Chapter 51 - No Choice

Robin shivered as the cold wind washed over them, unseasonably chilly for the pleasant weather thus far experienced since entering Hoshido. He tightened his coat around him, wishing this meeting could have happened anywhere but outside the city's gates. But he supposed it had to be here, given the circumstances.

He glanced back, looking to Lucina, to each member of Nohr's royal family, and beyond to where the sun was already just starting to set and cast the ruined capital in golden twilight. Perhaps it was fitting then for the meeting to be held now: the kingdoms of day and night meeting at the transitory time in between.

More than a full day had passed since the battle in the Hoshido capital. With the threat of the Invisible Soldiers dealt with, for the time being, he'd, along with Sakura, immediately met with Yukimura. The meeting had gone about as well as could be expected, given the situation. After informing the royal tactician of Hinoka's and Sakura's decision to ally with Nohr, the response had only been to promise to hold a parley between them and any representatives of the noble clans and Xander once his army arrived.

With that, not much had happened. His own group had withdrawn outside the city while they waited, mainly as a show of good faith with so many Nohrians making up their number. It was only by the following midday that Xander's army had been spotted in the distance. Longer still for them to relay what had been agreed upon and come together for this meeting.

And so here they were. Trying to avoid yet more bloodshed between two mortal enemies.

Before the gates stood the remnants of the Hoshido army, led by Yukimura. With him were a handful of noble lords who dwelt within a day's march of the capital, each having brought with them fresh troops who'd not taken part in the day's battle. Robin briefly tried to identify the lords' identities from their clan crests and the color of their banners, but it wasn't much use. He simply wasn't familiar enough with the greater political structure of Hoshido outside of the brief bits of reading and instruction from the Hoshidans in their group.

The only thing he did know, however, was the nobles who had been most resistant to Hinoka taking the throne lived further from the capital. This had resulted in their personal forces being relatively unscathed during the war with Nohr, a fact which likely influenced their recent grabs for greater influence over the royal family, being in the best position to enforce any such power grabs. But with luck, none of these more hawkish nobles had been able to attend the day's summit on such short notice.

Small blessings, I guess. With luck, we can get the other clans to play nice with this alliance. If we do, the others may be forced to just fall in line.

Facing them were the Nohrians, a smaller company consisting of Xander, Leo, Camilia, Elise, their retainers, and a few others including himself, Lucina, and Marc. Corrin was not present. Robin had, or rather Xander in his stead, asked Corrin if he wished to attend. He'd refused, though if it was due to prudence as to not complicate the situation given his history with Hoshido, or the results of their encounter with his step-father the day before, Robin could not say.

Robin stifled a sigh, doing his best not to shake his head with the motion. It's probably bits of both reasons, he mused.

He glanced back to where the small detachment of soldiers, merely a hundred strong, hung back by several yards. The rest of the Nohrian army had remained more than a league after marching to the city, letting only the royal family ride on ahead. All to signal that they were not looking for a fight.

Now we just hope there isn't one. If a fight did break out, well, they were heavily outnumbered by the Hoshidans and help was just out of reach. Robin could do the math.

Between the two opposing forces, grouped just off to the side, were Princess Hinoka, Princess Sakura, their retainers, and Morgan. With just how tenuous the situation was, the plan, as Xander, Hinoka, and Robin had hashed out, was to let the elder Princess act as mediators in this parley. If anyone could get their countrymen to agree to this alliance, it was the one rightfully next in line to sit on the White Throne.

But will they listen? Robin wondered. Hinoka had made it clear that the nobles had thus far resisted allowing her to take the throne, citing her not yet being of age to ascend to the position. Couple that and the power plays going on, would her words even be heeded? And without any of them being able to truly convey the real threat so long as they were shackled by Anankos' curse?

If we can't get this alliance then at least we must negotiate for the two of them to claim Hoshido's Divine Weapons, Robin resolved. They could perhaps win the war with the forces they already had. But without this world's Fire Emblem he couldn't see how much hope they truly had for victory.

A gust of wind blew between them, fallen leaves and blades of withered grass swirling through the space, punctuating the pregnant silence. Then, taking half a step forward, Xander spoke first.

"Royal Tactician, it is unfortunate that we could not meet under better circumstances."

"Regent," Yukimaru corrected. "It is in that capacity that I meet with you now. So it is that myself and what nobles who could come speak for Hoshido in place of a king or queen, Your Majesty."

"Prince," Xander said, his turn to make a correction. "While I rule Nohr, I have not yet been officially coronated. Defending my land from our shared enemy was paramount to holding any such ceremony."

"The phantom warriors, who are they?" one of the nobles, his clan colors silver and green, asked at the mention of 'shared foes.'

"I'd much like to know that myself," Yukimura agreed, staring at Xander harm. "Prior to the past few weeks, our only encounter with them was the assassination of Queen Mikoto. A plot masterminded by your father, I must remind you. Were it not for your people's actions yesterday, I would have every reason to treat your kingdom as culpable in this invasion of Hoshido. The fact you come with an army at your back doesn't assuage those fears."

"My… King Garon was involved in their schemes. As for their identities, we cannot say, but their goals are clear. They seek only the destruction of both our lands. They struck Nohr first, an attack we barely repelled. Since then they have assaulted elsewhere, such as Izumo, and now here in Hoshido."

"Not just this world, but others too," Robin said. He motioned to his family. "We are from another world, beyond the Outrea- the Dragon Gate. Our world too was invaded by these Invisible Soldiers. The threat is real and bigger than anyone land alone."

"That's why we need to work together, despite the bloodshed between our kingdoms. It's a matter of survival for us both," Leo added.

"You can't tell us? Why? Who is the master of these foes? Why do they seek to destroy us?" a different clan leader demanded, joined soon after by similar calls from the other lords.

"There is a reason they can't tell you. Why we can't. Please trust us, or if you can't then trust me," Hinoka cut in, addressing her people directly. "We crossed paths with the Nohrians on their way to Izumo just like we were. We saw them battle these same foes there, which if yesterday did not prove the Nohrians' intentions to aid us, that battle in Izumo settles it."

"And… uh… I-Izana told us… we needed to go… t-to the Ethereal… Summit. T-There we… we, um… spoke to the-" Sakura tried to say.

"We spoke to the Astral Dragons. It was their council that told us that only if we unite the Divine Weapons of both Hoshido and Nohr can we hope to save our world."

"So that's what you need then. To take those weapons from our keeping," Yukimura said, suspicion returning to his face as he looked back at Xander.

"That is one part of our purpose, yes, but an alliance between our armies is needed too. We would pledge to help protect Hoshido in return for allowing Hinoka and Sakura to claim those weapons as their right, and fight alongside us as we bring the battle to our true foe," Xander answered.

Silence hung in the air for several moments after Xander finished, Yukimura's distrust only slightly diminished at his words. Then at last the tactician spoke. "You again speak of an enemy, one who leads these 'Invisible Soldiers', as you called them. You know who this foe is." It was not a question. There were murmurs of agreement at this from the other lords

"We do, but we can't tell you now. There are circumstances we can only tell you about later. So for now I must beg you to trust us and take the threat as it is now at face value," Xander admitted.

"I find it difficult to trust those who mere months ago invaded Hoshido and slaughtered many of our people," Yukimura answered, eyes narrowed. "I at least need more proof if I am to entertain the thought of-"

Suddenly a drumbeat could be heard in the distance. At once many turned in the direction of the sound, fearing some new attack. Instead, they were greeted by a small host of very much visible soldiers approaching at a rapid pace. As they drew closer Robin could just about make out three banners: purple-on-white, gold-on-gray, and green-on-black. He glanced over to Kaze, looking for clarification.

"Those are the colors of the Kieda, Tstake, and Hosugi clans," the ninja explained, looking visibly surprised. "They all live far to the south-west of here, well outside a day's march. They shouldn't have…" he trailed off, Robin able to see the gears already turning in his head.

"I remember the name Kieda," he whispered, more to himself than to anyone. Hinoka had, what felt like a lifetime ago, mentioned them as being one of the primary opponents to her ascending to the throne. He did not recall the other two being mentioned, but he could guess at least they were likely smaller allied clans to the Kieda. Which meant if they were here now, arriving so soon after the battle…

He could only consider the possibility that some deal had been struck between these clans and Valla. How else could they have arrived so soon, if not having known of the battle before it had come? And after all, Nohr had themselves harbored many such collaborators during the war. Perhaps unlike them, then, their counterparts in Hoshido had survived the war undiscovered.

"Lord Kieda, Lord Tstake, Lord Hosugi, I am honored to see you have come," Yukimura said, visibly as surprised by the three clans' entrance as everyone else was. "I am afraid I did not know you were coming, or I would have delayed starting this meeting"

"We came as soon as we heard of the assault on the capital, to render our assistance of course," the Lord of Clan Kieda said, his voice smooth and melodious, yet beneath the honeyed tone was a slimy quality that did not escape Robin's notice. "It is fortunate that your messages met us on the road, or else we would have arrived ready for a fight. Though given the company… maybe we should have been." He eyed the Nohrians with obvious disdain.

"They are here, Lord Kieda, because we agreed on it," Hinoka said, shooting a glare at the clan leader.

"Yes, yes, we can all see how quick you are to play peacemaker with our sworn enemies," Kieda said, barely looking in the Princess' direction, a gesture that only seemed to infuriate Hinoka further as her hands balled into fists.

"It is unfortunate that you arrived only now, for it is because of that very enemy behind the assault on your city that concerns all of us," Xander said, wisely trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand, lest this noble lord continues to impede what little headway they'd already made.

"We need your aid if we are to have any chance of defeating these Invisible Soldiers. Though we cannot speak of who, the master of this enemy is far beyond what either of us can hope to match on our own," Leo added.

"Most of all we need Raijinto and Fujin. We learned from Izana, and the astral dragons, that we need those Divine Weapons. It's the only way we can-" Hinoka started to say.

"Can't tell us? We're told by crazed prophets and beings out of myths and children's tales? That is what you use as your proof?" Lord Kieda interrupted, laughing. This got a collection of murmurs from the gathered Hoshidans. Some of shock and disgust at his lack of decorum, so rudely speaking over the princess. But many others seemed to not be disagreeing with his point.

"See now how our so-called heir allies herself with traitors and butchers, stands beside those who ravaged our lands, slew her brothers along with countless of our people," Lord Kieda said. "At best this is the work of some bewitchment of dark magic. Or, as I deem more likely, evidence of being easily swayed by such blatant Nohrian falsehoods. An enemy none of us have heard of? One that is behind everything, yet whom they can produce no evidence of? Ha! Only a fool would believe such flights of fancy. Certainly not one suited for rulership."

There were murmurs from several of the other clan leaders with Yukimura, Lord Kieda's words beginning to sow seeds of doubt in their minds.

Before Xander, Hinoka, or anyone else could respond, another voice cut in, practically shouting now. "Wait just one gods-darned moment!" Morgan said, stepping in front of Hinoka to face down the Lord.

Oh no, Robin could only think, seeing the disaster he was too late to stop.

"What about the Invisible Soldiers we all saw, who we helped kill. How do you explain that one, huh?" Morgan demanded, crossing her arms "There's your proof. And unless you all want to die, you better start listening to what your queen has to say." And then she stuck out her tongue, practically the cherry on top of the bad situation.

Morgan… just… why?

"Such insolence, but is that not to be expected from the outsider the traitor princesses hold so close to their council?" Lord Kieda retorted. "As for her words…" he started, looking away from Morgan to address his fellow clan leaders instead. "Does it not seem like these enemies are merely some foul conjuration of Nohrian dark magic, much like the faceless sent against us in the past? Just another expendable creature, cast aside here as a means to deceive us into welcoming you with open arms as our 'saviors', if only to enslave or slaughter us all while we sleep?"

"He's right," one of the other lords agreed, speaking up. "These phantoms vanished completely in an instant at the battle's end. Is that not what we'd expect from Nohrian deception?"

More murmurs rose, soon joined by shouts of agreement. Most of the gathered nobles seemed even more distrusting than they had at the start of the summit, many now appearing visibly enraged as they bought into Lord Kieda's words. For his part the clan leader merely smirked, knowing full well we were winning over this debate.

"Wait, listen to us. We used Queen Mikoto's spell upon the White Throne to banish them," Robin, "we can prove it, you can examine the spell and-"

"Even still that wouldn't exactly exonerate you, I'm afraid. It would help, sure, but not disprove any deception," Yukimura cut in, much of the distrust Robin had seen at their first meeting returning to his face.

"Yukimura, p-please. You need to... to t-trust us," Sakura stammered, "if not to a-aid us, then… then maybe… just allow us to- to use Raijinto and Fujin. Without them we… we can't…" she trailed off, looking at the floor.

"You're all making a mistake. The enemy is real and is a threat to both our lands. To Nohr and Hoshido alike," Xander said, addressing not only Yukimura but all of the assembled Hoshidans. "I understand your hatred of us, for the pain and suffering our war brought upon you, but this is about survival now. For both of us. You saw what we both face. We need to ally ourselves, or both lands perish alone."

"Then you must understand why we cannot take you at your word with no proof," Yukimura answered, before looking at Sakura sadly. "I'm sorry, I am afraid I cannot concede to your request. So long as the vote of the assembled clan leaders is against it, those weapons must remain unclaimed. I can only promise that the Nohrians may withdraw unimpeded, and you with them should you wish not to abandon this foolish course you've taken."

"Yukimura, you can't be listening to this snake. You've known us our whole lives, served our parents faithfully for years. You can trust us," Hinoka implored.

"It is not my place to tell you what to do, so I instead plead for you to listen to them. To these two who by rights of both birth and deeds deserve your trust," Xander said, stepping forward to stand now behind the two princesses, showing his support. "Listen to them when they warn you of our shared unspeakable foe, one who speaks of complete destruction. Their words should be enough."

For a moment several of the nobles seemed to hesitate, as did Yukimura. But, before these thoughts could take root, Kieda stepped forward once more, shouting as to be heard.

"Tell us then- who is this mysterious enemy? If you cannot answer then we must take it as proof of their deceit!" Lord Kieda demanded. Or at least, feined to demand. For there was again an unmistakable smile within the noble's voice. The brief flickers of wavering in the other nobles' expressions vanished, again plagued by doubt.

This damned curse, if we could somehow communicate its existence, then this entire bastard's argument would fall apart. But now… how do we… Robin shook his head, wracking his brain for something, anything he could do here.

It was then that Robin again, in the span of only a few days, found his mind wandering back to the night during the Festival of Dark Nights in Nohr, to the conversation he'd had with Azura's spirit.

"I can see them. The threads of light that reach beyond this word, wrapping your soul. When I look at you, I see a life flickering on the edge of oblivion. A fragile mote of light, a piece of it missing. But yet a great power yet fills it, drawn from the glimmering strands…"

And with that memory, Robin knew what he had to do. What only he could do.

Robin grabbed Lucina's hand, giving it a squeeze. She looked at him in surprise, and then, as he pulled away and stepped forward, alarm. She knew what he was about to do. But she was too slow to stop him.

I'm sorry, but I have to try, Robin thought to himself, not daring to speak those words allowed. If he was wrong… well, he could only pray she'd forgive him.

"He can't speak because of a curse," Robin announced suddenly, letting his voice carry above the assembled crowd. "A curse preventing anyone from revealing it or the existence of the enemy behind all of this. A curse I just triggered."

No sooner had the words left his mouth, than a sudden chill seemed to wash over him. A presence, silent, dark, cold, filling his mind. The world spun beneath him and he stumbled. All around him he saw looks of confusion, shock, fear, and alarm from those assembled on the field.

Then everything went black.

Author's Note: Sorry this one took a bit longer than expected. I was unhappy with the chapter so I ended up taking some time to do some heavy rewrites, which took a few extra weeks. That said, it's likely going to be awhile for the next chapter, since first I have this year's Robcina-Week to write for in two weeks time, so be on the lookout for that. So, well… I guess you guys will have to live with this cliffhanger for a bit.

Anyhow, no guest reviews so that's all for now. Let me know what you guys thought. As always, please leave all your comments and criticism you have, as it's the only way I am going to improve as a writer. Besides, it always makes my day to hear your thoughts. Until the next one, have a wonderful day everyone!