Three, Two, One... !

@tactful-kind-daedra

Nobody who knew him would say that Corrin was anything but a slugabed when it came to naps and sleeping in general. Corrin had the unusual capability to fall asleep just about anywhere, whether that be on a march during military formation or in the bitter cold of the snow. So it came as no surprise to anyone in the room that he had dozed off now, his knees pulled up and one hand propped behind his head as his body slowly slid to rest upon Daedra’s shoulder. 

His breathing is gentle and soft. Corrin would never admit to talking in his sleep if confronted about it, but it was a regular occurrence that the prince would be caught mumbling in his dreams. “N-no, Hinoka, not in the ribs, I’m too ticklish there!” mutters Corrin as he shifts around a bit as if in reaction to actually being tickled.

His perch that was Daedra’s shoulder is suddenly absent from under his head as he’s shifted his weight off of it, and in the next moment his head collides with the corner of her book causing him to wake up with a start.

She snorted in slight irritation. He was so stubborn! She continued to stare off into the distance, watching for danger.

“Ugh, yes I know those names! Is it not obvious, the King has a target on your head! That’s why it’s such a bad idea to be here!” She paused, realizing just how she was talking to him. “Forgive my brashness, Milord Corrin. But do you really not know about him? Why do you think this place looks as terrible as it does? This doesn’t just happen on its own.”

Corrin shrugged. “I just thought that’s how it was, you know, to go along with the whole curse thing... Is it not normal for other kingdoms to be made up of floating islands?...”

At the first question, she had to pause a moment and breath, both to calm herself down and to remember what her alibi was.

“I…….no, but I know of it. Astral Dragons are world-travelers by nature. And you know what I know about this place? I know that it is wildly dangerous, and off-limits! I’m not supposed to be here, and neither are you for that matter!” She looked away from him, hoping she hadn’t been too loud. “You must understand, I care about you, I really do, but bringing us here is the most foolish idea you’ve had recently. Do you not realize what could happen to us?”

Corrin was taken aback at Lilith’s harsh words. He hadn’t expected such a reaction out of her. He struggled to come up with a reply for several moments. “Lilith... I know about the invisible soldiers. But I can protect us! I’m prepared, Lilith.” he reassured her with an embrace.

She spit his collar out, and as she swam around to look him in the eye, she boiled with rage. The look in her eyes was one her liege had likely never seen before. She usually kept a good handle on her emotions.

Not this time. This time was far too much for her.

“Corrin! Why would you bring us here?! How could you do this?! Don’t you realize this place is dangerous?!” She shouted at him, tears burning in the corners of her eyes. “H-how could you!”

“Wh-what’s the matter, Lilith? Have you been to Valla before?” he asked, trying to comfort her.

The world slowed to a crawl around the dragon as she saw him jump. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks, and her mind was sent into turmoil. What was she going to do?! 

It didn’t take long for one thought in particular to assert itself.

She flew down, swimming through the air after him, and once she reached him she grabbed the collar of his outfit in her jaws.

“Mmmph! Mrlrrrd!” She huffed through her teeth as she struggled to keep him from falling further into the depths.

“Ah! Lilith!” Corrin shouted in surprise at the small tug on his collar. His momentum barely slowed down, and instead he more-or-less just dragged Lilith down with him.

She grimaced. She really didn’t want this to happen. But she was under her self-appointed obligation to do what he wanted, so it wasn’t like she had any real choice in the matter. At least, she didn’t feel like she did.

“…” She didn’t say anything to him. She just opened up a portal, a bubble of light right in front of the temple, and followed him into it.

They were on the bridge now, and while she knew already it was the right one, she asked him anyway. “Is this the right place, Lord Corrin?”

Corrin looked down the canyon, nodding his head. “This is it, for sure.”

“I…I…” She couldn’t handle it anymore. She just let the tears fall.

“Y-you know what, fine, you win! I’ll take you there, but….but I’m not going to follow you into your demise! You’d better leave and put some better clothes on if you’re so serious about this folly!” The frustration was clear in her expression, and she was honestly hoping she could guilt him into changing his mind at this point.

“I... I don’t understand why you’re crying but...

“This is something I need to do.” 

The hopeful look in his eyes was beginning to be too much. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she shakily shook them away, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

“M-milord, please, please just explain! What are you hoping to, to g-gain?” Her breath hitched in her throat.

Why was he making her feel this way? Why couldn’t he just take no for an answer?

Why couldn’t she just bring herself to say no outright?

Corrin’s eyes widened in realization. “Lilith... Are you crying?”

She sighed. She wanted to let him, she really did. But…the idea hurt too much.

“I…I’m sorry. I can’t think of a way you’d survive jumping into a hole that deep. I…”

She felt a knot tighten in her throat. She really didn’t want to go back there. Not when the lingering threat of him hung over her heart. What if she was found? What if he put Corrin in danger?

“I’m….” She couldn’t speak. The words got tangled up in her worry.

“I can! You could hold onto me while I fall, just like you did the first time. This is also why I need your help. I believe in you Lilith.

She was still quite scared, so she took a moment to steady her breathing. “Milord…”

She looked at him sadly. “Milord…you know that I trust you, and I really, really do. But…what do you plan to do if I were to bring you to the canyon?”

Corrin simply blinked.

She closed her eyes, firm in her resolve, though her breath was shaky now.

“M-milord, I’m sorry, but, but I can’t until you give me more information to work with.”

“I can’t.” he stated simply. “I wish I could, and I would if I could, but I can’t.”