Chapter 10 - Wounds and Regrets

"Corrin."

The voice cut through the black, reverberating through the very depths of his consciousness. He tried to move, only to be suddenly met by an insurmountable weight pressing down against him. He struggled, trying to even twitch his fingers, yet even this left him aching and spent, feeling as though he'd sprinted several miles in a blistering heat. He felt sweat against his skin, like ice against his burning flesh.

"Corrin."

The voice echoed out once more, this time seeming further away. Through the haze that clung to him like a burial shroud, he felt like he knew it from somewhere. Yet try as he might, the memories slipped like sand between his fingers. He couldn't remember… remember why the voice seemed so familiar…

"Corrin!"

The voice came from even further away, this time filled with desperation, so intense that it struck him as well as a physical blow might have. He clawed at the darkness, forcing it back, straining against the clinging fingers of void that tied him down. He remembered… the voice… he knew…

A light flickered at the edge of his vision. He reached for it, dragging himself forward with every ounce of strength he had and then more, pushing himself past the aching pain, past the exhaustion that sapped every bit of of his will. But already the light was drawing away, fading into the distance, until only a speck remained twinkling at the furthest boundary of his sight.

"Corrin!"

The voice screamed, so far it could barely be heard. It was trying to reach him, he knew it was. She was trying to reach him, trying to-

With a final effort, Corrin threw himself forward, a silent scream falling from his lips. He pushed through the distance, straining as he reached out for the fading light. His fingers brushed against it. Through his touch he could feel the light, the warm soothing radiance. For an instant, he felt her presence. He felt-

Then there was a crash like thunder, a blast ripping through the darkness. It shattered, sending him careening down through empty space. The mote of light slipped through his grasp, vanishing away. A single scream echoed through his mind, obliterating all other thought or sensation with its final desperate cry.

"Corrin!"

. . . . .

A gasp tore through Corrin's throat, his eyes snapping wide open. Searing light burned his retinas, the world a sea of white.

Desperately, he kicked and clawed at the weight pressing down on him, the voice still echoing in his ears. Pain shot through him, twisted agony that intensified with every movement. Yet still he didn't stop, forcing aching muscles to obey his command. He had to find her! Had to-

Hands seized him, dragging him back down. Indistinct shapes of gray appeared in the blinding white, looming over him like ghostly specters. Again and again, he heard his name cried out, each repetition more desperate than the last. He struggled, managing to rise a few inches before yet another set of hands forced him down. He twisted, trying to wriggle free. Trying to-

"Lord Corrin! "

Like a sudden slap, the voice jolted him back to awareness. It was only then that he became aware that the voices calling his name were no longer the one that had reached out in the void, but instead those belonging to several different people close at hand. He blinked, eyes watering against the dazzling brilliance as the world slowly came into focus. He realized he was in bed, the ceiling above him that of his own room, the blinding light little more than the sun's glow from a nearby window.

"Lord Corrin! Please, you mustn't move! You're still hurt!" the voice repeated.

Corrin stopped struggling, recognizing the desperate, almost frantic voice as belonging to Felicia. He blinked again, the shadows looming over him coming into focus. Over him stood his three servants: Felicia, Flora, and Jakob, as well as his friend Silas. They surrounded his bedside, their grip gentle but firm as they forced him to lay flat, only relaxing now that he stopped struggling. Worry plastered all their faces as they looked down at him.

"Lord Corrin? Can you hear us? Please, try to lay still," Flora urged him, speaking now instead of her sister.

Corrin nodded, or at least attempted to. His neck felt stiff, his whole body resisting the movement.

Regardless of if they caught the motion or not, the four finally released him, allowing him to lay more comfortably. Before he had the chance to try to speak, Flora took a step closer, pressing a hand against his forehead, her hands icy against his skin. "Your fever has risen again," the maid noted. "This may feel unpleasant at first. Please try to remain still." The hand against his forehead grew suddenly freezing cold, Flora attempting to draw away the heat of his fever as she and Felicia had done in the past whenever he'd been sick. Corrin shivered, the painful shock of cold eventually giving way to a numbness that spread through his sweltering skin.

"Wha-" Corrin croaked, opening his mouth as he tried to speak. His throat burned painfully, his words cracked and hoarse.

"I-I'll go get some water," Felicia offered, hurrying off towards the dining area of Corrin's home.

A moment later there was a crash of shattering ceramics, followed by a frantic string of apologies from the other side of the dwelling.

"I'll go help her," Silas murmured, sighing deeply as he turned away to go assist his wife.

Jakob rolled his eyes as the cavalier left, shaking his head with a look somewhere between weary bemusement and exasperation. "I suppose I will go fetch Lord Corrin some broth, should he feel well enough to eat this soon after waking up." He too stepped out of view. The sound of an open door being shut signaled his departure.

Corrin opened his mouth to once again attempt to speak, only for his dry and cracked throat to be too painful to properly form words. Instead, he took the opportunity to look around. Rolls of bandages, jars of salve, and other healing instruments sat on a table pulled up near his bed. Several healing staves lay propped up against the table, not far from the trio of empty chairs he imagined Felicia, Flora, and Jakob had used while keeping watch over him as he slept. From the door having been wide open but moments before, he guessed Silas had been on guard outside his room, only rushing in to help the other three subdue Corrin before he'd had a chance to inadvertently hurt himself.

Felicia returned a moment later, balancing a tray with several cups and a pitcher of water before it. Just as she came to stop at his bedside, she stumbled a step, the tray beginning to tip sideways, only for Silas to rush forward and throw his hand underneath it, writing it before the water could spill.

Blushing, Felicia let her husband take the tray, who set it down on the table. Nodding quickly in thanks, the maid then poured a glass of water for Corrin, a task that she was able to manage without any further spills or fumbles, handing it off to Flora. Ice crystals formed around the rim of the glass, snowflakes dancing around Flora's hands as she cooled the liquid before offering it to him

Corrin nodded in thanks, lifting his head just a bit as Flora brought the cup to his lips. The icy liquid tingled as it went down his throat, his parched throat burning as it went down. He coughed, dipping his head in thanks once more, then laid back.

"How long was… How long was I out?" Corrin managed, his voice still painfully hoarse.

"Only a few hours since we got you back to the keep," Silas answered.

"You've been slipping in and out of consciousness for some time," Flora added, gazing at him intently. "Do you remember any of it?"

Corrin shook his head, straining to recall what had occurred. He… he remembered a battle. A dam. He remembered running, rushing onto it, fire and arrows raining down around him. He remembered it breaking underneath him. He remembered falling, water rushing all around him, swallowing him whole as the torrent-

"The dam! The others, are they-" he tried to sit upright, only for Silas and Felicia to quickly rush forwards and keep him back down.

"Corrin, please, don't struggle. Relax. Everyone is fine. A bit worse for wear in a few cases, but we lived," Silas assured him. "It was rather touch and go there for a bit. Honestly, if this didn't turn out as well as it did, I'd think that tactician was completely mad. And even now I'm still not convinced."

"And the valley? Was anyone-"

"Lady Camilla was able to warn the villages down river in time, I think," Felicia explained. "At least, those close enough to be in danger. After the Invisible Soldiers were swept away, she as well as Lord Leo and Lady Elise used nearby Dragon Veins to stem the torrent. To k-keep the flood from getting any worse."

"At least three villages were badly damaged by the floodwaters, however," Silas added. "Still, it could have been worse. Had the enemy overrun us… well, far worse might have happened to those people than simply the loss of their homes."

Corrin nodded, accepting this account of things. He coughed, his chest aching as his did so.

"It is fortunate that you were thrown free of the torrent. From what Kaze told us, it is almost a miracle you are alive at all," Flora interjected. She offered him another sip of water, which he readily accepted. This time his throat burned far less, the cold liquid soothing some of the harshness.

Fortunate…

Corrin fought the urge to laugh, his inner voice taking on a bitter tinge. Cheating death yet again didn't feel like a victory to him, not this time. He'd been so prepared to die this time… so sure he was about to that… well….

A part of himself was almost disappointed he hadn't.

"I… guess so…" he answered, turning his gaze away lest the others see the guilt at the lie. What could he say? Tell them the truth? Make them think he was crazy? Get everyone to keep watch over him to make sure he wouldn't kill himself? To worry about him when their time was better spent elsewhere?

The last thing he wanted right now was to cause more problems for them. He'd done enough of that already.

"So, you don't remember anything else then?" Silas asked, arching an eyebrow.

Corrin shook his head. Everything was still a blur. After he fell, he just remembered darkness and the rush of water and… Wait. He remembered something...a warmth. Right before he lost consciousness. But what...

At once, Corrin's thoughts were drawn back to his dream. Had he been hallucinating? Perhaps his fading memories of those last moments had simply mixed with those of the dream. Yet… how had he survived? Flora said he must have been thrown free, but he was in the middle of the torrent when he fell. And even if he had been, the fall should have killed him. So how… how had he-

Before Corrin could continue the thought, the sound of a door being suddenly swung filled the room. There was a rush of movement as something small barreled past Silas and Felicia, arms wrapping around his bruised midsection before he had a chance to react.

"Papa! You're awake! I was so scared you were… you were…" sobbed Kana, his daugher wrapping her arms tighter around him.

Corrin blinked, his mouth working silently as he tried to desperately catch up with what had just happened. Yet despite his shock, he found his own arms instinctively returning his daughter's embrace, even as she clutched him all the tighter.

"Kana, I-"

"Father," Shigure called out, Corrin's oldest child hurried into the room through the open door and rushing to join his sister by the bedside. "You're alright. When we saw Jakob had left, we realized you must have woken up. Are you well? You gave us both such a scare. After what…" Shigure winced, his voice faltering. For an instant Corrin saw a pained expression play out over his face. Grief welled up amongst the worry he'd shown plainly before, only for him to quickly muster it aside before it could garner any foothold. "... we were afraid we might have… lost you," he finished, leaving the thought that had so given him pause as an unspoken one.

"We were afraid we might lose you too". That was what he'd been about to say, that much was plain. Corrin found himself grimacing as well, a gnawing guilt emanating from deep within his chest. Selfish, that's what he was. Not caring how his death might hurt others. Did he truly care so little? Seeing Kana clutching onto him, on the verge of tears… seeing the normally calm and composed Shigure visibly shaken… seeing it now hurt, knowing he'd cause it.

Yet that hadn't stopped him today. It hadn't stopped him from trying to throw his life away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Corrin tried to say, only for his voice to break and crack.

That was a lie.

You knew exactly what you were doing.

You couldn't deal with the guilt. You couldn't deal with all the souls you sent to the grave. You just wanted a way out, and damn the consequences.

After all, isn't that what you're good at?

"Papa, please… please don't do this anymore…" Kana pleaded, burying her tear filled eyes into his chest. "Without… Mama… you're…"

"Kana, I… I'm sorry… I-I won't," Corrin stammered, the pang in his chest seizing his heart in an ever tightening grip.

Liar.

You promised her that before. Look where it got you.

Corrin gritting his teeth, unconsciously tightening the embrace of his daughter. She began to struggle a bit, trying to wriggle free. "Papa, you're… crushing me..." Kana muttered. Realizing at once what he'd done, Corrin relaxed his embrace, letting his arms fall to his sides.

"S-sorry Kana…" Corrin apologized, shaking his head, a small and vain attempt to push aside the thoughts plaguing him. He was thankful at least that he'd caused Kana nothing more than a bit of discomfort. Still...

Even if you try to live for them, do you deserve to? After what you did? he asked himself, the thought echoing through his mind.

You being alive is what sent so many people to their deaths before. It's only a matter of time before more follow. You'll end up bringing more of your family to the grave sooner or later.

Corrin grimaced, seeds of doubt digging their roots ever deeper into his mind as the voice continued. He didn't know any more… gods he didn't know what path was right...

Should he live, despite having committed so many sins? Live despite how doing so could very well cause the death of so many more people?

Or should he die, leaving behind the only remaining family, his siblings and his own children. To leave them with nothing but suffering?

Even now, staring at his children, he couldn't find himself believing in either choice. No matter what he did, all he would succeed on is bringing harm to more people.

He couldn't help anyone.

He couldn't save anyone.

Corrin's gaze fell on the Yato, neaty set on the table. How pathetic, that the legendary weapon would choose him as the hero to save the world, only to choose someone as pathetic and ill-fated as he. Someone that couldn't even protect the people he cared about most.

. . . . .

Lucina settled back against the gate she was leaning against, setting aside the rag which she'd used to apply a layer of protective oil to Falchion's crossguard and pommel. While the holy weapon's blade itself never rusted or grew dull with the passage of time, the metal of its other parts held no such immunity. Turning the weapon in her hands, she examined it carefully, making sure she did not miss a spot before returning it to its sheath.

Besides her, Robin and Ophelia talked amongst themselves, even as the crimson haired girl excitedly flipped through the pages of the tome Robin was in the middle of explaining to her. They had been at it for some time, discussing magic and its finer points in an effort to pass the time while they waited for the girl's parents to return from their other duties.

In the battle's wake, things had somehow become even more chaotic than they had before. With the routing of the enemy forces came the tasks of regrouping their forces, surveying the damage caused by the fighting, and planning their next move. And that was not even taking into account the nearly four thousand civilians displaced by the initial attack and the flooding of the valley. Nor did it count the matter of the dead. While all the members of Corrin's group had survived, more than half of the accompanying Nohrian soldiers had been killed in the fighting.

Joining them were the unknown count of those slain as they tried to flee their homes in the assault of the town. Those who'd they been too late to save.

Lucina grimaced, pushing aside the thought lest she dwell on it further. Hard as it was to ignore the loss of life, it was important to focus instead on what could be done to protect those still alive. To let the weight of the dead swallow you… that was to allow yourself to give into despair.

She sighed, shaking her head. Not that she nor her husband had much to contribute with the battle's close. They'd exchanged only a handful of words with Severa, Owain, and Inigo soon after the fighting had ceased, the former two taking only the time needed to ensure their daughter was alright before being forced to run off again to aid their respective liege lords in the seemingly endless gauntlet of administrative tasks facing the army. So it was that she and Robin had been left alone with Ophelia in tow, while the others set to work.

Not that either of them particularly minded. As much as Lucina wished there was something she could do to help, a sentiment she knew Robin shared, the work now relied on a knowledge of this land and its politics that both of them sorely lacked. In this regard, they would likely prove more hindrance than aid were they to meddle with affairs. Best then to stay out of the way for the time, at least until things had settled somewhat.

Besides, it had given them the opportunity to spend some time getting to know Ophelia a bit better, given she was family after all. However, what had started as simply chatting about matters of minor importance quickly shifted to the topic of a broader discussion about the study of magic, a topic Lucina found herself struggling to follow, let alone contribute in any meaningful way. Still, it was plain that this was a topic Ophelia was immensely fond of. Quite knowledgeable too, given how more impressed Robin seemed to become the longer their discussion continued.

But, again, of its content Lucina had trouble following. From what she understood, the two were currently locked in discussion about the differences between the practices of magic between their two worlds. It seemed, or at least from how Robin described it, where their own world's spellcasting had developed into three distinct schools of Light, Dark, and Anima spells, with the latter further grouped into the three sub-schools of fire, wind, and thunder, no such distinctions existed in this world. In many ways, the types of spells here were both more varied but also less refined, with Ophelia's accounts giving many examples of a melding of elemental magic with either light or dark magic.

"So in ancient times, gods are said to have descended into the mortal realm, and actually used a method of transferring their power into weapons and tomes, that would only work properly if used by the people the gods have forged a blood pact with," Robin explained, likely talking about the tales of a far off land that Lucina could only recall from memories of her history studies as a young child.

"Oh, a most sacred ritual, for mere mortals to have the blood of the very gods flowing through their veins, drawing upon the magnificent power of the cosmic forces through such a means," Ophelia said with a giddy voice.

Robin chuckled a little, nodding his head. "From what I've been able to gather, your world has a similar method, using the Dragon Veins. It's proof of the royal bloodline. However, these weapons were even more special as these weapons could only be used if the blood within the person was stronger than others," Robin explained further. "The only way to identify this is if they carried a mark of the very god that made the pact with their ancestor."

"A mark of the chosen one!" Lucina stared at Ophelia with widened eyes as Ophelia practically squealed at saying the 'chosen one'. She must clearly have great love for the phrase.

"Ophelia, stop before you end up overwhelming Robin," the voice of a certain snarky redhead they all knew cut in. Turning her gaze, Lucina noticed Severa and Owain. Inigo was nowhere in sight, though she imagined he had merely opted to continue aiding in the goings-on while the other two went to collect their daughter.

Ophelia immediately leapt to her feet, wrapping her arms around her parents.

"Mother, Father! This is incredible! The amount of knowledge Robin possesses for this otherworldly magic that I have never witnessed through the many libraries of the realm. Perhaps the stars have guided for us to meet, where he shall guide me in the ways of magic to rise beyond the realm of mortals, and embrace that which is only known to the gods," Ophelia declared, though it was clear that only Owain seemed to have gotten the gist of it.

"Aha, I see. So you refer to the ancient weapons of Jugdral. Then listen to this, one of those ancient weapons is known as the mighty demon blade, Missiletainn!" Owain spoke, adding to the conversation.

Robin winced at the mention of the weapon, a sigh falling from his throat. "You do know it's pronounced differently, right? I thought we covered this," he muttered, far too quietly for either Owain or Ophelia to pay him any heed. Seeing this, he instead turned Lucina's way, his eyes pleading her to save him from the explosion that was about to be released by the parent and child.

Ophelia seemed to realize the term. "The very tome that I have named? Or the weapon that you had said to have wielded?" The girl asked as she held up the very tome in question.

"Not quite. The blade that I once wielded was a mere imitation of the true weapon. The true Missiletainn is-"

"Okay, that's enough!" Severa declared, stopping the conversation from going any further, much to Lucina and her husband's relief. There was no telling how long Owain would talk whenever he got going. But with two of them? That was rather… worrisome.

Severa then turned to face Lucina and also made a glance to Robin. "As for you two, you should really get ready soon. Lord Xander, Lady Camilla, Lord Leo, and Lady Elise want to speak to you." She sighed, and then, rolling her eyes added, "Someone was supposed to be the one to tell you, but he pawned it off on us instead." She sighed again. It didn't take much for Lucina to grasp who she was referring to. "Right, job done. It's your problem now. Oh, and word of advice: try not to get on Lady Camilla's bad side. Trust me."

Lucina frowned. There was something about the warning tone Severa took on that definitely told her that it would be wise to hold those words close to heart.

"Indeed, and with that, we should make our exit. Come, Ophelia, we should go speak more of the ancient legend of the demon blade," Owain stated to his daughter, his daughter nodding vigorously, and they began to leave.

Sensing the window of opportunity beginning to close, Lucina inhaled deeply before standing up. "Wait!"

Everyone stopped and turned to look at her. The princess noticed too that her husband had also turned his gaze to her, a look of curiosity filling his eyes. Lucina began to clear her throat, wanting to maintain herself.

"Um… I was wondering if Severa and Owain could stay for a bit. There's something I've been meaning to say. In private." Lucina explained, her gaze flicking over to Ophelia.

Owain and Severa gave glances at each other and then to everyone else, and judging from how they looked at Robin, as if asking what this was about. But a short shake of the head from Robin and his equally surprised expression quickly seemed to squelch that notion.

"Very well. Ophelia, we shall be with you soon enough, but until then, please wait in your room," Owain declared.

"But Dad," Ophelia pouted.

"We won't be long, dear. So please wait for us," Severa assured, as Ophelia surrendered and thus walked away, though was clearly still rather pouty as she left.

Now that it was just the four of them, all eyes were directed at Lucina. It was nerve wracking, so worried about what she must now say to them, not wishing to cause any more trouble between them. Perhaps it would be easier if… no… she was not about to back out now.

"So… what is it?" Severa asked.

"Severa…" Lucina began, looking at her friend who, despite looking so different, was still one of her closest friends, and then towards Owain, her cousin that she's known almost as long as her little sister. "Owain… I wanted to say something for a while since the last battle…"

Lucina breathed deeply. Then, suddenly she moved, bowing to both of them. "I'm sorry."

Silence.

Slowly Lucina raised her head up, finding looks of utter confusion plastered on both her friends' faces. Robin's too, for that matter.

"Why are you apologizing?" Owain asked, his voice dropping from his usual manner of speech to one of a completely normal volume and tone.

"The truth is, I realize that I've been too harsh on both of you for placing Ophelia in the Deeprealm," Lucina finally stated.

Robin's expression changed first, his confused look shifting to one of realization, the pieces beginning to fall into place for him. Owain and Severa, on the other hand, wore expressions of those still processing what Lucina was saying. Which, given their displeased frowns, was an effort that their own sore feelings on the topic likely hampered.

Before either could say another word, Lucina continued. "When I learned how you left Ophelia in the Deeprealms, I was angered and upset, even insulted, that you would do that to Ophelia, despite how the three of us grew up having lost our families. To me, realizing that you left your child in another place so you could fight, where for the child it was years and for you it was mere moments, I felt as if you were subjecting your own child to the same pain that we had gone through, and that… I couldn't stand that."

Even now, Lucina felt immense anger towards the idea of leaving one's child in a realm where time made them grow up far too fast.

Owain and Severa remained silent, clearly waiting for more.

"But… now I understand. You love Ophelia with all your heart. The way you were ready to keep Ophelia from the last battle when Robin suggested using her, I realized that we were, no, I was far too harsh with you, and I began to realize… you never wanted to place your daughter there, but you must have done it because there was absolutely no other choice in the matter."

"O… c… rse…" Severa muttered that Lucina couldn't quite catch. It was then she noticed that the scarlet-haired mercenary was shaking for a moment. Severa blinked, revealing tears glistening in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. "Of course we never wanted to! Do you realize how I had to worry that if I died in the war, Ophelia would end up just like how I was? And knowing that I couldn't spend time with her as she grew up, I hated that! No one in this army ever wanted to have their child grow up so fast. Least of all us!"

As she said that, her voice began to break into sobs, Owain immediately wrapping an arm around her in comfort, his eyes showing his more serious self.

"I know… and I saw with my own eyes that even though time flowed differently for you both, that didn't stop you from showing me that the bond between you that you all share is as strong as any other family. The love and affection you have for Ophelia is the same that Robin and I have for Morgan and Marc," Lucina continued, before giving them a smile, tears beginning to form in her own eyes. "And I'm proud of you both."

Stealing a glance at Robin, her husband only gave her a smile, but said nothing, as if not wanting to step in.

"Of… Of course we do," Severa replied between her sobs. "We love Ophelia, and we're never going to let her be apart from us again."

Owain nodded. "Lucina, we know how hard it was living without our parents, especially in the world we once lived in. However, we know that even if there wasn't a choice, sending our daughter to the Deeprealm was the hardest thing to do, and even we didn't think it was the right choice," he admitted, but his eyes showed nothing but resolve. "But we'll spend every remaining moment we have in our lives to make up for that!"

"Yes… perhaps that's the most anyone could ask for," Lucina remarked, slowly walking towards the two, embracing them both. "Perhaps the act itself might have been wrong… but the love is true."

"Lucina… thank you," Severa muttered, before Lucina let go of them, watching them smiling more brightly than before as they turned to leave.

Once they were gone, Lucina tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, slowly feeling someone pulling her against their chest. "You did great, Lucina…" her husband muttered.

"I'm glad I was able to say my part…" she twisted around, placing a hand on his arm as she met her husband's gaze with her own. "Perhaps it's not enough to make up for what we said before but-"

Robin silenced her with a shake of his head, the smile at his lips deepening. "Lucina, I couldn't top that even if I tried. I should apologize to them later as well, but I think you carried that apology for the both of us," Robin replied, his voice filled with pride.

Lucina opened her mouth to say more, only to stop as the sound of clinking armor and approaching footsteps filled the air. At once, the two leapt away from one another, snapping their arms down to their sides, lest others come upon them as they had been moments before. While neither of them were afraid to show affection for one another, least not as they had in the past, such overt public displays felt… awkward, when others were there to witness them.

Turning to its source, the two saw that it was all four members of the Nohrian royal family that were approaching them now, just as Severa had warned. At their head walked Xander, with Camilla, Leo, and Elise trailing a few steps behind. Coming to a stop before them, the eldest prince came to a complete stop, holding up a hand to signal for his siblings to do the same.

Silence hung in the air as the two groups stood opposite from one another, a palpable tension filling the empty space between them. A second, maybe more, passed as neither party made a move. Then, taking half a step forward and folding his arms behind his back, Xander broke the silence.

"I am sorry if we are interrupting anything, but I must ask that we have some of your time. In private," Xander announced, eyeing them each in turn with his piercing gaze. The other three royals remained silent, standing in place either side of their older brother.

Lucina and Robin exchanged a worried glance. They knew this conversation would be coming, and it was one that both were unsure what it would mean for them. While it was unlikely that they were in any real danger, there was a real possibility the Nohrian royal family did not exactly… agree with how Robin's strategy had played out.

For Robin's part, he tried to follow up his own nervous gaze with a reassuring smile, before turning to the four royals to nod in acceptance of their request. Lucina mirrored this, dipping her chin in affirmative as well.

Turning away, Xander led them through the keep, coming to a small building at the edge of the main ring of the keep. Following him inside, they found themselves in a small, cramped room with a single table at its center. Bookshelves lined the walls, marking its purpose as either a library or records room.

Motioning to a spot on one side of the table, Xander and the three other royals moved into place on the side opposite of it. The room stood dreadfully silent, the only sound that of their own movements and the steady rhythm of their breathing The wooden floodboards creaked under foot as Lucina and her husband took up spots where Xander had indicated, facing him as they waited.

Silence.

Then, at least, Xander cleared his throat and began.

"After today's events, it is important that we discuss the part the two of you played in it," Xander started, his expression impassive. Like a statue he seemed, with nothing about his stance or features giving away anything of what he was thinking. He paused for a long while, standing utterly still for the span of several heartbeats. Then, he seemed to relax, if only ever so slightly, and continued. "I will not mince words: if it was not for your actions I do not believe any of us would yet live. For that, you have us in your debt." The Nohrian lord lifted one arm over his chest, bowing his head and shoulders to them in graciousness.

So unexpected was the gesture, Lucina found herself staring back dumbfounded. She glanced to Robin, wishing to confirm if he was seeing the same as she, only to be faced with a stunned expression that was a mirror of her own.

"I… you…" Robin muttered, so quietly that Lucina was certain only she was close enough to have heard him. This certainly was not the way they had expected this to go.

"We're fortunate to have had your aid. Just think, what might have happened if not for your little plan. Especially with my poor dear Corrin separated from the rest of us in the fighting," Camilia added in agreement with her brother's words.

"Perhaps a bit too reckless in places. I cannot say I approve of the risks taken in the dam's destruction, but… its effectiveness cannot be denied," Leo added grudgingly, crossing his arms as he spoke. Despite the tinge of harshness in his words, no true malice could be heard behind them, least not any Lucina could find. Perhaps then it was simply a matter of pride on his part, fearing that he'd been overshadowed as a strategist during the battles.

"You really pulled our behinds out of the fire. Literally! Well, kind of. There was a whole lot of fire," Elise chimed in, grinning happily.

"I-I…" Lucina started, scrambling to form a proper response. "Thank you, but I am afraid it is Robin who you should be thanking, not I. I cannot take credit for the plan itself, as it was entirely his doing. I merely assisted where I could," Lucina told them, bowing her head respectively in turn.

"She gives me too much credit, honestly," Robin added, blushing slightly at her praise. He gave a small, nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he was wont to do when uncomfortable. "If anything, you should be thanking your retainers. Without them, well, I was afraid that… well…"

"... that we would not listen to your plan," Xander said, finishing the statement for them. He raised a hand, palm out, as if to silence any concerns that he'd taken offense. Indeed, the barest hint of a knowing smile could now be seen upon his lips. "Do not worry, I am not so prideful that I cannot admit that you speak truthfully. It was only our faith in their judgements that we put our trust in you as well," he nodded to both Robin and Lucina in turn. "Still, as regretful as it may be, I cannot truthfully apologize for our hesitance to fully trust your intentions prior to today. You must understand, treachery and deceit have become an unfortunate reality in these lands as of late. So it was, as I hope you can understand, difficult to simply take you at your words, even with your friends' testimony."

"Besides, you did attempt to kill my darling Corrin before we met you. That was something I couldn't simply let slip by," Camilia added, an almost devious smile curling her lips. "Still, perhaps now I can forgive the matter, even if you did almost get him killed today."

Lucina heard Robin audibly gulp as this comment. "I… I promise you, we never intended any harm to have come to him. We tried to stop him, but the enemy cut us off before we could pursue him onto the dam. We-" Robin started to explain, speaking rapidly to the point of almost sounding frantic.

Xander raised his hand before him once more, silencing the words. "We know full well you cannot be held responsible for how Corrin… conducted himself. Kaze's account of events made it clear that it was by Corrin's own actions that he was put into peril." The prince frowned as he finished, shaking his head solemnly.

"If anything, it shows a lapse on our part. He should not have been allowed near the battle while as… unstable as he's been of late," Leo added.

"He has done this before?" Lucina asked, surprised by the readiness of this admission. From how protective they seemed of their absent sibling, she would have never expected them to freely speak of his actions so… plainly.

Xander shook his head. "Not in the past. But ever since, well… his loss." He closed his eyes, his expression saddening at the mention of Corrin's deceased wife. The others reacted much the same, some more visibly in the case of Elise, who looked to be almost be at the onset of tears, to merely a pained grimace in the case of Leo.

At once Lucina understood. She'd seen it too often in her time. Soldiers who, at the loss of their friends or loved ones, had thrown themselves at the enemy without any regard for their own sakes. Sometimes it was a conscious act of suicide, while in others it seemed they had merely ceased caring if they lived or died. Others simply shut down, driving everyone else away as bitterness and despair claimed their lives.

And evidently, Corrin had befallen this very fate.

"As hard as her death was for all of us, you could imagine that Corrin has taken it harder. To see a loved one disappear before your eyes… that cannot be an easy thing to come to terms with," Xander continued.

Lucina sucked in a sharp breath, her body tensing at the words. For an instant she was thrown back to a day over two years past, the day she'd long since considered one of the worst in her life.

She remembered the sad smile on her husband's face as he dissolved into a thousand motes of light, fading away to nothingness before her eyes.

However, if any of them noticed her reaction, they showed no sign of it. Instead Xander continued, shaking his head. "I apologize. These are our troubles, not yours. Do not burden yourselves with them," he told them, regaining his composure as quickly as it had started to waver. "There is still much to be done today, so this meeting must be drawn to a quick close. After all that happened, it's apparent that you two possess perspectives that cannot be dismissed from here on. Tomorrow, I ask that we meet to discuss everything you know about our shared enemy from your own encounters with them, so that we may pool our knowledge in an attempt to find a measure to stop them."

"Of course, I would gladly offer any aid I am able," Robin answered, bowing his head.

Nodding, Xander excused himself, turning to exit the room. Camilla followed behind him, pausing only to grin wickedly in Robin's direction. He blanched visibly, eliciting a laugh from the Nohrian princess, before she too departed.

"You do know she is just trying to make you nervous," Lucina muttered in Robin's ear, her husband's breathing a sigh of relief at Camilla's exit.

"I know. It's... Still, something about-"

Before he had a chance to finish the thought, Elise suddenly stepped in front of them. Okay, 'stepped' was perhaps underselling her. 'Leapt' would be a far more accurate word. "Sorry if my big sister was a bit too harsh. I know she wanted to have you both executed when you first showed up, but I know she didn't mean it," Elise told them, grinning happily as spoke. "But she is really thankful. My brother is too, even if he acts so serious."

"Wait, she what?!" Robin asked, his eyes shooting wide once more. "You're joking, right?"

"Oops. I probably shouldn't have said that. Anyhow, thank you both a billion, you did really save us back there. Even if someone is too stubborn to admit it," she turned, sticking out her tongue at Leo, who was still in the middle of gathering his things.

"Again, it was hardly anything worthy of such praise. We merely did our part," Lucina said, despite her best efforts unable to keep the smile from her lips. The girl reminded her so much of her own younger sister, if perhaps with a bit less of the eccentricities and more enthusiasm to make up for it.

"I don't know. I think saving our behinds counts more than a bit," Elise smiled back. "I should probably go, don't want to keep Xander and Camilia waiting on me. Thanks again!" she bowed to each of them in rapid succession, then practically sprinted away, leaving the two alone once more.

"Right… so, shall we-" Robin started to say, speaking up once more.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Before either of them had even the chance to turn towards the door, Leo stepped forward, moving between them and the door. He eyed them both up and down, his gaze in particular lingering on Robin's face, as if trying to read something of his expression. "I apologize, but, Robin, was it?" He asked.

"Um, well, yes, I-"

"I must ask that prior to meeting with my brother, I wish to first spend some time testing the full extent of your knowledge of military strategy and tactics," Leo stated bluntly, interrupting Robin before he could respond fully. "As impressive as your results were today, I must ensure you are qualified to be allowed to make any further decisions that could potentially endanger my own life or those of my family. I hope you understand a little caution on my part."

Now Lucina was certain of her earlier guess regarding the prince's motivation. He seemed almost defensive as he made his request, as if trying to reassure his own standing just as much as he was acting out of genuine concerns.

It reminds me a bit of Severa. Perhaps as a younger sibling, he feels like he must prove himself compared to them in the same way she does in comparison to her mother, Lucina thought.

Still, she could not help but take an involuntary step closer to her husband, eyes narrowing as she stared back at the Nohrian prince. Regardless of his reasons, she couldn't exactly be happy with him antagonizing Robin like that, even if only minorly so.

However, if Leo noticed her angry look, he did a very good job of not showing it. His attention was fixed firmly on Robin now, waiting for his response.

Then, at last Robin replied, his own tone perfectly neutral. "I suppose that's fair. Send for me when you wish to begin and I will be sure to be there." Robin bowed his head politely as he finished.

This seemed to satisfy Leo, who nodded sharply before immediately turning away. "Good, I'll hold you to that." The door swung shut behind him.

The instant he had gone, a long drawn out sigh of relief fell from Robin's lips. His shoulders slumped, as if some great tension had been suddenly removed. "Well… he certainly seems to have something to prove," he noted wearily. Evidently he'd picked up on the same vibes as she. "Still… that went far better than expected."

"Yes," Lucina nodded in agreement. "If I may ask, what do you intend to do?"

"Depends on what you are referring to," Robin answered, a small, wry smile slipping through the exhaustion otherwise masking his features. "If you mean right now, I plan to get something to eat. Maybe some sleep after, but I imagine I won't have any choice in the matter considering you're probably going to make me do just that." He chuckled softly at this. "If you meant what about him." He motioned to the door Leo had left by. "I don't know. Going to figure that out as I go."

"Truthfully? I thought you had a plan for everything," Lucina teased. She laughed lightly, wrapping her arm around his as they turned to leave.

"No. The secret is always pretending you have a plan even when you don't. Just need to get everyone to buy it long enough for you to actually come up one," Robin answered, giving a laugh of his own. "Just look at our marriage for proof. I've been winging all of this and just managed to make it this far without messing up."

"Well, you've done a very good job at it," Lucina smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "Come, it's been a long day. I'll be holding you to that rest bit."

"Yes, dear," Robin sighed in his best reluctant tone, kissing her back.

With that, they set off for camp, first to the mess hall to grab some much needed refreshment before returning to their tent. Yet even as they walked and talked idly amongst themselves, Lucina found her mind wondering back to the very end of their meeting. To what Xander had said about Corrin.

"... to see a loved one disappear before your eyes…"

She knew how that felt. Better than anyone else.

The only difference for her was that Robin had come back.

For Corrin, it seemed fate had yet to show that same kindness.

Author's Note: So remember how I said I would try to get this chapter out in at least three weeks? Well it seems I utterly failed in that regard, so sorry about that. Still, better late than never I suppose, so there's that. Hopefully I will eventually get back on track once things settle down more, but for now, expect updates to be whenever I manage to get them done by. Absolute worst case I will try to put something out at least once a month.

Anyways, onto responses to guest reviews

Darkness21 - I mean, Robin's plan failed due to him expecting the enemy would have better aim. He made the mistake of assuming they were better than they actually were, lol. Yeah, Corrin needs to get his act together soon, especially with the problem of his deteriorating mental state really starting to come to head. As for Robin being able to see Azura… well… you'll just have to wait to see

Alright, that's all for now on this one. As always, I'd love to hear what you guys thought of this one, so if you have the time please leave any comments, questions, or criticisms as a review and I will be sure to get back to you. Until the next one, take care everyone, and have a wonderful day!

Character Spotlight: Owain/Odin

Class: Sorcerer

Secondary Classes: Samurai, Mercenary (S support with Severa/Selena)

Skills: Astra, Death Blow, Quixotic, Vantage, Vengeance

Personal Skill: Aching Blood - If Odin equips a forged weapon with a name that's 12 characters long, he gains a +10 Critical boost.

Equipment: Odin's Grimoire, Mjolnir, Ginnungagap

Status: Alive