Crowds lined the streets of Anya. It wasn't a jubilant display, or a grand celebration.

The Royal family looked broken. Crown Prince Xander, despite being fourteen, was struggling to keep his composure. The twelve year old Princess Camilla, however, was sobbing and shaking. Both Leon and Elise were hugging the black haired Prince, both crying their eyes out.

King Garon stepped forward. His voice boomed across the crowds. "Proud People of Anya! Today is a dark day for our Kingdom. My beloved son, Corrin has been cursed by the cowardly Hoshidians! Until we can reverse it…for the safety of the Kingdom, he will be set away. Do not think him a coward! His bravery is an inspiration to us all!"

The somewhat shy seven year old shrugged off his younger siblings, and walked to the front of the group. A wall of cheers filled his ears.

"But first!" Garon continued. "We will dispense justice for Corrin! Bring forth the prisoner!"

Garon stepped aside, and a pair of guards dragged a bound man forward. He was Hoshidian in appearance, and was dressed in a dirty ragged shirt with a strip of cloth covered his mouth. The guards forced him to his knees, and Garon took a hold of his axe.

"Unlike those overly proud Hoshidians, I am not afraid of executing men personally. Be grateful."

The crowds cheers grew, nearly all calling for blood.

With one swing, they got their wish.

The fact someone was knocking on the door, this late at night. Concerned Silas for two reasons. One, it was usually bad. Two, it was always juuust as he was falling asleep. He must be cursed or something.

Thankfully, Lilith had already answered the door, and ushered their guests in.

Jakob, Felicia and Flora. All looking tired. All with clearly heavy backpacks on.

It meant only one thing. He was going to be up early in the morning.

He greeted them with genuine sincerity, and headed back to his room. A single thought ran through his head.

How the hell do I get them into Hoshido unseen?

The trio reached The Bottomless Canyon a day and a half later. They hadn't stopped to rest at all, and were now thoroughly exhausted. They were camped out by the bridge that crossed the gaping maw.

"..I hate hills. I've decided." Corrin stated as he stared into the campfire. "They are evil, horrid things."

"Quit whining, Princeling." Rinkah snapped. "We'll be in Hoshidian territory tomorrow. From there it should be an easy journey back to the Capital."

"Mm. Sounds perfect. Returning to the people who abandoned me. How glorious." Corrin drawled.

"Yet you're coming back." Kaze pointed out.

"I'm going back to ask why it took fifteen years to send someone to rescue me." Corrin's expression changed from a deep frown to a broad grin. "Oh, and to rescue Azura….at least, that's the lie I fed Garon."

Before Kaze or Rinkah could comment, a loud creaking sound broke the silence of the night. It snapped the trio's attention to the path they had taken. Dimly, they could hear something moving toward them. None could tell nor describe what the sound was. But it was definitely humanoid.

"Oh for fuck sake.." Corrin swore, and drew his blade.

The sound was closer now. Whoever or whatever they were, they were right on top of them. Corrin's hand gripped his swords hilt and-

"CORRIIIIIIN!"

The trio wheeled around, only for Corrin to be floored by a blue haired maiden. She threw her arms around his neck, a wide, happy grin on her face.

"Lady Azura?" Kaze stared with wide eyes, lowering his blades.

But Azura couldn't respond to him, as she was too busy locking lips with Corrin, her tongue delving into Corrin's mouth. Corrin's own tongue put up a…valiant defence. But it wasn't until Corrin wrapped his arms around her that Azura moaned into Corrin's mouth, giving him the advantage. He smirked as Azura murmured into his mouth."…M-Mine…."

"Uhh…." Kaze shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

"L-Lady Azura!"

Kaze sighed as Mozu arrived. Of course. Who else.

Azura, blatant annoyance on her face, broke off from Corrin and stood up. "…Mozu? What is it?"

"N-No one is in the old fort, we could weather the night there."

Azura's expression softened "Good work Mozu."

Corrin hauled himself to his feet. "That was…something. Hello again Azura."

"H-Hello, sweetie."

Corrin smirked broadly. "Come on, we've got a lot of stuff to talk about."

It only took until dawn the following morning for soldiers to show up.

When they spotted Azura and Mozu, the group of seven levelled their naginatas and ordered Corrin to surrender them into their custody.

"They are both under my protection." Corrin said, pulling is sword from his side, and pointing it at the soldiers threateningly. "You will do them no harm."

"And who are you to declare that?"

Corrin lowered his blade with a grin.

"Prince Corrin." He said. "Queen Mikoto's Son, the Lost Prince. Your lost Prince."

The soldiers hesitated. They knew that the Nohrians had changed the Princes name, but he could be lying. But they weren't willing to take the chance. They lowered their weapons and knelt before him.

"My Prince." Their leader said. "It is so good to have you with us once more. What would you have of us?"

"Rise, my friends…" Corrin continued in a commanding tone, gesturing for them to stand. A kind grin forming on his face. His companions now flanking him. Rinkah was grim-faced, Kaze stoic. Mozu was nervous, and Azura was still blushing heavily.

"Take me home."

ELSEWHERE…..

"When did I go mad?"

That question had plagued him for a while now. He wasn't used to recognising his own madness (It kept up his remaining sanity) , let alone trying to find its cause. Yet here he sat, doing exactly that.

Was it the loneliness?

No. Too mortal.

The children then?

Don't consider it.

Delving too deep into controlling Garon?

Impossib-….it should be impossible! It had to be!

It had to be that!

He was a powerful pawn. It's something to-

He's mortal! Need to cut off control. Cut off control.

He'll die.

Cutoffcontrol.

CutoffcontrolCutoffcontrolCutoffcontrolCutoffcontrolCutoffcontrolCutoffcontrolCutoffcontrol..

"NOW!"

ELSEWHERE….

In the Royal Palace of Nohr, in the middle of holding court, King Garon IV, only child of Queen Cornelia III, let out a pained gasp, and fell off of the Throne. The crown slipped off his head, and rolled along the ground.

By the time the guards reached him, he was already dead, a look of strange relief now forever etched on his face.

One of the court mages, Adjutant Zola, pushed his way to the King's body. He felt about for a pulse, and gasped, stumbling back a few steps.

"The King….the King is dead!"

"Where is Crown Prince Xander?! Find him now! Find the King!"

Up next…

HOMECOMING...

EDIT 1: Seems that word ate part of the initial upload. Should make a bit more sense now.