Once more Corrin found himself standing in the depths of a dark void. Nothingness surrounded him, not even light shined within. It was almost complete solitude save one companion, an entity sitting seemingly on air. It was not human, or at the very least did not appear to be so. Instead of flesh and blood, it consisted of shining lines of blue light. Together they came together to form the shape of a man the same height and body type as Corrin. Most of all though, despite the fact that he barely had a face, Corrin could tell with absolute certainty that it was very, very irked.

"MORON!"

Corrin winced at the force behind the voice. "Are you done?"

"No! You're an idiot! You chose Chaos! Why would you do that? That's almost as bad as picking Law!"

"I don't understand. Law, Chaos? You're using abstractions as though they're names!"

"Don't play dumb, you know what they are. UGH, how the hell are we the same person?!" The figure in front of him rubbed where his temple should have been. "No, no, no, maybe I'm the one getting too worked up. What's done is done. After all, your idiotic decisions are set in stone at this point."

"Wow. You are just a bundle of joy. You know I couldn't—"

"Betray your siblings? Ya, ya I'd have to be deaf not to have heard the fifty times you've said that." Its head moved to the side. If it had a mouth, Corrin would have sworn it was sneering. "But then again, you DID end up betraying one set of siblings, now didn't you? Everything has a consequence, Corrin." The figure sighed and looked off into the surrounding void. For a moment there was an odd silence between the two, the emptiness between them mirroring their environment. That all ended when the figure shook his head in frustrated acceptance. "Whatever. So, what are we going to do?"

"Do?"

"Yes, do. You DO have a plan I assume?" Once again irritation was starting to creep into its voice.

Corrin shrugged. "Aren't you me? If so, you should already know."

The figure tensed up and for the first time Corrin felt the soft creep of uncertainty rear its head. Something was wrong. "You do know, don't you?"

"There's been… a slight change since we last spoke," the figure began. "It has to do with your friend Azura. Or rather more specifically, that stone she gave you."

"My dragonstone?"

It nodded. "That's the one. As you know, that stone works by limiting your powers. That's why your demonic and draconic powers didn't have a spitting contest back in the throne room, they're suppressed to the point of inaction. Unfortunately, that suppression also extends to me."

"So you're saying that you have no idea what's happened over the last couple of days?"

"Pretty much. I got a glimpse while you were in the throne room, but that's it."

The next span of time was spent briefly summarizing the events of the past few days. Shockingly enough, the Demifiend proved to be quite the listener.

"So that's what happened. Wonderful. It's worse than I thought."

"It's not irreparable."

"True, but we will have to be careful. Tell me you didn't actually trust the king."

"Do I look like an idiot?"

"You don't want me to answer that…"

"Ha ha. Very funny. No, I trust him about as far as I can throw him. In my human form that is."

"Good, then I suppose the next question is what do you want to do?"

"What do you mean? Aren't we already doing it? I'm heading after Ose while trying to stop a war."

"No, no. You're mistaken. I'm not talking about your desired end, but the path to get there. What path do you want to walk? Will you rely on your natural powers, the dragon transformations and what not, or will you rely on me, your demonic abilities? Can you embrace your past, or will you leave it dead and buried? There are many valid arguments for both choices, so I suppose I can't begrudge you either way. But please note, you will have to choose."

"I have to choose? Why can't I use both?"

"Because life is not so simple. Because in the end, choosing me will mean the end of your life here. It will isolate you. Never will you be able to settle down with a family or find love. None of your siblings or friends will be able to walk with you. You will once again be alone."

"...Then why would I pick it?"

"Why indeed?"

Corrin thought for a moment, considering just what the figure in front of him was asking. In the end it all came down to one thing,

"Ose is still out there."

"It is."

"He won't go away. Will he?"

"Not on his own."

"So it's up to us then? We don't have a choice?"

The figure leaned forward, as if to look inside the prince's soul. "There is always a choice. For instance, you've already beaten Ose once. There is a good chance you could put him down for good if you somehow rallied both Nohr and Hoshido to your aid. Or maybe someone else comes along and does him in for you. Bottom line is that there IS a choice." The Demifiend leaned back and slowly brought his right arm to bare, leveling a solitary finger at Corrin. "Now what will it be?"

He was right of course. He didn't have to walk down the demon's path. But waiting? He had enough of that in the Northern Fortress. Then perhaps his dragon powers. Would they be enough? Hardly. He had seen that monster face to face. He had felt the cold creep of dread as it had moved. The only reason he was still alive was because of the Demifiend. Because of who he was.

There was only one answer.

"I choose you."

The fiend cocked his head to the side. "Oh? Do you now?" His hand that had been pointing at Corrin swept slowly to the right. From his outstretched palm, an incandescent gateway appeared. Its frame was blue and brilliant while the portal itself was dark as night. Following the unsaid command, Corrin walked through the gate.

For a moment there was nothing but shadow. Then light filled the prince's sight. It was the fading light of twilight. The fading sunlight cascaded through the windows in the form of brilliant rays. He was in a small, bare room. Old packages littered the corners and piled up in the corners. A thick layer of dust covered them all. Across from him there was a woman with short black hair and odd clothes. They weren't any type of clothe or style Corrin had ever seen; they were far too smooth. She had a white coat of sorts with a bent down collar paired with black pants and heels. She was facing away from him, but upon hearing his arrival she turned and smiled.

I… I know that smile, Corrin thought. I don't know how, but...

"It's been a while, Shin." She crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. "I'm glad you're okay. It's been years. The last time must have been the fourth Kalpa all those years ago..."

"I don't—" There was something he wanted to say, something he needed to say, but the words wouldn't, couldn't come. Only a strange emotion he couldn't quite identify.

Her smile changed for a moment. A sadness seeped into it, and her eyes seemed uncertain. "But you wouldn't remember that would you? I should've known. I… I'm sorry." She gestured to the surrounding room."You wouldn't remember where we are either, would you?"

Corrin shook his head. She turned away. He thought he saw a tear in her eye.

"Of course not. Again, I'm sorry. But I suppose the location doesn't matter, anyways. Though you always were fond of Yoyogi park. What does matter is this." The light began to fade from the world as the shadows grew, deepening and expanding. They devoured all of the light that had seeped into the room. When only the smallest point of light remained, the woman's voice flickered through the dying sparkling glow as her body faded into shadow. "But before I go, please remember, Shin, I… I couldn't be prouder of you. Both as your teacher, and as your friend. You've surpassed all of my expectations."

By this point the light had been completely eclipsed by shadow. Only the faintest of outlines remained of the woman. Her body started to twitch, slowly at first but with increasing speed.

"Freedom is the cliff that overlooks the abyss, the valley of the shadow of death."

"The grave awaits even the victor at the end of the road."

"Show me your heart…"

Corrin watched in abject horror as the woman turned back to him, her body moving and contorting as if she were a lifeless marionette whose strings had been suddenly jerked. The prince let out a cry as he saw what her face had become. Where flesh had been mere moments ago was a shining light. As terrible as it was brilliant, the alien visage was similar in shape to a butterfly, but it was rough and crude at its edges. Like if someone had ripped it forcibly from reality. Unnatural. Alien.

"Fool who bares the name Freedom!"

"Because of your name, you will carry the burden of plague, pain, and ridicule."

"Do you fear the suffering and humiliation?"

Corrin took a step backwards, reaching for a sword that wasn't there. "What the hell are you? What do you want?!"

But the figure didn't move, didn't speak, didn't do much of anything. She, no, it just stood there, watching him. Almost as if it were waiting.

Taking a moment to think, Corrin forced himself to consider her question. This must've been what the Demifiend had wanted him to see, to experience. But what was he going to say? Do I fear suffering? Humiliation? Plague, pain, ridicule?

Corrin straightened himself up and focused on the being in front of him. "No. I don't. I was prepared to embrace all that and more when I came back to Nohr. I won't- no. I can't back down now. I will accept the consequences of that."

The woman's form shifted, standing up with its head slightly off kilter. Its powerful voice radiated out once more.

"Fool who bears the name Freedom!"

"Because of your name, you will live a life of betrayal, rejection, and defeat."

"Do you fear the deceit, the torment?"

There was no need to consider the question this time. Corrin shook his head. "No, I don't. I have betrayed and been rejected. I have suffered defeat. I watched my mother die in front of me. What worse betrayal could you offer than the one I have already committed? I do not fear your torment."

With the last of the prince's words, the figure faded back into the darkness. Instead, he heard a different voice from behind him.

"You have spirit, even if you are an idiot."

Corrin turned to see the luminescent form of the Demifiend sitting down as he had before. He could have been wrong, but he actually seemed satisfied. "So I passed?"

"Yes, but more due to naivete than strength of will. Though… that is actually strangely appropriate."

Corrin rolled his eyes. "Then what comes next? You said last time that my powers are tied to my memories. If you are my memories, can't you just show them to me?"

"Not all at once," the figure replied, holding up a hand to slow the prince down. "Again, you aren't ready. Not yet. We'll try to start tomorrow and then move on from there. That should be slow enough such that your dragonstone will keep the negative side effects under control."

"Side effects?"

"You're turning yourself back into a demon. You do know that right? It's not going to be fun."

"Wonderful. Ugh, whatever. If that's what it takes."

"Good. Just be sure this is what you want—" It cocked its head to the side as if listening to an unheard song. "Damn. It seems our time has ended prematurely. We'll have to table this for now."

Corrin nodded. "Wait, before we go, who was that woman back there? She seemed… familiar."

"Oh you mean Yuko? Don't worry, you'll know all about her soon enough. She is quite integral to the story after all. Well our origin at any rate. After that she only appears once. Though that is quite the once." The figure actually laughed out loud.

By know the landscape had been infiltrated by a thick fog. Corrin could only see the barest outline of the Demifiend. "Oh, and Corrin. Just a heads up. There are memories that even I don't have. Questions that when asked fill me with dread. So promise that you will always remember: you haven't passed the point of no return. You don't have to take this path. Please remember that."

"Milord, please wake up. We have a... situation."

Corrin rubbed his head as he pushed himself onto his elbows. "Ehh, Lilith? Good morning. What smells like it's burning?" It smelled noxious, but also familiar… It took Corrin a few moments to place it, but when he did- "Oh gods, no!"

Corrin, ignoring the fact he hadn't yet put on his armor, jumped to his feet and pushed the flap of his tent open, hoping against hope that he wasn't about to see what he knew was lurking in the center of the campsite.

He was doomed to disappointment. Groaning in anguish and frustration, he turned to his stable girl. "Damn it Lilith! You had one job!"

Lilith grimaced. "My apologies lord Corrin, I was on reconnaissance this morning and forgot to warn Kaze about… it."

"It slipped my mind as well. Damn. Did he…"

"No I don't believe so. Or at least he isn't on the ground convulsing in pain yet."

"Then we still have time. Kaze! Don't! Eat! Felicia's! Cooking!"

"W-what?!" The green ninja stopped , a spoon with an ominous grey substance only a few centimeters from his mouth.

Felicia pouted at her boss. "Lord Corrin! That's mean!"

"Sorry Felicia but I can't have my ninja," or anyone else for that matter, "struck down via demon food."

"Demon food?" Felicia was near tears at this point.

Corrin sighed and choose his words very closely. "Again, I'm sorry Felicia. I know you've been working hard at it but... "

"But your cooking could still use a little work," Lilith finished, resting a hand on the maid's shoulder. "Your sister and I can help you practice when we get back to the northern fortress. But for know we can't take the risk."

"Oh come now, it cannot be that bad." Kaze licked the edge of the food on the spoon. Confusion briefly flashed across his visage before he promptly barfed.

Corrin rolled his eyes and went to grab some medication from the traveling sacks while Felicia began to apologize profusely. "I-I'm so sorry Kaze, I could have sworn it was better this time."

"I have studied poisons all my life. Yet never have I come across something so vile."

Felicia whimpered.

After the incident with Kaze, Corrin had retreated back to his tent to don his armor. As part of his promotion—or was it a demotion? Whatever. Anyhow, what mattered was that with his being a Nohrian Noble now, the King had thought it appropriate to gift him with a set of armor more becoming of his rank. Instead of the grey plate he had previously worn, he now wore an elegant black plate set adorned with golden ornamentation and a white undercoat. A black cape with the national insignia had been added at the King's request to Corrin's outfit. The blacksmith had also tried to give him some boots. They had been immediately returned. Then Xander had come and tried to force him to wear the boots. Corrin had thrown the boots at him and flown out the window with his dragonstone. Antics had ensewed. In the end, Corrin got his way.

After he had finished getting dressed there was a cry from outside the tent. Exiting, he found his servants in a makeshift attack formation. Their attention was focused on the edge of the site. Felicia was confused. Kaze was focused. Lilith looked near panicked.

Drawing the Yato and taking the spot at the front of the formation, the prince asked his partners for a status report.

It was Lilith who answered. "Corrin, we saw them through the tree. It was… well, it was what we can't talk about."

Vallite? Here?! "Did we get a direction on the enemy?"

"Yes," Kaze said. "They headed east. Shall we pursue?"

"Yes. But, keep formation. We'll return to the campsite after our return. Everyone ready?"

Everyone present nodded in agreement. Corrin smiled. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

The next half hour was spent tracking the enemy through forest underbrush. As always, Kaze rose to the occasion and before long the group had come across a mysterious white gate. It was similar in appearance and nature to the one Corrin had seen during his dream. Its gate was pure darkness. Nothing could be seen as to where it went.

"You're sure this is where they went Kaze?"

"Yes milord."

Corrin nodded. "Lilith what do you think?"

"It's a dimensional gate for sure. As to where it goes, I couldn't say."

"D-dimensional gate?"

Damn, we forgot to bring Felicia up to speed. Thankfully, Corrin's thoughts were interrupted by Kaze. "Miss Felicia, suffice to say that it is a gate to a world very much like our own. Think of it as jumping into a book."

"A book… Ohh, Okay, I think I get it. But will we be able to get back?"

"I think so. Or at least, everyone but Corrin will have a guaranteed return." Lilith offered hastily.

"W-what? Then we can't go in there! We'll have to—" Felicia stuttered before being cut off by her boss.

"Felicia, it's fine. We'll make do. I want to find out why the Val-enemy were wandering the forest. If this gate is what they were searching for…" Corrin let the statement hang for a few moments. "All right, I'm entering the gate. Form up and follow me."

"Right!"

Upon exiting the portal, the first thing he noticed was the lack of flying Islands. The second was that he could already hear the faint sounds of battle echoing from nearby. After taking a moment to verify that his companions had arrived safely, the prince and his servants took off in the direction of the sounds.

After the four humans entered the portal a figure stepped out of the nearby shadows. At first glance she could have been mistaken for human, save that her skin was entirely light blue and she had no hair at all on her body. Instead she had dark blue tattoos covering her. She wore black scale armor with a brown cape, but carried no visible weapons.

Looking at the portal in disgust, the demon Dis opened up a telepathic link to her master. "Lord Iago, this is Dis of the Yoma. I have a report on Lord Corrin. He has—ugh?!" The message was consumed by static as the link was forcibly cut.

Who dares?!

"Hey! Fun fact, since Shin's not in the world right now, I'm not technically breaking Mety's stupid rules by being here. Neat huh?"

Dis turned on her heels. Searching the treeline, the demon's eyes fell on a petite figure sitting on nearby branch. She was only around thirty centimeters tall and wore a blue leotard. Her wings flapped lazily behind her.

Dis smirked. "A pixie? A little out of your league aren't you, bug? Mind your own business or you might get hurt." She would have said more, but was cut off by Pixie's laughter.

"Ya, ya, let me stop you right there baldy. Two things. First, I am not 'a Pixie,' I am the Pixie." She raised a hand to eye level and smiled evilly down at Dis. "And two, anyone who messes with my best friend gets a Megidolaon upside the face. Speaking of which..."

Pixie snapped her fingers and Dis, as well as everything else within a kilometer, was eviscerated by a magical explosion the likes of which Nohr had never seen before.

It was odd with how much this new world was similar to his own. Corrin was surrounded by beautiful pine trees and an expansive sapphire sky above him. On any other day he would have loved an opportunity to simply wander around this different yet familiar world and explore. But today, the former prince was all business.

"Kaze, what's your estimate on how close we are?"

"Very close. Probably under thirty seconds away."

"All right everyone, weapons out, keep formation!"

The group burst into a clearing to find a group of seven or so Vallite soldiers in combat with four unfamiliar figures, three men and one woman. As both sides turned at the sound of the Nohrian squad's entrance, Corrin noticed two things. The first was that the Vallite immediately switched their attention towards them. The second was that the other group seemed stunned by their appearance. No matter, we can sort that out later. "Lilith, Kaze, provide covering fire. Felicia cover my six."

"Yes milord."

By the time they had voiced their assent, the first of the Vallite had reached Corrin. Parrying the first enemy's overhand strike, he called on his dragonstone, transforming his other hand into its claw form. Reaching forward, the prince grabbed the unlucky fool by the neck. As the Vallite's partner attempted to strike while Corrin was occupied, Felicia stepped in between, swirling on her heels as she parried the ax strike with one dagger and sank the other one into his kneecap, instantly crippling him. The maid then finished the combo with a swift kick to enemy's chest, knocking him back and buying them much needed space. Corrin, still grasping the first soldier by the neck, fired a blast of water at point blank. The first Vallite was launched backwards, cascading into his ally. Before Corrin or Felicia could finish off the two fallen foes, a blast of lightning from the other group of humans flashed across the battlefield, incinerating them where they had fallen.

Looking up in surprise, Corrin found that the group of humans had made a mad dash through the enemy forces, killing two of them while their backs had been turned. By their new formation, Corrin could tell they were trying to connect with his own forces. "Lilith, Kaze, shift covering fire to support our new friends. Felicia and I can handle the frontline enemy on our own."

But as Corrin watched, their new allies shifted formation at the last moment, switching from an arrow-headed shape designed to pierce through the enemy to a pincer designed to surround them. In an instant they had managed to corner the Vallite against Corrin and his servants. Now surrounded and outnumbered by over two to one, the enemy didn't even have a chance. Within a few more seconds it was all over.

Sheathing his sword, Corrin looked around the clearing. "Kaze, do a sweep of the perimeter. Make sure that was all of them."

"Yes milord."

Nodding, Corrin turned at the sound of the approaching warriors. The first of them was clearly the leader and had a dark blue haircolor. He wore a white cape and had an odd tattoo on his right shoulder. On his belt hung a shining sword. Corrin couldn't quite place it, but the blade seemed strangely familiar. The man held out a hand. "Thank you for that, friend. We're lucky that you showed up when you did."

Corrin grasped it and shook. "No need for thanks. If anything you helped us out. We were tracking those soldiers since this morning."

"Oh? And just what might be your relationship with those creatures?" the knight to the blue haired man's right spoke up. One look at him assured Corrin that this man was by and by the most suspicious of the bunch.

Luckily, the first came to his rescue. "Calm down, Frederick. I think they've more than proved themselves by now."

Frederick sighed. "Milord, we've already picked up one suspicious individual today. Do you really intend to add some more? Especially ones with such odd clothes."

"Don't pay any mind to Frederick the wary over there. Though their clothes are weird…" The man held out his hand again. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Chrom."

Once more, Corrin took it with a smile. "Corrin, prince of- sorry Noble of Nohr. Sorry, it's been a very long week and a LOT of things have changed pretty quickly."

"You're nobility?" Frederick asked, an eyebrow raised. "I don't suppose you could provide any proof to that claim?"

"P-proof?"

"Well certainly. Impersonating a noble is a serious offence. And Nohr? You mean the mythical kingdom? That's very odd joke to make."

"Mythical kingdom?" Corrin massaged his temples in annoyance. "Ugh. Sorry, I forgot this is a different world than before. I don't suppose you've heard of the Outrealms before?"

This time it was Chrom who answered. "Only in stories. Why? You aren't actually…"

"My lord, please step away from this charlatan." Frederick raised his weapon. "I appreciate your assistance in dealing with those, 'creatures', but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you a few questions now."

Thankfully, it was at this moment that Lilith decided to come to her liege's rescue. "Milord, would it not be prudent to show them your blade? Surely the sacred Yato would be more than enough to prove your station and claims."

Not to self, give Lilith another raise. "Of course." Corrin drew his sword and presented it to all present. "As my retainer mentioned, this is the sacred sword Yato, an object of Nohrian and Hoshidan legend."

"I'm afraid we don't recognize those countries in Ylisse—"

"I think it more than covers your claims," Chrom interjected with a chuckle. "Frederick, would you mind helping Corrin's retainer in securing our perimeter?"

"But milord—"

"Frederick…"

The knight sighed in exasperation. "Of course milord."

As Frederick walked away, Chrom smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that. Frederick means well."

Corrin waved the bluenette down. "No, no, I can only imagine how absurd I must sound right now. Now, before we go any further, I have to ask, was that all of those things that attacked you, or were there any more? 'Cause if so we might need to cut the pleasantries rather quickly... "

"That was only the vanguard, there are about twenty more of them hanging back in reserve. From what we saw they were led by two women, one with pale skin and light blue hair, the other with dark skin and white hair."

Arete. And Rinkah too by the sound of it. This could get messy. Corrin looked at the man who had spoken up. He was about his age and very pale in both complexation and hair color. He wore a dark black robe adorned with purple eye-like insignias. By the yellow thunder tome in his left hand, he was the one had blasted the Vallite with lightning earlier.

"Are we in imminent danger?"

The white haired man shook his head. "We managed to lose the majority of them while escaping. I suspect they probably fell back to some old ruins about 3 kilometers back. If I were them I'd be fortifying that position."

"You're sure? Why wait, when they're clearly after you?" What does Arete want?

The man nodded again before Chrom answered the question. "Because they know we'll have to attack them. They're within striking distance of a town and have shown themselves to be violent. We have to do something."

"And do something we will," Corrin said with a smile. "Thank you Chrom and umm… Cloaky?"

Lilith stepped forward again. "Milords, perhaps it would be better to get the introductions over and done with? Kaze just signalled that, for now at least, we are secure."

Oh thank goodness. "An excellent idea. As I said, my name is Corrin." Pointing at the two women flanking him, Corrin continued. "This is Lilith, my stable girl, and Felicia, my personal maid. The green haired man is my retainer and ninja, Kaze." The two female servants curtsied.

"Personal maid, what does that mean-" the blonde woman to Chrom's left started to say before Chrom cut her off.

"My turn then, the delicate one here is my younger sister, Lissa."

"I am not delicate!"

"You've already met Frederick of course. And the man to my right I actually only met earlier today, myself." Chrom laughed. "And yet he's already saved my life a couple times! His name is Robin and he's an amnesiac." The man in the dark cloak bowed his head.

"An amnesiac? That's more than a little suspicious... Lord Corrin, please give him some space." Kaze had appeared again at Corrin's side, making the entrance that one would expect of a ninja. Frederick had returned as well.

"At least his bodyguards seem to be sensible enough. I warned you milord that he was quite unusual…"

"Gods Frederick, we're not having this conversation again… Anyway, and I am Chrom. I'm the prince of this country, Ylisse."

Corrin gave him a once over. "You're a prince you say?"

"Yes."

Corrin crossed his arms and tried his best to mimic Frederick's suspicious gaze. "Well then I suppose you have proof of such a claim? After all, I hear it's quite a crime to claim nobility falsely in this country."

Lissa snorted while Lilith rolled her eyes. Chrom merely chuckled and drew his sword. "One sacred sword deserves another. This is the Falchion, forged from the tooth of the divine dragon Naga. It has been passed down in my family for over two thousand years."

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Nohr doesn't recognize Ylisse—" Corrin was cut off by Kaze cuffing him on the back of the head. "Okay! Okay! I'll stop. Sheesh. Though real talk, you're not like my long lost adoptive brother, twice removed, are you?"

"Umm.. I don't think so?"

"Oh thank goodness."

"You ask everyone you meet that?" Lissa deadpanned.

"It's been a long week."

Lilith peeked around the side of the tree she was hiding behind. About fifty meters away were the forlorn and decrepit ruins the Vallite had set up as their base. The stable girl could see two of the telltale purple auras of the enemy patrolling the wall. Signalling to Kaze, Lilith watched as Kaze crept up the wall, silent as a shadow. Timing his assent to when the patrolling soldiers passed, the ninja pulled the two unfortunate Vallite off of the wall where Lilith sniped them out of the air with Astral blasts. Nodding in satisfaction, Lilith crept slowly toward the wall where Kaze was waiting to help her up to the top.

After the two retainers had finished climbing the wall, Kaze took out a small hand mirror. Reflecting the light towards the edge of the forest.

Sparing a smile at the stable girl, Kaze mouthed a sentence to her.

"And now for phase two."

Felicia nodded as she saw the signature flash of Kaze's mirror. Giving Chrom and Robin a thumbs up, the maid drew her knives and took her place next to Lissa. "All right, Mr. Robin. Are you ready?"

The tactician smiled and opened his tome. "Or course. Now, shall we Chrom?"

His only response was the sound of the Falchion being drawn.

"Ho there! Bandits!"

Arete look out across the treeline as the words registered. Eventually her gaze focused on the three men standing approximately twenty meters from the fortress gate. Her gate. Motioning for her troops to take position, Arete walked over to the battlements to look down on the enemy. Smiling at them, she answered their summons. "Well what do we have here? If it isn't the princeling and his oaf of a bodyguard. And look, you even brought the Fellblood with you! How convenient! I was worried you'd managed to escape when our troops were killed. Tell you what, hand over the Fellblood and I'll leave you and you're little kingdom alone"

The prince looked confused. "What? Are you saying you're not bandits?!"

"Of course not you twit. We are beyond any of you pathetic mortals."

The prince stepped forwards again, still swing his sword like the buffoon that he was. "Then why are you here? Why are you threatening my people?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know? My master sent me for the Fellblood, that pale man standing next you. Hand him over and I'll have all I want. Maybe I'll even leave without annihilating that nearby village. I don't know, I haven't quite decided yet."

Chrom pointed his sword up at the Vallite commander. "You dare! You've threatened my people again and again and threatened the life of a man who's saved my life. I'll die before I hand over anyone to you!"

Arete sighed. "So be it. I'm fine with either way." The woman snapped her fingers and twenty Vallite surged out of the gates. However, the instant they had left the fortress, there was an explosion of astral energy from the windows above the gate, and the portcullis came crashing downward.

Arete's head snapped toward the source of the explosion and then back to the prince and his allies. The first thing she noticed was that they had retreated to the treeline. The second was that two figures had run out from the castle itself and were attempting to flank her troops. By the time they noticed something had happened, five of them had been taken out by blasts of energy and shuriken.

Her first reaction was to roll her eyes and start blasting them with magic. But upon looking closer, she couldn't help but doubletake at the two new troops. Lilith?! What the hell is she doing here? And that's the ninja that escaped with her and- There was an explosion of sound behind her. Turning on her heels, Arete's eyes narrowed as she stared down the dragon that had landed less than ten meters from her, crushing her bodyguards as it touched down.

The dragon's wings shrank and receded back into the prince's body, his scales receding back into cool black plate. A snide smile took form on his face. "Hello Arete. It's been a while, hasn't it. Do you remember me? Last time we met I tried to punch you in the face."

"The false princeling of Nohr. As arrogant as ever I see. Aren't you a little far from home, boy?"

"Aww, thanks for noticing. You're as much of a rancid pile of pegasus droppings as when we last met too."

Magic crackled and flared at Arete's fingertips. "Large words for a little prince who's all alone."

"Oh please. You couldn't even capture me when I was unarmed." Corrin drew the Yato and instituted a partial transformation of his left arm, turning it into a draconic claw. "And this time, I am anything but. Now, shall we?"

Lilith ducked under an enemy sword while blasting the head off of a Vallite soldier who had been charging Chrom. So far, everything had been going according to Robin's strategy. First, she and Kaze had cleared out the perimeter guards, thus giving Corrin an opening to fly up the walls and attack Arete. Next, they had waited until Chrom, Robin, and Frederick had gone out to draw attention from the enemy and lure them out. With that done, Kaze and her blew up the portcullis supports, isolating Arete and giving Corrin a chance to strike. The former prince had known he wouldn't be able to beat her in combat, but he didn't need to. All Corrin had to do was hold her attention long enough for the rest of them to clear out the rest of the Vallite. After that they could tackle the leader together.

It should work. As long as nothing went wrong.

"Kaze? Is that you?"

Lilith turned toward the source of the question and paled. Walking toward her companion was an oni savage with silver hair, a red headdress, and the signature purple aura of the Vallite.

It was Rinkah.

Oh no. This isn't good! "Kaze, remember it's not actually her!"

Unfortunately it appeared that her words didn't reach the ninja. Kaze stood there, the battle almost forgotten as he stared, shellshocked, at his reanimated former friend. "R-Rinkah? Is that really…"

"Of course it is you idiot. What does it look like?" Rinkah continued to stride forward, the remaining Vallite who were not engaged with Ylisseans parting for her. "Hell, if anything doesn't make sense here, it's you Kaze."

"W-what?"

Rinkah sneered. "Helping Nohrians? Do you have no shame? Seriously, what do you think your ancestors are saying right now in the afterlife? You've betrayed everything your family ever stood for."

That's enough out of you. Lilith let fly a blast of energy, only for Rinkah to swat it contemptuously out of the air with her club. Signaling for her troops to to go after the stable girl, Lilith suddenly had problems of her own. In the fleeting moments before the three closest minions closed in, Lilith yelled out to Kaze. "Don't listen to her Kaze! She's only trying to distract you! It's not her! She's dead!" Lilith threw herself to the side in order to avoid a sword aimed at her stomach. Grimacing through the dirt and dust kicked up by her roll, all she could do was focus on the advancing enemies. "Ugh, damn it!"

Corrin ignored the smell of ozone and sulfur that threatened to suffocate him due to its intensity.

He ignored the throngs of battle, even though that din continued to fill the worry he had for his friends.

He ignored the fear for his own life, that desperate cowardice that raked at his insides like a desperate, starving, prisoner.

No, all Corrin focused on was the battle with the monster in front of him. Instinct was his guide and his body his power. Sword and claw, wing and horn, they all flashed in equal measure as the former prince deflected blast after blast, dodging what he could not shatter. But even with everything rising to his call, Corrin knew he could not win. Arete was no ordinary foe.

Batting aside the latest burst of dark magic, Corrin summoned forth his wings and used them to throw himself forward. Transforming his left hand, Corrin used the mass change to switch trajectories, allowing a bolt of blue lightning to miss him by a hair's breadth. Transforming the fall into a roll, he continued to sprint towards Arete, closing the remaining distance in less than a second. Swinging the Yato in an uppercut aimed at her throat, Corrin was enraged to find that her magical shield was still in effect, the Yato merely sending ripples through its surface as the barrier repelled it back towards its master.

Arete sneered. "Are we going to play this game again? You truly are a glutton for punishment. So much like your mother."

Corrin grimaced, but as the barrier sent the Yato back towards his own throat, he quickly spat out his ace. "Phys Repel- Equip." As the sword crashed back into Corrin's neck, he didn't feel a thing. In fact, all he could do was smile as he felt his sword swing back at the woman with an overwhelming force. So strong was the blow, that Arete was knocked back, shield and all. Taking a moment to recollect himself, Corrin couldn't help but smile as shock, fear, and fury cycled across Arete's visage.

An instant later though, the strategist had regained her composure and launched a shockwave of amethyst flame out across the battlements. Ducking under the first wave, Corrin fired a blast of water from his claw at the ground, propelling him high into the air and over the second one. Regrowing his wings and diving down at Arete, Corrin deflected the few magic bursts that came his way and stabbed forth with the Yato.

But this time, his foe was ready. She shot a fiery blast at the ground instead, erupting the area in front of her into a tempest of stone and molten debris. It was like a volcano had erupted in his face. The heat, the light, everything was blinding and oppressive. Corrin barely had enough time to fully transform and curl into a protective ball to avoid the damage. Even his dragon form could not take such high temperatures for very long however, and Corrin rolled off to the side, transforming back to human as he did so.

As he glanced up at the source of his grief, he couldn't help but notice, that like him, she seemed to be panting. This fight was taking its toll, and even someone as powerful as Arete had limits. Though, by the way things were going. He'd reach his first.

It can't be helped. Kind of wish I'd learned a new move or two from other me this morning. Phys Repel doesn't do much against magic. Now some kind of explosion-blaster-thingie? THAT would be nice right now.

With no other choice, Corrin raised his blade once more, leveling the point at his enemy's heart. Taking a deep breath, he charged back into thehurricane of sorcery that awaited him.

"Come on Kaze, you can't seriously be helping this scum."

The ninja remained silent, doing his best to ignore his former friend. Instead he unleashed two smoke bombs, fading out of sight.

"You do know that won't work? Right? I'd hate to think working with a bunch of Nohrians has addled your head that much. But hell, only one way to find out!"

Kaze was thrown off guard by Rinkah jumping through the fog directly at him. A sick, demented smile covered her face. It wasn't a smile the Rinkah he had known would ever be caught dead wearing. Or maybe, seeing how current events were playing out, she would?

After barely managing to parry the club strike with a kunai, Kaze transferred first into a back handspring and then into a back flip, throwing shuriken at every transition. But it was no use. Whatever black magic Arete had used to corrupt Rinkah had given her a much stronger resilience than any human Kaze had ever seen. It was all he could do to stay out of her reach.

"You get it yet Kaze? You can't win. You might as well give in."

Kaze tried to catch his breath, and for the first time since the battle had begun, noticed something. He could hear himself breathing. The sound of battle had quieted down considerably. Chrom and Robin were doing their job brilliantly.

She hasn't noticed yet, if I can just keep her occupied… Kaze sprinted back at Rinkah, hurling another smoke bomb as he did. Flipping over her flailing attack, the ninja stuck a fire bomb onto her face before doing a front handspring off of her shoulders. The ninja stuck the landing with the grace of a dance as an explosion detonated directly into Rinkah's face.

Turning to admire his handiwork, Kaze was dismayed to find that she was still moving. In fact she was walking towards him, club raised. Rage had consumed her features, gone was any attempt to sway him emotionally.

"You think that's enough? That's not nearly enough. You can't kill me! You're weakling Nohrian friends can't kill me! Even that pathetic Fellblood couldn't kill me as he is now. You have no hope! And now-"

"PICK A GOD AND PRAY!"

Rinkah didn't even have time to look as Frederick barreled into her, his horse galloping at top speed. His silver spear piercing her chest and throwing her back into the woods.

Frederick returned to Kaze's side. "Are you alright?"

Kaze nodded. "Yes, thanks to you."

"Good. my prince would be quite distressed if anything was to happen to you or your friends."

"..."

"Speaking of which, Prince Chrom and Robin have followed after your lord and that witch. We'd best go assist them." He held out a hand. "Get on, this will be fastest."

Corrin was thrown into the wall after getting launched by Arete's hurricane gales. Even in dragon form, that hurt. A lot.

Transforming back, Corrin couldn't help but give voice to his pain. "Ouch, damn blue-haired-bipedal-pile of pegasus dung."

"Wow, how articulate."

"Bite me. That has to be the fiftieth time I should have broken all the bones in my body today! I think I'm entitled to a little- UGH!" Arete's fireball caught him right below the chest. Luckily, his armor protected him from most of the blast, but the force of the impact still knocked him right back into the wall. "You… you are a special type of bitch."

"Hahaha. Is that all you can do: throw petty insults around? You were doing so well… But I suppose this was to be expected. You're only human after all." Arete raised her hand and a malignant aura surrounded it. "Don't worry though, I'm sure that my master will find a place for you in death."

"You know, somehow I doubt that."

"Hmm? And what could you possible mean by that?" Arete's question was answered a moment later when two men launched a ferocious duel attack from both sides.

"YOU'RE END HAS COME!"

"TIME TO TIP THE SCALES!"

The brilliant golden hue of Robin's thunder magic reflected off the sparkling blade of the Falchion as both weapons met their target. Already weakened from her long battle with Corrin, Arete's barrier crumbled under the unexpected assault. Taking a sword wound to her left arm and a thunder blast to her gut, Arete could do nothing but watch as Corrin transformed his right hand and blasted her off the wall with a well timed water shot. Sighing in relief, he sank down against the now all but destroyed wall.

Rushing to his side, Robin began to check his injuries as Chrom spoke. "Corrin are you alright?"

"Miraculously, yes. Is she dead?"

"No idea. We need to get you to Lissa and Felicia. I'm sorry it took so long for us to to get to you."

"Not a problem as long as I'm breathing."

There was a clatter from down below and Robin spared a second to look up from Corrin's injuries. "Hmm, sounds like Frederick, Lilith, and Kaze were at the base of the tower when she landed. That's lucky."

Chrom smiled. "Not for her."

The trio laughed before they were interrupted by an explosion from down below followed by Frederick yelling at something to come back and fight. It was pretty obvious that the enemy had fled.

Taking a moment to savor their victory, Corrin turned as Chrom continued. "Hey Robin. Did you have any idea who that was?"

"No idea. Though even if I did, I wouldn't be able to remember."

"She did seem to be after you…" Corrin agreed. "Weird."

"Never met her before. At least I think I haven't…" Robin shrugged. "Nothing to do about it now."

"Huh, I guess so. Think she might've been an old girlfriend or something?" Chrom asked.

Robin's face turned red. "W-what the hell are you talking about?"

Corrin snorted. "Chrom, if Robin had a such terrible taste in women, we should have just left him to fate. I mean I don't begrudge him if he likes them older, but she was a WHOLE new level of crazy."

"Shame on you Corrin! That's not how friends are supposed to be! We have to teach him. Not leave him to die."

By that time, Robin had regained his composure. "Please, like I need relationship advice from a completely oblivious prince who breaks everything and a dragon who's been homeschooled all his life."

"Oh? The cat has claws." Corrin said with a raised eyebrow.

"Oblivious?!" Chrom gawked. "We've only been to one town together. What do you know?"

Robin smiled, content to simply, roll his eyes as the two royals continued to tease both him and each other. The trio joked and talked until their friends arrived on top to meet them.

Chrom rose as they filled in, Lissa and Felicia taking their places on either side of Corrin so that they could heal his wounds. "Ah Frederick, everything went well down below I trust?"

"I'm afraid the witch escaped my liege. Along with a silver haired woman with a club. Somehow despite their wounds they were still able to move."

"Remember, they aren't human anymore." Lilith offered. "And those two are far more powerful than their lesser counterparts. Their master has put considerable time and energy into them."

"Why can't I just have one time where my enemy actually dies. Is that too much to ask for?" Corrin groaned.

Chrom put a hand on Corrin's shoulder and chuckled. "Don't worry. If they ever come back, to your world or mine, we'll be ready."

Robin smiled as well. "Whichever one she attacks need only call and the rest of us will be there in an instant."

Corrin nodded slowly, a thought dawning in his mind. "Hey Lilith, could you make a note of which outrealm this is?"

"Huh? Sure milord. But, why?"

Corrin stood, thanking the two women for their help. "Because I get the distinct feeling we're going to come back someday. I don't know when, but I do know that we look out for our friends." Because gods know I don't have that many nowadays… Corrin held out his hand. "Chrom, if you ever need a hand… well I don't know how you're going to tell us, but find a way and we'll come running. That's a promise."

Chrom shook. "Likewise to you. It was an honor to-"

There was a sound like vibrating sheet metal, and the prince of Ylisse was cut off mid sentence as a portal opened under the feet of the Corrin and his retainers, sucking them down and into the void.

Corrin broke the fall with his face. By the sounds of groans emanating from his retainers, he had a feeling they had had a similar experience. Forcing himself to his feet, he took a moment to look around. From the look of it, they were in an old castle. Everything had a soft glow to it, as if the very stones themselves were full to the bursting with magic.

"Welcome to my home, Corrin, son of Mikoto."

Corrin's head swung towards the source of the voice to find an unnaturally beautiful woman with long hair walking towards him and his friends. She had a flowing dress made out of what appeared to be pure energy. Her pale skin contrasted with the green of her hair. Corrin also noticed that she had pointed ears similar to his own.

Coming to a stop, the woman raised an eyebrow. "Or would you prefer that I refer to you as Shin Managi, Demifiend?"

That is not a good sign. "I'm sorry, but you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know a whole lot about me, but I have no idea who you are."

"I am Naga. I am the Divine Dragon whose fang was forged into the blade you fought alongside mere moments ago. The Falchion."

"Huh. Umm okay then. Not sure what to say to that."

"Then speak not and listen. For I have brought you here for a reason and do not have much time." A wave of apprehension and nervousness flashed on the goddess's face. It was only for an instant, and Corrin couldn't be sure it had even been there it had left so suddenly. "You're arrival in this land is that of a herald of doom. The appearance of the Demifiend can bring nothing save death and devastation. That is why I must bid you to forsake the promise you made to Chrom and his companions. You must leave this place, this world, and never return."

"Hold on, what are you talking about?" Kaze said, drawing his weapon. "Milord is not some fiend. And even if he was, what right do you have to prevent us from helping our friends?"

"So he has not told you yet. I am not surprised. If my intuition is correct, his memories remain shackled. In power he is barely at his infancy. And there he must remain."

Corrin grabbed Kaze's arm, forcing his weapons down and away from Naga. "What are you talking about? What will happen if my powers continue to grow?"

"I am sorry. There are things I cannot tell you even if I wished to. There are forces at work that dwarf my power by countless fold. Even now, I can only speak to you because I am not truly a goddess or demon."

"You're not? But I thought-"

Naga smiled. "I am just one of another race that once called Chrom's world home. Now I act as that world's protector." Naga's smile turned to a frown as she continued. "But the forces that follow you, they are beyond my power. If you were to bring that sort of battle to Ylisse… This world would not survive it. Everything would burn." She chuckled. "And if I were to tell you much more than that, I would be killed along with my world. There are forces at play that you should be happy you don't remember."

Corrin thought about what she said. It was terrifying. It would mean that- "Naga, doesn't that mean that those forces will attack my home? That they'll follow me there?" All of his companions tensed up. Though they may not have known what the two were talking about, they could feel the fear in both Naga's and Corrin's voices. And that terrified them.

"You stand at the precipice of annihilation, Shin Managi. Should you continue to walk forward..." She smiled sadly at the group, sympathy clear. "And yet you do not have much of a choice. I smell Ose's filth upon you. And I know the fate of the late Queen of Hoshido. Even if you were to forsake your former self, there would be no guarantee of salvation. You truly walk the path of the doomed."

"Then why don't you just kill me now? It sounds like that would solve a lot of your problems immediately."

"It is not in my nature to kill the innocent. And that is what you are now, innocent. But even if I did, that would invite worse disaster than before. I would be forced to pick either Chaos or Law, with the rejected side declaring war upon me. Ylisse would still burn, only in a far worse type of war."

"Why? Why would my death draw them here?"

"I appologize, but I cannot say."

Corrin shrugged. "Well then, no problem. I'll just defeat Ose before it's too late."

Naga laughed. "I admire the bravado, Demifiend, but please remember, once something has been learned it can never be unlearned." She shifted nervously. "And also… the memories that remain hidden even now… If they should surface, all that you once wanted will become unreachable. If that should happen, I foresee nothing but pain and sorrow for you. Please, for both your sake and the of your world, do not seek out those memories."

She's so nervous… Is my former power really that terrifying? Corrin shivered. What exactly have I gotten myself into. What have I gotten my friends into? Do I really want this? Do I- The memories of this morning flashed unbidden. The conversation returned as well, and with it, his determination. "I don't have a choice. To protect my world, I will use my power. But I will not bring devastation. If you say that my full memories will cause that, then I'll stop Ose and the demons before my old personality fully resurfaces. You have my word, not as the Demifiend, but as Corrin."

Naga laughed and held up her hand as a portal opened beneath them again. "I hope you are right, Corrin. Because if you are wrong, then you're world will be in the most dire of danger. Good luck, young prince. If I have my way, we will never meet again. Oh, and take a look at your dragonstone upon returning to your world. There is something that you must see."

Corrin looked around in confusion. "Hey, Lilith. This is our world right?"

"Yes milord."

"And Felicia, those are all our supplies right?" He asked, gesturing to the neatly packed bags piled next to where they had dropped out of the portal.

"Y-yes, lord Corrin."

Corrin nodded and looked around at the scorched, barren crater they were standing in the middle of. It had to be over a kilometer in diameter. The only trees he could see at the edges of the hole had had all of their leaves blown off, seemingly by whatever had inflicted such massive damage. "Then where the hell did this come from?!"

Shaking his head in exasperation, Corrin quickly took out his dragonstone as his friends began to load up and continue their journey. At first, Corrin couldn't find any problem. The brilliant green stone seemed as beautiful as ever. However, upon turning it over, Corrin felt a knot of panic take hold in his stomach. Looking down at the stone, a hairline crack where none had been that morning now marred the pristine emerald surface.

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!

So this was pretty obviously based off of the Before Awakening DLC, however, I changed the timing to directly after the first level in Awakening as opposed to directly before. The main reason for this was I needed to introduce Robin as well as give the Vallite a reason for being there. I could be wrong, but I'm reasonably sure Anankos would look at Grima as a threat and act accordingly.

Demons Anarchy of Pride- Welcome back! Yep, things are getting dicey. Hopefully Corrin can pull out on top...

rc48177- Heh heh, you have no idea.

Guest- They probably wouldn't be too keen on it. Though, if they knew his reasoning, maybe...

Guest- We will be seeing more of the royal retainers. But not for a while. There will be a couple pairings, but they will (hopefully) develop naturally.

Disclaimer- This is a nonprofit, fan-based work. All characters and settings belong to their respective owners.

Next Time (Oct 15) - Faceless