking about back home when he said that he helped Chrom once before then."

Laslow nodded. "That makes some sense, but surely this can't be the only thing on your mind."

Sinon gave him a thumbs up. "You'd be right to assume this. It was his Hoshidan brother, Prince Takumi, who said something that surprised me."

Laslow smiled. "He didn't propose to you, did he?"

Sinon frowned. "No, but he did know my name." She reached up and held her left hand to her chin. "The only question is, how did he know it when no one else told him?"

Laslow placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'd say we'll find out eventually. There isn't much for us to go on, but I'd like to say that you'll be brought into Hoshido at some point. Who knows? You may even meet him yourself."

Sinon smiled at him. "You know, you're right. Thanks, Laslow. Perhaps you are more kind hearted than the womanizer you claim to be."

Laslow felt his heart metaphorically crumple in his chest. "Oh, even in your own pain your disdain for my character knows no bounds."

Sinon chuckled a little. "I guess you're just the easiest of us to pick on."

At this moment, Yuuki rushed around the corner, knocking both her, Sinon, and Laslow to the floor from the impact. "Ouch!"

Sinon coughed from the slight pain in her chest. "Ugh. Karma's a jerk!"

Laslow looked a little dazed. "Well, at least we're the only three who saw this endeavor."

Yuuki quickly stood up, pulling up Sinon in the process. "Thank goodness I found you. Corrin needs us to get ready to go."

Sinon frowned at her. "Wait, go? Go where?"

Yuuki smirked. "King Garon gave him another mission to make up for his earlier outburst in the arena." It was then that she noticed a flattened Laslow. "Oh, hey Flirty!"

Laslow groaned. "I know I deserve that, but you're heartless for bringing it up again."

Yuuki giggled. "Maybe you should put more time into your training than your flirting endeavors." She turned back to Sinon. "Anyway, Gunter says we don't have much time before we leave for the Bottomless Canyon."

Sinon shook her head. "Wait, the Bottomless Canyon? We're really going there?"

Yuuki nodded. "Yeah! Grab your gear! We're heading out soon!"

Nearly two hours later, Corrin, Sinon, Yuuki, Aiko, Gunter, Lilith, and Hans(a companion that Garon had sent with them) finally reached the Nohrian side of the Bottomless Canyon. Sinon had been informed of the mission itself: observe the state of the fort on the other side of the chasm and report back. There wouldn't be any fighting required for the mission. In front of them, two bridges stretched out between them with a large plateau connecting them together. They'd have to cross both bridges to reach the other side.

As they stepped onto the first bridge, Corrin couldn't see their destination at first. "Does anyone have an eye on the fort?"

Sinon peered across the canyon. "Lord Corrin. I see it at the southern end of the eastern side."

Gunter nodded. "Indeed it is. We need only observe the fort itself and report back."

Corrin stopped near the end of the bridge and looked down into the canyon. "Does this really never have an end to it?"

Yuuki looked down alongside him. "From what I've heard, no one's ever returned from the depths once they fall in. I'd certainly believe it."

Aiko winced at lightning crackled across the sky. "And the lightning is everpresent. The only way to cross is by the bridges or by sea at another location."

Corrin nodded. "It's not so bad, but I guess I'm just happy to be out and about out of the Castle and the Fortress."

Yuuki shrugged. "That certainly puts things in perspective." She motioned for them to move across the bridge. "Come on! That fort won't check itself out."

Before anyone could step off of the first bridge, a voice called out to them in anger from the Hoshidan side. "Halt! Don't take another step, Nohrians!"

Almost immediately, two Hoshidan Samurai rushed across the other bridge and blocked the path to it. Although the rocky terrain they stood upon stretched farther south, the only bridge to the Hoshidan side was blocked off by the two Samurai.

Lilith fiddled with her knife nervously. "Looks like the fort wasn't abandoned like King Garon said."

A ninja stepped out of the fort with two more in tow. "Crossing that bridge is a violation of our border treaty!" he called out. "Turn back now or be killed on contact!"

Aiko looked over her shoulder at Corrin. "Well, what now?"

Corrin shook his head. "We're not here to fight. Let's just head back while we still can."

Hans, the axe-wielder that Garon sent with them, rushed past them. "Screw that!"

Sinon held her arm out. "Try anything and I'll shoot you in the knee and leave you here."

Hans chuckled. "Just try me!"

Hans leaped over them, landing in front of the two Samurai, and slashed one of them across their chest, hurtling the body into the canyon. "HA! Die, scumbags!"

Corrin glared at him. "What the hell, Hans?! We had no reason to attack them!"

Hans smacked the second backward across the bridge. "Speak for yourself, weakling."

The lead ninja called out to his men. "Soldiers of Hoshido! Battle stations! Don't leave a single Nohrian alive!"

Sinon drew her bow. "Weapons out guys. Looks like we're fighting after all."

Corrin held Ganglari steady. "I just wish we could've tried diplomacy first."

Yuuki nodded. "We'll do what we can, but I doubt Hans is thinking with his right mind."

Gunter nodded. "They have that bridge completely closed off on their side. We'll need another route across."

Sinon looked south of them towards the edge of the central plateau. She spotted something familiar, but she couldn't tell what it was. She noticed that it had a faint, golden glow to it.

"Hey!" She pointed towards the light on the ground. "Is that what I think it is?"

Corrin looked to where she was pointing. "If you see a Dragon Vein, then yes it is."

Yuuki immediately dashed forward, kicking Hans across the shoulder blade and knocking him halfway across the bridge. "Head that way. We'll get there quicker."

Hans was angered by her swift kick. "Like I'd listen to the likes of you, idiot!"

Aiko shook her head. "You tried to warn him."

Lilith held her knife close. "I'll stay close by, but I'm not that good at fighting."

Sinon pulled back the string on her bow. "I'll cover for you, then. Don't worry about falling behind."

Corrin rushed forward and placed his hand on the ground near the Dragon Vein's point of activation. As he did this, the earth beneath his feet began shifting, forming a solid stone bridge from the central plateau to the Hoshidan Fort. The ninja on the other side, Omozu, gasped in shock.

"No way!" he shouted in awe and fear. "Just who are we dealing with here?"

Hans was barely able to see what Corrin did. "So, Garon wants him offed? I'll lay low instead of killing these chumps."

With the completion of the bridge itself, Yuuki and Aiko rushed forward. Corrin and Gunter kept close on their heels until they heard a slight flap of wings from behind them. From the south, four riders on pegasi were flying close to the ground, headed for Sinon and Lilith's position. At this, Corrin turned back immediately.

"I'm on my way!" he shouted towards them. "Hold on you two!"

Sinon drew back a fire arrow and shot it skyward. "Corrin, I've got this! Stay with Gunter!"

Corrin was taken aback by her actions, but he shook off his doubt in her decision and hurried after his other tenants. Sinon drew two more fire arrows and fired them towards the encroaching Pegasi Knights. One arrow struck the first Pegasi's wing, sending the rider and mount veering off to the Hoshidan side of the canyon. The second narrowly missed both riders, spooking the Pegasi and sending them upward into the sky. As a result of flying too high, both riders were struck by a large lightning bolt.

Corrin subconsciously let out a low whistle. "She's good."

Gunter cleared his throat. "If you are finished gawking at your own retainer, I'd suggest you remain focused on the battle, sire. I will not say it again."

Corrin shook his head. "Right! Let's go!"

Gunter raised his shield to block a shuriken. "It looks like the twins saved the leader for you."

Sure enough, Yuuki and Aiko left Omozu open for Corrin to deal with. Corrin twirled Ganglari in his hand before rushing forward. Omozu threw two shuriken at the sprinting Lord before rushing towards him. Corrin deflected the first shuriken, dodged the second, and barely managed to block Omozu's flying kick as they clashed. Omozu followed up with two shurikens towards Corrin's feet, but the nimble lord flipped backward, gaining some distance.

"Foolish Nohrian scum!" Omozu shouted in anger. "Do you realize what you've done here today? Hoshido won't stand for such unprovoked acts of aggression. Revenge will be ours!"

Corrin glared at the ninja. "No. Vengeance will be theirs!"

With that, Corrin launched himself at Omozu, slashing with Ganglari at the opponent's arm. Omozu wasn't able to dodge it completely, receiving a massive gash on his lower arm, rendering him unable to throw his weapon. Corrin seized the opportunity and kicked Omozu away from the canyon, where the force of his impact knocked the ninja out cold.

With Omozu out cold, the Hoshidan guard began to retreat, but slowly and carefully. Once Corrin noticed their actions, he called for Yuuki and Aiko to take point at the fort. Sinon and Lilith had managed to catch up with them by now and Corrin was currently examining the fort itself for evaluation.

"Well," he sighed. "It looks like it's been through hell, but at least it could function for a while."

At that moment, the Hoshidan troops returned, this time with more allies. Most notably, a ninja with black and red garb, red hair, and a black facemask was leading them this time, Omozu still knocked out from his bout with Corrin. The masked ninja looked at Corrin with one glaring eye, the other closed due to a massive scar that ran over it from top to bottom.

"I take it you're the commander here?" The ninja seemed none too pleased at the Nohrians. "You're nothing but a child."

Corrin held his sword at his side, readying to strike if needed. "Who are you?"

The ninja readied his shuriken. "My name is Saizo. I've come to claim your life."

Corrin grimaced at Saizo's threat. "To arms, friends! We're still in combat!"

Saizo hollered his order loud and clear to his troops. "Destroy them!"

Before anyone could move, another Nohrian voice called out from behind them. "I won't allow it!"

As the voice resounded, its owner, Xander, rushed in on his steed and brought his horse to a war pose, startling all Hoshidans present. "Stay your hand, Hoshidan dogs!"

Saizo took three steps back. "What?! This must be their real commander…"

Xander looked over his shoulder at Corrin. "What's going on here, Corrin?"

Corrin smiled in relief. "Xander! How did you know we were in trouble?"

Xander smirked at the young prince. "We followed you here."

Yuuki looked back at where Xander came from. "And by 'we', you mean the entire royal family?"

Camilla, Leo, and Elise rode up to confirm her suspicions. "We've arrived just in time," Leo surmised. "Your luck never ceases to amaze me, brother."

Camilla swooped down upon a stray Hoshidan, knocking him into the canyon. "That's for threatening our dearest brother!"

Elise looked around at Corrin's retainers. "No one's hurt, are they?"

Corrin was dumbfounded by Camilla's ruthless aggression towards the Hoshidans. "I never knew this side of Camilla. She seems so...vicious."

Elise giggled. "You've never been on the opposing side of her axe before."

Sinon took note of the Elder Princess's finesse. "Note to self: never fight against Camilla if possible."

Xander called back to his siblings. "It looks like more of them are on their way."

Yuuki looked concerned. "What should we do?"

Corrin quickly responded. "My mission was to evaluate the fort, nothing more."

Xander nodded, firing a bolt of magic from Siegfried. "Since you're safe, there's no reason for you to linger. You carried out your mission, Corrin. Take your retainers and head back. We'll be right behind you."

Corrin nodded. "Sounds like a plan." he looked to the twins. "Cover us while we cross the bridges. We won't want any surprise ambushes on our way back."

Yuuki and Aiko nodded. "We've got this!" Yuuki replied, giving him a big thumbs up.

With that, Corrin, Sinon, Gunter, and Lilith began their run back across the canyon to the other side. They crossed onto the central island with no problem, but the wooden bridge between them and the Nohrian border held a nasty little surprise for them.

As they crossed, Hans was blocking the path. "Where do you think you're going?"

Gunter took the lead as the other three stepped back. "Hans, don't bar our path! I'd rather we not remain on this bridge longer than necessary."

"Don't worry, gramps," Hans spat. "You won't be there much longer anyway."

Sinon readied her bow. "I knew this guy was trouble."

Gunter held his lance forward. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Hans chuckled. "Less talk. More death."

With that, Hans rushed forward and smacked Gunter's steed with the flat of his axe. This spooked the horse and it began to stomp out of fear. With the bridge being old and rotted through, Gunter and his steed fell through two of the support beams, falling into the endless chasm below. Corrin, Sinon, and Lilith all gasped at the sudden drop that Gunter was submitted to.

"Hans!" Sinon hollered. "Why would you do this?! He was your own ally!"

Hans ignored the archer's question. "Glad I finally got rid of that punk. Really didn't like that guy." He then turned to see the anger and dread on Corrin's face. "Tell you what: I'll send you after him so he's not alone."

Corrin began to shake with rage. "You. You! YOU MONSTER!"

Corrin extended his left arm, forming a massive lance with the extended limb. "You'll pay for this!"

Hans backed away slowly. "What?! What kind of FREAK are you?!"

Corrin flipped over Sinon, slamming Ganglari into Hans. He followed this maneuver with a thrust of his left arm-lance-thing, morphing it again into something else: a jaw that snapped down on Hans's arm. This sent Hans skidding across the bridge a short distance.

With Corrin having dealt his rage, Sinon yelled her questions at Hans. "Answers! Why did you provoke the Hoshidans? Why did you kill Gunter?!"

Hans backed away as Sinon drew her bow. "I was following orders from King Garon."

Corrin roared with rage. "YOU LIE!"

Hans rushed off at this point, but before Corrin could say anything, Ganglari began twitching in his hand. "What's happening?"

As Sinon realized what the sword was doing, she pulled her grappling arrow to the string of her bow. "Corrin! Drop the sword!"

Before Corrin could, the blade pulled him upward, sending him flying into the canyon below. Sinon reacted fast. She ran to the edge of the bridge and fired her arrow, sending the grappling hook flying after the prince. It managed to grapple onto his foot, but it pulled Sinon to the edge of the bridge.

Sinon struggled against the weight of Corrin on her grappling pulley system. "I can't...pull...him...back...up…"

At that moment, the rope railing holding Sinon onto the bridge snapped, sending her falling after Corrin. At seeing this, Lilith jumped in after them.

Lilith clasped her hands together as she fell. "My kin, my gods, my blood… Dragons grant me strength! Great Moro, I beseech you!"

With this, a white light surrounded Lilith as she transformed. Her transformation changed her into her dragon form, the small, bird-like creature Corrin rescued a year ago.

Lilith dove down after the two humans, grabbing onto Corrin as Sinon grabbed onto his leg. "Corrin!"

Corrin recognized the voice immediately. "Lilith?! Is that really you? What...are you?"

Lilith clutched tightly to his arm. "I'll explain that momentarily. Hold on."

Sinon nodded at Corrin as a light surrounded them. "Trust her. She knows what she's doing."

And with that, the scene around them changed. The rushing walls of the canyon disappeared, revealing a courtyard within a castle ground. The walls surrounding the fort itself were built of hardy stone, strong enough to withstand heavy magic attacks and reforged sledge hammers. All around them, canals weaved in and out underneath several walkways with bridges connecting the islands together with the fort. Outside of the fort, the canals merged into a river that flowed into and out of the fortress's waterways.

Corrin took in the sights as Sinon brushed herself off. "Wow. Where are we?"

Lilith let go of Corrin, grasping onto a floating golden orb. "We are in the Astral Plane. It's a realm connected to ours by the First Dragons."

Corrin finally thought to ask the main question on his mind. "Lilith, what are you, exactly?"

Lilith sighed. "I am a Dragon. This is my true form. Do you recognize it?"

Sinon nodded. "Do you remember when I first joined you in the Northern Fortress? About a month into my service, you and I helped rescue a small bird and revive her."

Corrin snapped the pieces together. "Lilith, were you that bird?"

Lilith smiled. "I was. Once I recovered, I was able to take human form. You were so kind to me that I vowed to serve you in human form."

Sinon smirked. "She only wanted to protect you, no matter what happened."

Lilith frowned. "Yes, but I can no longer do that in my human form."

Corrin looked down at his hands. "Is it because you saved me?"

Sinon finally put away her bow. "Undoubtedly. She called upon a type of magic that none without special blood can wield. Even then, she still can't revert due to the capacity of magic a human body could handle. Am I correct to assume this?"

Lilith nodded. "You are. I'll still help in any way that I can, but I'll need to provide you a place to rest."

Lilith spun in a circle around the golden orb as a tree began to grow from the ground behind her. The limbs of the tree bent back and other wooden features began to grow into place. A few walls, a door, a window, and a roof later, and the large plant had become a treehouse for Corrin's use.

Corrin couldn't believe his eyes. "Did you just use a Dragon Vein?"

Lilith nodded. "I did. The power of the First Dragons flows freely throughout the Astral Plane. We are protected here so long as we remain, but we are able to move freely between the Astral Plane and our world."

Sinon got the feeling something was missing. "Anything else we're missing?"

Lilith continued. "Time and space operate differently here than in our world. When we return, it will be mere moments after our departure, so it would be best to wait until we return."

Corrin shook his head. "There's a lot for me to learn, isn't there?"

Sinon smirked at him. "I have a feeling you'll get the hang of it before long."

Corrin frowned at her. "There's just one thing I don't understand yet. Sinon, how did you know about Lilith's powers?"

Sinon knew that she was busted. A whole year of hiding that she was from another world and she blew it after trying to save Corrin's life. If she didn't plan her next words carefully, she could wind up disappearing.

Lilith, to Sinon's relief, came to her aid. "I told her about me when we met at the Northern Fortress. She came to learn about this over the course of the past year."

Corrin cocked an eyebrow. "And why didn't you tell me this?"

Sinon sighed. "Would you believe me before today?"

Corrin shrugged. "I guess that does grant some merit."

Lilith returned the conversation to the prior topic. "I'll be unable to return to your world for longer than an hour at a time, so I'll need to remain here to restore my energy."

Corrin nodded. "Well, is there anyone else here?"

Lilith looked quite somber at that statement. "No, there isn't. There hasn't been another here for nearly a hundred years."

Corrin was taken aback by this. "I'm sorry, Lilith. I didn't know."

Lilith shook her head. "Don't worry. You didn't know."

Sinon looked over to Corrin. "I'd say it's about time that we head back."

Corrin took in a deep, refreshing breath. "Can't we stay just a moment longer? The air here is so refreshing and I feel better than ever."

Sinon shook her head. "You know better than I that we have others waiting for us."

Lilith nodded. "Indeed. I should warn you, though. When you return, you two will be placed back where you were at the Bottomless Canyon."

Sinon took out her bow. "In other words, be ready for Hoshidans."

Corrin nodded. "Then let's go. We'll be back soon, Lilith."

Lilith opened her mouth, letting out a shrill cry of joy. At the same time, a white light shrouded them and transported Sinon and Corrin back onto the bridge. Corrin held Ganglari in his hands, turning the blade over in his hands.

"What dark secrets do you contain?" Corrin pondered.

At that moment, he heard a loud THUNK! Next to him, Sinon slumped over, unconscious. Before Corrin could realize what happened, he heard a voice shout from behind him.

"You're MINE, Nohrian!"

It was the last thing Corrin heard before he blacked out.

Lilith: Are they going to be alright?

N-Sight: Don't worry about them. It's under control.

Lilith: You're not going to do anything to them, are you?

N-Sight: What do you take me for? A sadist? I'm not ready to get mutilated by the characters just yet.

Laslow: I rather enjoyed the chat Sinon and I had, but why did Yuuki have to insult me?

Yuuki: Do you really want to know that, Romeo?

Laslow: I swear, you have another name every time I see you!

N-Sight: If you want to know why Yuuki keeps teasing you, then you only have to wait.

Laslow: I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?

Yuuki: Not anytime soon, Casanova.

Laslow: Truly heartless.