Awakening of Fate
Chapter VI: Corrin and Lilith, Scions of the Dragon

Robin paced back and forth angrily in the room that she had been given. Azura watched her from one of the beds with a curious expression. Robin had wiped her tears away when they left Emmeryn's room. When Corrin tried to comfort her she rebuffed the prince's approach and since then, no one had been able to get in a word edgewise. Corrin had been given a room to himself while Felicia would be sharing a room with Lilith, once the girl was healed. Suddenly Robin stopped pacing and looked over to the rectangular shaped window on the easternmost wall.

"Finally calmed down, Robin?" Azura asked as the woman walked over and opened the window.

"I'm not sure. I've been thinking about what Chrom said and I can see the merits behind his words…" Robin trailed off as she gazed out the window.

"But?" Azura ask knowing that such statements always had a caveat.

Robin turned and looked Azura in the eye with mixed emotions showing on her face before answering. "But I still think it can be handled better. If I truly am the princess I should aim to bring about peace that doesn't harm my subjects, right?"

Azura closed her eyes and began thinking, balancing her next words very carefully. "As a princess myself, I understand where you concerns are coming from. However all my subjects have been turned into drones for Anakros, so I can't truly sympathize with you knowing how easy some of my choices are regarding the people of Valla."

"I should probably apologize to Chrom and Emmeryn for my outburst." Robin stated dejectedly.

Azura nodded and walked over to Robin placing her hand on the woman's shoulder. "That would probably be for the best. Clear the air now so that we can have better relations for the future."

Robin sighed loudly before nodding and turning towards the door. Exiting the room Robin was surprise to see Chrom heading her way and picked up the pace to meet him. When they met at the middle of the hall the slight difference in their height was made clear as Robin looked up at Chrom and he, down at her. Neither spoke nor blinked for what seemed like an eternity. Finally when the silence got to the point of being deafening, they each made their move.

"Chrom-"

"Robin-"

"Please allow me to go first." Chrom said as Robin opened her mouth once more.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you. I know it must be hard for you with your memory loss and trying to figure out who you are. You are in the acting role of a princess and so you must behave as one. But I feel that even if that is the role that was thrust upon you, the concern you show is genuine. With your forgiveness Emmeryn has given me her blessing and permission to seek out an Alliance with the Feroxians. I hope to gods that we don't have to call upon them to do battle but I must prepare the defense of my country accordingly." Chrom stated, never taking his eyes off the woman before him.

Robin closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before exhaling and calming herself. "Thank you Chrom, I accept your apology and forgive you your transgressions but it was I who was at fault. I am a guest in your court and as such I should have maintained myself better. If I am the princess I claim to be then the insult is two-fold and for that I offer you my most heartfelt apology. I wish for us to put this matter behind and move forwards with clear direction, honest communication, and trust." The dark haired woman extended her hand as she finished and never broke eye contact with Chrom.

Chrom accepted her hand and shook it firmly. "Here's to a brighter tomorrow and better future for us all." The prince spoke with a fond tone in his voice. Robin merely nodded in agreement. When their handshake was over the two royals bade one another good night and went back to their respective rooms to sleep.

Outrealms Ether - Parliament of Dragons

Grima roared loudly across the ether as the scent of one familiar to him wafted by. Rushing through the ether towards the source Grima came upon an old but familiar visage.

Anakros

Grima

Why did you come to my world, you know the consequences of dragons meeting.

I know not of what you speak Fell God; I have my own designs to worry about.

Don't lie to me! I can smell it on you, that same indistinguishable odor that clings to you like a shroud.

At this Anakros began to chuckle softly. His chuckle slowly evolved and turned into a full blown laughter.

As I said Fell God, I know not of what you speak, but if you recently smelt my scent then it would have come from my offspring.

Grima growled and roared with anger.

So because we are unable to meddle in one another's affairs you sent your children after my realm?

Would you even believe me, if I told you the truth?

Of course not but don't think you are the only one with offspring. Through the blessing of a certain bloodline I have gained the perfect way to destroy the world.

Blessed bloodlines are not the same as having direct descendants, but I am curious to see which holds true as the superior draconic force. Besides with my offspring away I have more than an ample amount of time to complete my machinations. Fare well Fell God, I have important things I have to do.

Anakros slid through the ether with ease, leaving Grima fuming with anger.

One of these days I will break all the worlds and destroy the other dragons and when that day comes, you will be first Anakros.

Ylisstol

Lilith opened her eyes slowly. Her body felt slightly stiff as she sat up and looked around. She was in a room on an uncomfortable bed. Next to her on the left side was a bedside table with flowers a jug and a cup of water. On her right were two chairs. One was empty and by her bed and the other was occupied near a window in the corner. Corrin sat in the chair, resting his chin upon his fist as he looked out the window.

"Good morning, big sister." Corrin greeted slowly turning to face the waking Lilith.

Lilith smiled in response and got out the bed. 'Yeeping' loudly Lilith hurriedly got back into bed as her bare feet touched the cold stone of the floor. Corrin simply chuckled at her reaction and continued to sit with both his feet firmly planted on the ground. Slowly Lilith put her feet back on the ground and allowed them to adjust to the cold or rather cool temperature. Unlike her sibling who was almost constantly barefoot and most likely accustomed to walking on difficult surfaces, Lilith preferred wearing shoes and so the uncharacteristic display from before was merely due to surprise.

When she finally got accustomed to the feeling, Lilith ran over to Corrin before hugging him in a tight, warm embrace. Corrin returned the gesture wrapping his arms around Lilith. The two held one another for a couple of moments before releasing themselves. When they were done Corrin carried Lilith back to her bed before setting down in the nearby chair.

"How are you feeling?" Corrin asked Lilith trying to read her expression and body language. The gown that she wore however made that extremely difficult.

"I'm fine, last thing I remember was flying through the air. Everything after that is just black." Lilith answered as she began to stretch and flex her body.

"Yea that was almost a day and a half ago. We've arrived in Ylisstol and met with Chrom's sister, Emmeryn the Exalt of Ylisse. She listened to our plight and pledged her assistance in any manner possible. Afterwards we talked strategy and leads for our next step. Apparently there is a merchant to the north who is rumored to use outrealm portals regularly. It's been decided that we'll have dual objective in the land known as Regna Ferox. First is to find the merchant with info on outrealms and second is to recruit the Feroxians as allies against the Ylissian's enemy from Plegia." Corrin explained.

"So we might have a way home. Have you and the other begun researching the outrealms from the library Chrom mentioned?" Lilith asked with hopeful eyes, eager for more news.

Corrin nodded and smiled. "Yes, we have and our efforts have not been in vain. There are several clues and references to where the door to the outrealms may lie in this world. What we do know for certain is that it is isolated and warded off which narrows down our search immensely. According to the records most of Ylisse has already been mapped and explored and the known regions of Plegia and Ferox have no such areas known to them." Corrin elaborated smiling broadly.

"So we might be able to go home soon?" Lilith asked thinking of what awaited them back in their homeland.

"We might, yes but we'll have the support of Chrom and his Shepherds to help us." Corrin stated catching the undertone of Lilith's words.

"We've heard that term before but how are sheep herders going to help us?" Lilith inquired.

Corrin chuckled at the question before replying. "The 'sheep' that these Shepherds protect are the people of the kingdom. Chrom's Shepherds are capable fighters formed from the citizens of the kingdom." Corrin answered.

"So they're a militia." Lilith observed.

"Yep, as such they're free to go where they need to be without being bound by the restrictions of the actual military of Ylisse. Due to the Exalt's dream to form a lasting peace between nations however the Ylissian military is quite diminished after the last war." Corrin spoke with a slightly somber tone.

"That's why they have a militia force. So who are these Shepherds? You have at least met them, right?" Lilith questioned her younger sibling.

"Yes, we met them yesterday morning for introductions and such. All of them are impressive in their own right. They've got this one guy named Stahl who is eats more than a horse. Even though we had just finished breakfast, the guy was still hungry for more. I honestly don't know where he puts it all, claiming that 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, followed by lunch then dinner'." Corrin listed putting up a finger as he counted off the shepherds he met.

"After Stahl I'd say the next most interesting person is Vaike or as he refers to himself 'Teach'. He sometime speaks in the third person vernacular as well stating 'The Vaike has done such and such'. He is physically one of the strongest members in the group and Chrom's self-proclaimed rival." Corrin snickered at the last bit.

"So far you've mentioned two more guys who will be joining us, doesn't the group have any females, other than Lissa?" Lilith questioned thinking it odd that someone like Chrom wouldn't diversify.

"Yes they do in fact and we were able to meet two of them. Sumia and Maribelle met with us but the other female, Miriel was stuck in the library. Robin told us that she encountered Miriel herself while up there but the rest of us haven't met the woman yet. Back to Sumia and Maribelle though, Maribelle is a noble and very refined. While she took a liking to Azura and mine demeanor, she was displeased with our choice of not wearing shoes. She was absolutely delighted with Felicia's appearance and made quick of putting the poor girl to work." Corrin stated with a smile as he remembered the antics of Felicia trying to acquiesce to Maribelle's requests.

"Sumia is about as clumsy as Felicia is, constantly falling face first onto the ground. She gets flustered when Chrom is nearby but I'm told she is a very reliable person. Our expedition to the north will be her first mission, so she's kind of nervous but Chrom has faith in her abilities so I will as well." Corrin stated crossing his arms with a thoughtful expression plastered to his face.

"So we'll have some able-bodied companions with us on our mission, that's a good sign. The quicker we bring peace back home the better." Lilith stated pulling her knees to her chin.

"What do you mean by that?" Corrin asked tilting his head slightly.

"Grima, the Dragon who supposedly rules this world. Something about him just gives me the chills. I think its best we get out of his grasp as soon as possible." Lilith explained, shivering slightly as she remembered Grima's presences talking to her.

"Even if we escape him though, we still have our own dragon to contend with once we get home." Corrin noted causing Lilith to look up at him.

"You're right, we still have to face Father and stop him from destroying the world." The young woman sighed.

"Well let's not despair about what we can't take action with and focus on what we can. The expedition to the north will commence tomorrow so everyone is off gathering equipment today. Robin, Azura, and perhaps Miriel if she is still in the library are researching the outrealms for more clues." Corrin stated, changing the subject to a less dour subject.

"Ok so that explains what they're doing out there but what about you? Why are you here when there is work to be done?" Lilith questioned her sibling.

Corrin shrugged slightly. "Do I need a reason to visit my injured sister?" he asked with a crooked smirk.

"I'm serious Corrin. I appreciate the sentiment but you had no way of knowing I'd wake up today. You could be helping the others research a way home or prepare for the trip but you're here, why?" Lilith asked, her eyes showing she wouldn't let the matter drop.

Corrin sighed loudly and turned away from Lilith. "I almost lost you Lilith. I'm scared of what the future might bring. I made a mistake once when I didn't choose to side with Nohr or Hoshido. I just don't know what the right choice is sometimes." Corrin spoke softly.

"There, there little brother; I'm sure that with time you will find your guiding star. You made the right choice not choosing one side over the other. At least that is what I truly believe. You want to foster peace and that is the hardest path to walk when the world wants war." Lilith soothingly said while patting Corrin's head softly.

"I suppose you're right. Emmeryn struggles for peace every day and Chrom is right there alongside her." Corrin mused causing Lilith to bop his head sharply.

"You aren't Emmeryn or Chrom. You are Corrin and you have to find your own path to your goals. Learn from others but don't emulate or imitate them. You have so much more to bring to the world than being a copy of someone else. Find someone to shoulder your burdens with you Corrin. You'll need some level of support if you want to be a good leader, nay a great leader. Take your time and you'll be prepared when the time comes. I have faith in you." Lilith reassured the young man

"Thank you, Lilith."

"You're welcome, Corrin."

The two siblings embrace one another in a hug before Corrin stood up with renewed vigor. Walking towards the door with a purpose, Corrin stood ready before the wooden barrier between him and destiny before turning back to smile to his sister.

"Get well soon Lilith, I'm going to need your support when we get back home. When we return from this trip I promise to have more information regarding the outrealms for you." Corrin swore to the young woman.

Lilith nodded and smiled as her brother stepped over the threshold of the door. When he was through however her smile died down to a frown.

"Don't make a girl a promise, which you might not be able to keep."