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Fandom Fire Emblem Heroes: A Tale Of Two Kingdoms

OOC
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The High Priestess opened her mouth to answer Kiran, and then closed it again. Should he really be trusted, and was it wise to tell him everything? If she were to convey a message back to Daein, however, he would have to know. Before the conversation could progress, however, the sound of a horn pierced the air, Micaiah glancing around wildly. The battlefront was all too familiar to the woman after her previous campaign against Order itself.

Their assailant was unlike any creature that Micaiah had ever witnessed. Her wide eyes bored into the location where a face should have been, her light tome trembling in her hand. For a moment she stood in a stupor until she heard Kiran call her name, and it was a good thing he had: one began to charge Micaiah, flames shooting forth from him. The silver-haired woman did a side-roll, barely scurrying away from the flames as they scorched the ground where she had just been standing. Flicking open a page of her tome, Micaiah raised a hand and uttered an enchantment. A ray of golden light enveloped her, before shooting straight toward the flying creature which just attacked.

Turning toward Kiran, she shot: "How many allies do we have here?"
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

Felicia's spell created a patch of ice that the Varjan Warrior slipped unto, halting his charge. Upon getting up, he was hit by Flora's ice spikes from the back. The armor had more opening in the back so the icicles had no trouble piercing the warrior from behind. With a dying groan, the Varjan Warrior was felled.

Suddenly, a lance thrust was narrowly-evaded by Flora. "If I was as dishonorable as the army I'm fighting with, you'd already be dead." Ephraim scolded the blue-haired maid. "Now that I have your full attention, let us begin!" The Prince of Renais lunged at Flora and began a series of thrusts and swings. The maid was nimble but Ephraim was a master of lances. It would not be long until Ephraim gets a clean hit on Flora.

Meanwhile, Eirika had approached Corrin as the Varjan and Askrian lines erupted in battle. "Let us, too, have a fair and honest duel." The Princess of Renais raised her rapier before beginning with a heavy thrust. The first attack was easy to evade but it gave Eirika the momentum. Her thrusts and swings of her rapier was getting harder to dodge. That is until the mysterious warrior blocked one of Eirika's thrusts, forcing her to hop back. "A one-on-two hardly seems fair and honest." Eirika said.

"I'm past caring, just like your army." The warrior replied.

"So be it." Eirika was unamused by the remark and charged, beginning her assault anew.

Mystics Apprentice Mystics Apprentice

The bolt of light goes straight through the Flaming Horror, killing him instantly. His fiery, magical glow dissipated leaving behind his human body.

"The main army is fighting at the valley so all we have here are support crews." Kiran replied to your question. "But it's gonna have to do..." You saw a gleam in his eyes and you realized he had a plan. "Soldiers of Askr! Take heart for a great hero joins us!" He announced to the panicking Askrian soldiers. "Here is Micaiah! The most renowned mage in Tellius! Rally to her and she will deliver us to victory!" A cheer rounded as the Askrian forces regrouped and began beating back the Varjan attackers. The tall shields of the Askrian Spearmen providing a decent defense against the magical flames.

"I wanted to give you a chance to get your bearings first before you head into action. Sorry about all this." Kiran apologized before looking back at the fight. The Flaming Horrors were not that hard to kill so the reorganized Askrian troops have begun to effectively retaliate. However, the small battle was still pretty even and could swing either way so long as nothing intervened.

"We can either rout them by taking a lot of them down or we can try to find their leader and take him down to break their morale."
 
Micaiah was both relieved and surprised when the Flaming Horror fell instantly to her light spell. It concerned her that there were few soldiers on the premises, but, as Kiran said, they would have to make do with what they had. Color flushed the Priestess' cheeks when Kiran introduced her to the crew, bowing her head slightly and murmuring a word of thanks.

"Their numbers greatly outweigh ours," Micaiah observed, musing over the options that Kiran presented, "and our casualties will be great the longer that we keep fighting. I think it will be in our best interests to find their leader and take him down, if we can. Let us split up and see what we can manage."

With that, Micaiah tucked her tome under her arm, considering her surroundings as she began to weave around the tents. She hoped to attract little attention while searching for someone who looked authoritative, though she didn't doubt that more Flaming Horrors would take notice to her.
 
Mystics Apprentice Mystics Apprentice

"I'm uhh, not a fighter... but I'll do my best. Commanding the men, I guess." Kiran sheepishly revealed to you.

Your search through the tents only yielded more Burning Horrors... until you came across a warrior on horseback. His appearance was fearsome. His bluish armor was thick and bulky, like those Generals from your world except it had more spikes and horns. His steed was equally armored and grotesque. He wielded a mighty axe, each swing breaking shields and cleaving flesh. You then saw him form a ball of fire on his hand and hurl it at a group of Askrians, sending them flying. Not only is he some melee combatant but also an adept caster as well. "Burn it all! Find the Summoner! And burn him too! Earn the favor of Lord Joshua!"

Being the only one different from the Burning Horrors and being on top of a horse, it was clear he was the one leading this attack. He has not seen you yet though so you may use the element of surprise against him.
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

Felicia's spell created a patch of ice that the Varjan Warrior slipped unto, halting his charge. Upon getting up, he was hit by Flora's ice spikes from the back. The armor had more opening in the back so the icicles had no trouble piercing the warrior from behind. With a dying groan, the Varjan Warrior was felled.

Suddenly, a lance thrust was narrowly-evaded by Flora. "If I was as dishonorable as the army I'm fighting with, you'd already be dead." Ephraim scolded the blue-haired maid. "Now that I have your full attention, let us begin!" The Prince of Renais lunged at Flora and began a series of thrusts and swings. The maid was nimble but Ephraim was a master of lances. It would not be long until Ephraim gets a clean hit on Flora.

Meanwhile, Eirika had approached Corrin as the Varjan and Askrian lines erupted in battle. "Let us, too, have a fair and honest duel." The Princess of Renais raised her rapier before beginning with a heavy thrust. The first attack was easy to evade but it gave Eirika the momentum. Her thrusts and swings of her rapier was getting harder to dodge. That is until the mysterious warrior blocked one of Eirika's thrusts, forcing her to hop back. "A one-on-two hardly seems fair and honest." Eirika said.

"I'm past caring, just like your army." The warrior replied.

"So be it." Eirika was unamused by the remark and charged, beginning her assault anew.

Next target, the maids thought to themselves. Felicia had caught sight of the lance but was lucky enough to see her sister narrow avoid a fatal blow. A cold sweat ran down the side of her forehead, despite lacking any need to sweat, and now she was going to have to figure out how to save Flora.

"Tck!" Flora only replied, quick to evade but standstill in her distance. She wasn't going to close any distance any time soon, but any distance that would be closed would be between her and that man's blade.

Corrin was more than happy to oblige with a honest-to-goodness duel to the death, she thinks, but she remembered specifically trying to avoid a one-on-one to begin with. Once a fellow comrade would help defend her life, she immediately felt the comforting atmosphere of teamwork brush her like a breeze. Equal footing...Except she had an extra pair of feet by her side. Now she needed to be the white piece on the chessboard. First. If she could get an assault going, then there wouldn't be a need to be better in swordplay-- Corrin would only need to keep Eirika off-guard. Shouldn't be difficult.

Felicia held her blades tightly. Fair and honesty weren't exactly the correct descriptions of war-time, and she didn't plan on upholding it any time soon. Also, Corrin was getting help, so she may as well follow the same principle. Then a light-bulb went off in her head.

With a bit of ice and mobility, she put forth a magical assault on the ground, conjuring up an icy floor right below Flora's battleground. Flora has enough of her own skill to quickly adapt to an environment she was used to...Then again, her advantage could be quickly laid to waste depending on how well the King adapts. Felicia couldn't quite risk supporting from a distance, so she settled from moving to the side, taking her ice and shaping up the environment for Flora. Their chemistry worked better when it came to only one attacking.
 
PaulHaynek PaulHaynek

Micaiah slid behind a stack of barrels, listening as the Armored One pronounced his orders. She could only assume the summoner was Kiran. While the man had a few tricks up his sleeve, she was not convinced that he could survive a head-on assault. After all, he said himself that he was no fighter.

Ranged combat was in Micaiah's favor. She had no weapon to her name, relying solely on her tomes of magic in addition to her medic staff. Keeping her distance from the armored warrior seemed to be in her best interest, though the thought of his magic reigning did frighten her. Looking for a foothold, Micaiah struggled to scale the barrels of supplies, until she was at the top in clear view, several yards from the commander.

"Stand down!" she roared, clutching her Thani tome tightly against her chest. She unleashed its fury in warning, the light spell being particularly potent against armored foes. It was known for shattering armored defenses, dealing heavier damage than it would on an opponent without armor at all. "Recall your troops, or prepare to face annihilation! This is your final warning."
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Flora & Felicia)

Seeing the ground freeze, Ephraim attempted to get away but failed leaving him standing awkwardly atop the smooth ice.

The Renais Prince stabbed the icy ground with his lance and used that to stabilize his footing. "Not bad." He remarked before a plan formed in his head and began to put it to action. Ephraim pulled out his lance from the ice and stabilized his footing without assistance. Holding his lance aloft, he ran towards Flora as fast as he could without falling. Coming at the maid so obviously, the prince of Renais likely had a trick up his sleeve to respond to an attack.

Or maybe he didn't, and he was just winging it all this time.

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)

The fight began. Despite being outnumbered, Eirika was a formidable foe.

She dodged and parried and danced through your and the mysterious ally's attacks. Fortunately, she could not retaliate effectively without opening up her defenses. Against the two of you, the Renais Princess was locked into the defensive. However, your mysterious ally became even more aggressive. You could feel her patience tested by Eirika's skill. Her relentless attacks, then, allowed Eirika to strike at her with a thrust from the rapier. The attack was narrowly evaded, but it did hit the mask and knocked it off. What you saw next was nothing next of unexpected.

You recognize her face. Her fair, white skin, her kind, brown eyes and her black hair. It was Empress Mikoto. Your mother.

But unlike your mother, her heavenly face was marred with a scowl. Mikoto then recovered and locked blades with Eirika but then held the latter's hands to prevent the lock from being broken. "Now, Corrin!"

Mystics Apprentice Mystics Apprentice

Micaiah said:
"Stand down! Recall your troops, or prepare to face annihilation! This is your final warning."

The Varjan recoiled a bit from the demonstration of your armor-piercing light spell. However, courage returned to him and replied to your ultimatum. "You think I'm scared of magic? I am Albodi the Scarred! Servant of the Fate Weaver and the Caldeyron family! Magic bends to my will, and so shall you!"

Albodi charged at your position, his horse appearing as bloodthirsty as he is. But before you could respond to it, lightning crackled upon Albodi's left gauntlet before shooting it at the stack of supplies you stood on. The electric attack explodes the barrels and you were thrown to the ground. By the time you opened your eyes, the horse's hooves were on top of you. You were able to roll away before you were crushed under its iron horseshoes.

Albodi tugged the reins and charged at you again, this time coming with a swing from his axe.
 
PaulHaynek PaulHaynek

The title meant little to Micaiah, though his confidence certainly did shake hers. Regardless, she stood her ground–that is, until her ground began to shake underfoot. The priestess collapsed with the barrels, the general's horse in quick pursuit. She rolled, quickly clambering to her feet as she eyed Albodi. Dirt smears were present on her cheeks, and the cloak which she wore was now tattered.

The armored horseman charged her once more, his axe ready to cleave her through if she didn't act quickly. She rose a hand to the sky, and a beam of brilliant light flashed between them. It would be difficult for Albodi to see through, and in that moment Micaiah attempted to dart as quickly as she could, taking cover behind a tent so as to obscure herself from view. Whether the beam of light harmed her opponent, she wasn't sure, but she did hope that reinforcements would come to her aid. While she had faced more challenging adversaries in her lifetime, it was never alone like this.
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Flora & Felicia)

Seeing the ground freeze, Ephraim attempted to get away but failed leaving him standing awkwardly atop the smooth ice.

The Renais Prince stabbed the icy ground with his lance and used that to stabilize his footing. "Not bad." He remarked before a plan formed in his head and began to put it to action. Ephraim pulled out his lance from the ice and stabilized his footing without assistance. Holding his lance aloft, he ran towards Flora as fast as he could without falling. Coming at the maid so obviously, the prince of Renais likely had a trick up his sleeve to respond to an attack.

Or maybe he didn't, and he was just winging it all this time.

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)

The fight began. Despite being outnumbered, Eirika was a formidable foe.

She dodged and parried and danced through your and the mysterious ally's attacks. Fortunately, she could not retaliate effectively without opening up her defenses. Against the two of you, the Renais Princess was locked into the defensive. However, your mysterious ally became even more aggressive. You could feel her patience tested by Eirika's skill. Her relentless attacks, then, allowed Eirika to strike at her with a thrust from the rapier. The attack was narrowly evaded, but it did hit the mask and knocked it off. What you saw next was nothing next of unexpected.

You recognize her face. Her fair, white skin, her kind, brown eyes and her black hair. It was Empress Mikoto. Your mother.

But unlike your mother, her heavenly face was marred with a scowl. Mikoto then recovered and locked blades with Eirika but then held the latter's hands to prevent the lock from being broken. "Now, Corrin!"

((ohshigit'shermom))

Flora was expecting a blunt tactic to bypass the ice, but the look of surprise on her face showed that she wasn't quite expecting such a blatant charge. He had the longer melee range in this instance, so it made sense to her to close in and try to get a fatal stab in at the cost of a few cuts of her knife.

But what was she supposed to expect from this hero-king? Neither her nor Felicia knew, Flora quickly threw up...

Oh, Felicia got it! She was about to bring about another chilly barrier before...

In a string of time, Flora conjured up an icy wall to act as an obstacle for anyone who attempted to lay siege on her. It was nothing too tall, looking more like half-brought sandbags in crystalline form. However, she wasn't looking for height, she was looking for length. A wall would be something he could easily pierce, so she needed to cripple his foothold with the ground and defeat him then. Felicia was more than glad to know Flora still kept some good reflexes.

Felicia decided to support this by grounding the ice with various spikes and potholes to attempt to trip Ephraim and his charge. Hopefully, he wouldn't get lucky.

Now as for Corrin...

Corrin wasn't having any luck, and it was getting on her nerves, both mentally and physically. How was she supposed to get the edge when a two on one was even balancing out the odds?

It was only then that she would realize her partner would have her face revealed through a near-nick of the rapier. Corrin nearly dropped her sword until she was given a blatant command from her discovered-mother. "U-uh, right!"

Time was of her essence, right here and now. She charged, blade in hand and pointed right for the side of Eirika's hip. The lady couldn't quite bring herself to slay down one held by contract but as long as she ingrained enough damage to grasp victory, there would be no need to slay, she thought. There was little chance that she could get caught by any form of melee attack as Empress Mikoto would be holding Eirika down to the ground.
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Flora & Felicia)

With Felicia's icy spikes upon the slippery floor, Ephraim then stabbed his lance into the ground and used the momentum to launch himself over Flora's conjured ice barrier. He then crashed into the blue-haired maid and the two of them tumbled out of the icy ground and into the normal, grassy field.

Ephraim was about to deliver a sharp punch upon Flora and--

"Gyah!"

The Renais prince heard his sister scream and looked up trying to find her, his attention on the maid lost. An axe swing then removed him from Flora, courtesy of Commander Anna. "Hey, you alright?" The redhead pulled the maid back up. "You did good fighting Ephraim. You have no idea how good he is at combat and for you two to last this long against him... I'd say you two are pretty skilled." She praised the maids as Alphonse and Sharena arrived, quite tired from fighting the savage Varjans.

The battle was coming to an end with the Askrian lines holding fast while the Varjan army lost heart and beginning to rout and retreat. Ephraim saw this and removed himself from the Askrians' presence, trying to find his sister.

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)

Eirika saw your charge and attempted to wrest free from Mikoto, but the latter was strong and held the former in place long enough you to strike the Renais princess at the hip. However, Eirika managed to move just enough for your blade to just slash her side. "Gyah!" She screamed in pain.

Mikoto released Eirika from her grasp who then backed away with a bleeding side. Now injured, it was unlikely she could fight off both you or your mother Mikoto. However, her brother then arrived and helped Eirika stabilize. "Brother?" She yelped in surprise.

"The battle is lost, Eirika. We must retreat for now." Ephraim told his sister before turning to you and Mikoto. "Hmm, I'll admit you did well here. Eirika and I will be taking our leave of you. She and may lose a fight, but never a war. That is why we are so strong together. Our bond has been tempered by difficult times. She and I will not lose the next time we meet." The twins of Renais then retreated along with the Varjan army.

The battle was won.

Mystics Apprentice Mystics Apprentice

The light beam stopped Albodi and allowed you to escape his sight for the moment. "Coward! You stand tall earlier yet now you lack the will to fight me?!" The Varjan Champion then began lighting tents aflame with his fire magic trying to flush you out. Soon, you were beginning to run out of tents to hide behind.

After moving to the next, you were seized and a hand was placed on your mouth to keep you quiet. "Calm down. I am an ally. I will help you take down Albodi." The stranger said. Said stranger had a thin, petite build but that did not mean there was no strength. In fact, the stranger wielded a majestic sword with a unique design. Most of the color the stranger had was blue; blue clothes, blue cape but was red underneath, blue hair and a blue eyemask. The body's frame and the angles of the face made it ambiguous whether the stranger was a male or a female. Her blade meanwhile, had a red hilt and above it the silver-colored steel appeared to curve outward to make a hole on the blade before meeting back to form the rest of the sword.

"I shall battle Albodi while you prepare a powerful spell against him." The stranger laid out a simple yet effective plan. "And please, milady. Don't miss."

The stranger emerged from the hiding spot which quickly caught the eye of Albodi. "You." The Varjan snarled. It appeared he knew who this stranger was. "Your head will be enough to ascend me into a Sapphire Prince!" His steed neighed

The stranger said nothing and only moved away from Albodi's charge. A duel was started as the stranger got in close, preventing Albodi from casting any spells. This was your chance.
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Flora & Felicia)

With Felicia's icy spikes upon the slippery floor, Ephraim then stabbed his lance into the ground and used the momentum to launch himself over Flora's conjured ice barrier. He then crashed into the blue-haired maid and the two of them tumbled out of the icy ground and into the normal, grassy field.

Ephraim was about to deliver a sharp punch upon Flora and--

"Gyah!"

The Renais prince heard his sister scream and looked up trying to find her, his attention on the maid lost. An axe swing then removed him from Flora, courtesy of Commander Anna. "Hey, you alright?" The redhead pulled the maid back up. "You did good fighting Ephraim. You have no idea how good he is at combat and for you two to last this long against him... I'd say you two are pretty skilled." She praised the maids as Alphonse and Sharena arrived, quite tired from fighting the savage Varjans.

The battle was coming to an end with the Askrian lines holding fast while the Varjan army lost heart and beginning to rout and retreat. Ephraim saw this and removed himself from the Askrians' presence, trying to find his sister.

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)

Eirika saw your charge and attempted to wrest free from Mikoto, but the latter was strong and held the former in place long enough you to strike the Renais princess at the hip. However, Eirika managed to move just enough for your blade to just slash her side. "Gyah!" She screamed in pain.

Mikoto released Eirika from her grasp who then backed away with a bleeding side. Now injured, it was unlikely she could fight off both you or your mother Mikoto. However, her brother then arrived and helped Eirika stabilize. "Brother?" She yelped in surprise.

"The battle is lost, Eirika. We must retreat for now." Ephraim told his sister before turning to you and Mikoto. "Hmm, I'll admit you did well here. Eirika and I will be taking our leave of you. She and may lose a fight, but never a war. That is why we are so strong together. Our bond has been tempered by difficult times. She and I will not lose the next time we meet." The twins of Renais then retreated along with the Varjan army.

The battle was won.

Well, there was some good news and bad news. Flora's plan worked in its own fashion: the long-arm reach of his lance would be disbarred from his possession. At the same time, Flora's plan didn't work in its own fashion: Ephraim wasn't affected and, if anything, he was going faster than ever before.

Flora, too shocked to reply to such a quick attack, would be felled and knocked over by the armored hero-king. No thanks to her apparel, she'd be completely overwhelmed by the weight of this man alone, much less the armor that hit her like a damned stampede. She let out some choked cries, bracing her arms up toward her head for the impact of a potential knock-out punch.

A cry! Was that her sister?

Flora was too surprised with the flashes of pain burning a good half of her body to figure out what happened. Either way, her enemy was gone and she was gratefully spared. "Agh..." She groaned softly, an arm moving to her stomach as a glance caught an Anna coming her way.

She winced as she was tugged up, unsure if she broke anything. "Well...It's good to see that we're useful..."

Felicia immediately approached Flora after Anna's appearance, hands over her sister's shoulders. "A-are you okay? I'm s-so sorry, I wanted to help but I couldn't risk..."

"I'm alive, so I'd rather not think about how it could've gotten worse..."

"We should get a healer for you, now!" Felicia held up Flora's other arm, looking as if she was ready to carry her the entire rest of the skirmish through.

Flora sighed. "Fine, fine...Just get me somewhere I can rest, Miss Anna. Please."

...

And here Corrin was. To think that she wouldn't be able to deliver the lethal blow even after she had gotten assistance from a woman she wasn't expecting at all.

Eirika's brother. An immediate worry went towards the likes of her trusted maids, until she noticed a Flora and Felicia off a ways ahead, still standing and without missing any body parts. She could thank a lot of things right now, but there was a bit of a distress in her head.

She scratched the back of her head, disappointed particularly in herself. Even managing to nick an attack on a 2 on 1'd lady made her question her own swordsmanship skills. The battle was won...But they still had a war, and Corrin wasn't entirely sure how proud she should feel about this battle.

"I hope they haven't gotten used to my attacks." She sighed. Corrin would figure this out, one way or another. She needed to continue training, or maybe...

Corrin glanced toward her mother, the reminder hitting her like a boulder. "How- Well, what-"

Deep thoughts, Corrin. She cleared her throat. "When did you arrive here??"
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)

Corrin said:
"When did you arrive here??"

Mikoto found and grabbed her helmet before replying. "Some time ago. I've been in a few battles since I came here. But I'm not completely used to this world yet."

She then put the helmet back on, reverting back to her mysterious stranger persona. "Corrin, I'm not who you think I am." She said. A pause occurred as Mikoto found the right words. "My Corrin... is male." She revealed. "So I am not your mother and you are not my child. Please, let us keep things professional between us. Let us not consider that we are at all related." Mikoto declared to you, and to herself as well. "Now then, let us get back to Commander Anna."

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin, Flora & Felicia)

"Alright, we'll get you fixed up." Anna said as she helped Flora.

Before any of them could take a step further, an Askrian soldier arrived with panic. "Commander Anna! Our camp has been attacked!"

"What?!" Anna almost dropped Flora. "Ah, sorry! Everyone! We need to get back, right now!"

------

Returning to the camp, the Askrian army found it to be in tatters with a lot of tents burning or have burned down. However, the corpses of blue-robed men were strewn across the camp and several Askrian soldiers were busy dousing the remaining fires. It appeared that the fight for the camp ended with an Askrian victory. Anna questioned the nearest soldier and the latter explained that a surprise attack occurred against the camp by Varjan Burning Horrors but the Summoner rallied the the troops and, with the help of Micaiah, repelled the attack despite being surprised and outmatched.

"The Summoner's quite the tactician, I see." Alfonse remarked, impressed by the subject's work. "Speaking of the Summoner..."

Kiran approached the group in panic, which aroused concern for everyone present. "Guys, we can't find Micaiah. I think she's still fighting somewhere in the camp and may be in trouble." He quickly said.

Anna nodded. "Alright. Alfonse, Sharena, with me." She ordered the two royals before turning to Corrin, Flora, and Felicia. "You three take it easy for now. You've already done much in this battle. We'll handle this." Without wasting a moment, the Askrian trio were away to look for this Micaiah and left Kiran with the three Nohrians.

Kiran sighed as he plopped to the ground exhausted. "Not my first battle but it is my first time leading people." He said. "Are you familiar with leading soldiers, Corrin? You're a royal, right? Got any useful tips?" The Summoner asked. "Anyway, how'd your battle go? Did Ephraim and Eirika give you trouble?"
 
PaulHaynek PaulHaynek

The hand clasped over Micaiah's mouth silenced her, her yelp unable to reach a tone greater than a muffled moan. Her eyes widened as they fell upon her assailant: a slender figure, face obscured by a mask and gender ambiguous. The Priestess of Dawn's stance grew slightly more relaxed as the figure promised to help. Given the particular circumstances, she couldn't rightfully complain about aid, even if she was caught off-guard.

The silver-haired woman merely nodded before the masked individual disappeared from view, as she awaited her opportunity to strike. This was perhaps her only opportunity to take down Albodi; there was no room for error. She unwrapped her tome from its encasing and flicked open a page, awaiting for the commander to be engaged and distracted by her new ally. She began to prepare the spell Purge, one of the strongest in light magic that she knew, and hopefully it would be effective in taking Albodi down. With a flick of her wrist, light began to form overhead from four different points, before converging and diving straight for the Champion.
 
Mystics Apprentice Mystics Apprentice

Albodi was busy with your blue ally, and did not see your Purge spell coming. The four magical lights struck and your ally dove away as the Varjan Champion exploded in a blast of Light magic.

As the bright light faded, you saw Albodi lying on the ground. His armor was singed and sundered, his body heavily injured but he lived still. His horse on the other hand, was simply burned to a crisp. "This... is not over..." The Scarred muttered as he struggled to stand up. He then gathered bluish-colored magic on his hands and Albodi dissipated into a shower of small wisps. He has teleported away in defeat. You get a feeling this is not the last time you encounter him.

Looking around, you notice that your blue ally has also disappeared. Instead, three figures arrived with their weapons drawn but were not hostile to you. The first of whom was a boy in white and gold armor. He had short blue hair and wielded a similarly-colored sword. The second, a girl of blonde hair. She had green eyes and wore similar armor and wielded a lance. The third one was someone familiar to you. Her red hair was tied to a ponytail and had a unique axe on her hands. You knew her from back your homeland, sometimes selling wares as a merchant. You remember her name as being Anna.

"Micaiah! Are you alright?" Anna approached and searched for the enemy. "Where's the enemy? We heard you were in danger."
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin)



Mikoto found and grabbed her helmet before replying. "Some time ago. I've been in a few battles since I came here. But I'm not completely used to this world yet."

She then put the helmet back on, reverting back to her mysterious stranger persona. "Corrin, I'm not who you think I am." She said. A pause occurred as Mikoto found the right words. "My Corrin... is male." She revealed. "So I am not your mother and you are not my child. Please, let us keep things professional between us. Let us not consider that we are at all related." Mikoto declared to you, and to herself as well. "Now then, let us get back to Commander Anna."

ShredKnives ShredKnives (Corrin, Flora & Felicia)

"Alright, we'll get you fixed up." Anna said as she helped Flora.

Before any of them could take a step further, an Askrian soldier arrived with panic. "Commander Anna! Our camp has been attacked!"

"What?!" Anna almost dropped Flora. "Ah, sorry! Everyone! We need to get back, right now!"

Corrin blinked towards Mikoto as her mask was re-engaged, glancing at Anna briefly. She couldn't help but wince at the thought of her mother telling her that her child was of an entirely different entity and Corirn was not the child. In the end, she wasn't too surprised, but the pained thought still lingered if only just a moment. "Right."

She debated extremely briefly about whether or not to escort Mikoto, but thought better not to. Mikoto was nothing more than a mysterious warrior and comrade. She made her way back to her two maids.

Corrin overheard the situation as she was regrouping, quick to speed up her pace. "Commander, just go on ahead! I'll help Flora out!"

"Eek!" Flora yelped as she was nearly dropped, "I can go with my sister!"

"S-seconded!" Felicia agreed.

edit: (hi)

Corrin bit her lip at the sight. An attacked site is never a good sight for more reasons than the actual destruction of one of their bases. Flora and Felicia were silent, glancing at each other.

And they were missing a big name. Corrin wasn't sure how to approach this, considering the environment. It was hard adapting to these conditions. The additional thought of them taking a rest in the middle of war was nice, but none of them thought it necessary to rest at the moment. It just didn't...Sit right with them. Then again, it was hard for Flora to be in any position without feeling the soreness of her rear end. However, Felicia and Corrin agreed non-verbally that they didn't really want to rest.

"Huh? Oh," Corrin blurted out, clearing her throat. "Honestly, it's a showing of strength half of the time. If you can prove you can win, then everyone else will start believing they will win. Confidence," She said with a clenched fist briefly, "Is a pretty grand motivator."

"Uh..." She scratched back of her neck, "As for the battle..."

Felicia piped in, replying, "It was a bit one-sided, b-but we succeeded!"

Flora rolled her eyes. "Yes, we did force a retreat. However, it seems like we may require assistance, as it took another person by me and my sister's side alongside an opportunity opened up by Lady Corrin's comrade-in-arms."
 
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ShredKnives ShredKnives

"Confidence, huh?" Kiran replied. "I can't say I have a lot of that but... thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind."

"So Ephraim and Eirika are that great fighters. Hmm, they must be pretty far in their journey then. Probably already killed the Demon King too for them to be that hard to fight." The Summoner began rambling about things none of the Nohrians understood. "Err, sorry for rambling. I'm just thinking about the Renais twins. Those two must be really formidable warriors for you guys to have a hard time against them." Kiran then paused as a thought entered his mind.

"Hey uhh, if you don't mind me asking..." He continued. "How's Nohr and Hoshido?" The question was mostly directed at Corrin, but the maids could answer too. "Like, are they... are they still at war with each other? How's your father Garon? Can you... can you tell me all about them, and your family as well? I'm... sorry for all these questions but, let's just say it's important to me to know these things."
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

"Confidence, huh?" Kiran replied. "I can't say I have a lot of that but... thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind."

"So Ephraim and Eirika are that great fighters. Hmm, they must be pretty far in their journey then. Probably already killed the Demon King too for them to be that hard to fight." The Summoner began rambling about things none of the Nohrians understood. "Err, sorry for rambling. I'm just thinking about the Renais twins. Those two must be really formidable warriors for you guys to have a hard time against them." Kiran then paused as a thought entered his mind.

"Hey uhh, if you don't mind me asking..." He continued. "How's Nohr and Hoshido?" The question was mostly directed at Corrin, but the maids could answer too. "Like, are they... are they still at war with each other? How's your father Garon? Can you... can you tell me all about them, and your family as well? I'm... sorry for all these questions but, let's just say it's important to me to know these things."

Corrin didn't look fazed. Such questions were a recollection of a past she has since moved on from, and it's not like it'd do her any better to flee from the idea. Flora and Felicia glanced at each other, both expressing a bit of uncertainty as to who and how would the first person reply. Corrin wasn't worried, though. "My father, Garon...Is gone. He..."

On second thought, maybe Corrin wasn't ready to straight-face tell the tale. She cleared her throat. "He was devoured by one of the First Dragons, named Anankos. I..."

"But our nations have long since settled peace, no?" Flora quickly added. It was a clear attempt to better the tense mood resonating from Corrin, which partially worked.

"Right..Aside from that event, things have simmered. Peace was healthily settled among Hoshido and Nohr especially. And as for family...I mean, you're taking a good look at two of them," Corrin said with a smile. She placed her hand on Flora's shoulder, which promptly was responded with an "Ow!"

"Oops, I forgot you were hurt."

"More sore than hurt, really."

Felicia decided to take the summoner's questions to priority. "E-everything has gone fairly swell, we can agree on! Do y-you have any more questions?"
 
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"I-I see." Kiran did not appear to believe the answer entirely but it was enough for him. "Err, sorry about your father, Corrin. I've... I've heard he was a great man."

The three Askrians then arrived, but with no one else. "We found Micaiah. She was unharmed but... she ultimately decided to head back to her home world." Anna said. "We did thank her though for her brief service here."

"It's a shame really, we could've used a woman of her abilities." Sharena remarked. "But it's okay. We can't force Heroes to fight if they don't want to. We're not Embla."

------

(Felicia & Flora)
Night has fallen and the Askrian camp was put together again, mostly. The pursuit of the enemy would resume the next day, tonight the Askrian army would rest and tend to their wounded as well as repair and salvage what was burnt by the Varjan surprise attack.

Flora and Felicia were out and about, helping as much as they could, when they were called over by the mysterious warrior from earlier. Unlike Corrin, the two maids were still unaware ofthe warrior's true identity. But that would change this evening, the warrior invited the two maids to a bottle of wine on a small table with empty wooden barrels for chairs.

The mysterious warrior removed the mask to reveal a beautiful, motherly face the maids probably recognized. Pouring some wine on a cup, the woman began. "I don't know if you two know me, but I am Mikoto. Queen of Hoshido and mother to Corrin." She paused before correcting herself. "Well, former Queen of Hoshido and not the mother to the Corrin you currently accompany." She said. "It is best explained this way: You two and I do not came from the same world and all that implies."

"Still, our worlds may not be the same but they are parallel... mostly." Mikoto drank down an entire cup of wine. "I've always wanted to get to know Corrin's friends from Nohr. I assume you two are such friends?"

(Corrin)
Night has fallen and the Askrian camp was put together again, mostly. The pursuit of the enemy would resume the next day, tonight the Askrian army would rest and tend to their wounded as well as repair and salvage what was burnt by the Varjan surprise attack.

"Hey Corrin, care for a light drink?" Anna invited you to an open tent with a table and two chairs. "Normally I charge for these but this is on the house, for now." She chuckled. "Say, I do believe I have a sister on your world. Have you met her? How is she? She doing great?" Anna bombarded you with questions. "Uhh, sorry about the barrage. At nights like these, I think about my sisters. Our usual trade may not involve fighting but... it still invites danger, you know?"
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

"I-I see." Kiran did not appear to believe the answer entirely but it was enough for him. "Err, sorry about your father, Corrin. I've... I've heard he was a great man."

The three Askrians then arrived, but with no one else. "We found Micaiah. She was unharmed but... she ultimately decided to head back to her home world." Anna said. "We did thank her though for her brief service here."

"It's a shame really, we could've used a woman of her abilities." Sharena remarked. "But it's okay. We can't force Heroes to fight if they don't want to. We're not Embla."

Corrin pursed her lips. The temptation to comment on that was gone-- She didn't want to pursue the conversation any further. In the end, she'd be left to her thoughts, questioning how much of her efforts would be needed for this cause and how long she would be away from her own world. Flora and Felicia were quick to take in the news, but were mostly ready to head out for the night to rest.

(Felicia & Flora)
Night has fallen and the Askrian camp was put together again, mostly. The pursuit of the enemy would resume the next day, tonight the Askrian army would rest and tend to their wounded as well as repair and salvage what was burnt by the Varjan surprise attack.

Flora and Felicia were out and about, helping as much as they could, when they were called over by the mysterious warrior from earlier. Unlike Corrin, the two maids were still unaware ofthe warrior's true identity. But that would change this evening, the warrior invited the two maids to a bottle of wine on a small table with empty wooden barrels for chairs.

The mysterious warrior removed the mask to reveal a beautiful, motherly face the maids probably recognized. Pouring some wine on a cup, the woman began. "I don't know if you two know me, but I am Mikoto. Queen of Hoshido and mother to Corrin." She paused before correcting herself. "Well, former Queen of Hoshido and not the mother to the Corrin you currently accompany." She said. "It is best explained this way: You two and I do not came from the same world and all that implies."

"Still, our worlds may not be the same but they are parallel... mostly." Mikoto drank down an entire cup of wine. "I've always wanted to get to know Corrin's friends from Nohr. I assume you two are such friends?"

Flora and Felicia were curious-- They haven't drunk wine in a vast amount of time, so the invitation was exciting. However, the sender was more mysterious to them, so they weren't sure what the intents were.

That is, until they came by in the evening, now becoming witnesses of the woman behind the mask. Felicia gasped. Flora nearly choked.

"Ah- W-well, it's still an honor to meet you, Former Queen Mikoto!" Felicia sputtered. "W-we've been Lady Corrin's good friends ever since we met her!"

Flora cleared her throat. "Quite so, Queen Mikoto. We've been by her side ever since she had discovered us..." She held in a chuckle. "My sister would frequently freeze Lady Corrin in order to wake her up."

"A-and Corrin used to throw her Dragonstone at people in combat..."

They giggled to themselves. Flora then piped in, "Shall I pour your wine for you, Queen Mikoto? I hope our origins will not dissuade any intentions of your generous invitation."



(Corrin)
Night has fallen and the Askrian camp was put together again, mostly. The pursuit of the enemy would resume the next day, tonight the Askrian army would rest and tend to their wounded as well as repair and salvage what was burnt by the Varjan surprise attack.

"Hey Corrin, care for a light drink?" Anna invited you to an open tent with a table and two chairs. "Normally I charge for these but this is on the house, for now." She chuckled. "Say, I do believe I have a sister on your world. Have you met her? How is she? She doing great?" Anna bombarded you with questions. "Uhh, sorry about the barrage. At nights like these, I think about my sisters. Our usual trade may not involve fighting but... it still invites danger, you know?"

Chairs? It must be a fancy occasion. Last seat she remembered, it was just a barrel. She shrugged, not minding the thought of a drink.

Then came the questions. Not surprising, but still a bit heavy.

Corrin hummed in thought. "Oh yes, I understand wholeheartedly. Our Anna is fine....She was nearly caught in a pirates' den, but she has since promised her services to us after we gave her some assistance. She's been a helpful guide to us all."

"No need for worries, Anna. She has us, after all," The lady assured. "Though I've never seen our Anna so serious like you yourself are. The commander role you bear seems like it has been a harsh one."
 
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(Felicia & Flora)

"Oh my." Mikoto reacted. "It seems you two and Corrin are quite close. I'm glad that Corrin... err, your Corrin have so many good friends." She sighed. "I wish my Corrin could have had good friends as well."

"And yes, dear. Please do. Pour some for yourselves as well. You deserve some for doing so well in battle." After a round of wine, Mikoto continued. "Is there anyone else in Nohr that Corrin has? Tell me, what has happened in that country? In your world? In mine... w-well they and Hoshido have gotten along. For the most part." The former Queen attempted to smile but saying those words appeared to bring her pain. "I've met Corrin's family from there, Xander and the others, but no one else. I was... I-I didn't have time."

"...What about me? What happened to me in your world?"

(Corrin)

"Heh, yeah. I'm not exactly... your typical Anna." The Askrian commander chuckled sadly. "But I wish I could be. I wish I could be out there traveling the realms. Selling wares, haggling for prices, counting gold." She took a sip from her cup as she imagined better times. "Anyway, yeah being a commander in a war... it's something else. Not much room for goofing around, you always gotta take everything a hundred percent serious. Gotta make sure everyone's in tip-top shape. Gotta make sure morale's up. Make sure there are no holes in your plan the enemy can take advantage of. Those sort of things."

"I consider myself lucky, you know?" Anna continued. "I'm the commander of the Order of Heroes. That means we don't get much casualties 'cause Heroes like you are hard to kill. There are deaths sure but..." Another sip was taken. "If you commanded a normal Askrian army, I'd definitely be incurring much more casualties accomplishing an objective. I'd be sending young men and women to their deaths. It's part of duty, of course but... it's still death."

"Hey, sorry for all this dark talk. I just had to get it out of my chest every now and then, you see?"
 
(Felicia & Flora)

"Oh my." Mikoto reacted. "It seems you two and Corrin are quite close. I'm glad that Corrin... err, your Corrin have so many good friends." She sighed. "I wish my Corrin could have had good friends as well."

"And yes, dear. Please do. Pour some for yourselves as well. You deserve some for doing so well in battle." After a round of wine, Mikoto continued. "Is there anyone else in Nohr that Corrin has? Tell me, what has happened in that country? In your world? In mine... w-well they and Hoshido have gotten along. For the most part." The former Queen attempted to smile but saying those words appeared to bring her pain. "I've met Corrin's family from there, Xander and the others, but no one else. I was... I-I didn't have time."

"...What about me? What happened to me in your world?"

The sisters glanced at each other. It was hard to imagine an reserved Corrin, let alone a lonely one to them. Though, in this case, maybe Corrin did have friends, just...Not the ones Flora and Felicia would've approved of.

Quiet sipping and even quieter atmosphere. The last time Felicia felt this awkward was during her first meeting. Flora looked fairly distant, reminiscing about her earlier fight.

In the end, their reflecting didn't go anywhere and would soon end as their wine was downed.

"Seems like time is still rough around the edges between your Hoshido and Nohr," Flora commented.

"N-not to say we're fine and dandy, but..." Felicia began, trying to piece together an interesting fact of theirs, unsure how to answer that might raise a smile on Mikoto's face.

"I'd say...Maybe we're closer to being accustomed to each other?" Flora finished, her statement ending off in a pinch of doubt. In truth, they weren't entirely sure themselves. They barely spoke to Corrin's family in Hoshido to begin with.

"Well, our Lady Corrin certainly has many that support her. A young healer named Elise, for one. A butler, Jakob, was also quite the changed man due to her."

"H-honestly, Elise should've stayed home but...Stubbornness knows no bounds, I guess."

"Though her efforts were greatly appreciated...Ah, there's also Gunter, a babysitter who didn't talk to any of us at the time, though quite the nice man. Tall, armored, old, but happy. And as far as I'm aware, Silas is another, who has been friends with Lady Corrin much longer than we have."

"O-oh! And Camilla is friends too! S-she's a wyvern rider, with a big axe, and how they know each other..."

Flora stared at Felicia, then at Mikoto. "Camilla's a strange case."

Felicia stared at Flora in return. Scratching her head, she nodded. "It's a weird bond they h-have."

They went silent, eyes shifting over to the other in search of an answer about the status of Mikoto soon after. The silence of this one question was more deafening than the talking they could've done all night and either the answer was unknown or the answer was a bit too much to handle saying. Felicia glanced over at Flora, and nodded. It seemed like Flora was more capable of delivering the line than Felicia...Though some dry saliva would need to get swallowed.

"You died," Flora eventually said.

"It was the beginning of the war, so to say. Once your barrier went down, well...There was us, and then yourselves."

Flora let loose a sigh between thin lips. "And no more wall to break through."



(Corrin)

"Heh, yeah. I'm not exactly... your typical Anna." The Askrian commander chuckled sadly. "But I wish I could be. I wish I could be out there traveling the realms. Selling wares, haggling for prices, counting gold." She took a sip from her cup as she imagined better times. "Anyway, yeah being a commander in a war... it's something else. Not much room for goofing around, you always gotta take everything a hundred percent serious. Gotta make sure everyone's in tip-top shape. Gotta make sure morale's up. Make sure there are no holes in your plan the enemy can take advantage of. Those sort of things."

"I consider myself lucky, you know?" Anna continued. "I'm the commander of the Order of Heroes. That means we don't get much casualties 'cause Heroes like you are hard to kill. There are deaths sure but..." Another sip was taken. "If you commanded a normal Askrian army, I'd definitely be incurring much more casualties accomplishing an objective. I'd be sending young men and women to their deaths. It's part of duty, of course but... it's still death."

"Hey, sorry for all this dark talk. I just had to get it out of my chest every now and then, you see?"

Corrin barely drank and she generally wouldn't go out of her way to drink. Her beverage left untouched, she nodded softly.

"That's my vendetta, truthfully. Trying to become a leader and leading my companions to war, skirmishing, and battle...There's no true way to find the right answer to victory. War starts off with a black and a white, then it all just...Grays out." She spread her hands out in a wave-like motion to represent it. "And becoming the unifying link between a black and a white, all I can think is, 'was there any point to losing my comrades-in-arms?'"

"Then add a new color to that black and white, and now I have to sit on a throne and wonder why a war was even necessary. It's guilt that piles on. I ended up ruling a kingdom I had hardly a family in like I did Nohr and Hoshido, still seeing death and destruction in three different kingdoms that wasn't needed and still stressed beyond my heart's capabilities."

She sighed, chin hitting the table. "I may be rambling myself, Anna, or...However your name is pronounced. However, I would wonder about this war as well. I'm not sure what kind of kingdom I'm fighting for, and if I did, I don't know if such a war between we and them is...Well, necessary."
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

(Felicia and Flora)

Mikoto was silent at the answer, almost slack-jawed. She sighed after. "I see. That's... unfortunate."

"It appears our two worlds have similar fates, despite the large differences." The former Queen said. "The Nohr and Hoshido in my world have also reconciled. Well, more like united against a common foe." Mikoto explained. "But unlike your world, I lived. Clearly. It was... Corrin who was gone." She revealed. "After he was abducted, the next I saw him he was... a monster. He was in his dragon form, leading an army of dark and foul creatures that laid waste to both Hoshido and Nohr. I... We, me and his family from the two sides tried to call him back, to return him to his senses but he would not. He had gone feral, much like a rabid dog that needed to be put down."

"Hoshido and Nohr beat him and his army of creatures back, but there was no joy in the victory... for we realized that our Corrin was well and truly lost." Mikoto finished her tale but the story was not done yet. "I then did some investigating, leaving Hoshido to Ryoma and Nohr to Xander. I found out that Garon of Nohr was but a creature planted there by the dark form of Anankos but there was someone in Nohr, an outsider who had a hand in turning Corrin. Eventually, I found out he was a 'Varjan' from the Outrealms. Some sort of warlock who activated and accelerated Corrin's degeneration, turning him feral. I believe Anankos wanted Corrin to serve him but our son went berserk and out of control. He had slain the dark dragon and assumed his position and the rest is history."

"That is why I am here. I traveled the Outrealms looking for this 'Varjo'... to exact righteous vengeance. When I found out Varjo served Embla and that Askr opposed them, it was a no-brainer." Closing her eyes, Mikoto continued. "Perhaps it is fate that Corrin and I are not meant to reunite. Anyway, I thank you for your time you two. I'd like to hear the stories of your world but that will need to wait. We have rested long enough. Farewell for now."

Mikoto stood from her seat and began to leave. Now is the time for any parting words.

(Corrin)

"Oh, jeez. Sounds like a lot got heaped upon you in a very short time." Anna sympathized. "I'm sure you'll pull through though. You're a Hero after all."

"About Askr, well, it's pretty nice. Nice land, nice people, that kind of thing." The commander began. "The King and Queen, they're nice too but pretty strict and a bit no-nonsense. The other nobles can get pretty uptight and quite snobby. Probably because Askr is one of the few kingdoms that handle and regulate the Outrealms and that responsibility is pretty heavy. But they're all nice, more or less." Anna said. "And being Heroes, you guys get some free respect from everyone in Askr. Probably not from Tyrion though, man's got a stick up his... I mean, okay he can back up his arrogance and he cares for Askr but, let's just say he's not fun at parties."

"Anyway, thanks for the talk Corrin. Not a drinker, are you?" Anna noticed, a sly grin on her face.
 
(Felicia and Flora)

Mikoto was silent at the answer, almost slack-jawed. She sighed after. "I see. That's... unfortunate."

"It appears our two worlds have similar fates, despite the large differences." The former Queen said. "The Nohr and Hoshido in my world have also reconciled. Well, more like united against a common foe." Mikoto explained. "But unlike your world, I lived. Clearly. It was... Corrin who was gone." She revealed. "After he was abducted, the next I saw him he was... a monster. He was in his dragon form, leading an army of dark and foul creatures that laid waste to both Hoshido and Nohr. I... We, me and his family from the two sides tried to call him back, to return him to his senses but he would not. He had gone feral, much like a rabid dog that needed to be put down."

"Hoshido and Nohr beat him and his army of creatures back, but there was no joy in the victory... for we realized that our Corrin was well and truly lost." Mikoto finished her tale but the story was not done yet. "I then did some investigating, leaving Hoshido to Ryoma and Nohr to Xander. I found out that Garon of Nohr was but a creature planted there by the dark form of Anankos but there was someone in Nohr, an outsider who had a hand in turning Corrin. Eventually, I found out he was a 'Varjan' from the Outrealms. Some sort of warlock who activated and accelerated Corrin's degeneration, turning him feral. I believe Anankos wanted Corrin to serve him but our son went berserk and out of control. He had slain the dark dragon and assumed his position and the rest is history."

"That is why I am here. I traveled the Outrealms looking for this 'Varjo'... to exact righteous vengeance. When I found out Varjo served Embla and that Askr opposed them, it was a no-brainer." Closing her eyes, Mikoto continued. "Perhaps it is fate that Corrin and I are not meant to reunite. Anyway, I thank you for your time you two. I'd like to hear the stories of your world but that will need to wait. We have rested long enough. Farewell for now."

Mikoto stood from her seat and began to leave. Now is the time for any parting words.

Flora and Felicia stared at each other in utter silence and shock. Nothing surprising when one put some thought into it; it was completely possible to find a different world of such drastic change in events, and even more possibly the people they thought they knew were really just alternate versions.

But to consider their own master, who held a fairly taut bond with them, going near feral...

Unthinkable, to say the least.

Felicia stood up near instantly. "I-I think it's okay for you two to see each other! Family is still family, e-even if they're from different worlds."

Flora scratched her cheek, before speaking shortly after, a little slowly. "I believe it best that your time is well-spent. Master Corrin isn't...Well, all of us have met tragic losses and moved on. It'd be no good if you avoided each other, especially considering our skirmish. She moved on from her mother's death so I'm sure she can make a friendship with yourself."

Then Flora stood up, and the two bowed. "Th-thank you for sparing your time with us," Felicia said quickly.

"Likewise. May you rest well tonight, Lady Mikoto."






(Corrin)

"Oh, jeez. Sounds like a lot got heaped upon you in a very short time." Anna sympathized. "I'm sure you'll pull through though. You're a Hero after all."

"About Askr, well, it's pretty nice. Nice land, nice people, that kind of thing." The commander began. "The King and Queen, they're nice too but pretty strict and a bit no-nonsense. The other nobles can get pretty uptight and quite snobby. Probably because Askr is one of the few kingdoms that handle and regulate the Outrealms and that responsibility is pretty heavy. But they're all nice, more or less." Anna said. "And being Heroes, you guys get some free respect from everyone in Askr. Probably not from Tyrion though, man's got a stick up his... I mean, okay he can back up his arrogance and he cares for Askr but, let's just say he's not fun at parties."

"Anyway, thanks for the talk Corrin. Not a drinker, are you?" Anna noticed, a sly grin on her face.

Corrin sighed, "I think depending on what happens tomorrow, whatever I drank will be coming out in a way I won't like."

She wasn't the greatest listener, but it felt a little droney with Anna. Corrin kind of saw it as a venting session, and she personally didn't mind. People needed someone to talk to, and that someone's job was more often to listen than anything. She was used to feeling relied on, but at least the feeling was more mutually beneficial here. She managed to vent her own complaints, if only briefly.

"I don't think I should be ranting about our own rulers, considering...Well, I'm one of them," Corrin said with a chuckle. "But it's a rough transition. It's easier to go out into the towns and get along with Nohr and Hoshido alike, but when it's me and two others alongside some handfuls of retainers trying to get along in a professional meeting? It's like the first day of training; no one wants to talk to each other."

"I wish we were more like Askr! A little more united, a strong-handed king and queen, and your people get along...Everyone just fires whatever mental barriers they have at each other! But that's what time does to you. The longer you stick to something, the harder it is to scrape off. Can't I just get a break without a civil war threatening to happen?"
 
ShredKnives ShredKnives

(Flora & Felicia)

Mikoto said not a word in reply, briefly pondering the suggestion but gave no answer ultimately.

(Corrin)

"Oh man, sounds like your kingdom-- err, queendom is a handful." Anna remarked. "Like I said, I'm sure you'll pull through. Not gonna say it's gonna be easy though, you're gonna have to work for it. But hey, if you want things to change it's gonna have to start with you. I think that's how the saying went..."

You and Anna bode farewell not long after and it was back to business.

-------

The next day arrived and with it, the next battlefield. The Askrian army was set up by a forest which overlooked a small mountain range with an empty area on the right side and a fjord just above it. The scouts reported that the Varjan army encampment was just behind the mountain and Commander Anna believed that the enemy will attempt to bottle the fighting in the area between the mountains and the fjord. As such, Anna has ordered Corrin and the maids to pass through the mountains and make a surprise attack on the Varjan encampment. Corrin's attack should disorient the Varjans and allow the main army to break through the bottle neck.

Accompanying the Heroes was a unit of Askrian Swordlords. They were elite warriors of the Askrian military, garbed in shiny golden armor and feathery, wing decorations. Much like their namesake, they wield a single sharp, two-handed sword. It was said their prowess with the blade was unparalleled in all of Zenith, training from a young age the way of the sword. It was also said they could cut down arrows from the air and their blades were so sharp, they could cut through armor. They were also fiercely brave, and were ordered to protect and follow Corrin and her maids. These Askrians' lives were theirs.

Before Corrin's group set off, Kiran approached them with a question. "Hey, you three. Umm, I have this... sinking feeling that things won't go exactly as planned. As such, I-I want to help. I can't help directly but I can do this..." The Summoner showed a red orb in his hand. "I can summon another Hero to help you. I've been doing some reading and I think I can do it from here. If not, I can just ask Commander Anna for a quick trip back to Zenith and do it properly there and then go back. So, do you want me to do it?"
 

In the end, they all would have more on their mind during their sleep.

Over the course of the mountain range, the generally-agreed comment was, "It feels like walking up stairs for hours on end," provided by Felicia and gathering a chuckle from Flora.

Unfortunately, it was about the only comment that was made because of the unifying awkwardness among the sisters. Corrin didn't care or mind, but Corrin's bodyguards also having bodyguards was still settling in their heads, and it didn't settle very well either. They distracted themselves with the colors; a look at the clouds, a glance at the grass, a stare to the sky. It was hard looking at them for the duo. And the armor was...Really shiny! And inconspicuous! It seemed entirely off-putting to their surpise ambush plan.

Corrin let out a low breath, seemingly about to hit the group with some morale boosts, before she, thankfully, was cut off by Kiran's call.

She nodded slowly, considering the chances of victory were never at 100 percent certainty. Such times would call for more help, but at the same time, the more people called meant more chances to offset their plan.

Then again, these were Heroes, not any regular elite soldiers or experienced fighters. She glanced back at the rest of her group, Flora and Felicia glancing back with positive hope in their eyes.

She wondered briefly why she enjoying hanging around such unrealistic optimisms.

She turned her head back to Kiran. "If you trust to do it here, now would be good— I'd rather not waste more time before we head out."

"I-I believe in Lady Corrin's leadership!" Felicia cut in with Flora's nod of agreement.

"No, she doesn't," Corrin said with a chuckle, "And honestly, I could do well with Leo...Perhaps even a healer like Elise...Hm..."

"Well, it doesn't technically matter," She continued. "All the help that I can get is help I will accept generously and as soon as possible. A quick trip back is another trip here, and if your gut is right, then things might stop going well as soon as we wait." She nodded in affirmation. "If you can, please do it now."
 

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