The Pillar Cracks

"Commander Robin? May I have a word with you?"

Given the hustle and bustle of the camp, it was almost jarring to see a figure so still against the sea of motion. Nonetheless, Lucina waited patiently outside Robin's tent, twiddling her thumbs for lack of anything else to occupy them with. Morgan, like the others, was making the usual preparations and getting ready for the day's march. Though as it were, the usually bright and energetic tactician in training was today, oddly quiet. Kana was helping pack the tents, somewhere on the other side of the camp.

That meant only Robin would be in there, given that he hadn't been seen all morning. Not since his self-governed tournament yesterday.

"I... hope your mind is at a greater sense of ease now. I wanted to apologize for my choice of words yesterday. I had not realized your pain and it was inconsiderate of me to try and press my argument and..."

A sigh, a long one at that. Blood was still fresh in the soil. Blood that didn't need to be spilled in the quantity that it was.

"I just want to say that I am sorry. It is not my intent to impose anything upon you and what you did yesterday was not entirely... wrong."

But it was, wasn't it? There was a difference between the death of war and... that.

"Perhaps I would have done something similar, were it my choice to make."

Nothing? Was it the wrong choice of words?

"Robin, are you in there?"


Hesitantly, the princess opened the door, only to see Azura unconscious on the ground, face splayed into the grass. Her pendant lay detached from its chain out in front of her, strangely out of place. Strangely glowing. Strangely active.

Azura's pendant would only glow when it was used. Why was it used?

"A-azura!"

Quickly, Lucina stooped to assist the singer, noting how pale Azura's skin was. Clammy, as if the singer had been submerged and left in the cold for hours.

"What happened?"

Almost immediately, Azura stirred, amber eyes quickly noting her surroundings. Fingers deftly snatched the pendant, uncharacteristic of one who just woke up.

"Wow, is it already morning?" she slurred, rubbing her eyes with her free hand.

"You were here at night?" Lucina asked, more suspicious than curious.

"Y-yes. Oh. Oops."

"Oops would be a start, yes."

"Well, are you looking for Robin?"

Lucina scowled. This wasn't right. She nodded nonetheless.

"I'm assuming you know where he is then?"

"You're not going to find him here," Azura managed, coughing as she got up off-canter. "He's well... gone."

"What do you mean, gone?"

"Robin. He, uh, he had to leave. And I helped him escape. Trust me, it isn't what it looks like."

"What? What are you talking about? Escape?"

"It's going to sound strange."

"Where is Robin, Azura?"

"He's on his way to Nohr, maybe even there as we speak. He's trying to bring back Xander. And your brother."


"I'm trying to bring back a sword," Grima explained to the fishthing hovering above him. "Am I allowed to get up now?"

"No," Lilith sternly replied, forcing the larger man back down.

"Ow." Grima groaned, set aback at the seemingly telekinetic powers the being exhibited. "You pack a punch. Can you even punch? Hmm."

"You're far away from Archanea. Care to explain why?"

"I already said. I'm looking for the Siegfried. Or is it just Siegfried?"

A raised eyebrow. Do fish have eyebrows?

"Okay, I didn't say that exactly. But I'm looking for Siegfried."

"Siegfried is a weapon that is of no use to you. Why would you go across my domain to find it?"

"Your domain? No one can lay claim on the Astral-"

"Answer my question. Unless you want to become a fossil."

"I'm going to kill someone."

"You don't just kill someone with a sword from another continent-"

"A dragon, you abomination of a creature."

"Anankos."

"Yes, Anan- wait. Who are you again?"

"Someone you shouldn't have just confessed your master plan to."

"What, am I trouble now?"

"No."

"Does that mean yes in fish-language?"

"If you want to be in trouble, suit yourself. But no, your plan neither brightens nor dulls my current mood. For the sake of courtesy, I'll even help you along. But not before you answer my other questions."

"Listen, fish. I don't have time for an interview-"

Grima was forced down again, this time hard enough to make him sink into the dirt.

"You know just as well as I do that time does not matter in a place like this. Not in the astral plane."

"My time, you dunce. You are wasting my time. I could care less about the world- oof!"

She was strong.

"Geez, what's your problem?"

"The problem is that your scent, wretched thing, reminds me faintly of my niece. See, I don't want you to remind me of my niece. But I want to find out why."

Grima scratched his head, the movement prompting the fish to almost flatten him again.

"Niece? You mean..."

"Morgan."

"You two met," Grima stated, more in surprise than actual question. "She was here before. I knew it."

"She gave me this," Lilith replied, brandishing her dragonstone.

"Am I supposed to care?"

"I don't even know you and you're already infuriating me."

With a slight breath, the fish thing triggered the stone, letting both her body and the scale radiate a light blue sheen. As the light faded, the figure of a servant girl sat next to Grima, who was still helpless in the ground.

"Well now you look nice. That's a start."

"Hmph. Flattery will get you no where."

"That wasn't flattery you dumbass that was... never mind that."

Grima looked past the girl and saw a treehouse. With a ladder.

"You didn't have hands ten seconds ago. What was Morgan doing here?"

"Running. Rather, under sanctuary."

"That's Corrin's," Grima realized. "You're the one who saved Morgan."

A take around...

"Welcome to Fort Corrin."

Grima laughed instantly.

"That's a horrible name. It sounds like something a child would call her pillow fort."

"For all intents and purposes, this is exactly that. Morgan's, at least. Corrin was the one that truly founded this place, before disappearing. Morgan is responsible for the rest."

"She landscaped this, didn't she? She found out how to harness a dragon vein. You were her babysitter when she disappeared."

"Indeed I am. Now, why are you here, and not Robin? Her father?"

"You said so yourself, I'm the Fell Dragon. That is the one thing Robin is not."

"You are merely its vessel. And so is Robin."

"Well, yes. But I am Grima. He isn't."

Lilith chuckled, shaking her head.

"You really think that? You think you are Naga's counterpart in this vast universe?"

"I don't see why not. I have been for the latter part of eternity."

"You are a pale imitation of a dragon, Grima. You were never one of them... Now where is Robin?"

Grima sat up, frowning.

"What? Forget Robin. What did you say about me?"

"I was there when dragons and humans lived in peace. I saw the exile of the dragon race. You were never there."

Somehow, Grima didn't sense deception in her words. A lump grew in his throat.

"Wait."

"What, you've never questioned your existence before?" Lilith questioned, standing up again. "You're not all you thought you were?"

"I-I know I'm not like them, but what do you mean an 'imitation?'"

"Is that fear, Fell Dragon?"

"Yes," Grima replied honestly. "It is. Tell me."

"Oh, now you ask nicely."

"Please," Grima insisted. "I'm asking very nicely."

"I have watched worlds, just as you have," Lilith explained, taking a softer tone. "I watched your birth, not in the echelons of dragons, but in the cave of a madman."

"Forneus. That's the name," Grima recalled in a burst of clarity. "Where is he!?"

"Where do you think the idea of a vessel came from? He's in there, somewhere. Not in your body, but in your blood. The blood of a human."

"Blood? But... no. That makes no sense. I was there across countless worlds, countless timelines! How can one man impact my existence so?"

"Even infinity starts from one."

"N-no," Grima stuttered, not liking how quickly the pieces came together.

"Perhaps in a universe not so distant from ours, not even before Medeus body hit the ground did Grima's rise. And Naga needed someone to fit on Medeus' throne. Someone who would occupy her. Keep her from madness. Someone who would help carry the yoke of eternity with her."

"N-naga... did this to me?"

"Oh, I shouldn't have said that last bit," Lilith sighed, shaking her head. "But she did. She cursed Forneus to bind with his creation, granting to it what power remained of Medeus. Thus Grima rose not as an experiment, but as the Fell Dragon. You replaced Medeus, even if you weren't conscious at the time. It was either that or die a quick death to some Valentian soldier."

Grima sat up slowly, shaking his head.

"See, now this is a development that changes my plan."

"The truth often hurts, doesn't it. Even after a thousand lifetimes, knowledge isn't always pleasant."

"That... wasn't what I expected to get from you," he said softly. "But thank you."

"How does this change your plans, Grima?" Lilith questioned, placing a hand on the larger man's shoulder. "I too was shocked when I learned of my... inception."

"You're seeming to handle that information just fine. For a fish."

"You're not the only imitation of immortality the dragons have made," Lilith assured, ignoring the jab. "I can guess you already know that I too am one."

"I am in no particular situation to care, but yes, I did."

"Perhaps not as powerful as you, Grima. But a dragon-made creation nonetheless."

"Yeah, yeah. So what's your story? I don't even know your name."

"Lilith. I watch over the Astral Sea. It's my home, in a way. Ever since Anankos cast me out of Valla, I've presided over this expanse of stars and rocks. I am his heart made flesh, I suppose. The sole remainder of his love and care for humanity. But I don't really love or care for humanity, do I? I would've gone mad even with my dragonstone. Treacherous creatures, the lot of them. But I digress."

"I figured you had something to do with Morgan's rescue. But you know the truth of us dragons? You understand why I must do this. Why I must kill Anankos?"

"You can set him free, can't you," Lilith wondered. Nodding then, she rose. "Yes, I do. I don't appreciate me being part of a fratricide, but I would like my father to rest."

"Then let me go."

"Not yet. I want to know where my sister is."

"Sister?"

"Corrin. She too is a child of Anankos."

"...Oh."

"Surprised? I thought you knew that much."

"And thus this comes full circle, doesn't it," Grima chuckled. "Your sister is imprisoned somewhere in Nohr, last I heard. Some institution called the Northern Fortress. Which, I would assume, is a fortress in the North."

"You're not joking? Really?"

"What? Is that good?"

Lilith laughed, a light innocent laugh despite her vast power. "That's our old home. Maybe I'll pay it a visit. Here's the deal, Grima."

"I'm listening."

"I'm coming with you to Nohr. I can handle myself. I think. I'm a lot weaker away from this place."

"Shouldn't have told me that."

"Oh, you'll protect me, and that wasn't a suggestion. In return, I can drop us right into Krakenburg. How does that sound?"

"Horrible. Xander isn't there yet. I'm supposed to be his prisoner. I don't know what universe has it that the prisoner preludes the captor. No, we have to find him first. Or get captured by him."

"Oh, in that case, I think I know a place."


Xander walked slowly towards the border of the Valmese continent and the beginnings of Nohr, noticing the apparent influx of guards and soldiers.

"Laslow, Peri. You were wise to join me. Something is amiss in Nohr, and we must get to the bottom of it."

"O-of course, my lord," Laslow stammered, very uneasy. They had caught up to Xander a few hours ago, with naught a word spoken between them. Very unnerving.

"And then we'll come back to the Shepherds-"

"No. No more of that. We are Nohrians, and we must help Nohr before she loses herself in this damned conflict."

"Milord, if I may," Laslow began, but Xander held up his hand.

"Prince that you may be, Inigo, you must abide by Nohrian law on Nohrian soil. I will hold nothing against you but you must understand this simple command."

"I do. Do you really mean to never aid the Shepherds?"

"...We will see."

They eventually came across a checkpoint that they couldn't sidestep, prompting a blonde axe-wielding guard to pull them aside.

"That's fancy armor for a cavalier. You wouldn't happen to be royalty, would ya?"

"Uh..." Laslow began, only to be cut off by Xander.

"What's your name, border guard?"

"Charlotte, sir. Is Sir right? Monsieur? Duke? Hmm... You don't strike me as a duke-"

"And why are there border guards on the west side of Krakenburg?"

"Geez, you're off your tilt, huh? Ever since that business with the Valmese went south, we've needed to split our forces between east and west. Where have you been?"

"Behind enemy lines, evidently," Xander sighed. "I'm supposing you don't recognize me."

"I want to, I'm sure. You're gorgeous-"

"I'm High Prince Xander of-"

No sooner had the words left his mouth did Charlotte fall to her knee, bowing in embarrassed respect.

"Oh. Pardon me! U-uh Lord Xander! Where are my manners? I seem to have..."

"Relax, Charlotte. I take it you are still getting used to the move then?"

"Well, my former partner kinda got swept in all this a while ago. I haven't been quite able to find a good place yet. Too much moving for a simple guard like me, heh."

"I see. Your partner was killed by the Valmese? Or the Hoshidans?"

"Oh, I don't think so," Charlotte recalled. "Benny's big and mean and strong. He could hold his own out there. But he is probably running all over the place, poor guy."

"Benny?" Laslow wondered. "He was a border guard?"

"Are you a prince too? You're also good looking hmm- Ahem. Yessir, Benny was my partner in this whole business. When you disappeared milord, so did he. He must've been caught in whatever took the rest of you."

"R-right," Laslow nodded, off-put by the compliment. "We know a Benny."

"Big guy, scary face? Soft on the inside?"

"That's the one."

"Heh. How about that. And where is he now?"

"Well," Laslow started, looking quickly to Xander.

"He's in service of Nohr, and no more needs to be explained," the Nohrian replied curtly. "Now, Charlotte, since you seem to be a presence here, why don't you brief us on what we've missed?"

"Sure thing milords. Oh, how about you, milady? Are you royalty too?"


"You have the power to transport us and yet we trudge on by foot?"

"I hope you realize that I can't just move us on a whim. What Robin asked of me was urgent. This power drains me. I can only use it at crucial times."

"This war is crucial! Is a dragon threatening to destroy all our homes and families not crucial?"

"Not as much as this."

Lucina stopped, at a loss at what Azura just said.

"Not as much as this?" she echoed.

"Not nearly." Azura affirmed, staring the shorter swordsman down.

"I see. It seems Robin is withholding a good deal of information from... me. Even after all this."

Azura softened, pitying the sensation of betrayal on Lucina's face.

"It's not something you need to worry yourself with. You have your problems, he has his."

"He promised to tell me! I know Corrin's gone and that weighs on him still but... We trust each other, do we not?"

"You're asking me?"

"I... I want to know what he knows. I want to know why we have done the things we have."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! This war... it is all I have known. And here you are, showing me things that have not been thought possible and and and..."

"Lucina."

Azura gently grabbed the shoulder of the princess, who faded from her blabbering and shook her head in frustration.

"Remember early in the war, when we barely knew each other? You asked me to trust you."

"I want to. Tell me what I-"

"No. Focus on protecting your father. Focus on killing Grima, when the time comes."

"B-but-"

"You said it yourself, I know the bigger picture. Let Robin and I do what we have to. You'll understand our secrecy."

Lucina didn't budge.

"I cannot. Is it so secret that you keep it from Chrom? Robin's closest ally? Or Ryoma? Your brother?"

"Ryoma does not know. Your father doesn't know. And he is not Robin's closest ally."

"Of course not. I figured you two were scheming behind our backs. What are you playing at?"

"You suspect me of doing ill?" Azura questioned. "Of betraying you just how Xander has? Robin is trying to save your brother and you accuse me of treason?"

"Robin could have stopped him."

"Robin was unconscious."

"..."

Azura walked around Robin's tent, closing the tent door from prying eyes.

"Look, Princess Lucina. There's a lot more to this than killing Grima. If it was just Grima, Nohr and Hoshido wouldn't be bothered to just rise up from the Valmese Sea."

"You think there's more to it than Grima?"

"I know it. And you will keep your mouth shut about this until we find out what it is we're dealing with, do I make myself clear?"

"What, being close to Robin suddenly grants you amnesty and authority-"

"You'd do well to stop talking, Princess."

"When did you and Robin plan to tell us-"

"You are the ocean's gray-"

As soon as Azura's pendant started to glow, Lucina struck first. Bringing the pommel of Falchion hard into Azura's gut, she caught the necklace and yanked it hard enough that the chain-

Wouldn't break?

It couldn't have been that sturdy, could it?

Lucina pulled again, but Azura caught her shoulder and swept her leg under Lucina's, knocking over the swordsman who still clenched her necklace, forcing both of them down.

"Are you mad? Let go!" she panted, prying Lucina's tight grip away but not completely.

"Why are you singing? What are you-"

"Waves!"

Water consumed them both, leaving nothing but soaked grass and papers in Robin's tent.


"Well, you asked for it," Azura scowled, doubling over in pain as she struggled to get up. She did eventually, procuring a dagger from her stocking as her spear was still in Valm. However, she kept it pointed forward, as if to stave off enemies. Not very intimidating, given her state and stature.

"Where are we?" This is nothing like I have seen before," Lucina mumbled, drawing Falchion in fear.

"Welcome to my home. You wanted the big picture?"

"..."

"Well, here we are."

"What is this place? Where?"

"Valla. I wouldn't advise talking about it when we get back. If we get back."

"Why bring us here? Are we trapped? You can take us back, right?"

"Oh, don't be in such a rush now, Lucina. You want to save your throne, Princess. I want to save mine."

"Princess Azura?" Lucina echoed, recalling the songstress' title.

"Crown Princess Azura of the Kingdom of Valla, desolate as it is."

"..."

"You're not the only princess with a meaningless crown."