Corrin watched helplessly as his eldest brother barely managed to get his sword up in time to block the demon's strike. At this point he was reasonably sure that his leg was broken. Every time he had made an attempt to rise and rejoin the fight he had been unable, though it was beginning to look like he wouldn't get the chance to recover at all. The three royals who were still fighting were clearly out of their league. Ducking and weaving, the demon was a tidal wave of devastation. Knocking aside another of Takumi's blasts with contempt the monster shifted its position to land a kick to Ryoma's sternum, knocking the eldest prince backwards.
"Big Brother!" Sakura yelled as she ran towards Corrin. "Are you all right? You've got to get up, they need your help!"
"I know! I know! My leg's broken, do you think you can heal it?"
"I-I think so. Just give me a second!" Sakura responded before lifting her staff. A soft yellow glow emanated from the scepter and Corrin could begin to feel the throbbing pain leaving his lower limbs. Closing his eyes for a moment as he let the healing do its work, Corrin barely registered the warning shout from Hinoka. As his eyes shot open, Corrin turned in horror to see the leopard demon only a few strides away , clearly meaning to take advantage of the two's current immobility.
Lowering its right sword at the crouching royals, the demon was surprised to find its strike countered by a blast of astral energy. Caught off guard, the demon was left wide open as Kaze and Lilith joined the fray, launching shuriken and astral energy alike at the demon. Seeing an opening, the three other royals attacked with renewed zeal. Takumi managing to land a barrage of bolts into Ose's back while Hinoka and Ryoma surged into close quarters range.
For a moment, it seemed as though the tides had begun to turn. But as Ryoma lowered his blade at the monster's neck, Ose dropped its left hand sword and pivoted, ducking underneath the samurai's strike. Grabbing onto Ryoma's wrist, the demon lifted him up before slamming him full force against the ground. Hinoka shrieked in concern and dive-bombed the demon, only for Ose to kick Ryoma's body up at the princess, knocking the royal off of her Pegasus.
Throughout the entire affair, the three other combatants had held back for fearing of hitting Ryoma. That danger gone, they renewed their assault. Ose backed up a few steps, lazily deflecting Fujin Yumi and astral blasts as he did so. For some reason it didn't seem to care much about Kaze's attacks. The shuriken were allowed to bounce harmlessly off of his chest.
It only fears the divine weapons, you and Kaze can't hurt him, the voice of the other Corrin, the being who contained his memories, said urgently. Though, perhaps fear is a bit of a strong way of putting it. 'Annoyed by' would be far more accurate.
"What?" Corrin asked the other him in confusion.
Demons are of the supernatural, they are beyond human. Normal weapons won't work unless you have a way to modify your- WATCH OUT!
Corrin grabbed Sakura and hurled himself out of the way of Ose's most recent strike. Rolling back to his feet, the prince was pleasantly surprised to find that his leg was working again.
"Damn that was close. Sakura, thanks for the save, my legs feel great."
"You're welcome. But be careful, I didn't have enough time to fully heal them!"
Corrin nodded but never took his eyes off Ose, who had turned back to fight off another assault from Kaze, Lilith, and Takumi.
"Now get to safety! And for that matter get the palace guard. Tell them to form a perimeter around the battle but not to engage! As things are I don't think they'd be much help."
"A-all right. I'll have Azura help as well!" the princess replied as she ran desperately in the direction of the palace.
Finding his iron Katana on the ground, Corrin picked up the weapon and ran towards the fight, talking to his other self as he did.
"Now what did you mean? Why can't Kaze or I hurt him? Because if we can't actually win this fight, well, I don't want to think about it."
Humans are weak by nature, your spiritual wavelengths just don't cut it. Because of that, conventional attacks won't work on demons. They literally bounce off.
"Is that why it's only making the effort to block Takumi and Lilith?"
Yep, they aren't using normal weapons. Best I can figure, the Fujin Yumi is force-based and Lilith is using a REALLY weak almighty attribute attack. Those kinds of magic bypass their mortal limitations. Not that it's doing any noticeable damage…
Corrin stopped dead in his tracks twenty meters from the fight. "So you're saying there's nothing we can do? There has to be something, anything! Isn't there a way to change our wavelengths?"
Of course there is, it just isn't easy. Usually it's done with a Comp- not that you know what that is. There are other methods, but they usually include either a demon's aid or just being born with the ability. Neither of which we have time for right now.
"But I… There has to be-"
As you are now, there is nothing you can do. If you enter that fray, you will die.
"No, I don't believe that! I can't!"
Then there's nothing I can do for you.
Corrin leapt forward and reentered the battle, calling for Lilith to provide covering fire for his entrance. The prince ducked underneath Ose's first round house swing. Reposting with a stab to the demon's sternum, the blade harmlessly bouncing off. The failed blow left Corrin open for an attack and Ose was more than happy to oblige, pummeling him in the head even as he kicked him back ten meters.
"Is this all you humans can provide? I'm not surprised, but I must admit I am disappointed."
"You want our all? Come and take it!" Takumi yelled as he unleashed a flurry of bolts. Weaving through the energy arrows, Ose was like a dance in his elegance. Though, a few of the bolts managed to graze his hide, none were strong enough to do any lasting damage.
As the demon's attention was lingering on the archer, a now recovered Hinoka returned to the fight on foot, swinging her Naginata and blocking a sword swipe aimed at Kaze. Trying to take advantage of the recoil, Lilith and Corrin attacked in tandem, striking from opposite directions.
Shrugging off the attacks, Ose seemed to chuckle before raising its right sword. An orange light began to grow around the metal, eventually becoming a star amidst the battle field. Lowering the blade in a lightning fast motion, a blast of energy erupted from the impact and blasted the defiant royals and allies, scattering them like leaves in the wind.
Corrin looked up as he slowly clawed his way to his feet. The words 'heat wave' were drilling its way into his consciousness and he could only assume that was the name of the attack the demon had used, remembered from a life long past. Not that that could help him. There was only one thing he could think to do as the demon stood there in arrogance. Content to watch its prey fumble and stagger as they feebly attempted to get back onto their feet.
"You have my thanks, humans. Even if this battle was brief, any respite from our preparations is much appreciated. For what it is worth, you have been good sport."
"Go…" Hinoka coughed out blood, but continued. "…to hell."
I don't have a choice, Corrin thought in desperation. I have to use it. Hopefully I'll be able to last long enough to tell the others about any weaknesses I find.
That's essentially a death sentence… his other-self countered.
"Shut up! I don't have a choice here...," Corrin retorted, his voice cracking in frustration. "It's the only way any of them have a chance. If my death will give them a chance… well, then it's worth it. Analyze!"
Expel, Death, and Ailment Affinity- Null. Mind, Curse, and Nerve Affinity- Resist. Other Affinities- Normal. Level- 40. Clan- Fallen.
"But what are the weaknesses?" Corrin asked desperately, "What can hurt it?"
Other Affinities- Normal.
"No, that's- what are its weaknesses?" Corrin asked again, begging at this point.
Other Affinities- Normal.
"WHAT CAN I USE TO HURT IT?!"
Other Affinities- Normal.
"I… but then… Is it really?" Corrin asked, ignoring the pain shooting up his arms as they began to go haywire and transform uncontrollably.
There wasn't anything they could do. If what the voice said was true, if what the analysis said was true, they were doomed. Best case scenario they would run out of energy before suffering a quick death at Ose's swords, maybe make a mistake or get clipped by lucky hit. Worst case, the demon decided to play with his food before finishing it off. Falling to his knees in resignation, Corrin looked up one last time at what was rapidly becoming clear was his killer.
Corrin closed his eyes and smiled forlornly as tears began to drip down his face. In a way it was kind of liberating. No more worrying about the fate of the two kingdoms. No more worrying about reconciling the two parts of his two identities. No more mysteries. No more pain. It had all been for nothing. All of his hard work, his dreams, nothing had come of it. There was a finality to it, the likes he hadn't felt since… since…
Since Kagutsuchi's death.
Why should I have to die here? Corrin thought, fighting against the calm and once more trying to rouse himself to arms. A strangely potent feeling of defiance cleansed him as he wiped his face clear and replaced his smile with a scowl. Why does it all end here? If only I was stronger… If only I could…
The white haired prince clenched his fingers into a bloody fist, forcing the draconic transformation to disappear and recede back into his being. Through sheer force of will it obeyed, though the prince could still feel the power ever present and almost eager to take over. Rising first to a knee and then to a slumped standing position, the prince slowly began to stumble toward the waiting demon.
Instinct drove the prince, a primal feeling deep in his gut. It wormed and swam inside him like a foreign parasite that had awoken, born of his rage.
Ose…
The demon turned toward the figure and nodded. "So you wish to die on your feet? Very admirable. I will grant you that much, human. Take solace that you will soon join your mother in eternal silence."
Arete…
The feeling of his fist being repelled by her magic shield shot into his mind. The anger, the confusion, and the hurt from the failed attack still tactile inside his soul.
The Demifiend…
The feeling of invulnerability as the fiend walked through a hail of shrapnel, the metal and stone repulsed by his very skin.
The voice of his alternate self whispered one last thought to the prince as the demon came at him, both swords leveled for a death blow. Go on… Do it. Just let it flow.
"Good bye, human of Hoshido."
Corrin raised his head and looked the demon in the eyes. For him, they were alone. Nothing existed outside of this singular, solitary moment. And as the blades and the death that they carried came closer and closer, Corrin gave words to the thoughts that had taken hold of his being, the words taken from a memory long, long past.
"Phys Repel- Equip."
Power primal and unknowable surged through the prince's veins even as something deep within his body screeched in abstract triumph. To Corrin however, the feelings were detached. His mind was focused and razor sharp, strangely devoid of all the pain and exhaustion that had been consuming him since the start of the battle. But now was not the time to consider such things. To him, all that mattered were the two swords coming at him. Getting closer, and closer, and closer, they eventually pierced his skin…
And then stopped.
Ose's eyes widened in surprise before transforming to shock as the blades ripped themselves out of the prince, seemingly of their own accord, before turning back on their master and plunging deep into the demon's own body. Howling in agony as he tried to rip his swords out of his flesh, Ose didn't notice Corrin slowly stagger forward. Picking up one of Kaze's discarded throwing knives, Corrin grasped it with both hands and with all of his might, plunged it into the back of the demon.
He half expected it bounce off like all the rest. Instead when metal met fur, the fur melted as though it was butter and the knife slid home. Ose's howls of pain quickly turned to screams at the new source of agony. The demon quickly lashed out in instinct, trying desperately to knock away the source of his strife. Unfortunately, Corrin's shield was still in effect and all the attack did was knock Ose head over heels into the center of the arena.
Forcing himself to stand despite the pain, the demon narrowed his gaze onto the white haired prince. "You… you are not… What are you? How are you able to hurt me? You were not this strong before. If you were, then I would not have been able to kill your mother. My swords tasted your flesh normally before, but now they can only scratch. Explain."
"I don't have to explain anything to you, monster," Corrin shot back, forcing his voice to remain calm despite the fatigue now beginning to spread through his body. The liquid fire that had spawned from the activation of the ability was now merely a cinder. Worse, he could begin to feel the draconic power he had suppressed beginning to awaken once again, and by the way it felt, this would be much, much more dangerous an outburst than any prior. He doubted he'd be able to repel the demon again, but now…
Now I can hurt him, Corrin thought. I was able to modify my wavelength. But why is that?
I already told you… A demon can modify a human's wavelength. So wouldn't it make sense for a demon to be able to change his own? the other him asked in a tone that made Corrin think he was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Hmm, no, no. On second thought, I don't need your explanation, human. Your scent changed, if only for an instant. It was something that felt… nostalgic, though I am unable to place it. But it is gone now. All that remains is your scent from before, albeit with a small taint. I should be able to kill you now."
Rising to his feet, the demon picked up one of his fallen swords and brandished it towards Corrin. "Before this was a game to be played. There was no doubt of my victory. That has changed. You have changed. I will no longer hold back. Make no mistakes, even in my weakened state I am more than strong enough to kill you."
And then once more the demon came, though this time with a significant limp to his stride. Crossing the distance between them, the demon was suddenly engulfed in a flash of white lightning that rained down from above. Howling in pain a third time the demon turned to see Ryoma flanked by Sakura and Azura. In the confusion, the two had managed to make their way to the high prince and bring him back from the brink of death. Behind the trio stood the entirety of the Hoshidan royal guard, armed to the teeth with bows, puppets, and scrolls. Among their ranks were the retainers for all of the royals as well as Orochi and Yukimura. It would seem that they had decided to ignore Corrin's request and instead meet the demon responsible for killing their queen face-to-face. Glaring down at the demon. The samurai raised his sword skyward, calling down another bolt to incinerate the monster.
Growling though the pain, Ose forced itself to its feet once more and began to advance on the newly arrived army, raising its sword to the heavens as it did.
Knowing that it planned to use heat wave again, Corrin desperately tried to think of a way to counteract the attack. The best way of course would be to hit the demon first, but that wasn't possible for the army because they only had regular wavelengths. He had been able to change his own because of his connection to the demon, to the Demifiend, but the rest of them? What kind of a connection did they have?
They have you. Don't they?
Corrin opened his mouth and closed it as realization hit him like a horse drawn carriage. "Oh."
This time there was no attempt to hide the voice's amusement and laughter. Now you get it. Took you long enough. By the way, I'll see you soon, enjoy your nap.
Ignoring the rather cryptic voice in his head, Corrin reached out his right hand towards the group arranged in opposition to Ose. Forcing himself to remain calm, he looked inside himself and tried to call forth that power he had used mere moments before. Finding an ember of the liquid like fire that had filled his veins, the prince stoked it, focused on it, trying to breathe new life into it. After a few moments it had swelled to a minuscule amount, but it would have to do. Ose continued to walk towards the army, shrugging off lightning, astral blasts, and Fujin Yumi bolts as he did. By the glow around its weapon, heat wave was almost done charging.
"RYOMA!"
"Corrin?"
"FIRE! FIRE EVERYTHING WE HAVE RIGHT NOW! QUICKLY!"
Though startled, Ryoma none the less responded with the reactions of a warrior. "ALL MEN FIRE!"
As the entirety of the Hoshidan honor guard let loose their last, desperate barrage, Corrin reached out with the tiny remnants of his new and untested power, changing and contorting the wavelengths of the soldiers present trying to lift them even just a little bit closer to Ose's level.
There was a cloud of smoke as hundreds of arrows, spells, and other weaponry cascaded into the demon. Squinting through the murk, Corrin desperately looked for any signs of the demon's demise even as the pain of holding back his draconic side became almost too much to bear.
Ryoma stood and warily kept watch for any signs of life. Though no human could have survived that onslaught, the high prince had learned that this abomination was far from human. Slowly, in an instant that felt like an eternity, the wind blew away the dirt and revealed the demon. Though still on its feet, it was riddled with arrows, its fur burnt and clotted together at points. It was the picture of defeat. Coughing up blood the demon leaned forward onto one its blades for support. Looking around one last time, it seemed to chuckle to itself.
"This was… unexpected. I am… impressed that you were able to not only survive me, but also to repel me. Live your lives with the knowledge and pride that you managed to stand against a demon. But make no mistake. This is hardly over. A day will come soon when the screams of your very souls will reverberate across time and space. On that day you will curse your defiance, as a death here and now would have been a thousand times more merciful." Ose turned back towards Corrin and let loose a long, low growl. "And to you, white-haired prince, we will meet again. I suggest you make sure you are aptly prepared. If when we next meet you have not mastered that power of yours, I will bring you back to my master… as a… trophy?"
Following the demons gaze, Ryoma was startled to see an ominous red glow radiating out from his younger brother. As the crimson light began to grow in intensity so did a faint rumbling in the ground. Starting as small as to be mistaken for the pains of weariness, but growing at a startling rate, it was soon an earthquake. As multiple members of the assembled honor guard lost their footing and fell to the shaking terrain, Ryoma watched as the ruby light condensed and his brother became the epicenter of a fantastic explosion.
The resounding shockwave cascaded through both the Hoshidan warriors as well as the demon. As the prince and his allies forced themselves to their feet, the light faded to reveal a spectral figure in place of Corrin. Grey, bat-like wings unfolded to a colossal wing span comparable to the arm span of five men. Like a marionette being snapped to position, the beast pulled itself to its feet. Each limb had two joints and the same draconic claws Corrin had used on the training field the previous day. A spiked tail snaked behind the dragon, quivering slightly as it moved to its standing position. It was then that Ryoma finally got a look at the creature's head. It had no face. All it had was a smooth plate, almost as if all the features had been smoothed over or filled in. The only other features at all were the two horns of a stag connected over the plate-like face with a two growths that resembled the bottom jaw of an animal. There was also a faint, hairline crack running down the left side of the dragon's face, resembling the small, spiderlike fractures found in broken glass. Beneath this radiated an ever-present blue light, which though small, seemed to be growing ever stronger.
The jaw and horns moved by themselves as the dragon lowered itself off its hind legs and let out a soul rending cry before charging at the fallen demon.
Ose threw itself out of the way as the dragon careened through the spot it had been an instant earlier, the horns ripping the stone apart as it passed. Turning with the elegance of a dancer, the dragon came back at the demon who had somehow managed to draw his sword. Lowering his arm, Ose's blade ripped into the dragon's flesh. Crying out in pain, Corrin's tail whipped out around and plunged into the demon's leg.
Howling, Ose lifted the dragon up and hurled him across the plaza. After limping for a step, the demon ran after the dragon, blood still dripping from its sword.
Startled and unsure of what to do, a few of the Hoshidan soldiers began to let loose arrows at the pair, only stopping after a desperate cry from Sakura and Hinoka. Watching the weapons arc down towards their target, Ryoma was horrified to see that once again the projectiles bounced off of the leopard demon without leaving so much as a scratch. Even worse though, they did not bounce off of the dragon, instead lodging inside his brother's flesh and eliciting an unearthly scream.
"All men, hold your fire!" Ryoma ordered. "Takumi, Lilith, you two are with me. Let's go."
His younger brother looked at him in shock. "You want to get in their way?! We'll get annihilated! And besides what are we even supposed to do?"
"My lord, with all due respect we can't just leave him," Kaze interjected, with Lilith nodding her agreement at his side. "Regardless of what he looks like that is still Corrin and we need to help him."
"I know that. Gods I know that," Ryoma replied. "But please think for a second. Before we got started- DOWN NOW!"
They barely had enough time to react and jump out of the way as Corrin's draconic form was thrown at them, barreling past them and colliding into the Honor Guard's ranks.
Struggling to his feet the dragon let out a cry once more as Ose stalked forward with a blade in its hand. Watching Corrin shake his head as though to clear it, Ryoma noticed just how much damage the injured demon had managed to inflict in the brief time they had been battling. Once-pristine silver scales were cracked and scarred. One of his horns was gone and a sharp stump was in its place. The tail didn't seem to move as fluidly as it originally had. Instead its movement was plagued with small twitches and deviations as the muscles inside of it struggled and cried out for relief.
Not that demon looked any better. Ose was even worse for wear than before. Injuries from before were joined by claw marks and deep gouges that had no doubt been ripped out by the dragon's tail. Corrin's missing horn was lodged in the demon's abdomen and a thick stream of blood was slowly seeping out.
"Dragon. Human. Whatever you may be," the demon muttered. Ryoma noticed an edge to its voice that simply hadn't been there before. "I know not which tribe sent you to spite me. Nor do I care. But I'm afraid this will have to wait until another time. More likely than not that moment will never come as I'm sure my master will send others to finish-"
Once more Corrin interrupted the monster. Moving low across the ground the dragon swerved from side to side like a serpent. Grabbing the demon's sword hand with a draconic claw, Corrin used his right wing to strike the demon's torso while simultaneously whipping his tale around Ose's legs. The combined attack tripped up Ose, flipping it onto the ground.
Straddling Ose, Corrin held down the monster and raised his tail for the killing blow. Growling back at the dragon, the demon dodged the first strike aimed at his head before kicking the beast off of him. As the dragon scrambled back to his feet Ose closed the distance between them and plunged his sword down, through the dragon's shoulder and deep into the ground.
Howling in agony, Corrin beat his wings, using the resulting gale to push the demon back. Managing to keep its footing, an unarmed Ose slowly looked from Corrin to the Hoshidan soldiers to his wounds and then back to Corrin.
For a moment it seemed to Ryoma that the demon was going to say something, even opening its mouth for a second. In the end though, the demon kept its silence. With one last glare of disdain Ose raised one of its hands and there was a flash of blue light. Holding up a hand to protect his eyes, when Ryoma looked back he was shocked to find that the demon had disappeared without a trace. All that was left were the brave warriors who had fought Ose, a ruined statue of the dawn dragon, the howling form of his brother, and the dead body of their mother.
"I-is it over?" Sakura asked with a hint of trepidation in her voice.
"I believe so," Hinoka answered. "Ryoma, we have to go help Corrin. Even in that form, nothing can take a stab wound like that without medical attention for long."
Ryoma nodded. "Sakura follow me but stay close."
"Y-yes big brother."
"I'm coming as well," Azura interjected.
"All right, fine," Ryoma replied, too tired at this point to argue any further. Perhaps the magic behind her dancing would help the healing process. "Takumi, Hinoka, establish a perimeter. I doubt we'll have any more problems but…"
Takumi grimaced. "But you want to make sure there are no more unwanted surprises. Don't worry, I've got it."
As the second prince deployed the honor guard around the ruined plaza, the three royals slowly walked towards the dragon.
The beast was still screaming. Unearthly howls resonated and repeated, coming from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Motioning for his sisters to stay a safe distance, the samurai cautiously approached the dragon. Ducking under a wild swing from the dragon's wing, Ryoma ripped the sword from out of the ground, freeing his brother.
He didn't have a second to congratulate himself on that achievement, as Corrin immediately knocked the samurai away with a swing of his tail. Letting out another cry the dragon turned on the two princesses with a savage taint to his movement. He was a feral cat about to strike at his prey. But this time it wasn't a demon he was fighting. It would only take one pounce to kill.
"SAKURA! AZURA!" Hinoka cried from the edge of the plaza. But there was nothing she could do. There was nothing anyone could do. No one was close enough to help. They had all thought Corrin would revert after removing the sword, or at the very least that he had been on their side. But now it appeared that the dragon was consumed by his own fury.
Lowering down to the ground the dragon prepared to move. Ryoma was forced to watch helplessly as-
You are the ocean's gray waves, Ahhhahhhhahhhh…
Azura's voice flowed around the group, bringing with it a beautiful serenity. The dragon faltered, picking up his head and appearing to look at the songstress. Smiling softly, the blue haired princess walked towards the dragon arms outstretched. As she walked she began to sing again, starting softly but with her voice rising with every step.
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Corrin backed away from her, releasing a cry of pain as he did and for a second it seemed to Ryoma that the princesses' song seemed to be working. The dragon's movements were becoming more and more sluggish and weighed down. The grace he had carried in his fight with Ose gone, replaced by the tentative caution of a cornered animal. Turning his head away from the singer, Corrin tried to hide behind his wings, anything to get away from the song.
But it was at this point that Ryoma noticed the light. The pale blue light seeping out of the crack on the dragon's face had faded. In its place was a sickly yellow glow. And out from the cracks blue lines had begun to crawl out across the dragon's skin. The lines moved in very odd motions, they were mostly straight but curved at uneven intervals. They looked similar to those of the flame tribe, the kind used in rituals. In addition the dragon's cries of pain and been replaced with an eerie silence.
An instinct deep at Ryoma's core warned him that this had to stop. Stumbling to his feet for what felt like and might very well have been the fiftieth time that day, Ryoma choked out his warning. "Azura! No! Stop!" Running at his sister, the prince was shocked when he was knocked back by a ring of water that seemed to come from nowhere. Miraculously he kept his footing even though he had been blasted back over ten meters. Looking back with a melancholy expression, Azura turned once more towards the dragon and continued to sing her song.
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to- AHHH!
The princess was swept off her feet as a yellow sphere of light streaked down from the overcast skies and barreled into the side of her face. Bouncing in what might have been a satisfied fashion, the orb slowly approached the dragon.
Ryoma could only watch as the yellow light came to a stop in front of the monster that had been his brother. For a second he thought he could hear the soft sound of a woman's voice before the dragon cautiously lowered its wings and faced the orb.
Keeping his eyes on the dragon, Ryoma crept towards Sakura who had joined Azura and was now tending to the bruise that decorated her cheek. A gift from the orb of light.
"Big brother what is that?"
"I- I don't know."
Azura held her tongue, merely content to watch the interaction playing out in front of her.
Two small hands, each the size of a coin, reached out from the orb and up towards the heavens. Again the voice of a woman was heard. A brilliant golden light encircled the beast, growing in intensity with every second. It was similar to the power Sakura could call with her rod, but a thousand times more potent. Upon reaching its climax there was a sudden flash of light and for an instant the dragon's form was impossible to make out.
Blocking their eyes until the glow faded, the trio were shocked by the scene that appeared from the luminescence. The dragon stood strong once more. The cuts and gouges that Ose had ripped into Corrin's flesh had completely vanished. Once more his tail flowed and moved in its original liquid like motion. Even his horn that had been broken and left in Ose's body was once again standing proud upon the dragon's head. Letting out a triumphant cry, Corrin spread his wings and stood on his hind legs with an air of victory. Ryoma also noticed that the blue lines and yellow glow that had radiated from the cracks on the dragon's face had reverted to its original pale blue light.
Bouncing around the orb of light swirled around as if it was sharing in the dragon's cries of victory, only to dart to the side as a bolt of lightning came down from the skies. Startled, Corrin fell backwards, and rolled to his left. Looking up at the sky with a growl.
Azura quickly turned to her brother. "Ryoma, what are you doing? Why would you…"
"That- wasn't me," Ryoma said, confusion etched on his face. "I don't know where that came from."
The orb buzzed around angrily for a moment and Ryoma thought he saw the tiny hands emerge for a second in the shape of fists. However as another bolt missed it by only a few centimeters the orb seemed to relent.
Flying over to the dragon's head, the orb touched where the forehead would have been affectionately before disappearing in a flash of blue light not unlike the one Ose had used to escape.
Getting to her feet, Azura began to walk towards the dragon yet again. Ryoma, with his sword in hand joined her. He could sense somehow that his brother's rage had at least been slightly reduced by the orb's intercession. Yet this day had already had its share of unpleasant surprises and Ryoma kept his sword drawn just in case.
Letting out a sad cry at the absence of the orb of light, Corrin turned towards the two figures approaching him. Seeing Azura, his body stiffened, and in an instant he pounced at the two. Knocking Ryoma to the side, the dragon grabbed the princess's neck and forced her to the ground. Raising his tail in the same fashion he had attempted to kill Ose with, Corrin growled at the princess, daring her to sing again.
Azura looked up without flinching. It seemed to Ryoma that the fear of death had completely left her body. And as he tried to think of a way to somehow save her, he heard her speak in a clear emphatic voice.
"Kill me if you want. But, please, do it as yourself.
Lowering his tail, and cocking his head as though he were considering her words, Corrin slowly backed off of the princess and took a few steps backwards. Clutching his heads with his claws the crimson light began to reappear around the dragon as he slowly began to transform again.
Corrin looked down at his hands. They were no longer lined with silver scales, instead once more they were color of flesh. Human flesh.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Corrin jumped to his feet as he began to realize just what he had done while transformed. Seeing Azura's broken form on the ground he dashed over to her.
"Azura! Are you okay? I'm so sorry- I didn't- I didn't…"
She smile weakly. "Please don't worry. I'm fine. It's nothing I won't recover from."
"Corrin, Azura!" Ryoma shouted as he approached. Looking at his brother he asked. "How are you feeling? Are you all right?"
Corrin forced a tired smile. "I'm fine. I don't know what happened. I guess for a second I lost control for a few minutes." Turning to survey the broken cityscape surrounding them and taking note of the relatively small number of causalities, he continued. "Though, it would appear that we won at least. Somehow."
"What was that thing?"
Corrin shrugged. "A demon I guess. Unless you have a better explanation."
"Nothing comes to mind. But where do we go from here? If the Nohrians have soldiers like that, then-"
"I sincerely doubt that was Nohrian." Corrin interrupted. "I know what you all think about Nohr here, but I'm telling you that we are not like that!"
"We? Corrin, our mother is dead! You can't seriously-"
"Ryoma," Azura interjected, "we have a visitor."
Turning away from his brother, Corrin was surprised to see what looked like courier standing in front of them. A hawk was on his shoulder, the pouch for messages on the bird's legs empty. "My prince, we just received word. A Norhrian army has invaded our western border."
Corrin paled as he heard the man relay his message. It made sense of course. The barrier was down. Hoshido was vulnerable. But how could the Nohrian army have assembled so quickly?
Ryoma was right. Ose was… it had to be acting on someone's orders. Someone from Nohr. But, who? Who would make a deal with such a monster?
Corrin clenched his fists as he watched Ryoma begin to make preparations to go meet the incursion into his lands. In fact he was watching with such an intensity that he didn't notice as a golden colored piece of metal began to slowly rise from the broken statue that had dominated the plaza.
Author's Note-
Thank you very much for reading! If you have questions, critiques, or predictions, please leave a review and I'll do my best to get back to you!
Otaku-Nation666- I hope the fight lived up to your expectations!
vampireharry the 2- Thank you! I hope this one satisfied you as well!
Guest- We'll just wait and see what happens...
Disclaimer- This is a nonprofit, fan-based work. All characters and settings belong to their respective owners.
Next Time- On the road again.