"So that's Cetraria, right?"

Leo nodded. "Correct." The third prince of Nohr looked over his shoulder at the farmers who were working the fields around them. "Since there is perpetual night in Nohr, normal crops are all but impossible to grow. Instead we harvest the edible moss, Cetraria."

Corrin nodded. "Right. But doesn't the sun come out in Nohr on certain days? I thought I read something about that."

"You are right of course." Lea responded, "Occasionally the sun does come out. Once every month to be precise. It's actually a pretty common time for festivals to be held."

"Really? A festival?" Corrin asked. "Can we go?"

"Oh? If you're so intrigued, you simply have to go to the Festival of Day and Night." Corrin's older sister Camilla offered, riding up from behind to join in on the two brothers' conversation. "It's the biggest celebration in Nohr and Hoshido."

Leo nodded. "I must admit I'm looking forward to that one myself."

"Why, haven't you been?" Corrin asked, confused.
"None of us have dear," Camilla said. "Well Xander and I have, but we were too young to remember it. It's only held once every twenty years when the skies over Nohr and Hoshido switch for twenty four hours."

"A holiday held once every twenty years… I wonder what it's like." Corrin trailed off.

They had been traveling for days now. Ever since they had left the Northern Fortress for the capitol, Corrin had been awestruck as the group had traveled across the nohrian countryside. The grey crags and mountains that made up the majority of the countryside loomed around them while the glistening starlight shined down from above. The faint glow of torches and Cetraria moss could be seen in the distance from the road they were traveling on, as well as the ancient petrified trees from an age long gone. It was a dismal and forlorn scene to be sure, but no one in attendance really minded. For Corrin, it was all new and exciting. For his siblings it was where they had grown up. Even at its most desolate, it was still home.

After his fight with Xander, Corrin had reunited with his servants and finally discovered what Lilith had been hiding from him. Apparently Xander had been quite confident in his younger brother's abilities and sent word ahead to pack up his belongings. That morning Lilith had been making last minute preparations with the horses while Felicia and Flora had packed his cloths and armor.

And now here we are… about to arrive at Windmire, the capital of Nohr. It's a little daunting.

As he looked out over the countryside, his siblings rode on ahead to see how Elise was doing in the carriage further up their caravan. Corrin looked around again, watching how the stars glistened in the sky with no clouds to block them.

"Beautiful, isn't it milord?"

Corrin looked to his left and saw that Lilith had rode up next to him, her blue and crimson hair bouncing on her shoulder as her horse settled into an even pace next to his.

"Ya, I just never thought that I'd be out here. Everything is so big."

"True, milord." Lilith smiled. "The world is a lot bigger than the northern fortress."

"Speaking of which, isn't it kind of odd we haven't seen any other travelers?" Corrin asked. "I would have thought that we would have at least seen one."

"Most travelers actually use a system of underground tunnels to get around the country."

"Really? Why?"

"Bandits mostly. It's usually safer to travel underground. Besides milord, it's not like it's any brighter up here."

Corrin nodded. The Cetraria moss was a staple food to be sure, but there just wasn't enough of it. Even during a bountiful harvest there was usually a large portion of the country that went hungry. As a result, a lot of the populace had to resort to thievery for food. In the past, Corrin recalled that this problem had been solved by trading Nohr's surplus of minerals and gems with the neighboring country of Hoshido. That had stopped a little over a decade ago when the two countries had broken off all diplomatic ties and trade agreements. Apparently there had been some sort of dispute during a peace conference, not that it mattered to the people starving.

"Oh! Milord look, its Windmire!"

Rising in the distance, Corrin could see the spires of the wall that surrounded the Nohrian capitol. If what he had read were to be believed, those black walls surrounded a huge pit that contained the city proper. The city was then terraced, with the most wealthy and powerful sections being further down and closer to the center of the pit. The poorer districts were closer to the top and to the outside walls.

"Wow that's amazing! Is this your first time seeing it Lilith?"

"No, I've been there once before. But it was a long time ago I don't really remember much of it."

"What?! You too, I thought I was the only one!"

Lilith rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant, milord."

"Sorry, couldn't resist. By the way you think it's okay to leave Jacob and Flora alone at the Northern Fortress?"

"W-what are you talking about?"

Corrin turned around to see a flustered Felicia approaching. "Oh, hi Felicia. We were just discussing the trip, and a big part of that is what is happening while we're gone."

"But why would there be a problem, Jacob and Flora are amazing! I wish I could be half the servant they were."

"Umm, Felicia, I don't think that's what he was talking about…"

"Yep." Corrin dryly responded. "Though now that I think about it, the chances of Jacob actually picking up on any of the hints are about as likely as… umm."

"About as likely as you actually beating me in chess." Leo said as he rejoined the group.

"Wait you guys know about that?" Felicia gasped, her face going red. "But Flora was so careful…"

"Yes, about as careful as Corrin when he's bored." Leo muttered.

"Hey low blow collar boy!"

"You just refuse to let that go, don't you?"

Lilith sighed as the two brothers began to argue. "Don't worry Felicia. I'm sure everything will be fine. Jacob's kind of oblivious when it comes to this kind of thing."

"I know, I just hope Flora doesn't get too discouraged…"

The rest of their conversation was interrupted as they entered the city. Corrin felt his pulse begin to rise. He hadn't seen his father in almost ten years. In fact the only contact he had had was through letters and the occasional messenger. To actually meet the man that had controlled his life for the past eighteen years was staggering. Biting his lip and preparing to see just what that might entail, Corrin entered the city.

"Announcing the second prince of the Country of Nohr, Prince Corrin!"

Corrin walked through the doors of the throne room with Felicia and Gunter flanking his right and left respectively. As they approached the ebon throne they all dropped to a knee and looked to the floor.

"Hail, Garon, King of Nohr. I have come to present myself to you."

Silence. Followed by footsteps, footsteps that gradually got closer, eventually coming to a stop in front of the white haired prince.

"Rise, my son, let me see your face."

Corrin looked up slowly from the ground to see the man standing in front of him. He was a giant of a man covered in regal black armor adorned with golden trim. An ebon cape with white fur hung from his shoulders. Atop his head sat the black crown of Nohr. Long white hair fell to his shoulders while a white and black beard dropped down to his chest. The king's mouth was a firm line while two violet eyes stared the second prince down before breaking into a smile.

"My how much you have grown… Why it seems that only yesterday that you were only as tall as my knee. And from what I've heard quite the accomplished warrior as well. I am proud of the man you have become."

"Father, I am honored beyond words to hear you say that. I have dreamed of this day for years."

"It was not dreams that brought you to me, my son. No, it was hard work, determination, and foresight." The king turned around, walking back to his throne and sitting down. "Come my children, pay witness to the return of my long lost son."

The four royal siblings entered the throne room, taking their positions at their father's side.

"Now Xander, once more for everyone present, tell me how your younger brother preformed at the Northern Fortress."

The crown prince stepped forward. "My younger brother, second prince Corrin of Nohr, demonstrated superior ability and prowess in combat. I am honored that he should join me on the battlefield."

"Excellent. I am pleased." The king nodded. "Come forth my child. I have a gift for you."

As Corrin approached the throne the king held out his hand, conjuring a black blade. It was curved with a purple aura surrounding it. The cross guard held a massive amethyst with black fog circling inside. The entire sword appeared to be made out of granite. The crags and creases of the rock continued to emit the faint purple light that had come with its appearance.

"This is the legendary weapon, Ganglari. It was forged in times immemorial and used in the ancient wars of our ancestors. I bequeath it onto you. May it gain new life by your hand."

"Father… I am honored. I will strive to use it for the betterment of Nohr. I will not let your generosity be in vain. " Corrin said as he approached the king. Grasping the sword and examining it, Corrin didn't notice the shadow pass over his older brother's face.

Generous indeed… That weapon, there is something wrong about it. Thought the crown prince.

"Now my son, allow me to bear witness to your power. Leo, release the prisoners. Corrin, grind them to dust. Show them the power of the Ganglari."

At the king's command, Leo held up a hand, unleashing a dragon vein and opening the right wall of the room to reveal a group of Hoshidan soldiers. "These maggots were found attempting to infiltrate our country. Needless to say, they were captured; however they have out lived their usefulness. I want you to annihilate them. Prove to me that you carry the power to change the world!"

"Yes. My king."

The servants of the second prince jumped to his side, weapons drawn and at the ready.

"Gunter what should I expect from the enemy?"

"We are facing native Hoshidan forces milord. Swordsmen and spearmen to be precise. They will be formidable, but their time in the dungeon should have taken most of the fight out of them. There also appears to be a ninja and an oni savage. Those will be more of an issue."

"Naturally. Wait, is that…"

Corrin walked forward; a part of the floor seemed to be glowing, its power radiating outward. Stepping on the floor, Corrin raised his right hand. A surge of golden fire shot outward, blasting the mosaic in the center of the room.

"Milord that was incredible! W-what's wrong? Corrin!?"

The white haired prince looked like he was going to fall down. He could barely keep his eyes open and was using his sword as a support. Corrin smiled weakly.

"It's, it's nothing. Don't worry about me; dragon veins always make me feel nauseous."

"Are you sure? You look-"

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Waving her off, "It's going to take a lot more than an upset stomach to take me out. Good thing too considering your cooking…"

"Milord, perhaps we could weaponize some of her cookies?"

"Gunter!"

"Ooh, I like it. Maybe we could- nah isn't there a law or something banning cruel and unusual weapons?"

"Corrin! That's mean!"

Chuckling the prince began to walk forward. "Alright, alright, more on that later. Lets go."

The prince and his servants hurried to the newly opened area. "Alright Gunter, take the right entrance while I take the left. Felicia, make sure we keep breathing."

"Understood."

"Yes, milord."

Taking their positions, the trio waited for the enemy to reach them. Corrin heard the first sounds of battle from behind him as Gunter dispatched the first swordsman. Raising Ganglari Corrin surged forward as the first spearman appeared in front of him. Slashing downward, Corrin's sword hit the shaft of the enemy's spear and splintered it in a blast of purple energy. Leaving the hoshidan soldier convulsing from the energy blast, Corrin continued to move through the enemy soldiers. Each only took a single, devastating strike from the Ganglari to put down. By the time there was only one left, Corrin was wading through a purple mist.

"Lay down your weapons. There's nothing left you can do." Corrin demanded, brandishing his sword.

His target, the green haired hoshidan ninja grimaced.

"…"

"Nothing to say? Doesn't matter, I guess. Just know that I don't take any enjoyment from this."

Corrin sprinted at the ninja, flipping over the first shuriken and rolling under the second. The ninja jumped back in an attempt to increase distance between the two of them while Gunter appeared to back up the second prince. Momentarily distracted by the new arrival, the green haired ninja didn't see Corrin's second servant flank behind him, shutting off his escape route.

Looking around, the ninja's face fell.

"As I said, there is nothing left you can do."

… I'd rather die with weapons in my hands if it's all- AACCKK."

Felicia had somehow managed to trip again and somehow her staff had managed to find its way to the ninja's head. Momentarily stunned, there was nothing he could do to stop Corrin from striding forward and pummeling him into submission.

"Excellent job my son."

Corrin turned to see his father and siblings approaching. His father nodded in approval.

"That sword suits you. It was as if devastation was given shape. Now, finish it."

"Father?"

"Execute the prisoners."

"But, they're not in any position to fight! I- I was careful to make sure not to deal any killing blows!"

The king placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "My child, try to understand. These are enemy soldiers; agents sent to our country to destabilize it and promote rebellion. Their appearance is nothing less than an act of war. If I were a lesser man I would have retaliated."

"That's not true." One of the hoshidan soldiers, a woman with white hair, grumbled. "We were kidnapped from a border outpost."

The king nodded. And a guard kicked the fallen combatant. "Do you see what I mean, Corrin? They lie as easily as they breathe! Now," He said placing a hand on the Ganglari, "drive in the knife."

Corrin looked down at his weapon and then back to the fallen enemies. "Father, I, I, I can't. I can't kill them in cold blood."

The king sighed, removing his hand from the Ganglari, and walking back to his throne.

"I'm disappointed Corrin. Not surprised, but disappointed. Leo, restrain your brother."

"What?!" Corrin gasped as his younger brother's Brynhildr flared to life, branches springing to life and wrapping around the white haired prince's arms and legs. "Leo, why?!"

"Sorry brother, my hands are tied here." Leo grumbled. "But don't worry this will only take a minute or so."

"Iago, come to me."

"You called my king?" The first advisor of the King of Nohr said as he entered. Looking at the captive prince he chuckled. "My, my Corrin I expected you to last for at least a little longer than this. What has it been? Two, maybe three hours?"

"Shove it, Iago!"

"Oh my, so temperamental. I see you still haven't learned any manners."

"Iago! If you would please focus."

"My apologies, your grace." He said, bowing. "Ah, I assume you want for me to exterminate this filth?"

"Yes and no. Corrin needs to learn the way of the world. I would like to make that lesson… memorable. As such, I have decided to send them to Anankos."

"Aaahhh, an excellent choice my king." The Sorcerer stepped forward and walked toward the enemy troops, coming to a stop in front of them. "Do not worry. I promise you all; as one life ends another begins. And as you come to an end, by the grace of the divine dragon Anankos you will rise again."

Raising his hand, Iago began to chant under his breath. As he did a swirling blue cylinder of energy appeared in front of his hand. As it began to swirl faster and faster, it launched towards the hoshidan soldiers, hitting the ground in the center of the group. Upon impact the cylinder exploded into a brilliant flash of light. Turning away from the intense flare Corrin tried in vain to break free from the branches binding his arms and legs. But the time the light had faded, Corrin still hadn't managed to break free. And when he turned back to where the soldiers had been sitting he found that there was nothing left. The light had consumed them.

"It is done my king."

Garon nodded. "Excellent. Leo, release your brother."

Corrin barely noticed as the branches receded back into the ground, still staring at the ground where the unarmed soldier had been.

"Xander, take your brother back to his room. It appears he is exhausted from his battle. Corrin, I will speak to you later tonight."

"Yes father." Xander responded as he almost dragged Corrin to his feet and leading him and his other siblings out of the room, leaving the king alone with his advisor. After they were sure that the royal children were out of earshot the king spoke.

"Iago… You sent them to the divine dragon alive, did you not?"

"Of course your majesty. It would be a pity to waste such fine stock."

Nodding, the king looked up to the ceiling where a statue of dragon met his gaze.

"Of course. Now… what to do with my errant son?"

"Hans?! What the hell are you doing?" Corrin demanded as he stared down the bald berserker.

"Does it matter? You're not going to be able to care after I'm done." Hans said as he rushed the prince.

Jumping back, Corrin ducked under the first strike. Hearing the sound of a horse coming from behind him, he threw himself to the right, rolling as Gunter surged forward and swung his lance at the traitor, knocking him back and buying the prince space.

It had all been going so well… After the fiasco with the hoshidan soldiers, the king had ordered Corrin to retake a former Nohrian outpost at the bottomless canyon as a form of redemption. The location marked the boundary between Nohr and Hoshido and the outpost had been swarming with enemy troops. Luckily the king had supplied Corrin with another soldier in addition to Felicia and Gunter. His name was Hans.

Xander had explained to Corrin that he had originally been a criminal until the king had found him. Supposedly he was rehabilitated, but his older brother had made sure to tell Corrin to watch his back. The advice had been well founded. The moment the group arrived at the target Hans had abandoned them and gone off on his own, killing without hesitation and giving away their presence.

Through a little luck and a lot of skill the three nohrian soldiers had managed to take the outpost without Hans's help. That had been where things had gone from bad to worse. Hoshidan reinforcements had arrived.

After ordering Felicia to go for help, Corrin and Gunter had held their ground for as long as they could. But eventually the hoshidan forces, led by two ninja, managed to push them back. Gunter stayed behind to buy Corrin time to run, which he reluctantly accepted. When he had finally been about to escape across the rope bridge to the nohrian side of the chasm, Hans had returned. And now he was attempting to kill him.

"I beg your pardon milord. I was attending to some rather nasty business."

"No problem Gunter. Just next time, maybe give me a heads up before running me over. Please?"

"Of course, milord."

"What about the hoshidans? Are they still after us?"

"From what I heard they were waiting for some prince to arrive with more reinforcements."

"Then we're almost out of time. We'll have to make this quick."

"You done?" Hans sighed and began to smile. "Well I hope you don't have anything else to say, cause I'm afraid you're out of luck…" Hans charged the elderly knight. He dodged the first strike and swung his ax at the elderly knight who effortlessly parried it. The ax bounced off the spear and ricocheted, accidentally cutting the rope that was helping to keep the bridge they were on intact. The effect was immediate, with the support gone, one of the wood planks that Gunter's horse was standing on came loose. The horse began to tip, and as Corrin watched in horror, Gunter and his steed plummeted into the canyon, a luck of surprise plastered to his face as he fell.

"Haha WOW. Talk about a fun way to go. Serves that old man right. Trying to pick a fight he has no place picking." Hans looked back at the prince, still smiling. "Now your turn, your highness."

Corrin was still looking at the spot where, until a moment ago, his oldest mentor had been standing.

"Oh? Are you going to cry? Damn I knew you royals were wimps but seriously? Come on!"

Corrin looked back at the man standing in front of him, every fiber of his being burning with rage. "You. You. YOU BASTARD!" The prince sprinted towards Hans, swinging Ganglari as he went. As Hans blocked the magic sword, Corrin curled his left hand into a fist. As he swung it at the traitor, something happened. The flesh that made up his hand began to contort and twist. Grey scales grew over the skin and his fingers extended into long black claws. Instead of a fist Corrin's arm now ended in a giant claw, approximately sixty centimeters in width.

As the claw was about to strike the traitor, instead of hitting him a blast of water erupted from the center of the structure hitting the offending face at point blank. Hans barely had time to blink before being launched backwards across the bridge, spinning through the hair before landing with a thud. At first it appeared that the man was dead, but a few coughs quickly proved that false.

"What?" Hans stammered, gasping for air as he stood up. "What the hell are you?!"

Corrin didn't even hear him. As his newly formed claw had recoiled from the water blast, his eye had begun to itch. It had started as a barely noticeable tingle but after the blast it had erupted into a volcano of pain. It was all encompassing.

"AARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Corrin screamed, holding his eye in agony. The fight was forgotten, Hans forgotten. Nothing else mattered but the pain currently stabbing through his left eye. He didn't notice when Hans, seeing an opening turned and fled, his task compete. In fact, he didn't even realize when he stumbled over to the edge of the bridge in pain and, unceremoniously, fell, slipping into unconsciousness from the mysterious pain as he did.

No Corrin, please no! Lilith thought in desperation as she ran towards the abyss. She had seen everything, from the mission's failure through Corrin's partial transformation. It hadn't been until Corrin had fallen that Lilith had begun to panic. When she had heard that the king had ordered him to the bottomless canyon, she had thought something like this would happen. Hoped beyond hope that it wouldn't, but thought all the same. That's why she had followed her master after all. It was why she was the only one close enough to do anything.

Garon smiled. Everything was in place. Hans had done his job brilliantly. Now all that remained was for Lilith to unwittingly make his plan a reality. And once she did, the problem of Hoshido's barrier would be permanently solved.

Lilith would save Corrin and then the prince would be captured by Hoshidan forces. All that remained was for the stable girl to bring them both to the Astral Realms before dropping the prince off at the top of the canyon.

"Iago, your Hoshidan contact is in position to pick up my son when he reappears, correct?

"Naturally my king."

"Excellent."

Corrin, please hold on. I'm begging you please!

Lilith hurled herself into the abyss.

I just need to reach him!

If she can touch him. The king thought. Just one finger will be enough. But she will have to hurry…

If I don't reach him in time, he'll enter- NO I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

She's so close…

Just a few more centimeters…

"Oh Astral Dragons, hear my prayer. Please grant us access to the astral realms. I beseech you!"

As she prayed Lilith reached out to grab Corrin's ankle...

And now!

Lilith's fingers brushed against Corrin's ankle and for a second Lilith smiled in relief as she felt the power of the Astral Dragons begin to move them out of conventional space.

`Then Corrin's ankle exploded into light. Radiant power more intense than anything she had ever seen was being emitted from the point on the ankle where she had touched him. As the light came, so did a shockwave that knocked Lilith backwards, ripping her away from the white haired prince and slamming into the canyon wall. As the darkness began to encroach on her vision as she lost consciousness from the blast, a thought flared through her dimming mind.

Why? Why couldn't I pull him in?

"Iago. Call off your contact."

The advisor looked at the king with a start. "My king? Is something wrong?"

Garon looked up at the statue of a dragon above the throne room. "I don't know. But somehow, Lilith seems to have failed. The two of them have entered the kingdom of our god… We will need to modify our plan."

Iago's eyes narrowed. "How is that possible?"

"If I knew it wouldn't have happened." The King thundered. "Now. Leave me."

Bowing, Iago backed away from his master and made his way towards the door contemplating as he did.

Corrin was hovering in a black abyss. He was confused. Nothing seemed to make sense. Memories and feelings were flowing through his head faster than he could keep up, images of a giant silver claw and a traitorous berserker.

"Ple-s- C-rr-n! Y-u Ha-e to wake up!"

What? That voice… I know it. The words cut through the fog of his mind like a scalpel through flesh. Their familiarity was drawing him back to his senses.

"Corrin please… we don't have time."

Lilith? But why? Corrin began to struggle, writhing in the abyss, trying to get to the voice. From the sound of it, she was desperate, and Corrin would not leave one of his friends in that state.

"Corrin we have to leave now! Come on!

The second prince of Nohr opened his eyes to see a crying Lilith kneeling over him.

"Lilith?" Corrin croaked out as he tried to prop himself up onto his elbows.

"Corrin?!" Lilith gasped, hugging him. "I thought you were dead!"

Corrin looked around over Lilith's shoulder, patting her on the back as he did so. They were sitting on a green field surrounded by ruins, but that was the only normal part of their setting. In the distance the field bended skyward, curving upwards. In the distance what appeared to be islands floated hundreds of feet in the air. Waterfalls from those islands could be seen falling from island to island. More ruins could be seen in the distance along with what appeared to be torches, glowing faintly in the bright sun.

"Lilith, where are we?"

Thank you guys for reading and for your patience! I hope you guys have been enjoying the story so far, but I'll be the first to admit it really has been mostly a retelling of the first few chapters of the game. (Not that that's a bad thing!) Needless to say... well, that kind of went out the window in the Bottomless Canyon. Also, you probably noticed I took some extreme liberties with Garon's character. The reasons behind this will become more apparent as we go, but for now lets just say that I really hate writing one dimensional characters.

As always, if you have any ideas, suggestions, or criticisms, please let me know! I would love to hear them all!

Stay tuned for next time when Corrin and Lilith try to escape the Invisible Kingdom!