AN: I do not own Touhou Project or Fire Emblem
Sorry here we are, the first 'Years Past' chapter, Corrin's. Not going to spoil to much other then it will deal with meeting Silas, Jakob, Flora and Felicia, as well as a special twist that has been hinted to all of once in the previous chapters.
So without further ado!
Let the Conquest begin!
Years Past: Corrin
Jakob
BGM: Id (Serenity) - Fire Emblem Awakening
Corrin yawned as heslowly got out of bed in his shared room with Xander and Leo, his older and younger brothers respectively. "Kaze? Are you there?" Corrin called, knowing that his fateful butler/friend was always nearby. "You called Lord Corrin." Kaze answered, having jumped down from his position in the rafters of the room. Why Kaze insisted on sleeping in the rafters was anyone's guess.
"Kaze, you don't need to call me lord. You're my friend." Corrin said with a smile as Kaze smiled back lightly. "Of course Corrin, I know that, but it's a force of habit." Kaze said as Corrin went for his robes that had been put in the room's cupboard. "You… don't mind going back up and not looking do you?" Corrin asked shyly, as Kaze nodded and climbed back up onto the rafters to wait for Corrin to change.
After a minute or so Corrin called him back down, Kaze jumping back down from the rafters as Corrin carried his pajamas. "Allow me to take those Corrin." Kaze said as Corrin held his pajamas in his arms. "Ok, thanks Kaze." Corrin said with a smile as he handed the pajamas to Kaze who carried them out of the room as Corrin sighed.
His bare feet hitting against the stone floor of the fortress Corrin left the room he had been living in for the past week since the children had been brought to the fortress. Yawning Corrin made his way towards the mess hall, where everyone would be eating.
Walking through the doors and looking over the crowd of other kids his age Corrin smiled as he made his way towards the table his siblings were at, Leo eating some bread as Xander was cutting his bear meat, Camilla sitting with an empty plate in front of her and a bottle in Elise's mouth as she cradled her younger sister.
"You're late Corrin." Xander said as he put a piece of meat in his mouth, chewing it as Corrin sat down. "Sorry big brother, but I was tired last night." Corrin said sheepishly as Leo looked at his old brother. "You're lucky they are still making food for everyone, get something to eat brother." Leo said as Corrin stood back up. "I'll be back." Corrin said with a smile as Camilla waved to him. "Hurry back Cor-cor." Camilla said as Elise kept sucking on her bottle.
As Corrin was walking towards the front of the mess hall he watched as other kids kept talking with each other, girls and boys all finding someone to talk to as Corrin smiled. It was like one big family to him seeing all these kids his age here. That was, until he spotted one kid who has sitting alone, his head down and playing with his food, the kid being ignored by everyone. Frowning Corrin decided to walk over to the kid, who practically had an air of sadness and misery around him.
"Are you ok?" Corrin asked, the kid looking up at him as Corrin was still standing. "Go away…" The kid said, Corrin frowning as he started walking away, instead going around the table and to the other side before sitting next to the white haired kid. "Please? I just want to know if you are ok?" Corrin asked, concerned as the kid huffed. "Why do you want to know… no one would ever associate with me." The kid said as Corrin tilted his head. "Why?" Corrin asked, confused as the white haired kid huffed.
"Like you would care." He said, still playing with his food as Corrin leaned in front of him. "Please tell me. I'll listen." Corrin said, practically pleading as the kid sat up straight rather than hunched over. "You want to know! Fine! I was abandoned! My parents gave me away as soon as they heard about this! No goodbye, no love, no nothing! They didn't want me!" The kid shouted at Corrin, which thankfully wasn't heard over the naturally loud noise of the mess hall.
Corrin sat there for a moment in shock as the kid waited for him to inevitably run away. To his surprise Corrin latched onto him in a hug. "I'm sorry your family didn't love you." Corrin said as the kid tried to pry Corrin off him, stopping when he heard those words. "What?" The kid asked, confused as Corrin looked up at him. "I said I'm sorry that no one loved you… do you need a friend?" Corrin asked, his red eyes practically pleading to the kid to accept him.
"I've never had a friend…" The kid said as Corrin hugged him tighter. "You do now." Corrin said with a smile as the kid looked down at him. "What is your name?" Corrin asked as the kid answered. "Jakob… just Jakob." Jakob said as Corrin slowly let go of him before grabbing his hand. "Do you want to see my family?" Corrin asked innocently as Jakob looked down at his uneaten food.
"Alright… I'll come." Jakob said, letting himself be pulled by Corrin as they walked towards the entrance of the mess hall, a smile on Corrin's face as Jakob was still rather confused when he saw the three kids with a baby sitting at the end of a table. "Cor-cor? Where is your food? And who is this boy?" Camilla asked as Corrin pointed at Jakob. "This is Jakob, and I'm his new friend!" Corrin said with a smile as Jakob realized what Corrin had said. He didn't refer to him as his new friend, but rather that he was his new friend. "Is that so?" Leo asked as Xander took a moment to stand up to his rather tall height for his age.
"Who are you?" Xander asked as Jakob realized who these kids were. "Jakob milord." Jakob said, being polite to the lordling as Xander looked at Corrin. "Corrin…" Xander said trying to find the right words to say as he racked his brain for something. "What big bro?" Corrin asked innocently as Xander sighed, unable to find anything to say. "Nothing… just go get yourselves some food and come back here please?" Xander asked as Corrin nodded. "Come on Jakob!" Corrin said excitedly as Jakob followed him.
'He's very… energetic.' Jakob thought as Corrin led him to the front of the mess hall, only for a young boy with green hair in a butler's outfit to drop down from the ceiling, surprising more than a few people as he landed in front of Corrin. "Sorry I'm late Corrin." Kaze said as Jakob stared at the sight of the green haired kid having just dropped down from the ceiling rafters. Corrin smiled as several kids started gossiping about how awesome Kaze's entrance was. "It's okay Kaze, we were going to get some food." Corrin said with a smile as Kaze looked behind Corrin and Jakob. "Who are you?" Kaze asked, glaring at Jakob as Jakob glared back.
"Kaze, this is my friend Jakob!, Jakob, this is my butler Kaze." Corrin said with a smile as the two boys looked at each other for a moment, Corrin stepping aside as the white haired boy and the green haired boy stared at each other for a moment. "You had better not try anything with lord Corrin." Kaze said as Jakob huffed. "Like I would green top." Jakob snarked rudely as Corrin watched their banter, amused yet confused as both boys looked at Corrin. "We'll continue this in private." Jakob whispered as Kaze nodded. "Can we get food now?" Corrin asked innocently as Kaze nodded. "Yes Corrin." Kaze said as Jakob huffed the two boys following Corrin and shooting glances at each other as they went and got food before going back to the royal siblings.
Needless to say boy Jakob and Kaze were very cold with each other for a while.
Silas
BGM: Agh! Won goph in mah mouph! Blech! Ptooey! - Fire Emblem Awakening
During the next few days Corrin had spent his time trying to get Kaze and Jakob be friendly with each other. Kaze's devotion to Corrin, and Jakob not wanting to abandon his only friend kept them together. However, Kaze eventually pulled Jakob aside, leaving Corrin alone to wander the fortress. He wasn't alone in this endeavor, given many of the children were exploring, but no one had been brave enough to dare the cold outside the walls of the fortress.
Still most of the children were going around in pairs, and Corrin had been rather alone without Kaze and Jakob to keep him company. As much as he loved his siblings, he wanted to meet next people and make some friends.
Nearby, a young boy with grey hair was exploring alone as well, not paying much attention to his surroundings as he walked the large hallways of the fortress. Both his path and Corrin's intersecting when both were not paying the least bit of attention.
"Ouf!" "Ow!" Both boys found themselves laying on the floor after having run right into each other. The grey haired boy was the first to get up, gasping when he realized he had hit someone. "Are you ok? I'm sorry that I ran into you." The boy said as Corrin groaned. The grey hair boy smiled as he held his hand out for Corrin to grab. "I'm fine… what's your name?" Corrin asked suddenly as he grasped the boy's hand. "Name's Silas, what's yours?" Silas asked as he pulled Corrin up. "I'm Corrin, nice to meet you Silas." Corrin replied, his voice chipper as Silas laughed. "Nice to meet you to Corrin." Silas responded, putting two fingers to his forehead in a mock salute.
"Why did you do that?" Corrin asked, confused as to why Silas had done the little gesture. "I thought it would be cool, I see the knights doing it all the time to the big armored guys." Silas said, rubbing the back of his head as Corrin chuckled. "Do you want to explore with me?" Corrin asked as Silas smiled. "I was just doing that myself. Might as well do it with a friend." Silas said as Corrin smiled. "So I'm your friend now?" Corrin asked as Silas nodded. "Why wouldn't you be." Silas said with a smile as he and Corrin started exploring.
Loyalty
BGM: Abundant Solace - Fire Emblem Fates
"Why did you bring me here Kaze? Still don't trust me?" Jakob asked as he stood across from Kaze in the room he had been brought into. "No, it's just that I don't see why you are a good friend for lord Corrin, you are rude to everyone, and act like you don't care about him." Kaze said as Jakob huffed. "That's where you are wrong." Jakob said rudely and to the point.
"Please, enlighten me as to why I am wrong?" Kaze asked as Jakob huffed. "Figure it out yourself green top." Jakob said as Kaze thought for a moment. "Figure it out yet?" Jakob asked rudely after about a minutes to which Kaze huffed. "You see this is what I mean, you never give anyone any time of day except for… Corrin…" Kaze said before trailing off, Jakob raising an eyebrow as Kaze seemed to be going over something in his head.
"The only person you listen to and are kind towards is Corrin." Kaze said suddenly as Jakob huffed. "He's my friend, and the only one I have or need." Jakob said as Kaze glared at him. "And what do you do for him. You've done nothing. I've served him as his butler for a long time, whereas you have done nothing for him." Kaze said as Jakob glared at him. "I could be a better butler then you any day." Jakob said as Kaze huffed. "Then prove it Jakob." Kaze said as Jakob glared at him. "Then I will Kaze!" Jakob yelled at him as they continued to glare at each other.
When Corrin and Silas past by the room Kaze and Jakob were in Corrin was surprised when Jakob had come out and joined them suddenly, even more surprising was the fact he was dressed in a butler's outfit for his size, if rather simple and looking a lot like Kaze's in Corrin's mind. Silas however had smiled and greeted Jakob, who had been rude to him, but Corrin apologized in his place when Kaze came out, being rather kind as the four started walking together, a mutual animosity between Jakob and Kaze having been struck as they worked to outdo each other for their lord, with poor Silas stuck in the middle and Corrin blissfully unaware of the situation.
Daughters of Ice
BGM: Dance in the Dark - Fire Emblem Fates
It had been a few days since Jakob and Kaze had struck up their secret competition, while Silas had stuck by Corrin's side as well, stuck as the middleman between the two butlers. Corrin had introduced them all to his siblings, who were familiar with Kaze, confused with Jakob and mostly fine with Silas.
Corrin however, had wanted to have more friends, and had gone exploring once more with his friends. Kaze and Jakob continued to try and outdo each other, with Jakob slowly trying to copy Kaze's skills as a ninja, but already Jakob was proving to be a decent butler at least on par with Kaze.
As the group of four was wandering the hallways Corrin was smiling as Kaze and Jakob kept glaring at each other, Silas stuck in the middle and trying to stay close to Corrin out of fear of being caught between the two butlers. "You know if you all want to go do something yourselves you don't have to come with me." Corrin said politely as Kaze shook his head. "I'm to help you whenever you need it Corrin." Kaze said as Jakob started talking. "And me as well Corrin." Jakob said with a small glare at Kaze as Silas shrugged. "I'm coming with you because why not, it seems fun." Silas said with a smile as both Kaze and Jakob spared a glance at him, Silas shrinking under their glares as they turned back towards each other.
"Come on Flora, I want to go outside!" a young pink haired girl complained to her twin sister. "Felicia we can't the guards don't want anyone getting sick from the cold." Flora said as Felicia pouted. "But I like the cold. Why can't we go outside?" Felicia pouted as nearby Corrin's slightly larger than normal ears twitched.
"Hey guys, can I be alone for a second, I want to check something out?" Corrin asked as Jakob and Kaze nodded. "Of course Corrin." Was the response from both of them, both of them waiting until Corrin's back was turned before glaring at each other, leaving Silas to sigh and lay down on the stone floor and groan and Corrin started walking without them.
Rounding a corner Corrin looked at who was sitting by a window. A young pink haired girl who was staring out the window sadly and a blue haired girl who was sitting calmly next to her. "Hey there." Corrin said as both girls turned towards him. "Who are you?" The blue haired girl asked suddenly, putting her arm out to keep her sister from speaking.
"I'm Corrin. I heard you two talking… at least I think it was you two." Corrin said sheepishly. Moving her sister's hand away from her mouth the pink haired girl started speaking. "I'm Felicia, and this is my twin Flora! I wanted to go outside." Felicia said before Flora clasped her hand over her sister's mouth.
"Why can't you go outside?" Corrin asked as Flora spoke. "The guards won't let her; they don't want anyone getting sick." Flora said as Felicia pouted. Corrin put his hand on his chin before smiling and speaking. "I could get the guards to let you outside." Corrin said as Felicia pushed her sister's hand away from her mouth and beamed. "You can?" She asked excitedly. "Yeah, I'm a prince! They have to listen to me, right?" Corrin asked with a smile as Felicia cheered. "You're a prince?" Flora asked as Corrin nodded. "I'm one of the three princes of Nohr." Corrin said happily as Felicia beamed at him and Flora blinked. "Awesome! My daddy is the chief of the Ice Tribe." Felicia said as Flora sighed.
"Come on!" Corrin said with a smile as he led to the two girls back towards his friends. "Kaze! Silas! Jakob! Follow me!" Corrin called, the trio of boys all turning towards Corrin and the two girls with him as Silas got up. "Coming Corrin!" Jakob called, running towards Corrin as Silas followed, along with Kaze as Corrin led the group to the entrance to the courtyard, where two soldiers were standing guard.
"Hey mister." Corrin said, the soldiers looking down at the little group being raising an eyebrow. "What do you want kid?" The soldier in front of him asked as Corrin smiled. "Can we go outside?" Corrin asked as the soldiers looked at each other. The second one shrugged as the first one sighed. "Fine prince, just make it quick." The soldier said, pushing the door open as snow started falling into the building.
Corrin started to turn around and smile at Felicia, only for the pink haired girl to run past him giggling as she jumped into the snow, Corrin being sent into the snow via tripping. "Corrin!" Kaze and Jakob called, running out into the snow, only for Flora to run past them with ease and pick Corrin up. "Apologies for my sister Lord Corrin." Flora said as Corrin shivered a little bit, more from his bare feet being in the snow than anything else. "I-I'm fine Flora, an-and don't call me lord." Corrin said as Flora nodded. "Alright then." She said as Felicia giggled. "Thank you Corrin, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Felicia said happily as she jumped in the show over to Corrin and started shaking his hands fast. "O-ok Felicia!" Corrin said confused at how excited she was.
"Alright kids get back inside before one of you catches a cold or something." The soldier said as Silas peered out the door, shivering slightly from the cold as Felicia looked sullen. "Aww, I wanted to play more." She said as Corrin smiled. "You can play later Felicia." Corrin said as she smiled back. "Come on Corrin, let's get inside." Jakob said, leading Corrin inside and wiping the snow off him as Kaze held his hand out for Flora. "Come milady, let us get inside." Kaze said, being polite as Flora blushed. "O… Okay Kaze." She said as she let him lead her inside, Felicia following as well as the door to the courtyard was closed behind them.
Introducing Garon
BGM: Paradise (Dark) - Fire Emblem Fates
A week had passed since Corrin had met Flora and Felicia, and among his little group of friends he was happy. However today was the first time that the parents were coming to visit their children, their arrival heralded when Minerva had arrived through the blizzard raging outside.
Corrin had been in the mess hall with his friend, Silas sitting next to him as they spoke, Kaze and Jakob still staring off at each other as Flora and Felicia were sitting across from them, Felicia bouncing in her seat as Flora sat calmly.
It was when the door to the mess hall was opened slowly and Minerva stepped in did anyone realize something was going on. It wasn't until Gunter raised his voice that anyone actually paid attention.
"Everyone! Listen up!" Gunter called as the children all looked at Gunter, Minerva slowly making her way towards the door to the courtyard that was located in the mess hall. "Your parents are coming to visit, so get ready, Minerva is going to lower the blizzard so all of you can spend some time outside with your parents." Gunter said as Minerva walked outside, everyone watching the windows as the blizzard started to slow from Minerva deactivating it.
"Daddy is coming!" Felicia cheered in her seat as the noise level in the mess hall rose incredibly quickly. "Calm down sister." Flora said as she tried to get her sister to stop bouncing. "I can introduce you to my dad." Corrin said with a smile as Jakob huffed. "I could care less if my parents came." Jakob said as Corrin winced, being the only one that knew why Jakob couldn't care as Kaze frowned at him.
"I wouldn't expect him either, they are probably busy." Silas said, knowing his noble parents probably were focusing more on their political power then their son. Kaze didn't speak but soon enough Minerva came back inside and started walking towards Camilla, who was near Corrin and was holding Elise.
Smiling Minerva picked up her daughter and sat down, Elise giggling and trying to pull on her mother's hair as Camilla scooted next to her. "Where is aunt Celsius, aunt Minerva?" Xander asked, walking over to Minerva as she nodded her head towards the door. "She's coming. She wants to continue your training, just as I want to continue Leo's" Minerva said as she smiled at Leo, who was sitting down, reading a book, but looked up and smiled at his aunt as Camilla hugged her aunt.
At this point the children were starting to get up and leave to see their parents, Minerva motioning the royal children to stay sitting as Felicia and Flora got up to go see their father. Silas however remained sitting, enjoying his cup of water when Garon and Celsius walked in through the door.
"Daddy!" Camilla shouted, letting go of Minerva to get up and run for Garon, jumping into his arms as he laughed. "And how are you doing Camilla, you being a good big sister?" Garon asked as Camilla nodded. "Hey Xander." Celsius said, waving to Xander as he nodded. "Nice to see you auntie." Xander said politely as Celsius smiled. "Come on, you're coming with me today." Celsius said, motioning Xander to follow her and he nodded. "See you later father." Xander said, Garon nodding as Xander walked off with Celsius.
"Daddy, these are my friends." Corrin said pointing as Jakob. "This is Jakob." And then he pointed at Silas. "And this is Silas." Corrin said happily as Garon looked at them. "A pleasure to meet you sir." Jakob said, bowing politely as Kaze stared in shock, only for Jakob to shoot him a glance while he was bowing. "Hello milord." Silas said, trying to sound polite as Garon waved him off. "No milord, or lord, or sir, or king. Just call me Garon, I'm not one for formalities anyway." Garon said as Silas looked at Corrin. 'So that's where he gets it from…' Silas thought with a sigh.
"Corrin… is there any reason your friend is dressed like a butler." Garon asked as Corrin shrugged. "That would be my fault Garon, it's none of your concern." Kaze admitted as Garon looked at him strangely before shrugging. "Ok… then." Garon said as someone started calling.
"Here they are daddy! I knew I could find them!" Felicia said as she held her father's hand. "They haven't moved Felicia…" Flora said as she walked behind Kilma. "Lord Garon." Kilma said as he looked between Corrin and Garon. "Kilma." Garon responded as Felicia sat next to Corrin and Flora sat down next to her sister.
"It seems your son has made friends with my children." Kilma noted as Garon smirked. "He's a nice kid." Garon said, complimenting Corrin and rubbing his hair as he let go of Camilla, Corrin giggling as he did so.
For the next few hours it was happy and simple amongst the two families. And when Celsius and Xander had gotten back it was even more so. But eventually the time came for Garon, his retainers and Kilma to leave. Waving them goodbye, alongside the other children who were watching their parents leave the blizzard started back up once more, separating the fortress from the outside world once again.
Retainers
BGM: Pray to the Dark - Fire Emblem Fates
Corrin smiled as he drank from his cup of tea. It had been two years since his little group of friends had come together. Despite how they clashed at time, they still remained friends. While Corrin had made friends with the other children and knew most of them by name and face, he still had his best friends with him.
Jakob had grown taller over the past two years, to the point that at seven years old he towered over everyone else in the group. Felicia was still peppy and energetic as ever, but had developed a rather mean clumsy streak. Flora spent most of her time keeping her sister in check, most of the time to keep her from breaking something on accident. Kaze had changed the least, remaining ever dutiful and quiet. Silas however had what Corrin thought what was the biggest change. He had wanted to learn how to be a knight. And in his words. "A knight in service to my best friend. To be there for him whenever he needs me."
It left a smile on Corrin's face to know that Silas thought of him as such. When Garon had heard of it he had laughed before smiling. He had said that if Silas wanted to, he could have become Corrin's retainer. Something Kaze already insisted he was, and what Jakob insisted he was better at being then Kaze.
Over the past two years nearly everyone at the fortress had developed some form of resistance to the cold, enough to go outside into the training yard without ailment, but not enough to brave the blizzard that surrounded the fortress.
Currently Corrin was in the training yard with Silas, who had picked up a sword and had tried to get one of the knights teach him how to wield a sword, or at least spar with him. Currently he had gotten the attention of a knight clad in green. His name was Orson, one of the Knights of Renvall.
"I don't see why he tries; we are all Lord Corrin needs." Jakob said as he leaned up against a wall next to Kaze. The two had developed some form of mutual respect between each other. But while Kaze was kind to everyone, Jakob was still a sarcastic asshole to anyone who wasn't in their little group, and even then he still had a rather sharp tongue with anyone who wasn't Corrin.
"It's his wish to help Corrin, at least let him try to achieve it." Kaze said, who was sitting in the branch of a tree that was covered in snow. "I don't see any harm in him trying." Flora said as she sat next to Corrin. "What harm? Will Silas get hurt?" Felicia asked, being rather ditzy and confused, since she hadn't been following the conversation. "No, Silas won't get hurt Felicia… I hope." Kaze said as Corrin looked up at him.
"Here's hoping." Corrin replied as Silas and Orson stood a few yards away from them, Orson instructing Silas how to use his sword with a small smile on his face. "Why does Silas want to be Corrin's retainer?" Felicia asked as Kaze and Jakob looked between each other and shrugged, Flora also didn't have the answer as Corrin chuckled.
"Silas wants to be there for me. He's one of my best friends and he feels he doesn't do anything to help us… so he wants to be useful." Corrin said as they watched Silas swing his sword clumsily.
"Give me a sword! I bet I could fight!" Felicia said, shooting up from the snow covered ground as Flora stood up and sighed. "Really sister? You've never picked up a weapon before and you think it will be that easy?" Flora asked as Felicia nodded. "Why would it be so hard?" Felicia asked as she walked towards the barrel full of wooden weapons before grabbing one of the swords from it.
"Hey Silas! Fight me!" Felicia called as Silas and Orson looked over to her. "This should be good…" Jakob muttered as Kaze sighed. "She's going to get hurt…" Flora muttered as Corrin sighed. "If she does I have training to use staves from aunt Minerva, I'll be able to heal her or Silas should they get hurt." Corrin said as he drank the rest of his tea, Jakob taking the cup from him swiftly and setting it aside in a practiced motion.
BGM: No Justice - Fire Emblem Fates
Felicia and Silas stood across from each other as Orson watched, alongside the rest of Corrin and his group as they looked between the pink haired girl and the grey haired boy. "Begin!" Orson called as Silas and Felicia ran at each other.
Silas swung clumsily as Felicia dodged to the side, Felicia swinging her sword quickly as Silas's side and smacking him easy before stepping backwards as Silas rubbed his bruised side. Running at Felicia he swung his sword in a downward slash, missing as Felicia jumped out of the way, only to smack him on the head with her wooden sword, knocking him down.
"Oww…" Silas complained as Felicia blushed. "Sorry Silas." She said sheepishly as Corrin stood up and went over to one of the weapon ranks in the training yard, grabbing a simple healing staff and using it to heal Silas as he sat up in the snow. "That hurt Felicia…" Silas complained as Orson smirked.
"You did rather well for a beginner Silas… or you would have if Felicia here didn't appear to be a natural prodigy in weapons." Orson said as Felicia rubbed the back of her head. "What makes you say that?" Corrin asked as Jakob and Flora walked over, and Kaze jumped down from the tree he was in.
"I've trained a few recruits before, and only one of them was able to do as well as Felicia just did without any training at all, and he was a prodigy in swordplay… before he ended up one of the kidnapped…" Orson said with a wince as Corrin frowned. "Sorry to have brought that up sir." Corrin apologized. "It's alright prince Corrin, thought if you two want I can train you further formally rather than just an impromptu lesson." Orson suggested as he looked at Silas and Felicia.
"I would like that sir; I want to be strong for my friends." Silas said with a smile as Felicia nodded. "I want to help Corrin to!" She said with a smile as Orson chuckled. "Then let's get started." Orson said with a smile.
From that day both Felicia and Silas received training from him. Flora had been against it at first but eventually ceded to allow her sister to do what she wanted. When Corrin's siblings had found out that Corrin 'technically' had four retainers, Camilla had been happy for him, Leo had huffed in annoyance, and Xander had been rather indifferent but he had smiled. Elise on the other hand had glomped him saying that having so many people helping him was 'cool'.
Flora, now the odd one out had asked Minerva something when she had come to visit along with Garon and Celsius as usual. When Flora had come back, it had been with a Shine tome, the standard tome for any user of light magic. Decided that she didn't want to be useless she had asked Minerva to teach her how to use magic, and she learn from her quickly, though any more training would have to be done on her own time.
When Kilma had heard about both his daughters joining Corrin as his 'retainers' he had taken him aside and told him that if anything happened to his daughters, there would be hell to pay, to which Corrin gulped and said ok before Kilma had left.
A Lesson in Staves
BGM: Fire Emblem 8 Remastered - 33 Healing
Corrin was now eight years old and was now learning from his aunt, alongside Elise, how to wield staves better. Garon had actually approved of it, rather than having Corrin take up to sword. While he would have liked Corrin to be able to defend himself, he had five retainers, his siblings, and Garon himself to protect him.
But it had been Corrin's own choice to pick up the staff rather than the sword. He wanted to heal rather than harm. Xander had been proud when Corrin had choose to be able to save lives rather than take them, while Minerva had refused to teach Elise anything else for fear of having your daughter corrupted.
"So Corrin… tell what staves you can use currently?" Minerva asked hoping Corrin had been paying attention as he looked up at his aunt. "I can use the heal, mend, rescue, torch, freeze, and the boost staves." Corrin replied as Minerva nodded. "Very good, and while that's a versatile set, there are more. Elise, tell me what staves you can currently use?" Minerva asked as Elise smiled.
"I can use all the staves my big brother can use, along with silence, physic, and enfeeble staves!" Elise said happily as she held her own staff, the one her mother had made for her. "Very good Elise. Meanwhile, I myself can use all staves, including some of the most powerful ones. warp, rewarp, Fortify, hammerne and entrap to name a few. But my personal favorite is actually a combination of two staves, warp and rescue." Minerva said as Corrin blinked. "What's so special about using a basic staff with an advanced one?" Corrin asked, confused as to why his aunt liked to use those two together.
"Let me give you an example. Say I have… Celsius next to me. And there is a group of enemies nearby that had a fortified position, with an important unit, like say… a sage, behind them to be kept safe." Minerva said before stopping for a moment. "Actually give me a second." Minerva muttered as she grabbed a chest board and it's pieces before placing three black rooks on one end in front of a black bishop, and a white knight next to a white bishop on the other end of the board.
"So here is how it works." Minerva said as she moved the knight behind the rooks and next to the black bishop. "Using warp, I can teleport a strong ally, like Celsius, behind enemy the enemy fortifications." Minerva said as she had the knight knock over the black bishop. "Celsius takes out the enemy healer, and then I use rescue." Minerva said as she moved the white knight back next to the white bishop. "To bring Celsius back to our lines." Minerva said as Elise and Corrin both nodded.
"You see, using these two staves in conjunction is a tactical nightmare for an enemy team. It basically says that someone on the opposing side is good enough to teleport an ally behind them to take out a unit that needs protection, like the enemy healer. Not only is it hard to counter, but if a durable unit like say, a general or a marshal was teleported in, not only would that cause extreme havoc, it would mean that a unit that's normally the last one to a fight, is now the one starting the fight. And while the enemy is in a panic thanks to that one unit being teleported in, the rest can come up from behind and take out the ones trying to focus on the unit that was teleported in. It gets even worse if I can teleport in a small squad, and keep in mind, if things start to go bad I can still rescue them. Like I said, it's a tactical nightmare." Minerva said with a small as Elise nodded with Corrin again.
"Is that all?" Corrin asked as Minerva shook her head. "Not even close. It's up to you to figure out what staves work with each other. To be honest, most forgo the staff in favor of a normal weapon or normal magic. But even though at best most staff users are healers, using the right staves in conjunction with each other can cause more havoc than anything else. Even a single staff on the right target can make all the difference in a battle. Causing allies to turn on each other, freezing dangerous units, silencing magic users, the possibilities are only limited by how good you are at using a staff." Minerva said with a smile as she cleaned up the chess board.
"That's all for today, now go have fun." Minerva said with a smile as Elise hugged her mother before running outside laughing as Corrin walked out holding his staff in front of him. "The possibilities are only limited by your skill with staves huh." Corrin muttered as he clutched his staff. "Then I better get started on learning." Corrin said with a smile.
Riders
BGM: Fire Emblem 8 Remastered - 68 Fly With The Wind
Corrin was ten now, and was spending the day with his retainers in Windmire. Garon had recently decided it was time for the children to return home if they wish. Surprisingly not many had actually gone home. Among them Gunter and his daughter Mia, who had no home but the fortress, several orphans who didn't even have families. And sadly many children that had been sent away by their parents when they were young, rather than for safety's sake, but just to either get their children out of their hair, or get rid of them. Garon had been rather angry when he had discovered that, but without any evidence he couldn't actually punish the nobles that had taken advantage of his kindness to get rid of their children.
But the blizzard around the fortress had finally been brought down, and it became a new sort of town in a sense. It had no name, still being called the Northern Fortress, but it was more a small town than anything else at this point.
"Hey Corrin, look at this!" Silas called as Corrin looked towards his friend. Minerva had come with them, along with Elise, but they were a little bit behind Corrin's group as they wandered Windmire in exploration of the capital.
"What does the knight in shining armor want now?" Jakob snarked as Kaze rolled his eyes from his position on the rooftop, watching over the group as they entered the shop Silas had entered.
"Wow! Look at all the horses!" Felicia said in excitement as the group entered, Felicia going first and Kaze entering last. Minerva and Elise entering a little bit after them as Silas looked around at all the horses. "Orson said I should try riding a horse, after all, a knight has to be mobile." Silas said as he looked around at the horse.
"Oi! What are you doing back here!" A man called as the group looked at the man who had come in through the door to the main shop. "It's alright sir we were just looking." Minerva said, stepping forward as the man recognized her. "Hey, aren't you the lass with the white horse? Albus you called him?" The man asked as Minerva nodded. "Yes, but he's getting old… he's still got a good few years left in him though." Minerva said as the stablemaster huffed. "Who is this guy mommy?" Elise asked, tugging on her mother's sleeve. "This is Don Lon, the stablemaster for this shop, this shop is actually where most knights get their horses." Minerva said with a smile as Silas smiled. "Can I get a horse lady Minerva?" Silas asked as Minerva nodded. "I see no harm in it… anyone else want a horse?" Minerva asked as Elise raised her hand.
"I want a horse mommy!" Elise called, jumping up and down and giggling as Corrin spoke up. "I would like one as well auntie." Corrin said as Minerva nodded. "Understand that you are taking care of these horses yourselves, right young man." Minerva said as Silas and Corrin nodded.
"Which one's do you want then?" Don asked as Silas looked at a chesnut colored horse with a smile. "How about this one?" He asked as Don nodded. "He's a smart one, a horse fit for a knight if that's what you plan on being. He's young though, so he's still a bit wild." Don said as he got the horse on its reins and hooked up a saddle to it before pulling it out and helping Silas get on.
"I want this one mommy!" Elise said with a smile as she pointed at a brown horse with a black mane. "Alright Elise, I'll get her for you." Minerva said with a smile as Don nodded, getting the horse ready and helping Elise on as she giggled.
Corrin however was taking his time, looking around before coming to a stable that had a young horse laying in it who's hair was jet black with a white mane. "What about this one?" Corrin asked as Don came up behind him. "He's young, untrained, and generally wild, I don't see why you would want him lordling." Don said as the horse looked up at Corrin, who looked down at the horse with a smile.
"He's the one I want." Corrin said as Don nodded. "Alright then." Don said, getting the reins and saddle ready before bringing the horse out and helping Corrin on. "Three thousand gold milady." Don said as Minerva nodded before handing him a bag holding three gold bars. "I think this bullion should suffice." Minerva said as Don nodded. "Alright then, take care now." Don said as he went back into his shop.
"You all happy now?" Minerva asked as Elise giggled. "Yep!" She said as Silas nodded. "Thanks auntie." Corrin said with a smile as Minerva nodded. "Let's get back to the castle then, maybe we can catch Celsius training your brother." Minerva said with a smile as the group started making their way to the castle.
Lord of Healing
BGM: Training - Fire Emblem Awakening
"Seriously? You want to learn how to wield a sword now?" Celsius asked the twelve-year-old Corrin. "I need to be able to defend myself. At least I need to have some form of protection for myself." Corrin said as Celsius sighed. She had given up Siegfried to Xander nearly two years ago, leaving her with her own sword and Alondite alone.
"Fine, I'll teach you the basics, but if you ask me, Orson would be a better teacher if you're going to be fighting on horseback." Celsius said as Corrin nodded. "I know that aunt Celsius, but you are my father's general, his sword, and the greatest sword wieldier in all of Nohr. I don't think there is a better teacher then you. My brother is strong because of your training!" Corrin said as Celsius sighed.
"I know he is Corrin… fine you want to me to train you, I will. But don't expect any miracles." Celsius said as she went over to the barrel of wooden weapons in the training yard she and Corrin were in. "Get your horse and come back here, then we start." Celsius said as Corrin nodded, walking off to get his horse as Celsius sighed and grabbed a pair of wooden swords from the barrel.
When Corrin returned he was riding his horse, Celsius handed him a sword and held her wooden one out in front of her. "Let's begin shall we?" Celsius asked as Corrin nodded. And so Corrin began to learn the ways of the sword, and while he wasn't the best at it he was able to defend himself rather decently when he finished his training.
While Corrin still choose the staff over the sword, he was at least able to defend himself when he needed to. And soon enough, his first test of battle would come.
(Stage Clear)
AN: Welp, that ended on short notice. Yes everyone, there is your big twist. Corrin is a lord that uses staves over swords. Now a lot of people generally ignore staves that don't heal, and at the best of times they might take a glance at a rescue staff to make a hard chapter a little less painful the deal with. But as Lunatic mode will show you, staves are your worse enemy. Hexing rods are everywhere, which straight up cut your hp in half, Silence makes your main source of anti-tank units useless, and entrap is a classic player's worse nightmare. Recently while I was playing Binding Blade I decided to goof off a little bit and give my bishop, Lucius a rescue staff and a warp staff with infinite uses…
He tore the game in half. I'm not kidding, that little 'strategy' that Minerva told Corrin and Elise about. I've done it before, and it tore the game in half. Warping Jaffar or Oswin right behind the enemy to take out a pesky unit before the enemy scrambled to try and deal with it, allowing my weaker units to come up from behind and get more experience. It only got worse when I gave Lucius a berserk staff, and I laughed my head off watching the enemy hit each other like lunatics.
Staves may not be as flashy or powerful as normal weapons are, but if used right, well they can straight up tear the game in half. There is a reason you have to have at least three staff wielders with at least a B rank in staves to fight the final boss of Binding blade without someone dying.
All in all, I love staves and that is why, Minerva's unique 'Class' the mounted Archsage, gets Staff Savant… as it's level 35 skill. Keep in mind if this was a game, I would make sure that you get Celsius and Minerva at level 5 since they are tier three units.
But as a final bonus, here is the class list for Corrin and his retainers. Next chapter is going to focus on Leo.
Unit Roster
Corrin
Class: Nohr Prince (Healer)
Skills: Nobility,
P.S Supportive
Inventory: Mend, Bronze sword
Silas
Class: Sword Cavalier
Skills: Elbow Room
P.S: Vow of Friendship
Inventory: Iron Sword
Jakob
Class: Butler
Skills: Res +2, Gentilhomme, Str +2
P.S: Evasive Partner
Inventory: Heal, Iron Dagger
Kaze
Class: Butler
Skills: Res +2, Gentilhomme, Poison Strike
P.S Miraculous Save
Inventory: Heal, Iron Dagger
Felicia
Class: Mercenary
Skills: Good Fortune
P.S: Devoted Partner
Inventory: Iron Sword
Flora
Class: Light Mage
Skills: Paragon
P.S: Icy Blood
Inventory: Shine