Chapter 29: Voice of the Gods
"So this is Izumo. It's so serene here, as if the war never touched this place," Robin said, gazing up at the temple palace rising up over the small city.
Corrin shook his head. "No, not untouched. The war did reach even here I'm afraid," he explained. "Still, it is called the kingdom of the gods for a reason. Perhaps here at least, some power still offers some protection."
"I see. Still, it says something that this kingdom managed to remain neutral this long," Robin noted.
Corrin shrugged, offering no other response as they continued onward through the city streets.
After meeting up with Hinoka, Sakura, and their retainers, the journey to Izumo's capital had commenced as plan. Fortune seemed to favor them for once, managing to reach their destination without incident.
It was at this point that they formalized their plans. A handful of them would head into the city for the temple palace and seek Izana's council, while the rest of the army would instead go about getting fresh supplies in the city, with Leo being assigned to managing the later task.
As the climbed the steps to the temple-palace, Corrin was bombarded by memories of the last time he was here. He remembered the fight with Zola to rescue the Hoshido royal family. He recalled the meal he'd shared with his entire family from both Nohr and Hoshido alike, for what had been the first and only time they'd been together like that. They'd bickered and fought the entire time, but even so… he'd felt happy then.
His last truly happy memory, before everything went wrong.
"Papa, are you okay?"
Corrin blinked, turning to his daughter. She looked up at him worriedly.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about things," he lied, trying his best to smile. This did not seem to fully convince Kana, but she nodded all the same, and didn't press the matter further.
"So what can you tell us about this archduke? Do you believe he can truly help provide some of the answers we seek?" Lucina asked, speaking up.
"By reputation at least. Last time we were here we did not see his powers of prophecy first hand," Xander answered. "Though we did meet him briefly during the time we spent resupplying here."
Corrin noticed Hinoka's eyes narrow at this, though she said nothing. Not that Corrin could blame her anger, considering that very stop had been during the Nohrian army's march on her own homeland
"What is he like?" Robin asked.
"Izana is… odd," Xander explained.
"Odd?" Lucina asked.
"Colorful," Corrin clarified, choosing the most polite description he could think of.. "You'll see when you meet him."
Climbing the rest of the stairs, they soon reached the entrance to the palace. Ringed with colossal ancient trees, the structure almost appeared to sit within their branches, rising up high over the city to touch the clouds.
As they came to the entryway, an attendant wearing green robes approached them. "Greetings Lord Xander and Lord Corrin of Nohr, and you as well Princess Hinoka and Princess Sakura of Hoshido. Archduke Izana gives his full welcome even on such short notice. Though perhaps long notice too. It's often impossible to tell what knowledge the gods have seen fit to bestow upon my lord."
"Was Izana expecting us?" Hinoka asked.
"Indeed. Since this morning. In fact, the Archduke told me a few hours ago that he was to grant you audience the moment you arrived in these fair lands," the servant told them. "He would like me to inform you that refreshments have been prepared in the banquet hall which you can partake in. Meanwhile those who will be taking audience can follow me."
Xander nodded, then turned to the others. "I feel it would be best to keep our number small. Two each from Nohr and Hoshido, plus two of our foreign friends. That seem fair to you?" he asked, aiming the question as Hinoka.
Hinoka considered this for a moment then nodded. "Alright. Sakura, you're with me. Everyone else can join the others and keep an eye on things," she told her and her sister's retainers.
Corrin stepped forward next to Xander, having already planned to take part in this meeting. As did Robin and Lucina, who'd both agreed to act as mediators between the representatives of both nations.
"Aww, but I wanted to go," Morgan complained, crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks angrily.
"Really? I'd have thought you'd be more enticed by the prospect of free food," Robin asked.
Morgan immediately stopped pouting, her expression almost entire blank as she seemed to consider this for a moment. "Well… I do love me some free food… fine, you win this round, father! But don't forget for a moment that I'm very displeased at being left out! Very very very displeased indeed!" She pointed at the sky, shouting the last words even as she walked backward away from them, managing somehow to keep pace with the others heading for the banquet hall.
"Don't worry, we couldn't possibly-" Robin started to say.
"Very displeased!" Morgan shouted yet again, this time from further off.
For a moment Robin just started after her. Then the tactician sighed wearily. "Her mood has certainly improved, hasn't it. Coping or just denial, I wonder," he muttered, seemingly to himself rather than at anyone else in particular.
"Is she always this excitable?" Xander asked.
"Yes," both Robin and Lucina said in unison.
""Oh, my condolences," Xander said, looking genuinely sorry for the two.
With the matter now settled, the attendant led the remaining six deeper into the temple palace, and towards the very same inner sanctum where the Archduke was waiting for them. Reaching the entryway, the attendant pulled the sliding doors open, motioning for them to step inside
The room was an absolute mess, with overturned furniture and cushions scattered everywhere among what looked like torn paper streamers, firework crackers, and multi colored confetti. Standing among the carnage of what could only be the aftermath of recent festivities stood Izana. The Archduke was clad in formal robes befit of his station, as well as big, fluffy slippers that were entirely out of place with the rest of his attire.
"Welcome, welcome. Sorry for how much of a mess things are. Still haven't managed to clean up from last night's dance party. I would have made sure we got on that, but the gods only told me you were coming this morning. Really shoddy timing, but who am I to judge," Izana said, smiling broadly as he outstretched a hand for him.
"It's nice to see you again... Lord Izana? Or just Archduke maybe? I think that's right, never did exactly find out what the proper title to use was and-"
"Oh, wait, hold on a moment, That's right. I didn't even introduce myself again, did I? I knew I was forgetting something," Izana interrupted before Corrin could finish. "I'm Archduke Izana! Keeper of prophecies, descendant of gods, and a bunch of other titles that are barely remembered half the time. Don't forget voted best hair in Izumo five years running! I'm so happy to have some visitors from both Hoshido and Nohr. It's been so long since that last happened."
"That was only a few months ago. Also we've already met," Corrin said.
"Yes, yes, I know, I know. But you have new guests with you I am pretty sure I haven't met. Or at least, I hope I haven't. Otherwise oh boy, I must have really spaced out and completely forgotten," Izana said, grinning.
"Archduke, I am happy to see you are doing well after the trying circumstances of our last meeting," Xander greeted, bowing his head respectfully.
"Really? Was I supposed to be in worse health? That doesn't sound like me at all," Izana asked.
"He means when you were captured and impersonated by Zola," Corrin corrected.
Recognition flashed in the archduke's eyes. "Oh, yeah. That was not a fun day. First this, like, huge explosion went off outside and when I went to see what was going on a bunch of Nohrian soldiers appeared and captured me. I got thrown in my own jail cell what with that Zola fellow impersonated me. Used my face to trick and capture the entire Hoshido royal family, could you believe that?"
"Yes, we were there," Hinoka said, looking impatient.
"Were you?" Izana asked, arching an eyebrow. "Oh, that's right, you were. I'd almost forgotten. Sorry, it's hard to keep track of these things. Sometimes I'm busy running my kingdom, sometimes I got so many visions and messages running around in my head I forget where I even am, and other times I'm getting my hair done. As the winner of best hair six year running. Not to brag."
"You just said five years a moment ago," Robin noted.
"Robin, is that really your most important question right now?" Lucina asked, turning to her husband incredulously.
"No, not really. But it was going to bother me so I figured I might as well ask," Robin sighed, shaking his head.
Thankfully Izana, even if he heard this conversation unfolding before him, paid it no mind, instead continuing on as if nothing had even happened. "At any rate, I still owe you all for saving my bacon back then, don't I? So then, who wants their fortunes read? I can do specific subjects too, anything you want so long as the gods answer me. But they usually do, I am their favorite descendant afterall."
"So you'll really help us, just like that?" Corrin asked, surprised by this turn.
"Why wouldn't I? Didn't I just say I owed you? Are you sure you even want my help?" He asked, gasping as he covered his mouth dramatically. Then he resumed grinning, almost laughing as he added. "Besides, the gods told me too, after all. Got some prophetic stuff from them this morning right after breakfast. Sure, I had no idea what they were going on about until all of you came knocking, but that's all semantics," he waved a hand vaguely, getting at something.
Corrin arched an eyebrow. Well, Izumo is neutral, so I guess there's no reason not to help us even though we're from Nohr. With that Corrin ne took a half step forward, glancing back to Xander for permission to speak first. His brother nodded in confirmation. Nodding back, Corrin turned to Izana and cleared his throat.
"In that case, do you know anything regarding the Seal of Flames? The Fire Emblem? We know that the Yato-, I mean, the Yato-no-kami, is the key to unlocking it," Corrin asked, managed to catch himself and use the formal name for the weapon he'd heard the people of Hoshido and the surrounding kingdoms use for it. "We have other suspicions too, but I need to confirm them if possible."
Corrin tried his best not to glace nervously towards his sisters as he spoke, not wanting to give away his intentions. He already knew how to unlock Yato's full power at this point, so the questions had not been for his benefit. Rather it had been for his sisters'. Since so far they had yet to ask them about the Raijinto or the Fujin Yumi. They certainly wouldn't trust him if he did. But if Izana, a neutral party brought up their connection to the Seal of Flames…
Then maybe they'd be more forthcoming with lending the divine weapons' power to the fight again Anankos and his invisible soldiers.
The idea had been Robin's, the tactician having come to him earlier that morning with the proposal. Corrin hated having to act in such a duplicitous manner, for what they were doing now was little better than lying to the people who should be their allies. But he couldn't deny the logic to it.
"The Seal of Flames? I'm sorry, but I don't know a thing about it," Izana answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Hmmm, oh, actually, There may be something. My family does have a saying that's been passed down for generations. Something to do with the Yato-no-kami. 'We will show he who shuns the light and dark another way.' But that's about it I'm afraid."
"He who shuns the light and dark?" That certainly couldn't be referring to myself, Corrin thought, suppression to urge to laugh bitterly.
"And that's supposed to tell us what then?" Xander asked before Corrin had a chance to voice his response. "I apologize for being blunt, but every moment spent answering riddles is a moment closer to our enemy's victory."
"I have absolutely no clue," Izana grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "I just do prochesizing, not the interpreting. But if I must, it could mean you need someone who abandons this whole Hoshido verses Nohr business and works together. Or not, who knows." He shrugged again.
Xander's eyes narrowed, growing visibly impatient with the Archduke's nonchalant attitude towards the matter before them. Corrin moved to step forward, hoping to defuse the tension.
However, he hesitated, allowing Robin to beat him to the punch. "Look we're all friends here, and we should be acting like it, not bickering amongst ourselves."
"That's arguable," Hinoka cut in, shooting a glare towards Xander and Corrin. Corrin winced, his face involuntary twisting into a grimace under that withering look,
"Fine. Allies by circumstances. That better?" the tactician asked, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Point is, sounds like we need to work together if this prophecy is to come true."
Hinoka continued to glare for another long moment. Then, slowly, she nodded, backing down for the present.
"Thank you," Robin said, breathing a visible sigh of relief before turning to Izana. "With that said, if you don't have answers about the Fire Emblem, perhaps you can instead give us guidance regarding our enemy. Can you tell us anything of the one the Invisible Soldiers serve or where he dwells?"
Corrin blinked, it taking a him a moment to comprehend the reason for Robin inquiring about details they already knew. Then it hit him, it was for the others' benefit, just like their questions about the Fire Emblem. And with the latter coming up with no results, then perhaps they could instead get the others to grasp the true extent of the threat they faced.
And perhaps even tell us another way to reenter Valla now that the skies have changed. Without that, both the Fire Emblem and all the knowledge of Anankos' existence are useless.
"Ah, now that's something I can answer, mister Outrealm traveler," Izana answered.
Robin blinked visibly surprised by this. "How did you-"
"The gods told me, duh," Izana said, staring at him dumbfounded. "And here I thought you were supposed to be smart. Try to keep up."
Robin just stared back, blinking again several times as if struck completely bewildered by this response. Evidently that hadn't been an response he'd expected.
"So, the answer then? You just said you knew something of our enemy's identity?" Xander interrupted, crossing his arms again.
"Jeez, I was getting to it. Just hold on a moment, need to focus myself to get this little bit of extra prophesying going." Stepping back, Izana cleared his throat and then closes his eyes. For a moment he just stood there, perfectly still. Then his eyes snapped open, their irises pure white as he stared off into the distance. "Everything is not yet seen... The truth is far and hidden low. The one upon the water's surface, he who knows all is the true foe… his name and home cannot be spoken... lurks the dragon far bellow..."
Then his eyes closed briefly and when he opened them again his eyes had returned to normal. "Whew. That's about a much as I can give you with a bit of quick and dirty prophesying. Hope that helps."
Everyone was silent processing what was said.
"So this dragon, then… is our true enemy?" Hinoka asked. "Let's say I believe you. How does this information change anything then?"
Corrin looked to Robin. It would be best if he was the one to answer, considering that through his daughter Morgan's and Hinoka's friendship he would be the one she'd most likely listen to.
"Before coming here we traveled to Notre Sagesse and recovered scrolls taken from the Sevenfold Sanctuary. It transcribed details of a prophecy that the Seal of Flames is the key to defeating that very foe," he explained. "If needed, I can produce this scroll for you to examine yourself, Lady Hinoka. But in brief, Corrin's sword, the Yato seems to be the Seal of Flames. It, has already unlocked some of its power by resonating with the two divine weapons of Nohr. But that alone is not enough, we need the other two."
"Raijinto and the Fujin Yumi. You need my brothers' weapons then," Hinoka said, her expression hardening as she glances distrustfully between them, her hand itching a bit towards her weapon. Behind her Sakura seemed to grow even more visibly nervous, but unlike her sister, the younger princess made no move to draw her own weapon.
Dammit, Corrin swore. This was exactly the sort of reaction they'd been afraid of."Hinoka, please, just listen for a-" Corrin tried to interject, only for her to cut him short.
"Haven't you already done enough!" she snapped, anger filling her voice. "So that's what this is all about, huh? You just need us because of those weapons."
"Hinoka, m-maybe we… we should li- um, listen. If what… what they say is… is true and Izana agrees… then… " Sakura tried to say, speaking up for the first time.
"We have more to worry about that doesn't include just handing over our brothers' weapons, Sakura," Hinoka shot back, Sakura shrinking back. She turned to Robin next. "I'm sorry, but no. Even if you're telling the truth, it's not an option." With that she spun away, starting toward the door.
"Nonononono!" Izana cut in suddenly, rushing forward to stop her. "Ahhh, this won't do! This won't do at all! Princess Hinoka, please, reconsider."
"Huh?" she looked to the Archduke in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"It's the prophecy. The gods are telling me you need to work with them! It's the only way to save Hoshido, no, the whole world! Trust me. Would you really ignore directions sent down from the gods?"
Hinoka frowned, but otherwise made no further move towards the door. "I'm listening."
"Oh, right, yes! If you'll excuse me, I'll can go hold a little ceremony and ask an the ancient gods for guidance. They can give all the answers you want, not to mention all the convincing you need," Izana answered.
"Are you sure? On such short notice?" Robin asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yep! Why not? Carpe whatever!" He flailed his arms around, doing little to convince his seriousness. "I'll be back before you know it. Half an hour, maybe a full hour? I dunno, contacting ancient gods isn't exactly a science, you know. You just got to go for it and hope for the best."
"That doesn't exactly inspire confidence," Lucina noted, voicing the thoughts that seemed to be crossing all their minds.
"Have you a little faith. Anyhow, I want to get this little ceremony over with, in any case. I'll be back in a jiffy!" Without waiting for any sort of response or confirmation, Izana spun away and rushed through the bead curtains behind him, vanishing up the stairs in a flapping of robes.
"So, um… that just happened," Robin said once the archduke was gone.
"It seems we must wait," Xander noted, still wearing a frown. "Let's just hope these ancient gods provide some clue beyond the vague answers he provided."
"Yeah. I guess so…" Corrin said. He turned, looking to Hinoka and Sakura. "Will you…"
"We'll wait to hear what he has to say. We owe that much, as least," Hinoka answered, refusing to meet his gaze directly. "Come on, Sakura." With that she departed.
Sakura stopped, bowing slightly to everyone else. "I-I'm… um, sorry for Hinoka's behavior. She… she really doesn't mean… uh… mean it. It's… just… hard, to, well… t-to trust everyone." Through this explanation she did not look Corrin's way once.
"It's okay. We understand," Lucina thanked her, inclining her head politely.
Bowing a second time, Sakura turned to hurry to catch up with her sister.
"Guess we should go wait too, huh?" Robin asked.
"Of course," Xander agreed. "Inform me if anything comes up in the meantime. I'll go inform the others of what we learned." With that Xander began to go as well.
Corrin continued to stand there, his gaze on the floor. He'd expected his sisters to act in such a manner, yet the experience still hurt.
"Corrin?" Lucina asked, her voice snapping him back to the present.
"Yes?" He lifted his head.
"Would you like to join us in getting refreshments? Perhaps Morgan and Kana can join us as well."
"I…" Corrin's first instinct was too refuse, but he bit this response back. No, he couldn't keep running away whenever things had gotten difficult. This would be good for him. "Sure. That would be great."
Following the two, they made their way back out in the temple palace. It didn't take long for them to find their respective children, already within the banquet hall with everyone else who'd accompanied them to the temple. Getting plates of their own, they joined them for the meal as they tried to pass the time.
Thankfully neither Robin nor Lucina tried to talk about what had happened so far, instead for the most part joining in on the conversation Morgan and Kana were having: something about the best kind of traps to use depending on the weather and terrain. For his part Corrin mostly kept quiet and simply listened to his daughter and Morgan chat excitedly.
He felt a little smile threaten to pull at his lips. It made him happy, at least, to see how Kana and the young tactician had already become friends. Perhaps it was this friendship that prevented Morgan from glancing distrustfully his way like she had when they'd first met, instead seeming to pay him no mind whatsoever. If true, then that was something he could live with.
And so the meal passed without incident, perhaps twenty minutes or more flying past. The group, their plates clear, got up from the table. Morgan stretched her arms, burping loudly.
"Morgan," Lucina scolded.
"What? I was hungry and it was really good," Morgan said, grinning even wider. "So, how was your meeting with the Archduke? Learn anything cool?"
"A bit. We're actually waiting for him to perform a ritual that hopefully will tell us even more," Robin answered.
"Really? What kind of ritual?" Kana asked, eyes lighting up with clear curiosity.
"I… well… I have no idea, to be honest," Robin admitted.
"Izana claimed he was going to commune with an ancient god. It was hard to glean more than that from his quite peculiar mannerisms?" Lucina added.
"Peculiar? In what way?" Morgan asked.
"Well, he-" Robin started to answer.
The ground shook, a rumble like distant thunder echoing out in the distance.
"What was-" Corrin said.
Another rumble, this once closer. The entire temple shook, rattling on it's wooden frame.
"It came from the city. Come on!" Robin said, drawing his sword. The others did as well. Corrin followed as well, Kana a step behind.
All around the other members of their group who'd been dining leapt to their feet, drawing their own weapons. A confused cacophony of voices filled the temple, joining the panicked cries of temple priests and many servants, nearly drowning out the distant rumbling.
Reaching the front doorway of the terrace, they sprinted outside and into the front courtyard, coming to a stop as they beheld the scene before them.
Fires burned across the city, black smoke rising high into the sky. Searing globes of violet flame arched high over the walls, crashing down into the city and detonating in bursts of light that incernated everything in their path
"No…" Corrin whispered.
Through the city streets surged hundreds of Invisible Soldiers, cutting down any, guardsmen or civilians alike, who stood in their path. Anger flared up in him, the slaughter before him dredging up memories. In a flash, he saw the burning streets of Cheve, bodies strewn in pools of blood as Hans led the slaughter, his axe dripping red. Then the memory faded, leaving him again staring at the horrible scene now unfolding in the present.
Before he could do anything more, he caught sight of the space before them warping, the scene bending and distorted like the air over a dirt path on a hot summer's day. Figures wreathed in violet flame burst into view, materializing from thin air as they leapt at them, ghostly weapons drawn.
There was a flash of blue light, Falchion cleaving through the first Invisible Soldier. Lucina moved as if made of wind, striking down foe after foe with blinding speed.
"Thoron!"
"Bolganone!"
The spells Robin and Morgan unleashed ripped through the enemy ranks, tossing phantoms aside like a child's playthings, their broken bodies dissipating in smoldering heaps.
"Back! Back inside!" Robin instructed, launching a blast of wind to stagger their would-be-pursuers.
Corrin souped up Kana in his arms, sprinting back inside the temple.
Already the sound of fighting had broken out all around them, frantic voices and the ringing of steel on steel echoing out from all around them. They must be attacking from the other courtyards. How did they sneak up on us so easily?
An entire army at their backs and they still failed to detect the attack until it was too late. They'd been so preoccupied they hadn't even stopped to consider the possibility that their foes would make a move now. Dammit, he should have expected this.
"Why? Why attack so openly now after all this time?" Lucina asked, slowing half a step as she cut down a Invisible Soldier who leapt forward to bar their way.
"They must have figured we were getting too close to the answers we need! Dammit, they're probably after Izana. If they kill him before he completes his ritual, they can prevent us from striking back against them!" Robin answered.
All because we came here, Corrin added silently. He closed his eyes, trying to escape the sight of Izumo burning and it's people slaughtered. We made them a target. If we hadn't come here, they'd be safe.
It's all our fault.
Reaching the others who'd accompanied them into the temple, they found Corrin's friends already locked in combat with the Invisible Soldiers. At once Robin began giving instructions, ordering some to form lines while sending others to find Xander and the others still elsewhere in the temple and begin organizing a proper defense.
Corrin set Kana down before staggering over to a nearby wall, pressing a hand against it.
So much death. It was his fault. He should have been more prepared. He should have known. No matter where he went, it always followed him.
All he did was bring death.
He began to double over. He saw Cheve burning. He saw the faces the Kitsune he'd killed during the Nohrian army's march into Hoshido. He saw his brothers dead, the bodies of thousands of Hoshidan soldiers dead in the field outside the city.
.
He saw Azura vanish before his eyes.
All his fault. It was all his fault.
All giving up does is fulfil your own fears.
No.
Corrin gripped Yato's hilt, drawing the blade free. Crimson light flashed, rippling down the blade.
He couldn't just give into his fear and doubts. Not again. Not anymore.
"Robin," he shouted, letting his voice carry above the crowd. "We need to get as many people as we can into the back of the temple," he explained, speaking quickly. "I fought this very battle, only as the attacker. I know what they'll do. There are four courtyards that provide access, along with the main entrance. That's why we fall back, then we eliminate the two southern courtyards as variables."
Robin stared at him for a moment, than nodded sharply. "I understand. How big are the remaining entrances then? Nevermind, it'll be easier to see myself. No sense talking when time's already of the essence," Robin explained. "Quickly now, we need to gather everyone here and get them to safety before we're overrun. Only then can we fall back."
"Already on it father!" Morgan chimed in. "Kana and I did some exploring while you guys were all busy with the ritual. We can search it much faster."
"Yep! Plus I can carry people as a dragon if I need to. Best way for me to help, right?" Kana agreed, almost hopping up and down in place so excited was she to help.
For an instant Corrin felt his chest tighten, fear threatening to overtake his judgement. But he resisted the urge, throwing those thoughts aside. He couldn't waste time fretting when every instant counted and certainly not when his daughter was right. This was the best way for her to help. Besides, as long as he and the others did their job then no harm would come her way.
Corrin closed his eyes, forcing himself to take a long, steady breath as he mustered his courage. When he opened his eyes, he took one shaky step forward towards his daughter. Then he kneeled so they were at eye level and placed a hand on her arm. "You're right, it is. That's why I know you can do this. Just hurry, and please, be careful."
Kana nodded her head excitedly. "I will, Papa. I promise, l'll be careful." With that she turned away, tugging on Morgan's sleeve and yanking the young tactician along with her. "Come on, you heard him! Go, go, go!"
"Woah, since when am I the one being dragged along places," Morgan exclaimed, laughter filtering through her voice as Kana continued to pull her along. "Normally I'm the one doing the dragging. Weird, huh?" She flashed a grin back their way before falling into a sprint, heading out towards the thick of the fighting.
For a moment Corrin watched them go, his gaze lingering on Kana until she was lost from sight. He took another purposeful breath, trying to steady his nerves. He couldn't help but be worried still. Any parent would. But…
He had to trust his daughter for once.
When he at last turned towards the others, he saw that both Robin and Lucina were regarding him now with knowing smiles.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just thought that was a very wise decision is all," Robin explained, shrugging it off at he turned back the battle. His continued grin, however, told another story.
"And very brave. I can attest to how difficult it can be for a parent to do what you just did," Lucina added, her smile more gentle. She nodded, the gesture conveying approval before she too turned away, joining her husband in the fighting.
Corrin blinked several times, feeling a more than a bit stupefied by their reaction. You know, there was probably a better time for that than right now, he thought to himself in lue of voicing his response aloud. Besides, I just did what I had to.
I just swallowed by fears and did what needed to be done in spite of them.
. . . . .
Over the next few minutes Corrin moved quickly, rushing to organize the scattered members of his party and direct them towards taking up defensive positions where Robin had indicated. He followed Robin's instructions in this regard to the letter, trusting the tactician's expertize in determining where best to use their meager resources. His job then was to use his mobility to quickly convey this instructions and ensure everyone was in position as quickly as possible.
He could only hope the others who'd remained outside the temple were faring well. It was impossible to tell what had happened, nor could they hope to get any aid out to them with all the exits blocked by Invisible Soldiers. He just had to hope and trust they could handle themselves.
Leo's with them, Corrin reminded himself. I'm certain he can organize the others without our aid. Right now I need to worry about myself and keeping everyone with me alive.
As if on cue, there was a sudden rush of movement at the edge of his vision, the space before him warping as if viewed through water. Instinct took over, Yato moving in a blur to bisect the Invisible Soldier that leaped at him. Steel rang out through shower of sparks as he caught a sword slash, parrying the blow aimed by the soldier who'd materialized from behind it's fallen comrade, it's searing red eyes flashing into focus. Corrin wove around the next strike, swiftly, taking the soldier's arm off at the elbow before cutting him down with a second strike.
Without hesitation he leapt forward, falling into a sprint back towards the others, searching for Robin. With his job complete, all there was for him to do now was help with the fighting and ensure they held against the Invisible Soldiers' assault.
Rounding the corner he found them at the top of the main stairway that led into the temple. Lightning flashed, lancing out to catch a phantom full force, throwing it back. The instant the spell had left Robin's fingertips the tactician turned, parrying a blow with his sword before knocking his foe's weapon wide long enough for Lucina to step in and cut the Invisible Soldier down. With them fought Kaze, Gunter, Silas, Felicia, Elise, Arthur, and Effie, their group doing their best to hold this point. Two others groups blocked the entrances from the southmost courtyards, each fighting back the sea of phantoms that came from all sides.
"How's the evacuation going? Heard anything from Kana and Morgan?" Corrin asked, his voice carrying out over the roaring clash of steel against steel.
"They're almost done! Gathering the last of them now. They're taking them to the chambers at the back of this floor," Robin answered.
"So we need to hold just a bit longer then," Corrin said, speaking more to himself than anyone else.
With that he threw himself into the battle with fervor, Yato blazing with crimson light as it cleaved through Invisible Soldier after Invisible Soldier. Yet for every phantom he felled, another appeared immediately to take its place. It wasn't long before he began to feel the beginnings of fatigue creep into his limbs, his arm feeling a little heavier, bit by bit, with each swing.
Then there was a whistling pop that echoed through the temple, a stream of prismatic sparks shooting overhead like a comet before fizzling out in a shower of embers.
"That's the signal, go!" Robin shouted, "Fall back to the next line of defenses!
Firing off one final spell to cover their retreat, Robin turned and urged them to follow, sprinting towards the inner ring of the temple. The other groups at their flanks likewise fell back, splitting off to either join the groups guarding the northmost courtyards, or joining their own group as they took up positions at the inner stairwell.
"So that spell…" Corrin started to ask.
"Parlor trick I picked up from a friend. Has entire tomes of spells like that," Robin said. "I apparently taught Morgan it when she was first learning magic. Great for communicating when fighting indoors considering how it homes in on it's target," the tactician explained as they ran.
Within moments they reached their destination. The mages and archers among their number turned first, unleashing a hail of magic and arrows to cover the close range fighters as they formed defensive lives. The first line of Invisible Soldiers fell, those behind faltering for a single moment before surging onward. But this was all the time they needed, the defenders meeting the assault with a wall of flashed steel, cutting down swaths of the phantoms in the first clash. This gave the spellcasters and archers the time they needed to form up a second line of their own, from which they could pick off foes at a safe distance.
Wave after wave of phantoms crashed into their lines, and each time they were repelled. Sometimes they would target one of the courtyards, while in others they would come from all angles at once. This is where Corrin's speed played it's greatest role, allowing him to rush from one point of defense to another, shoring up the places where things were most dire.
Yanking his blade free from a dissolving Invisible Soldiers, Corrin surveyed the eastern courtyard he'd most recently gone to aid. The assault here has been foiled quickly, the few remaining Invisible Soldiers left being routed even as he watched. Confident that group there under Xander's command, which included both his retainers and Marc among others, could mop up the rest, Corrin headed back to the center hall to see how they had faired.
On arriving he found that they too had just foiled an enemy push, the bodies of dozens of phantoms having only begun to fade into smoke.
"Sorry I'm late, but no harm it seems," Corrin said, indicating to the bodies with his chin.
"Yeah, so it seems…" Robin agreed, sounding distant. He seemed troubled, and had for some time now. However, the expression hadn't been as intense before as it was now, and that alone was enough to set Corrin on edge.
"What's the matter?"
Robin's frown deepened at this question, and he sighed. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. They've been getting nowhere with their current plan, yet they keep coming. Perhaps they're just trying to wear us down, but even then…" he trailed off, shaking his head. "I fear they are trying to keep us occupied, but for what end I-
A tremor ran through the temple, a distant rumble coming from somewhere overhead. Dust rained down from the ceiling, shaken loose as the entire structure trembled for several moments before stilling once more.
What in the world? That came from upstairs, which means-
"Blast it! I guess my question was just answered. They must have found a way to breach into the temple from above while we were busy down here," he exclaimed, voicing the same realization Corrin had come to. "Dammit all, I should have accounted for that! I'm too accustomed to dealing with stone fortifications, not wood."
"Then we need to go now. That must have been the floor above us, which means there's still time before they reach the top level," Corrin shouted back.
"Right, hurry, if we move quickly enough we still can-"
The tactician's words were cut short as another blast ripped through the nearby wall. Dust and debris billowed through the center hall, slinging shards of wood fragments into the defenders' lines. One particularly large fragment passed within inches of Corrin's throat, while another nearly skewered Robin if not Corrin pulling both of them to the ground.
For an instant the two lay there dazed before stirring, both scrambling to their feet to survey what had happened.
A hole had been torn into one of the walls in between the two defensive lines, from which now spewed a stream of Invisible Soldiers. At the same time another wave crashed into the defenders from the front, pinning them between enemies on both sides. Only the rear line was momentarily safe, but they'd been the ones to take the brunt of the explosion. Ahead the healers were tending to many who sported wounds, and few that were still fighting had come out completely unscathed.
"Spellcasters, archers! Focus on the breach, we need to cover the front line so they can fall back!" Robin ordered, reacting to the situation. While his voice remained calm even as he yelled out orders, the grimace he wore told another story.
"What about Izana? We need to get up there now!" Corrin cut in.
"We need to regroup first. Sending a group now will only weaken our position and-"
"Then I'll go myself," Corrin interrupted, turning and without a second glance sprinting for the stairway behind them.
"Corrin, what are you-" Robin started to shout.
"Buying time! I'll hold them off, just send reinforcements when you can!" Corrin didn't wait for a reply, surging forward with every bit of haste he could muster. Reaching the stairs he pushed off, wings materializing to propel him skyward. In a single bound he reached the top, setting off in a dead sprint.
A part of him cursed his recklessness, scolding his willingness to run off by himself yet again. But this time he countered that voice. This time was different. He was thinking clearly this time and knew that they they couldn't afford to wait. Besides, he wasn't intending to fight them alone. No, he was just going to keep them distracted, buy time for the others to come help.
The upper hallways were eerily quiet, his footsteps echoing loudly as the sounds of fighting below grew more distant. Spurred onward, he reached the next stairs, again leaping to the top with the aid of his wings. Reaching the door at the top, he threw it aside, entering into a long empty antichamber that lay before the isolated meditation shrine at the far end. The second doorway was still closed, the flicker of candles inside and the smell of incense indicating the communion ritual was still ongoing.
The room was empty. That alone appeared too great.
Did I get here first? They should have been able to reach this point by now. Then why weren't they-
A sharp pain shot through Corrin's back as a sudden weight crashed into him. He was thrown forward, managing to twist himself into a roll at the last moment. Landing on his feet, Corrin turned back the way he came just in time to see the blade of an axe swinging towards his face. He leaned back, managing to narrowly avoid being bisected.
Behind the axe blade was the grinning face of Hans, the former Nohrian commander unmistakable even shrouded in shifting mirage-like shadows and eyes glowing with fell light.
"Going somewhere?" he snarled, his voice distorted to the point of almost being unrecognizable.
Meeting the next blow head on, Corrin caught the axe with Yato's blade and then, shoving with all his strength, forced the phantom Hans back. At the same instant he leapt back, trying to put some more distance between himself and his foe. Skidding to a stop, he shifted his weight to his back foot as he entered a defensive stance, raising Yato before him.
Then Corrin stiffened, his eyes widening as he beheld the scene before him.
Where had only stood the ghostly image of Hans now stood three others flanking the berserker. Through the flickering shadows that obscured their forms, Corrin glimpsed flashes of detail. The first he'd recognized was the phantom of Iago, but that was not what had given him pause. No, it was the other two: the woman who'd confronted them in Valla those weeks ago and the very same hooded swordsman who'd perpetrated the attack that had taken the life of Corrin's mother and sparked the whole war.
"How kind of you to join us, Corrin," the woman said, her lips curling into a smile.
"After all," the ghostly form of Iago said, smirking wickedly.
"-This was all for your benefit," finished the hooded man, ember eyes burning from the depths of his hood.
And then, as one, the phantoms leapt towards him, weapons bared.
Author's Note: Sorry about this one taking even longer than usual, had another busy past couple weeks. I would say something now about the next one not taking as long, but honestly we all know whenever I say that it never actually comes out sooner. So let's just leave things as saying the next one will be out at some point in the next two to four weeks.
So yeah, we finally arrived in Izumo, with some questions being answered and many more being raised. Questions such as: if the gods could warn Izana about so many things, why didn't they warn him about this Invisible Soldier attack? Or more importantly, why not warn him about Zollo imprisoning and impersonating him in all three routes of Fates? Or how does Izana know latin despite the fact said language shouldn't exist in this universe? Or perhaps we should merely be asking what were the Fates' localization team smoking when they localized the game? These questions and many more are likely to never be answered, because I sure as heck don't have the answers.
Erm, at any rate…. Onto guest reviews, shall we?
Dracofighter - So, um… I actually have two people checking over each of my chapters. Yet despite three sets of eyes, we somehow still fail to catch every issue. I'm glad I'm still handling Morgan well, though. In terms of timeline, Morgan is about 16 or 17 at this point, as this is taking place about three years after the end of Awakening. '
Anyhow, that's all for now. As always, let me know what you thought of this one. Until next time, peace!