Kamui was tired.
She had been tired for a long, long time. She was tired when Corrin had put the Blazing Yato through her chest. She was tired when she'd been held captive beneath Castle Shirasagi. She was tired when she'd witnessed the beheading of a woman who was to be a queen, and she was tired when she'd witnessed her mother sacrifice her own life for her.
War was exhausting. Life was exhausting. She wanted to close her eyes and drift off into a dreamless sleep from which she would never wake, leaving the world and all its burdens behind. She never asked to be born with royal blood in her veins. She never asked to be chosen by some legendary weapon and have a prophecy thrust upon her. She never asked for any of this, and yet it was the life she'd been given.
How unfair.
Lately, she found herself preferring getting lost in daydreams to going about her duties in the real world. Daydreams were so much better than reality, after all. In her mind, Kamui was not shackled by the burden of her responsibilities. She was free as a bird and could do anything she wanted. Everyone who had ever died for her or because of her was alive and prospering, joining hands and laughing in jubilance as they danced together through vast meadows and shared in their happiness. Unfortunately, Kamui would always be taken from these daydreams one way or another, and she would have to cope with the reality of her life every time.
It wasn't all bad, she supposed. She had her husband and her children, whom she loved with all her heart. She had Peri—who she loved as well, albeit in a different sort of way—and her Nohrian siblings, she had the friends she'd come to cherish over the years. She had her twin brother as well, finally, after years of him being lost to her. Finally, by some miracle, she had Hinoka.
"You've never cut your own hair before, have you?"
Kamui sat in a chair in her villa's bedroom with a large cape draped over her front, her eyes closed and breath steady. Meanwhile, Hinoka carefully trimmed her hair with a pair of silver scissors and a wooden comb—she said it was made from tsuge wood, though Kamui had no idea what that even was. It was apparently a traditional style of Hoshidan comb, which made Kamui feel a little less disconnected from the country she was born in.
"No," Kamui began with a faint smile. "Growing up, the maids were always the ones to cut my hair. Camilla took over once I got older, and when I started wearing it short like this, Peri started doing it instead."
"Peri usually does this for you? Well, I hope she doesn't get jealous when she sees that I've stolen her job from her," Hinoka said, snickering. "Before today, when was the last time you'd cut it? You were overdue for a trim, believe me."
Kamui thought for a moment. "It was…right when I returned to Nohr after…well, after my captivity in Shirasagi. Ages ago."
"Oh." Kamui could not see it, but the smile on Hinoka's face disappeared. "I see. Well…we're done. Would you like to take a look?"
"Naturally."
Kamui could not help but grin at the sight of herself reflected in the hand mirror Hinoka held before her. The style was longer than how she usually cut it—though not by much—fuller in the back and with bangs that did not get in her eyes so much. She looked back at her elder sister with bright eyes.
"Thank you, Hinoka. It looks wonderful."
"I'm glad. I'm used to cutting my own hair, so I was a little worried I'd mess it up once I moved onto another person," Hinoka said. "Ah, if you ever want me to cut it again, just let me know and I'll do my best to keep up the good work."
"Of course. For now, though…"
Hinoka promptly removed the sheet from atop Kamui and folded it up into a neat square, careful not to let any hair clippings fall onto the floor. Kamui rose to her feet and stretched, letting out a yawn.
"Tired already?" Hinoka asked.
"No, I was just sitting for a while. I should probably get out and stretch my legs."
"Would you like to take a walk together? I can't imagine we'll have many more opportunities before we reach our destination."
"That sounds nice, actually. Should I invite Camilla as well?" Kamui covered her mouth and snickered. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she has a little crush on you."
Hinoka's face became the color of her hair as her eyes widened. "W-What? What makes you say that?!"
"Well, you're just her type, you know. Slightly rough around the edges, not overtly feminine, and you have a good heart."
"I don't know how they do things over in Nohr, but I am happily married, thank you very much!"
"Oh, I'm sure she'd be content just looking and not touching."
Hinoka set the scissors down on a nearby desk and crossed her arms, the red hue fading from her face. "Hmph. Well, if you'd like to invite her then that's fine by me, so long as she knows that I'm not on the market.
Kamui laughed. "I'll be sure to let her know."
This was…nice. Just two days ago, Kamui never could have imagined talking to her sister like this. She'd been convinced her Hoshidan family would hate her forever, but since she was able to somehow win over Hinoka, perhaps the others would follow suit. Hope was not something she had much of these days, but she could not help but holding on just a bit of it.
She started towards the door only for a knock to interrupt her. Kamui supposed she could only go unbothered for so long considering her rank. Sighing, she opened the door only to be met with the perpetually forlorn face of her youngest sister.
"Oh! Elise. Uh, do you need something?"
Elise looked past her and at Hinoka. "Are you busy?" she asked. Her lips barely moved, words coming out as a mumble.
"No, not anymore. Hinoka and I were just about to head out for a walk. I'm planning on asking Camilla to join us. Ah…would you like to as well?"
Elise shook her head. "Can I talk to you?"
Kamui pursed her lips. "Well, I, uh, suppose if you'd like to chat while we walk—"
"Actually, I'll go fetch Camilla myself while you two talk. We'll be just outside her cottage waiting for you."
Before Kamui could say anything, Hinoka gave her a reasurring squeeze on her shoulder, waved, and was gone in no time. Elise stepped through the door once Hinoka left and closed it behind her, silently making her way over to the sofa against the wall and sitting down. Her gaze was fixed to the floor.
"So…what was it you wanted to talk about?" Kamui asked, completely still. A single bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face.
"Are you okay?" Elise asked, not looking up from the floor.
"Of course I am—why wouldn't I be?" Kamui forced a smile that Elise could not see. It was almost silly, feeling cornered by one's own younger sister, but Kamui felt as if she had her back to the wall and a knife to her throat. Even if Elise wasn't at all threatening, the mere fact that they were alone together was enough to make Kamui anxious.
Elise frowned, her grip on the edge of the couch tightening. "No, you aren't. You aren't okay."
Kamui wished she would stop this.
"Elise, I'm fine. I promise. You don't have to worry about me, alright?"
"Gods, I wish you stop lying to me," Elise spat, sending a shudder down Kamui's spine. "Is this seriously what you're doing right now? Your own mother tried to kill you last night and you expect me to believe you're fine?"
Kamui held her tongue between her teeth and took a step back. She didn't want to talk about this. If Elise would just drop it, then she could go about the rest of her day with a smile on her face, but no. She couldn't have that.
"She wasn't…she wasn't trying to kill me," Kamui mumbled. "Corrin said she was hoping I'd end up at back at the Bottomless Canyon—or some other pathway to Valla."
"Right, so you'd be safe while she slit the rest of our throats in our sleep." Elise grit her teeth. "I'm really upset with you, Kamui. I want you to know that."
Kamui felt a pang of pain in her chest. "I'm sorry for that. I know I should be angry about the fact that she wanted to hurt you all, but—"
"Not about that!"
That was when Elise finally looked at her, and her expression sent another arrow through Kamui's chest. Never before had she seen such fury in her little sister's eyes. Elise never got angry. As far as Kamui was concerned, it wasn't an emotion she was capable of. She wasn't angry when Corrin chose his Hoshidan family over them, or when he made an attempt on Garon's life in Cyrkensia, or even when she shouted at Kamui over her regret at not killing him the day after that. When Elise was upset, she would cry for a while and be good as new in no time. But…that was the Elise of years past.
Somewhere along the line, Elise had changed. She was neither optimistic nor cheerful, both having been the defining characteristics of the person she once was. Xander insisted that it was just her growing up and becoming a proper adult, but Kamui knew it was her fault. The look on her face when she laid eyes on the wretched self-inflicted scars that tarnished Kamui's legs would remain permanently etched in her mind's eye for the rest of her life. Elise wasn't the same after that. She would try, sometimes, but it never amounted to anything. In the end, Kamui had broken her baby sister, and there was little to be done about it.
"I'm upset with you because you won't talk to me," Elise said. "Or anyone, for that matter! What, do you just plan to keep things bottled up inside until you crack and it all comes spilling out at once? A-Are you going to keep hurting yourself to distract yourself from it?"
Kamui bit her lip and averted her eyes. "N-No…I don't…I don't need any help, Elise."
"Bullshit," Elise hissed. Kamui winced. "It doesn't have to come from me. It can be anyone close to you—Silas or Peri or Corrin or whoever—but you have to talk to someone, otherwise these things are going to keep eating at you from the inside until you're nothing but a husk. Is that what you want?"
"I don't know why you insist on behaving like this," Kamui said, balling her fists. "You aren't my mother. You're my younger sister, and frankly, I'm insulted that you would think I would allow that to happen to me."
"It's happen before!"
"What are you on about?"
Elise shot up from her seat and glared. "I'm not stupid, Kamui. Do you think I don't know what you were planning during the Shirasagi siege? I could see it in every look you gave and every word you uttered—you didn't plan on coming out of that alive."
Kamui drew in a sharp breath. "That's…that isn't—"
"You ran from the fight so that Corrin would follow you. It was so he could kill you without anyone seeing, isn't it?" Tears welled in Elise's eyes and her voice began to waver. "But he must have wanted to fight you one last time. To prove himself. But…you were just going to let him kill you, weren't you?"
Kamui was silent. Her heart pounded in her chest and there was a ringing in her ears. Hanging her head low, she took a step back.
"I would never—"
She yelped as she was suddenly seized by a magical aura and pulled forward to stand before Elise, that same aura wreathing her hand. "Look at me, damn it!" Elise shouted, tears rolling down her face. "Answer me, talk to me, be honest with me! Why won't you do that anymore? Why can't you let me in?"
A lump rose in Kamui's throat and she was speechless once again, left staring at the crying face of her beloved little sister. A face that was crying because of her.
"Please please please just talk to me again, Kamui. It's all I want! It's all I even care about! I'm not interested in men or women or sex or love or any of that stuff—all I'm here for is to help people!" Elise sobbed. "What if something happens to you or me? Is this how we're going to remember each other? You refusing to open up and me never smiling?"
Kamui felt tears welling in her own eyes. She knew this had to happen sooner or later, butgods, she dreaded it nevertheless. Elise loved helping people through their problems, it was what she did, but Kamui had never been good at letting her do that for her. She would reassure Elise that she was fine and that there was nothing to concern herself over even when she was being suffocated in a maelstrom of despair. She couldn't burden her sweet little sister with her problems—problems she should have been able to rid herself of on her own. She wasn't like Peri. Her problems were afflictions of the mind that could be solved if only she had the will to suck it up and cease wallowing in her own misery. Kamui was weak, though. She couldn't pull herself out of that pit even if she tried.
"I—" Kamui's voice caught in her throat and she squeezed her eyes shut, still unwilling to look Elise in the face. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to worry about me."
"I always worry about you, Kamui. I worry that you aren't taking care of yourself, or that you won't make it out of the next fight, or that I might wake up to you having done stupid. That I'll never get to hear your voice again."
The magic holding Kamui in place flickered out as Elise's shoulders slouched. "I don't want to lose you, Kamui. I spend everyday thinking that if you end up hurting yourself or worse, that it'd be my fault. Because I wasn't there to help you, but…I can't help you if you won't talk to me. So won't you? Please?"
All around Kamui, the room began to spin. She stumbled backwards, her mouth dry and heart racing. She couldn't catch her breath. She could barely think. Her hands were clammy. She felt as if she were on the verge of collapsing, and for what? Because her sister was confronting her? She was pathetic. Weak. Unfit for motherhood and sisterhood alike, let alone leading an army. She hated herself. She wished she could fade into nothingness right then and there.
She stumbled back again and this time lost her balance completely. Kamui would have fallen had it not been for Elise suddenly wrapping her arms tightly around her and holding Kamui's head against her shoulder.
Kamui couldn't remember when Elise became taller than her.
"I…I've been a horrible sister, haven't I?" Kamui whispered.
"No. Never. You just…made mistakes. That's all."
"I thought—" Kamui's voice caught in her throat and she raised her hands to grip at the fabric of Elise's dress. "I thought that by h-hurting myself, it would help me forget about everything. Pain of the flesh is real, but pain of the mind…I just wanted to distract myself."
"You don't have to do that anymore." Elise squeezed her tighter. "You never had to. You're surrounded by people who love you and want to see you happy. Looking after you isn't a burden to me or anything like that. It doesn't matter that I'm younger than you, either. I love you, Kamui. I want you to know that I'm always going to be there when you need me, okay? It isn't weakness to cry. Just don't be afraid to reach out."
Kamui sniveled. Elise's soul was one too good for this world. She gave and she gave and all she ever asked for in return was a smile. She was always the ray of sunshine among her siblings, the one who held everyone together when things were tense. She could talk Camilla out of her bouts of melancholy, quell Xander's anger, and bring Leo back to reality whenever he would become lost within himself, but Elise's shining light never did illuminate Kamui's bleak world. She would never allow it to.
But now…well. What sort of sister would she be if she didn't let Elise do what she loved?
Stepping back slightly, Kamui pressed a kiss onto her sister's forehead and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "Okay. I'll try not to push you away anymore. I'll mess up sometimes, but whenever I do, don't let up. Keep pestering me until I talk to you."
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, Kamui got to see Elise smile again.
"Pestering is what little sisters do best, isn't it?" she said as Kamui thumbed away her tears.
Kamui snickered. "I suppose it is. But ah, what you said earlier. You're…not interested in romance? Did you mean that?" Elise nodded. "Oh, but you know how much Camilla wants to see you in a gorgeous wedding dress one day! Such a shame."
"I know, I know, and I do feel a little bad, but none of that stuff has ever really interested me, you know?" Elise said. "Just like how you're into men and women, I'm not into anyone, I don't think. Sure, some people are pretty attractive, but the thought of dating or being intimate with them…blech. So no fancy weddings for me, unfortunately."
"Well, just because you won't be getting married doesn't mean we can't still dress you up in a cute little wedding dress just for fun sometime."
"That does sound pretty fun," Elise said with a giggle.
Kamui couldn't help but smile fondly at her. That…was not as difficult and she'd anticipated it would be. Neither was her confrontation with Hinoka. Just like that, she had mended her relationship with two of her sisters, and all it took was a few shed tears and candid words. Of course, she fully expected to fall into one of her stupors once again sooner or later, but that was okay. Elise would be there for her. Not only Elise, but Hinoka, and Corrin, and Silas, and Camilla, and all of her friends and family. Elise was right. She was surrounded by love, and whether she deserved that love did not matter.
"Now, what do you say we meet up with Camilla and Hinoka? We wouldn't want to keep them waiting."
Elise took Kamui's hand into her own and grinned. "A walk with my sisters is just what I need right now."
And just like that, hand in hand, the sisters stepped outside of the cottage and into the sunlight.
Before now, Kamui had been having a difficult time remembering the fact that Valla once was a prosperous kingdom. After all, the masses of land they'd crossed over the course of the last week or so were almost entirely grassland. Sometimes they'd come across the ruined remnants of a barn or some other structure, but if asked to envision Valla prior to its destruction, Kamui would have only been able to picture a vast plain.
Today, though, they'd come across a handful of crumbled buildings floating by on miniature islands. That told them they were getting close to their goal. The party encountered even more evidence of civilization—tattered children's toys, torn clothing, what appeared to be currency—until finally they reached a drifting island than was larger than any of the ones they had travelled across thus far. Unless like those other islands, barren with nothing but grass and shrubbery, this one had clearly once been a city.
They stood among what was likely a commerce center, humble buildings that had been half torn apart all around them. The stone-paved road beneath their feet was cracked and crumbled beyond repair so much so that the uneven terrain was uncomfortable to walk on, but these were soldiers. They were used to traversing difficult terrain, and many of them were no stranger to marching through cities.
Some of the more curious among them should have wanted to explore and try learning more about this strange land. Kara should have been playing in the ruins while Leo collected samples to study upon their return home, but instead, each and every pair of eyes was locked on the marvel high above them. It was sat atop a mountain that could not have been more than a half hour's march away, its towering spires seeming to call out to them, as if it were daring them to come near.
"Castle Valla…" Shigure whispered, a small smile tugging at its lips. "I never thought I'd actually see it in person. I almost can't believe it."
"Well, believe it." Azura, meanwhile, made no effort to hide her own grin. "Right there is where this all comes to an end. It's where we finally lay the Silent Dragon to rest and put an end to his machinations once and for all."
"It's about time," Selena breathed. She seemed tired, but even then, she smiled. "It's been a long road, but here we are at its end."
Kamui couldn't help but frown. How could any of them smile at a time like this? She understand feeling excited at the prospect of putting all of this behind them at last, but were they not scared? There was no guarantee they would leave Valla in one piece or at all, but somehow, they were able to look up at the place that could very well serve as their graves with great anticipation. It was baffling.
Of course, Kamui was nervous as all hell, and how couldn't she be? They were on the verge of facing down their most powerful enemy yet. The puppetmaster that had been pulling the strings behind the war Hoshido and Nohr had engulfed themselves in for almost a decade lied just beyond. Victory was not guaranteed. Survival was not guaranteed. They would all have to fight with everything they had in order to even stand a chance against the Silent Dragon and his army of phantasmal warriors—an army that had been suspiciously absent lately.
The hair on the back of Kamui's neck stiffened. Sumeragi had come alone, as had Mikoto. When Setsuna had said there was more to come, surely she did not just mean the ghosts of their parents. This could not have been it, there had to be more before the final battle began. The question was when it would come.
"Hey, Kamui? You don't look so good," Elise said, snapping Kamui out of her own head. "Something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing. Just…anxious." Kamui took a deep breath. "Worried about what lies ahead."
"I get that. It's not over until it's over, after all." Hinoka gave her a reassuring smile. "But you don't have to worry about a thing, I promise. When we're united like this, nothing can stop us."
"That's a nice sentiment, but…" Corrin's ear twitched in unison with Kamui's and they gave each other telling looks. Something was off. A shift in the air signalled that they were not alone.
"Papa?" Kara held onto her father's arm and nervously looked around. "I feel weird…"
"Stay on guard," Kana advised, drawing his estoc from its sheath. "We've got company."
Sure enough, Kamui felt a chill in the air. This was problematic. Most of the people here were not used to combat in such close quarters, and with so many structures surrounding them, movement would be difficult. There were already so many of them to begin with, so if Anankos' phantoms were high in number…
She let out a deep breath and shook her head. They would be fine. These were the best fighters in the realm, after all, and they were certain to emerge victorious no matter what enemy stood in their way.
The slightest distortion in the air ahead of her and she drew the Shadow Yato at once, her allies readying their weapons in turns. Kamui knew what was coming. There was no way Anankos would allow them to reach him without playing the ace at his disposal. Setsuna was for Corrin. Her mother and father were for everyone. And for Kamui?
Well. At least she would get to see him again.
Her anticipation didn't make it any less nerve-wracking when the shimmering mirage solidified into the second brother she had lost. He looked just like he did on the day of death, a sort of regal radiance to his form and a bleak sadness in his eyes. Kamui shuddered and stumbled back, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head.
"Damn it…" she muttered. "Damn it!"
"Father," Siegbert whispered, his voice shaking. "No. Not you as well…"
Charlotte couldn't help but crack a smile in spite of the tears welling in her eyes. "Hey, hot stuff. Been a while."
"Indeed it has." Xander looked out on his friends and family alike with nostalgia painted on his face. "Camilla. Elise, Leo…Little Prince. Little Princess. Oh, how I've longed to see you all once more."
Camilla grimaced. "I would have liked to meet under better circumstances."
"I must say, I'm not exactly looking forward to having to watch you die a second time," Leo said, sighing. "But I doubt Anankos cares much about what it is we want. After all, you don't want to stop us here, do you?"
Xander shook his head. "Of course not. But it is what I much do. I…I truly am sorry."
"There's no need to apologize, Xander," Elise said with a warm smile. "You can't help it. This is Anankos' will, not yours."
"Still I am filled with regret. But I will not allow that regret to stop me here. Little Princess?"
Kamui didn't want to meet his eyes—she wouldn't be able to handle it. Damn it, she was so fragile. She should have been ready for this. She should have been able to face him. She should have been able to do so much more than she was capable of, but she couldn't. What good was all those years of training at the Northern Fortress if she couldn't even look her older brother in the eyes? She could swing a sword with extreme proficiency and make flames dance on her fingertips, but facing Xander? That was too much.
Corrin nudged her in the side and only then did she look up at him. "We're all here for you, Kamui," he said. "Keep your chin up."
Biting her tongue, Kamui forced herself to look ahead at Xander, and even if she felt like his gaze would turn her to stone, she refused to look away. She had to face this.
"I must say, I was expecting more of Sumeragi and Mikoto. They're remarkable fighters and I suspect they would have had you beat had they chosen the approach Setsuna took. Sumeragi's duel accomplished nothing, and Mikoto's intended strategy—while certainly in her merciful nature— evidently was unsuccessful. I, on the other hand, will not falter here."
With a raise of his hand, Xander summoned forth dozens of ethereal soldiers behind him, from archers and swordsmen to mages and clerics. What was most vexing of all, however, was the fact that several of those faces were all too familiar.
Camilla's expression fell and her soldiers fell. "Oh no. Beruka, dear…"
Ryoma's eyes widened as he gawked. "S-…Scarlet…"
"Come on, Arthur," Effie grumbled, her jaw clenched and veins bulging in her neck. "This isn't you."
Just looking at Beruka was enough for a heavy pit to form in Kamui's stomach. She would still be alive if it weren't for her failure—her weakness—that day in Shirasagi. She'd retrieved Siegbert and Silas before fleeing, but not Beruka. Why? It was her fear of Corrin that rendered her unable to move in any direction but forward, and because of that, Beruka had lost her life.
Kamui locked eyes with Scarlet and suddenly felt as if she were back in Cheve amidst a burning battlefield. Another monument to Kamui's weakness. All she had to do was call out to Hans and reprimand him for his brutality and maybe Scarlet's life would have been spared, but instead she'd stood there gawking and allowed her to be unceremoniously executed. Because of her, Ryoma had lost his wife and Shiro had grown up without his mother. It was her fault, her fault, everything was her fault.
Her heart began to palpitate and her breathing began to waver; her own thoughts were deafening. I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this. Have to run, have to hide, have to—
Kamui felt a hand on her shoulder and turned her head. Elise was just behind her, determination in her eyes and comfort on her face. Kamui looked to her left and saw Hinoka standing firm with her naginata in hand. Corrin was on her right, and though his gaze was dark, Kamui knew he had no intention of wavering here. All around her, her allies stood at the ready and awaiting command. Surely Camilla had to have been hurting—surely Ryoma was reeling at the thought of having to face his fallen love in combat, but still they kept their eyes forward.
That was the kind of strength Kamui lacked.
That was the kind of strength she refused to go on without any longer.
"Everyone, omega formation!" she shouted, her comrades in arms falling into line at once. "Don't hold back! This is our last stand before the final battle! And Brother—" she aimed the Shadow Yato at Xander and grit her teeth, eyes filled with regret and pain. "I'm sorry."
Xander only smiled. He raised his sacred weapon in the air,
"I am too, Little Princess."
and let it fall.
As the opposing armies charge towards each other amid the ruined commerce center, battle cries were had all around and catalyzed them forward. The twins evidently had the same intentions. As Corrin sprouted wings, horns, and a tail, his draconic hand grew into baleful claws and he leapt into the air to soar towards Xander. At the same time, Kamui charged ahead and cut down anyone who stood in her path, her sights set only on her older brother.
A spearman came at her from the side and she slammed her palm into his face, flash freezing his entire body in a single moment. She shoved him aside and paid no mind to the sound of ice shattering against the pavement. The next one to stand in her way got a javelin of ice through her eye, and the next his throat sliced open by the Shadow Yato. Now was not the time to deal witht those whose defeat would ultimately be inconsequential. The sooner Xander was dealt with, the sooner this would all come to an end.
Kamui continued through the seemingly endless sea of ethereal soldiers, her ice making quick work of those who came into contact with her. Corrin supported her from above as well, striking down anyone in her blind spot with stunningly well-placed throws of his kunai. Just a minute ago she'd been practically face-to-face with Xander, but now it was as if he'd vanished among his summoned fighters. It made no difference, though. She would wade through a sea of blood and flesh if it meant she was finally able to put an end to all this.
She refused to fail here. She had to slay Anankos, she had to, otherwise what was the point of it all? All the soldiers who had given their lives under her command, all the people she'd killed, all the pain and suffering she'd inflicted, it couldn't have all been for nothing. It had to amount to something, and Anankos' death, overdue by a thousand years, was exactly that. Killing Anankos would be how she atoned for the things she'd done, or at least, how she began to atone. She felt there was no way to make up for her crimes, but by putting an end to Anankos' machinations once and for all, she could at the very least do something good for the first time in her life.
Narrowly avoiding an arrow that was racing towards her head, Kamui knelt down and touched her fingertips to the gravel below. Frozen spikes burst forth from the ground and impaled far too many to count, clearing her path just a little bit more. She let out a shaky, frosty breath, and found that ice crystals were forming across her face.
Too cold. Now, it was time to burn.
The ice spikes were destroyed the moment a torrent of azure flames washed over them, the fire crashing against stone facades like waves against a cliffside. Kamui's advance was unrelenting. Blazing infernos consumed anyone who dared to stand in her way and burned everything in her path.
Corrin had been correct on that fateful day—this was all Kamui knew. She killed, and destroyed, and burned and broke and buried and took. Destruction was what she was good at, and the least she could do was harness that destruction into something good. So if her allies needed biting winds that chilled their enemies to their cores and left them as nothing more than frozen husks, she would provide that for them. If they needed raging fire that burned all in its path and left nothing behind but ash and char, she would provide that for them. If they needed cold steel and sharpened claws that cut and tore through any who dared oppose them, she would provide that for them as well. Kamui was a weapon, and what good was a weapon that went unused?
After what felt like no time at all, there was almost nothing left to burn. The flames emitting from Kamui's hands extinguished when she saw Xander standing absolutely still, his blade stuck into the ground and his eyes closed. He hadn't moved at all since the battle begun, had he? While she and her allies fought against his summoned soldiers, he'd been standing there idly.
He'd been waiting for this.
Corrin touched down next to her, heavily breathing with a furrowed brow. His gaze was locked on his older brother as well.
"How are things back there? Could you see everything from the air?"
"Everyone's handling themselves better than I expected. Even those who aren't all that great at fighting are proving themselves, like Midori." Corrin pursed his lips. "He's waiting on us."
"Yeah." Kamui nodded. She turned to look him in the eyes. "Should we give him what he wants?"
Corrin smiled. "It's been…far too long since the two of us have faced him. I think we're about due for one last rematch."
Kamui smiled in return. "That we are."
Together, they steadily approached the ghost of their past with their blades at the ready. Their attention was devoted entirely to Xander, so much so that they paid no mind to the light emitting from their legendary weapons nor did they glance down when they light fated. All they did was alter their grips to adjust to the new weight of the identical swords in their grasps, double-sided blades with sharp teeth like the thorns of a rose on either side and topped with prongs angled so that it almost resembled an insignia of flames. The four depressions on the flat of the blades had been completely filled with red light and the weapons themselves seemed to emit a faint crimson glow.
Xander opened his eyes at last and the corners of his lips turned up. "Ah. Now this is a pleasant sight. My Little Prince and Little Princess together again at last, their weapons turned on their dear older brother. You'll have to forgive me if I tear up."
"There'll be none of that today, Xander," Corrin said, shaking his head. "Just the three of us crossing blades for the final time."
"And what wonderful blades they are. I never thought I'd live to see the Omega Yatos in person." Xander chuckled. "Actually, I suppose I didn't, did I? Regardless, you've both come so far, and those blades are proof of that. The prophesized heroes are finally realizing their fated path."
"These swords…" Kamui held her weapon in front of her eyes and stared. "They mean nothing. They are weapons and nothing more."
Xander frowned. "Oh?"
"This sword was given to me on the worst day of my life and has done nothing but torment me ever since. I would always look at it and be reminded that…that I was walking the wrong path. That the decision I made wasn't my destiny. That I had made a mistake." She pursed her lips and paused for a moment. "Every day I would think to myself, 'This isn't what heroes do. You're meant to be a hero—this sword is proof of that. Who are you to defy destiny?'. Then I would remember that the legends say that the Yatos could also bring ruin to the world and believe that that's what I was doing. But…I realize something now. Everything I've done, every man I've cut down, every step I've taken has been a product of my own decisions. My life isn't prewritten by some damned prophecy or anything of the sort." She grit her teeth and assumed an offensive stance, tightly gripping the sword in her hands. Corrin readied himself as well with determination on his face. "To hell with destiny—I'm here today because I want to be! I make my own fate!"
Xander stared for a moment, bewildered, before a proud smile crossed his lips.
"That's my girl."
The instant Kamui tensed her muscles, the blades on her sword's edge began to rotate like the blades on the medical chain saws she'd seen used during battlefield surgeries. She and Corrin rushed forward in tandem as Xander charged at them with his own blade at the ready. Sparks flew upon first contact, Kamui's sword bouncing right off of Xander's and making her stumble back for a moment. Corrin took advantage of the opening immediately and attacked only for Xander to mount an impressive defense.
Corrin leapt out of the way just in time for Kamui to hurl a fireball that crashed against Xander's armor, firing off a sphere of water from above that knocked him off balance and coming down the next instant to continue his assault. Kamui leapt right back into the fray and began to attack just out of time with Corrin, making certain that there was never a moment where Xander could cease his defense. Any time she would draw her arm back or adjust her footing, Corrin was there with an attack of his own.
Kamui leapt back and Corrin defensively wrapped his wrings around himself. Before Xander had time to react, Kamui had teleported behind him in a flash of black light and her hand had already begun to spark. She slammed her palm into his back and the resulting explosion sent him flying and tumbling across the dirt. Xander managed to dig his heels into the ground and steady himself, rising to his feet and thrusting Siegfriend forward to send a beam of dark energy shooting towards Corrin. Kamui stomped her foot and the attack dissipated against the resulting wall of ice. Corrin stepped onto the wall at the same time it collapsed forward and Kamui sent it and him racing towards Xander.
"Incredible!"
Corrin jumped at him and Xander grabbed him out of the air, his armored hand wrapping around his little's brother's neck. "You've both improved greatly since I last saw you!" he said, slamming Corrin into the wall of an adjacent building. The Assassin Prince coughed up red onto Xander's ebony armor and Kamui found herself cursing under her breath. She wouldn't let any further harm come to her little brother.
She pressed her palm into the ground and ice crept all across the path, ice that shattered into a million shards the instant she slammed her foot down. Closing her fist, she sent each and every shard crashing into Xander before he could raise his blade on Corrin. The ice sliced through his armor and left cuts across his skin, the sight of which made Kamui grimace. She knew what had to be done, but that did not mean she enjoyed hurting him like this.
Corrin recovered and flew back to stand at Kamui's side just in time to avoid Siegfried stabbing into the building facade and took a moment to catch his breath. Kamui put her hand on his back, still maintaining a defensive stance.
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"I'm more resilient than that," Corrin responded with an almost smug smirk, wiping the blood from his chin. "Wasn't expecting him to be gentle with us anyway. None of the others have."
Kamui nodded and held up two fingers. "Go high."
Corrin took off the next instant, taking to the air as Kamui inhaled deeply. Xander tracked him with his eyes all the while running towards Kamui with his blade at the ready. Kamui had to wait—the angle wasn't quite right yet. She pursed her lips as she began to channel crackling blue lightning into her fingertips. He had to come closer, closer…
"Corrin!"
Finally, she aimed skywards and shot the lightning towards Corrin, the act enough to stop Xander in his tracks. Corrin sent a kunai whizzing towards Xander from behind before folding in his wings and falling tumbling through the air. Xander readied himelf to swat the knife away only to realize at the last second that Kamui's lightning had followed it, and while she may have been aiming upwards, Corrin was certainly not her target.
The lightning shot out from Kamui's fingertips to Corrin's dagger only to jump to Xander's armor when it got too close, surging through his body and making him cry out in pain. It did not stun him for long, however. He recovered quickly and turned on his heel to block an oncoming strike from Corrin and did the same to Kamui when she closed the distance between them and swung her blade. The siblings were once again locked in a hurricane of slashes and stabs that glanced off of armor and swords alike, sparks flying through the air with every clang.
Kamui had crossed blades with Xander plenty of times throughout the years—he was the one who taught her how to hold a sword, after all—but never like this. They had sparred too many times to count, but in those duels, he was always teaching her. Guiding her, instructing her on proper technique or footwork. Now, though? Now, they were fighting with every intent to cut each other down, something Corrin was far more familiar with. Despite the differing circumstances, Kamui was still intimately familiar with the way her older brother fought.
Watch his waist—left!
She leaned to the left and narrowly avoided being cleaved in half by Siegfried. She spun out of the way to dodge a follow-up attack, taking the opportunity to land a slash right onto Xander's back. He winced, but did not let the pain deter him.
"With me!"
"Right!"
Both Kamui and Corrin leapt back, giving each other knowing looks as Xander cut through the space they had been occupying moments earlier. Xander charged towards them with a fire in his eyes, and just as he drew his blade back, Kamui leapt clear over him and turned in the air, a fire ball ready in her palm. Xander readied himself to defend against the flames, but instead of being met with fire, he faced something he hadn't been anticipating.
Kamui threw her sword.
For the second time, Xander had to twist at an awkward angle to avoid his sister's flying blade, only this time around, his brother was there to follow up.
"Hyah!"
Without so much of a hint of hesitation, Corrin forced his Omega Yato through Xander's stomach, and not a second later, Kamui withdrew her blade from the ground and stabbed him through the back. Xander stood there in shock, his eyes wide and his expression pained. In the moment, Kamui was reminded of when Corrin had finally come back to her that fateful day in Shirasagi, only instead of their own blades piercing each other's bodies, their older brother now stood between them.
"O-Outstanding," Xander breathed, Siegfried falling from his grasp. The twins withdrew their weapons and shared a grimace. "Simply outstanding."
Just like that, what little remained of Xander's phantasms disappeared into nothingness. Xander collapsed onto the ground just as the entirety of Hoshido and Nohr's combined forces rushed forward to gather around. Kamui felt bile rising in her throat. Looking down at Xander lying on the ground with a hole in his chest again, it was like she was back in Casatle Shirasagi's throne room with tears rolling down her face.
"Father!" Siegbert cried, panting. He fell to his knees at once and took Xander's hand into his own, squeezing it tightly. "Damn it all, damn it all! This isn't fair!"
Xander chuckled. "Things rarely are, my son. I am at the very least glad we get to see each other one last time." He turned his head to his wife and smiled at her. "Charlotte. You look as beautiful as the day I met you."
"Heh. Don't flatter yourself," Charlotte replied with a slight smile, wiping a tear away with her finger. "You really had to go dying on us, huh? Asshole."
"I apologize for leaving so suddenly—and without so much as a goodbye—but…my time had come."
"No, it hadn't," Kamui countered, biting her lip. "That attack was meant for me. I was supposed to die back then, not you."
"Says who? Are you not the one who only just rejected the notion of any such fate?"
"It doesn't matter," Kamui said with her eyes squeezed shut. "Why did you sacrifice yourself? You should have let Iago kill me."
Xander frowned. "Little Princess…do you value your own life so little?"
"I'm sick of people dying in my place! You, Beruka, Mother, all dead because of me, and for what? What have I done with the life I've been gifted? I've made misstep after misstep, mistake after mistake. Beruka had a long life ahead of her, Mother was a queen beloved by all, and you were about to become the king who would finally turn Nohr into a kingdom worth being proud of! What am I compared to that?!"
Kamui forced back tears and balled her fists—she'd done more than her fair share of crying for one lifetime. Still, what was it all for? Why was she permitted to live while so many died for her? She wasn't special. She was just a weak-willed woman who was good with a sword and magic, that was all. All she ever wrought was destruction and carnage, but still Mikoto and Xander had sacrified themselves for her without so much as a second thought. She understood well enough that it was because they loved her, and love always made people to do stupid things. Stupid things like shielding your foolish daughter from shrapnel or stepping in front of dark spikes meant to pierce the flesh of your pathetic little sister. Regardless of their reasonings, it was a complete and utter waste of two good souls, thrown away so that a feeble and inept princess could continue drawing breath.
A part of her resented them for it. Had Mikoto allowed her to die, then perhaps her Nohrian family would have been united against Garon—Camilla, Leo, and Elise, at least. The war could have ended in a fraction of the time. If Xander had never taken Iago's attack in her stead, she would have been at last relieved of the burden of her life. But no. They died protecting her, and because of them, her suffering would continue. All she wanted was to rest.
"Why?" Kamui choked out, a single tear spilling from her eye when Elise put her hand on her shoulder. "Why does this keep happening? W-Why do people keep getting hurt for me?"
"Oh, Little Princess."
Xander smiled again, and this time, it was the smile of a man who was content. The same golden glow that had carried away Setsuna and Sumeragi began to consume him.
"Because you're worth it. You've always been worth it."
Kamui's expression softened and it was only then that she realized just what sort of blessings she'd been given. The siblings she'd grown up with loved her. Her husband and children loved her. Peri, Laslow, Soleil, and all the rest of her friends loved her. She would die for them in a heartbeat and she was sure they would do the same for her. If they loved her, then…that meant there was something about her worth loving.
Perhaps she was good for more than just fighting. Maybe she was good for giving Camilla someone to dote on, or her children someone to look up to, or making Peri smile. It was not her strength that gave her worth nor her weakness that made her worthless. So long as there were people around who cared about her…maybe there was value in her existence after all.
"Elise," Xander began, turning his attention to his youngest sister. "I see you've been taking care of everyone just as you always have. I'm proud of you. You'll keep it up long after I'm gone for good, will you not?"
Elise wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. "Of course I will. You can count on me."
"As always." He turned to Camilla. "Camilla, I…it's regrettable that you'll have to clean up the mess I made of things, but I know you'll make for a wonderful queen. What I lacked in compassion you always made up for tenfold."
"You don't have to worry about a thing, Brother," Camilla said, giving him her signature maternal smile. "I intend on making Nohr into a far better place than it was for us growing up. Thank you."
Leo let out a loud sigh before Xander could so much as look him in the eye, prompting both Mozu and Forrest to elbow him in the ribs. "You don't have to give me any heartfelt parting words. Minor inferiority complex aside, I'm perfectly content the way I am."
Xander chuckled as best he could and winced at the pain that came with it. "That doesn't mean you can't listen to your older brother's final bit of advice. Leo, let not envy prevent you from reaching out or pursuing your goals. I know you can achieve anything you put that mind of yours to, so don't ever hold back."
Leo grimaced, and finally, Xander turned his eyes towards Corrin. He looked at Corrin's own eyes, dark and violet, then to his scale-clad arm, then to the reptilian tail still idly waving behind him and frowned. He could barely recognize the sweet young boy he had mentored for the better part of two decades.
"My Little Prince…just look at what I've made of you. I can't even begin to lament the mistakes I've made, the things I've done. But…I do hope you can find it in your heart to not resent your fool of a brother. You were always the magnaminous one."
Corrin held his head low. "I…I don't resent you, Xander. It would be hypocritical of me to accept Kamui with open arms while hating you for the choices you've made. I'm only sorry things ended the way they did."
"I am as well."
The golden glow intensified and Siegbert began to shake his head with a look of despair. "Father, I…"
"Siegbert, my son. Know that you need not emulate me in order to feel significant. What was it you said at my funeral? 'He was a man, and like all men, he was imperfect. Fallible'. Please, for your own sake. Be your own man. It's time you stop worrying yourself over filling my shoes and enjoy your youth. Spend time with your cousins, find joy in the little the things in life. And Charlotte. Charlotte, my love." Xander's smile returned as Charlotte knelt down to smooth his hair back from his forehead with fond eyes. "Oh, how I've missed you. How I'm going to miss you. But…you'll get on just fine without me. I know it."
Charlotte smirked. "I've gotten this far, haven't I? Besides. 'Til death do us part and all. You don't have to worry about me." She pressed a gentle kiss onto his forehead as the motes of light ascending to the sky grew in volume, and despite her best efforts, was unable to keep her voice from breaking. "Y-You don't have to worry about any of us, Xander. We'll be okay. We'll all be okay…"
"I know you will," Xander whispered. His hand slipped from Siegbert's grasp as it turned to light. "To the rest of you all, I must thank you for watching over my loved ones in my stead. I…would have liked to get to know my nieces."
Kotomi hugged Kara tightly and wiped away the heavy tears flowing from her eyes. She may never have truly Xander, and had even fought him during the Battle of Shirasagi, but she was still but a child. By then, there was nothing left of Xander to look at. Only golden glows that climbed to the clouds of above.
"Goodbye, my loves," Xander's voice sounded for the final time. "May we meet again someday."
And he was gone.
"Getting in some last second practice, I take it?"
Kamui turned her head and watched as Corrin approached her from behind. The outskirts of their little village in the Astral Plan were always quiet this time of night, so she figured it would be as good a place as any to clear her head. She'd practiced swinging her blade the same way thousands of times over the years, but there was comfort in familiarity.
"Yes," Kamui answered. She filled her lungs and exhaled as she sliced through the air. "I have to make sure I'm ready for tomorrow. My technique must be flawless."
"It isn't just you fighting, you know. Don't forget that you have the strongest fighters in the realm at your back." Corrin gestured behind him at the bustling and lively base, the sound of raucous jubilance clear as day. "Everyone's celebrating. This could very well be the last night of their lives, so…Lilith figured it would be good for them to enjoy themselves a little. Peri was asking for you."
"Is she drunk?"
"A little inebriated, yes."
Kamui snickered. "Then I worry she won't be able to keep her hands to herself so long as I'm around. I'll join in on the fun later on."
"In that case," Corrin drew his sword and smiled at her. "I hope you don't mind if I practice alongside you."
"I would never."
Thus, the twins performed their carefully rehearsed swings and jabs in perfect unison. They moved across the grass as if they were dancing, graceful and as flowing as water. Now, Kamui's heart and mind were at ease. There was neither lingering sense of dread nor anxiety over what the future was to bring.
"It's been so long since we've trained together like this," Corrin said, a smile in his voice. "You always used to scold me for messing up. You were real cold back then, you know that?"
"Hmph. Believe me, I'm well aware. But…that ice princess is gone, trust me. I'm just Kamui now."
"Right. Just Kamui."
"Is everyone alright?" Kamui asked. "We may not have come face-to-face with them ourselves, but…Scarlet was there. Beruka and Arthur, too. How are Ryoma, Camilla, and Effie holding up?"
"Better than expected, actually. Ryoma was even smiling after the battle. Scarlet must have said something to him before it ended."
"Good," Kamui said with a faint smile. "I'm…I'm glad they could find some sort of closure."
"I am as well."
The twins spun around in sync with their swords outstretched, and after the first rotation, Kamui tumbled to the ground with wide eyes. Corrin had nearly taken her head off. She cracked a smile before bursting out in laughter.
"My my, a little too close for comfort there! I'd love to see you have to explain that one to the others. 'Forgive me, but I've made a grave mistake. My dearest, darling, beloved big sister has been decapitated!'. Peri would probably eviscerate you on the spot!"
"I do not sound like that," Corrin said, holding onto Kamui's arm as he pulled her back up to her feet. "And I don't care what Mother said, the day I call you my big sister is the day you can kill me, because surely that would mean I've been replaced by some sort of bodysnatcher."
Kamui feigned a dramatic sigh of despair. "Oh, must you wound me so? I am but a simple soul longing for her brother's affection, and yet, you deny me the satisfaction of hearing you acknowledge the truth! Can you not find the kindness in your heart to grant me this one wish?"
Corrin maintained a steadfast expression…until Kamui frowned and looked at him with upturned large, red eyes.
"G-Gyah! Kamui, that isn't playing fair!"
"Pleeeaaase?"
"Fine, fine, just stop looking at me like that!" Corrin huffed and crossed his arms, a deep red hue flooding his cheeks. "You are…my big sister."
A smug and satisfied grin spread across Kamui's lips and she threw her arms around him to pull him into a tight hug. "See? That wasn't so hard now was it?"
"You're incorrigible," Corrin insisted, and despite the look of embarrassment on his face, he raised his hand to lay softly on her back. His expression softened. "So. What's been on your mind?"
Kamui's smile died down as well, though still it lingered. "A couple of things. Mainly I've been thinking about where I've been. Where I'll go from here."
"And do you know where that is?"
She shook her head. "I haven't a clue, but I know what I want it to be like. Someplace brighter. More hopeful. A place where…where I don't have to feel like I'm the worst humanity has to offer." She slipped out of Corrin's embrace and held her hands over her chest, head hung low. "Corrin, for as long as I've been alive, there's been this…darkness dwelling within me. It's ruined my perception of myself, damaged my relationships with the people I love, and has nearly cost me my life on more than one occassion. I've allowed it to define me—to consume me—and now…well. I suppose I refuse to be its prisoner any longer."
"So it's gone, then?" Corrin asked. "This darkness of yours?"
"No," Kamui whispered. "Even now I can feel it desperately trying to reclaim its grasp on me. I'm…I'm not sure it'll over truly be gone. But I won't let it dictate the way I live my life any longer. It's been the source of far too many tears and far too much self-inflected pain over the years for me to continue giving myself up to it. So it doesn't matter if it lives on within me for the rest of my life. I'll keep fighting it. And I won't let it win. Not ever again."
Corrin smiled softly and put a hand on her shoulder. "Another testament to the strength you've always held. You may not want to hear this from your little brother, but…I'm proud of you, Kamui. So very proud."
Kamui forced down the lump in her throat and blinked away tears. She'd been Kamui the Crybaby for too long. Elise had assured her that it was okay to cry, but for now, she just wanted to smile. And smile she did.
"Thank you, Corrin. I appreciate that more than you know."
"Now then." Corrin put his hand on her head and ruffled her hair, making her giggle. He gestured back towards where the others were drinking and singing and dancing the night away with a hopeful grin. "How about we join them? Truthfully, I'm not sure I trust Shiro to not give Kara any alcohol."
"And gods know Kana must have already had a drink or two, that child." Kamui closed her eyes and shook her head with a sigh. "Yes. Just for tonight, let us forget about all this business with millenia old dragons and ghosts of loved ones and war. Let's just…be together."
Hand in hand and smiles on their faces, the Assassin Prince and the Savior Princess began their walk towards festivities and towards the rest of their lives.
