Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on A03

"Lilith?!" Corrin yelled, his voice dropping all pretence of sounding cocky, and allowing genuine, unadulterated concern to fill his voice. There was little need, or point in denying that it affected him. In the past few days since Lilith revealed the truth to him of their shared blood, he had dropped into the role of an elder brother. Everyone could see it, and they all celebrated the fact. They knew that the agony now marring their leaders face was entirely real.

"Oopsie!" Anankos giggled, raising a hand to his face. "Did I do that?"

"Bastard!" Corrin spat. "What did you do?!"

Anankos scratched his chin in thought. "That is a good question. Where did I send her?...Oh! I know! The old, definitely haunted royal mausoleum! That was it."

There was a snarl from behind him, and Corrin could only watch as Silas sprinted past him, and directly for Anankos, sword drawn.

The dragon god stared, half bemused, half disbelieving at the Cavalier. Just as Silas was about to reach him and drive his sword into his chest, Anankos let out a sigh, rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers again. Silas vanished.

"Oh that was sad. But brave! Maybe he will finally get laid by that girl. Well…that is if she's interested and if the raging horde of invisible soldiers don't rip them both to glorious bloody pieces." Anankos' tone was unnervingly cheerful, a broad grin on his face. "Now! Let's play a game. I divide all of you up, and you try not to die in an incredibly painful manner! Doesn't that sound fun?"

Anankos giggled again, and clapped his hands, offered a darkly cheerful wave at the group as they were thrown across the ruins of Valla.

He let out sigh, and sauntered back to his throne. He slumped into it, and beamed to himself. "…I love my job."

Flora stood herself up, and slapped her cheeks a few times.

Still alive. Good.

Content that she was in fact still alive, Flora now started on the most pressing issue.

Where the hell am I?

The Ice Chieftess looked around. She appeared to be in an arena, long since ruined. Faded images of great warriors duelling one another adorned the walls, and the seats were stacked at least fifteen levels high.

There was a THUD behind her, and she turned. Laying face first on the ground, his coat tattered a little, his wild red hair now covered in dust, was Marc.

"Ow." Marc winced. "…That hurt….hate teleporting. Stupid invent—tion. Ah..hello Chieftess Flora."

"King Marc? Are you well? Unharmed?"

"That's me!" The tactician smiled. "I'm fine."

"Good…good."

Marc beamed at her, causing Flora to fidget uncomfortably. "Can we move on? Prince Corrin probably needs us."

"Right!...We need to head up." Marc stated confidently. "We need to see where we are, and where the 'palace' is."

"Are you sure?" Flora asked quietly. It wasn't that she mistrusted him. It was mainly due to his apparent…nonchalant…ness about this whole thing.

"Perfectly sure!"

"Very well. I will lead, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. Lead on, dear Ice Maiden."

Flora glared at him half-heartedly, and strode off.

Marc sagged once her back was turned.

It's always a blunette. Marc thought in vague annoyance as he followed Flora. Why is it always a blunette?

I need a fucking drink.

Azura, and by extension, Shigure, landed in what was once the royal gardens. It was, frankly, surreal.

There was absolutely no sound around at all.

Well, aside from Shigure's wailing. Azura was desperately trying to calm him down/

" ~Hush little baby don't say a word

Mama's gonna give to you this whole new world.~"

From somewhere behind her, someone started clapping.

"You've gotten better." The sultry voice drawled.

It was her mother's voice.

Azura backed away, keeping Shigure close. Her amber eyes glared daggers at her mother.

"Get away! I will not let you harm him! You won't ever harm my son!"

Arete slammed the back of her palm across her daughters face, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Silence."

By some miracle, Shigure was unharmed.

The former Queen of Nohr's mouth formed a dark sneer.

"Haven't you grown, sweetie."

With the grace she once possessed in life, Arete bent down, and took her grandson into her arms. "And isn't he a handsome little one?" She cooed. She strode forward, stepping on her daughters torso as she went.

As she walked off, she glanced over her shoulder, and smiled.

"Try to remember to keep it down dear. Screaming may…upset him."

She snapped her fingers, and shadows closed in around Azura.

"Have fun!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Arete stop.

"Who the hell are you?"

There was a notable pause.

"I-I am Mozu! L-Lady Azura's retainer….I-I will not let you t-take the…the Little Lord!"

The former farmgirl, too scared to shake, aimed her spear at Arete. It was bronze, merely a token spear Azura gave her so she could actually serve as a retainer. It was likely useless against the powerful Sorceress, and Mozu knew it.

Regardless.

"P-Prepare yourself!"

Lady Azura needs me now!

Morgan arrived in the old market with Ophelia, and a few other Plegian soldiers. Ophelia, somehow, was sleeping soundly.

"Right. Now what?" Morgan asked no one in particular.

"I would suggest we head to find King Marc, my lady." One of the soldiers said.

"Good idea that man!" Morgan nodded happily. "Then it's onto Corrin and killing a god…instead of serving one."

"My lady, about that…"

"It doesn't matter now, soldier.

Rumble. Rumble. Rumble.

Dashing at surprising speed toward them from nowhere was something that could only be described as a monster. Black skin, standing at least half a foot taller than the tallest soldier there, and with a dark iron helm that covered its head.

"BWAAAAAAAGH!" It thundered, and slammed Its fists into the ground

A challenge.

Morgan smiled at the Faceless Monstrosity.

"Fine. You wish to fight. I'll fight."

She handed Ophelia to the nearest soldier, and stepped forward.

"IGNIS!"