A/N: Hrng, a full chapter within a few days… am I… regaining my power?! No… it's too early to tell. If I manage to get… two more non-Support chapters in, then I'll say I'm 'back in business'.
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]
Antex: Glad you enjoyed it, now… let's get into some progression, shall we?
Consort: Simple and filler-y, but a joy to write, nonetheless, especially since I can't always give screentime to everyone in a given chapter. It's nice to let the 'little guys' get their voices heard.
Guest (Ch 26, 4/18/21 1:44PM): I can only hope… I've been craving to type for so long, but there has been such a lack of drive.
As expected; Hinoka, Lathna, Subaki, and Lilith are already at the village, a small place that seems pretty quaint. The buildings are of wood, I see the plume of smoke for the forge, though there is also quite the large lake not too far from the perimeter of the town. The villagers are out and about, doing their daily chores, aside from the few who are going to the ones I sent out earlier.
"I will be at the lake, should you require me, Lady Corrin." Azura gently speaks, with Ignis behind her…
Ngh, I want to go, too… but I have duties to take care of, a potential swim and some Vallite Magic will have to wait. I head into the village proper, and go to the forge… feeling watched? The villagers turn their heads and whisper, then bow. However, something in my gut is telling me this is off.
As I approach the forge, I see Lilith shooting me an… aggravated look?! Lathna looks more concerned than anything. Subaki is helping the smithy, while Hinoka is looking over the premade supplies. Once getting to the forge, I bring out the Army's Coin Bag to them, "Princess Hinoka has secured a selection of supplies, I'm here to pay them." I firmly state, a tone of authority.
Even the smithies aren't absent from the strange movements. They both halt mid-work to look at me. I hear Lilith scoff. "Of course, apologies for the delay in response." The first one says… a strange, fluid like motion to his words, as if it was all one word, yet I can still clearly tell where each one starts and where each one ends.
Handing over the required coin, I keep the remainder and bring the bag with me. "Alright, let's give them their space… Subaki? Have fun." I turn around and leave, feeling unnerved by the numerous stares, not to mention Lilith's unease.
"My sister literally has a chunk of an Astral Realm to herself, she has enough magic to lift up potions of the land… why is she so bothered by them?" I want to walk out and ask her, but I still have to get a few more things done.
"Lathna?" I call out, instead. "Would you mind taking Lilith out for a bit?" I ask her.
"Sure thing, Lady Corrin!" Lathna perks up, though there's still a hint of unease. Lilith mutters something under her breath, and simply nods.
Huh. I shake my head and resume walking, simply wanting the time to pass for those weapons, maybe I should check on Azura? Or maybe… Something is nagging at me, like irregularly-times drops of water on concrete. I keep myself straight and postured, not aiming to seem aggressive, but I can't shake this off. I go towards the source of my 'sixth sense', heading to one of the houses. Well, it would be rude to randomly…
No, I am a Princess of Hoshido, and I'm currently leading a portion of the army to war. I have more rights than I normally would, and while I won't seek to abuse them, I need to get this feeling off my chest.
I knock on the door.
Drip, drop. The sensation of hearing and even feeling water grows… comforting, yet strange. The door unlocks…
I'm greeted by a woman, barely an inch taller than me, her eyes are focused… water-blue eyes and hair. Her armor, while it seems something standard for a militia-unit, distorts and shimmers as the sunlight hits it, as if she's wearing water. No weapons on her.
For a moment, we stare at each other, I feel as if I know her, a part of me, but not family like Hinoka, Lilith, or Leo, however… it was not destined for silence, because the following words break the initial awkwardness.
[Princess Yasei.] She kneels. [Mizumare, creation of the Silent Dragon, Anankos, designed to be your retainer.]
…
"ANOTHER ONE?!" Are the first two words to hit my head. "I ALREADY have THREE retainers! Four if I count Camilla's doting nature! Father! Seriously!"
"I made her over three centuries ago, dear Yasei. I did not realize you were going to end up with so many." Father's voice rings in my head.
[Hold on one moment, would you.] I tell her.
[As you command.]
"Wait, you made her? Like…"
"Is that so unreal? It was a delicate process with much trial and error, but I would personally assure that my firstborn would receive the highest of retainers."
"There were failures?! And what about Sister?!"
"Of course, creating sentient life is no easy task, still even Mizumare won't seem fully 'human'. I have the magic, but I didn't know the skills… by the time I was finished, I had already acquainted myself with Mikoto and Hoshizora Seiza, there was no time to make another."
[You're my retainer, then?] I ask her.
[Made by the Silent Dragon Anankos. However, a portion of my power is dormant, due to the severed connection to Valla. As it stands, I am currently trained as the Hoshidans deem 'Ninja.]
"AND SHE USES SHURIKENS? I CAN'T AFFORD THAT! Father! I'm already-"
"At ease, daughter, she can freely summon her own Shurikens."
"That doesn't change the fact that this army NEEDS magic-based attackers!"
Alright, breathe… think. [Can you train in Scrolls or Tomes?]
A near blank expression and a swift answer. [I have been created with the latest knowledge of all techniques in all weapons and support.]
[Good, I want you to use a Scroll.]
[I cannot. I can only assume one 'Class' at a time, and will not be able to change until Valla's magic flows freely once more.] Despite the denial, her tone does not change.
...Or course there are caveats to this. Of course it has to be a Retainer. Of course she's a Ninja. Of course she has to use Shurikens, even if she makes her own.
[Alright… one more thing. Can you speak Common?] I ask her.
She nods, "Common, Vallite, Hoshidan, and Nohrian."
"Good… now, I want you to go to Jakob, Kaze, and Felicia. The first is a white-hair Butler that is one of my Retainers. Kaze is another, a Ninja with light-green hair. Felicia is the third, pink hair in a ponytail, a Maid. You may be a Retainer designed especially for me, but I will not have you clashing with my others. Acquaint yourselves with them, talk to them, learn to work with them. Don't bother with speaking of Valla, there's something that prevents people from believing of Valla."
She just… bows. "Understood Princess Yasei, anything else?"
"Corrin. Everyone here knows me as Corrin. Only refer to me as Yasei when we are alone with my sister and her retainer."
"Affirmative, Princess Corrin. Anything else?"
"No, that will be all, Mizumare."
Mizumare departs, moving as fluidly as water…
Another Shuriken-throwing Retainer.
No more than a few hours later in the day, the forged weapons are completed, and I have my army resume its trek southbound to Izumo. Now that we are properly armed once more, I'm not as anxious as traveling. It also means we have a few back-up weapons, which also puts my mind at ease.
When supplying an army, you should ideally have two weapons, in the case that one falters. Even Xander, despite carrying Siegfried, a Divine Weapon that is incapable of breaking… carries a second weapon. Thankfully, I have Draconic Powers to fall back on, so I have several more weapons than most.
"Ah, the sheltered Princess, Corrin." Azama walks up to me, a wry smirk on his face…
"By the gods… Hinoka told me about you." Viciously sarcastic, enjoys toying with other people.
Just… put on the friendly attitude and hope he doesn't goad me too much. "Is there something you needed, Azama?"
"Only to ask the use of going to Izumo, of course. Trying to bring peace now is like throwing a drop of water to a raging flame. It'll turn to mist before it gets close, and you'll likely burn your fingers!" He smirks.
Ugh… alright, maybe a change in metaphor? "It is not always a drop of water against a flame, Azama. Perhaps I am trying to throw a brick against a dam. Should I strike well and find a crack, the weakness will be expanded upon and the structure will be unable to hold up, thus releasing the pressure and allowing the contents to burst free."
"Ah, so you seek to kill us all!" He smiles. "You're suicidal instead of hopeless!" I grit my teeth and growl, irritation showing. Something he clearly is getting humor from. "But, you know who is hopeless? That strange Nohrian Maid…"
"Leave Felicia out of this." I snap at him. "Unlike you, she has skills that shine past her flaws."
"Then why would Lady Hinoka choose me? Perhaps you are trying to imply she has no…"
"Back of the march, 10 paces ahead of the Convoy." I order him. "Do not speak until we have made camp, or if you happen to see anyone approaching to make contact, hostile or otherwise."
I feel the Dragon roaring within, my senses heighten for a moment… and he listens, fear etched into his face. A few moments pass as I regain my 'human' self…
"Dragon Fear… impressive, Lady Corrin." Lilith approaches. "You harnessed that skill well."
"Dragon Fear?" I echo. "All I did was look angry."
"No no." She shakes her head… smiling, proud? "While humans can manipulate their own features to appear intimidating, a Dragon can will their very blood and innate magic to instill dread into others. A Dragon can inspire Fear into even the most stalwart of individuals."
"So… I can force people to be afraid?" I ask. "Conditionally useful, not so great for acting as a Princess."
"Be you Commander, or Princess?" She retorts.
"Both and more." I reply. "I cannot simply act as one. I would prefer 'Friend', but sometimes I need to put my foot down. Sometimes I must act formal. I am all of these things, yet none are the 'real me'."
"And what is the 'real you'?" She asks, truly curious, her eyes widen for a moment.
"...If you asked me that a few months ago, I could've answered that… but now? I don't know. I haven't known since Mother died in my arms." I softly reply, looking ahead.
Silence pervades between the both of us, and we focus on ahead…
Izumo, one of the few Neutral Cities within the entire world. A place where it does not matter where you were born. As long as you are willing to live alongside another, you are welcome to enter. The current leader is Izana, a descendant of a 'Special' bloodline of Diviners, one who can tap into the power to an item known as the Crystal Ball, something that can deduce the future with far more clarity than the tarot cards that Diviners use. There was surprisingly little to detail Izana within Hoshido's Library, the man only has a few things noted:
His hair, parties, and fried food.
"Alright everyone." I call out to them as we approach the entrance. "I'm not aiming to be here for more than a day, only to make some discussions with Izana. In the meantime… most of everyone here is free to roam Izumo within their laws. Shopping, training, or even just a nap is all fair game. Just be ready to leave in the morning. With that said… I'd like for Azura, Lilith, Sakura, and… Mizumare to join me for the initial chat. Afterwards, you all will be free to roam."
"Milady?" Jakob asks.
"...As you will, Lady Corrin." Kaze nods.
"Probably better I don't go… I might end up breaking his Crystal Ball…" Felicia nervously smiles.
"Truly?" Azura asks.
"R-really?" Sakura adds.
"As you command." Mizumare salutes.
"I would be happy to." Lilith smiles.
"Azura, you are the second-in-command. It would be unfair to leave you out of any important developments. Sakura, Izana is a well-known and powerful Diviner, and he is known for peaceful methods, I am hoping you will relax, and maybe he'll give you some insight on Scrolls." I reply.
"Well, I'd be no retainer if I didn't go with my liege." Subaki announces.
"N-No, it's… alright. Subaki, Hana… focus on yourselves for today, o-okay?" Sakura gently speaks.
"Sure thing! Maybe we can do something together after you get out, Lady Sakura?" Hana asks.
"O-of course! I'd love to!" And so the chatter begins…
Azura, Lilith, Mizumare, and Sakura walk over to me, and I lead them in… the rest going to do whatever they want to do, and so…
We head to the largest building, which looks more like a huge house than a castle. I approach the front doors, and to the guards I say, "I am Princess Corrin. This is Princess Azura. My retainer Mizumare. My friend and animal handler, Lilith. I have arrived to follow up on Izana's letter." I present it to them.
"Ah! Princess Corrin!" The guard acknowledges after seeing the letter. "Please, enter. Izana has been expecting you."
The doors open, and when I enter, the first thing that hits me is…
The scent of Lavender.
A/N: Mizumare… I'm sure y'all were expecting a scene with her and the Retainers… but c'mon. That's four people… I could make a Support-esque chapter out of that alone.
Lilith's mood in the village… nuh uh, won't be finding that out here, because... That is the trigger for her and Corrin's B-Support!
Anyways, next chapter will be a Major one. Going to dive into some serious talking. Lore, character reactions, and other relatively huge details. Be prepared.