Trying

Within the rubbles, a man with cerulean blue hair pushed aside the debris as he helped some people out of the damaged clothing store. Although the man was bleeding from his head, he seem to dismiss this as he continue to move about. He noticed a woman on a strange beast. He duck behind a corner and saw that she had fought off some soldiers attacking her as a man in a red samurai armor called out to aid the survivors. He narrowed his eyes and were about to turn around and leave when he noticed something coming up from behind the group. He grimaced upon seeing the familiar figures as he grumbled, "Them again… Damn it…"

The transparent figures crept up from behind the group as he remained silent. Finally, he scowled and raised up a hand. Light and shapes flew from his arm to the direction of the group. The man saw this and shouted only for the light to go straight past him and to the ominous group. Right before it reached them, a wave of water rushed out to them drenching the entire fleet of transparent soldiers. The samurai and the woman on the beast saw the strange figures in surprise before he noticed that they had rushed to them. As the esper noticed that they were capable of handling the situation, the turned around and rushed out of sight. The samurai looked back after taking care of the small squad, but the man was gone. He frowned and narrowed his eyes in clear suspicion.

Due to the sudden situation, Kamui decided to keep the espers together with some of their soldiers. Corrin suggested to Have Mikoto stay and help Sakura with finding survivors as she clearly wasn't going to stay behind with everyone. Natsuhiko clarified that for her before. Camilla looed around clearly upset, "What happened here? Cyrkensia is in ruins!"

Corrin nodded, "It looks like a war zone…"

Camilla shook her head in disbelief, "But Cyrkensia has never been a target before…"

"Somemthing must have changed while we were in Hoshido." Kamui said with anxiously before looking around, "Hmm? Do you hear that? Someone's coming!"

The siblings looked around before Camilla noticed a figure trudging through the streets dragging another in black and white clothing before they fell to the ground. Camilla narrowed her eyes, "Are those…"

Without hesitation, Mikoto was already next to him as she called to the strange chestnut haired person, "Are you all right? Hang in there!"

The man muttered as blood dripped to the ground, "You… You all should run… Run away…"

"It's not safe here…" the strange black and white hair man grumbled weakly as he lay on the ground, "Get away… while you can."

Sakura looked over the two as she gasped, "Wah! They have… tails?"

"These poor creatures…" Camilla pitied as she noticed the gashing wounds and large bruises on the two, "They've been horribly injured."

She looked to Sakura and asked, "Princess Sakura, could you tend to them?"

The healer looked up in surprise, "Oh! Y-Yes! I'll heal them right away!"

Mikoto watched in surprise as she saw the princess twirl around and light shined from around her. Finally, the two beastman shined brighter before it faded. The blood was gone, and the bruises and cuts had faded. Mikoto could only gasp as she watched the black and white hair man with the small scraggy tail slowly get to his feet. He looked around him and stretched for a bit as did the other before he grinned, "Hey… My wounds are fading away… I feel like a whole new person!"

"Me too!" the man with the bushy tail jumped with a big smile, "This is wonderful! Thank you very much, Kind lady! I'll be sure to repay you someday!"

"Please don't worry…" Sakura quietly blushed, "It was nothing. I'm glad you're both feeling better."

Azura looked to the two, "How did the two of you get hurt, anyway? The town is in ruins; were you part of the battle?"

"No." the bushy tail man in Japanese style clothing shook his head, "We were here to visit. We only arrived a little while ago."

He strained a frown as he continued, "But, things have been strange the whole time we've been here… For no reason at all, areas of the town have just been… falling apart. What you see now wasn't the result of any fighting at all!"

"But…" Azura frowned, "That's impossible."

"It's the truth!" Keaton persuaded desperately, "Buildings and plazas just started to crumble for no reason. We tried our best to reinforce things, but as soon as we started to help…"

He hesitated before he continued, "We were attacked by some sort of invisible forces."

"Invisible forces?" Mikoto frowned and looked to the royalties, "Does such a thing really exists?"

Kamui frowned, "I have a pretty good idea now…"

Azura nodded, "But if that's the case, then that would mean…"

Suddenly, Takumi, who had been gone scouting rushed back to them with an alarmed look before he shouted, "Everyone, listen up! We have to get moving! Ryoma and Prince Xander are fighting on the outskirts of town!"

"What?!" Corrin gasped, "Ryoma and Xander are here?"

Kamui grimaced, "Let's go! We have to stop them!"

The black and white hair man looked to him suspiciously, "Hey, wait. Who are you allied with, anyway? Nohr? Hoshido? Looking at you all, I'd say both… But that doesn't seem very likely."

"No, that's right." Corrin answered, "We're from both kingdoms, but we aren't with either one. We're people trying to end this war."

"You're not with either side?" the man questioned with narrowed eyes as he saw Mikoto nod, "Then… could we join you?"

"Huh?" Mikoto's eyes widen in bewilderment.

"Are you sure?" Kamui looked to them, "Our mission isn't an easy one. In fact, it's incredibly dangerous."

"That's fine." The man grinned, "I normally don't like traveling with packs… But if you're going to end this war, then I feel like we should help. Right, Kaden?"

"Yep!" the fox man grinned as his ears twitched, "Of course we should! We gotta repay these kind people somehow."

He looked to the place and continued, "Plus, this town is a great place. The people are really welcoming to us shapeshifters. I'd happily fight for its safety!"

Kamui smiled, "Thank you, both of you."

Corrin looked to them in surprise, "Oh! We haven't even introduced ourselves yet. My name is Corrin and this is my twin brother, Kamui."

"I'm Kaden!" the fox man grinned, "As you can see, I'm from the most beautiful race in the world, Kitsune!"

"But, I thought that you said you were shapeshifters?" Mikoto frowned in confusion, "What are shapeshifters, anyway?"

"They're people who can change into another form." Camilla explained, "In Nohr, we hear of Wolfskins now and again, but I've never heard of Kitsunes. I'm going to guess that you're from Hoshido?"

Kaden nodded with a wide grin, "Yup! I can transform into a giant fox if I use a beaststone!"

The other man nodded with a grin, "And I'm Keaton, leader of a race known as the wolfskin. I transform into a wolf when I use a beaststone."

"Beastone?" Nanami looked to the two nervously as she stood next to Mikoto.

"It's much like the dragonstone Kamui and Corrin have, Nanami." Camilla smiled, "However, a beaststone helped them change into a wolf or a fox."

Kamui smiled, "Huh, a fox and a wolf? Sounds like you'll be a great help to us."

With determination, Kamui turned to them, "All right, everyone, follow me. We have to get Xander and Ryoma to stop fighting!"

As they rushed out, Corrin grabbed onto Nanami and Heishi, "Nanami! Heishi! Wait!"

Nanami looked to her nervously as Corrin continued, "I need you two to go help the people here. Kaze will help you through the area. Heishi, the battle this time could be a problem. If our brothers fight, they'll try to kill one another. I need you to keep your friends away from here. Mikoto will stay with us and Natsuhiko. She'll be safe. I'm just worried about the people."

Heishi and Nanami nodded as she replied, "U-understood…"

Corrin smiled, "You'll both be all right, Nanami. Our friends will be there if you shout, all right? Just don't stray too far from everyone else."

With this, the princess rushed after her siblings as she pulled out the blue dragonstone around her neck. As Nanami looked for a place to start, she felt a pat on her shoulders as she looked up and saw that it was Kaden, that fox man. The shapeshifter smiled, "Hey! I'll be in your group too! Let's work together, okay?"

Nanami was solemnly quiet as Heishi grinned, "Great! I'm Heishi and this is Nanami! So, where should we start, Kaden? Honestly, I've never seen something like this till now."

Kaden raised a brow, "Really? Well, let's see. We want to start with a rubble. There! Let's search that building! I think I can hear someone in that area."

"Really?!" Heishi looked to him surprising before he noticed the fox ears twitch, "Oh… Those ears must really come in handy like this. Got it! Let's go!"

Nanami nodded and followed after the two to the building.

Sure enough, they found some children in what looks to be an orphanage nearly crushed under the piles of bricks and rubble. It was the first time she's seen the newcomer use his beaststone, but, when he did, in place was a large orange fox that she had seen a few times back in her world, but much, much larger. Thanks to this, they were able to easily move the rubble and move the children out of the building. Nanami quickly led the tearful children out of the building and waited for the other children to come out followed by their caretaker. When the job was done and the children was evacuated out of the vicinity, she noticed something blue flutter by. She watched it vanish before the corner of a building before she quickly rushed after it. Her only thoughts were blank as she recalled it.

As she turned that same corner, she saw a familiar figure turn again before she rushed through the alley. As she ran, she noticed the lighter sky casting a shadow on the street as the dark sky lightens into dawn, but that didn't matter in the least. Her mind was on something else. She dashed through the street again and just as she was about to come to a stop, she saw it again. This time with the trench coat. She didn't waste a breath and hurried after the figure through the empty streets. She hurried after the figure with a grimace before she finally came before the figure as sweat poured from her cheeks. Hesitantly, she called out to the back of the person, "Shu-Shukuri-!"

The man spun around and grabbed her by the throat before slamming her back against the wall of the alley. As she kicked about with her hands clenched around his wrists, she was stunned as she saw the cold hazel eyes. Why was he doing this? No. This… this was how it was meant to be…

Just as she weakened her grip, a vision came to her. The man before her with long blue hair and hazel eyes. She remembered the heat of the anger radiating from his eyes that day months ago. Months before everything drastically changed their situation. Before they ended up in another world. Quickly, she tightened her grip again. As she did so, her vision came clearer as she noticed the cold hazel eyes were dead as it stared down at her. Despite all this, his grip tightened as he growled, "This… this is all your fault…"

"You…" Nanami gasped as she fought against the hands, "are not Shukuri…"

Still, the stranger glared at her as he continued, "Because of you… I lost everything!"

This time both hands grabbed her neck as she kicked at his chest. The stranger scowled, "Die…"

This time, she was unable to budge much to her horror as she realized that this was no dream. Not like before. This was reality and… she wasn't going to make it! As she gasped for air, the fingers tightened around her neck. She did a couple more solid kicks to the stomach before she began to waver. She tried calling for help, but she was losing energy.

"Nanami!"

She heard a voice. It wasn't the least bit familiar, but she felt that she knew that it must be someone she knows. She gathered her strength again before giving the man another kick, but it didn't do a thing as she began losing herself. She thought she heard metal brush against metal and grimaced as she continued to struggle to hold on.

"What?!"

This voice… who was it again?

She could already feel her surroundings losing focus as she could only see the hazel eyes of the imposter. Finally, something cool washed over her. Her eyes widen before she saw a mysterious transparent figure before her still trying to strangle her.

"Nanami!"

This voice…!

She finally recalled it. Quickly, she slipped a kunai out from her sleeve pocket and caught it with her foot. She lightly kicked it up as it came up into the air between them. She timed it before giving one hard kick to the back handle of her kunai sinking the tip deep into its abdomen. This time, the strange crystal figure released her as she fell onto the ground choking. When she looked up, she saw that the imposter had vanished into vapor as she sat in the puddle of water with her kunai before her. As she struggled to get up, she felt a hand grab her arm as she steadied herself.

"Nanami! Are you all right? Can you walk?"

"I-I think so…" She muttered with a small nod as she looked up and saw that it was Kaze!

She had forgotten about the ninja's role in their mission or that he was part of it. She had been too focused on the man she called Shukuri that she forgot about him. Seemingly uncertain, Kaze had her sit back against the wall as he turned around. She heard bits of mumbling through her pounding head as she concluded that he was probably talking with someone, but she was too exhausted to see who it was before she tried to look around. However, the man she was there wasn't present much to her disappointment and worry. After what had seemed to be five minutes or so, she finally got to her feet as Kaze looked to her with worry. He finally said, "Heishi and the others have gone to help the other residents. I think you should return to the wagon."

Nanami shook her head, "I'm… I can keep going…"

Kaze looked to her in silence before he nodded, "All right. But, be careful and stay close."

Nanami nodded as she knew that he was trying to get that across to her since she was the one who lef the group despite Princess Corrin's words. Though she should be feeling ashamed for disobeying, she felt more saddened than ashamed as she continued through the empty streets behind the ninja as the sounds of clashing blade resonated in the air. It seemed as if he battle was drawing closer to her as she followed after him. Thankfully, the man didn't question her nor did he tell her of what he had witnessed.

As Mikoto drew closer to the front lines with Sakura, she finally saw the figure of a paladin in black armor on a black horse and another was a samurai in red armor. The two on either sides looked like they were about to clash with scary looking blades unsheathed even though Corrin had dealt the strange creature the last blow. Through the barrier she had placed around the healers and the most injured, she could hear the paladin shout, "This isn't over! We'll fight to the very last man!"

"You won't see Hoshido waver! We'll fight until there's no one left!" the samurai shouted back.

With Azura and Kamui next to her, Mikoto looked to them in disbelief, "Are they really still going to fight after we destroyed the real cause of this mess?"

Azura grimaced, "This is bad… Just as you said. Even with the real enemy defeated, those two are still at each other's throats."

"They're just mindlessly spouting out words now!" Mikoto grimaced, "Can't they think before they act?

Suddenly, Kamui shouted, "Ryoma! Xander! Please, you both have to listen to me! We've defeated the real enemy- you don't need to fight each other now!"

"Whoever retreats now admits defeat!" the blond man shouted, "Nohr will never lose to Hoshido."

"This war will continue until we take our last breath!" the other shouted back in equal hostility.

"You can't be serious!" Corrin said in horror as she landed before them in her human form.

Mikoto felt a hand on her shoulder as she looked back and saw that it was Natsuhiko. He pulled her back lightly as she nodded and took a step back before she asked, "Would you know what's going on, Natsuhiko? Even when I'm rying to put this lightly, but have they finally gone mad? I thought they wanted to stop the war?"

Natsuhiko shook his head, "I don't know. But, something doesn't feel right."

Mikoto nodded back in agreement as she saw the two already began to charge. She gasped as Corrin shouted to the deaf's ears. Quickly, she summoned up her barriers again and the two man stumbled in surprise as their blades hit the barrier. Just as they were about to step back in confusion, Mikoto felt Natsuhiko's hand pull her back steadily before a soft familiar melody reached their ears. This song… reminded her of the very same song she heard when Nanami first took her to the lake. She turned her head and saw the blue hair princess sing calmly amongst all the chaos. Kamui and Corrin also looked to her in surprise as Kamui muttered in confusion, "Huh? This song…"

Water appeared about her and floated in mid air. Seeing this, Mikoto looked to her in awe as she could feel the slight fear in her heart subside. Just as she thought, the melody really does heal them emotionally. She could already feel herself feeling more confident and at peace. Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes, "Interesting…"

"Is this… some kind of spell?"t

They looked back and saw the two step back slowly and looked about before the red samurai finally said, "It can't be… Azura?"

"Azura?" Kamui looked to her, "What are you-"

Mikoto noticed the two warriors lower their weapons. Taking this sign, she finally dropped her barrier around them.

"Ugh…" the paladin shook his head, "What is this feeling…"

"I feel… so relaxed…" the samurai said in bewilderment, "It's like I've lost the will to fight…"

Finally, Azura stopped her song as she struggles to catch her breath.

"Azura!" Kamui looked to her in alarm, "Are you all right?!"

Azura looked to him with a weary smile, "… I'm fine. You don't need to worry. My songs have a special power. It's just… It's really exhausting to use one of them."

"You stopped them with that power?" Corrin said with wide eyes of surprise.

"Yes." Azura nodded, "I wanted to avoid having to do that, but it just couldn't be helped."

She turned to the paladin and the samurai, "Ryoma, Xander… It wasn't Nohr or Hoshido who destroyed this town. It was done by the invisible forces that we just defeated. Now that they are gone, I will not allow any more senseless violence. I will sing my song as many times as necessary to restore peace. Do you still insist on fighting?"

Mikoto looked to her in surprise. She's never seen the quiet princess say words like these till now. It was quite an unexpected change to see her take a bit of leadership in her, though she should've known as she is a princess.

The samurai struggled to bring up his blade, but failed as he muttered in confusion, "This calming feeling… I can barely lift my sword…"

The paladin shook his head as he said slowly, "I have to clear my head… This battle… This war… Peri, tell everyone to fall back…"

The neon blue and pink hair girl nodded with a disappointed frown, "Aww… Yes, milord…"

As they left the center of the city, Corrin turned to Kamui, "I'm going after Xander, Kamui. Tell Ryoma to meet us at Bottomless Canyon at the day when the skies merge."

"Right. Good idea." Kamui nodded, "Don't forget to tell them about the situation with the espers. Whether they believe it or not, it's up to them."

"Wait! I'm coming with you too, Corrin." Camilla hurried to them, "Perhaps we can convince our brother together."

Corrin nodded with a smile, "Thanks, Camilla."

Mikoto watched the two sisters leave before she noticed that Sakura and Takumi had already gone to see the red samurai. She recalled Nanami telling her that she saw that the royal family consisted of six siblings. Two of which were the twin prince and princess. The other two being Takumi and Sakura. There should be another princess back in Hoshido, so maybe he's their brother, the next in line to their Kingdom's throne? As they continued talking with Kamui now joining in, he noticed Corrin and her sister returning, but without their other brother sadly.

"Mikoto."

She turned around and saw Natsuhiko looking to her, "We need to look for some of the parts."

She nodded, "Right."

Quickly, she followed him out of the group and into the streets. It hadn't been long before a voice called out to them, "Mikoto! Natsuhiko!"

They turned around and saw that it was the Nohrian princess hurrying to them on her wyvern. They stopped as the princess asked, "I heard from Corrin that you're looking for something? Let me help you. I've been to Cyrkensia many times in the past."

Natsuhiko looked to her in confusion, "But don't you have to see if the prince has the information?"

Camilla strained a smile, "My presence won't make their conversation any easier. I am of Nohrian royalty. Seeing me would worsen things of course. You recall my brother's and Prince Ryoma's behavior earlier during battle. Hearing that you're looking for some machine parts, I thought I might help out a little."

Mikoto smiled and nodded, but looked to Natsuhiko. The man slowly nodded as well, "All right then. But, what we're looking for is some rather small mechanical parts."

Camilla nodded, "Small mechanical parts?"

Natsuhiko nodded, "Since this world doesn't have the device or difficult parts, I'll have to make everything from scratch. If I can avoid needing to ask the blacksmith to make it, that would be a lot easier for the both of us."

Camilla thought for a bit, then nodded, "There should be a store on the outskirts of this city. I know they sell strange things such as wires and metal parts. The people buy them as small trinkets around the size of your finger. It's supposed to be functional trinkets, but would that do?"

Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes, "Perhaps. How much would they cost? Approximately."

Camilla frowned as she shook her head, "I don't know, but, if it's overpriced, I can help you pay for them. It's to help with your friend, right? Corrin told me everything."

Natsuhiko frowned, but sighed and nodded. Mikoto gave her a quick bow, "Thank you very much, Princess Camilla."

Camilla smiled, "It's all right. Consider it my payment for watching over my beloved siblings. I heard that he saved Azura from the guns before."

"Oh…" Natsuhiko raised a brow.

Mikoto smiled, "Lately, Ron has been acting rather selfless and active than back on the ship…"

"Really?" Camilla smiled, "Well, we can talk about that on the way. Kamui told me that we might have to leave on another ferry today."

"Again? To where this time?" Mikoto questioned out of curiosity and utter horror.

Camilla chuckled, "To Notre Sagesse. There's a sage that lives there called the Rainbow Sage. As unusual as the name sounds, it isn't that simple to see the man for a conversation. So far only four have made it up to him for strength since he has been there."

"Four?" Mikoto said in confusion as they began their walk.

Camilla nodded, "The first being the former king of Hoshido, King Sumeragi, then, there was our father, King Garon when he was younger, and another was Xander, our brother."

"Xander? As in the one we saw earlier?" Mikoto said impressed.

Camilla chuckled, "Yes."

"And the fourth?" Natsuhiko questioned.

"I don't know." Camilla shook her head, "The person was an unknown warrior."

"I wonder who it was, then." Mikoto said with a frown, "Prince Xander was rather strong when he tackled against my barrier. Of course, the other wasn't any different."

"I know." Camilla smiled, "It was impressive to see that you were able to top them both from clashing."

Natsuhiko frowned, "If they were to become allies, it would benefit the militia a great deal."

Camilla nodded, "Yes, it would, but it would be difficult to ask him to join us. At the very least, I've told him about your friends."

"Koharu!" Mikoto looked to her, "Is she all right?"

Camilla smiled, "Yes. It was fortunate we decided to keep her away from our father. At the moment, he doesn't even know that anything about her or that she's an esper. Of course, your other friend is still unknown to them as well."

Mikoto sighed in relief, "That's a relief. We were really worried about her since she always seem to get herself into trouble somehow, especially if she gets dragged into it."

Camilla grinned, "Oh, she was very curious about things when we last spoke. In fact, I was surprised whe she asked if she could see my Marzia one day. Isn't that right Marzia?"

As she petted the wyvern's shoulder, Mikoto scooted closer to Natsuhiko as she shivered, "I don't know if I should be surprised about that, but nothing seems to faze her."

"It would seem so. Oh! We're almost there!" Camilla grinned pointed to a small shop that seemed unharmed through the disaster.

A worker was brushing aside the debris as the other pushed the larger ones to the side. Already, Mikoto could already see the familiar looking wires and small objects from the shop window. It was small and there was other strange mechanisms as well. It looks to be what they were looking for. She looked to Natsuhiko, who looked through the window and nodded, "We can make use some of the parts from here. I'll just use what's left and add some parts to it."

"Really?" Mikoto smiled, "Then, we should be able to finish this."

Natsuhiko nodded with a smile, "Ah. Finally, we have someone here in our field. Let's have a look, then."

It was morning when Elise brought Elise and Arthur to the lake. The princess was barely trying not to trip over her own feet as she pulled the two along. Excitement couldn't suffice what she was feeling as she pulled the two retainers along with her.

"Come on!" She urged the two with a wide smile, "You have to meet him!"

"Of course, milady." Arthur nodded nervously.

Effie followed after the princess as quickly as she could knowing that her charge and her best friend was determined to have them meet with this man she saw out the window once. Elise was nervous when she decided to tell her retainers about the man. She knew of the reputation he has from her siblings' point of view, but she didn't think he was that and had begged the man to meet with her retainers. That way they can have more people to play with them. Of course, Senri objected to the idea right away, but, as she persuaded him more, he finally gave in! Obviously, she needed to let her retainers know as well, but she felt that it wasn't as easy when they also heard of his past with her siblings' retainers. However, things went smoothly as the two agreed to meet with him following the conditions that they won't try to harm him with weapons as the others had brought with them. Today was the day that they get to see him and she can't wait with all the games she had planned for the day. When they finally arrived, she found the man peeking out from behind the rocks while vines lay about the area. Elise gasped, "These vines. They weren't here before… Wait! It can't be that Leo was here earlier!"

Senri scowled, "Obviously."

Elise looked like she wanted to cry as she said, "S-Sorry…"

Hesitantly, Senri grimaced as he stammered, "H-Hey! You didn't tell him about me, right?"

Elise shook her head, "I didn't. But…"

Senri grumbled, "Then stop crying… He just already knew that I was here. Are those your retainers?"

Elise looked to him with a renewed smile and nodded, "Yeah! These are my retainers! Effie and Arthur!"

The two gave a curt bow as Senri muttered something quietly to himself before he slowly left the rocks, "I-I'm Senri."

Effie nodded, "So, we heard. Milday told us a lot about you yesterday. You don't seem as the rumors go about."

Senri frowned, "They were the ones who came after me with threats and weaons! I just wanted to be alone that time."

Elise looked between the three nervously as she felt the air began to change, "H-Hey! How about let's play a game! How about target shooting? Arthur and I throw some target and Senri and Effie shoots them with water and a lance!"

Senri sighed, "Didn't I just said that using my ability is tiring. How about rocks?"

Elise shrugged, "Okay! Effie, Arthur, do you want to play too?"

Effie nodded with a smile, "I have a spare javelin on me, milady."

Arthur grinned, "Target game sounds like a lot of fun! I'll accompany milady as she wants."

"Yay!" Elise smiled as she pulls out some disks, "Let's play!"

The day went by as usual with Senri losing to Effie and her retainer with a broken nose after the disk flew right back at him for some strange reason. Due to her persuasion, Senri reluctantly displayed his ability to them as he summoned water in his palm with bright lights surrounding him. Effie was taken aback slightly as Arthur and Elise watched in awe. Finally, when it was time for lunch, Elise had to return to the castle before her siblings would find her.

"Oh, wait…"

Senri grumbled as he set aside the fish and pulled out something from his black trench coat. He handed it over to the princess as she gasped with glee, "Yay! You made it! You made it!"

In her palm with a duck slightly large then the previous and another duckling. She grinned, "Now, Mary has a mommy and a sibling! Thank you, Senri!"

Senri jumped back as the princess tried to hug him, "Wah! D-Didn't I said to keep your distance?!"

"Oh…" Elise grumbled as she stepped back with a smile, "Can't I give you even one hug?"

Senri frowned hesitantly as he grumbled to himself. Finally, Elise sighed, "Fine. I'll bring macaroons tomorrow, then!"

Senri thought for a bit before he nodded, "All right… See you tomorrow, then."

As they left the lake, Arthur sighed with a wide grin, "Today was rather fun, milady."

"Yeah!" Elise grinned, "I wonder what we should play tomorrow?"

Effie nodded, "He doesn't seem as bad as the rumors says so."

"Yeah!" Elise smiled, "He really isn't like that, right?"

As Effie nodded with a small smile, she saw a familiar figure rush to them.

"Princess Elise!"

It was Odin! Elise waved with a big smile as she tried to hide the ducks behind her back, "Odin! What is it? Is my brother back?"

"Yes!" Odin Dark replied as he gave her a quick bow.

Elise jumped, "Great! I can't wait to see him!"

Elise turned to Effie and Arthur as she said, "Effie, can you put this in my room for me? It's where Mary is in."

Effie smiled and nodded, "Of course, milady."

After seeing the two leave, she ran back into the castle and through the halls hoping to see her brother, but, when she got there, she saw her brother speak with someone with a black robe, long black hair and a helmet that also covered one of his eyes. She quickly hid behind a corner as she saw that it was someone she really doesn't want to see at all. Iago, her father's tactician and retainer. She really hate the man as her father always agrees with most of his plans that were cruel and inhumane. Whatever they do was also hard to get past him too.

"You failed to kill the traitors as our king demands…" the gloomy man said as Elise held her breath.

She knew that he meant Kamui and Corrin as many have called them that as much as she points it out against them.

"I have no time for this now." Her brother said as he glared at him, "I need to report to Father."

As he walked past the tacitician without giving him another glance, Elise watched as her father's other retainer, Hans, walked over to the tacitican. The bald berserker was taller than the other and was much bigger with an axe on his back. Iago grumbled as he noted, "If I had to guess, I'd say that his encounter with the twins shook his faith. Would you agree, Hans?"

"That could be true of the other," Hans noted with a cruel smile, "But not Lord Xander. He's Nohrian to the bone. And he did turn down their plea to join…"

"And yet Princess Camilla joined in a heartbeat." Iago noted in disgust much to Elise's surprise, "It's disgusting how taken she is with Kamui and Corrin. If we weren't careful, we risk losing more of the royal children. It would be wise to keep a closer eye on that merry traitorous little army."

Elise frowned quietly as she muttered, "Did I hear that right? Camilla is with Kamui and Corrin? I knew they weren't really traitor…"

She smiled with a determined look on her as she said, "Time for me to act, too!"

"Also," Iago continued as Elise peeked out once more, "I heard that we have a little intruder with us taking residence by the lake. They seem to be of something extraordinary as well. See to it that they get captured. They maybe of use."

Hans grinned as he noted, "Right. It also seems that Lord Xander brought back a little maid for the remaining children too. Apparently, she seems to be a foreigner."

"Really?" Iago raised a brow, "This could become quite a scandal… We should get rid of her as well."

Elise covered her mouth as she tried to remain quiet. She knew who it was. Senri and Koharu! Quietly, she snuck away from the area and hurried back outside. She needs to find Odin and fast! Quickly, she found the mage about to make his way back to the castle interior from the garden and grabbed his arm, "Odin! Odin!"

The mage jumped and turned around with a smile as he saw her, "Lady Elise! What's the hurry? Has something endanger-"

"Tell my brothers that my father's retainer are going to hurt Koharu!" Elise exclaimed as the mage's eyes widen in bewilderment, "I overheard them saying that they're going to hurt her. They know she's not from Nohr!"

The mage had on an unusual look of seriousness and nodded, "Understood, milady! You just go back to your quarters as well before they find you too."

"Okay! Okay!" Elise nodded as she pushed his back, "Just hurry!"

When she saw the retainer hurry through the halls, she went the other way back to her quarters in hopes of finding Effie and Arthur before then.

Senri had just finished his usual meal of fishes when he heard the sound of hooves. He grimaced and jumped behind the rocks.

"Senri!"

He froze upon the voice and cautiously looked out from behind the rocks to see that it was Elise and her retainers. Did they want to play something with her horse now? He grumbled before he poked his head from behind the rocks. Elise let out a sigh of relief much to his confusion as she jumped off her horse and hurried over to him.

"You have to run!" Elise shouted much to his surprise, "Iago and Hans! Somehow, my father's retainers know you're here and they want your water powers! They're going to try and catch you! Hurry! We have to leave the castle!"

Senri groaned. He knew it was only a matter of time before this happens. He sighed, "I can just…"

"We know you go hide in the waters." Effie responded with a grimace, "But, unlike milady's siblings, his majesty's retainers aren't to be taken lightly, Senri. They'll stop at nothing at achieve their goals, even if it meant taking lives."

Senri grimaced, "Great. So, I have lunatics now too?"

Elise nodded, "You remember that I told you about my sister, Camilla, right? She decided to go join with my other siblings! I promise that they aren't bad, especially if my sister left to go with them."

"How would I know that?" Senri said with a grimace, "For all I know, she's your sister and just left your army. You do realize that this is all too weird, right?"

"I'm going with you too!" Elise said firmly, "I want to help Kamui and Corrin too! They aren't bad. I promise! And you have to get away from here before Iago and Hans finds you! Please! We got you a horse too!"

Senri grimaced as he saw the tall brown horse next to hers before he thought to himself hesitantly. Finally, after a minute, he nodded, "All right… But, if this all becomes a trap-"

"It won't!" Elise promised, "Even, if my brothers knew, I don't think they'd be able to take you along too."

Finally, Senri nodded with a sigh, "Fine. Just help me up. I've never riden a horse before, so don't expect me to know what to do."

Effie smiled, "I thought you'd say that. I'll be helping you."

"What?!" Senri was taken aback before he shook his head reluctantly, "Fine. It's not like I can ride it…"

Quickly, Arthur helped the man get on the horse as Elise jumped on hers.

"Wait, what about Arthur?" Senri questioned as Effie jumped onto the horse before Senri.

"I'll be fine." Arthur smiled, "You must be strong to defeat evil, of course!"

Senri groaned, but nodded. Quickly, the two was already off past the gates before Elise could tell them who he was and out onto the cold streets. Senri finally said, "So, what about your brothers? They're going to find out."

"They're going to join us soon too!" Elise said with a smile.

"Why?" Senri raised a brow, "I thought they follow what your father tells them?"

"Father has been acting stranger and he's getting scarier too." Elise replied sadly, "Don't worry. They're going to go with Kamui and Corrin soon. I mean, they're going to have to. My other friend is a girl who's a foreigner. Because father doesn't really like foreigners, my brothers have been hiding her in secret from him. But, right now, Iago also knows about her. I've told my brother's retainers and they're going to let them know. Her name is Koharu. She's really nice and is also friends with us too, even if Xander and Camilla rarely sees her."

"Koharu?!" Senri's eyes shot wide as he shouted.

Elise spun around, "You know her?"

"Of course I do!" Senri grimaced, "She's also an esper, like me!"

Elise's eyes widen, "What?"

Effie frowned, "Milady. If Lord Leo and Lord Xander knows this, they will take care of her safety. They've been watching over her for two months since she arrived now."

Elise looked anxious, but she nodded, "I'm sorry, Senri. I should've told you about her sooner…"

Senri was quiet as he realized how close he was to another of his team, but did he want to go back? They're going to be enemies after this was all over, right? But, if he doesn't that guy will come after him too.

As he saw his brother walking into the halls of the throne room, Leo walked alongside him, "Welcome back, brother. I wanted to speak with you about Father. He seems to have gotten worse…"

Not another word, Leo." Xander warned, "Father is just under the weather- that's all. You know how war can weigh on the body and spirit. Once we win, he'll recover. I believe in him. I will continue to believe in him. That's how I live my life."

"I understand what you're saying, but…" Leo frowned, "I don't know if you'll feel the same after you see this."

As they came to a stop and looked up, Leo saw their father standing as he looks up to the ceiling where the strange figure of a dragon was with his arms raised up to it. Xander frowned as he saw the unusual scene, "What's he-? Father?"

The man seemed to be laughing ominously as he didn't look to them, "The war… must continue. It must spread… Burn it all… Burn everything to the ground. Not even… ashes should remain."

Leo grimaced as he witnessed the site again. However, this was all new to his brother as Xander called out to him in confusion, "Father! What's wrong?!"

Suddenly, the man's face twisted as he scolded without seeing the two as he stares up to the ceiling, "Xander? Do not interrupt me! Ever! Listen and be silent! Destroy Hoshido… Destroy Nohr!"

"What?!"

"Both nations are completely useless to me…" the king smiled as if delirious, "The entire world should be… reduced to nothing but dust!"

"Father…" Xander muttered in disbelief at the sight before him.

As his father laughed, Leo frowned as he heard this. Quietly, the two left the throne room and back outside as he said, "Do you see what I mean now? It's like he's become a completely different person. Like… he's being controlled by something."

"You really think he's being controlled?" Xander raised a brow at the suggestion.

Leo nodded as he confessed, "Yes. When I saw Kamui and Corrin in Izumo, they said something that's stuck with me. They claimed that there is a hidden enemy we should be fighting… And that Father is being manipulated and controlled by that enemy. I dismissed his words as the lies of a traitor. But, after seeing Father, I can't stop wondering if he was telling the truth. Xander, I'm not certain we should be fighting the Hoshidan forces. Even if it means becoming enemies of Nohr…"

"Enough of this foolishness!" Xander snapped.

Leo looked to him as his brother continued, "Listen. We are noble princes of Nohr- loyal sons to King Garon. No matter what… We cannot betray Father or this kingdom. Remember that."

Leo nodded, "I apologize for my words, Brother."

Xander shook his head, "No need to apologize, so long as you understand. You and I must do all we can to protect Nohr. Corrin told me where and when to meet him. We need to be at the Bottomless Canyon on the day the skies change. We have until then to gather our most trusted soldiers."

"What are you planning to do, Xander?" Leo asked in confusion.

Xander frowned, "I plan on seeing what's really going on here. Father would never give out an order like this."

Suddenly, there was running footsteps as they saw Laslow hurry up to his charge with a grimace, "Prince Xander!"

"Laslow?" Xander raised a brow, "What is it?"

"Well…" Laslow quickly whispered to his charge.

Leo watched as his brother's eyes narrowed and nodded, "That's…"

Seeing the troubled look, Leo frowned, "What's wrong, brother?"

Xander turned to him, "Leo, I'm leaving the girl in your care. Iago have found out about her somehow."

"What?!" Leo grimaced, "How can that be?"

Xander shook his head, "I don't know. But he's planning to take care of her. We know what he means by that."

Leo scowled, "That little…"

"Leo…" Xander warned as his brother pursed his lips.

Xander shook his head, "We need to take her with us, then."

Leo frowned, "And that other person by the lake?"

Laslow grimaced, "Milord. Peri and I have searched the lake. The man is gone. We found signs of horses and a lot of footprints that weren't just his."

"What?!" Xander frowned, "Did you find his trail? If Iago knows about this…"

"Horses?" Leo thought for a bit before his eyes widened.

He quickly questioned the retainer, "Laslow… How did you find that our father's retainer planned this? Where's Odin? I had him watch over Elise since this morning while I was with father."

"Odin said that Princess Elise had told him about it." Laslow answered, "We believed it because it looks like she was in a panic after coming to see you. He's currently returning to check on her, Lord Leo."

"Elise?" Xander frowned, "But, I didn't see her… She must've heard him after I spoke with Iago. Of all times for her to be at. Where is she now?"

"Odin said for her to stay in her quarter away from Iago, milord." Laslow answered, "We was worried that he would find out she overheard."

Leo grimaced, "Elise… It can't be…"

Finally catching on, Xander hurried to the westwing of the castle as Leo followed behind quickly. As they did, they saw Odin run over to them in a panic, "M-milord!"

Leo grimaced, "Let me guess… She's gone."

As he said this, he watched his retainer's eyes widen. Leo frowned, "I told her not to go to the lake! Oh god… Elise… Where are you going?"

After some thoughts, Xander frowned, "What if… What if Iago spoke about Camilla?"

Leo's eyes widen, "That would sound much like him. If Elise overheard that, then…"

After seeing their brother off with his new companion by the name of Scarlett, they helped the remaining survivors get the help they needed before leaving after seeing that the people would be fine and have support. After gathering the group, the twins and their siblings led the group out of the capital till they came to a stop at a plain and called out Lilith as the sky turned to a shade of orange.

When he saw that everyone had gone to their individual duties or activities, Kamui had gone to check on Azura who had left to her spot by the lake. Though Corrin thought of coming along, she noticed that her brother was acting rather strange insisting that he go check in on her himself. Corrin frowned, but let him go as she decides to check in on her other siblings. As she went to see her Hoshidan brother, she noticed that he wasn't at the archery anymore and went about searching until she saw him with Mozu, the shy villager they recruited a month ago. The two seemed rather into Mozu's field of crops as Takumi even went onto using her speech. Corrin watched with interest at first as she saw how close the two was. Finally, she walked up to him as he went to the other patch of the field, "Hi, Takumi!"

The archer looked up to her in surprise, "C-C-Corrin! What are you doing here?"

"I can't be here to see you?" Corrin tilted her head in confusion.

"Th-That's not it!" Takumi blushed, "What is it?"

Corrin smiled, "Well, I was wondering how was Ron's training going about. I mean you're going to train with him today, right?"

Suddenly, Takumi frowned, "Training will be cancelled for a while now. Until he gets his eye sight fixed, at least…"

Corrin frowned, "So, we were right…"

Takumi grimaced, "It's… more than we thought, Sister."

He turned over to Mozu, "Mozu! I'm going to be gone for a bit!"

"Got it!" She waved back before seeing that she was with Corrin and her eyes widen a bit.

Quickly, she went back to work as they left to the barracks' side. Once there, Corrin frowned, "How bad is it, Takumi?"

Takumi shook his head with a grimace, "Sister. Ron has been losing his eye sight for who knows how long now. I've seen it. Under his glasses is two different color eyes."

"What?" Corrin frowned, "But, how does that factor into-"

"One of them is a false eye." Takumi clarified as Corrin clamed her mouth, "It explains everything now. He's not getting names wrong on purpose, Corrin. He just can't see us clearly."

"So, that's it." Corrin gritted her teeth, "But, if it's like this, how is Natsuhiko going to solve this? He's trying to make something, right?"

Takumi nodded, "I'm going to see him with Ron within a weeks time. He still needs training to be able to use the bow and arrows, but he needs to be in his best condition if he's going to succeed. Training him handicap isn't going to help for long. Not to mention, it'll be difficult for him to use a weapon with only one eye. Not to mention, his eyesight is still getting worse."

Corrin grimaced, "But, Nanami and Heishi doesn't know that. How come Natsuhiko-?"

"Apparently, Natsuhiko was the one who made him the eye." Takumi frowned, "Ron is working under him as payment for it and, according to him, the cost and parts weren't cheap."

"That's why…" Corrin frowned, "But, did they find what they were looking for in Cyrkensia?"

"I don't know…" Takumi shook his head, "But, he said that he's going to take the small machine of the false eye and use it to complete the rest."

"A simple glasses won't work like this, huh?" Corrin grimaced, "His eye sight isn't just getting worse. It already is in a bad condition from the start. This is bad. We've always had him on the battlefield too. He can't fight in this condition. But, what about the other eye?"

Takumi shook his head again, "I don't know. Right now, Sakura is going to test his eye sight, but, if we're going to treat him, we might need a specialist. Natsuhiko isn't that, obviously."

"Great…" Corrin grimaced, "Does Kamui knows?"

Takumi sighed, "Not yet. I only just found out after Natsuhiko came to get him. I followed them and that's when they told me everything. As usual, it doesn't sound like Ron cares about his situation at all."

Corrin frowned, "Now that Ron also works with us, we should try paying for the parts that will be needed for his eye, then."

"There's no need." Takumi answered, "Princess Camilla already payed for it, he said."

"Camilla?" Corrin's eyes widen as she strained a small smile, "I see."

Takumi nodded, "Right now, we can only wait until he finishes the eye. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong or Ron is stuck with one eye."

Corrin thought for a bit before she nodded, "Tell Sakura to keep this from Nanami and the others. If Ron is not willing to tell them about it, then we shouldn't speak about it in front of them. For now, we'll watch over Ron. He's saved us before, it only makes sense for us to watch his back more too now that he's at a disadvantage."

Takumi replied, "All right."

"Is having only one eye making it any more difficult for him and his daily routine?"

Takumi sighed, "I don't know. I'm not his mother."

"Then, we're just going to have to see from a distance." Corrin frowned.

Nanami had gone from the clinic where Sakura was checking on Ron's minor injury in the head to the fruit trees where she had picked fruits for Ron once. She wanted to be alone. Not be around anyone or to be close with them. She feared that, if she continues, she would end up giving herself away and have to search for a new place in this new world. However, as she sat down, she noticed the ripe peaches and picked one off before she ate it. It wasn't dinner yet, but she was hungry and there's only so much food that can go around before they end up to the port they were looking for. Not wanting to diminish their provisions, she ate the peach. It was until she had taken another bite of it that she felt something was off and hurried behind a bush. She knew how to keep hidden and was great at it. She waited silently until a man walked up with a frown, "My apologies for sneaking up on you, Nanami. It's just me."

Her eyes widen as she saw that it was Kaze. The ninja was looking to her direction as she realized that he had been following her for a while now. Quietly, she came out of her hiding place as she asked, "What do you want? If it's about what happened at Cyrkensia…"

Kaze looked to her before he shook his head, "No. I've nothing to say about that time, Nanami. Just that I have something that perhaps you might want to hear."

Nanami tilted her head as he took a peach and sat down by the tree. Hesitant and reluctant, Nanami also sat on the otherside of the tree as she took out her partially eaten peach. After a while, Kaze finally spoke, "Have you heard about what had happened when Lady Corrin and Lord Kamui were younger?"

Only one event came to mind as she said, "When they were kidnapped? Princess Azura told me about it."

Kaze nodded, "That day, the former King Sumeragi was asked to arrive in Cheve for a peace treaty with King Garon of Nohr. For some reason, King Garon said that he would only follow through with the treaty if Princess Corrin and her brother was present. For precautionary measures, my brother and I was came with them. We all found it rather suspicious and stayed on guard as we had all traveled to Cheve that day. But, when we were there, I noticed that Nohrian forces were also in the city."

With a pause, Kaze finally continued, "The same forces that would later kill Sumeragi and take them away."

Nanami looked to him in confusion, "Then…"

Kaze shook his head, "I was young and didn't know what their presence at that time meant, so I said nothing."

Nanami frowned, "Why didn't you ask?"

"I wonder why I hadn't as well." Kaze frowned, "If I had, then we would've avoided the kidnap and the assassination. Our family was descended from a long line of ninjas that also served the Hoshidan royalty for a long period of time. Just as I've served under the royal family for a years, my brother have been serving as a retainer under Lord Ryoma for years now. Had I said something that day, I would've saved Princess Corrin and Prince Kamui from the suffering I've caused them and their birth family. There's no way I could ever heal the scar from those days."

Nanami was quiet before she finally spoke, "I don't think so. It seems like an honest mistake and what makes it matter now is that I heard you were the one who saved them with Rinkah. You were able to correct your mistake. That's what I think. It's not from what Princess Corrin and Prince Kamui thinks of this, but, to me, I think, if you tell them what you told me… they'd forgive you too."

Kaze raised a brow as he asked, "What about you?"

Nanami paused as she looks down to her half-eaten peach. So, this was what it was about. Just as she thought. She shook her head, "I can never fix the damage I've done. Even if I were to ask for forgiveness, they'd never forgive me for what I did to them."

"That man?" Kaze frowned as she nodded, "If that was true, he'd never be there to save you today from his imposter."

Her eyes widen as she looked to him, "That man?"

Kaze nodded with a smile, "Yes. When my shuriken had no affect on the soldier, he summoned up a wave of water and washed away the disguise. If he weren't there, I'd have hard time with the shell."

Nanami frowned, "He's in Cyrkensia?"

Kaze frowned, "Yes, but I saw him leave with Prince Ryoma later on."

"I see…" Nanami frowned, "He probably still wants his revenge on me, though… Probably with his own hands."

Kaze narrowed his eyes, "Do you truly believe that? You keep saying things like this whenever I see you. You even keep your distance from us. Nanami, is this something that you really can't correct? Even with help?"

Nanami shook her head, "No matter what I do, it'll never fill in the gap I dug out."

After some silence, Kaze asked, "Does this… involve with your abilities?"

Nanami remained quiet as she hesitated, "…What if I said it does… It doesn't matter now. No matter how long it's been I doubt he'd be willing to forgive me for it. It'd be impossible after all."

She finished her fruit and got up, "I have to help Felicia with the chores now. Excuse me."

She gave a small bow and quickly left the area leaving Kaze to finish his own fruit and thoughts. It wasn't long till after that Azura and Kamui had walked by him that he looked up, "P-Prince Kamui! Princess Azura?"

"Oh, Kaze!" Kamui grimaced, "Sorry! We were talking for a bit and didn't see you. Is something the matter? It looks as if you had some company just now."

Kaze looked and saw the nearly hidden peach pit the girl had probably tired to bury. Kaze strained a small smile, "I was just talking with Nanami just now, milord."

Kamui's eyes narrowed as he grimaced, "That's right… I heard what happened today from Saizo. I hadn't tried to speak with her though."

Kaze nodded, "I've tried to help her, but it seems that her scars run deeper than I had initially thought."

Kamui's eyes widened before he nodded, "Is that so… This would be difficult, then…"

"Perhaps it's something that has to do when she was younger…" Azura frowned, "I'm worried that this wound will come to take her in the end…"

Kaze frowned, "Do you know what's been troubling her, Lady Azura?"

Azura frowned, "I only know that she had a difficult past when she was younger, but I promised that I wouldn't confide her secrets to another person."

Kamui shook her head, "It's already good that she's willing to confide her past with someone else, Azura. You don't have to break your promise to her. But, this is bad. Today was close to a miracle, but, the next time this happens, what if nobody was there? She'll be in deep trouble."

Kaze nodded as he recalled the incident. He had been helping Heishi and their new recruit with the rubble blocking the entrance of a store when he noticed that Nanami was missing. When he was done, he had asked them where she was before realizing that they didn't know where the child had been either. Trying not to make a big scene, he told them that he'll look for her right away and left before seeing that the child had gone through an alley. He called out to her, but she didn't respond as Nanami ran in a hurry. Kaze frowned and dashed after her only to realize how fast the child was. It was little wonder how his brother and Kagero was unable to catch the child, then. When he came to a street, he saw her run after a man in the familiar clothing that Nijou had worn the first day the queen had found him, but he had blue hair that was tied into a ponytail. Just as he saw her turn the corner behind the large rubble, he saw a hand grab her neck and pull her in. Instantly, he dashed after them with shurikens in hand. Once he made it to the rubble, he saw the man clearly now as he strangled the girl's neck shouting out words of blames and anger. He called out to her and threw his weapon at the man's side only for it to bounce of. The result had taken him aback before he noticed another figure behind a building. His eyes widen as he saw the similarity of the two before the newcomer shot out what maybe gallons of water at the imposter revealing to them who the person really was. Those transparent soldiers. Before he could pull out his weapon, he heard the child shout how he wasn't this Shukuri person and noticed Nanami reach for her sleeve and dropped a kunai out from it as she finally regain her will to fight back. The weapon fell before she caught it with her feet and kicked it up. He watched as the girl timed before she finally gave it a kick stabbing the weapon deep into the guts. He was impressed as he saw the enemy immediately let her go and quickly rushed over to help her up, but, when he looked back up, the man was gone and his brother was rushing over to him.

He knew after hearing those words spouting out from the imposter's mouth that something must've happened in the past. Whatever it was, it was enough for a girl to give up her own life willingly and seeing that had him shocked beyond belief this morning. It was definitely not how he believed a sixteen year old girl should behave regardless if she was a ninja or not. Kaze frowned and bowed, "Milord, I still wish to keep an eye on the child, if possible."

Kamui's eyes widen as he smiled, "Really? Thank you, Kaze. I'll continue watching over her from a distance too, so let me know if you feel that there's any change to her behavior from your side."

The ninja bowed and quickly vanished before them. Kamui sighed before he grimaced, "Sorry, Azura… I didn't think now would be an appropriate time to tell them…"

Azura nodded, "It's fine, Kamui. We're in the middle of a war, after all, and now personal matters have also gotten complicated. Just let me know what I can do to help."

Kamui smiled, "Thank you, Azura."

According to the clock on the wall, it was nighttime when Koharu arrived at the small room. Like the tower, it had a bed and a chest with the window right above the bed frame. After she had arrived into the grand looking castle, Koharu was taken to the stables where a healer was brought to her by Laslow. After that, Koharu and the two had a great time talking about the things she's seen and what she thought of Nohr as far. She had a great time chatting with the people till Odin came running in and took Laslow out for a bit. When they finished, Odin returned saying that Laslow had to go on a quick errand. She didn't know what it was about, but she noticed the sweat dripping off of the mage's face and offered him her handkerchief. The mage seemed rather embarrassed, but thanked her. She then asked them about magic and how she had never seen any of it till now. The healer and the mage seemed thrilled as they began speaking of the matter. Odin was rather hard to understand, but she was able to get that his mother was a talented healer and he became a mage hoping to be just as talented in magic as she was in healing. They talked for a bit before Odin seemed to have realized that he had forgotten something and rushed back out. The healer came from a temple that had been destroyed due to low funds, but the crown prince scouted her out due to her immense belief of helping those who are suffering and her talent in the arts of healing. Despite her young appearance, Koharu had been shocked to hear that she was already wedded with two children in the capital training to be paladins much like the father and the prince who scouted the couple. She had felt that they were getting along very well when she heard the door open and saw Xander walking in with his younger brother. As Xander said some words to the healer, Leo said to her, "Koharu, we'll take you to your temporary room tonight. Rest well there. Tomorrow we're going to leave as early as we can."

Koharu looked up to him in confusion before she noticed the strange look on his face, "Okay. D-Did something happen?"

Leo strained a frown as he answered, "Something like that… whatever it is, you're not safe to stay here for long. We're going to take you to a hiding place in the castle."

Koharu gripped her hands together, but nodded, "All right."

Leo nodded with a small smile of gratitude.

Now here she was in a small room hidden just beneath the stairs to the east wing on the large castle. Leo whispered quietly, "Whatever happens don't leave this room till my retainers come to get you and keep away from the window. If someone sees you from outside, it'll be a big problem. If something happens, just shout. Our rooms aren't that far away."

Koharu nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Prince Leo, for doing all of this."

Leo just smiled and nodded before he closed the hidden trapdoor shut. She looked around before setting her bag on the chest. She pulled out her night gown and changed into it before crawling into the bed. Strange enough, the rooms seemed to be well-kept without a speck of dust. It wasn't much like the hidden rooms she read of in her books back home, but she was thankful that it wasn't true. After seeing all of this, she buried herself in her blanket before fatigue finally took over her and she dozed off.

Just outside, Leo made certain that the door was hidden before he noticed Odin rushed up to him with a smile, "Prince Leo, I've returned with the clue we need to confirm Princess Elise's-"

From behind Niles quickly covered his co-worker's mouth before handing to the prince a wooden figuring that resembles much like a duck. In fact, it was a duck and a well-crafted one. He looked to Niles who nodded, "It was on the ground as soon as we took a step in, milord. I promise that I didn't try to go through anything strange."

Leo brushed aside his humor as he frowned, "So, she had seen him. Of course she became friends with him too. I should've known when she first talked about the lake. But, I wonder why Xander won't tell me anything about it."

"Because that's where Former queen Arete spent her time, Leo."

He turned and saw his brother looking to him as he jumped, "Brother… You said Queen Arete? I haven't heard that name in a long time…"

Xander nodded, "I'm not surprised. She wasn't well-liked by many in the castle, after all. After she passed, Father had rarely left the castle anymore and he grew stricter by the day. Even now, I think the death of the former queens still pain him internally."

Leo frowned, "So that's why. I've already hidden all traces of the person ever being here. They'll have some trouble going about now, but I doubt that'd throw them off."

Xander nodded, "Good. I went and gathered the soldiers. We leave tomorrow morning before anyone notice that we're gone."

Leo nodded with a strained smile, "Got it. I'll pack everything before then. Also, I heard that Father has sent some soldiers out to Port Dia for tomorrow morning. I've no idea why he'd suddenly decide to do this. We should be careful not to run into them. Xander, would you know what Father might be thinking?"

Xander frowned, "If Father is being controlled by someone, then let's assume that the enemy is up to no good. We have to hurry and stop all this before the damage can't be reversed."

Just before he left for his rooms, Kamui appeared before Ron's quarters and knocked on the wooden door, "Ron, are you there?"

There was silence as Kamui knocked again. Finally, the door opened to an alarming sight. Ron yawned as he looked to him, "Hm… Oh, Takumi?"

Kamui shook his head, "It's me Kamui. Ron, your eye…"

His glasses was gone and, instead, Ron stood before him with light gray right eye and bandages wrapped around the other. The man looked to him, "Yeah. I'll be like this for a week at least."

Kamui nodded, "I heard. Takumi told me. How are you feeling right now, though?"

Ron frowned and scratched the back of his head, "Nothing unusual at least."

Kamui smiled, "That's good to hear. Also, I wanted to ask if you know anything about Nanami?"

Ron raised a brow, "Nanami?"

Kamui nodded, "Yeah. I recall that she's in your team."

Ron shrugged, "Sure. What about her?"

"Well…" Kamui quickly gave Ron a quick review of what had happened before and as he did he noticed the man's mood seem to darken despite the nonchalant appearance.

When he was done, Kamui asked, "I just wanted to know if you know anything that had led her to this? I just don't want this to happen again when none of us are around. It's not something I can ask her directly."

Ron shrugged, "I never heard about that before."

"Really?" Kamui raised a brow, "I-I see… Thank you for listening though."

"However…"

Kamui looked to him as he noticed the dark smile lighten slightly, "This isn't the first time this happened."

"What?" Kamui's eyes widen, "It happened before then?"

"You can say that…" Ron smiled as he folded his arms, "There was one time when something happened to us. Call it a little prank. But, I did see that she had given up before then."

"A little prank?" Kamui raised a brow.

Ron nodded, "You should go ask one of the espers about it. They should be able to tell you more about it. I was just a tagalong afterall."

Kamui looked to him in confusion, but nodded and with smile, "All right. Thank you for telling me, Ron, and sorry for waking you up."

Ron just waved in silence as he watched Kamui leave the entrance. Kamui frowned as he recalled the words. Normally, he would've let the scenario go and tell the girl to be more careful, but the call was too close this time and her behavior doesn't seem to be well either. Quiet is one thing, but giving up on life is another. As he heard this, he can't help, but think of the worse as he hurried to look for someone he could trust not to leak out the information. That's when a person came to his mind. He hurried down the steps and through the halls till he came upon one of the doors. He believed that the person would be here. Unlike Ron, he should probably be up right now. Carefully, he knocked on the door, "Itsuki? Are you up?"

The door opened revealing the man up and with a piece of paper in hand. He looked to him in surprise, "Oh… Prince Kamui… Is something the matter?"

Kamui strained a smile, "Well, there's something I want to talk about…"

"Something you want to talk about?" Itsuki raised a brow but nodded, "Well, if it's going to be long, then come in."

Kamui thanked the esper as he walked into the Hoshidan style room similar to Kaze's as he took a seat around a small table with a ink brush on it. Itsuki sat on the other end as he smiled, "So, what is the problem?"

"Well… It's about Nanami." Kamui frowned, "Itsuki, I know you're friends with Nanami, right? Have long have you known her."

Itsuki raised brow, "Since she arrived on the ship, why? Did something happen?"

Kamui grimaced, "Well… I don't know if this is known or not, but please don't tell anyone else about this…"

Itsuki frowned before he sighed and shrugged, "Fine."

Kamui smiled, "Thank, Itsuki. This thing is…"

He retold what he said to Ron. However, unlike the previous, Itsuki's face only scrunched up a bit before he finally sighed as Kamui finished.

"Prince Kamui, this…"

Kamui frowned, "I know this isn't my place to go into her matters, but behaviors like this is unusual for a girl her age and I'm worried something worse will happen later on. I'd have given her a warning but let her off, but how she always keep her distances."

Istuki nodded before he put an elbow on the table, "Prince Kamui, have any one told you about us espers and our past?"

Kamui shook his head, "We know nothing about any of your pasts, but Heishi's. We were also warned by that everyone else have their own difficulties too."

Itsuki nodded, "That's pretty much it. Unlike Miss and her princes, not everyone have good experiences with their abilities. Some of us even suffers just by having these abilities. I don't know what Nanami's problem is and I agree that it's not a good sign, but I should warn you right now. Even though I don't know about everybody's past, you should be wary of who's past you should look into if it's about us with abilities. Heishi's troubles are his own just as everyone else's are. We've already witnessed that one of our own comrades have received even worse when she came to forget even her own name due to discrimination."

As he said this, Kamui thought carefully before he frowned, "Are you talking about this girl called Koharu?"

Itsuki nodded with a sigh, "When she first arrived, "We were already on edge because she already had something only we receive after we get on the ship. She was different, but what's more important to what I'm saying is that when we asked the girl about her name she only gave us her first name."

Kamui raised a brow, "That's strange? How?"

Itsuki shook his head, "Surely, you must've noticed by now, but, in our world, it's normal and required strongly that we all have a last name to tell what family we're from. It also tells our identity more than just a first name that's been used repeatedly by others. But, when we asked for hers, she said she doesn't remember since nobody has called her by name for a long long time, Kamui. That's one of the extent I've heard to a person with abilities."

"That's horrible." Kamui grimaced.

Itsuki sighed, "Yes. So, this is why we hardly ever talk about our past. It was to respect others boundaries. I don't know what happened between our Nanami and our other comrade, but I do know that they are on better terms before we came here from my perspective and I'm afraid that I might have to bear some responsibilities for that little 'Prank' Ron was talking about. Honestly, I was hoping they'd forget everything, but oh well."

Kamui nodded, "I understand why none of you question for each other's pasts, but, if it's all right, what was this prank that you pulled on your friends, Itsuki? I'm just curious."

Itsuki grinned mischeviously, "Yeah. Well, you know how Heishi's ability communicates with everyone around us, right? We may have tested something out and put our abilities together causing my ability to affect everyone around us and, since we were on the ship, I meant everyone on the ship."

Kamui frowned, "Oh god. So, that's what happened? And you was one of the two who initiated it?"

Kamui sighed with a strained smile, "Well, knowing who you are, I trust that you won't try doing that with our soldiers here, right?"

Itsuki shrugged, "I doubt anyone else would let me off lightly aside from you, so no."

"Good. Also, thank you for telling me about all this." Kamui said.

Itsuki only sighed and shrugged, "Right. See ya later, then."

Kamui left the room as he headed down the halls. As he pieced together the information he received. However, no matter what he did, the pieces still hang loose before him, but he wondered if the past is the key to all of their trouble with the real enemies? But, what could it be? Also, he have to make sure that none of their allies of another world takes the cost of their road. He muttered with a grimace, "There's been more than enough death to stop them. I can't let the others fall too…"

Mother. She had been able to hold the peace for years even when that meant putting up a barrier to forcefully rid the enemies of hate and anger. If she had been here, what would she have done? He knew that if something wasn't done, their new friends would be the first to fall before any of them, but what? Should he really try consulting with a child who doesn't want to speak?

YueTian: Hey, guys! Sorry if this chapter sounded a bit depressed and sadder than the previous. It wasn't my intentions, but I was feeling that way when I wrote this chapter. Just some problems in my life that I find hard to talk about. You all must've felt that once or twice before too. It'll get over eventually. I just need some time not to overthink things. Writing this helps keep my mind elsewhere and makes me feel a little happier. I try to figure out what the characters are feeling too, but sometimes I end up finding that it's not going with what the character originally is created to be, but I try. I'm thinking of trying the other stories for now. However, it's not official, so I might just continue on this. Well, I'll put a title to this and post it. Also, if you want to see our puppy, we've made a Instagram account for him! My brother made it and it's called Cielthedoggo (Yes, my little brother literally calls him that after seeing Undertale a couple years ago.)! Got to say, having a dog helps sometimes, but not when your parents aren't in the mood to spoil him… See ya!