No doubt you noticed the sizable gap of this and the previous chapter... compared to the other gaps.
Well after how long I was sitting in a chair working on the last chapter I think I'm inclined to have a break from this story.
Anyway it's time to continue on with the story so I hope you all enjoy it.
[[]]
"Remember Mozu." I said to the young village girl as our small group walked along the road, "While Lance's and Naginata's can stab, and are very good at doing so, they can still be swung for a slash, especially so for the Naginata."
This is actually something that's always getting under my skin, whenever the spear or lance in depicted in almost every form of media it's just used as an oversized poking stick or thrown.
Mozu nodded as she held her Javelin, adjusting the grip slightly so it was held closer to the middle.
Gunter then spoke up after he scanned the area, "Listen carefully, Fort Jinya is s just ahead. The fort is sure to be well defended by Hoshidan soldiers." Gunter said.
"I'm surprised you know about this Gunter." Camilla said eying Gunter.
"I was here once before." Gunter explained, "A very long time ago."
"Then let's try to reach out to them." Corrin said suddenly.
"Milady, didn't you say that you'd been branded as a traitor? These soldiers have likely been ordered to attack you on sight." Gunter reasoned.
"Also, you must not forget about the curse." Azura said "You can't tell anyone what you've learned, at least not directly."
"I know. Just the same, we have to try and talk to them. No one wants this war to continue forever. Surely some of them will listen. All right, here goes nothing. If I speak from the heart, I'm certain that everyone in Hoshido will understand." Corrin said.
"Somehow I doubt Takumi would understand." I grumbled.
"Umm... Lady Corrin." Mozu said speaking up, "How are we going to explain Princess Camilla? We can't exactly say we're here with good intentions when we her just standing there fully armed."
That caused us all to stop in the middle of the road.
"She does put up a fair point." Jakob said.
We stood there for a few minutes in silence before I finally had an idea, "Does anyone have any rope?" I asked.
"I do, for a price." A new, female voice said, causing us to jump in surprise.
Turning around we saw an orange haired girl wearing the red and yellow outfit of a Ylissian Trickster and had a rahter large backpack on her back, and surprisingly enough I actually knew her... sorta.
"Anna?" I asked surprised to see one of the many Anna's of the Fire Emblem world just wandering about the place.
"Hmm?" Anna hummed, "Do I know you?" She asked.
"Irwin, if she doesn't know you then how do you know her name?" Camilla asked.
"Simple." I said, "I met one of her sisters, and they are all named Anna. Every single one of them."
"Oh well that explains it." Anna said smiling, "So you guys need some rope? Five Gold."
Mozu was the one to reach into her pockets for the money and handing them to Anna who smiled and took the money before reaching into her pack and seemlessly pulling out a length of rope, and a fairly long one at that.
"Thank you~" Anna sang, the her face suddenly shifted, "Wait, was your name Irwin?" She asked me.
"Uhh... yeah?" I said a little unsure why I was suddenly her center topic.
Anna smiled widely, "I was wondering if you actually existed." Anna said, "I ran into someone a while back, said to give this to a guy from Tellius called Irwin."
Anna then held out a card... a deep red card with a face motif on it.
[Spectre Card]
[MT- 5]
[Allows non-magic users to use low level magic.]
[Uses 15/15]
"This..." I started looking at the card.
"And now that I've found you that means the girls willing to give me some more goods from this Tellius place that I can sell." Anna sang, "Hope to see you all soon!" She called before walking off.
"What was that?" Mozu asked, then she looked at the card, "And what is that?"
"This my friends, is a special little something from Tellius known as a Spectre Card." I said, "It's a special little card that allows non-magic users to in fact use magic as if they were a mage."
"That sounds effective." Camilla said smirking, "After all, you wouldn't expect a Swordmaster to suddenly hit you with a ball of fire."
"Yeah." I said putting the card in my Inventory, "But it's a relatively weak version and isn't gonna be too useful in my hands at the moment."
"So why did we need this rope?" Camilla asked taking the rope from Mozu.
"You're not gonna like it." I said.
[]
"So this is Fort Jinya... Have the Hoshidan forces abandoned it? It's so quiet here..." Corrin said looking around.
Camilla said something, however we couldn't understand it as she had the rope wrapped around her legs, waist, arms, and one that was gagging her. It was however a weak knot that would fall apart with the slightest effort from Camilla.
She was currently thrown over Gunter's horse and playing the angry woman rather well... It caused everyone but Gunter to take a few steps away.
That's when we saw Yukimura step out of the fort.
"Ah! Yukimura..." Corrin said.
"You have some nerve showing your face around here, Lady Traitor." Yukimura growled.
"I think negotiations are already going to die." I muttered to Camilla, who rolled her eyes and groaned, still playing the captive.
"And the same goes for you, Lady Azura. You were raised like any other princess of Hoshido and yet... You seem to have had no trouble turning your back to us when it suited you. I suppose you never truly thought of this kingdom as your home..." Yukimura said, "Even bringing a group of Nohrians here."
"Excuse me!" I called out, "Does thou not notice the Nohrian Princess we currently have hogtied on the horse?"
"And you expect this to justify your actions?" Yukimura asked.
"Not really but I think it should be enough to let us have some TIME TO EXPLAIN!" I shout.
"Y-you're wrong, Yukimura! We haven't betrayed Hoshido at all! I'm not the enemy, and neither is Nohr! Please, if you would only listen-" Corrin pleaded.
"Silence! I won't let you try and justify your betrayal." Yukimura shouted.
"Jeez, I figured you Hoshidan's were better than the Nohrian's and would let us explain ourselves." I said causing everyone to look at me, "But I can see now you're no better than them." I finished.
This caused everyone to flinch at my words, though Yukimura actually cringed.
"Yukimura... Please just hear me out!" Corrin said.
Yukimura shook his head, "You abandoned your friends and your family. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd helped the Nohrians capture Lord Takumi! And on top of everything else, Lord Ryoma has gone missing..." Yukimura said.
'Well at least that caused him to tone down his anger a bit.' I thought in regards to my statement.
"It can't be... My brothers are-" Corrin started.
"Your brothers?! You dare think of yourself as a member of the royal family? Thanks to you, ill has befallen Hoshido's best and bravest." Yukimura said.
"I... I'm sorry. I never meant for-" Corrin said softly.
"I don't want your apologies. I want you to atone for your crimes. Guards! Capture the traitors and their friends!" Yukimura shouted.
"Okay, negotiation are dead." I said loudly, then grabbing the rope on Camilla and pulling it off, "You wanna fight, I'm more than happy to comply!"
Yukimura took this as his cue to retreat into the back of the fort, as I armed Camilla and her Wyvern landed next to us.
"Why won't he listen." Corrin said, drawing her Wind Edge this time.
At our sides were a pair of Spear Fighter and Pegasus Knights.
"I'll take care of the flier's to our right." Camilla said lifting her axe, "Gunter can you deal with the Spear Fighters to our left?"
"Of course Lady Camilla." Gunter said, with that the two split off.
Mozu and I ran side by side toward the first enemy in the fort, an Oni Savage.
[Oni Savage Lvl 7]
[HP: 23/23, STR: 10, DEF: 10]
[Weapon: Iron Club- MT:6]
I quickly ran up and slashed with my Iron Lance at the guy, dealing 10 Damage to the man, and quickly stabbed him once again before he could recover, dealing another 10 Damage, "Mozu now!" I called out.
Mozu threw her Javelin at the Oni Savage as hard as she could, dealing 5 damage, knocking the guy out as we had on the training caps for out weapons
[+19 EXP]
Mozu's Javelin returned to her hands as she took a deep breath, "You gonna be okay?" I asked.
Mozu nodded, "I can hold myself together until this is over." Mozu said, "Fighting people isn't the same as Faceless.
I nodded, "Good." I said.
Corrin looked to me and Mozu, "Irwin, you take Mozu and check the path to the right, Azura, Jakob and I will go left."
"You got it!" I called as I ran toward the right, Mozu following me.
We quickly engaged a Samurai
[Samurai Lvl 7]
[HP: 21/21, STR: 7, DEF: 5-1]
[Weapon: Iron Katana- MT: 6]
Mozu drew first bead as she quickly jumped in to stab the guy, dealing 11 damage.
The Samurai then tried to slash at Mozu, but I quickly pushed her aside to block the slash, "I don't like being ignored." I said before I stabbed, dealing 16 Damage, taking the guy down.
[+25 EXP]
[Level up!]
[+1 HP]
[+1 SKL]
[+1 DEF]
[+1 RES]
'I think the bad RNG is starting to pick up it's slack.' I though slightly annoyed.
Said annoyance was gone the next moment when I saw Mozu's level go up.
We turned the corner to see a Shire Maiden, A Ninja, and an Archer waiting for us and guarding a chest.
Our first target was the Ninja.
[Ninja Lvl 6]
[HP: 19/19, STR: 4, DEF: 5]
[Weapon: Iron Shuriken- MT: 4]
A gold glow flashed around Mozu, signifying a crit from her.
She threw her Javelin as hard as she could muster and it flew straight through the ninja, dealing 30 Damage. More than enough to knock him out.
Next the Archer.
[Archer Lvl 7]
[HP: 21/21 STR: 8, DEF: 7]
[Weapon: Iron Yumi- MT: 9]
I quickly closed the distance and stabbed him in the side, dealing 13 Damage, stepping to the side to let Mozu land a strike on the guy dealing 9 Damage, just enough to finish him off.
[+19 EXP]
The Shrine Maiden glared at us before she turned around and ran toward the wall, which I notice had footholds for her to use to climb over.
"No you don't!" I called out grabbing Mozu's Javelin.
[Shrine Maiden Lvl 6]
[HP: 19/19, DEF: 4]
I saw a golden glow form around my arm.
[Critical Hit Activated]
'Perfect timing' I thought twirling the Javelin before hurling it at the healer, dealing 48 Damage, a little over kill, but it did knock her out.
[+10 EXP]
Handing Mozu her Javelin back I ran toward the chest and pulled the key off the nearby archer and pulled from the chest a Killer Lance.
[Killer Lance]
[MT: 7]
[+25% Crit chance]
"Oh ho man I'm gonna love this." I said evilly as I put my Iron Lance away.
By the time we had returned to the group we had noticed they were hidden behind a wall. I lifted Mozu up just enough for her to see what opposition we had left.
While she was making her examination I had noticed that Azura, Jakob, and Camilla had all leveled up.
"We have a Diviner woman, a Ninja with red hair and a scar on his face, and Yukimura." Moza whispered, "And the Diviner woman is lightly clothed, and literally hugging the corner."
"The Ninja is Saizo, Lord Ryoma's retainer." Azura said, "And the Diviner is Orochi, one of Queen Mikoto's retainers."
Corrin then looked at me and smirked, "Can you give me a boost?" Corrin asked.
I nodded as Mozu got off my shield as I held it up and crouched down slightly.
Corrin sheathed her Wind Edge and held her Dragon Stone close as she ran toward me, then jumped onto my shield, to which I pushed up as she jumped off, transforming in mid air.
"What the-!?" I heard Saizo cry out in surprise.
Jakob and Mozu then climbed onto Camilla's wyvern as she flew them over the wall, leaving me and Azura to take on Orochi.
Orochi looked dead at us, "Azura..." Orochi said, "I'm sure she told you who I am, but let me say this. I am Orochi, retainer to the late queen Mikoto."
"Pleasure to meet you." I said bowing my head.
"While I thank you for trying to save our queen Irwin." Orochi said holding up her Rat Spirit scroll, "I'm afraid you shall have to submit to my magic."
[Orochi Lvl 5]
[Diviner]
[HP: 20/20, MAG: 9+2, DEF: 5]
[Weapon: Rat Spirit- MT: 3]
Before I could react Orochi had let go of her scroll, causing it to segment into panels that formed a ring in front of her and release as small rat that shot toward me and knock me back a bit.
[Irwin Lvl 9]
[HP: 30/30, STR: 13, RES: 12]
[-2 HP]
Yeah I think it's safe to say I can take on a few mages now.
Azura leapt past me with her Iron Naginata and slashed at Orochi, knocking off 11 HP from Orochi.
"Nothing personal right?" I asked Orochi as I slashed with my Iron Lance, dealing 15 damage to her.
[Orochi is in Critical condition]
[+15 EXP]
Orochi backed up to Yukimura, who's weird puppet had already been shattered by Camilla, who was rather irritated that Yukimura ordered the guards to attack Corrin.
"I don't understand... We're defeated... Why don't you kill us?" Yukimura asked.
I walked over to him and pulled off my gauntlet and stuck my pinky finger in his ear twisted it about and pulled it out, and my pinky was clean
"Jeez, there isn't wax in your ears so I don't know how you missed the fact that Corrin was saying, 'We're not you're enemies.'." I said irritably.
"It's because we don't need to continue this senseless violence. I know how to end it! However, I need your help in order to do it." Corrin explained.
"Ugh... Helping you means turning against Hoshido. And you say I must do this to help Hoshido? I don't believe you. How can I trust someone who has turned against everything I love?" Yukimura said.
"Y-yeah! We'll only trust you if you can bring back all the lives you've taken! Return Lady Mikoto, and maybe we'll listen!" Orochi said.
Corrin opened her mouth to speak.
"There is no other way... I must sacrifice my life to rid our land of these Nohrian fiends..." Saizo said as his body started to be engulfed in flames.
"Oh for the love of-!" I started very annoyed.
"I'll show you what true dedication and loyalty mean! Gaaaaaaah!" Saizo growled.
"Get back! He intends to sacrifice himself in attacking us!" Gunter said.
"It's gonna back fire, without Yukimura Hoshido won't have a tactician competent enough to protect Castle Shirasagi!" I shouted.
Suddenly Saizo's flames died off as he looked wide eyed at Yukimura, his suicide attempt would have likely cost Hoshido the war as he would have killed Mikoto's tactician.
"I believe in Hoshido... Even if I must give my life, I will stop you!" Saizo said pulling out a small bomb and lit it, at least he's gotten the idea to use a smaller explosion so he wouldn't kill his allies.
"No, Brother! You're wrong!" The familiar voice of Kaze called out.
We turned around to see Kaze, and Sakura run toward us.
"Stop, please! Saizo, d-don't hurt my sister!" Sakura cried ot throwing herself in front of Corrin.
"Kaze! Sakura!" Corrin said surprised.
"Why are you interfering? These people deserve their fate. They've turned against Hoshido!" Saizo shouted.
"Brother, you mustn't be so rash! Lady Corrin is trustworthy! When I was a prisoner in Nohr, it was Corrin who let me escape! She saved me- an enemy-without worrying about what would happen for doing so." Kaze explained.
"Corrin is...a very kind person. Look! Even d-during this battle, she didn't kill a single defender! Why would she do that if she had truly betrayed Hoshido?! There must be a reason! Please, just listen to her!" Sakura cried out.
Saizo growled irritated as he pinched the fuse on the bomb, disarming it for the time.
"Hmph. This doesn't mean I trust her, but I listen to what she has to say." Saizo said.
Corrin smiled and then gave a simple version of how the events that happened that lead to the 'death' of Queen Mikoto, were not caused by Nohr, when Saizo asked who the attackers were, Corrin did not say, explaining that their leader was a powerful mage that could sense when his name was said. After that she told them to head to the Bottomless canyon when the skies over Nohr and Hoshido switch.
As she did this I turned to Kaze, "Thank's for the save Kaze." I said.
Kaze simply nodded.
"Wait, Sister! Please!" Sakura cried out to Corrin.
"Sakura?" Corrin asked.
"Um... Please...t-take me with you! I'm not very good at fighting, but I'm sure I can find a way to help!" Sakura begged.
"Lady Sakura, why are you—?!" Yukimura stammered.
"I'm sorry, Yukimura, but I believe that Corrin is telling the truth. We haven't spent much time together, but I can tell... I can tell by the look in her eyes... She isn't trying to trick us." Sakura said.
This caused Me, Corrin, even Camilla to smile.
"Lady Sakura... I didn't expect this. I don't know what to say right now... I've been by your side since you were born. I can tell that your mind is made up. I won't try to stop you. Just...promise me that you'll be careful." Yukimura said.
"Th-thank you, Yukimura" Sakura said in relief.
"Brother, I would ask for your understanding. I would like to accompany Lady Corrin on her mission." Kaze said to his brother.
"If you are set on that course, you may do as you wish." Saizo huffed.
"I am." Kaze said smirking.
"Thank you, Sakura, Kaze. Thank you for believing in me. Let's head to our next destination..." Corrin said as she pulled the two into a hug, causing Kaze and Sakura to slightly freak out at the sudden hug.
[]
We left the fort soon after that, Camilla walking next to Sakura, who was also next to Corrin.
We actually soon found ourselves standing near the lake Corrin met Azura at.
"This lake..." Corrin said, mostly to herself, but loud enough to be heard by everyone else.
"Is something the matter?" Sakura asked.
"This lake is where I first met Azura." Corrin said, "It's also where I threw Ganglari, and where Irwin gave me the Wind Edge... So much has happened since then."
"Corrin..." Sakura said as she and Camilla placed hands on their sisters shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Sakura. There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't. Not here..." Corrin said.
"It's all right, Corrin. I b-believe in you. I can tell that you're carrying a very heavy burden. If I can even do the smallest things to h-help you, then I..." Sakura explained, "Uh...thank you for letting me join you. I, uh, missed you. I hope I can help."
Corrin and Sakura smile at each other, before Corrin's smile fades into a slight frown, " ...Do you hear something? Is something coming this way? Wait, what the... Is that a pegasus? It's heading s-straight at us!"
Indeed there was a Pegasus flying straight at us, two people riding on it's back.
"What?" Sakura asked, just as the Pegasus skidded to a stop in front of her, startling her, "Ahh!"
"Whew... We finally caught up with you, milady!" Said the owner of the Pegasus, the 'Perfect' Subaki, jumping off the Pegasus was the Samurai, Hana.
"Waaah! S-Subaki?" Sakura cried out.
"Oh, Lady Sakura... Did you even realize that you'd left us behind? How could you!" Hana demanded.
"Hana! Why are the two of you-?" Sakura started.
"We received word from Yukimura. He told us that you left with Lady Corrin." Hana explained.
"Ahhh. Yukimura knew that I would need you two..." Sakura sighed in understanding.
"Heehee... Even if Yukimura hadn't told us...we would have searched day and night to figure out where you were and caught up!" Hana said.
"Indeed. It is our duty to protect you, milady, and nothing will stop us. If you are headed somewhere, then it's only natural that we would go too. We will always support you." Subaki said.
"Yeesh, you two are like Jakob over there." I said hiking my thumb at Jakob who was sharpening his dagger.
"Hmm?" Jakob hummed looking over to us.
"Thank you very much!" Sakura said happily.
"Um... Sakura, who are these people?" Corrin asked.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Corrin. These are my retainers, Subaki and Hana. They're both very strong and kind, they've p-protected me for years. They'll fight on our side. It'll be helpful to have such reliable friends." Sakura said.
"Hah... We need all the help we can get. Thank you, both of you." Corrin said gratefully.
"Of course. We'll carry out any mission flawlessly." Subaki said pridefully.
"To be honest, Lady Sakura will be my top priority, but I'll do my best to help!" Hana said standing straight and proud.
Camilla chuckled slightly, "Seeing you two makes me wonder how my retainers are doing at the moment." Camilla said, causing Subaki and Hana to turn to her.
"Nohrian!" They shouted drawing their weapons, ready to fight.
"Wait, stop!" Corrin shouted getting between the group, "My sister, Camilla, isn't an enemy, she's on our side because of Nohrian military regulations."
"Which are...?" Subaki asked.
"Short version, you get your ass kicked in a fight you may as well not go back to the king, or you'll be executed as a disgraced soldier." I said.
"What the hell?" Hana asked, "What kind of king would have his own daughter executed!?"
"I don't even think it's father anymore." Camilla admitted.
That's when Jakob walked up to us, "It's getting dark, we should probably rest." Jakob said.
Corrin nodded, "Good idea Jakob." Corrin said, "Lilith!"
On cue a green portal opened up, preparing to expand.
"What in the world is that?" Hana asked.
"Entrance into the safest place for miles." I said as the portal expanded.
[[]]
Well folks, that's the chapter.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Also, the Spectre Card, it was Radiant Dawn's way of giving every unit the chance to attack with magic, even the Heron's possibly, though I haven't let any of my Heron's get that close to the enemy for me to test.
It has two upgrades, the Reaper card, and the Daemon Card, which cast Mid and High Tier magic respectively.
Anyway, next chapter will take place solely in the Astral Plane so not too much action then.
See you all then.
