Note
So I have 22 follows, but only three reviews? Feedback is really important to writers and it motivates them to continue writing.
It's very difficult to explain. But it hurts as a writer, when I spend days, weeks, even months writing something and putting effort into it, only for no one to even acknowledge it. Even a simple "This was great! I loved it!" really motivates writers. It really impacts us. And longer, more detailed feedback? It means the world to us. It reminds us that someone actually cares about what we do. Follows are great. But all it tells us is that: "Wow, I liked this! ...But not enough to actually leave feedback.". Feedback immensely encourages authors. We may write for ourselves, but we need feedback to remind us that it's worth it.
The skies above Fort Jinya are clear, Kamui notes as they emerge from the thick forest. With a soft sigh, she fixes her gaze ahead, expression steely, ready to unsheathe Yato. The steep Fort Walls are clear of archers, but it's clear that the Hoshidan forces are expecting company. She feels the dirt path against her feet, hears the distant shuffling of soldiers behind the fort's walls, and sees Yukimura step out into view. There's a displeased expression on his face. But she has no time to deal with the petty qualms of a stubborn, old man. She has betrayed neither side, yet they have both turned on her.
Stubborn, foolish.
They will fall if they don't unite. Corrin is a little bit behind her, Azura at his side. Felicia, Joker, and Gunter are with them as well. Silas takes up the back of the group. They walk through the field, before reaching the fortress. Corrin's eyes are cold, but her head is held eye.
"Yukimura, please listen to us!" Corrin is the one who speaks up. Kamui lets him. He's always been the sensitive one, the compassionate one. But if he can't make Yukimura listen, then she doubts anyone can. She knows that they're here to make allies. But she has no problem in cutting him down if he attacks. Yukimura doesn't look all too pleased, his eyebrows furrow into a scowl, and his frown is deep. There are sleepless bags under his eyes.
"Why should we listen to you, traitor?" Yukimura's voice rings through the wide area. "Queen Mikoto died for you, and yet you were still not satisfied!" Corrin flinches underneath the accusation, clearly stung by his cruel words. Kamui watches silently as Corrin moves his gaze away from Yukimura, and stares down at the ground, expression disappointed.
They have been almost killed by King Garon. They have had their worlds turned upside-down at the revelation of their Hoshidan heritage. They have had their mother die right in front of them. They have had both kingdoms, the ones who claimed to want them and love them, turn against them. Why are we still trying? She wonders. Why are we still trying to save such ungrateful people? She decides that she has had enough.
"Pull the mother card, why don't you!?" Kamui's voice is a low snarl, one that catches Corrin off guard. She feels Azura's hand on her shoulder, but she pays no heed. "You're all so ungrateful!" She's growling, feral. "We've been almost killed! We've had our mother die right in front of us! And to top it off, the countries we are trying to save have turned against us! Hoshido said they wanted us! Nohr pleaded for us to stay! And when we tried to negotiate towards peace? They turned against us! Like the spoiled children they are!"
There is silence, from Yukimura and from her party. Hoshido's tactician's expression is frozen, unreadable. He's trying to keep the surprise off of his face.
"So be it." Yukimura nods slowly, retreating back into the fortress. There's no telling if her words have actually reached him. But as he leaves the front lines, four soldiers take his place. Kamui's hand is on the hilt of her sword, and Yato is drawn immediately. There is apart of her that desperately wants to decimate every soldier in sight. But that won't get them anywhere. They'll only become even bigger targets. For the sake of the future, they need to spare every opponent. Kamui closes her eyes, breathes in deeply, and lunges forwards.
Today there will be no death, but they cannot hide forever.
"Are you sure that we shouldn't be out there?" Morgan eyes Tsubaki and Kazahana in a worried manner. The room around them is somewhat dim, and there are only two windows. The polished wooden door is locked. The noises of battle are reaching them, even while they're in the back of the fort. She knows that they need to protect Sakura... But shouldn't they be out there with their fellow soldiers?
"They told me to stay in here..." Sakura doesn't seem too pleased by the idea. Maybe she feels helpless. Morgan truthfully doesn't know, but she does know that she feels antsy sitting around while a battle rages outside. It's been an hour since the noises of battle have started-but now they're quieting down. "We should go." Sakura speaks up suddenly, getting to her feet. Tsubaki is the first to speak up.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Lady Sakura?" Even if Tsubaki has a habit of being arrogant, his concern for Sakura is very much real. No matter how much she teases him Morgan knows that the Hoshidan army is fortunate to have Tsubaki on their side. Kazahana stands up next, crossing her arms.
"The battle seems to be dying down, now." The brunette states. "We're not sure if we've lost it or won it." She reminds Sakura. Morgan knows that she's right. If it turns out that the enemy has won, Sakura could very much be in danger. Sakura frowns softly at the idea of it, but she isn't deterred.
"No one has come to tell us anything, though." She's right. "I want to go." It's unusually brave for Sakura, Morgan observes. But a soft smile touches the taguel's features. She's not too far from Sakura's age, but in these tough times, she can see Sakura's courage growing quickly. Morgan stands up and nods, speaking out before Kazahana or Tsubaki can object.
"Then we'll go with you!" The taguel cheerily announces, as though they're not in the heat of battle. She grins, but she knows that it's not comforting to either of them. Tsubaki and Kazahana share a weary glance, but there's no choice. They serve Lady Sakura, and they need to follow her orders. They can't stop her from leaving the back of the fort if she wants to. All they can do is go with her, and hope for the best.
"Thank you." Sakura's voice is kind and grateful. Morgan only nods, watching as Kazahana and Tsubaki stand. Within the next couple of moments, they leave the small room, heading through the fortress doors. It's oddly quiet for a brief moment, as they warily tread through the wide halls. There are no bloodstains, and there's nothing broken. The battle was most likely outside, only.
Suddenly, Saizou's voice boomed through the area. With the entrance in sight, Sakura raced ahead.
"Lady Sakura!" Morgan called after her, pace increasing to a strong run. Regret floods through her. What if the enemy was up ahead? She knowsew that there certainly wouldn't be any mercy towards Hoshidan princess, who could definitely be used as a hostage for ransom or worse.
By the time she caught up with the Hoshidan princess, it's clear that the situation has diffused. Two individuals stood before Saizou and Yukimura. They appear to be siblings, with pristine, white hair, and deep, red eyes. Their ears, Morgan notes, are pointed. Manaketes? Perhaps. She had heard many legendary stories and tales surrounding dragons, and how they were related to the creation of Hoshido and Nohr.
"Saizou! Don't you see? They haven't killed a single soldier!" Sakura seems desperate to mellow whatever argument was going on. But... not a single soldier dead? Morgan hadn't of been alive for too long. But she had never been in or heard of a battle where no one died! However, as she looks around, she realizes that there are many Hoshidan soldiers left standing, abet injured. And they're all being taken care of by medics...
"I suppose that you're right, Lady Sakura..." Saizou seems awfully reluctant accept it. He says nothing more. Morgan has a hunch that he's sulking about his defeat, and has to resist the urge to pat him on the back and tell him "there'll always be next time!". She drags her attention away from the downtrodden ninja, turning to the two, mysterious individuals. There are still many questions to be asked and answered, but Morgan remains quiet for once.
"I'm going with them." Sakura's words catch her by surprise, again. There's a deep determination in the princess's eyes. And it's one that Morgan finds to be most admirable. Sakura has risen to the occasion, and is standing up for what she believes in. "They would never lie about something like this! I know... that you hardly know them, but trust me!"
Yukimura rubs his temples, and closes his eyes. It can't be easy on him, Morgan knows.
"Be careful, Lady Sakura." Yukimura says it in a sigh, before turning towards Saizou. "We need to get the soldiers taken care of., There's no telling if there'll be a Nohrian invasion as well. And you..." Morgan startles as his gaze turns to her, but she listens intently. For once, she's taking it seriously. Despite her lackadaisical attitude, Morgan has come to realize that her position demands that she be responsible. As a retainer, it's her duty to protect Sakura. "Take care of Lady Sakura." Morgan can only nod at the command, and Yukimura turns his back, beginning to dish out commands to medics and soldiers alike.