#misskikuwrites

“Now… now it won’t get in your way,” Sakura reassured Corrin again as they sat down to eat.

Corrin forced the scowl off her face and gave Sakura a relenting smile. “I know, I know. I’m just not used to it. It feels strange.”

“I think it was a very wise decision, milady,” Jakob said, handing Corrin her meagre breakfast and claiming his spot beside her as usual. “It certainly won’t do to have your own arm impede you during battle.”

“It’s not like I had much of a choice,” Corrin sighed. She forced herself to eat despite her appetite waning, and her concentration began to drift. Her broken sleep last night left her eyelids heavy.

“Do we have a long j-journey ahead of us today, Azura?” Sakura asked, turning to the Songstress beside her. “I w-would be glad if we got out of this forest soon. It’s… it’s kind of creepy.”

Azura gave Sakura a gentle smile. “You don’t have to worry. I believe we are near the edge of the forest, and should be out of it by noon.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Sakura sighed in relief.

Their conversation faded in Corrin’s ears as her mind wandered. They were getting closer to the end of their journey with every passing day. Closer and closer with every step. Her confrontation with Anankos was looming on the horizon.

Anankos.    

Corrin’s stomach sank heavily. Her chest tightened at the thought of him. A thought that had no image, a man – a monster – that had no form in her mind. She knew nothing about him. Nothing about what he looked like, how he sounded, how he fought. The figure in her mind was a looming beast, a shadow, a whisper of darkness in the night that was always out of sight.

And yet… there must have been something human about him at one point. After all, Anankos was…

Corrin’s jaw clenched. A fire rose in her throat, burning at the thought that almost formed. She still couldn’t accept it. She didn’t want to accept it. Not now. Perhaps not ever. Not until she could stand face-to-face with him and stare him down. Not until she saw him for the monster he is, not until she cut him down and ended this once and for all.

Corrin shook off that thought and let her gaze wonder until she met someone’s eyes – someone who was looking right at her.

Takumi.

He stole his eyes away the instant they met from across the camp. A rush of heat flooded Corrin’s veins. How long had he been looking at her? Her heart felt strangely light. A flutter rose in her stomach as she let her eyes linger on him for a moment longer, appreciating the cut of his jaw from the side, the angle of his nose and the rounded pout of his lips… until he glanced back at her.

Their eyes locked. There was half a world between them and all it took was a single glance for Takumi to steal her breath away. Heat trickled across Corrin’s cheeks. There was a sweet warmth to his gaze that reached her, a soft longing in his eyes that spoke volumes above the murmur of camp that surrounded them. Corrin wondered what he saw in her eyes, if they were speaking to him the same way.

“Milady, are you finished already?” Jakob asked, snatching Corrin’s attention and snapping her out of her stupor.

“I – what?”

“Your breakfast. You have not eaten much at all and we have a long journey ahead of us. I implore you to try and eat a bit more. Especially as you are still recovering.” The concern in Jakob’s voice was well deserved, but it hit a sour note in Corrin’s chest. She met his eyes and nodded, though her stomach still felt like lead, heavy and sickly. It didn’t help that most of their food was dried and stiff, salted and preserved and tasteless.  

“I don’t have much of an appetite,” Corrin said, tearing off a small portion of dried meat and nibbling it, “but I’ll try.” She stole a quick glance over to Takumi, where he was saying something to his retainers. His eyes flicked to hers for barely a second but it was enough to send her heart flustering again.

“That’s all I can ask,” Jakob replied, not entirely reassured. “But you must try not to push yourself too hard again.”

Corrin sighed, resting her chin in her hand, her elbow propped on her knees, using her feigned annoyance over Jakob’s nagging to shift and hide her steadily reddening cheeks with her hand. Her heart was pounding harder and harder with every passing glance she made at Takumi, every time their eyes locked. It was becoming a game. Secret, stolen glances as the world continued on around them. It definitely helped that Corrin shifted so that her view of Takumi was just to the right of Jakob’s shoulder.

Corrin swallowed thickly as Takumi looked away to speak to Hinata, and she took the moment to answer Jakob. “I know. You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“You say that, milady, but I feel as if I must. After all, it was hardly an hour after you threw up that you were challenging Prince Xander to a fight.”

Corrin grimaced beneath Jakob’s disapproving frown. “Where… where did you hear that?”

“Princess Elise told me.”

Of course. Corrin shrunk, her mind tripping over a way to explain it. “I know how it sounds, but there was a reason behind it…”

“I understand that,” Jakob said, his voice laced with a sigh. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. All I wish is that you would take care of yourself as well as you do the rest of us.”

“S-So do I,” Sakura chimed in. “You’re… you’re always asking how we are and… and making sure we’re okay but you don’t do the same for yourself.”

Azura nodded. “I agree. You tend to take things on by yourself, even though you’re surrounded by friends and allies who would help you at a single moment’s notice.”

“You are quite stubborn when it comes to your safety and health, Milady,” Jakob sighed in agreement.

“I think she is quite stubborn in general,” Azura said with a pointed smile directed straight at Corrin.

“All right, I get it!” Corrin relented, holding her hand up in surrender. “But you know how it is in a battle – I just forget everything else and go on instinct. It’s hard to suddenly switch to self-preservation just like that.”

“Which is what we’re here for,” Jakob said.

“E-Exactly!” Sakura nodded, determined. Leo’s words from this morning rang in Corrin’s mind.

Princess Sakura is stronger than she looks.      

Azura met Corrin’s eyes and gave her a knowing, understanding smile. They both knew what it was like to carry a heavy burden in silence, a burden that had now been lifted from them both, even if only slightly.

“Thank you,” Corrin said. “I’ll definitely be needed help in the future, the way things are going. I’m glad to have you guys by my side.”

With what felt like an interrogation finally easing up, Corrin stole a furtive glance over to Takumi, only to find him gone. Her heart remained light, however, and she finished the remainder of her breakfast without a struggle.

With a few moments to spare before they departed, Corrin walked a few rounds of the camp, making sure to check in with the remainder of her allies. A small part of her mind niggled at her for deliberately avoided Ryoma and Xander, but she ignored it as she found Gunter and Silas in the middle of training.

Corrin stood back and watched as they clashed, finding herself intrigued. Silas was younger, full of energy and determination, lunging and dashing forward with quick strides, his sword a flash of biting steel. But with Gunter’s age came a world of experience that soon became evident as he stood his ground and met each of Silas’ strikes with his own. Corrin’s heart raced as the fight progressed, Gunter quickly stealing the advantage. Just as soon as it had begun, Gunter ended the battle, sending Silas sprawling onto his back with a well-timed parry.

“Aw,” Corrin cried, expecting the fight to continue for longer. “But it was just getting good!”

“Milady.” Gunter greeted Corrin with a curt nod.

“C-Corrin!” Silas exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. “You were watching?!” He dusted himself off, clearly embarrassed that his loss had been witnessed.

“Only towards the end. You did well to last that long against Gunter! I’m impressed.”

“Thanks.” Silas laughed sheepishly at Corrin’s praise.

“Are you sure you know what you’re getting into, challenging Gunter?” Corrin teased. “He’s not exactly a gentle teacher – and I should know. Gunter was my main combat instructor.”

Gunter nodded with a smile. “That I was. Though, now it feels as though that was a lifetime ago.”

Silas’ eyes sparkled with determination. “Of course I know what I’m doing! It’s my dream to be a knight and now I have the chance to fight against one of the best! I’m not going to let this opportunity get away from me!”

“He was very persistent,” Gunter chuckled.

Corrin laughed. “Sounds like it.”

She left the two of them to spar in peace and made sure the rest of her allies were about ready to leave. The party they’d sent out to collect water had returned successful, the fire pits put out and covered. Corrin surveyed the remains of their camp one last time, readying herself mentally for what lay ahead.

“Corrin! There you are!” Camilla cried with breathless urgency, rushing up to Corrin before she could react. Ryoma was right behind her. “We need you to settle this for us at once!” Camilla took Corrin’s hand, pleading with her.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Corrin’s heart thundered in her chest as her mind sped. She looked between Camilla and Ryoma, their expressions grave. “Did something happen?”

“You’re the only one who can put an end to this,” Ryoma said, folding his arms stiffly. He shot a heated look towards Camilla. “Not that I don’t already know the answer.”

Corrin stared at the two of them in utter confusion. “Know what?”

“That I’m the one who knows you the best,” Ryoma said.

Camilla said at the same time, “That I know you the best!”

Their voices rang in her ears, an echo of each other, and they waited, staring, for Corrin’s reply. She blinked at them for a moment. Then two. Slowly, it dawned on her what they were asking.

“…What?”  

“Of course, I know you better than Prince Ryoma here thinks he does,” Camilla said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “After all, I’ve spent the most time with you, haven’t I? And he has no match for our sisterly bond.” Camilla drew closer to Corrin, hugging onto her arm with a sickly sweet smile aimed at Ryoma.

Corrin couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You say that, but Corrin was brought to Hoshido as an infant,” Ryoma countered, “and I spent those precious first years of her life with her. Not to mention that she returned to Hoshido. The relationship I have with her is more natural than the overbearing protection that you dote on her.”

“Enough – we agreed that Corrin was going to settle this,” Camilla huffed.

“Fine.” Ryoma turned to Corrin. He nodded at her as if he expected her to understand what on earth was going on. “It’s your decision, Corrin.”

“You can’t be serious.” Corrin’s words rang out flat. Hollow.

“Of course we’re serious!” both Ryoma and Camilla chimed.

“No.”

A beat passed.

“No?” Ryoma asked.

Camilla pouted. “What do you mean, no?”

“I mean, no.” Corrin yanked her arm out of Camilla’s hug. “No, I’m not going to answer you. No, I’m not going to fuel whatever this is. I thought– I thought something serious had happened and you want to ask me who knows me the best?” the heat in Corrin’s voice grew and burned and erupted as it coated her words.

Camilla reached for Corrin. “Corrin–”

“Don’t!” Corrin shot out of Camilla’s reach, her tone seething. “I don’t want any part of this. At all. Don’t ask me again!” She whirled on her feet and stormed off, her throat burning as if she’d swallowed venom. The concern she’d had at their urgency had boiled into anger and frustration, scorching her veins with every thundering beat of her heart.

By the time Corrin had reached Azura, the fire in her veins had tempered enough for her to work the scowl off her face. She unclenched her fist and breathed out a sharp, frustrated sigh before addressing Azura.

“Do you know which way we’re heading?” Corrin asked. “I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit turned around in this forest. I’m not sure which way is which.”

Azura smiled gently. “We’re heading north. The Royal Castle of Valla should be almost directly north from here.”

Corrin nodded slowly, allowing that to process. “How long  will it take?”

“A few days. Less than a week at most.”

It wasn’t enough.  

Corrin smiled and held her head up high. “I’ll get everyone ready. Let’s head out.”

One foot in front of the other, Corrin reminded herself as they headed north through the forest. The further they went, the more the darkness seemed to creep in on them. The air grew humid and thick. The path narrowed as if the trees were drawing towards them. Large roots tripped up their path, winding across and through the rugged path, hidden in the undergrowth.

“Ah!” Sakura tumbled forward, her foot catching on a winding root. Takumi shot his arm out in time, catching her before she fell.

“Are you okay?” Takumi asked. “You really need to watch your step here.”

“Th-Thanks,” Sakura mumbled quietly. Her cheeks flushed bright red in embarrassment as she hung her head.

“That was close,” Corrin sighed in relief. “It’s hard to see where we’re stepping.”

The canopy above them had grown thick and closed in over the path. They didn’t want to risk exposing themselves with lanterns or light and so were guiding themselves using the faint beams of light trickling through the small gaps in the leaves.

“I doubt this path has been traversed in a long time,” Leo noted, “which plays to our advantage. We’re less likely to stumble across any Vallites on a path rarely taken.”

“That explains why it’s so overgrown and dark,” Takumi huffed. “I can barely see my own feet.”

“Ah, right, I suppose you’re not used to darkness like this, whereas I feel rather at home. I can see just fine,” Leo said, a smug lilt to his voice.

“That explains why I haven’t seen a single Nohrian trip,” Takumi grumbled.

“It’s still quite dark to me,” Corrin offered, though she seemed to be doing better at finding her way than the Hoshidans.

“It’s too quiet… and c-creepy…” Sakura said quietly, nervously glancing around.

Takumi held out his hand to Sakura. “You can hold my hand… if you want. If it’ll make you feel better.”

Sakura lifted her head and accepted Takumi’s hand eagerly. “Th-Thank you!”

Corrin’s heart softened and a smile erupted across her face at the sight. Takumi glanced at her, to see her grinning widely at him, and flushed. It was so cute to see him act like a big brother towards Sakura that Corrin couldn’t help the bubble of laughter swelling in her chest.

Takumi cleared his throat. “J-Just be careful where you step, all right?” he said to Sakura.

“O-Okay!”

“Leo!” Elise called his name in a sing-song tone. “Can I hold your hand too? I don’t want to trip!”

Leo stifled his sigh, holding out his hand to her. “Fine, go ahead.”

“Yay!” Elise took Leo’s hand, swinging their hands between them.

Corrin held back her giggle at the double display.

So cute.  

She glanced towards Takumi, her eyes drifting towards his free hand as they walked. Sakura was holding onto Takumi’s right hand, leaving his left to hang free by his side. Corrin’s right hand, now feeling strangely empty, flexed as she walked. If she stepped in time with Takumi, all she’d have to do is move over a bit she’d be able to take his hand. Her face warmed at the thought, at how easy it would be to intertwine her fingers with his.

But she didn’t.

It was a welcome relief when the path opened up and they reached the edge of the forest. The sun, streaming overhead, was a warm and pleasant on their skin. Corrin shielded her eyes for a moment as she stepped out into the light, waiting for her eyes to adjust. When they did, Corrin gasped in awe at the landscape before them.

What would’ve been an ordinary grassy plain anywhere else was broken and scattered in chunks of earth for miles ahead. Slabs of rock and ground formed a floating bridge of earth from the base of the hill they were on to the mountains and ruins in the distance. It was as if a giant beast had torn apart the landscape. Between chunks of rocks the size of buildings, Corrin could see the sky below. Piercing blue cutting between the earth like light through the trees. And on the horizon, towering above the ruins, stood a lone castle. Gyges.

“Whoa! Are you sure we went the right way, Azura?” Hinoka exclaimed. “There’s no way that’s safe to cross. If I had my Pegasus it’d be easy, but on foot…”

“This is the quickest way,” Azura said curtly.

“She is right,” Ryoma said, though he folded his arms in dismay. “However, I too don’t like the look of it. We’d be exposed to attack with nowhere to shelter. Is there no way around?”

“There is another passage, but it is a week’s journey west from here.”

“Then we have no choice,” Corrin said firmly. “We’ll just have to be careful. Stay close to one another and help each other out. We can do it.”

Takumi nodded. “All right. I’m with you.”

“I can close some of the gaps with Brynhildr,” Leo offered, brandishing his tome.

“Thanks Leo, that’d be a lot of help.” Corrin nodded. “Keaton and Kaden can help ferry people across in their beast forms.”

“Sounds like fun!” Kaden cheered.

“Sure, I can help. If that’s what you want,” Keaton agreed, however bashfully.

Corrin turned and addressed the rest of her allies. “We need to get across there as fast as we can but be careful. That’s the most important thing. Look out for each other and get across safely. The Vallites don’t know we’re here but that won’t last for long, so we only have a short window of time to cross before they notice us.” She let her words sink in for a moment. “See you on the other side!”

It wasn’t much of a motivational speech but it was all Corrin could muster in the short time she had. It seemed to work, as they began the crossing without any sign of incident. Ryoma and Xander, with their retainers, took the lead with Azura, finding a path for others to follow across the wayward rocks. Leo followed close behind, Brynhildr in hand, closing any gaps that could lead to trouble, and the rest of their allies quickly followed.

With one last look at the forest behind her, Corrin made a short leap onto the first of many slabs of earth. The ground was hard and rough in parts, jagged and uneven, where other facets were covered in lush grass and flowers. Corrin opted to stand on the rough ground, lest her feet slip on the grass. The view of the sky beneath her feet made her stomach churn and her vision swirl for a moment, before she forced herself to look ahead and not at the never-ending blue.

She didn’t want to think about what would happen if she fell.

It was slow at first, finding a path across the floating chunks of earth, but Corrin soon found her confidence building with every step, learning how to balance herself with only one arm available. It helped that Jakob and Kaze were at her sides.

They were almost halfway across when the alarm sounded.

“Vallites!”

A wave of panic shot washed over Corrin’s army at the figures speeding towards them through the air. Tiny figures the size of pinpricks steadily increasing in size, barrelling towards them on Kinshi and Pegasi. It would be seconds before the Vallites would be upon them. Corrin’s allies looked to her for orders and she made the decision in a split second.

“Go!” Corrin cried. “Keep going!”

They couldn’t go back. Not now.

“Archers, mages, take out as many as you can!” Corrin called, “but keep moving! Get to the other side! Follow Azura!” She shot a quick glance around her allies, scanning those behind her, those struggling and faltering. Setsuna wobbled from one rock to another, Hinoka taking her hand and coaxing her along. They were falling behind.

“Kaden! Assist Setsuna!” Corrin called, and in a flash the Kitsune had zigzagged his way over to Setsuna and Hinoka helped her retainer onto his back.

“Lady Corrin, we need to keep moving,” Jakob insisted.

“I know–”

A thwack! by Corrin’s feet snapped her attention back to the Vallites. An arrow had just missed her, sinking deep into the grass a few feet from her. A flash of blue light shot past her into the sky, striking one of the Kinshi Knights down.

“Corrin, are you okay?!” Takumi asked, reading his Fujin Yumi again with another blazing blue arrow.

“I-I’m fine. Just go!” Corrin replied, the near miss jolting her into action. She followed her allies in a mad dash across the broken plain as it descended into chaos. Arrows and flashes of magic exchanged through the sky. Walls of earth thrust up as barriers by Leo, tangles of branches and roots forming barriers and shields as arrows rained down. Corrin ducked behind one of Leo’s barriers as a blast of lighting coursed towards her and her feet skidded across the slick grass and came out from beneath her. Unbalanced, Corrin tumbled to her left, and had no hand to catch herself. The blue sky was all she saw before strong arms caught her, sweeping her up against a solid chest.

“Pardon me, Lady Corrin,” Kaze apologised. “I’ll take it from here.”

Corrin had no words to protest with, fear caught in her throat, as Kaze leapt to and fro across the slabs of earth with nimble feet and envious grace. She held tight to Kaze, unabashedly clinging to his shoulders as he made ground more than twice as fast as she ever could.

“This way!” came Azura’s voice from up ahead.

“We’re almost there,” Kaze assured Corrin, ducking for cover behind an upturned slab of earth. The remainder of her allies that had stopped to fight what Vallites they could soon abandoned the effort as more and more seemed to come from thin air. They followed Azura’s instructions, her voice, into the caves and the darkness.

With the last of their allies dashing into the cave, Leo sealed the entrance with a powerful earthquake, casting them into darkness once again.

For a moment, there was silence. A pensive silence that was only broken when light filled the caves as mages cast simple fire spells, and the cave erupted with a roar of noise and conversation.

Cries of “what now?” and “how did they find us?” and “are we trapped?” filled the thick air. Questions that Corrin couldn’t answer with her mind spinning. Kaze lowered her down slowly, making sure she could stand before releasing her completely. She went straight to Azura, ignoring the thrum of questions threatening to swallow her.

“Do you know where this goes?” Corrin asked.

Azura nodded. “Yes. It’s a detour, but will lead us closer to Gyges.”

“All right. Then lead the way.”

The cave was filled with tunnels and paths that were narrow and cramped. Overhanging rocks were a constant hazard, and though their path was light by mages and lanterns it was still uncomfortably dark. Dancing shadows cast along the walls as they moved. The humid air made it difficult to breathe as they descended deeper and deeper into the earth. Corrin stayed close behind Azura at the front, Camilla right behind them lighting the way with a small flame flickering in her palm.

“How much further?” Corrin asked, swallowing thickly. Her lungs heaved as the air grew thin, each breath coming quicker than the last. Despite her deep breaths, it felt as if there wasn’t enough air in the tunnels, her lungs feeling full yet empty. Out of breath. Bracing herself against the slick cavern wall, it felt as if the darkness would swallow her at any moment.

“We’ve almost made it to the main system of tunnels,” Azura said. She ducked and weaved her way around a wedge of rock jutting down from the ceiling with ease. “The passage should widen soon.”

Corrin steeled her complaints and clambered after Azura. Keep moving, she told herself again and again as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Just keep moving.

The mess of tunnels felt endless. They could’ve been marching into a never-ending spiral for all Corrin knew as they climbed over fallen boulders the size of horses, between spears of earth that came together like teeth from the floor and ceiling. In some places the walls and floor of the cave had been smoothed away over the years, making it impossible to get a grip. Still, Azura kept going and Corrin kept following. She knew nothing about what was going on behind her, save for the fact that Camilla stayed right on her heel. A blur of footsteps and voices echoed through the cave behind her.

Not for the first time did Corrin wish Leo could’ve done something about the tunnels. Except for the entrance, the rest of the system of caves was too fragile for that kind of magic. They couldn’t risk a collapse.

It felt like they had been trudging through the caves for hours when the passage finally widened and Corrin could stand up straight without fear of cracking her head on the ceiling. An open space the size of an amphitheatre opened up before them, with smooth walls and man-made tunnels leading to the surface. A glimmer of light filtered down into the cavern and Corrin breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

“We should rest here for now,” Corrin said as she stepped into the open space, her voice echoing back. “We’ve come a long way and still have ways to go yet. We’ll need to gather our strength for what’s to come.”

“Agreed.” Azura nodded. She rested her lantern on the ground and rolled out her shoulders. “That sounds like a welcome idea. I’m sure the others will agree.”

“I know I would like to put up my feet for a few hours,” Camilla agreed. “Whoever made those tunnels certainly didn’t consider how tall its occupants would be.”

Azura laughed lightly. “The tunnels we just came out of were made naturally. I doubt they ever expected anyone to pass through.”

“Well, that explains it,” Camilla huffed, trying desperately to smooth down her hair as it frizzed wildly from the damp, humid air. She soon gave up and pulled it up into a neat ponytail. “These conditions are horrid for my hair.”

“If that’s the extent of our problems then I think we’re doing all right,” Corrin said as the rest of her allies emptied into the cavern and it erupted into a torrent of noise. Their collective relief was clear as everyone quickly made themselves comfortable and started tending to their multitude of bruises and light injuries from their skirmish outside the cave and their journey through the cramped tunnels. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, the worst being a shallow burn on the tip of Kaden’s tail, the fur blackened and scorched, though anyone would’ve thought he’d lost his tail completely with the way he was carrying on about it.

“We were lucky to get through this without anything worse,” Corrin commented as she watched over the triage set up by Sakura and Elise. There were a few scrapes and bumps, Mozu having rolled her ankle and Hayato needing a small nick on his arm healing from a close encounter with an arrow. The rest of the injuries would heal with the help of healing balms, salves, and rest.

“I’m not sure if luck has to do with it,” Ryoma said, coming over to Corrin. His expression was serious.

“I believe we’ve come to the same conclusion, Prince Ryoma,” Gunter agreed.

Corrin turned to face them. “What do you mean?”

“We need to talk. Follow me,” Ryoma said, cryptically refusing to answer Corrin’s question straight. He nodded for her and Gunter to follow him, leading them off into a side passage where Xander was waiting. It was a small nook in the tunnel where they wouldn’t be disturbed or overheard. They didn’t have to worry about their voices echoing throughout the whole chamber as well.

Corrin knew the moment she saw Xander where the conversation was going. “This is about the ‘traitor,’ isn’t it?” She forced her expression to remain neutral, forced her tone of voice to calm, to quell the spark that threatened to ignite inside her chest. She wanted to deny it. To fight their accusations.

She didn’t want it to be true.

“Don’t you think the Vallites spotted us way too soon?” Ryoma asked. “It can’t have been a coincidence. Not with that amount of soldiers waiting for us.”

Corrin’s stomach plummeted. “You think it was an ambush?”

“It’s a possibility we’re not willing to discount,” Xander said, “and given the circumstances that have already occurred, it’s becoming more and more likely that someone is trying to sabotage our efforts.”

“They’ve made it clear that their target is Lady Corrin,” Gunter added.

Corrin took a moment, a breath, to let the heat his words caused to fade before she answered. “I know what you’re saying, but isn’t it also possible that there are just more Vallites here, closer to the capital? They know where we’re going, so it makes sense that Anankos would prepare for that.”

Ryoma nodded. “You’re right, which is why it’s only a possibility for now.”

A possibility. The way Ryoma said it, it was clear he thought it more than just that.

Corrin sighed, not willing to argue about it. “Do you have any more leads on who you think the traitor might be?” She was reluctant to ask, the question tasting foul on her tongue, but she needed to know. “Do you… still believe that they’re from Hoshido?”

“Yes, I do.” Ryoma’s answer was clear. Firm. “But we’re no closer to finding out who it is.”

Corrin nodded slowly as Ryoma’s words sank in, weighing heavily in her stomach.

“How do you think we should proceed?” Xander asked.

Corrin stared at him blankly. “You’re… asking me?”

Xander nodded. “Yes. Although I can certainly offer my opinion, where we go from here is entirely your decision.”                

“Right. Thank you.” Corrin let her nerves settle for a moment. She hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t expected them to suddenly place their trust in her to make this decision. “I think… we shouldn’t make it obvious that we’re looking for a traitor. For all we know, they think we’re oblivious to their existence. But, from now on, make sure no one is ever alone. Keep an eye out but do so in a way that won’t rouse suspicion. For now, I think that’s all we can do until we’re certain.”

“A good idea,” Ryoma agreed. “Although Corrin has been their main target, we can’t be sure that they won’t attack anyone else.”

“Simple enough.” Xander nodded. “I’ll let my retainers and my siblings know they need to up their guard. It won’t seem out of place considering that we’re getting closer to the capital.”

Corrin nodded her agreeance and turned to Gunter. “Keep an eye out too. Let everyone know we need to be careful.”

“As you wish, Lady Corrin.”  

Even after they separated, that conversation rang in Corrin’s mind. She kept seeing visions of the one who attacked her, the supposed traitor, cloaked in a veil of shadows. She kept hearing their voice. A great boom that she’d felt right in her chest, through her entire body as they spoke. A voice like nothing she’d ever heard.

Their form was one of darkness, ever flickering and faulting like a flame. It was impossible to tell their height, if they were taller or shorter than Corrin or if they had somehow masked that too. There were no obvious signs of their gender, nothing that gave away any sense of their identity. Whoever they were, they had the perfect disguise.

With that weighing on Corrin’s mind, she sought out the only other people who knew the past like she did.

Laslow’s smile was dazzling as always. “Ah, Lady Corrin. What a delight to see you again.”

“Do you need something from us?” Selena asked, raising a sharp eyebrow. Suspicion lingered in her eyes.

“Are you sending us on a daring quest? On a dangerous, secret mission which only us three heroes can prevail?” Odin asked dramatically, drawing his hand in front of his face in his standard pose. “Fear not! Odin Dark stands forever at the ready to fight at any given moment!”

Corrin laughed gently at Odin’s familiar antics. “That… wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I wanted to ask you guys something.”

Selena shrugged. “Sure, whatever.” She seemed unbothered by this request, her tone flat as she folded her arms and glanced elsewhere.

“You wish to delve into the dark knowledge of the Great Odin Dark? Proceed if you dare!”

“Ask away,” Laslow said. “I’m at your service.”

“Thanks.” Corrin was relieved that the first part was now over. She just didn’t know how they’d respond to her question. “Now, this might be a weird question but… has anyone been acting strange or different lately? Different from… last time, I mean.”

Selena, Laslow and Odin exchanged glances, a hint of confusion drifting between them.

“Not that I’ve noticed,” Laslow replied.

“What’s this about, really?” Selena probed. “Just come out and ask directly. We’re not going to get anywhere if you dance around the issue.”

Odin nodded. “You can tell us! We’ll keep your secret to our very last breaths if you so require.”

“I know,” Corrin sighed. “I just didn’t want to raise suspicions unless I had to.”

“Suspicions about what?” Odin asked. “Or who?”

“A traitor.” Corrin deflated as she said it. Putting it into words made it feel more… real. Definite. “Ryoma and Xander believe that there’s a traitor amongst us. I wanted to know if you’d seen anything that would give us any idea of who it was. You three are the one ones who remember what it was like last time, too. But… if you haven’t seen anyone acting strange, then I guess we’re no closer to figuring out who it is.”

“A traitor… you mean someone working for Anankos?” Laslow asked. He looked to Selena, then Odin. “Then… there’s a chance that even they don’t know themselves.”

Corrin frowned. Something in the back of her mind began to nudge her. “What do you mean?”

“If they’re possessed…” Selena offered, trailing off as she sent a worried glance to Laslow and Odin.

Possessed.

“What… what are you saying?” Corrin’s heart stopped dead. Her blood ran cold, draining through her veins until she felt numb.

“We’re not saying anything for certain,” Laslow began cautiously. “But if someone was possessed, then Anankos could exact his will on them without their knowing. If he had complete control over them, it’s possible you wouldn’t be able to tell at face value.”

“Our memories remained intact from that other life. Perhaps… something else did too,” Selena said, mincing her words for Corrin’s sake. Dancing around the subject just as Corrin had earlier.

“No.” Corrin shook her head. Her heart beat like a heavy drum in her ears. Thud. Thud. Thud.

“We’re just saying it’s a possibility,” Laslow said, his voice calm and soothing, trying to ease the panic off Corrin’s face. “If there’s any chance Prince Takumi is still possessed–”

“He’s not–” the words came out in a desperate gasp. A breathless denial. “He’s not possessed.” Her heart thundered as memories flooded her mind. Takumi’s smile. The burning flush on his cheeks as he confessed his feelings to her. The longing in his eyes as they exchanged furtive glances this morning. His sweet laughter. Their easy banter that filled the archery room as he taught her, day after day. The gentle way he called her name, sounding precious on his tongue.

The burning crimson in his eyes as he screamed for her death.

“He’s not possessed,” Corrin said again. Firmer this time.

“How do you know for sure?” Laslow asked. “We know how much you care for him. Is there any possibility–”

“No. There’s not. Azura said so herself – she sang and… and cured his possession. I’m sure of it.”

Corrin felt that heavy dread once again descend over her like a thick curtain. A panic that seized her throat. She remembered the way he stumbled out of the forest. His movements jerking and stiff, words mumbled under his breath, his gaze forever shifting. She remembered how he was in that previous life, a searing fire in his eyes that she hadn’t recognised. A burning fury erupting from within, the source of which Corrin hadn’t realised in time. The wound she had inflicted by turning away from Hoshido had become its foothold, growing and growing until it overtook him. Until there was nothing left but hatred.

Silence fell after Corrin’s denial. A biting moment passed, no one willing to break the silence, to question her any further. Laslow looked between Selena and Odin and decided enough was enough.

“All right,” Laslow said finally. “I didn’t plan on arguing with you, nor was it my intention to reopen old wounds. It was just a possibility we’d thought of, that’s all.”

It took Corrin a quiet moment to gather the strength to nod and accept that was all they were saying. A possibility.

She didn’t want to accept that.

Their words stewed and churning and spun in her mind as she left them and sought out the one person she thought could alleviate her fears.

Takumi was seated with his retainers in a secluded corner of the cave. Corrin’s heart, despite how it sank deep into her chest, lifted at the sight of him. Even just seeing him there eased her fears and made it easier to breathe, for her mind to think clearly. She approached him in time to catch his conversation with Hinata and Oboro.

“I’m fine,” Takumi brushed off his retainers worries. “It’s just… a headache. Nothing serious.” He hissed out a sigh, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

Takumi’s words hit Corrin like a blast of blinding magic.

“My head… why does it hurt so much…?”    

A memory of Takumi wincing, cradling his head in pain, flashing into her mind.

“If you die… the pain… the pain will stop… if I kill you!”

Corrin whirled on her feet without a word. She powered through the cave, her legs driving her forward, driving her away, away, away, anywhere else but here. She saw nothing. She saw no one, not the concern on their face as she rushed passed, as they caught a glimpse of the horror behind her eyes. She heard nothing. Not the people calling her name.

She found herself outside the cave without knowing how she got there. Her feet kept moving. Onward. Away. Further and further as the world blurred around her until she tripped and crashed to her knees. She dropped to the ground as if her legs had been cut from beneath her. Her body curled as a ripple of pain tore from her as a scream. A wail. A cry that burned her throat and tore her lungs as she doubled over and roared. A scream barely human. Her dragonstone stung against her chest, glowing with blinding magic, as a devastating anguish seized her body. It thrummed and burned as it fought against her dragon blood, the pain, the animalistic instinct screaming through her veins as she cried. Her willpower shattered. Her fingers, tearing into the ground, sharpened into silver claws. Her body bathed in bright light as two large wings spouted from her back, jagged horns rising from her head.

In the depth of her mind, through the whirlwind of pain and anguish and distress, she heard someone call her name. It was faint. As if lost in the wind, blown away before it could reach her, before it had meaning.

Arms wrapped around her but it meant nothing. All she felt was pain. A burning, burning pain in the centre of her chest that cut right through the centre of her body. A pain that lanced through her heart.

And then – a song reached her ears. Like a pebble thrown into a lake, the song slowly rippled through her mind, through her body, her soul, and the heat began to ease. The surging pain, the blinding agony, began to fade. Her claws drew back until only her fingers remained. Her horns, her wings, retracted in a pale wash of light. The song continued until she was human. Until her scream became a cry and she accepted the embrace and her dragonstone settled.

“It’s all right,” Azura’s calming voice sounded by her ears. “You’ll be okay.”

It hurt.

The pain was numb and hollow but it reached into her very core. Spread throughout her veins until her entire body ached. Her lungs burned as if scorched by magic. Every sob, every breath and cry hurt as if her voice had torn her throat to shreds. She couldn’t stop the tears even if she tried. Even if she cared who saw her, who’d followed her from the cave.

She couldn’t care about anything at all.

When the tears finally dried, Corrin’s heart felt empty. She lifted her head from Azura’s shoulder to see Jakob and Kaze beside her. By the entrance to the cave, Hinoka and Camilla looked on with concern.

“Are you all right, Lady Corrin?” Jakob asked softy, offering Corrin a clean handkerchief. Corrin took it, letting the soft fabric sit in her palm, and stared at it.

She felt nothing.

Tears welled up in her eyes again, falling when she blinked. She looked up when Camilla took her hand, not having heard her approach. With a gentle, caring smile, Camilla took the handkerchief from Corrin and softly dabbed at the tears falling down her cheeks.

A sob leapt from Corrin’s throat.

“It’s all right, my darling. We’re here,” Camilla said soothingly.

Corrin’s vision blurred with tears.

“You don’t have to say anything.” Hinoka knelt in front of Corrin, beside Camilla. “You’ll be all right, okay? I promise.”

Corrin managed to nod. Managed to dry her tears and let her sisters help her to stand. Her legs felt heavy. They dragged behind her as if made of lead as they walked back to the cave, both Hinoka and Camilla wrapping an arm around her.

At Camilla and Hinoka’s instructions, Corrin nestled in the corner of the cavern, away from prying eyes and the overwhelming noise. She curled up in a mound of blankets, resting her head against the cool stone wall. Azura, Camilla and Hinoka remained by her side, Jakob and Kaze not far away either. Despite the company, Corrin felt alone. Isolated. Her heart ached. Her body, her eyes, her throat, ached. A fear had seeped into her bones, poisoning her mind with paralysing doubt.

After her tears dried and her body numbed, a cold collectedness washed over Corrin. Her heart hardened. Turned to steel. She got to her feet and forced everything else into the back of her mind.

Keep moving forward.  

Corrin ignored her sisters’ concern with a curt, “I’m fine,” and rallied the rest of her allies to move out. They had to keep moving. Even if it meant swallowing her fears deep, even if it meant steeling her heart until she felt nothing.

“I fell asleep on you again, didn’t I?” Corrin mused quietly beneath her breath. She hadn’t expected to actually fall asleep.

“I don’t mind. I was already awake anyway.”

“You were training,” Corrin remembered. Her heart faltered as the events of last night came back to her in a shameful rush. “Sorry…”

“Don’t apologise,” Takumi said softly. “I’m just glad I was able to help.”

“But…”

“Corrin, it’s okay.” Takumi swept a lock of her hair away from her face, the tips of his fingers gently, gently, dusting across her cheek. The understanding in his eyes both pained and reassured her. He understood her reluctance. He knew what she was feeling, had felt it vividly before. She leant her cheek into his hand. “I want to be there for you. I… want to be someone you can come to. Someone you can be honest with when you need help, like you’ve been for me. I want to help you any way I can.”

Corrin’s heart sank. “I… I know.” And she had turned to Leo instead. “I should’ve told you, but I was… I was so scared. I’d had a vision before – the same thing Elise saw – about what happened after I died. I thought Leo would know something; he’s studied all kinds of magic, so I went to him… that’s why…” she trailed off, her heart weighing heavier and heavier with each word. Takumi had been right there, so concerned, and she’d passed him off. Nothing she said would change that.

“It’s okay. I get it.” Takumi’s thumb, warm against her cheek, slowly traced back and forth. “And you ended up telling me anyway.”

His reassurance was touching. Heartbreaking. Her lips wobbled and pulled into the slightest of smiles. Still fragile from last night, tears sprang into her eyes before she quickly blinked them away.

“Thank you.” She barely managed the words. “And after all that I ended up falling asleep on you.” She had to laugh at herself. A soft, breathless laugh at the situation. “Again.”

Takumi’s gaze softened and he smiled. “I’m just glad you managed to get some rest.” His hand dropped from her cheek and he laid it over the hand on her lap.  

“What about you? Aren’t you tired?”

He shrugged. “I got some sleep earlier.”

“Are you… still having nightmares?”

Takumi’s eyes dropped to their hands and Corrin’s heart clenched. She knew that look. Knew the pain he was going through, the turmoil and anguish he faced at night.

“Is it that bad?”

He nodded. “Almost every night.”

“Oh, Takumi…” She wished there was something she could do. Some way to ease his pain. She turned her hand in his and held it tight. Her heart was bleeding for him and there was nothing she could do.

“I’m used to it.”

His admission was soul crushing, piercing the very depths of her heart with those four simple words.

“But, if it means waking up with you beside me, I’d gladly endure any nightmare.”

Corrin stared at him in disbelief. The heavy shadow behind his eyes faded as he smiled and the honesty in his words touched her heart. She found herself smiling back, dimpling embarrassingly at the suggestion behind what he’d said, their cheeks a matching crimson.

Corrin didn’t have any words to reply. She nodded, albeit stiffly, unable to meet his eyes. “Maybe… maybe I should be getting up. It’s already dawn…”

Takumi’s arm, still around her back, tugged her closer. “We won’t be moving for a few hours and… I don’t think I’m ready to let you go just yet…” His words, the warmth of his breath, dusted the top of her ears and made her shiver.

Corrin nestled her face into Takumi’s chest, cheeks burning hotly. She didn’t want to move either. He was warm. Solid. Her heart fluttered and squeezed and buzzed like a constellation of stars had burst inside her chest, Takumi’s arms a protective cage around her that made her feel safe. Safe and comfortable and at ease as his scent enveloped her, her eyes drifting shut against her will.

She let herself have this moment. Let the minutes drift by in Takumi’s embrace before finally, finally deciding that she actually had to get up this time and shifted. She pulled out of Takumi’s arms, reluctantly, still feeling a pull into his warmth. His gaze alone, tinged with warmth and love and adorably upset that she was moving away, made her want to lean back into him. Takumi’s arms settled around her hips, her skin alight beneath his fingers, and she found herself lost in his eyes, in the cloud of desire washing over them.

Takumi tugged lightly on her hand and she lent closer instinctively. Her heart sped faster. Their breaths mingled together as the distance closed between them, inch by torturous inch, until the sweet brush of their lips together silenced any thoughts, any doubts, any words that could have formed. Corrin sighed into their kiss. The touch of his lips, the quiet sound he made as she pressed closer, pressing her lips firmer against Takumi’s, made her forget everything else. A dizzying heat spilled forth into her veins. Her blood rushing, rushing through her ears with each thundering beat of her heart made the seconds feel like hours until she pulled back, pulled away and found it a struggle to open her eyes, to focus on anything but the flush on Takumi’s cheeks and the delectable parting of his lips.

Before she could say anything, Takumi leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against hers. A sweet, delicate peck. It lasted only a moment and still sent her heart fluttering, flustering away. He took a breath, a wisp of air across her lips, and rested his forehead against hers. Neither could speak. They lingered there in a blissful moment, drawing heavy breaths for all the air they had lost. Corrin gave a breathless laugh in the silence between them.

“You always make it so hard for me to leave,” she said breathlessly, her words faint and loose and her brain muddled.

Takumi’s chuckle sent a shiver of delight down Corrin’s spine. “I’m not complaining.”

“Didn’t say I was.” Corrin opened her eyes and met Takumi’s smile with a giddy one of her own. She reached up slowly, cupping Takumi’s cheek with her hand, resting her palm against his crimson, blazing cheek. His skin was warm to the touch. Her fingers buzzed with delight, a soothing warmth seeping through her body. She sighed, lost in his eyes, in the depth and love and desire pooling in the beautiful hazel irises that looked back.

She wanted to stay like this forever.

Corrin pressed her lips firmly against Takumi’s. Lips parted slightly, her sudden kiss elicited a soft moan from Takumi as she sank against his body, her fingers rising to tangle in his hair and draw him closer, closer, closer, until not a sliver of air separated them. Takumi’s grip on her hips tightened. The pressure of his fingers on her hips was electrifying as he pulled her firmer against him and into his lap. Heat bled between them. Their hearts beat together, racing in an intoxicating crescendo as their passion swelled and rose like waves in a storm, rushing higher and higher until the desire for air drove them apart.

Corrin pulled away to gasp for air, her hot breath mingling with Takumi’s in the short distance between their lips. Her eyes squeezed firmly shut, she didn’t bare open them out of flustered shame for having her desire overtake her like that. Her body felt like jelly. As if all the bones in her body had melted into goo, leaving her without the strength to stand, to pull away from Takumi completely. She rested against his chest, their foreheads touching, as the cool air flooded the heated space between them.

Takumi sighed breathlessly, the sound heavenly to Corrin’s ears. Heat flooded her veins as she recalled the moan Takumi had delighted her with. She had no idea he could make a sound like that. It filled her mind with all sorts of dizzying ideas.

“…And you said I was the one making it difficult for you to leave…” Takumi breathed against her lips.

Corrin laughed sheepishly, and ducked her head into his shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Her fingers played with loose strands of his hair that had come away from his ponytail as she caught her breath and tried to steady her racing heart. She could feel Takumi’s pounding in his chest against her.

She hadn’t meant to kiss him like that. But her blood had stirred, an indescribable pull surging inside her that took over and quelled any inhibition that would’ve stopped her. The little voice in her head telling her it wasn’t a good idea had been drowned out by the desire for more. The temptation that was, literally, before her eyes. In her hands.

Corrin’s heart swelled as she nestled against Takumi. It was almost painful. The dream that Elise had had, the vision Corrin had seen was still in the back of her mind, never far away from her thoughts. Her arm dropped, fingers loosening in his hair to rest on his back and hold him tight. To feel his warmth through his clothing, to feel the heat of his body, the firmness of his back, as if afraid he would shift through her fingers like sand into nothing.

“I love you,” Corrin whispered against Takumi’s neck. Her voice wobbled and broke, betraying the walls she’d tried to erect around her heart.

Takumi’s grip softened on her hips and he slid his hands up her back to embrace her. His touch was so gentle, so soothing, it fractured Corrin’s resolve. Her impulsion to bury it all, to dig deep and steel herself, fractured and tears sprung in her eyes. The next breath she took was a sob.

“I’m sorry,” Corrin sniffled. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Takumi rubbed her back, holding her close. He pressed his cheek against her temple. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

The tears burned. Her voice broke on a sob. “Why… why do you love me?” The shattered and broken pieces of her heart bled out. The fear blinded and choked her. She held onto Takumi, digging her fingers into his back, for dear life as if the world around her would crumble at any moment. He was here, he was real and solid and warm and she was so afraid.

“How can you love me? After everything… after everything I’ve done…”

“Because it’s you.”  He didn’t even take a breath to think about it. “I fell in love with everything about you. Your desire to change things, to do what’s right. Your determination to see this through, your selflessness and how trusting you are, even when it comes to the enemy. You want to see the good in people. I think it’s time you let other people see the same in you.”

“You died because of me.” It hurt to say it. Her heart clenched tight, a deep pressure crushing her chest where the scar lay over her breastbone. “It’s my fault.”

“And I killed you.”

Corrin’s heart stopped dead. She stopped breathing, stopping blinking away her tears and let them fall. “Takumi…”

“This is a different world. One where you and I both exist, where we can be together. I’m not going to let anything change that. I love you, and I’ll keep telling you that until you believe it.”

Corrin pulled back, lifted her head from Takumi’s shoulder to look him in the eyes. He gently thumbed away her tears, a soft, understanding smile on his face. A faint blush still rested across his cheeks. “Even after everything I’ve done…?”

“I love you,” he said firmly.

She nodded slowly. Her heart ached with the desire to believe it, the desire to wash away the fear that had taken root upon her heart. “I love you so much.”

Takumi’s gaze softened. “I know.”

Corrin shifted off Takumi’s lap, only realising that she’d been clinging to him for so long. She settled next to him and stared down at her hands. She sniffled and blinked away the last of her tears. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For being so understanding.”

“I should be saying that to you. You’ve been more than understanding towards me, especially with the way I acted to you after we met.” Takumi sighed. “I’m… so ashamed of it. I was being so childish…”

“You were grieving. And you had every right to blame it on me.”

“No one else did.” Takumi cast his eyes away. “Ryoma, Hinoka, Sakura… they all trusted you from the start.”

“But they’re not you, Takumi. And you had your reasons; you wanted to protect the ones you love. Your family, Hoshido, it makes sense that you would distrust me after what had happened.”

“It… wasn’t just that.”

Corrin turned to look at him. His gaze, cast into the distance, was far away. “What do you mean?”

Takumi’s expression turned to one of shameful regret. “I… was jealous.”

“Jealous? Of who?”

“Of you!” Takumi turned to Corrin with a pout. An embarrassed blush coloured his cheeks.

“Me?”

“Yes! You got along with everyone so well even though you’d only just met. It was as if you were closer to them than I was. Like I’d been displaced. I was suddenly under the shadow of another sibling and… I didn’t know how to deal with it.” Takumi sighed. “And then… mother died and it was like I was vindicated for thinking that way, for holding this resentment against you. It took me a long time to realise what I was doing, to accept you as… as a friend. As someone I cared about.”

“I’m glad you did.”

A smile came upon Takumi’s face. “So am I.”

Corrin rested her head against Takumi’s shoulder as they fell into silence and enjoyed the moment together. After saying so much, after crying and letting her fears out, Corrin felt strangely free. The fear had dulled. It no longer held such a powerful sway over her, like a beast that had finally been tempered.

They stayed together for a while longer until the sun crept higher in the sky and the rest of their camp began to rouse. Takumi stood and helped Corrin to her feet so they could join the others.

No one seemed to think twice about Corrin and Takumi’s disappearance, and they mingled with their other still-sleepy allies without a worry. Corrin glanced around the camp until she spotted Leo, with his retainers, and headed over. She gave Leo a smile when he met her eyes.

“Good morning,” Leo greeted, hiding a yawn behind his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.” A stab of worry hit Corrin’s heart at the sleepy glaze over Leo’s eyes. “Are you tired? Sorry… I didn’t mean to keep you up last night.”

Leo scoffed. “If I wanted to sleep more, I would have. This is not because of you; I stayed up of my own volition.”

Corrin smiled, regardless of whether or not Leo was just deflecting the blame. It was nostalgic, seeing him like this; slightly dishevelled, bleary eyed and sleep-deprived, trying to stifle his yawns and failing. A stray lock of his hair curled up towards the sky. It was such an amusing sight to see Leo, who’s usually so put together, like this. Corrin tried to keep her giggle to herself but Leo heard her, glancing over with a raised eyebrow.

“What’s so amusing?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” Corrin waved away his concern. “I just remembered all the times we studied together late at night. You always fell asleep before me!”

Leo’s brow furrowed. “I don’t recall ever studying with you.”

It was like someone had slammed the back of her head with a hammer. The memory splintered into a thousand pieces and sank into her stomach, taking her heart with it. “Oh.” The snap back to reality was jarring, she couldn’t collect her thoughts. She couldn’t see. The world blurred around her, all colours and shapes and sounds. Her throat was tight, the words struggling to fit in her mouth, sliding off her tongue before they could form. Her heart pounded.

“What did we study?”

Leo’s voice was clear. The world was clear. Her vision returned at the sound of his voice, his question hanging into the air until she could answer. Until she could find the words.

“You… you taught me strategy. Battle strategy. Tactics.” As she spoke, it became easier. The words lighter. A soft smile began to grow on her face. “You taught me to view the battlefield as a whole, to focus on more than just the enemy in front of me. You made me realise just how much I didn’t know, how much of a novice I was and how important it was that I had all of you with me. I wouldn’t have gotten very far on my own.” Corrin smiled as she reminisced. “We spent so much time together, you and I. You taught me so much and…” her smile faltered. It fell from her face as quickly as it had come. “…and you don’t even remember…”

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue where we left off,” Leo said.

Corrin raised her eyes to meet Leo’s, a tiny flame of hope sparking in her chest. “Really?”

Leo smiled back at her. “Of course. But don’t expect for me to go easy on you. You know how strict I am with my studies.”

Corrin laughed. A bright, easy laugh that made Leo blink at her, wondering what was so amusing.

“You said the exact same thing last time,” Corrin explained, her voice singing with mirth.

An embarrassed flush of heat crossed Leo’s cheeks. “I… see.” He cleared his throat. “I suppose I’m going to be hearing that quite often. There’s no helping it, I suppose.”

“I don’t mind. It actually makes me realise that you haven’t changed at all. I’m glad.”

“And you’re just as soft as ever, if something as simple as that makes you happy.”

“Hey!”

Leo laughed. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. It’s one of your strengths, actually. We need people who get joy from the simple things. Especially during times such as these. It does wonders for morale to see that our leader can still smile like this.”

Corrin hadn’t thought of it like that. “Do you think so?”

“Of course.” Leo nodded. “Our allies look to you, draw strength from you. I’m sure Camilla and even Xander would say the same. Even I do.”

Corrin’s heart warmed. “Thank you, Leo. That’s so kind of you to say!”

“I have my moments.”

“I just hope everyone isn’t just following me blindly – I haven’t exactly made the best of choices at times. And… I can’t help but worry what will happen when everyone finds out about my past life. I know it would break Sakura’s heart.”

Memories flashed behind her eyes, flooding her mind and invading her thoughts. Sakura’s heart shattering. Her small frame drawing smaller and smaller and smaller still, legs bucking beneath herself as her will to fight, the fragments of hope that had kept her going, had faded until there was nothing left in her eyes. Like a puppet she sat there, crumpled on her knees. Lifeless. Inconsolable after learning of Takumi’s fate.

Sakura’s heart breaking wail tore through Corrin’s memories.

She couldn’t do that to her again.

“Princess Sakura is stronger than she looks,” Leo commented.

Corrin’s heart stammered. “What?” The memories were still swirling. Still raw. Although Leo’s voice reached her through the fog of memories, she didn’t understand what he was saying.  

“She’s learnt to use a bow in order to help further your cause, despite how much she despises war and violence,” Leo explained. “She’s determined to protect those that she cares about, even if it means fighting herself. She is an exceptionally capable woman.”

Corrin raised her eyebrows in surprise. “That’s high praise, coming from you.”

Leo caught himself, realising just how much he’d said. “Well, everything I said was the truth. She has overcome great anxiety and fear which would have otherwise been crippling. I have nothing but immense respect for her.”

“Right.”

Leo’s brow furrowed. A hint of pink coloured his cheeks. “What?” There was an accusatory edge to his voice.

“Nothing.”

Leo’s frown remained.

Corrin gave him a knowing smile. “I’m just surprised at how well you know Sakura. Especially considering how shy she is.”

“We’ve spoken once or twice.”

“Really? Once or twice?”

Leo folded his arms defensively. The rosy colour splashed across his cheeks dampened the effect of his frown. “Perhaps. I’m not in the habit of counting.”

“All right. If you say so.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing!” Corrin laughed. It was amusing to watch Leo squirm like this. Adorable. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Your tone of voice said enough. Whatever you are insinuating–”

“Which is nothing–”

“Know that I would never do anything to make Princess Sakura uncomfortable. She is an important ally and I would never do anything to jeopardise that. And I’m sure you wouldn’t either.”  

Corrin’s smile grew, unable to hide it as her heart bubbled in excitement. “I know, I know.”

Leo sighed, finally relaxing. “Good.”

“But I think you and Sakura would be really cute together–”

“Corrin!” Leo’s squawk of indignation was drowned out by Sakura and Elise’s calls of her name as they rushed over, Sakura holding Corrin’s Yato to her chest. It was glowing.

“Lord Leo, your tome!” Niles and Odin drew up beside Leo, Odin holding Brynhildr out towards his liege. Just like the Yato, it was bathed in an ethereal light, as if lit from within.

“The tome has awoken in a mystical light! Perhaps it’s about to transform into its ultimate form?!” Odin cried dramatically.

“I’m so glad we found you!” Elise said, rushing up to Corrin with Sakura a few steps behind. “The Yato just started glowing out of nowhere and – Leo, your tome’s glowing too!”

Corrin took her Yato off a frightful looking Sakura and the instant her fingers wrapped around the hilt there was a flash of light, ephemeral and fleeting, and when it faded, so too did the light pooling off the weapons.

The Yato had changed.

Corrin drew the blade from its sheath, a buzz of magic answering her touch. The length of the blade was wrapped in a swirling aura of blue and purple, licking off the sword like tendrils of fire. Two lights gleamed from the centre of the blade like gemstones, the new light dazzling like an amethyst of deep purple. The crossguard twirled off the blade on either side, now symmetrical, detailed like a feather. The knuckleguard was still in place.

“It changed!” Corrin gasped. She held out the sword in awe, feeling the thrum of magic through her body. It felt stronger. Gentler too, somehow. As if the magic had been holding its breath and had finally relaxed. “It actually changed!”

Corrin turned to Leo with an ecstatic smile. Her heart was soaring. “It changed!”

Leo smiled, Corrin’s excitement contagious. “I can see that.”

“The Yato has been infused with power from both Hoshido and Nohr,” Odin commented, his eyes wide as he studied the sword. “It blazes with magic previously unseen!”

“Then… then we just need it to change with both Ryoma and Prince Xander’s weapons, right?” Sakura asked, gaze hopeful as she looked between Corrin and the shining blade.

“That’s the plan,” Corrin said.

She didn’t show it, but her heart faltered.