AN: just wanted to let you know there will be a lot of time skips coming up, you all know how the game starts so i didn't want to take up too much time writing about that. there are some discontinuities from the game but they're on purpose! anywhale, onto the chapter!

Chapter 2

Advent


The air was fresh and crisp, with zephyr gales pulling at the young prince's silvery tresses. Since the break of dawn he had been training in the castle's garden, surrounded by nothing else but the bugs, forest life, and the towering blooming tree. He reached for an arrow and put his legs apart, winding back his bowstring. He shut one of his hazel eyes to focus on the worn-out target 20 feet away from him. Despite his bangs tickling his eyes, his mind didn't stray for a moment from the painted red circle in the heart of the target. He released his fingers and watched the arrow cut through the air and into the target. He walked up to it and frowned, he had missed the dead center by a few millimeters.

"Still have more work to do…" He chastised himself before placing his treasured Fujin Yumi down on the table near him. Though he was unfazed by his performance, as he was constantly striving to improve himself since he would wield the ancient weapon.

His eyes squinted as he saw the bright white sun above him, frowning once again as he walked over to the largest blooming tree. He dropped to the roots of the tree and rested his head on the trunk, enjoying every ounce of shade the mighty tree gave. His eyes fluttered closed, listening to the soft whistle of the wind and the tickling sensation of his hair brushing his cheek. He heard the little nibbling of a squirrel and the buzz from a dragonfly's twin wings. A soft hum protruded his ear drums and he opened one eye and looked up.

On the near peak of the blooming pink tree, he saw a young kinshi perched happily in a bird nest. The young bird was watching the billowy cloud race above them, ignorant to the curious prince below it.

"That's odd…" He mused to himself. The bird nest had been vacant and barren ever since he could remember, even his oldest sibling mentioned he had never seen a bird in it.

As if the bird could sense his thoughts, the bird's head turned and made direct contact to the prince. It tilted its white feathery head, blinking its black onyx eyes. Embarrassingly, the young prince almost jolted when the bird hopped off the ledge of the nest and made a beeline to him.

His quickened breath quickly relaxed as the bird was hovering a foot away from his nose.

Now that the bird was within immediate proximity, he noticed it had silver feathers with yellow tips, instead of the traditional pure white other kinshi adorn.

Hesitantly, he lifted his hand, his index finger extended. His heart fluttered with child-like elation as the bird almost immediately perched onto his finger.

"Well hello there," he said, a smile gracing his porcelain face. "It's been a while since I had a guest while I was training."

The bird chirped out a whistle, gleefully responding. It hopped along his finger, as if dancing.

He chuckled. "Well, it's very nice to meet you too, I'm Takumi."


I can't…breathe.

Hnng…I can't…

Gasping, Corrin jolted up from the sheets and winced from the intense pounding of her heart. She gripped her chest and felt an abrupt splitting pain in her head.

She whimpered, even her worst wounds from battle couldn't compare to this. Her eyes shut closed as small beads of sweat formed on her brow.

Then, as quickly as it appeared, the pain vanished. Slowly, she opened her ruby eyes and finally took in her familiar yet foreign surroundings. She saw the light streaming in through the paper windows and a red and green ornate puppet sitting in the corner, she recalled fighting many Hoshidans who used it as a mount.

"This…isn't this my room back in Hoshido?" Her eyebrows furrowed together, she peeled the sheets off and stepped onto the floor, the cold floor sending a shudder through her spine.

Why am I here?

"Ah, I see you've awaken, Corrin." A soft bell-like voice said. Corrin quickly turned, ready to draw her sword, but immediately gave a sigh of relief.

"Mother…" She said with a smile. The queen of Hoshido gave her a lovely smile, her hands holding a wooden tray with two cups of green tea and some grass jelly.

"We were so worried when you suddenly collapsed like that. I'm so sorry that tell you so sudden." Mikoto said as she placed the tray down.

"Wait, what do you mean…?" Her eyes widened. "Where am I?" Her head turning in every direction. "You can't be here, Mother…you're, you're –." Her voice trembled, she couldn't bring herself to say the truth.

Her mother looked at her with concerned eyes, "My sweet girl, are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yes, I mean no. It wasn't a nightmare! I had just defeated Father and the war had been over and then…" Her voice became a whisper.

Takumi…

"What is all commotion about ending the war? Has she awoken, Mother?" Ryoma peaked his head from the doorway and locked eyes with his frantic sister.

"Ryoma…" She said breathless, her hands desperately reaching for her Yato but the search for fruitless. Her legendary sword was nowhere near her side. "You're alive…" She turned to her distressed mother.

You're both alive.

Ryoma looked at her confused before crossing his arms, the silent room was lit with the sound of his red armor brushing against each other. "Of course I'm alive, whatever would make you think otherwise?"

"Uh…" Corrin's mind was racing. Wasn't I back at the throne room with Xander and everyone? Why am I here? Is this…the afterlife? Wouldn't the dead know they died though?

"Corrin?" Ryoma mused once more.

Corrin clenched her fists and looked to her feet. "I'm sorry, I must be frazzled from a nightmare."

"Hm…it seems that finding out you are from Hoshido gave you quite a scare. First you fainted then you had a nightmare. What was the dream about, do you remember?" Ryoma asked.

"I fainted?"

The Crown Prince of Hoshido nodded. "After mother told your origin story, that you were originally a princess of Hoshido but was kidnapped by King Garon, you immediately fainted. You're lucky that Kaze was nearby to catch you, or you would've had a rough bruise on your head or even a concussion."

Corrin frowned slightly. So, is this from back when I first came to Hoshido? But that doesn't make any sense!

"I…I don't…." Corrin stammered and took a step back. Nowhere in her journey was she ever prepared for a moment like this!

"Corrin, it's okay." Her mother said, her voice immediately placating the storm in her mind. "It must've been a lot to process, take some time to yourself. We don't want you to be unsure. You will need time to think all of this through and search your soul. "

"Unsure? Unsure of what?"

Mikoto raised her eyebrows. "Oh, so you don't remember this either…"

Corrin shook her head as Ryoma stood a little straighter.

"My sweet girl, I had offered you a place back into the family, the Hoshidan Royal Family." She smiled, gently patting Corrin's head. "You can be back to where you belong."


It was all happening so quickly yet there were blotches of memories scattered as time reeled past her. How long has it been since she found out her history, the first time? Time seemed to move so sporadically during the war, when Elise almost bled out from a deep wound, time was mocking her, as if telling her to savor every last second. Time seemed to speed up by the tenfold whenever Corrin rested her eyes in her bed before the start of another battle. But now, time had betrayed her beyond words. How cruel the Gods were.

Taking her back to the day her reality and sense of happiness was torn to shreds, making her question her identity and fate as a Nohrian Royal with Hoshidan blood coursing through her veins. And in another moon's passing, her mother would be gone.

Corrin's eyes widened as she heard the sharp clang of swords clashing together.

"Corrin behind you!" Ryoma shouted as he overpowered the faceless, giving him a time to breathe.

She whipped her head around and saw the Faceless raising its gauntlet at her. She jumped back and tightly gripped her weapon.

Her blood immediately chilled her from the inside out.

It's…the Ganglari!

With a sharp cry, she ran towards the Faceless before swiftly cutting through it.

She felt her blood run icy cold as she watched the Faceless disintegrate into the purple mist that surrounded it.

She looked at the battlefield raging before her. Ryoma was watching her with overwhelming concern in his eyes before tearing his focus off of her and onto an approaching faceless. Hinoka was tightly gripping onto the reigns of her pegasus before lunging at a Faceless with great speed, Sakura tightly wrapping one arm around her sister, her other desperately clinging onto her staff.

Corrin grit her teeth together and noticed the four Faceless that had managed to surround her. Her eyes looked down at the cursed weapon and held it tighter.

Now isn't the time to dwell in your emotions, Corrin. Above all, you have to save your siblings!


He thought today was just like any other day. He would spend his morning training, then tend to royal duties, then train once more. He was so used to his routine, though he didn't mind it. In fact, he came to adore the simplicity of his life though he knew the looming tension from the Nohrian Kingdom would lead to some tumult son. Though he never fathomed his retainer would bring this news, not after so many years.

Once Hinata's words hit his ears, he stopped cleaning the bow and stared at Hinata's eyes. Despite his eyes glistening from anticipation, his gaze was so intense that Hinata felt a chill run up his spine.

"What? Sister has returned?" Takumi asked, breathless and shaken.

Hinata gulped, it had been a while since he last saw Takumi like this. "Y-Yes. I was told by Lord Ryoma to let you know. She had just returned from a battle with him, apparently she saved Lady Hinoka and Sakura's lives."

"I…I don't understand. So Sister and Ryoma went off to battle together?" Takumi asked, feeling an unfamiliar painful sensation bubble in his core.

Hinata nodded. "Yes, it would appear so."

Takumi's bright eyes dimmed a bit, Hinata gasped as he noticed the change.

"But don't worry! Your sisters are fine, safe and sound in fact! I heard that Lady Corrin is a very skilled and capable warrior." Hinata assured him, though he was slightly confused at Takumi's shift, but knew there was a time and place for everything.

"Ah, yes. That's…good to hear," Takumi's voice somewhat monotone.

"Milord," Oboro chimed in, "is all alright? We thought you would be ecstatic at this news." She said quite frankly. Even now she could still remember how distraught and confused Takumi was when he had first found out Corrin as well as the King did not return from their visit to Nohr. The memory of the young prince tightly gripping her as he messily sobbed was still ingrained in her mind.

Takumi slowly shook his head, walking over to put down the bow. "I am. It's just…I don't know how to feel exactly. I have little to no memories of her yet we share the same blood. It's just…" His voice drifted off.

"Well, there's no time like now to build that relationship with her!" Oboro said with a smile, attempting to cheer him up.

"Yes." Takumi gave her a weak smile. "You're right."

Oboro's smile turned into a slight frown as Takumi looked away. Something was bothering him deeply yet it wasn't her place as his retainer to pry.

Hinata cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Lady Mikoto wanted you in the Throne Room so the entire Royal Family could meet. She said she is expecting you there in a few minutes."

"Alright, let's head over now."

"Would you like me to clean up the training yard for you?" Oboro mused.

Takumi shook his head. "No worries, I'll probably be back here after our meeting."

She looked at him oddly but went along with it.

The trio made their way out of the garden and into the heart of the palace. The air remained stagnant and heavy as they walked through the colorful and bright castle walls. The image of young Takumi clinging onto her kept dogging Oboro's mind over and over again, deepening her ever present frown. Hinata didn't think too much of Takumi's reaction, as he was used to the occasionally moody Prince by now, given their ten plus years of friendship.

As for the Second Prince of Hoshido, his mind was anything but silent like the air around him. His thoughts kept repeating over and over again in a crescendo.

Why didn't Ryoma call me to join?

I could've helped save Sakura and Hinoka.

I would've went in a heartbeat to save my sisters!

I…I don't understand.

Slowly, his hand fisted in a ball, his nails digging deeply in into his palm. The pain was nothing compared to the overwhelming tightness in his chest.


Corrin stared at the Hoshidan throne room. She never took the time to really take it in, but the style of the two kingdoms were drastically different. Hoshidan architect really took in inspiration from the rising sun and dawn while Nohr was styled based on the setting sun and dusk. The throne was especially breathtaking, seemingly handmade and ornamented with elaborate golden rods, looking like a golden blooming lotus. The pop of color from the red and purple vanished any sense of intimidation or fear, a sharp contrast to her Father's throne. Simply seeing him leaning on it made a wave of uneasiness wash over her.

"The Hoshidan throne is surely a sight to behold," Ryoma said with a proud smile. "It has been in our palace for over ten generations and there is an intricate ceremony for the crown prince to become king."

"I can hardly remember what the throne back in Nohr looks like, it certainly has been a long time." Azura said wistfully.

"Yes, it is very different compared to the one back at home." Corrin's eyes widened as she realized what she just said. "I mean…"

"Don't worry about it, Corrin." Hinoka assured her. "We don't expect you to accept this as home immediately, it has been years after all."

Sakura nodded. "Y-Yes! Everything must be so foreign to you, Big Sister."

Corrin smiled genially. "Yes, thank you for being understanding." When her siblings focused their attention on Ryoma, she pouted slightly before looking down at her feet.

Big Sister.

There was never a moment during my journey that I forgot I was of Hoshidan lineage but being here just makes it so much more prominent.

Am I ready? To take that step again, away from them and cause them so much grief? Am I…

"Takumi, you've arrived." Ryoma said.

Hastily, Corrin's head shot up and locked eyes with her younger brother.

His hazel orbs glistened with anticipation and exhibited so much life. Simply seeing him with free will lifted burden off her shoulders. She couldn't fully grasp how moments ago he was staring straight through her with lifeless ruby eyes, his bow pulled back and ready for release. Now he was alive and well, walking straight towards her.

"Corrin, this is the Second Prince of Hoshido and your little brother Ta—."

"Takumi." Corrin said in a soft breath. It took every ounce of strength in her not to lunge at him and embrace him tightly, to not ruffle his hair and flick his forehead for succumbing to the evil, not to promise him that she will never let him fall so far again.

But she knew better and she knew the immense distance between them even more.

The prince took one more step before her before crossing his arms and eyeing her up and down, cocking an eyebrow at her bare feet on the red carpet.

"Welcome back, Sister." He said rather coldly, ice dripping off his words.

Well…I don't know what else I expected from him, Corrin thought as a drop of sweat slid down her cheek. She wasn't naïve to expect anything different from their first encounter month back but his indifference tugged painfully at her heartstrings.

"Nice to meet you again, Takumi." She said with a curt bow, her heart painfully beating in her chest.

"Same." He said tersely.

Hinoka roughly grabbed his shoulder. "Hey now. Show some respect to your long-lost sister!" She said darkly with a sweet smile, her grip on his shoulder tightening with each word. For a second he looked fearfully, gulped before returning a bow.

"It's nice to meet you again, Sister." He said before scowling at his older sister. "What did I miss"

"We were just admiring the throne." Sakura said. "We're only a few months away from Big Brother's birthday, soon we'll have a new king."

"Hm…did you tell Corrin about the power within the throne?" Takumi mused.

Sakura shook her head. "No, b-but I will now!" She spouted bashfully. "The throne is infused with the power of the First Dragons. Long ago, twelve dragons waged war on each other to determine who would control all of humanity. And –."

"That's enough history for one day." Takumi interjected, ignoring the flustered and dejected Sakura. "It is said that those who sit on it regain their true form and mind. Sister, why don't you try sitting on it?"

Mikoto clapped her hands together and smiled warmly. "That's a great idea. Would you try sitting on the throne for a moment?"

Corrin's lips tightened into a straight line. She remembered the first time she was asked to sit on the throne, she was so hurt that it felt like her heart was going to burst.

"Do…you not trust me? Do you think I'm under some kind of Nohrian spell?"

Mikoto gasped sharply, shaking her head. "No! We are not questioning your alliance but to some degree, I do agree with Takumi. I just wonder if the Nohrians have been sealing your memories…If so, maybe this special throne could help bring those lost pieces back. Those sweet memories of me and your siblings…"

If I were to sit on the throne, would I lose my memories of the future? Or would it reveal so much more to me about this period.

She peered at Takumi, he gasped a bit when he noticed her and quickly broke eye contact.

No, I can't risk losing these memories. Everything would fall back into a cycle and Takumi…

Takumi's red piercing eyes flashed in her mind, making her break into cold sweat.

"I see…" Corrin said, her voice in a hushed whisper.

"I'm sorry, Corrin. I didn't mean to push you towards something you don't want."

She shook her head. "It's fine Mother. Thank you for being so understanding."

"Hmph." Takumi said, rolling his eyes.

Very casually, Hinoka sharply elbowed him, sweet smile still present.

A young man with spectacles walked into the throne room and bowed at the royal family.

Yukimura! Corrin thought back to the time she faced him as she was trying to breach Hoshido. At first, he was hesitant to draw his weapon when it came to their battle, mentioning how it would immensely disappoint her mother. Even after her passing, he was still loyal beyond words.

"Excuse me, Lady Mikoto. The ceremony is about to begin." He said as he stood straight, adjusting his glasses.

"Thank you, Yukimura. Corrin, you probably don't remember him, but this is Yukimura. He is one of our strategists and brightest leaders. We would be lost without him!"

Bashfully, Corrin bowed and introduced herself.

It was so odd meeting Hoshidans again. Within the span of months, they would face each other with their weapons drawn and ready.

"You are too kind, milady. Though in truth, I still have much to learn. That said, I am here to help in any way I can, Lady Corrin."

"Corrin, I know it is very last minute but I'd like to make a public announcement about your present here. You've only been back for a day yet there are already rumors circulating about Nohrian spies infiltrating the castle. I would like to end their rumors once and for all." Mikoto explained. "Yukimura, is everything okay?"

"Yes, milady. The people are beginning to gather at the plaza."

"Wait, the announcement is today?" Corrin asked, panicked.

Her mother halted, looking at her oddly. "Yes, my dear. Is everything alright?"

"I-I…" Her fingers inched towards her Ganglari. "Y-Yes! I just wasn't expecting to address the Hoshidan townspeople so soon! I wouldn't want to embarrass the royal family!"

Mikoto gently wrapped her arms around her. "My sweet child, do not fret. You'll be fine, we are all here for you. Your family is here for you."

Corrin's eyes welled up as she felt the warmth of her mother engulfing her. Her heart was a melting pot of emotions.

She was so grateful that she was able to have even more day with her Mother yet bitter that time would make her relive her mother's death again. She can count how many times her mother embraced her on one hand. There's so much to talk about and learn from her mother yet little to no time, the top half of the hourglass was nearing emptiness.

Her stomach sank as her mother pulled away and nodded with an assuring smile.

"Corrin, I've arranged for your Takumi, Hinoka, Ryoma, and Sakura to give you a quick tour. I thought you might want to get to know the area a little bit before this event. I need to speak with Yukimura first, but I'll meet you at the plaza soon."

Hinoko nodded. "We'd be more than happy to show her around. Thank you, Mother."

"Azura, do you mind going with them as well?" Azura perked up and nodded.

"Not at all, it would be my pleasure."

Corrin grinned. "Thank you, Azura."

She was itching for some alone time with Azura. Azura was always so mysterious since their first encounter, it wouldn't be a surprise is she also retained some memories of the future. If anything, she would have some words of wisdom and guidance for her.

Takumi watched them before turning away, sticking his nose in the air and huffing a quiet hmph quiet enough for Hinoka to miss it.

"I can't wait to show you around! I think you'll l-love it here." Sakura cheered, hopping towards her long lost older sister. "This way!" She pointed to the east entrance of the throne room and led the way.

"Thank you, Sakura. A guided tour sounds like a great. Would you mind if we stopped by my room for a quick second? I have to drop off something." Corrin said, her fingers grazing the obsidian blade, as if checking to see if it was still by her side.

Mikoto watched her children exit the room, her heart swelling from joy at the sight of her family finally reunited after so many seasons.

"I hope Corrin is truly okay with all of this…" She sighed, relaxing her shoulders.

"Yes, I can't imagine the position she's in. It's a lot to process. That said, I think her return is a message from the gods." Yukimura said wistfully.

"Yes, I believe so soon." She turned to face her trusted advisor with solemn eyes. "Yukimura, please watch over Corrin for me. Please make sure she leads a wonderful life filled with joy and her family by her side."

Yukimura was stunned, adjusting his glasses again. "E-Excuse me? I mean, of course Lady Mikoto. But I'm sure she'll do just fine with your guidance."

She clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. "Yes, I only hope that it will be enough."


tbh this chapter was pretty hard to write haha too excited to start on my content!

please review if you liked it :^) and have a great day~