Act 3: Into the Kingdom Below

Chapter 53 - Preparations

"Did it work, did it work?!" Morgan chimed excitedly.

Corrin winced, the girl's question grating at his fraying nerves. A warranted reaction, he felt, given this was at least the two-dozenth time she'd asked the question.

That day.

"Morgan, nothing happened. What do you think?" Robin asked, his voice breathy with the exasperation he failed to fully mask. Corrin was glad the tactician, at least, was frustrated as well. A fact commentary from the man's daughter was not helping.

"I'm an optimist?" Morgan offered, grinning even as she shrunk back to avoid any scolding forthcoming from her father.

"This isn't working," Corrin said, fighting the urge to throw Yato to the ground in sheer frustration at the whole situation. Only the knowledge that doing so would certainly do nothing to help their efforts. That and knowing deep down that his ill will was directed not at the weapon, but himself. "We can't force a-"

"-force a harmonance between the users, yes, yes, I know the issue, Corrin," Robin snapped. The tactician winced, pushing out an audible breath, immediately showing regret at his blunt rebuke. "Look, I know the circumstances of Yato gaining power from Xander's and Leo's weapons, but look at our options. We can't sit around waiting for something to happen forever. The longer we wait, the more our enemy builds in strength and the more innocent people die. We have to defeat Anankos, and to do that we need the Fire Emblem. This Fire Emblem," Robin reiterated, gesturing to Yato.

Corrin said nothing. He was right on that account, hence his growing desperation and frustration. They couldn't risk waiting for it to happen the right way, so another way was needed.

So it was every day for the past two weeks, while Hoshido's army was mustered and battle plans drawn up, he, Hinoka, and Sakura had trained together with their Divine Weapons, hoping to establish both a connection to their respective weapons and a harmonance of the wielders' will within the weapon. Thus the ritual they conducted at intervals between training bouts, the three of them trying countless means to trigger the effect. From concentration, magic spells, meditation, to simply talking to one another as to understand each other better, they'd tried everything multiple times to no avail. Even as every session seemed to draw an ever growing crowd of onlookers, each and every one of them was so quick to offer their own ideas and suggestions to try. Not that any had worked.

At least it hadn't been entirely fruitless. Both Hinoka and Sakura had quickly become much more proficient with wielding Raijinto and Fujin in an astoundingly brief time. So, then, their time hadn't been completely wasted. Small comfort, but only one of the three failing to see any results wasn't the worst outcome.

"I'm s-sure we'll get… um, get it to work if we just keep trying. Right, Hinoka?" Sakura assured him. She had remained seated after the ritual, Fujin resting in her lap. Though her gaze was on the weapon and not of then, Corrin could still feel the flicker of confidence behind her words. No, not confidence, belief.

For her part Hinoka said nothing. She, too, was staring at her weapon. Sparks danced over Raijinto's surface as she regarded it. Then, sighing wearily, she returned it to it's sheath. "Yeah, will will. We've got to."

Wasn't that the truth, Corrin thought to himself. One way or another, they had to unlock Yato's full power. He just wished he had his sisters' faith it would work out.

"You know, it would be a lot easier if all you needed was to put some gemstones into it," Marc noted, putting a hand on the shield resting on his lap. As if to highlight his point of its own volition, the five gemstones seemed to momentarily glimmer and shine.

"Duh, which is why our Fire Emblem is totally better," Soleil said with a grin.

"I am not certain that's a good thing," Lucina countered, her expression pensive. "The fact one merely needs to acquire the shield and the five gemstones means that anyone who does so can wield it regardless of evil intent." She frowned, seeming to for a moment recall some experience, her gaze distant. "Perhaps then, this world's Fire Emblem is less perilous."

"True," Robin agreed. "And, as unfortunate as it is given our circumstances, requiring it and the wielder of the other weapons to forge powerful, personal bonds to awaken the true power within has certainly poetic quality. One that resonates with our own experiences."

"Wait, doesn't this mean the real Fire Emblem was the friends we made along the way?" Soliel exclaimed, leaping to her feet in time with the proclamation.

A stunned silence was all that followed, so deep that only a gust of wind could be heard as everyone stared blankly and bewilderedly at Soleil.

"No," Robin said flatly, his eyelids narrowed with a look that screamed 'I am a thousand percent done' with the whole situation. "That's dumb. We're all stupider having heard it."

"I mean, if the power is drawn from a meaningful moment of understanding between the chosen wielders, wouldn't that be accurate to-" Ophelia started to ask.

"No, no, no, no, I refuse to allow that to be how we describe this," Robin interrupted. He groaned, dragging both hands over his face.

"Aren't you and father always the first to speak about the strength of our bonds? How is that sentiment any different?" Lucina asked, visibly perplexed by what was bothering her husband. Evidently she, at least, found nothing unusual or absurd in this line of thinking. Or, at least, as oblivious to it.

"Lucina, I love you, but you're not helping," Robin told her. This time when he rubbed his face his hands lingered there, muffling something that sounded like a muttered "why has this become my life?"

"Robin becoming self-aware to know how gods-damned cheesy he is, aside, does this whole 'power of friendship' crap actually, you know, help us?" Severa asked, smirking as Robin visibly winced at her works.

"Please don't call it that," Robin muttered, his protests thoroughly and completely disregarded by this point.

"It would have been way more convenient if the whole 'forgiving Corrin thing' at the Astral Summit had happened later. I'd wager that would have done the trick," Inigo noted. "Maybe we can- Hey!" he yelped as Morgan smacked him on the arm.

"Says the man who was forgiven way, way after them. Like, super way after. Are you just jealous? I think you're totally jealous" Morgan chided. "Plus, super rude. Like, super, super, mega rude to Hinoka and Sakura."

"All I am saying is the timing could have been- Ow!" Another smack sounded, followed by more yelps as Morgan grabbed onto his arm, twisting it enough to cause what was most likely only mild pain.

"Stop being a drama queen and apologize," Morgan scolded.

"It's not my fault I'm delicate and- Ow-, okay, okay, I'm sorry," Inigo relented.

"Good boy," Morgan said, releasing him instantly and turning back to the conversation. "So, blah blah power of friendship blah blah blah, something, something bonds, blah blah Fire Emblem go all fwoosh, and pew-pew evil guy dies, we win. That about sums it all up? If so, I have some new ideas."

"No," Robin said abruptly, giving his daughter a stern look.

"But you didn't even hear them yet!" Morgan said, flailing her arms as she leapt up onto her chair. "Like, look, you'll love this one. Two words: Huge. Party."

"No," Robin repeated.

"Oh come on," Morgan whined. "Okay, find, my next idea was-"

"Morgan, please. Whatever silly idea you have, it's not going to-" Robin interrupted, only to be silenced as Morgan redoubled her effort, shouting now to speak over her father.

"-was, if we can't force this to work, why not just don't do that," she finished. Stunned, confused silence and everyone's attention turned firmly on her now where for all before it had been barely humoring her outburst. "Look, like, I was all for trying the party idea first. I think it has real potential. But if you're going to be a huge sourpuss about this Father, then fine. Then maybe this isn't something we can actually make happen. Maybe it needs to just, I dunno, just happen? Like, organically?"

Another long silence, this time filled with pensive expressions as those gathered considered her words. Then Hinoka spoke. "She has a point. At least, nothing else is working. Maybe we ought to leave it up to Fate, see if the moment comes when it needs to."

"Are you suggesting we just… wait and see?!" Corrin demanded incredulously. He caught on his words, realizing he'd started to shout. With a concerted effort he checked his rising ire, forcing a slow exhale of breath before continuing. "What if we never awaken Yato then. We'll all die, and then…" he trailed off shaking his head.

"I mean, I'm not saying we should stop trying. 'Huge party' idea, still on the table by the way. But anyhow, if we can't… well then we don't really have much of a choice then, do we?" Morgan countered.

Another long silence. Corrin had no answer to that. He only stewed in silence, mulling over the words.

A minute passed, or perhaps more, before Robin broke the silence. "I can't argue with that, as much as I wish I could for an idea secondary to 'a party'. We'll keep trying, as that's still our best hope, but…" he sighed, appearing incredibly weary. "I think we're all tired and there's nothing else we can try today. Besides, I have to meet with Yukimura and Leo," he added, referring to the nearly daily sessions the tacticians had be holding to coordinate their war efforts.

With that that crowd slowly dispersed, one by one smaller groups breaking off to attend to their own various businesses. For his part, Corrin made no immediate move to leave, remaining seated in the center of the training field, Yato still cradled in his arms. The final two gemstones dark and lifeless.

At last all but Hinoka and Sakura had departed, the two sisters lingering there a moment longer. Seconds passed until Corrin realized the two were watching him.

He blinked, finally registering their presence. "Do you need something? Look…" Corrin rubbed a hand over his face, searching for the right words to convey an apology for their repeated failures.

"No, don't. It's not your fault," Hinoka said, cutting him off as soon as his intent became apparent. "I just wanted to say I appreciate how hard you're trying, you know?"

Corrin said nothing, but still managed a slight nod. He appreciated the sentiment, even if they did little to assuage his doubts.

"W-we'll… um, do it. I'm… I'm certain of it," Sakura said, clearly trying her best to sound confident in her words. "J-just keep trying."

Again Corrin had nothing to say in reply. He nodded again.

"Just don't beat yourself up too much, okay? It'll do no one any good," Hinoka added.

"Okay… I'll try," Corrin said, trying his best the smile in reassurance that he heard the advice. His face felt stiff, resisting the expression.

Witt that the two princesses departed as well, leaving him truly alone in the field.

For a while longer he sat there, alone with his own thoughts. He stared at Yato, again feeling the urge to cast the sword across the ground in frustration, but once more thought better of it. He… he didn't know what he thought anymore. Guilt, exhaustion, frustration, and so many other emotions were so jumbled up in his head right now he- Corrin forced a slow breat, trying to clear his thoughts.

He considered going to bed, even though it was still in the afternoon. Sleep this off.

No, that wouldn't do. He needed to clear his head. To find a place to think and figure this out. Maybe find an answer to their quandary that gad so far alluded then all.

For that, then, he knew the very spot. One he'd planned to return to again today at any rate. Least now it would have a purpose.

With that, Corrin headed back to his room, stepping inside just long enough to grab a hooded cloak. Even permitted as he was to enter the city, he did not feel comfortable there. He'd much rather be able to pass through without being recognized. After what he'd done in the past, it waa better that way.

He slipped out of the castle and passed as quickly as he could through the city. What once were busy streets now seemed almost empty, much of the population having been either mobilized to the army or evacuated to the countryside. So it was that he made it all the way to the gate without being recognized or accosted.

The land beyond the walls was misty, cast off by the on and off rain rain showers most of the day. While it had stopped for now, the skies remained overcast with the threat of a renewed downpour.

Without really paying mind to his journey, Corrin yet still arrived at his intended designation. After coming here each day, he no longer had to really think about the trip to find his way here.

Corrin stared out over the small lake, the very same one where he and Azura had first met. A hand slipped into his tunic, drawing out the amulet pressed against his chest. The gem at the center twinkled as he looked into it, his hands wrapping around it to feel the faint warmth that flickered within.

Azura…

He wondered if she was there right now. If her spirit was watching him as she'd told Robin that she often then. So close, yet just beyond his reach.

A choking sound fell from his lips. A sob strangled in his throat. He grimaced, tightening his mouth shut before more sobs could come, fighting to bury his grief. He had to remain strong. Focused. He had to move forwards and not dwell on the answer.

Then why did you come here?

He shook his head. He had no answer for his own question. Maybe he just wanted a sign. Some answer that he was doing the right thing. That all of this wasn't for naught.

Wisps of mist swirled around him as he stood there, curling like many limbs wrapping themselves into an embrace. He continued to clutch the amulet, holding it closer. Trying to feel as though through it, he could feel Azura there with him, if only distantly and for the briefest of moments.

"Azura… can I do this? I… I'm so afraid. Afraid I'll fail, let everyone down again…" Corrin whispered. He squeezed his eyes shut as they begin to mist with tears, fighting again the bury to ache of loss as it bubbled up from within. "I need you. I really do. Without you… without your faith in me… I don't think I know how to believe in myself anymore…"

A tingle, like the faintest of touch, passed over his arm. Corrin nearly jumped back in reflex, pulling away on sheer instinct. Instead he whirled his gaze to the spot next to him. For an instant he thought he could see another figure standing next to him, hand outstretched and clad in white. Then as quickly as he'd glimpsed it, it was gone, the shape shifting and dissolving away into another amorphous wisp if mist cast off in the breeze.

It had only been a trick of the fog and his own imagination. Nothing more.

Corrin hunched his head, not moving from the spot for a long while. Not even when the rain came again did he depart, not even when his clothes became soaked and the numbing chill became almost unbearable. In a way he welcomed it, letting the sensation take hold of him. There was a simplicity in it, a purity that, if only for the moment, washed away the doubts and regrets.

Only when night fell did he depart, soaked and freezing, and began his slow walk back to his room. No lasting answers found.

. . . . .

"What a day," Robin grumbled, more to himself than to Lucina as the two stepped out of the palace's entrance.

"You said that yesterday, dear," Lucina noted. "And the day before, I quite believe."

"I know. Doesn't make it untrue," Robin said. He sighed, gazing up into the sky. No stars or moon could be found in the overcast night, only an black void that seemed to swallow the light below. The sun had long set even before the meeting finished. He was unaware of the exact time, but midnight could not be far off, given how long it had dragged.

Still no closer to finishing everything. No surprise there, I suppose. Coordinating two whole armies is no simple feat.

Lucina stifled a yawn, forcing himself to fight back a yawn of his own. Why of all gestures was that one so contagious anyways?

"Come on, I'm ready for bed," he said, offering a hand which Lucina took before setting off into the night.

Unlike the Nohrian royalty, who were offered rooms in the palace befitting their station, they had taken up temporary residence in one of several unoccupied manors vacated by the deaths of their owners in the war, as had most of the other members of their group. Not that they, due mostly to Lucina being royalty, been offered a stay in the palace. It has really just felt weird given the circumstances, not being from this world and being separated from their allies.

The streets were empty, scarcely another soul to be found save the occasional soldier posted here and there. Perhaps that emptiness was why, when given an opportunity to return to their beds quicker, they left the main roads to take a shortcut through some narrower alleys and side-streets. At least, he hoped it wasn't out of any undo confidence. That was behavior to get one killed.

Which, on a very related topic…

The first warning was a feeling, one that stopped both he and Lucina in their tracks in the center of an alley they'd been passing though. A feeling a being watched, of unwelcome eyes on your back.

"You felt it too," Robin noted in a whisper.

Lucina dipped her chin in a barely perceptible nod. "Yes, but where?" Her eyes searched the darkness

It was then that shadows seemed to break away from the edges of the alley's end before them. Robin tensed, ready to spring into action at an instant. A glance back confirmed more shapes emerging that way as well, cutting off escape. On reflect he searched out with his mind, attempting to perceive the invisible foes they'd grown accustomed to, to see the unseen and-

-and then he stopped, realizing the darkened shapes were wholly solid. Too real to be the ghostly souls bound in service of the Silent Dragon.

Oh, well… that's a let down, Robin thought, now preparing for the fight against entirely mortal assassins. Assassins who had, acting more like armed thugs than trained killers, squandered all surprise they could have had for this overly dramatic entrance.

Amateurish, really.

As they approached he could make out a bit more of their appearance. They wore loose fitting midnight blue clothes, with hoods and masks to match. Over this they each wore a lacquer armor chestplate, similar to that of the soldiers employed by most of the landed lords in Hoshido, only devoid of the usual marking identifying to which liege they swore their service. Maybe, then, armed thugs wasn't too far from the mark.

"Huh, I was wondering when this would happen. Surprised it took this long," Robin, dropping any semblance of keeping his voice down. He sighed wearily, shaking his head.

"Assassins?" Lucina asked for confirmation. There was barely concern in her voice. Good to know she considered the threat no more severe than he did. Her hand fell over near Falchion's hilt, though she made no move to draw as of yet.

"Yeah, fraid so. Likely sent by our esteemed noble friend and Anankos mole," Robin said. "And right as we were about to get some rest."

He glanced around, searching as much with his eyes as his mind as he sought any disruption within the world, whether it be physical or magical. He frowned, whispering. "Two more on the rooftops."

Lucina's eyes flicked up and she dipped her head in the smallest of nods. "Yes, the darkness there is too thick to be natural," she confirmed back in a whisper of her own.

"Well, I found them by feeling for their presence, but there's that too I suppose," Robin replied, noting to himself, actual ninjas would have masked that. Did Lord Kaida really just send a bunch of common foot soldiers?

Robin shook his head, more in bemusement than anything. He raised his voice then, adding clearly so that all of the assassins could head:. "But it seems you have us surrounded. Six on two isn't great odds. Usually. Probably won't work out for you in this case however. Not too late to surrender now."

No response was forthcoming other than the soft clang as swords were drawn, the shimmer where the blades caught the moonlight the only break in the darkness.

"Not backing down? Okay then," he noted. "Though, just a guess, before you kill us you're going to tell me something like 'Lord Kieda sends his regards' before you kill us?"

Silence. The assassins' blades glinting in the dark. Robin turned to Lucina. "Huh, guess they only say stuff like that in the novels your mother likes. Honestly? I have to admit reality is less interesting than fiction."

As if on cue, assailants lunged, moving as one with preternatural speed. They were clearly well trained and skilled, perfectly in sync as they sought to overwhelm the defenders in a single blow. However, he and Lucina were fast. The instant the attackers moved, the two of them were already in motion, Lucina ducking low as Robin swept his hand in wide arcs down both ends of the alley. "Arcwind!" Slicing air ripped through the air, passing harmlessly over Lucina's head to tear into the attackers, knocking them off balance even as gashes opened in the arms they'd futilely raised to shield themselves.

Twin twangs of bowstrings came an instant later. Arrows thwipped through the air aimed with deadly accuracy, only to be bisected by the flashing blade of Falchion as Lucina leapt to her feet. Spinning, Robin grabbed onto her arm, utilizing both his momentum and her own to fling her upward towards the nearest wall. Lucina kicked off of it, twisting to propel herself the rest of the way onto the opposite rooftop. In the shadows silhouetted by the moon, Robin could make out little other than Falchion falling in a single strike. The muffled scream, cut short, that followed leaving know question as to the fate of the assassin posted there.

Trusting Lucina to handle the other rooftop assailant before returning to assist, Robin flung his attention on three of the attackers. An arm swept behind him launched raining bolts of lightning, aimed at the ground with the intent to pulverize the gravel road and sent up a cloud of dust and dirt to foil the flanking attack he knew would come. Buy him a few seconds to deal with those in front first.

The three assassins before him lunged again, this time their movements entirely out of sync, each individual having recovered entire seconds apart from his fellows. Robin parried the first strike, threw a second to the floor with a concussive blast of air before he could even begin his attack, and darted out of reach of the third. Lighting danced from his fingers, arcing into the blade of the third as the man attempted a follow up strike only for the resulting spasms of his electrocuted muscles to send his blade tumbling from his grasp. Robin kicked away the weapon even as he plunged his own sword into the assassin's throat. Two down, six to go. Or three, knowing Lucina.

In timing that could haven't been any more perfect, Robin heard the clash of steel and another clang from behind him. He spared the briefest of glances, seeing through the clearing dust cloud the silhouette of Lucina standing over the upcoming corpse of another assailant, Falchion buried deep in his spine. The remaining two, their turn to be caught unawares, whirled to face her. They were two slow, Lucina drawing Falchion up and around before they could raise their own weapons in defense. The first of the assassins fell, missing an arm and a chunk of his shoulder. The other managed to disengage just in time, able to put enough distance between himself and Lucina to get his weapon up before she pressed the attack.

Robin turned back the remaining assassins, parrying the next three strikes from the one still on his feet while the second scrambled upright. "You know," Robin said, deflecting another blow. "You could still surrender. You know, confess to everything your employer put you up to. We'll let you live if you do." He got no response other than a fifth slash aimed at him, once again forcing him to parry.

"Okay, your loss." Robin sighed. The hard way, then.

"Arcfire!" A tongue of fire forced the attacker to disengage lest be caught in the spell, robbing him of his momentum. Robin slashed at him the instant the flames gutted out, pushing the assassin back further and buying the opening he needed to turn his attention the the other assassin who'd regained his footing and was now coming at him low. He leapt up, jumping over at the slashed aimed at his knees, tumbled forward, and kicked off the crouching assailant, driving the man to the floor and putting himself now between the assassins and the alley's nearest exit.

He had to ensure their escape was cut off. At least until one was subdued for questioning.

The first assassin whirled to face him, slashing at him as he turned. The other scrambled to his feet, going for another lunge. Robin parried the first, a gust of wind an instant after staggering the man before sidestepping the stab from the second man. He brought his sword around, delivering a slash of his own that his foe was forced to deflect. He tried to push the attack now, only to instead dodge in the last instant as the other assassin recovered, the katana's tip coming a hair's breadth from his neck.

His blade dancing, Robin deflected the incoming strikes, the two assassins' desperation driving them strike aggression they'd lacked before. The tactician found himself retreating back now, step by step, blow by blow. Eventually the assassins would break free of the alley, and given the circumstances would likely attempt to run.

Robin smiled. So close, but I'm afraid time just ran out…

There was a flash of movement down the alley, the billowing of a cloak amd the azure glint of a blade the instant before Falchion's tip sprouted from the chest of one of the assassins. Lucina, having felled her own opponent, had rushed to engage the remaining two foes before either had been able to react. The impaled assailant managed only a weak gasp before collapsing, dead in an instant from a skewered heart.

In that very movement the final assassin, caught flat footed by Lucina's appearance, dropped his guard. It was for a split second, but it was enough.

Robin raised his sword, gripping it with both hands and brought it down with all his might. The katana shattered from the blow, shards of metal raining down to the alley floor with a crystalline whine. Robin punched out with the pommel of his sword, bashing the assassin across the face and leaving the man reeling. Then Robin brought the sword up, preparing to deliver another pommel strike to the man's head, attempting to knock him out and subdue him for questioning.

A buzzing zap split the still night, a flash of light burning a hole straight through the assassin's chest. Smoke curling, the assassin took one last staggering step, then fell, smoke curing from the gaping wound burned through him. He was dead before his body even hit the ground.

"Yes! Got him! Man I'm good," came the voice of his so-called "rescuer", celebrating her apparent success

"Gods dammit Soleil!" Robin exclaimed, resisting the urge to immediately bash his own head against the nearest brick wall in sheer frustration. "We needed him alive for questioning."

"Oh… well… oops," Soleil said, coming to a dead halt at his words from where she'd been hurrying towards them. She had Thogn in her hands, the enchanted weapon having spelled the end for the final assassin. "I thought I was helping."

"It's… okay, Soleil," Robin told her, only requiring a moderate effort to let go of his ire. "Questioning one of them would have made things a lot easier." He knelt down next to the nearest body, searching through the man's belongings for anything that may identify him or, better yet, his employer.

"Why, do you not know who sent him?" Soleil asked, resuming her jog over to peer over his shoulder.

"No, we know quite well who it was," Lucina answered. She was beginning to drag the other bodies into a rough pile. Better that when they altered the Hoshidan authorities of what happened, they did so without corpses strewn all over the streets. Lucina grunted, plopping down another body in the pile before continuing. "We are certain Lord Kaida was responsible."

No response. Robin glanced back, seeing his granddaughter's quizzical expression. "Hoshidan noble. Was at the confrontation outside the walls, most probably a traitor working for Anankos. Extremely unpleasant. Ring any bells?" He rattled off in explanation, returning to his rummaging. Nothing, he got up and moved onto the next body.

"Oh yeah, that guy," Soleil said with an audible ah-ha. "So what's the problem? Why not just go kick his butt and be done with it?"

"Because he's a noble, Soliel. We can't just go beating up nobility without proof of their crime," Robin explained. Again he found no identifying articles on the body. He moved to the pile now, hoping against reason that one of the assassins had been sloppy enough to carry anything he shouldn't have had.

"Had we kept one alive, we could have coerced him into giving up his employer's name. But now that is not an option, no insult to you intended," Lucina elaborated. She deposited the last body.

"So what, you just wait until he sends more goons to attack you in the middle of the night again?" Soleil asked.

"Well… wait, what are you doing out this late? Lucina and I were meeting with Yukimura and Leo to hash out battle plans. What were you doing?"

"I- nothing important," Soleil said, rattling off the words so quickly they almost blended together into a single sound. In the dim it was impossible to tell, but Robin almost swore she was blushing. "So those assassins, huh? I really think you ought'ta deal with this before more are sent, hmm?"

Gods, she's worse than Inigo with this whole philandering business. We've been here for only a couple weeks, Robin mused. He stood, his search coming up with nothing. "Well, considering I've turned up nothing to identify them… you may have a point this time, Soleil."

"I do?" She asked, visibility shocked by this admission. She regained her composure just as quickly, clearing her throat to add "I mean, of course I did! I'm awesome… what was I right about again?"

Robin sighed. "About confronting Lord Kaida. At this point, leaving him be will only allow him to introduce complications going forward. Better to nip this problem in the bud before then." He turned to his wife. "Lucina?"

It took but a moment for Lucina to read his expression and decipher the unspoken question held there. She nodded. "I don't see why not," she answered, turning to Soleil to ask. "Soleil, would you be interested in aiding us as we, let us say 'pay a visit' to Lord Kaida?"

"You bet I do! Ooooh, this'll be so much fun! Can't wait to see the dumb look in his face when we bust down him door! Come on!" Soliel said excitedly. She practically bounced around as she swung Thogn over her shoulder and hurried off down the alley.

Robin exchanged glances with Lucina. "We better hurry and tell her Kaida is staying in a manor that way" he said, hooking his thumb back over his shoulder. The opposite direction Soleil had gone.

"And quickly too. Who knows how far she'll go before she realizes. It would be rude to just abandon her now," Lucina agreed.

With that the two set off after their tine displaced granddaughter. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to spend too much time chasing her down.

I'd like to sleep at some point tonight, Robin though.

Author's Note: Well it's been a little bit, hasn't it. Not too long I think, last chapter was… October… 2022…

Yeah, so, I am not going to make excuses here. The year has been crazy and I kinda of just ended up focusing on other stuff for most of it. That said, I do still fully intend to finish this story (provided people are still interested in it) and am going to try really hard to be a tad bit faster with these in the future. Good news on that front is that I have already started the next chapter and I hope to get it out before the end of the year if I can.

Anyhow, 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!