Hey guys, I'm back. Things have gotten less hectic, so that's a plus. Now, it's time for a new chapter, starring everyone's favorite Ham Daughter. Enjoy, you fans of Conquest. –ArcanaHermit
Chapter 14: Doubt (Corrin x Ophelia)
"Now, we put this Opulent Mercy here, Shining Death Blaze here, and…Corrin, did you know where Frightful Bloodlust went?"
Corrin immediately stopped whatever he was reading to look at his wife Ophelia. "It happened again" he thought with a hint of amusement. He sat up and scanned the room, the floor, the shelves, until he finally saw a crimson ruby, rough and uncut.
"It's behind you, Ophelia."
Turning around, she found it and let out a little burst of joy, followed by a show of gratitude towards Corrin, with her usual brand of verbal flair. He had begun to enjoy her little tirades more and more, and rarely got tired of them.
With her back to messing with her stones (which she insisted was somehow related to her magic), Corrin continued his book, but soon his thoughts wandered and kept getting stuck into one image, his wife, and how he got to marry her.
It was definitely a weird experience, which all started from the completely random act of finding her quartz of the floor. Sure, they had fought beside each other a few times, but it was only during that one act of chance that he got to know more about her. And then one thing led to another and soon there was a ring on both of their fingers, and newfound happiness in their hearts.
Looking around the room, he noticed a lot of things that weren't here before. Tomes, stones, relics and artifacts all line the shelves. They were all Ophelia's, of course. Ingredients for this magical spell or that, an ancient relic from a long lost line of sorcerers, or so she claims, they filled the empty void of his room and gave it an odd sort of charm similar to Ophelia herself, and Corrin can always appreciate that.
"Alright, my magical ritual is almost complete. Soon the dark powers of the night will be at my beck and call."
"Hmm, because you're the chosen one, come to liberate those powers?"
"Exactly, my lovely partner in morally good crime, exactly."
Corrin couldn't suppress his chuckle this time. After being so long with her, he had begun to decipher her way of speaking more and more, even copying her on one occasion, much to the dismay of his siblings.
Peeking through his book, she could see that there was a circle of black powder, the five stones laid out in a pentagram. This was one of her actually serious rituals, he realized. She usually just plays with her relics whenever she was pretending to do a ritual. Curiosity getting the better of him, Corrin put his book down and kept his eye on her, just in case.
Ophelia beamed with joy as she finished the last of her preparations, she knelt down and begin humming in a low voice, in a language that he seen Leo and Nyx used on occasion. Slowly the room began to glow in a purplish light, and two of the stones started floating upwards and begin glowing as well, though in a hue of red and blue respectively. Her chanting got slightly louder as the room began to be engulfed in that light. After reciting the incantations to its crescendo, the flash got so bright that Corrin had to cover his eyes. It only lasted a few seconds before the light receded, and the stones dropped to the floor with a light thud.
Ophelia quickly took the two stones, one red and one blue, and placed it on her chest. Closing her eyes, she stood there for a few seconds before opening them once again, a proud and enthusiastic smile on her face.
"The twilight ritual has ended in success, as befit a chosen one like me."
"What ritual?"
Ophelia only seemed to be registering that Corrin is also in the room with her, and she turned around and gave him a blue stone, the bright smile never leaving her face. Upon examining further, it looks like one of his dragonstones, though he's sure that this was just an ordinary one until she placed….whatever enchantment she placed on it.
"It's a bonding stone. Whoever holds one will be linked eternal to the wielder of the other, they will sense each other, transmit emotion, even though should the distance be close enough. It also…lets the other know they're alright."
At that last statement, Corrin could sense hesitation in her voice. Looking up at her, he could see that she was still smiling, but there was doubt and anxiety in the corner of her eyes.
"Is this because of the last battle?"
At that question, she lost her smile, almost looking like she flinched. It essentially confirmed his suspicions. During the last battle, Corrin was injured by an arrow while attacking from the front lines. Thankfully it was nothing life threatening, but according to the other soldier's words Ophelia, who was fighting on another front entirely, was as pale as a ghost when she got the news. He could definitely feel the tension when she first saw him after the battle.
"I…just wanted to make sure you're alright. As my destined partner, you are not allowed to perish into dark abyss."
Well it was still the same type of speech Ophelia used; its tone lacked any of its usual enthusiasm. Corrin sat up on the bed and wrapped his arm around her and pull her into a reassuring hug, which she quickly returned.
"Ophelia, nothing is going to happen. I admit that last battle was due to my own carelessness, but I promise to be more careful in the future, for both our sakes."
"But, but what if something happens to you that you couldn't prepare for, what if you…"
Corrin pulled his head back and looked deep into her eyes. If people were to ask which of the two was the one more prone to worry, it would resoundingly be him. Being the army's commander, he was always second guessing himself as to whether or not a plan will work, or whether someone will die in the upcoming battle. Ophelia being his beloved only furthered his worry of her, but he decided to brush it aside and trust in her abilities, as with all the army's soldiers.
Now here she was, worrying over him when it's usually him who's worrying. Suddenly a brilliant idea popped into his mind. If she was going to switch roles like this…he might as well fully embrace it.
"Never fear, my partner in the darkness. For I am Corrin Dark: chosen one, master of the draconic arts, vanquisher of armies, and spouse of the great Ophelia Dusk. I will never disappear into the abyss; I will soar into the fields of woe, and come out the victor. Rest assured of that, my lovely partner in darkness."
It was the most Ophelia-like he ever gotten, though he suspected that he did a poor job of imitating her. Still, it had the desired effect when Ophelia brightened into a smile and started giggling.
"Thank you, Corrin Dark. I was temporarily hit by an unknown spell of cunning; it warped my mind and made me see that which is impossible: your defeat. Know this, I shall do all in my dark arts to help you vanquish your foes, and I put my resounding faith in you that you'll be the light that shines through the dark future."
Corrin smiled widen as he listened to what was essentially her putting his entire trust into him. They both silently knew their terms: She wouldn't worry about him, but he would never for her sake. It was a vow of mutual trust, and one that Corrin intended to see through the end.
Suddenly Corrin heard a grumble noise coming from her direction. The blonde mage immediately blushed and giggled. It would seem they were here longer than they thought. With hand in hand, they walked out towards the mess hall, the newfound vow fresh in their minds.
The future was uncertain, but they'll see it through.
Man that took a long time, and in the end I'm not really sure I did a really good job of it. Oh well, what's done is done. On the next chapter, we'll be heading back with another Birthright character. Till then, farewell -ArcanaHermit