Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on A03

When Flora strode into his War tent wearing the armour of the Ice Tribe's Chief, Corrin knew something had happened. It wasn't exactly required that Kilma to be allied with him, but having at least one councillor with age and experience would be a great help when they finally took over Anankos' kingdom.

"Is he dead?" He asked in a careful tone.

"He is." Flora confirmed, a twinge of sadness in her voice. Despite everything, she did love her father, even if he was harsh sometimes.

"I am sorry…."

"It's okay." Flora said, offering Corrin a small smile.

"Heh. It's time for our meeting, Chieftess. If you'll follow me, the others are already waiting.

The tent held a long, ornate table of dark wood with matching chairs. Sat in them were his 'Royal' council: Azura, Marc and Morgan, Anna, Gunter (recently chosen as leader of The Greyshields), Gensei, Lilith, and Vallen Droht (the Bandit King).

"So." Corrin began. "We know why we're here. At the bottom of the so-called 'Bottomless' Canyon is a verdant land that we can make our own. The only trouble is…it's inhabited by an angry dragon god."

"Only a minor inconvenience, hm?"Marc jested. It caused a ripple of soft laughter to go around the table. "At least there's only one of them."

"Still a major problem." Vallen grumbled. He was a mountain of a man with a magnificently combed and braided brown beard with flowed down passed his ribs. "Gods are still gods."

"Even Gods can be killed." Morgan said sharply. "Our father is evidence of that."

Every eye fell upon the twins.

Corrin hastily moved on. "Yes, well…Lilith and I have returned from the Rainbow Sage."

Lilith stood up. "…We've learned a few things."

"It's been a long time, but I always expected to meet Anankos' children someday." The Rainbow Sage sighed wearily. "I am surprised it has taken so long."

"We're only nineteen and twenty, Wise Sage." Lilith said quietly. "We've come for-"

"I know why you're here girl." The Rainbow Sage murmured kindly. "You're indulging in your base draconic instinct and embarking on a conquest."

"…Not exactly how I'd word it." Corrin said. "We're saving-"

"Please, Anankos told me the same. True he probably believed in what he said, but I am certain your…lover can attest to how it turned out."

"Azura…knows?"

"She told you about the curse of your homeland, no? The curse that turns whomever speaks it into water."

"..A cruel and unusual curse."

"I've told myself that a number of times since I created it."

Silence fell upon the trio.

"…You made it?" Lilith said, her voice a maddening calm. "…You drove father to madness…"

"…I did, yes."

"WHY?!" Lilith suddenly shouted through threating sobs. "WHY DID YOU DO IT?!"

"Because I was younger. Because we were at war. Because I believed I was right. Any of those is applicable." The Rainbow Sage's voice sounded heavy, as those carrying the full weight of the world. "I am keeping myself alive to keep the curse functioning. Once, out of spite. Now because if Anankos gets free, the world will come to a short, bloody conclusion."

The ease of which he spoke startled the siblings.

"I am old, children. Forgive me if I am blunt."

"That's…fine." Corrin said uneasily. "We're here to-"

"You are here to ask me to help you kill Anankos."

"..Well, now you mention it." Lilith said calmly. "We were here to ask you to grant us power or a favour or…."

"I will aid you in killing Anankos. Personally."

"But-"Corrin started, but was immediately cut off by The Sage.

"Do not deny me this boy. I am aware that this will likely result in my death. But I am tired. I want to die. If you kill Anankos, my reason for forcing myself to go on living also dies."

The siblings locked eyes, and sighed.

"We accept your terms, Great Sage."

"Genji" The Sage corrected. "My name is Genji. A name I have rejected for many years. But if I am going to my death, I will do so under my own name."

"So…we've got an old man on side. Fantastic." Vallen drawled.

"I am more than just an old man, boy." Came a voice behind them.

Genji strode in, a smile on his face. "I am a dragon."

Corrin grinned broadly. "We march tomorrow. Get some rest. Drink, eat, spend time with your lovers, for tomorrow, we slay a dragon god."

"On to glory." Marc smiled, and the others around the table took up the words as a chant.

On to glory.

ON TO GLORY!

ON TO GLORY!

The armies marched.

Ten thousand Nohrian soldiers, led by the King.

Ten thousand Hoshidian soldiers, led by Ryoma.

From his vantage point, Gunter smiled to himself, and looked over his shoulder. Standing there were Jakob and Silas.

"It is time to move." Gunter declared. "Lord Corrin will be moving his forces soon."

"As you say." Jakob said, hauling himself up onto his horse.

And as the trio walked away, the armies charged. Sounds of battle rang out into the late evening sky, metal clashed against metal, and men died.

And Gunter, who had seen battle countless times, smiled contentedly.

He was hearing the sounds of home.

ELSEWHERE….

Anankos cackled madly, and licked his lips as a smirk crossed his face.

"Sweet Lilith, Sweet Corrin. Sweet children." He chanted. "My children are coming. Coming to me."

He leapt up to his feet, a figure walked towards him, cloaked in dark mist.

"My love!" Anankos cheered as he strode over to her, and took her into his arms, spinning her around in a mad dance. "Our son is coming home!"

"Yes my love." Mikoto said in an emotionless voice.

"Lilith too! My beloved daughter!" Anankos smiled happily.

"Yes my love."

"Soon we will be free to dance into the next life!...After my children kill us, of course."

"Yes my love."

"…I have to work on your vocabulary. I can hardly just have the only three words you can say be 'Yes' and 'My' followed by 'Love', exclusively in that order."

"Yes my lo-"

"Do shut up, dear."