A/N: Ah… memories. Cherish them, embrace them. Also, while they aren't popping up for a while… I went ahead and included some more names… and also hopefully made it a bit less of an eyesore. As well as removing the most common ones.
Vallite: Purotekutā no Kyōdai ai (Protector of Sibling Love) [Corrin's Naginata] | Hoshizora Seiza (Starry Constellation) [Lilith's Mother] | Jiyū (Freedom) [Lathna's F!Pegasus] | Kanpeki (Perfection) [Subaki's M!Pegasus] | Shi no Mirai (Tides of the Future) [Izama's Crystal Ball] | Kuronikurā (Chronicler) [Forgotten Dragon God of Records/Time-Keeping] | Fuka-sa No Kage (Depths of Shadow) [Afterlife for the Damned] | Todoku No Hikari (Reaches of Light) [Afterlife for the Blessed]
Hoshidan: Baranotsubomi (Rosebud) [Elise's Mare]
Nohrian: Katáktisi (Conquest) [Xander's Stallion] | Ouranós Trómos (Skyterror) [Camilla's M!Wyvern] | Μαύρο άλογο/Alastor (Dark Horse) [Leo's Stallion]
Guest (Ch. 23, 8/27/20 10:23 AM): Mayhaps, but I fine-tuned that particular Faceless for the very reason of needing everyone to kill it together. Now, if Lilith 'took off her restraints' and went all-out with a select few individuals, then this fight and many others would be moot, however in doing that… it would go against a number of philosophies and plans that are to be fulfilled much later down the line.
Consort: It also makes them standout more than Risen, who are… essentially the opposite, Risen use a body, but the mind is lost. Faceless conjure a new body, whilst the mind is filled with one of a spirit. So, given that the 'Faceless Boss' had fists of Fire and Lightning, it's safe to say that that particular Faceless must've had a semi-powerful magic user as its essence. Which does allow for creativity between just having a Faceless vs a Faceless with Spiked Gloves.
Oh, trust me, dear Consort… there's more changed in Izumo than having a powerful Crystal Ball that in itself has a direction uh… 'call line' to the Chronicler. Izana will be a hilarious time, as usual. There's no way I'm giving up his easy-going party-vibe.
Hey, it makes sense! It's clear her Dragon form is far larger than the average human, so… why not use her as a pseudo-mount when she shifts?
Antex: Glad to hear it! Let's see what potential this 'farm girl' has… next chapter.
"Again!" Is what is ordered to me after I almost managed to parry a strike that leads into a slash. I grit my teeth, slightly widen my stance, and take a defensive pose… Xander charges in, opting to do a feint to my left, before thrusting the Bronze Sword to me, I raise up my Bronze Sword in response, flatside facing Xander, before stopping the thrust dead in its tracks… my arms are huffing out another cry for 'mercy'. I then twist the grip of my blade, sending Xander's sword downward, before slashing out and connecting with his armor.
"Done." I sigh… last time he managed to still find time to bring his sword up to block it. I smile at him, sweat pouring down my face.
He nods, "Good job, sister." He praises me, before extending his hand. I give him my Bronze Sword, and he politely takes them both to the Training Rack. "You improved since the last time… daresay by more than a few leaps and bounds." He returns to me, "You'll make a fine Princess of Nohr."
"Combat is only part of it, big brother… not to say that I'm lacking in my studies, of course!" I exclaim with glee.
He crosses his arms, "Crykensia…"
"Is the port town located near the South coastline of Nohr, known for its massive theater that draws in about four-thousand people per show. There is a Song and Dance routine that is commended throughout the world." I finish off.
"Izumo…"
"Is the independent city-nation in the South-Eastern section of Hoshido, ruled over by Izama. Izumo holds a respect for the peace it upholds, and both Nohrians and Hoshidans live within its walls." I pause slightly,
"Bah, that is common knowledge, brother." Another walks into the training grounds… Leo, my 'little-big' brother. "Corrin, how many years have passed since the last Dragon sighting?"
"Two-thousand five-hundred and thirty-two years, if we're talking about official recordings. The sighting was made by the then-King of Nohr, Strada the Third. His Highness was tending to his Wyvern, Knickerdropper, when he heard a roar from the sky, a White-Scale Dragon soar past him and caused a Snowstorm as it flew past." I easily answer.
"...Correct." Leo nods.
Xander huffs, "That is old text, and while it is useful to know of Dragons, it won't provide much in the now, will it? Dragons are gone, and we've only the Wyverns to remember them."
"And the Wyrmslayers." I bring up. "Besides, those who don't acknowledge the past are bound to repeat it."
"Yes… that is good wisdom, however!" Xander looks between the both of us, "I repeat, Dragons are gone, studying them is to be considered a luxury, not a necessity."
Leo shakes his head, "I disagree, breakthroughs on Draconic research has led to better handling of Wyverns. 'Tis only been two-hundred years since…"
This time, however, I cut him off, "Nohr discovered that, through a fully-frozen set of ancient dragon remains, that unlike most… were well-preserved enough that even the threat of decay wasn't able to pierce the ice. The organs inside, after magical testing, proved that there are optimal conditions for Dragons, and to extension, Wyverns can have that allow them to breed more efficiently, leading to a lower energy consumption, first-time fertilization, and on-average, more powerful offspring."
"How did you…?" Leo starts, but then he stops himself, his face twisting in… "Camilla! Gods, I told her to stop gifting you books on subjects that I am going to teach you!" He sighs, raising up a hand to rub his temples. "Wait, how did she get it out of the Royal Library in the first place?!" He rounds on me.
Xander shakes his head, "I do believe this is where I will take my leave, be sure to behave, siblings." He waves as he leaves, as do Leo and me.
"She bought a copy." I simply explain.
"She bought… a copy? Of 'Draconic Ancestry'? A one-time published collection of scientific and magical observations made by Aventis in the name of Nohr?"
"I can show it to you."
"That's not the point!" Leo exasperates. "Camilla must've blown her entire Royal Status to…"
A third walks in, swaying from left to right, and giving Leo a rather… intense look. "To do?" Camilla echoes. "What did I do?"
"Big sister!" I exclaim, rushing over to hug. "I was just telling Leo of the copy of 'Draconic Ancestry' that you got me!"
She easily nods, "Ah yes. I think I argued with the Librarian for a streak of seven days to get that copied… but I certainly didn't lose my Status or Gold to do it…" She ruffles my hair, plants a kiss on my cheek, and then… "Or else I wouldn't have been able to buy this!" She reaches into her… cleavage and pulls out a paper.
I look up to her, and she gives me a nod. "Really? You got it?!" I eagerly grab the paper. "Oh, Camilla…" I unfold it.
'To Princess Corrin of Nohr, this is an invitation for you and one person of your choice to request a pair of life-time magical statues that wi-'... I quickly close it as I hear Leo approach.
"What did you purchase now?" Leo asks.
"A gift for our dear Corrin, of course! Why do you ask?" Camilla stands between me and him.
I quickly open it and read the rest, 'Will symbolize a moment to remember.'
…"Leo's birthday present." I smile with glee…
"Jakob!" I suddenly exclaim while within the tent for the night, at the point where we will either head towards the Wind Tribe or down to Izumo.
"Yes, milady?" He quickly walks up to me, Staff, Water, and a handkerchief already on standby.
"Did you pack all of the… 'not-essentials-but-still-essentials' from my room?" I ask him.
He smiles, "Of course, milady." He reaches into his Butler outfit and pulls out a small purple velvet sack, with the strings of a thrice-woven silk instead of string. The front of the sack has a vibrant red heart sewn onto the front. 'To our dearest sister' is stitched inside the heart, in Nohrian. The backside has a black-lace sewing of the Dusk Dragon's head in profile, as well as each of my Nohrian sibling's name inside of it, also all in Nohrian.
"Whew, thank you." I eagerly accept it, and gingerly undo the strings.
"Is there anything else?" He asks.
"...Yes, actually. I'd like to…" I look around… but we're in my tent, so of course we're alone. "I want to write a letter."
He nods, "The complications?"
I pull out one of the mini-items in the Sack of Familial Love… it's a small statue, barely large enough to cover the palm of my hand. On the stand, Leo has the Brynhildr open, eyes slightly turned to look at the tomato in his other hand. I'm behind him, arms wrapped around his front with a History book between my hands and his upper chest, head positioned next to the left side of his neck, smiling like a madwoman. [Enhance.] I speak in Nohrian, causing the enchantments to burst to life, suddenly causing the already fine details to be brought into even further clarity… among a few other things.
I can now see Leo's eyes reflecting in the moonlit sky, a small smirk on his face, if slightly flushed from his 'Crazy Sister'. His hair is ruffled, like he just got out of bed and didn't bother to brush it yet… the way I like it. I can see every wrinkle on that ripe-red tomato, and while the Brynhildr is open, the raw magic within the Divine Tome is still powerful enough to negate the copying-effect of the spell, so I'm unable to read it… his collar is also on correctly!
My own light blue hair is flowing and almost glowing in that same magical moonlight, pointed ears just barely poking out of the 'waves' of my hair, eyes glowing a bright red... all details that startled me at the time, because my eye color was still very much only purple. Pupils narrowed, and strangely enough… a few of my normal 'teeth' are outright replaced with 'fangs'. At the time, nobody knew why I turned out so… different, and even the Master Spell-Weaver was baffled. Not once had they turned red, not once had my teeth turned sharp, nor have my ears been pointed during my time in Nohr, yet… here they are, plain as day. Maybe it was just an omen? The History Book in my hands reads: 'Draconic Ancestry', a book that Camilla originally bought a copy of, but… for the sake of the Statue, I was able to borrow the original one, and looking at the closed book, opposite of the spine, I can see 'Aventis', written in Nohrian. The front of the book sports an exceptionally well-drawn depiction of the Dusk Dragon… a leaner and thinner Black-Scale Dragon, horns as white as daylight and curved forward. His body is crouched, fangs on full display, and an ominous purple mist gurgling up from the shot inside his maw.
Lastly, Leo and I were both wearing our Nohrian Royal attire, and while his isn't much different from his Dark Knight armor, aside from swapping out some armor for finer silks… as for me? A full-on Royal Purple and Midnight Black silk dress, though for the sake of the pose, I was wearing a skirt, which admittedly shows off the rich dark-blue stockings! I have a Nohrian Blossom clip in my hair. I also have on a pair of black silk gloves, reinforced with some leather for warmth.
So much detail in such a small space.
I suddenly clear my throat, feeling emotions swell up… Gods, I miss him… I miss all of them. I miss Xander's sternness, Camilla's doting, Elise's bounciness, and Leo's... I wipe some tears from my face, or I would've… if Jakob didn't already have a handkerchief in hand and had already cleared them for me.
I flash him a mock-scowl, and he simply smugly smiles and bows.
Jakob patiently awaits my response as I focus on this statue… the last birthday present I was able to get him… get us. [It's to Leo.] I respond in Nohrian. [I want to write a letter to Leo. This war be damned, I refuse to be denied such a simple luxury.]
[I must admit, I have trepidation about sending a letter out during War, but... ] Jakob smiles, and from his 'infinite pockets', pulls out a fine sheet of paper.. And then a small container that houses a fountain pen… of course. [Whenever you are ready, milady.]
I roll my eyes with a smile, [Well, now of course.] I take the two items and go over to my table, and almost immediately begin writing…
[Little-big brother Leo…] I begin writing in Nohrian.
"Always plan for the future, dear sister." Leo's advice rings in my head. "No matter the outcome, no matter what you do, if you plan ahead, you'll likely come out on top."
A/N: Aw, how sweet… except that it's war-time. Is this really the best idea? Or could Corrin here have something else planned? Time will tell...