A/N:
Posted: August 8th, 2016
Last Updated: March 15th, 2019
Views as of Posting: 2 960
You did it.
Give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.
The Alternative Universe is now complete with all its little twists and turns. To recap the most significant deviations so far:
- Iago takes Leo in as his understudy.
- Corrin either commands his own forces, or is under the command of other, higher-ranking commanders.
- An empty Astral Plane and the Orb of Memories exist.
- My Castle and the Outrealms do not exist.
- The Yato rejects Corrin, who retains Ganglari.
The AU we created is a game board and everyone's a player. The five changes above define the "new rules" of this board. How would Fire Emblem Fates be different with these new rules? How will our Corrin and our other "players" interact with each other throughout the game?
I guess we'll have to find out.
TL; DR: You are awesome.
Responses:
Machina per Dei: No particular reason xD.
I searched for a generic lullaby and that was the first I found. Maybe I'll make a Nohrian lullaby in the future…
Guest: Normally I would request PMs, but for anonymous reviewers feel free to leave suggestions or your own interpretation on fixing plot holes. As for relationships, I still haven't made my mine on Corrin's pairing. The plot of the story was planned before any romance, so please be patient in that regard.
Caellach Tiger Eye: Nope! We aren't restricted to in-game pairings. That being said, I'm still working on incorporating the child characters.
Now, onto the story…
"Whatever you determine to be right, with diligence endeavor to perform."
- Xenophon, On Horsemanship
Chapter 6: The Invasion Begins, Part I (Leo, Corrin, Takumi)
[A Few Days Prior]
The strategy room door was sealed as the tacticians began to piece together their next move. Leo flipped through the combat reports and handed one to his enigmatic visitor. Iago stood beside the Dark Prince, carefully monitoring his activities. The hooded man seized the manuscript and inspected it. Without saying a word, he dropped it back on the table, leaning back with arms crossed.
"Let's go over it one more time." Iago suggested.
"Very well." Leo nodded. He fumbled for the first paper he spent hours writing.
"The closest opportunity we have to strike is the Dawn Festival, where Hoshidan royalty will be out in public." The Dark Prince explained, "You and your mercenaries will infiltrate the castle town. Since there will be such a large influx of people entering the town, sneaking in through the crowd won't be a problem."
The hooded man nodded. Leo pulled out a vague map of the Hoshidan capital.
"One of our spies reported that the fireworks are being stored- in a warehouse to the south part of town. I've never seen one before, but apparently these Hoshidan inventions explode into bright and colorful dust- perfect for the ambush. The spy who filed the report has volunteered to 'guard' the stockpile. He will let you in if you repeat the correct call-sign, as well as give you the launching apparatus."
As he spoke, his finger slid towards a building in the southern district circled in red ink. Iago narrowed his eyes as he followed his disciple's gaze.
"We predict the Queen's stage to be on this street leading to the plaza, since this place is only open to the public after her evening address. One of your accomplices, or yourself, will place the launching apparatus amidst the crowd, angled towards the stage. In the meantime, your group will hide on the second floor of this building next to the street. They'll be using these."
Leo signaled Iago to deliver the item. The tactician opened a large box from underneath the table and place it on the table. Inside were many iron yumi bows.
"When Corrin fought with the Hoshidans at the abandoned fortress, we captured some of their weapons. Once the fireworks go off, your team will shoot off arrows onto the stage during the distraction. After attacking the Queen, they need to drop these weapons and leave the scene. You said you were a mage as well so… whether it be arrows or magic, the barrage will kill her and your team will escape."
It was critical not to implicate Nohrians for the attack otherwise the element of surprise would be lost. The Hoshidans would not jump to reinforcing the border, giving the invasion force additional time to assemble.
And that was the plan. Queen Mikoto's assassination.
"Are you sure your aim is good enough though?" Leo questioned, "It'll be a difficult shot with the dust."
"I will land a hit." The hooded man replied in a deep, raspy voice, "I'm more exceptional than you might think."
"Alright, then we're done here."
The visitor stood up. The Dark Prince offered to shake his hand, but the hooded man simply turned the other way and left the room. Iago removed the box of weapons and started refiling all of the maps and reports. Leo was left troubled by the proceedings of the clandestine meeting.
"Hey, Iago, where did you find this mercenary group?" Leo asked.
The hooded stranger barely shared any personal details. When he tried to inquire about them, the senior tactician kept on interrupting. He beckoned Leo to stop getting sidetracked and to return to discussing the plan.
"Doesn't matter. They'll get the job done." Iago sniffed, "Leave their payments to me."
"I hope so…" The Prince sighed as he helped his mentor clean up the room.
All they could do was to wait until the assassination was over. The spy in the town and the odd mercenaries had to pull off every detail meticulously. He spent days and nights reviewing everything about Shirasagi castle town and the Dawn Festival. It was almost sickening to think his hard work might be for nothing.
(Iago better be telling the truth when he said these guys are competent)
"Still." The senior tactician said, "It was a well thought-out plan. Good work."
"Ah, thanks." Leo coughed.
Iago had been a tremendously helpful partner from the sidelines. The plan would not have been possible without his spy near Castle Shirasagi, and his advice on the entire operation. All that was left was to pray for the best.
We are Glory Incarnate.
We are the ones slated for victory. Our months- no, our years of preparation have readied us for this fateful day. After all we have lost, and after all those who have suffered, we cannot turn back now.
War is not the beginning of a new conflict – it is a mere resolution when all other options fail. Throughout history, the rich profit from the poor. The powerful suppress the dreams of the weak. The soldiers standing with us today are the ones who are brave enough to stare history in the eye and say "not anymore".
These past seasons, the droughts have gotten worse. Our crops continue to fail and our villagers grow warier by the day. What used to be enough to buy five bushels of wheat is now inadequate for even three. Soon, it may be too little for even one.
The tariffs and embargoes Hoshido imposed on us are truly barbaric. In the time they had the ability to help us the most, they ignore us. They mock us. They want us to disappear. This is the desperate situation we find ourselves in.
We cannot allow our children, women, and fellowmen starve while we remain indignant. We cannot feign ignorance as the mothers and children of our nation suffer from disease and malnourishment. We cannot let allow disorder to spread among our homeland – for more citizens to turn to crime and thievery.
This is not the Nohr we deserve.
None of us know how long this war shall last. We don't know if we will make it back alive. However, we do know that we will be immortalized. Once we are victorious, our names will be passed down for generations as the heroes who raised our nation from the depths of poverty.
We don't fight to kill. We fight to let others live. We don't fight so our friends and family can drink. We fight so they have names to drink to. We don't fight because we want to. We fight because we need to.
For King Garon and Nohr, we shall lead our people to salvation.
Xander's and Iago's addresses at the last War Council melded together and stuck in the Dark Prince's mind. Leo stood next to his older brother as they waited in front of the Expeditionary Force. It was the time the two long awaited- one for honor, the other for fame.
The attempt to kill Queen Mikoto was ultimately successful. The spy in Shirasagi Castle Town swiftly returned to Nohr right after handing off the fireworks. The hooded man's mercenaries never reported back, as if they never existed. Not that it mattered. Iago sent his mages to examine the Great Barrier and he confirmed it was no more. The senior tactician told Leo to keep the knowledge to himself. Not even Xander knew Nohrian proxies were truly responsible for the assassination.
Their detachment was fully assembled. Groups of cavaliers whispered nervously among themselves. The few veterans in the ranks fought Hoshidans only a few times next to the border. Most others were new to the military, fresh out of training. Elise and Camilla were at the front of the pack, watching the Princes eagerly. Some in the army were skeptical about the Great Barrier's disappearance. Many more questioned the motive of the invasion. It was the duty of the Crown Prince to give them the will to fight. Xander raised his head and the whispers stopped. The ceremonial guard at the back lifted the Nohrian banner into the air.
"Everything's ready?" Leo whispered.
"Yes." His older brother murmured, "Let's move out."
[…]
The Dark Prince rode next to Xander at the front of the cavalry, surveying the grasslands beyond with a grin. After stepping over the border for the first time, an odd sense of achievement seized Leo's mind. They were finally going to use their strategy. They were finally going to use his strategy. Leo broke off from the vanguard to observe the ranks from the back. The detachment from the Expeditionary Force continued their rapid advance- the flat field was perfect for their movement.
(That's what was written in the books, anyways.)
The entire army consisted of five hundred soldiers, smaller than Leo had expected. All of the fighting force were mounted. Xander was in control of two units - the 4th and 7th Reconnaissance Regiment, numbering two hundred strong. They represented a tenth of Nohr's entire cavalry, and most were considered the best in their platoons. Leo himself was in charge of the 9th Royal Lances regiment, one hundred lightly armed cavaliers requisitioned from the border guard. The two Princes commandeered the bulk of the ground forces.
The remaining two hundred were equally divided among Camilla's forces and Elise's combat support. His older sister led a swarm of wyvern riders in the air, keeping pace with the horses below. Her own mount was the largest of the small dragons. Elise's combat support regiment consisted of some thirty-odd troubadours and a transport caravan, each wagon pulled by two revenant mounts. Inside were spare weapons, staves, provisions, construction material, and the army's healers.
The army was organized for power and agility. Confident everybody was keeping formation, Leo returned to his brother. Not half an hour after, the Xander called for the army to halt. They reached their final destination without running into a single Hoshidan soldier.
The space just beyond the border was the perfect point to launch the invasion. The plains was close to many farms in the area, and far away from the north where the enemy garrisons were concentrated. The land's barrenness meant cavalry had no problem maneuvering and flanking at top speed. The first objective of launching a ground campaign was to lay down markers, and to establish a supply route for reinforcements. In the middle of the grassland was a wide river running south that divided the land. Two wooden bridges ran above the rushing water. On Iago's map, they were appropriately labeled "North Bridge" and "South Bridge". After being converted to Nohrian measurements, they were listed as approximately two hundred feet long and fifty wide. They were the only paths advancing eastward.
"That river is perfect." Leo said, looking at his condensed map.
"Indeed." Xander nodded, "We need to hold this position until the road behind us is laid down."
The Crown Prince raised his hand, allowing the army to spread out for the time being. Elise rode her horse to the front, joining her brothers while Camilla slowly descended from the skies. Her large wyvern growled loudly upon landing.
"It looks like we're early to the festivities." Camilla observed, "Are you sure we shouldn't form our camp on the other side of the river?"
"I'm sure of it." Leo replied.
The rolling stream provided ample defense for their army on this future battlefield. The Hoshidans would take heavy losses if they crossed to their side. However if their own cavalry advanced too far into enemy territory without backup, they could be cut off from behind and surrounded.
"Okay! We'll just have to wait for that path to be built then!" Elise yawned, "Our horses need a big, long break!"
"I expect Hoshido to be here shortly." Xander mused, "I'll send a scout back to notify the engineers. In the meantime, we deploy west of the bridges."
The Crown Prince barked at everyone to check their supplies. The cavaliers demounted to take a much needed respite after a long journey. Camilla's wyvern riders began landing around them as well, landing one after the other. Leo clutched Brynhildr to his heart. Bright light reflected off the grass waving in the gentle wind. It was a peaceful landscape, untouched by battle.
(Now to prepare for the storm.)
Corrin grunted as he unruffled his cobalt blue cape. Ever since he was brought to Castle Shirasagi, he ditched the cloak he received from Nohr. It was the traditional attire for Princes, but it interfered with his training. Wearing it again brought back unsettled feelings as he trudged towards the border yet again.
Ryoma and Hinoka on her Pegasus marched at his side, keeping a watchful eye ahead. Takumi fell behind, frowning as his archers followed him. Finally, Sakura's regiment of healers and Yukimura brought up the rear. Sakura nervously clutched her brand new sun festal - the old one was worn out after the attack on Fort Jinya. The shrine maiden struggled to keep pace with the rest of the column.
Yukimura on the other hand was as calm and composed as ever. The Hoshidan army was organized efficiently, consisting of every available soldier at the castle town. Groups of samurai, archers, Pegasus knights, and healers were delegated to the royal commanders with his assistance. Corrin himself, unfamiliar with Hoshidan battle tactics, was swept up into Ryoma's forces.
The High Prince came to a halt once the plains came into full view. Hinoka gasped. She quickly grabbed her naginata.
"They've reached this far." Ryoma breathed.
He stared upon a small Nohrian army resting on the grassy turf. There were hundreds of them, about the same size of their own forces. On the ground were soldiers, horses, and wagons. Wyverns flew in circles around the sky, screeching as they caught sight of the newcomers.
"The Nohrians were waiting for us." Takumi said, "No matter, we're just as ready to fight as they are."
"The Pegasus knights are all fired up." Hinoka confirmed, "Just give us the word, Ryoma!"
Corrin squinted his eyes to get a better view. As the invaders realized they were no longer alone, the cavaliers scrambled back to their horses. A single group of four people on horses began making their way towards the northern bridge.
"Surely, they don't intend on crossing the river, do they?" Takumi scoffed. The tip of his hand glowed a faint blue, preparing to draw an arrow.
"No, they're sending over messengers." Ryoma observed.
"W-what do we do?" Sakura whimpered, "If they're coming over here, they don't w-want to fight, right?"
(Hope that's the case…)
"I don't think it's quite that simple." Ryoma sighed. He turned towards their strategist. "Yukimura, please organize our forces on our side of the river. We'll go down to the bridge and hear what they say."
"Of course, Lord Ryoma." Yukimura nodded.
The strategist whistled and the Hoshidan forces abandoned their columns. The High Prince beckoned his siblings to come to him. They all started to follow with the exception of Corrin. He stared at his elder brother's waving hand.
"You want me to come too?" Corrin asked incredulously.
"Yes, Kamui." Ryoma replied.
"Come on, brother!" Hinoka smiled, "Let's show those Nohrians we aren't scared of anything!"
The Princess hopped off her steed. The young Prince wondered if her real intentions were to brag about his most unusual return. Reluctantly, he gave into their demands and followed the Hoshidan royal family towards the bridge. If even Sakura was able to move forward, he admitted, it should not be a problem for him. As the four Nohrian messengers' faces became clearer, Corrin's eyes widened. The longsword of the lead "messenger" glistened at its golden handle as he approached.
(S-Siegfried?)
Corrin was not the only one to notice.
"The Crown Prince of Nohr?" Ryoma stopped in their tracks. "The rest of the Nohrian royals are here too. This isn't one of their usual raids."
"No archers or mages up front either." Hinoka added, "Doesn't look like an ambush. Still, I have a bad feeling about this."
"We'll just stomp their pretentious asses if they try anything stupid." Takumi shrugged, clearly unintimidated.
The Hoshidan siblings reached their side of the bridge. The Nohrians were on the other side, making their way towards Ryoma. Corrin's curiosity overcame him as he dashed forward ahead of his siblings. Hinoka called to him, but his feet would not obey. The young Prince stopped short of reaching the middle of the wide wooden bridge. The familiar group of people froze on the other side. Xander, the Crown Prince of Nohr, was the first to break the silence.
"Corrin?" he said, clearly shocked. "Corrin, you're alive! We thought you were dead - or imprisoned!"
"Xander! I'm… fine. It's a long story, really." Corrin scratched his hair, "But-"
"Careful, Kamui!" Ryoma shouted from behind. The High Prince ran to his side, narrowing his eyes at the opposing group. "He's a Nohrian commander. There's no telling what he has up his sleeves."
Almost on cue, the rest of the Nohrian royals came up behind Xander on their mounts. The younger brother, Leo, and little sister Elise stared in complete fascination. Camilla cut straight to the chase as she slowly walked towards Corrin.
"Corrin! I was almost dying with loneliness without you! Please, don't run off again my sweet little Prince…"
"Nohrian scum!" Hinoka cut in, "You kidnapped our brother during his childhood, and now you have the audacity to lie to him about his true siblings?"
Camilla paused in her steps, glaring at the Princess.
Leo's face tried to hide a half-smile "Well, you made it out in one piece, Corrin. And here I thought you'd be gone for a few fortnights at best."
"Yay, we got big brother back!" Elise raised her hands with joy, almost dropping her exquisite rod.
Hinoka's annoyance grew as the two younger Nohrians ignored her initial remarks. The High Prince folded his arms and snarled at the mounted Nohrians, at a loss for words. Corrin never shared his experience living in the Northern Fortress with Ryoma, so he found his bafflement completely understandable.
"Yeah right." Takumi said, "I don't know who your 'Corrin' is, but Kamui's on our side, not with you despicable centaurs."
"Centaurs?" Leo repeated with amusement, "I must admit that's a new one."
"Quiet, everyone." Ryoma intervened, "Crown Prince of Nohr, tell us why you've brought your army to our lands."
Xander immediately pointed Siegfried at the High Prince, who in turn rapidly unsheathed his own katana. Hinoka and Takumi hopped back and readied their arms. The Nohrian royals merely blinked in response.
"High Prince of Hoshido." The Crown Prince began, "I am here for a formal declaration of war. We have appropriated this land for the Kingdom of Nohr."
"Very well." Ryoma frowned, "You shall not step on our territory unchallenged."
He planted his feet firmly onto the ground next to Corrin. Small sparks of lightning danced on his holy Raijinto blade. Corrin let out a surprised gasp at the weapon and didn't move. Xander wasn't too far in front of him – forty feet at most. If they were going to fight, he would be caught in the middle
"But first." Xander extended his arm, "Corrin. Come to our side, dear brother. We can end this battle quickly to avoid unnecessary losses."
"Brother? Corrin? Liar!" Hinoka exclaimed, "Kamui's my brother, not yours!"
Camilla grinned, putting her steel ax behind her left shoulder. "My, my. This one has quite the mouth. Corrin is my brother. I cannot allow you to have him."
Corrin shuddered at the words being exchanged between the royal families. The Prince turned around to his Hoshidan siblings. Hinoka and Ryoma were riled up and prepared to attack. Sakura hid behind them.
"Hey, you're declaring war, right?" Takumi spat, "I bet you're the ones behind the Dawn Festival attack!"
"What do you mean 'behind the attack'?" Xander asked.
"A few days ago, Queen Mikoto was killed in an attack in our capital." Ryoma explained, "And now you declare war against us…"
"H-how cruel." Sakura sniveled.
"My condolences." the Crown Prince bowed, "We had no idea…"
"No idea my ass!" Takumi retorted, "You animals planned the assassination all along, didn't you?"
The possibility dug into Corrin's mind. He always knew it was always a possibility Queen Mikoto was going to be attacked, but he refused to believe Nohr was the ultimate perpetrator. He did not want to know the truth, but he needed to.
(Did you really order one of your soldiers to murder my mother?)
Leo calmly tilted his head. "Don't be ridiculous. We had no idea that happened."
"It had to be one of you vile Nohrians." Hinoka pressed, "Who else would fight in such a cowardly manner?"
"Cease your baseless accusations!" Leo burst with such defiance that even Xander was surprised, "Do you have any proof we were behind the attack? If not, then we have no intentions of hearing another word!"
The Hoshidans looked at each other after Leo's uncharacteristic outburst. Corrin coughed, trying to remember the town guards' report. There was nothing concrete they could offer as evidence, for now.
"Enough." This time it was Xander who called for his side to quiet down, "Corrin. We have loved you and raised you since you were a child. Come home, little Prince. We can live as a family once more."
"Don't be fooled by their deceptions." Ryoma whispered, "You belong with your true family, in Hoshido!"
"My… family?" Corrin mumbled.
The Prince looked around at both sides frantically. Right next to him, Ryoma extended his hand, looking warmly into his eyes. Takumi and Hinoka were busy staring down the Nohrian royals. Sakura shed a tear from above her cheek, wanting the whole ordeal to end already.
On the further side, Xander reached out with his hand as well – his own expression dead serious. Camilla returned the ice-cold scowl towards his Hoshidan siblings, enamored violence filling her eyes. Elise tried to smile encouragingly but even her optimism was clouded in anxiety. Leo stared blankly at him from his horse, as if he did not particularly care which side he chose.
(My family…)
"Big brother, come join us!" Elise's exclaimed jubilantly
"K-Kamui?" Sakura shook with nervousness.
The voices of everyone zoned out of his head. Corrin could feel his heart being torn apart into shreds. There was no way he could choose.
The endless nights he trained with Xander, and the countless times his sisters came over to play with him, were the few happy memories he held in the Northern Fortress. Ryoma and Hinoka had no difficulties smothering him with care after his arrival to Castle Shirasagi. They all said he was a true member of their family. Why did they have to do that?
Corrin lowered his head. Why was he cursed with being loved so much? He never deserved their kindness. He never had anything to give back. What could such a spoiled, ungrateful Prince bring to their family?
"I… I…"
He sputtered, trying to stall for time. The royals stopped bickering and turned their attention to the Prince.
Yes, he thought his time in the Northern Fortress was tough sometimes, but it did not outweigh his siblings' attempts to keep him happy. Ryoma and the others in Castle Shirasagi showed the same commitment, even under the odd circumstances.
(I can't choose...)
"I can't choose!"
The meaningless words evaporated as quickly as they came to him. All of the joy and happiness he had with both families hid their deeper sorrows.
Gunter was dead.
The one person who taught him how to lead an army and fight was killed in cold blood for reasons he still could not comprehend. Corrin never had the time to properly grieve over his passing after having Rinkah ambush him.
Queen Mikoto was dead.
Mother, who he reunited with for barely a week died in front of him. She fell protecting him from the festival attack, and he never had an opportunity to thank her. His rage instead resulted in the destruction of the town she ruled over with love and benevolence.
Omozu was dead.
Even though he never knew the ninja, he held himself responsible for his passing. He wounded the commander to seek peace. Instead, he fell in battle fighting for his injured patrol. If somehow, he had prevented the battle at the abandoned fortress, he might still be alive today. He journeyed to Fort Jinya, wanting to protect the very people he hurt. In the end, even that failed, because of his own incompetence.
He should have never returned to Hoshido. He received the blessing of such caring family, yet all he saw was a string of tragedies that dug into him deeper than any lance or axe. If he never left the Northern Fortress, everyone would still live in harmony. When he first left Castle Krakenburg, Corrin wanted to prove to his siblings he had worth. He looked up to Xander, Ryoma, and everyone else. He let them all down. He could never draw his sword against the ones who raised him until now.
(It's all my fault…)
"I…"
In all of the confusion, all of these contradictions in his life, he could only leave the choice to instinct. If all of the misfortune that fell upon the Hoshidans happened after his return to Mother, he was not meant to live as a Hoshidan.
But something else bothered him. He could not understand why King Garon would declare such an untimely war. Perhaps it was because he thought the Prince was kidnapped. Perhaps Gunter's forces were ambushed on the way home. The Prince needed answers, and there was only one way to get them.
Corrin turned to Ryoma.
"…cannot stay in Hoshido."
"What?" The High Prince lowered his sword, "You don't mean that, do you, Kamui?"
"I'm sorry Ryoma." Corrin swallowed back his regrets, "It's for the best of everyone if I just return to Nohr, and never show my face here again."
He had brought nothing but calamity to their kingdom. Hinoka let her naginata droop. She wondered if she heard the Prince correctly. Takumi lowered his bow as well, speechless. Corrin expected an onslaught of insults from his younger Hoshidan brother, but his words had an impact more profound than that.
"How can you say that?" Ryoma shouted, "Open your eyes, Kamui! These Nohrians are hateful fiends who wish to overrun Hoshido! Have you forgotten about your kidnapping? About your past?"
"I cannot be a judge of that." Corrin admitted. Other than the guards and officials at the Northern Fortress, the only people he met showered him with affection. His family. Felicia and the others. Gunther. They were never fiends. "They aren't my brothers and sisters by birth, but I cannot leave them. They are my past…"
(Amidst all the confusing things happening recently, my time with my family in Nohr is the only truth I can trust with confidence.)
(That's why, I must return to Nohr and stop this war!)
"Lies." Takumi said weakly, "Kamui, You can't be serious, right?"
"He can't be!" Hinoka said, "He just came back to us! What reason would he leave your filthy country in the first place?"
"That-" Corrin began.
"Lies indeed." Ryoma gritted his teeth, "You are a Prince of Hoshido. You are my brother! These monsters are the reason you could not grow up with us as you were meant to. Do you truly wish to rejoin those who stole your childhood away?"
Xander had enough and cut into their back-and-forth.
"Enough. You're doing the right thing, Corrin." The Crown Prince reaffirmed, "Blood is not the only thing that decides what family is. I have regarded you as my brother ever since I laid eyes upon you. I cannot express how much it means to Father and I that you've chosen to return to us."
He did it again. Corrin hurt the ones he loved by doing what he thought was best for everyone. However, there was no going back. Unlike before, he was going to take responsibility for his decisions. He felt the Dragonstone growing warmer underneath his silver armor.
"That's not an option." Ryoma hissed, "I won't allow you to return to Nohr until we've settled this with our blades. I will free you from the spell that binds you. The Nohrians have brainwashed you, and I cannot forgive them!"
Leo watched as his older brother and the Hoshidan Prince argued over Corrin. He never received the same sort of attention. Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise. The Dark Prince was initially upset at Xander for wanting to go down to the bridge and formally declare war, but his worries were quickly withdrawn. It appeared Corrin was going to return to their side.
"Hey, Ryoma." Corrin stepped back from the High Prince, "Please, don't do this… I need to find a way to end this war!"
"Please, there is no such tome for brainwashing." Leo chuckled, "You know very well he chose us with his free will. Denying that fact won't change anything."
"If that's true, Kamui, then you must prove your resolve to me." Ryoma spat, "It's your birthright to fight with me. Nohrians only know of deceit and betrayal. I will bring you back to Hoshido, whatever the means!"
The High Prince raised his holy weapon again and charged at Corrin. The young Prince was caught off guard, not having time to react. Leo shook his head. His brother really did have the devil's own luck that the royal family was here.
Xander tried to ride forward and help Corrin, but he was too far away. Elise raised her thin rod in the air and it glowed. The young Prince's body glowed white and quickly vanished. Ryoma's slash ended up hitting a railing on the side of the bridge. Xander pulled the reins on his horse and the steed stopped in its tracks. Hinoka and Takumi looked around frantically.
"G-guys?" Sakura cried, "S-stop fighting. Kamui..."
Corrin reappeared alongside Elise. He was crouching on the ground, prepared for Ryoma's attack. Upon realizing what happened, he lost his balance and nearly fell over. Leo turned away with a slight sense of disappointment.
"Yay, the rescue staff worked!" Elise beamed, "Hehe, you're back!"
"Quick thinking, dear." Camilla smiled, "Aww, come here my cute little Corrin…"
"Very well, you have made your choice." Ryoma said with building ire, "If you wicked Nohrians want a fight, we will give you one. Once we are victorious, you will return our brother to us."
"I won't rest until Kamui comes back with us!" Hinoka declared, "I've been training years for this day. I won't give up!"
"Ryoma… Hinoka?" Corrin groaned.
The High Prince called to his siblings and they slowly pulled back. The Hoshidan army finished assembling themselves. The great battle was about to begin, but one stubborn person refused to leave the bridge. Leo's patience wore thin.
"Kamui..." Takumi opened his mouth, "It can't be. We are brothers, right? We fought as a team and trained as a team. Then how… Then why?
"Takumi, I'm sorry." Corrin choked back his emotions as he stood beside Xander, "I've made my decision. It's better for us if I returned home. Please don't-"
"Yes. He's made his decision." Leo butted in, "Now you should return to your own vagrants, so we can get this battle started already."
He and Iago spent too much time coming up with the full invasion schematics. The Dark Prince himself spent days anxiously planning for this moment, and he would not delay it further. Takumi stepped back, speechless.
"Leo!" Corrin exclaimed angrily.
"Oh, and tell Prince Ryoma one last thing for us." Xander added hastily, "His name isn't 'Kamui'. His name is Corrin. Do not forget it."
The Crown Prince prompted Leo's and the rest of the commanders' return to their west side of the river. Elise and Leo gladly followed while Camilla took off into the sky to rejoin her fellow riders. Corrin stayed behind for a brief second before taking off in their direction. Takumi stared in disbelief before Hinoka's call pulled him away. It was Leo's time to shine.
"Wait. Corrin panted. The royal family stopped to listen. "Do we really need to fight? I came here to try ending the conflict. I don't want to attack anyone."
"I'm sorry, Corrin. Our invasion must continue." Xander sighed, "Father willed it so. If you want to end this battle as quickly as possible and avoid unnecessary deaths, I suggest you raise your sword and fight with us."
"Very well…" The Prince winced, "If there's no other option. But I'll go back to talk to King Garon an-"
"Alright, you'll join Leo's regiment, the 9th Royal Lances, for now." The Crown Prince ordered, "Help him secure South Bridge. We'll try to push through from the north."
"Affirmative." Leo nodded, "Come with us, now."
The Dark Prince slackened his thoroughbred's pace for Corrin as they returned to his regiment. His cavaliers were already on their mounts and prepared to take orders. Leo frowned on the inside. Having his brother join might have been more of a handicap than an asset.
He observed the battlefield state. Xander's 4th and 7th Reconnaissance regiments were already in their positions, preparing the advance. Leo and Elise were tasked to defend the southern flank until North Bridge was secured. The wyvern riders circled in the air above the battlefield at an altitude above the archers' range.
Opposing, the Hoshidan army spread themselves along the river. Two large groups of samurai guarded their side of North Bridge and South Bridge. Ryoma himself was leading the attack on the north, planning to clash with the Crown Prince. Another samurai commander had concentrated her forces to the south. Takumi and his archers were stationed between both bridgeheads next to the river, prepared to launch arrows across the water. Pegasus knights were taking off from the ground, preparing to dive into the fray.
"What's the plan?" Corrin asked, looking at the large armies moving to the bridges."
"We are going to wait for them to come over." Leo explained. "Once those Hoshidans had enough, we will find an opportunity to cripple their southern forces."
"And my healers will tend to the wounded!" Elise jumped, "We'll show them who the most awesome side is!"
"Sure." The Dark Prince shrugged, turning to his troops. "Let's hurry to South Bridge then."
Leo, Elise and Corrin led the way towards South Bridge. The light cavalry and troubadours easily kept up and the caravan followed behind. The 9th Royal Lances made a semicircle around their side of the bridge. On the other side, a detachment of samurai lined up in a box formation. Hoshidan banners flew in the air.
"We're waiting here?" Corrin asked again.
Leo nodded. "Xander's pushing his flank. We are to hold ours until he breaks through." He said calmly, but upon glancing at the other side, he noticed Ryoma calling over a multiple reinforcements to North Bridge. With such a narrow passageway to fight, advancing beyond the bridge with horses would be challenging.
"Eh? Waiting?" Elise pouted, "Okay, I'll get our healers to leave their wagons!"
"I'm not too sure about that yet." Leo said suddenly, "Incoming!"
The Dark Prince pointed at the other side. The samurai were beginning to move across the bridge in a compact formation. Corrin caught sight of the army and drew out his longsword. He mumbled incoherently to himself.
(Wait, they're crossing over? Isn't that suicide?)
"Oh no!" Elise exclaimed, "What now?"
It soon became obvious why they advanced. A small patrol of Pegasus knights joined their attack. They began diving at the Nohrian forces from the other side of the river. The Nohrians would be besieged from two sides if they were not careful.
"They're targeting the caravan." Corrin observed, "Just like what happened with me and the abandoned fortress…"
"Yikes!" Her sister screamed, "I can't fight against samurai!"
"You won't." Leo replied, "Exchange your rescue staff for something that can heal. If you assist us from behind, we can keep them off you."
The Pegasus knights paused in their descent to reorganize into chevron formations. Hoshidan samurai waited in the middle of the bridge for their airborne to finish assembling themselves. This should not be happening, Leo thought. Camilla's forces were supposed to keep the Pegasus knights occupied in the air.
(Those damn archers are in the way, aren't they?)
"I'll fight by your side." Corrin said, standing next to Leo and his mount. "I don't want to do this, but if it means ending the battle faster-"
"No hesitation." Leo interrupted, "Our ambitions cannot fail."
Leo raised his hand, signaling Elise's regiment to back off. A blockade on the bridge, against heavily armored samurai, was a lost cause. Pulling back to the grassy field behind would allow the cavalry to flank them easier, he guessed.
"Sorry Xander," the Dark Prince murmured to himself, "We'll retake the bridge after we push them back from here." The supply route needed to be built at all costs.
"What'll we do?" Elise asked worriedly, "I don't want to fight like this!"
"Here's the plan." Leo said smoothly, "My cavalier forces will engage the samurai on the field. I will leave a small platoon behind with Corrin to guard the transport caravan from the Pegasus fliers. In the meantime Elise, I need your troubadours to advance and disperse within my unit. Got it?"
The Princess raised her fist in the air. "I'll get the healers from the wagon!"
"Understood." Corrin replied solemnly.
The Dark Prince turned back towards the Hoshidan forces crossing the bridge. The Pegasus knights, as expected, were looking to fly over their army and attack the wagons at the back. His army was behind him, discouraged but still willing to fight.
The entire samurai army were off the bridge and faced the invaders. If his calculations were correct, there should be nothing to worry about. They were more rested than their enemy. Their terrain was more favorable than the enemy. In all of his textbooks, he was taught this should be a close victory for him. Of course, they were merely books. There was only one way to test the theories inside them.
"Royal Lances, to victory! Charge!"
"Commander?" A man called.
Takumi was stuck in a lull. The world shattered around him. He was expecting to fight the Nohrians with all of his strength, but the circumstances were completely unfathomable. A piercing headache nipped at his mind, easing into a grimace.
How could this be? Did they wrong Kamui in some way? There was absolutely no reason for him to rejoin Nohr. He was happy in Castle Shirasagi. He ate with them normally during breakfast and dinner. Was Ryoma right, that he was brainwashed?
"Lord Takumi!" The archer called again, "Your orders?"
"A-ah yes." Takumi was brought back to reality. "Everyone, check your quivers and prepare for barrage!"
He never trusted his brother when he first came to breakfast with them. It was just like the first time he met Azura. However, he was determined to prove himself like a loyal Prince. Kamui wanted to fight for Hoshido as much as Takumi himself did. Of course, he still was skeptical of Kamui, but the battle should have proved his integrity. The Prince from Nohr was the one who pumped him up once everything seemed lost. They were brothers, on and off the battlefield.
Why, then, was he leaving them again? The trust he said he sought to build with his brother – would he really just throw them away? Did it have something to do with his dragon form? There were too many questions he did not have chances to ask, or did not want to know.
"Sir, we're ready." The archer reported.
"Good. Follow my mark. Northern army." Takumi said with a shaky voice.
The Archer Prince raised Fujin Yumi into the sky and prepared to rain down a flurry of arrows upon Xander's army. He closed his eyes and concentrated with all his focus. The familiar blue light appeared on his hand.
And then it vanished.
Takumi stared at his hand. Something impeded his usually serene mind. Something was prohibiting him from thinking straight. His fellow archers caught on and lowered their longbows as well.
"Uh, Lord Takumi?" Another archer called from the back.
(What's going on?)
Of all the years he trained with the yumi, not once had the arrow failed to appear. Takumi tried to clear his mind of all doubts. He tried to free his will and to believe himself again.
His thoughts darted back to his time with Kamui. The times they spent training at the bow range and jeering at his clumsy mistakes. The time he tried pairing his brother up with Sakura so they could stop avoiding each. The time he barred the enraged guard who threatened to attack his brother. Was all of that a lie?
Of course it was a lie.
Indeed, his mind began to clear as his confusion turned into fury. His seemingly rational impressions reigned in a new, angry form of realized clarity. Kamui had returned to Hoshido to betray them, he concluded.
He considered himself a fool for not considering it before. Takumi gave him the chance to fight together at Fort Jinya so they could build trust, just as Kamui anticipated. During the tragedy at the Dawn Festival, Mother was the only one who died. The Prince claimed she dove on top of him, but no one could see beyond the dust and smoke. Finally, when he turned into a dragon and attacked the plaza…
(My god, it was all intentional!)
It was the only possible explanation for Kamui to leave them. He felt disgusted with himself for letting a traitor stick around with his intuition. He felt disgusted shame for even considering that fiend his brother. As his siblings from Nohr came to retrieve him, Kamui's true nature was revealed. The feelings of comradery, of brotherly bonds, were all fabricated to bring about the death of Mother.
"Nohrian scum!" Takumi yelled, unable to contain his emotions.
His nostrils flared as he stomped the ground. Ryoma. Hinoka. Sakura. Mother. They had all been played. His priority shifted to bringing the traitor to justice. He sought to kill Kamui, if that was the last thing he could do.
"I'll kill that bastard with my own bow and arrow." He huffed.
His mind has been furnished, and his will has returned. The blue light returned to his hand. Takumi pulled on his Fujin Yumi. Immediately, the mystic arrow appeared from the air as he dragged the string back. The archers, worried about his outburst before, raised their yumi bows in the air. Their commander was back.
Takumi noticed Prince Leo and the traitor Kamui setting up on the other side of the southern bridge. The Hoshidan samurai and Pegasus knight were preparing to make their advance towards their healers and wagons.
"Everyone!" The Archer Prince called, "Shift fire to the south! Show them no mercy!"
"That isn't necessary."
Takumi stopped as a voice called to him from the back. Yukimura came to his forces with his beast-like karakuri machine. The strategist was wondering what was causing the delay in the barrages. He did not look pleased.
"I'm sorry, sir." Takumi grunted. As Yukimura took over Queen Mikoto's position in the transitory period, his orders outranked the prince.
"The northern bridge is under heavy attack." The strategist explained, "We need to barrage the Nohrian army there before we are overrun."
"Of course." Takumi nodded, "You hear that, guys? To the north, go!"
His army repositioned themselves closer to the northern bridge as Yukimura rode off to another section of the battlefield. Kamui, or whatever his disgraceful name was, would have to wait. Once he cleaned up on his end, he thought, the imbecile would have no place to hide. His life would be pierced by his holy bow.
"Fire at will." He ordered.
The archers took a quick look at the enemy positions and raised their weapons. Within moments of each other, a flurry arrows landed down on the Nohrian cavalry west of the river. Some bounced off of the armor of the cavaliers or their horses, but others were hit and fell off their stead.
Takumi fantasized about one of the fallen being his former brother.
"You are my target now."
Corrin groaned as he sprinted over to another wagon in the caravan. The twenty-something Pegasus knights were relentless with their maneuvers, harassing the cavalry guards on the ground with their long naginata. He was clueless on how Gunter held them off last time. The healers were all unpacked from their wagons. Some dispersed to help Leo's forces closer to the bridge, while others stayed behind to heal Corrin's small force of cavaliers.
"Don't give up!" The Prince shouted, "Ditch the javelins. They're too damn fast!"
As the 9th Royal Lances received his command, the caravan leader whistled. The Nohrian wagon-riders ordered the revenants steeds to group up, trying to make them easier to defend. Corrin slashed upward at a Pegasus rider with Ganglari, but the Hoshidan simply pulled out of his range. The 9th Royal Lances were having similar issues. Their swords were too short in range, forcing them to switch to their iron lances. Even then, the Hoshidan naginata were difficult to parry.
"This is impossible!" A cavalier shouted, "I'm hit, dammit!"
"I got you covered." A healer came rushing to his side and raised her staff. Another mounted Nohrian arrived to protect them as his comrade healed.
"Chest wound, here!" Another shouted from the other side of the caravan, "Help!"
"Um, hang in there! I'm coming!" A female voice responded.
(Wait, that voice?)
"Everyone, keep close to your designated healers!" Corrin yelled.
The Prince dashed to the origin of the voice. A Pegasus knight charged forward with her naginata, aiming for his head. Corrin barely manage to sidestep the attack. He returned the favor by slashing at her mount's wings.
A splatter of blood and a few feather fell from the Pegasus, but it was otherwise unharmed. Corrin continued his mad dash until he reached the other side. There stood his familiar friends. Felicia and Jakob were on the field, next to a panting soldier.
"Master Corrin!" Jakob called, being the first to recognize him.
Felicia heard her partner's voice and caught sight of the Prince as well. She let out a loud squeal of excited and ran towards him. Jakob followed closely behind, not keen on keeping his former master waiting.
"Guys, the hell are you doing here?" Corrin demanded. The maid and butler should have been at Castle Krakenburg, not in the middle of Hoshidan territory.
"We joined the Expeditionary Force!" Felicia piped, "To find you, Corrin!"
"And that appeared to be the correct option." Jakob finished, "I must say, I never expected to find you so easily."
Invisible tears welled up in the Prince's eyes. His companions at the Northern Fortress did not forget about him, after all that time apart. Flora was the only one who didn't really care, but the commitment of his two closest friends touched him. He really did not deserve so much from them.
"I see, well thanks." Corrin scratched his head. He would have to thank them and his luck later. "Come, it's not safe here. We need to pair you up with a cavalier!"
"I would advise against that." Jakob said politely, "We are capable of defending ourselves."
As the butler said that, he pulled out an assortment of throwing daggers from behind his back. Each one was a different length, and they all looked deadly. Felicia pulled out her own collection before clumsily dropping one on the ground.
"The daggers!" Corrin exclaimed, "Why hasn't anyone told me?"
The small projectiles are easier to throw and faster than javelins. They were also harder for the Hoshidans see coming. Almost everybody in Nohr who passed basic military training knew how to throw the small, silent weapons.
(This must have been how Gunter protected our convoy at the canyon!)
"Cavaliers, dismount!" The Prince shouted at the top of his lungs, "Unload and get the throwing daggers from the wagons!"
"Aye, sir!"
The remnants of the cavalry hopped off their horses and ran towards the caravan. A few continued guarding the healers, doubting the order. Corrin looked at his two former servants, then back at the air.
"You sure you can hit those guys?" He asked.
"It's one of the only things I'm good at!" Felicia smiled.
"More like the only thing." Jakob slighted.
As he spoke, a Pegasus knight flew into their range. Jakob and Felicia took aim and quickly threw their blades in front of their path. The daggers hit the wing of the Pegasus, throwing the creature off-balance. The Hoshidan knight tried to regain control of her steed, but blood was leaking fast from the wound. The Pegasus was forced to retreat to the other side of the river.
"Good hit!" Corrin commented.
Seconds later, more daggers were flung into the air like short, clunky arrows. The Pegasus mounts neighed in fear as the Nohrians soldiers tried, with lackluster accuracy, to land hits. The poor healers skittered around on the ground. A few hopped onto the roofed wagons, trying to avoid the daggers falling back from the sky.
Corrin grabbed an iron dagger. He threw it at the Pegasus with all his might. He missed spectacularly with all his might. The Prince cringed at the sight, returning to Ganglari for self-defense. Jakob and Felicia held their own against the winged beasts.
As the battle progressed, the patrol leader of the Pegasus Knights decided to call the retreat. Just in time too - as the supply of daggers was quickly dwindling out. The frightened healers exited the wagons to take care of the remaining wounds.
"We pushed them back." Jakob said, out of breath. Felicia fell to her knees.
"That's just a small wave." Corrin wiped his forehead, "They'll be back."
(It was less "we won the battle" and more "they had better things to do")
Most of the small cavalry was fine. The soldiers hopped back onto their mounts and retrieved their iron swords. A few sustained some nasty cuts, but most were ready to carry on. The healers put the severely wounded into the wagons and switched out their dispensed rods. The grassy field was no longer recognizable, coated with drops of blood and scattered daggers. The Hoshidan attack was repelled.
A few cavaliers agreed to remain guarding the caravan from further Pegasus raids. The Nohrians agreed to make do without the bows or arrows they were used to. As the guards retrieved the daggers lying on the ground, Corrin stared at South Bridge. Cries of bloodshed filled the air from the brutal fighting.
Leo's Royal Lances reformed their wide concave and were engaging the samurai. If the Pegasus knights had joined the fray, the cavalry would be beat back easily. However, the fliers had decided to flank the supplies and leave the samurai to fend for themselves. The archers were occupied with a separate front, too.
Elise and her troubadours simply escaped every time a Hoshidan soldier tried to capture them. Leo called upon his tome, summoning a small tree from the ground. Its sharp branches impaled a samurai in front, causing him to cry in agony and fall to the ground incapacitated.
"Master Corrin." Jakob called, "What shall we do?"
Corrin bit his lower lip. "I need you two to continue guarding the caravan."
"What?" Felicia exclaimed, "We want to help you fight, milord!"
"Sorry." The Prince shook his head, "The caravan guard need your help. I'll come back for you, I promise."
"We hope you do." Jakob agreed, "I do not wish to lose you again."
As he rode away, Corrin delegated the guards' command to a senior cavalier at the back. He ran up to Leo, carrying Ganglari at his side. By the time he reached his younger brother and sister, the samurai were retreating back to the bridge.
"Leo!" Corrin called.
"Report." The Dark Prince ordered. Elise smiled upon seeing her brother approach.
"We've repelled the Pegasus knights with minor casualties. A few damaged wagons. What's the situation now?"
Leo brushed his hair and closed Brynhildr. "Good job. We're done on our side as well. Unfortunately, Xander's forces have not broken through. Ryoma and Hinoka are currently contesting the bridge, and those archers aren't helping."
"Boo! We need to help our big brother!" Elise puffed her cheeks.
It was obvious the Princess was trying to look away from the dead horses and samurai littering the bridgehead. The Nohrian troubadours broke off towards the embattled regiment, looking for soldiers to heal. The cavaliers gratefully accepted their aid. Typical of the samurai, none agreed to surrender during battle. The Hoshidans who were left on their side of the field, were no unable to continue.
"No, we can't go north." Corrin sighed, "But we can't do nothing either."
"A jarring conclusion" Leo raised an eyebrow at the latter statement, "What do you propose?"
Corrin scanned the east side of the river. Takumi's archers were completely focused on the North side, where Prince Ryoma and the majority of the samurai were stationed. The Pegasus knights had completely left the field, circling above the ground forces but still underneath the wyvern swarm. The wounded samurai were making their way back to the healers near the southeast.
(Come on... think...)
An idea began formulating in his head. "That's it! We need to press south!"
"We can't hold our position on the other side." Leo replied, "It's much easier to defend a bridgehead than to attack one."
"No, I'm not talking about holding the bridgehead." Corrin said, "I'm saying we need to flank their healers."
Recalling the battle at Fort Jinya, the garrison managed to leave the battle mostly intact. If it weren't for Sakura's healers, the group of defenders would have been completely overrun. It was critical to force their retreat, in order to win the battle.
"Continue." The Dark Prince nodded.
"Our horses are faster than the samurai. If we rush past them, without fighting, we could reach their healers before they do. We attack them and force them to retreat. After we strike them, we run back to our side of South Bridge."
"A decisive blow." Leo nodded, "That's a possibility."
"Hey, that's mean Corrin!" Elise complained, "What do you have against healers?"
"N-nothing." The Prince stuttered, "We don't need to kill them. We can just wound them or break their staffs."
Sakura herself would likely be in the squad of healers far behind Hoshido's lines. If he could reach her before the other Nohrians, he could force her to retreat. There was no way he was going to let another Nohrian touch her younger sister.
"Yes, I think we can do it." Leo mused. He called to his regiment. The cavaliers and troubadours finished tending their wounds and were at attention.
"Wait, I want to come too." Corrin interrupted.
"You don't have a horse." The Dark Prince stroked his chin, "If you can't keep up with us, our speed will be compromised."
"That's okay." Corrin replied, "I have her."
The Prince looked at his younger sister. Elise tilted her head in curiosity.
[…]
"Alright everyone, on my mark!" Leo called.
Leo and Elise rode their thoroughbreds in front to lead the charge. The light cavalry and troubadours made their way across the bridge at top speed. Their hooves thundered on the wood below, causing the entire bridge to shake.
Corrin watched from the other side of the river. They should have probably used the revenant steeds from the caravan to launch the attack, but there was too little time to plan. His eyes kept closely with his brother's strike force.
The exhausted samurai turned around in surprise. The remaining Hoshidan forces at South Bridge prepared to engage the stampede of horses as they approached. The Dark Prince simply swerved out of their way, outpacing them and heading towards the rear of their army.
"Hey!" A samurai called, "Stop them!"
The Hoshidans tried and failed to keep up. The Pegasus knights were still fully engaged in the air, and the archers had no hope of hitting such fast targets. Corrin's heart raced as he saw his brother weave around the dense group of samurai.
The strike force eventually stopped in front of the Hoshidan healers. Elise raised her rod in the air again and twirled. The young Prince felt his body glow white and disappear again. He quickly found himself on the other side of the river, with Leo's forces. The Hoshidans guarding South Bridge were in complete disarray after their failed advance, finding their foes at their flank.
In front of Corrin and his Nohrian siblings was a group of monks and shrine maidens. They were unguarded, not expecting a rush from the back. At the very front was Sakura, who shivered in fear. Her defenses were compromised. A group of samurai began sprinting their way back to protect their healers.
"That's the end of my rescue staff." Elise moped, "Hope you liked it!"
"Really?" The Prince paused, "Thanks Elise. I owe you one."
"Right!" Leo shouted, "Everyone, happy hunting!"
The 9th Royal Lances yelled a loud battle cry as they charged towards the healers. The unarmed Hoshidans ran back in a panic, trying to escape the stampede. Corrin and Leo rushed up behind the army to assist. Elise stayed behind with her troubadours, waiting for her brothers to finish the dirty deed.
Time was limited, so there was no time to ensure kills. The cavaliers were instructed to strike the healers' arms so they could not heal their comrades, or better yet, to break their festal rods completely.
The shrine maidens' cries filled the air as Leo's forces brandished their weapons into the crowd. The Hoshidan samurai were quickly closing the distance. Elise waved her arms to tell everyone to hurry up.
Corrin reached the crowd and searched fervently. He needed to find his sister before a cavalier wounds her. He eventually found Sakura, who was wearing a dress different in color than the others. The Prince quickly outpaced her.
"Sakura!" He shouted. The shrine maiden turned around.
"K-Kamui?" She said, "W-what's going on? Why are you a-attacking me?"
"I'm sorry Sakura." Corrin said with sorrow, "I want to end this battle quickly. Please, give me your festal, so I can break it and escape."
"N-no!" The Princess whimpered, "I m-made a promise not to l-let anyone else get hurt when I came here. I c-can't let you do that…"
"Sakura…"
Guilt saddled Corrin's mind. He did not want to fight either, but there was no other way to force retreat. He could not stop the invasion, even if he wanted to. The least he could do was to keep his Hoshidan siblings alive.
"W-why are you doing this." Tears began flowing from her eyes, "Was it b-because I didn't talk to y-you at Shirasagi? I-I'm sorry for that! I'm so s-sorry! We all l-love you. I love you! I-is that what you wanted to hear?"
"No... that's not..."
"Forgive me for my s-stupidity. Please, don't d-do this!"
Corrin's legs froze. He could not bring himself to move forward. As his sister wept in his sight, his hold loosened on Ganglari. There was no way he could attack her. The healers around them shuddered helplessly as they were cut down one after the other. Tears dropped from the shrine maiden's eyes as Leo's forces continued pressing the attack.
(I… need to do this to save her, and everyone else!)
"Sakura, please forgive me."
The dull words flowed out of Corrin's mouth painfully as he raised Ganglari into the air.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
Justice's greatest friend is coming soon. In the meantime, a new character pairing poll will be released next week! Be sure to check it out.
Reviews on how to improve are always welcome. If you like what you read, follow / favorite for updates.