Vallite: Purotekutā no Kyōdaiai(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) [Izana'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] | Mizumare(Waterborn) | Wasure rareta kuni(Land of the Forgotten) [The Void. The place where only Shattered Spirits and Fractured Souls go to]

Hoshidan:Baranotsubomi(Rosebud) [Elise's Mare]

Nohrian:Katáktisi(Conquest) [Xander's Stallion] | Ouranós Trómos(Skyterror) [Camilla's M!Wyvern] | Μαύροάλογο/Alastor(Dark Horse) [Leo's Stallion]

Common: Firechaser [Hinoka's F!Pegasus] | Lavender [Silas's Mare]

-0-

We arrive at Cheve well before midday, and the greeting we get is warm, welcoming. The townspeople are out, happy, alive. Azura, Hinoka, Sakura, Takumi, and I are directed towards the Rebel Headquarters, which is actually just the Nohrian Army's Barracks. Inside awaits the last of my Hoshidan family... and the rebel leader, a loud-mouth going by the name of Scarlet. A Wyvern Rider.

The rebel guards are in good spirits, a recent battle, the Nohrian army attempted to seize control, but failed.

...Garon knows there is a war, and only sends the usual? I don't like this, and it only confirms my hunch that a Royal will be here. I have a feeling it's going to be Xander. Who better, when the security of Nohr is at stake? Wait. Security? Hoshido! A sudden realization hits me. Almost all of the best Hoshidan fighters are here in Nohr! And while that is good for the war effort here, if a single group of elite fighters slip by, then they can cause serious damage in Hoshido!

"Hey, Scarlet." Hinoka greets. "Good to see a friendly Wyvern Rider."

Scarlet, donned in scarlet-colored armor, smirks. Short hair, freckles. One might not be able to tell she's a rebel leader with how casually she leans against a wall. More like an old friend. "More Hoshidan reinforcements? Please, you're spoiling us."

Yes, more. From the next room comes Ryoma, wearing his High prince armor, and holding a bundle of more raggedy armor in his arms. "It's good to be out of the disguise..." He then notes us, and promptly drops the armor on the floor.

"Sisters! Brother!" The man charges us, wrapping Hinoka in an arm, before proceeding to grab each of us in his armored arms and pull us into a big hug. "Oh, it's great to see you all again!"

"...Air." Takumi coughs.

"B-Big brother, please..." Sakura squeaks.

"Right, sorry." Ryoma lets go, beaming brightly. "Hinoka, you have been putting on some muscle, hm?"

Said sister rolls her eyes. "You? In a stealth mission?"

He laughs, "I can sneak if I choose to. Takumi! Glad you managed to direct them here!"

"...I didn't. Azura suggested Cheve before I arrived." He looks away.

"Oh? A wise decision, you were well to head it then, Commander Corrin."

"Hinoka is Commander, brother." I reply. "Azura is her second." Said Songstress remains silent, opting to look over the plans and map on the table.

"...what?" He tilts his head. "Uh..." He scratches the back of his head. "Sakura, any surprises for me from you, too?"

"...no?" She shakes her head. "A lot has happened, though."

"Yes... I can tell." He muses. "Then, Hinoka... what's been going on?"

Hinoka shuffles uncomfortably, "Well..." She proceeds to spill the details. My unwise decision about Leo, nearly getting killed, being Feared by me, and the events of the Fear Toxin. "The Nohrians did something to her, brother... right? You believe me on this." Ah, she pushes that topic again.

Ryoma falls silent, eyes closed as he contemplates. "Corrin, is this true?"

I can see it in his eyes. He believes Hinoka fully, but I know he wants to believe that it isn't true. "It is. Hinoka has rightfully used her seniority to assume command." The words I'm Sorry linger somewhere in my throat, but I'm unable to say them... Draconic Pride? If so, then damn the Pride.

Scarlet clears her throat, "Corrin, was it? Mind if I talk to you, alone?" She grins at Ryoma, "Won't take long."

"Very well. Sakura, Takumi, you may also depart. I'd like to debrief Azura and Hinoka on my travels."

I walk over to Scarlet, who leads me into another room... her bedroom? She closes the door behind her. It's nothing fancy, there's a crude drawing of her Wyvern, I assume, it looks like a past-time, maybe something to calm her mind? There's an unlit candle, a bundle of letters carelessly opened. The sheets are a mess, some of the bed frame is broken. I can smell some perfume it's... very strong. Cherry-based. Scarlet walks past me and stoops down into a cabinet. "You drink?" She asks, pulling out a bottle of... something. There's no label.

"Not usually." Shouldn't be drinking, actually. I'm under the legal age limit, "But I'll take one for company's sake."

"Cheeky." She laughs. She pops the cap and whew.

"What is that?" I scrunch my nose.

"Originally? Rum, straight rum, but I just add whatever alcohol is leftover when the bottle gets too small for a cup. Who knows what all is in it at this point." She shrugs, pouring me a glass of the Special.

I hope I don't regret this. "So, why did you invite me back here?" Gods, it smells strong.

"You're the Locked-Up Monster, right?" Scarlet levels a look at me, pouring her own glass. "In the Northern Castle."

"Monster?" I echo, then I either bravely or foolishly take a sip. Eugh. Strength of rum, a bit of sweetness from mead, sour too?

I must have made a horrid face, because Scarlet belts out with laughter. "Yeah, Monster. No offense, that's just what the rumor was. Cheve had no idea what the King had locked away. Lots of different rumors... until one day, Crown Prince Xander went in unscathed... and came out looking like he fist-fought a bear without armor."

I gulp, that's a day I wish I could forget...

-0-

"Again!" Xander shouted. It was just another day of training with him. While Gunter preferred a scholarly approach before beginning his sessions, Xander was all about pushing my muscles to their absolute limit, as well as teaching me how to harness the Royal Blood that flown in my veins.

I was to activate my first Dragon Vein, a rare occurrence. They only appear in extraneous circumstances where the magic of the land is particularly dense. Despite the best scholars, we still don't know how they occur. The Faithful of Dragon Gods believe it's where the Gods themselves take a break from their duties and visit the world... and their presence super-charges the land around them. The more 'grounded' spellcasters believe it's where battles of great magic take place. Neither were able to prove their theories.

And neither theory could explain why a Dragon Vein was in the Northern Castle Training Grounds, but Xander refused to let such a blessing go without me learning from it. The only thing we knew it was from the Ice Dragon, as it had Their image on it.

I strained myself, trying to pull something out of me that I hadn't before, and the time it was taking me grinding on Xander's patience. "Corrin! You can do this! You are a Royal, damn it!"

It was the earliest sign that I was different. Unlike my encounter with Hans when he caused Gunter to drop into the Canyon, I don't remember what I did, all I remember is that I was focusing on this Vein, and I heard... something. Someone. Looking back now, I think this was the first time Father contacted me. I don't know what he said, but what I do know was...

The training grounds were in ruin, Xander was cradling me in his arms, he was beaten and battered. He was smiling as I woke up from whatever overcame me. "Gods, you're alive. You're okay." He sighed in relief. "What happened?"

-0-

"So, what did happen that day?" Scarlet asks. "Was that you that walloped Xander?"

"I... think so. I don't remember." The first blank in my memory. "Maybe I did." I take another sip... the foulness erases the lingering memory and causes me to re-focus on how bad this drink is. "Why?"

She shrugs, "So, if Xander were to come here again, could you pull that off?"

I pause. "You think he's coming here?"

She laughs, "Princess Corrin, I might not be a Commander of no damn army, but I know something off when I see it... a normal patrol..."

"In the middle of a war in a town that is known for its desire to be Neutral." I finish for her. "Yes, I assumed as much. They want you to think that you are safe, that hope is assured, before sending in serious reinforcements."

"And we'll kick their asses, too. Like, we got the whole Hoshidan Royal family here! And their Retainers! Hell, Ryoma even won't need to hide behind basic soldier armor this time. He can pull out the Rajinto and everything!" She smiles, relaxed.

I don't quite share her enthusiasm. Xander is a force of nature, and I know he won't be coming alone.

-0-

With the incoming attack that we knew was coming, sleep did not come easily, nor did it last too long. Around the moment that the moon hit its peak, arrows soared in from the south, marching from the north. A pincer attack in the middle of the night? I should expect no less. On top of that, the guard on alarm duty was shot dead first. Of course, Xander knows this town, a plan was likely made long ago in the case of a full out rebellion. "To arms!" Be it by luck, another guard was patrolling, noting their fallen comrade. "They're here!" He starts running around, banging his sword and shield together. "To arms! To arms!"

The ones that weren't on duty woke up, already armored and only needing to grab their arms. The ones that were on duty slapped the dullness of patrolling out of them to ready up. We were being struck from both sides, so the only plan so far was to split into two. Royals evenly distributed, except for Lilith and Rinkah, of course. Only a few knew their Royal status.

"Finally, a fight!" Keaton exclaims, as I thought, he's been getting pent up from the Human Day-to-Day life.

"Don't let it go to your head, we're fighting a platoon's worth, at least." I tell him, "Er, at least forty, if I had to guess."

He twitches his nose, leveling a look at me, "Survival instinct is too strong, not gonna get myself killed." He pulls out his Beaststone and grins at me, "But uh, thanks for the concern, I guess." He shifts, proceeding to grab a handful of misplaced bricks and using them as his own makeshift arrows.

And to my surprise, I do hear something bang a soldier's helmet.

We march forward, hoping to leave the buildings out of this conflict, and to extension, the innocents unable to fight. "They're nothin but a buncha rebels, you heard Lord Xander's orders, we're killin em!" A high-pitched voice echoes from ahead, and I instantly recognize it. She left quite the impression when we first met. "Don't forget that they killed our allies!"

Peri. One of Xander's retainers. Gleeful, childlike, and dangerous. She thinks death is a game and blood is a game piece. If she's here and in charge, it's likely they're going to leave no survivors, soldier or not. I pull out and grip my naginata tightly. "She's tough?" Keaton asks, tensed up, perhaps smelling my concern.

"She's a Retainer, she's tough, and she's exce-... extra violent. She..." I pause, knowing exactly how to describe her to Keaton, "She fights like a cornered and injured beast. All the time."

Does that deter him? No, instead he flashes a toothy grin at me. "Understood."

We move forward, intending to keep the buildings and by extension, the Cheve-folks who aren't trained to fight, the innocents.

Peri is on horseback, leading her own squad of Nohrians, a few of them were well-armored compared to the rest... Promoted Soldiers, those who have shown exceptional talent and have endured extensive training. It would be like comparing Ninjas to Master Ninjas. As I've expected, Xander spared no resource to bring us all down at once. "Lilith, Keaton, take down the lower ranked soldiers first, so then you can focus on the Promoted Units. I'm going to engage against Peri."

Peri glints a genuine smile at me, "Lady Corrin Lady Corrin. Traitor to the Nohrians." She gestures forward and the units around her charge forward. She fully intends on taking me head-on. Arrogance? Or is she looking to distract?

"Nohr is the offender in the war, Peri." I tell her, stance up. She has a Lance, the Nohrian equivalent of the Naginata. I can also see that her horse has a supply of Spears, but I can sense something... off about them, there's a magical aura about them, subtle but there. "Hoshido is my birth home." The lie comes off smoothly. "It's not like you, but you could just surrender now."

Peri giggles, reaching behind her to pull out a spear. Her eyes flash with a childlike glee as she licks the blade end, cutting her tongue. "You're right! That's not like me, but THIS is!" Despite only using one hand, she throws the Spear with incredible strength, it flies past me and... It glows mid-flight, a fierce, bright red. I'm aware of no such enchantment, but the second it hits the house behind me.

Boom.

The spearhead explodes on impact, disrupting the foundations of the house as collapses in moments, the screams of terror were even shorter. "Those weren't soldiers!" I shout, anger rearing up.

Peri, in turn, just shrugs. "Then they should've known better to be with the rebels. Stupid Chevians." She then giggles in delight as I charge her. "C'mon, Corrin! I've been wanting to taste yours!"

I lunge with my Naginata, she blocks it with her own Lance. Shiiiink, our blade slide across, her horse rears up and grazes my armor, though the sheer force from the hooves is enough to make me slide back in the dirt. She spins her Lance and thrusts forward, piercing my armor and almost breaking into my flesh.

She's stronger than I first assumed. Maybe even faster. She twirls her Lance a second time and intended a second stab, but I deflect this one. Her horse charges forward and I stop the beast's head with the shaft of my weapon, Peri uses that chance to land another hit. The pain sets in as the wound burns. It's no Wyrmslayer, but I do recognize that her weapon is coated in... something. I'm bleeding faster than normal. She whips her Lance back as her Horse starts to trample quickly at me, I slash forward and connect my blade with its leg right as Peri licked my blood off of her blade. The Horse neighs out in pain as it falls forward. Peri dismounts as it falls. "Delicious, you taste like cherries." She pulls out a spear and... Kills off her own steed. "Worthless." The spear is erected upright, straight through its neck. She twists the spear before pulling it back out, the spearhead alights like last time, but it's more of a purple-red color this time. "Useful." She grins as she throws it at me. No, not at me.

She intends on blowing up another house, and I know the game she's playing now. Take the hit, or even take the time to stop it, and it'll explode near me. Don't do that, and more townsfolk will die. I partially shift, scales covering my skin, my natural armor coming into play as I intercept the spear mid-throw. As expected, it explodes as the momentum ceases.

The explosion sears me, somehow hitting both my body and mind. It must be that purple part. What sort of magic does she have? Cavaliers aren't trained in this! "Aw, this is getting too easy!" Dazed from the explosion, she thrusts another spear into my midsection. "Maybe we should kill off the rest of the villagers? Then you can focus all. on. Me!" She pulls the spear out of me and I fall forward. It's... draining me, so much, it...

The spear glows blue, and I can sense my magic in there!

Her spears are draining the essence from their targets! "Oh my! This isn't Hoshidan..." Peri stops for a moment, admiring her latest spear. "I'm gonna be honest, Lady Corrin, I have no idea what's this is gonna do!" but that doesn't stop her from rearing back and throwing the spear. I can only watch as it soars towards Cheve, brimming with Vallite magic. Instead of continuing her assault, Peri is fixated on this spear.

I take a breath, pushing back the thought of what is going to happen, and focus on what I need to do. Tapping more into my Dragonstone, I will out more. I slash at Peri, who simply deflects it, I grab the bag and...

-0-

BOOM! An eruption of raw magic explodes in the near-center of Cheve, and Azura is sent flying from the ground for several feet. Vallite Magic. At first she assumed Yasei, but even she wouldn't do something to so grievously harm her reputation... right? Did she finally fall into madness? As her father? "What WAS that?!" Takumi yells. "Is Leo here?"

"No, worse." Azura responds. One gaze back towards the town sinks her stone-heart. A pool has formed, it looks like water, but she knows it's raw Vallite Magic, with a touch of Divinity. Damn it. That can be used as a Gate to Valla. "I need to close that!" She exclaims, panic rushing into her. For the first time in the war, emotion overtakes reason. "Ignis, with me! The rest of you, stay here!"

"That's fine, go handle it." Takumi responds, nailing a few soldiers that were still getting up. "We'll hold those bastards off! Oboro, Hinata! Double-time, let's get these Nohrians contained!"

Azura and Ignis move back into Cheve itself. The explosion had rocked all the nearby buildings. At least a dozen Chevians housed inside, assured their safety... gone. Dead. Damn it, she should've... Azura huffs. Should've, would've, could've. She'll handle her next step later, but now there is a greater importance. The Vallite Rift. "Ignis, cover me from whatever comes out."

"On the level of...?" He starts off.

"I will be fully focused." She tells him, reaching a hand up to grasp her necklace. She begins with a hum, balancing her voice, her body, calm as still water. The amulet clasped within her necklace glows, and it's only when she feels it vibrate with latent magic that she begins. [The tides of war shift and destroy, wrecking havoc among it shores...]

As she does, some manner of creature arises from the Vallite Rift. One that Ignis has only the displeasure of seeing a few times. These... undead creatures, not that different from the concept of Faceless, but there's only one, and unlike most of them, this one isn't so decayed as to lose its features.

Perhaps in life, she would have made a beautiful spouse. Bright, red hair, fair skin, a battleaxe strapped across her back, and a larger-than-average wyvern with midnight black scales and a fiery maw. Despite being a Wyvern Rider, she's armored head to toe, with only her hair and face showing.

No, not a Wyvern Rider, a Wyvern Lord. She glances at Azura, but a single arrow from Ignis establishes the real threat. Attack her, lose your mount. "Let's dance, lady." Ignis cocks a smile.

"Cherche." The undead-ish creature says. They're capable of speech?! She pats her Wyvern, "And Minerva. Die, in milord's name." Her eyes glow a bright red as... four more ethereal eyes form, two above her actual eyes glowing atop her armor, and two below her actual eyes, slightly above her mouth. "I am one of His Elite." She brandishes her Greataxe in a single hand and mounts Minerva. She swoops towards Ignis, who fires another shot.

A burning red aura glows as the arrow hits Minerva, and the arrow does no more damage than any other attack. "Well, shit." Ignis swears, opting for his sword as this Cherche brings her axe down on him. A swift dodge and a slash at the Wyvern, who beats its wings and claws at him. Cherche raises her Battleaxe and brings it down again and again, each time it embeds itself into the ground, but each time she lifts it with little to no effort. Each axe strike sets the ground alight a bright red. Ignis tilts his head and keeps his confident smile on. "Feisty, aren't you? Say, what's your Lord's name, hm?" Among the ground-strikes, he lands another clean cut into Minerva. "Since you seem a bit chattier than the others."

She scowls, spins her Greataxe once, which causes it to glow red and strikes the ground once more. The four extra eyes glow bright and...

Boom boom boom boom

Each of the previously affected areas suddenly implode, sending rock, debris, and fire up high, including the spot right in front of Ignis. His armor and skin gets scorched, but more importantly, Lady Azura's song is briefly interrupted. Azura gasps, and in that brief interruption notices something poking out. She re-focuses herself and tries to stop it from coming out. It looks like... a horn?

"Did I strike a nerve?" He asks. Cherche waves a hand over Minerva's wounds, they briefly burn, before they close. "Ah, so she means a great deal to you? I would say I'm sorry, but you are also a threat to milady." He leaps back, pulls out his bow and fires an arrow.

Minerva opens her maw and fires bellows out, as if she is a Dragon. The arrow is incinerated mid flight and Ignis barely dodges the flame as he lands with a side-roll. The flame continues on far past him and...

-0-

Ryoma's instincts kick in and he lunges to the side, Xander takes the brunt of some fire attack that came from somewhere. It's no normal spell, that's for sure. Ryoma re-assumes his stance with Rajinto. "Typical Nohrian, unable to honor the standards of a duel." He sneers, charging in just as the last of the flames disperse.

"With how smoothly you dodged it? No, this is clear that that was an ambush of your design." Xander, despite just being singed, blocks the Katanamasters barrage of attacks, before pushing Ryoma back with Siegfried and landing one gash across his armor.

"Is that so? With your track record? My father! My Mother! It is clear that Nohr knows nothing of Honor anymore. They all died with King Garon's reign!" Ryoma back flips and focuses the energy within his blade. Electricity gathers, arcing around him.

"You speak as if your own country is pure! You and yours have denied Nohr access to vital resources! Even as we scramble to make the most basic of crops grow!" Xander focuses on Siegfried, dark shadowy magic coursing through his. "Hoshido is the offender! It would not have come to this if you had honored our trade agreements!"

"For Hoshido!" Ryoma slashes the air in front of him with such force that the Rajinto sends out a lightning-wave.

"For Nohr!" Xander does the same... but as he does, the magic within his blade fizzles out and a voice enters his mind...

"I cannot support this anymore. You and your King have befouled my name, you and him use my power for not the benefit, but the destruction of Nohr! My land! The blessings upon your blade are no more!"

Xander's eyes widen as he hastily throws himself off his horse, knowing full well that he could not deflect the incoming attack. Katáktisi attempts to lunge out of the way, but the horse's bulk and armor are too much. It is struck by Ryoma's wave and the back half of the horse is cut clean off.

Anger fills the Crown Prince, his face turns a bright red and he breathes in deeply... "You ABANDONED the cause?!" Xander shouts to the sky. "You are the Dusk Dragon! Have you forgotten who your duty belongs to!"

"MY DUTY? You seek to anger me?! You are bound to MY duty! Mine is for Nohr! The Land, the people! You, the King, that vile advisor, you have all twisted MY will, MY desires, my DIVINE DUTY to fit your agenda!"

Ryoma balks in a short laughter. "Even the Dusk Dragon abandons your King's mad quest! See this as a sign, Xander. Lay down your arms and we can end this war with as little bloodshed as possible!"

"NO! Nohr needs this! We cannot..."

"I can help." A second voice enters Xander's mind, it's dark like the Dusk Dragon's... but also slimy? It burns, too. "But you will need to retreat first, the deal cannot be made until your King agrees."

Ryoma keeps Rajinto held high in his stance. "Lay down your arms, Xander." He warily eyes the man.

Xander glares at Ryoma. "The King approves?" His eyes glance upwards.

"He will, because I already told him that this plan will fail. He didn't believe me."

"Approves? Xander, your King is insane! Snap out of it! We can go back to Nohr and Hoshido being on peaceful terms! This... conquest is not the way!"

Xander lowers his head. There is no way he can win without the full power of Siegfried. "...Can you secure a way out?" He mutters.

"I can. Cast off the shackles of an unreliable God, and embrace me... The Fel Dragon. I will take a simple pledge for now, do that... and you will see I am no idle God."

Xander looks at Siegfried. "If this is what it takes to better Nohr." Xander says, dropping Siegfried.

Ryoma sighs in relief. "I am glad to see..."

"Then I will cast off the Dusk Dragon's uncaring claws! Fel Dragon! You have a deal!" He shouts to the sky.

"...Fel Dragon?" Ryoma tenses once more, looking around whilst Xander remains unarmed. "What sort of trickery is this?! Do you yield or not?!"

"Excellent choice. Your faith will not be misplaced with me. First... a weapon proper for my champion." The area where the explosion occurred shines brightly, and from the area another sword flies out, landing next to Xander. It looks like no other weapon ever made, it looks like a horn from a beast. No proper handle, no guard, it curves and sways, but it's also primed with power. Something in Xander tells him this is wrong, but the fate of Nohr is at stake. "Take up this weapon, Crown Prince Xander, and carve your own path. Your own opening."

Ryoma charges forward, he may not recognize this weapon, but he knows that Xander is about to arm himself, and thus...

He is sent back as Xander picks this weapon up, a burning sensation within him courses his entire body. It burns so intensely, that he himself catches fire. Yet the fire doesn't cause bodily harm, this strange and unnatural purple-fire. A thousand whispers suddenly assault his mind, his skin forms some sort of carapace, hardening him.

This is the right thing to do. Nohr is at stake.

Ryoma regains his footing and zips forward a second time. Xander blocks the Rajinto, the flames surrounding him lash out at Ryoma, burning the man. "No quarter!" Xander shoves Ryoma back and slashes the air in front of him without the need to focus the strange weapon's energy. A cruel, jagged purple-fire slash is formed and sent forward at a blistering speed. The ground it hits instantly dies, the grass and flowers wither. Ryoma, even with his near superhuman speed, barely dodges it. The armor it hits is cut clean off and his skin blisters and puffs out with what looks like an infection. The slash continues on, no sign of it stopping as it eats through the battlefield and...

-0-

Hinoka darts backwards, readying a lunge, but Firechaser refuses to go forward, instead backing up further. Trusting her Pegasus's natural instinct, she brings her own momentum backwards. The trust is rewarded as a purple-fiery slash zips past her, near inches in front of her. The Nohrian and Chevian soldiers are... ripped apart, the grass around the slash instantly turns brown, dying on the spot. The buildings in the path of this brutal slash are cut clean in two, and the man leading this squad huffs.

Their brief interaction revealed this man is one of Xander's Retainers. A three-times Arena Champion. Wielding an Axe and a Tome, the man has only sideburns for hair. From this single battle, Hinoka can see why the man won so many grueling contests. He is quick, strong, and perhaps most importantly, resourceful. He has trained with weapons so much that more than once he caught Hinoka's Naginata.

The Retainer, Nicola, grins. "Just you and me now, Princess." He's confident too, but not so much that it turns into a weakness that she can exploit.

On the other hand, he used her love and drive to keep others safe against her. Hinoka is well aware she can't beat him on her own. This attack is so well planned, that they are able to keep the Royals separated, and they have six! How? Nicola lunges with his axe, Firechaser backs off, raising her hooves in defense while Hinoka goes for a piercing strike. Her first strike in a while, and it pierces deeply, but before she can pull her weapon back, the man grips it.

He intended to take that hit. She tries to pull her Naginata back, but instead he yanks forward bringing her off her mount. The axe raised high, he brings it down...

"NO!" An arrow pierces the man's side. Setsuna?

"Bad enemy." A naginata pierces his other side. Azama! "Bad, bad enemy."

"Ngh!" Undeterred, he swings at the Wise-cracking Monk, but he just lets go of his weapon and 'tuts'.

"Too slow!" More arrows from his other side, but perhaps Nicola predicted it and ducks then... keels over as Azama kicks him in the gut. "Down to the ground, you."

Hinoka rises and instead of pulling her Naginata out, thrusts it further in. "Gah!" Nicola gasps.

"Damn, he's good. Took three of us to..."

"Lady Hinoka!" Setsuna charges at her.

"Wha-" The Princess startles, right as she feels the burn of a fire kiss her skin, Setsuna tackles her backwards as a pillar of flame cuts through the air in front of her...

-0-

Minerva exhales out a second fire breath. This one seems to burn brighter than the first. Ignis wipes some sweat off. He's managed to get in a few deep cuts with this Cherche, but she's made of some seriously tough stuff... or perhaps it's this undead nature that keeps her from tiring. "Milady, I know you're concentrating, but could you please hurry it up? Can't take her down on my own!" Ignis nervously smiles.

[The tides of war will pass and collapse, returning to the low tide which will recede the harm...] Azura too, is sweating. This Vallite Rift is not easy to remove... or it would be, if it wasn't empowered by a Demi-Goddess's blood. Damn that...

[What's taking you so long?] Lilith flies over, assuming her Maid form as she drops next to Azura. [Whatever on the other side of this Rift is tearing through our forces!] She chides her, holding her Dragonstone and channeling her own magic. [Or are you just holding back, hoping it kills my sister?!] Lilith glows with Vallite and Astral magic. [Or...]

"Just help her!" Ignis cuts her off.

"She is!" Lathna swoops in on Jiyū, scoring an easy lunge on Minerva's backside.

"Don't attack Minerva, she can just heal her back up!" Ignis exclaims. "And I think it pisses off Cherche, too!"

"Who and who?!" Lathna questions right as Cherche's axe is set alight with fire, the Kitsune Pegasus Rider drops to her belly as the burning slash barely misses her.

"The Wyvern and the Wyvern Lord, in that order!" He yells back. "Focus on Cherche!"

"Who cares what their names are! They're the enemy!"

"So that's why you aren't saying our names, Lathna?" Ignis retorts as he weaves under a wide-arcing slash.

"We ALL need to focus or we're DEAD!" Lilith shouts, pulling into her magic and she feels there's only one way to go... those Hunting Grounds are going to need to go. Within her own well of magic, she reaches into her Astral Plane, dispersing the Hunting grounds and using that residual Astral Magic to channel it into this Rift.

Lilith knew her sister was holding back, but even now she's only realizing how powerful she is. Lilith is a full-blooded Dragon Demi-goddess, she should not have this much difficulty closing a Rift made with her sister's blood, yet here she is... straining with Azura to close it. A shiver runs up Lilith's spine. If her sister ever truly lost control, if she turned mad like their father...

With that extra push of magic, her and Azura close the Rift, which implodes. Cherche and Minerva are... sucked into the reaction, while her and the others are pushed back...

-0-

By all means, Peri should be dead by now. She's cut, gashed, missing some fingers, but she still fights. Even without those essence draining spears, she's a huge threat. I grunt.

"Need some help?" Keaton asks, his fur bloodied, barely hurt.

"Yeah." I huff, rising up.

"Another play buddy? Corrin, you shouldn't have!" Peri giggles.

Keaton growls, but I can hear a small huff afterwards. He's getting tired, he probably won't be able to hold the form much longer. "Can you hold her down?" I ask.

"Easily." He replies. "You got an idea." It wasn't a question, nor does he wait. He's a Wolfskin, after all, mindless chatter is a waste of energy.

And in this case, I cannot agree more. I take one of the spears from the bag I stole from her horse, break off so I got just the spearhead... and stab my own side, away from the Wyrmslayer wound. It glows blue, but unlike before, the blue has dimmed... the power it draws is directly related to the health of the person struck, it seems.

Keaton charges Peri, who attempts for a lunge, but the Wolfskin showcases his own training and catches the blade in his palms. A bit of blood pours down as he lifts Peri by the weapon and slams her into the ground. She coughs, then laughs. She rolls away as he attempts to stomp her, letting go of her Lance. He slams the ground with both of his fists which causes her to bounce up and slam on her back again, but this time he grabs her and squeezes.

Peri just keeps laughing. "Can't win this way..." She grins as she starts pushing against his grip!

"Keaton!" I exclaim, lunging forward just... one more time with the spear, glowing blue, and he transitions his grip to her arms and legs.

A clean pierce... but assumption is true, it doesn't immediately explode. Keaton slams her to the ground and plants his paw on her. Then it blows up. Keaton is sent flying back once more, and when he lands, its in his normal form. Thanks to that though, I'm left not being flung around again. However, I am drained, and I soon collapse. Twice I've been drained by that spear, once I've took an explosion point-blank, and unlike that bout with the Ninja army... I am exhausted.

I hear a bellowing call, recognizing it as the Nohrian Retreat call. Xander got away, then. I look at the ground in front of me... at least one of his Retainers didn't. I then gulp, and look back to Cheve.

But this attack costed almost all of the civilians, most of the guards. We won the battle, but at what cost? Would have it been better if we... just didn't fight here? Cheve would've been razed to the ground, regardless. My vision blurs and I feel the urge to vomit. "Corrin? HEY!" Keaton rushes over.

"MILADY!" Jakob? I am unsure, still bleeding from those first few wounds Peri inflicted.

Mosquitoes... the realization dawns on me. Her weapon had the same kind of effect like how mosquitoes have when they suck your blood...

I pass out.

-0-

Camilla tilts her head and watches as the flames of war rage on, burning a grainery to the ground. Such an easy feat to do these hit-and-burns, since the bulk of Hoshido's greatest military is in Nohr. One by one do they fall. Family by family do the Hoshidans scream. She pulls out her Fire Tome and slings another ball of fire onto the grass near the grainery... the ones she had rounded up and trapped inside had ceased their screaming a while ago.

Camilla feels nothing.

Corrin is out there, somewhere in Nohr. Lost in that damn Hoshidan 'family' of hers, away from her true family, and instead of being able to do the important thing in this war: Reuniting the family, Camilla is out here. 'Damaging' Hoshidan morale, their resources, all in the name of Conquest.

Camilla does not care about the war effort if Corrin isn't here.

Camilla does not care if Corrin isn't here. Corrin... Corrin...

"Lady Camilla! Orders from Iago!" Ugh, that damnable Wyvern Courier. For a moment she considers chopping him up with her axe and feeding him to his own Wyvern.

...She really considers it. Axe in hand, she turns to face the man. Oh, it would be so easy. Do it. Do it. "Of course." She replies, pocketing her Fire Tome and grabbing the orders. A few movements and she opens the scroll to find... "My my, assaulting the Wind Tribe? Tell me, this sure has nothing to do with the retrieval of Corrin, now does it?" Chopping him up is too good, too easy. Maybe tie him down and non-lethally sever body pieces until he dies?

"P-p-pardon, Lady Camilla?" The man asks, as he visibly shakes.

She knows why. Not all Royals can tap into this specific power. "Oh, it's nothing to worry about..." She glares at him. "But I do want you to return a message." She steps forward and the man starts sweating profusely, skin nearly going white in sheer terror. She smiles sweetly as she rests her chin on the hilt of her axe. It's been dubbed 'Dragon Fear', something only those of Royal Blood can learn to harness... sometimes. Where one can focus merely on their own presence and send terror into all but the strongest of wills. "Let them know I eagerly await an order that involves getting... MY beloved Corrin back." Her visible eye glints dangerously.

He gulps, nodding frantically, "Y-Yeah, I m-m-mean y-yes m-m-ma'am!" He salutes, but it seems as if his arm gave out and it hangs awkwardly mid-way through the salute.

"And this part is for you alone. The next order I receive that doesn't involve Corrin?" She lets that linger, gripping the handle on her axe tighter. "Get out of my sight." She takes the breath, allowing the Dragon Fear to release its hold on him.

The Wyvern Courier gasps as if he held his breath the entire time, he scurries over to his Wyvern and takes off, almost falling off from the first few moments.

Camilla looks at the scroll again, disgusted. "I can help you get Corrin back..." Some voice in her head echoes, one she never heard before, but one she cannot bring herself to care about.

Corrin... the only thing she can muster feelings about. The only thing in this world that can cure Camilla's endless coldness. She needs Corrin more than life itself. She needs Corrin. She can do it herself. She leaves the voice without a response. She doesn't care, not without Corrin here. She's the only one in this family that will do whatever it takes to bring her back.

"Very well, when you change your mind... just reach out to me, the Fel Dragon."

Ha, as if. She can do this task by herself. "Now, the Wind Tribe... believe me, you will know the full extent of my power, because after I cut your forces clean in two? I will go after Corrin. Orders be damned."

-0-

Leo rides, alone, unbidden within the deepest, darkest reaches of Nohr's forests. Where life has become so tainted by Dark Magic that the very waters eat away at life itself. Only those trained in the ways of Dark Magic are able to resist its pull. Some say this part of the forest is where the worst of the Dark Magic was tested. Its limits unveiled, atrocities committed... until Garon's grandfather had banned most of the spells. Nosferatu is the only one that is legally available, and even Leo knows, it's a shadow of its original form.

This is war, and measures must be taken. Within Leo's bag holds the original version of Nosferatu, unconstrained and holding all of its vile power. Leaching a bit of life? Oh no, this one is capable of sucking an enemy dry of all of their life, not only replenishing the user's health, but their lifespan as well. He needs this, having read reports of Corrin's victories... of her raw power.

Of her True Heritage.

Leo sighs. "Princess of Valla. Yasei, daughter to Vallite Queen Mikoto... and Vallite King Anankos, the Silent Dragon. Demigoddess, half-dragon. She could have erased me without a second thought." But she didn't, she showed restraint. She alone could lead the war to victory, but she doesn't. Which leads to the other reason why he's here.

Within the depths of this wretched forest holds another, more sacred, relic. The concentrated Dark Magic has bled into and caused a phenomena. A stone that allows one to glimpse into the future, at a cost. One glimpse into the future, whatever the heart desires... in exchange for knowing the exact moment of your death, carved into your soul so that it will happen. A Fatestone, if you will. He furrows his eyebrows as he scans the forests. He is aware of their existence, of their magical signature, but he's never seen one for himself. It is said to shine blue, but with an aura of purple.

Yet, even as he travels these lands, he is unsure of what exactly he wishes to view. Corrin's death? Unlikely, she's a Demi-Goddess who has an exceptional tactical well of knowledge. His own? Why bother if the Stone will show it for 'free' anyway? Xander? Camilla? Elise? ...No, there is a more personal matter, especially with War. There is no other time where the entire Nohrian Royalty could just... be killed, especially after Garon's rash actions, there are many Hoshidans who wants their heads on pikes.

He needs to know if the bloodline will continue. If there will be another wielder of the Brynhildr.

"I can assure that you will survive, Prince Leo." A chill rushes up his spine, an unknown voice...

But with the power of Divinity. "You are not the Dusk Dragon, begone."

"Now, don't be so hasty, hear..."

"I do not hear from Devils. You seek to bargain with me at my lowest points, you will gain no ground." Leo closes his eyes and concentrates. It's no simple matter, but with all the latent Dark Magic here, he could...

"Very well, if y-"

Cloud his own mind with a veil of Dark Magic, preventing any level of telepathy. Such is the power of Dark Magic. He feels a sudden headache surging up from the spell. But it's worth it for now. He won't uphold the spell when he leaves. For now, the Fatestone.

-0-

Elise skips and hops through the Castle, completely minding her own business and holding a surprisingly happy smile for someone on the verge of being filled up with stress. About the war, about her family, about the medical bay overflowing, about... everything. Effie shakes the ground with each step next to her. If there were any potential complaints, they are snuffed out by her mere presence. It is no secret about her strength, the last one that complained was flung across the courtyard like a ragdoll, then she proceeded to eat enough for ten people.

Elise needed that kind of security right now. "Scuse me." She tells the Elite Guards in front of her dad's door. "Princess Elise comin through!"

"Can't. King Garon is meditating with the Dusk Dragon." They both raise their weapons, not at the Princess, God no! But they 'block' the door with their Lances, emphasizing the point.

Elise puffs out her cheek. "Well, would it be alright if I just sorta... stood here? Until he's done?" She smiles sweetly.

"Princess..." One of them starts, but...

"Look, if it makes you feel any better, I'll guard the door and make sure Elise doesn't wander it." Effie cuts them off.

The two share a look. "That would be an honor, Effie." One of them says with great reverence.

"We shouldn't..."

"She's Effie." The first one emphasizes. "You are aware of her, right?"

"A retainer?"

"The strongest damn..."

"LANGUAGE!" Effie cuts him off. "I will not have milady exposed to profanity!" Her very voice seems to cause the men to move. Elise giggles, Yes, this is why she needed Effie here.

The first clears his throat, and the second nods, "I... I see. Sorry to bother you." The second bows his head.

"We'll bring you some food from the cafe!" The first exclaims, grabbing his companion and guiding him away. Watching them walk away, Effie stands guard... alone.

Elise goes up to the door and puts her ear to it, straining her hearing as she focuses on what is being said.

Father has been distant, lately. More so than normal, and...

"Hey!" A new voice exclaims, Elise jumps in place, Effie has her Lance ready. It's... a girl? Barely older than Elise. Light-green hair, bright-green eyes, a robe with stitched red eyes on either side of the center. She has an obsidian chalice in her hands, embedded with rubies. "Nice to meet ya!" She giggles.

"Respect to who you are talking to, this is Princess Elise of Nohr... stranger." Effie looks her over.

Elise does the same. Indeed, the material looks nothing from Nohr or Hoshido. "Who are you?"

"Morgan, I'm an emissary. Got a meeting with the King here in a day or two." She smiles wholly.

"..." Effie stares her down, unnerved.

"Then you should be waiting in your guest room." Elise replies. "And is that...?"

"It's a gift, yes. The finest materials of my homeland. Traveled very far, you see." Morgan spins the chalice in her hands and smiles. "No idea the land was at war though. So there's a bit of wait while His Highness takes care of those matters. But! I think the alliance my people can offer would be of great benefit."

"You traveled here and immediately pledge to a cause?" Effie questions.

"Well, you see... from what I've gathered. Your homeland and mine aren't that different." Morgan approaches, purpose in each step, she tucks the Chalice away. "If you got some time, I'd be glad to explain. See, your land is stripped of resources and has a neighboring country that is bountiful... mine was quite the same. Consider it sympathy, but we'd like to help Nohr get the edge it needs." She holds out her hand. "Mind for a chat?

Elise gazes at the outstretched hand, "Sure?" She accepts the hand in a Princessly-manner fit for a Princess, which means she just gently grips it.

"Wonderful! Now, I am aware there is this great ice-cream shop near here... shall we stop by there?"

"Sure! I love ice cream!"

"Milady..." Effie warns.

Morgan raises her hands, "I get it, you're worried about what I'll do." She takes off her Robe, revealing nothing more than a simple sleeveless top, shorts, and a pair of sandals. "I will commit to a willing inspection."

Elise flushes, and pushes the Robe back into her hands, "No need. Just... stay here, I'll get Arthur, and we'll get some ice cream!" She beams. "Be back soon!" Elise darts off.

Morgan puts her robe back on. Effie continues to stare her down. "I don't like you."

Morgan smiles and nods. "I understand, you're a retainer. It's your duty." Morgan stands across the hall and waits, in full view of Effie. "I will abide by whatever standards you have for inspection, if it makes you feel better."

"I'll trust both milady's judgment and Arthur." Even though Arthur is a klutz that is somehow worse than Felicia... he has a great sense of character. Besides, if Morgan can't handle Arthur's disaster-inviting nature, then he's not good enough to be in Elise's presence.