Corrin yawned as the Shepards made their way slowly along the central road towards Regna Ferox, while she had slept well she hadn't wanted to wake up and robin hadn't made the situation any easier she had refused to let go of Corrin until the days march was mentioned, Robin now sat atop a horse guided by Corrin barely staying awake as she did although in between yawns she glared at Chrom she didn't know why but whenever he got too close to Corrin she felt a burning hatred deep within her chest and it hurt.
Corrin couldn't explain the feeling at the back of her head but it was a niggling irritating madness that clawed at her mind like her draconic instincts were threatening to rip her very being apart but she shook it off and distracted herself by making sure Robin was okay, to her surprise Robin had a book in front of her face more importantly it seemed to be an Ylissean romance novel which Corrin found herself thinking was cute as she peeked around the book she could see that Robin was blushing which just settled the cute thought in her head, once she was sure that she was safe she glanced at Chrom and once again she felt her anger flair as he was talking with Sumia and she was hanging on every word he said.
After a few more hours the Shepards stopped near a bridge crossing and under the midday sun they rested, Robin sat beneath a tree still engrossed in her novel, Chrom and Sully with the help of Fredrick checked the Shepards gear and supplies, Lissa and Vaike seemed to be looking for something, Corrin took this opportunity to get to know Robin more and unsheathing Yato and planting it into the ground nearby and sitting next her.
"So what are you reading?" Corrin resisted the urge to hug Robin as she squeaked.
"Uh… lady Corrin… nothing" Robin felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she noticed how close Corrin was and how close she was to seeing the intimate reading material she had chosen for their trip.
"Nothing? Well it certainly looks like quite the steamy little flick" Corrin then grabbed the book and her own cheeks turned crimson as her eyes skimmed the novels pages and were greeted by a rather steamy intimate scene that made some of the writings back in her home countries look tame.
Robin grabbed the novel back and tucked it into the folds of her robes "Did you need something?" she looked at Corrin and as usual her heart began racing.
"I just wanted to try and get to know you a little better, good to know that your… well open minded" Corrin smirked and looked at Robin, with that small look Robin felt as though her head was about to explode.
Before Robin could say anything else Sully sounded an alarm and the Shepards got ready for action taking up positions along the bank as they did Robin noticed the forts and quickly came up with a plan as she continued working out the plan Corrin took up her usual position next to Chrom as she did she smiled "This looks a lot like where we first met"
"Well it's not far it's one of a twin pair of bridges that represent the Halidom's connections to its neighbours, however this isn't really the time to be telling you about the Halidom." Chrom smiled and twirled Falchion as he readied himself, watching this exchange Robin pouted and puffed her cheeks out she didn't know why but she didn't like anyone getting close to Corrin it was just… something she didn't like.
"So do you have a plan lady Corrin" Fredrick had mounted his horse and made his way over to Chrom who now stood facing the threat, more of the undead creatures they had fought the night before.
"Gods have the risen spread this far already?" Chrom spoke quietly, his face turned from a warm look to one of concern.
"Risen?" Robin stood next to Corrin as they looked at the shambling group, as she looked over them she resisted the urge to grab Corrin's hand
"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one they came to the conclusion after you left to find Milord, lady Corrin." Fredrick grimaced as the small group shambled slowly towards them "Now Lady Corrin, a plan if you will" he seemed to be getting impatient.
"Actually I was hoping that Robin could offer us a plan" Corrin smiled and looked to the shorter woman next to her as she did Robin's heart leapt into her throat.
"I…Um…I" Robin froze as she felt her head spin something in the back of head felt as though it was trying to force its way out just as she was about to lose her balance Corrin caught her and looked her in the eyes, Robin couldn't explain it but as those crimson eyes looked into her own she could feel her heart steady and her mind clear "Sully! Fredrick! Take the right flank Sully will lead and Fredrick will provide support, Chrom and… where's Stahl?"
"Wait for me!" Robin looked over and saw the familiar green armour of Stahl approach high speed.
"Vaike was supposed to… Vaike did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?" Lissa looked over to the muscled form of Vaike who didn't seem fazed at the question.
"Of course not the Vaike never forget!...I just don't always remember is all" Vaike proudly puffed his chest out as he spoke before casually looking around.
"We'll talk about this later, please continue with your plan Robin" Corrin smiled and looked to Robin.
"Uh… thank you, as I was saying Chrom and Stahl protect Lissa..." Robin could have sworn there was a small complaint somewhere about not being delicate "Virion provide covering fire when you see either push struggling, Vaike… where's your axe… never mind just stay back, as for me and Corrin we'll push through and deal with the strong looking one across the bridge." She looked proud of her plan simply because it meant her and Corrin would be alone, it then hit her, she and Corrin would be alone but they would be surrounded by monsters her plan was looking worse and worse by the second however Corrin just smiled "Then let's go, if you find your axe Vaike stay and protect Sumia fill in the gaps in the line when they form." Vaike nodded towards Corrin and readied himself.
With both flanks occupied Robin and Corrin easily made it to the bridge which had a pair of risen myrmidons guarding it they stood watching the approaching pair with soulless eyes their blades ready, before Robin had a chance to suggest a plan Corrin stepped forwards and brushed her fingers against her tome as she did a bright flash consumed her form, when it faded she wore a white sleeved elegant attire the sleeves seemed to flow as the light faded and Corrin took up a rather elegant position with one foot back and her arm raised as though she was about to dance, she gently placed Yato point first in the ground and pulled out what seemed to be a slip of paper which seemed to glow as she threw it towards her foes just as it looked to be useless it burst into the form of a rabbit and dashed through the right risen which fell as the rabbit faded.
Robin watched this play out with a slack jaw as she did the scene before her became even harder to believe as Corrin was covered with bright light again and reappeared in her usual black and gold armour before grabbing Yato and Dashing towards the other Risen who barely caught her attack before pushing her back and delivering a swift counter attack, a series of savage slashes that Corrin barely deflected it seemed as though the creatures unnatural form allowed it to keep up with the veteran swordswoman, just as it seemed that a strike passed Corrin's guard a bolt of electricity leapt past Corrin and struck the Risen in the chest as it stumbled backwards Corrin delivered a swift strike finishing it.
As the two risen turned to purple smoke Robin felt a small pain within her head but shook it off and looked to Corrin "What was that?! You changed outfits and defeated that monster with a rabbit" she continued to ramble until Corrin raised her hand.
"It's an idea I came up with during my rule, I assume you're aware of how tomes are crafted?" Robin and waited for Corrin to continue "Well in similar fashion this tome uses small focusing stones to store the magic bound to it, that magic being the many paths I walked during the war I fought, I continued studying the combat arts after but realized that I wouldn't remember everything I learned so I bound that knowledge into this tome with some ancient Vallan arts I can now call on it at will however I do lose knowledge when I use the spell it's not perfect but it works." She smiled as Robin tried to comprehend the logistics.
"We'll have a more in depth discussion on this later for now let's deal with these things" as Robin turned to cross the bridge she noticed that the Shepards had pushed through and were fighting on the other side, Vaike struck down a pair of risen that had tried to use numbers, Stahl continued guarding Lissa as she made her way over to Sully who was currently being defended by Fredrick after taking an injury form the large risen that was engaged with Chrom who was barely holding his own, before Robin could move she heard an ear shattering roar.
Corrin was seeing red Sully was injured, the Shepards were only just holding their own and it looked as though Chrom was beginning to falter, without warning her instincts had taken over and she had crushed the large risen however her seemingly eyeless head turned to Chrom No no no! Not again not here and not him stop please I don't want this! I don't want this! She screamed within her own mental space as she watched her draconic form rear up and let out an anguished cry before advancing towards Chrom Help me… Azura… please… I…
Chrom leapt back as the large draconic paw tried to grab him "Corrin… I know that this is somehow different, please fight this…" Because I can't fight you he grimaced as he finished the sentence in his head, Corrin's draconic maw moved towards him and he simply held Falchion as he did she recoiled "Corrin!" as he moved closer she continued to move backwards without hesitation he handed Falchion to Fredrick and tried to approach again.
No…please stay back…
Robin ran over and stared as Chrom approached the creature that it Corrin had become somehow she wasn't scared there was a part of her that was exhilarated that Corrin could become such a powerful creature and a part of her that wanted Corrin to come back to her, she began her own cautious approach alongside Chrom raising her hands and moving in step with the man she had an unexplained dislike for.
Stay…stay back pleases both of you…
As the two of them approached the rain began falling and within her mental space Corrin could see the white dress that had haunted her dreams and caused her heart to flutter "Azura…" she saw the gentle motion of her lips curling into a smile "Corrin… I know this isn't you" Corrin could feel the rain and her own tears "I… I can't hold back Azura…" the breath taking figure of Azura just looked at her sadly "Do you remember what I said to you the last time you lost yourself?" Corrin nodded as she felt a sheer cold grasp her heart "I told you that of you truly wished to kill me to do it as yourself, I told you that because you are the most beautiful creature Corrin so please… let me go you know that…" Corrin shook her head "No… that was just… you're not… you're still there waiting for me…"
Azura gently tilted Corrin's head to look at her "What I did to stop you being consumed, I did out of feelings I never knew I had… Shigure… Laslow and Soliel have made their peace as has everyone else yet you cling to this ghost of me as though you are clinging to drift wood in a storm…" Corrin shook her head "Not again…" as that thought raced through her mind she heard the song she had longed to hear.
You are the ocean's grey waves
Destined to seek
Life beyond the shore
Just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change
Flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Corrin stood and the awakened Yato appeared within her grasp shining brightly…
In the white light
A hand reaches through
A double-edged blade cuts your heart in two
Waking dreams fade away
Embrace the brand new day
Sing with me a song
Of birthrights and love
The light scatters to the sky above
Dawn breaks through the gloom
White as a bone
Chrom and Robin approached Corrin's seemingly docile form.
Lost in thoughts, all alone
You are the ocean's gray waves
Destined to seek
Life beyond the shore
Just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change
Flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Corrin stepped towards Azura "I…I…" Azura just looked onwards waiting.
Embrace the dark,
You call a home.
Gaze upon an empty white throne,
A legacy of lies,
A familiar disguise.
Sing with me a song
of conquests and fates
The black pillar cracks
beneath its weight.
Night breaks through the day
Hard as a stone
Chrom placed his head against Corrin's lowered one "Corrin… I know you're really in there, please come back"
Lost in thoughts, all alone
The path you walk on belongs to destiny
Just let it flow
All of your joy and your pain all fall like the tide
Just let it flow
Life is not just filled with happiness
Nor sorrow
Even the thorn in your heart
In time it may become
A rose
Corrin Raised the Yato above her head her tears no longer being held back falling freely "I.. love you Azura"
A burdened heart,
Sinks into the ground
A veil falls away without a sound
Not day nor night, wrong nor right
For truth and peace you fight
Sing with me a song
Of silence and blood
The rain falls but
Can't wash away the mud
Within my ancient heart dwells madness and pride
Can no one hear my cry?
You are the ocean's gray waves
Destined to seek life beyond the shore
Just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change
Flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
You are the ocean's gray waves
She struck Azura down, as she began to fade from the space they shared she smiled "I'm proud… of the queen you've become Corrin… I know that you have someone here that you love… I'm… happy" Tears began falling down Azura's cheeks "I love you too…" with that Corrin was left alone in the darkness…