Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It begins with colors.
The colors of the enemy are the white and the red.
The colors of my family are the black and the grey.
Soldiers garbed in white and red, armed with glaives, blades and clubs, charge left against soldiers in black and grey holding lances, swords and axes.
Above the battle on the ground, wyverns and pegasi riders, carrying the same weapons. Some would fight each other, while others would swoop down to help those on the ground.
A duality of colors-white and red fighting against black and grey.
But in the end, both sides are horribly destroyed, and the battlefield a mess.
And then, a strange darkness takes it all away.
The only thing that changes, is what I was carrying, what I was wearing, and who I was fighting.
I had a sword in my right hand, wearing my brothers' and sisters' colors, and I was fighting alongside them.
I had a blade in right hand, wearing my brothers' and sisters' colors, but I was fighting against them.
The visions then goes dark.
"Weiss! We're your family!"
Rewind.
No, I had a sword in right hand, wearing the colors of the enemy, but I was fighting alongside my brothers and sisters.
No, I had a blade in right hand, wearing the colors of the enemy, and I was fighting against my brothers and sisters.
It all goes to dark.
"Weiss! Come back to Nohr!"
Rewind.
Now, there was a blade and tome in my hands, and I was wearing my brothers' and sisters' colors, and fighting alongside them.
Now, there was a sword and tome in my hands, and I was wearing my brothers' and sisters' colors, but fighting against them.
Fade to black.
"Don't do this, Weiss!"
Rewind.
Wait, there was a sword and a stave in my hands, and I was wearing the colors of the enemy, but fighting alongside my brothers and sisters.
Wait, there was a blade and a stave in my hands, and I was wearing the colors of the enemy, and fighting against my brothers and sisters.
Darkness.
"Weiss!" "Big Sister!"
Rewind.
I was now watching the battle from afar. I was nearing the end of this vision.
A blade was now in my left hand, now. In my right hand, I was clenching something-it was a pendant-glowing on my chest. My armor was of a silver color, not matching any designs of either side.
I raised the blade skywards, and a darkness appears on the battlefield, engulfing what remaining soldiers were left from each side.
"Come home, Weiss. Come. Home."
"NO!"

Chapter Text

"No!"

I woke up from bed with my hand extended forwards to stop them. I found myself reaching for the ceiling of my bed.

Those nightmares again. Once that I've been having recently. And frequently.

I was feeling very warm-

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Princess Weiss?"

Advisor Iago. I was already up and…decent. "C-come in!"

The advisor opened the door. "Good morning, Princess Weiss."

I nodded. "Good morning, Advisor."

"You'll be glad to know I gave you an extra thirty minutes of rest today."

"Really? I'm sorry."

"Not to worry, Princess. You'll need it for Captain Hans' sparring practice you promised him today."

It was today? "I almost forgot!" I quickly removed the sheets from my bed and ran behind the dressing screen to get out of my night clothes and into my guard outfit.

"My apologies, Princess, but I checked on you during the time that you were dreaming. Are you doing alright?"

"Yes, Iago-" I was out of my night clothes "-just that same nightmare again." into my day clothes.

"Hum…do tell, for the twentieth time." Another entry for the dream journal he keeps for me.

I finished putting on my uniform and started donning my cuirass. "It was strange…It's like all the dreams I had the last time, combined into one dream." While I was donning my greaves and gauntlets, I told him how I was carrying a sword and other weapons, wearing all sorts of colors, fighting alongside or against my brothers and sisters, and everything else that happened in that dream.

A few hastily sounded scribbles from the advisor. "That's the fifth time you've had that dream. You must have added another blanket too much in your sleep. It could've been that."

He was right. I was really warm when I woke up from it. An afterthought now-I was in my armor, and my sword was on my waist.

"You look so cold in that armor-don't forget your boots."

Boots. I don't feel right wearing them or any form of shoe, but I obliged the Advisor by having my feet in them. "I'll be fine, Advisor. You have me for the rest of the week after today and this training."

"Take care, Princess Weiss. I think you'll enjoy what I have to share this week."

And I was off, but not without making sure my boots were snug.

。。。

Third floor.

Right out of the bedchamber. ""Good morning, Princess Weiss.""

"Good morning, Margaret. Elm." They follow after Iago, to clean up my bedroom.

Down a set of stairs, into the second floor's personal study area.

"Good morning, Princess Weiss!"

"Good morning, Julian." He has command over the study area, but he's often found looking through the books when he's alone.

Out of the study area. Down the hallway, overlooking the courtyard.

"Good morning, Princess."

Two people. The greeting came from the Head Maid. "Good morning, Head Maid, Chamberlain."

"Did you rest well?" the chamberlain asked.

I nodded, not mentioning the nightmare I had. "Is Captain Hans here?"

"Captain Hans will be meeting you in the courtyard, shortly. We've had a matter for him to attend to, so you're not exactly late."

I laughed. "Thank you. Both of you."

It's the little things such as greeting them, remembering their names or positions, checking on them, and helping out in small ways that allow something like that to happen. It might me be though, but I think those two would look well together.

I hastened my footsteps to the next set of stairs and made my way to the courtyard.

。。。

The courtyard of the Northern Fortress. A good hour after Captain Hans was finished with the errand the Head Maid and Chamberlain had him handle.

"Haaah!"

*tok*

"Hhngh!"

*slap*

"Oof!"

*thud*

This early morning was personal training from Captain Hans. We had warmed up in that hour, but I was still feeling cold. I was on the ground for a third time. Block-!

"Dead."

Too late. Captain's wooden axe was breathing just before my neck.

"When you are on the ground, quickly recover!"

I closed my eyes and bowed my head. "Yes, sir!"

"Did that wake up you, Princess?" His tone lightened up.

I nodded and stood back up. "A little-"

"Attention!"

I stood to attention. His guard tone came back.

"You have been a Sergeant of the City Guard nearly two years, and yet you still have not made full use of what's available! Get some water from the fountain, and then face me again!"

"Yes, sir!" I stood up and backed away from our sparring area and to the fountain. While keeping an eye on Captain and my surroundings, I pulled my gourd and drew water with it from the fountain. I drank and refilled again.

I was refreshed and aware. Return to the sparring area.

"Good. 'Be aware of your surroundings. Ready?"

I pointed my sword at him and nodded. "I'm ready."

"Now, come at me with the intent to kill! Begin!"

We resumed sparring.

Keep Captain guessing. Start with a basic motion that tightens the movements, and warms up my body.

*clack* *clack* *clack* *tock*

"It's getting boring. Give me something interesting."

Suddenly, a dream started playing, one that had me fighting Hoshidan ninja. While I couldn't emulate their speed, the second one of them ended up close to me, I knew where they would need to land in order to maintain their balance.

Press an attack with blades locked. Sweeping kick and under swing.

Captain manages to dodge it by pushing back, but barely. "Caught in me that, but keep pressing!"

Another dream started to play. A brawl in a tavern, chaos ensuing. I was without a weapon, and I found myself using items other than my sword to fight. I could imagine swinging a chair around and using the remaining parts after breaking it to knock out my opponents!

Use the water from my flask to bring him off balance!

*splash*

Press the attack and push him down.

Right on his butt. Gourd in the right hand. Sword in the left hand, and blade at his neck. "Dead!"

"Underhanded!"

With a free hand, Captain grabbed my blade and tried to take it away from me, but I pulled it and myself back from his reach.

He stood up. "That little trick of yours only works once! Use your surroundings more!"

Even if it was an underhanded win, the motivation behind it would be enough, but Captain's anger from my actions would heighten.

Another dream started to play. This time, a strange abomination towering over my being was fighting me. While it had power, I had speed. Getting around it and hitting it so many times would be enough to defeat it!

But this wasn't a dream, and I needed to end it in one blow.

Use Captain's rage to my advantage. Time the dodge-

Hiyah!

Dodge! Heelkick to back!

"Oof!"

He's off balance! Tip of the sword touching the left side of his back! "Dead."

He held his hands up in arrest. "Impressive! Well done."

The first word meant nothing, but the second and third words meant that sparring was over. Sword sheathed.

"It took you three times to get back at me. That's an improvement over five."

"Yes, sir."

"Let me see your sword hand."

I showed him my left hand he grabbed it by the arm, and pulled himself up.

"Curl it into a fist."

I did as told. He shook it a few times. "This hand is becoming more and more of a hand that I can rely on." His eyes shifted away from me. "What do you think, Old Man?"

"She's grown a lot in your station, Hans. Added onto it, even."

That voice. Gunter. Never a moment he wasn't in his armor, ever since I was stationed here.

"Gunter! You're back!"

Captain let go of my arm and smiled. I went over to Gunter and I hugged him. "How was Windmire?"

"After some long talks at Castle Krakenburg, it's good to be in the company of familiar faces. I rode on ahead to bring you good news."

I stopped embracing Gunter and stood a few steps back. "Camilla's coming?" One of my sisters. She's been keeping a special eye on me ever since I was stationed here.

Gunter nodded. "She has some news to share once she arrives."

"Sergeant Weiss!"

I went over to Captain and stood to attention. "Captain!"

"You have served as a Sergeant of the City Guard for some time. How would you feel with a higher level of duty placed upon you?"

As Gunter stood beside Captain, I looked at both of them. "...You're promoting me?"

Captain shrugged. "Don't be too alarmed, Princess. Five years ago, I was surprised when he stepped down as Captain and exchanged positions with me. 'Old Man is getting up there in age."

Gunter was looking older. It was a hard thing to think that he might just pass away. "I'll do my best, then, Captain. Gunter."

Captain nodded. "To your duties, then, Sergeant. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir!" I saluted Captain and Gunter, and I was off to the town.

Chapter Text

And how this day goes, could be the make or break of becoming Lieutenant.

To my duties, then.

This Northern Fortress, composed of the fortress itself, built on a hill, overlooks the town below it. From the fortress to the town-and the inverse also applies-everyone uses the switchback trail. There is another way of getting up and down the hill, but that's a story for another time.

The fortress was currently deep into the wintry season, and keeping warm was the priority. Whoever wasn't working as a merchant, guard, farmer or craftsman, they carried an axe of their own; whoever didn't have an axe of their own, they borrowed an axe for the day and saved funds for an axe of their own; those axmen and axewomen were outside cutting logs and timber to keep the town warm. But that newly fallen wood would be set aside to dry for the next winter; we already prepared this winter's wood last winter.

This is but one of the many regimens put in place for the Northern Fortress, and it's thanks to the hard work that Advisor Iago, Captain and Gunter put into here when they were stationed here to take care of me. It also took the time and trust of everyone else, allowing that to transform the Northern Fortress from its prison-like atmosphere, to one of order in both letter and in spirit.

However, it is not without its burdens.

The scribes and our officials have reported that our population has almost doubled from that of the last two winters, forcing the wood and lumber production to increase. This will have the workers operating further from the fortress, beyond what the people are used to doing. The Advisor has also been looking out for overseers from Windmire in the hopes to expand the town, but none have offered to assist, despite the "near-ideal conditions in this mountainous area" and being able to support well above our capacity.

But, even with the near-ideal conditions, trade with the major cities of Nohr has been rough, since they're experiencing similar, if not, even worse conditions that come with supporting more than ten times the people here. In the last meeting with the officials here, we considered having our merchants deal trade with our closest neighboring country, Hoshido, to reduce the costs that come with the distance from our countries.

We were currently at war with them; goods from the enemy? Contraband.

Even though the threat of those needs looms overhead, it was good that we were talking about them now. I have to thank Iago for making lessons such as these interesting and knowledgeable, and for Captain Hans' abilities in dealing with the people I indirectly have rule over, which comes with being a member of royalty. It's made the people here hard-working, happy, and strong.

The city was with activity, but not enough for my efforts to be noticed. To the walls.

…

"Officer, attention!"

The North Wall. Most of the guards here were partnered-experienced and newcomers-to help the latter with perception training to see whatever was going on outside of the walls. We call them Books, since they keep a track of what they see in little books.

"Rabbit! One-hundred paces!"

The new Book would call out their finds and point to it.

"Spotted."

The partner of the Book, an experienced Book, would confirm that find and point to it as well, and the finder would tally and mark the finding.

"Bird! Airborne, 20 meters!"

"Spotted."

"There's a cat! Erm…thirty paces!"

"Spotted. Well done."

Ah-there was an animal that no one managed to get. "Snow fox! Fifty paces!" I pointed to it and followed it.

The experienced Books looked in my pointed direction. "Spotted." "Spotted." "Spotted."

The new Books were surprised.

One of the experienced Books that spotted them, she called the nearby new Books together. "You see? Always make sure to keep an eye on your surroundings both far and near the walls."

"""Yes, ma'am!""" And they continued looking out.

She then thanked me for the opportune lesson, and reported that the new Books were doing well. Some of them should be ready to assist the other Walls, once all their pages were filled with what they found.

They take care of themselves.

…

"Sergeant Weiss!"

I was saluted. I saluted back. "Good morning."

The East Wall. Gunter's Wall. An experienced guard would be over this side, to the point of saluting higher officers out of rank and proximity. They would be minding the fields a few hours later as both them and the farmers checked on winter crops. Last I heard, it would be a week before we could see any harvests. I went over to one of the guards. "Guardsman?"

"Sergeant Weiss." He saluted. "Top of the hour, and all is well here."

This guardsman's other profession was a farmer, a second position that most of the guardsmen over the Northern Fortress have. "Have the seeds arrived from our last shipment?"

"Yes, ma'am. The grounds have been getting tougher to till as the winter continues, but the cabbages and potatoes are doing exceptionally well this year."

He was an archer as well. That reminds me, "Did you participate in that hunt a few moons ago?"

"Aye."

"How was that?"

"A very good event. The archers-in-training got in a few good shots. We'll be eating well for the following fortnights."

Ooh, Advisor Iago was hankering for some salted pork. This will be good news.

"That's all for now. Carry on."

"Yes, Sergeant." He saluted, and he was off.

I wonder, if Captain finds me worthy of being Lieutenant, and Gunter passes the role on me, what happens to Gunter after he retires? I'll find that out, sooner or later.

…

The South Wall. Captain's Wall.

Our forces were the strongest at the South and East Walls, since most of the axe men and workers were here felling trees and transporting logs. We have this group as a mixture of newcomers and experienced people, just like the North Wall. Our archers were stationed on the walls, while the rest were stationed at the base of the wall.

Nothing much to say. All was well.

…

The West Wall. The wall I was given command over.

This wall is the first to spot merchants and travelers coming up the only road to the Northern Fortress. My duties were to have two guards ride out to meet and accompany them. Once the party arrived, the accompanying guards would advise on how to handle the goods being brought in.

Between the South and West Walls, Captain likes the in-between the most, since the only road leading here can also be viewed from the South Wall. The road served another purpose, since it was the only road leading to Windmire, Capitol of Nohr. There also lies the Nohrian King Garon, my father. He stationed me here in the Northern Fortress to ensure that I would be trained and well-versed in Nohrian culture. I can't say too much about him, since I've only seen him once, about fifteen years ago, when he stationed me here. Him, along with Advisor Iago, Captain Hans and Lieutenant Gunter have all said that I come from royalty, but I feel that I would be better with just the people here, minding them, keeping them warm-I'm effectively running my Father's job in possibly a less-desired area, and doing a great job. Speaking of which, the road here could be improved, for the sake of the merchants and horses. I wonder if I could request-

SNOOORE*

Even the guard next to me heard that. He started waking his friend up.

"Wh-what? What!?"

"Guard!"

He rose to attention. "Y-yes, Sir! S-S-Sergeant!"

"All is well?"

He looked at me. "Yes, ma'am-all is well."

I looked at him carefully. I smiled. "I know you. You do mess duty."

"Yes, ma'am. I was asked to mind the walls for the morning."

He was still leaning on his lance. Maybe he was up earlier? "I'll take over this area. Head to the mess hall and help the chefs with preparing food for the workers."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." And he was off.

He was seasoned, but he needed to get used to the hours. Guessing that he was trying to make a small name for himself. That, or support family members a little further than what we're already giving him.

Where that guardsman once stood, this was my position five years ago, even with my status as royalty. I got bored of being "locked away in a tower" for so long, that even Father doesn't know I'm doing this-well, at least to the extent that Captain, Gunter, Iago, and my brothers and sisters report to him. I think he'd be proud to know that I did that, and now this.

kon kon kon kon kon kon*

A warning bell, from the South Wall.

I turned to the other guardsmen. "Have someone take my place. Be ready."

"Yes, ma'am." And he was off.

…

The South Gate.

The loggers were running through the gate. I stopped one of the loggers. "What happened?"

"Monsters! From the forest!"

I patted him on the shoulder and he continued running. I joined with the guards and drew my sword out. Gunter was riding in with Hans. "Sergeant! What's the situation?"

"A logger said it was monsters coming from the woods."

"Monsters? One of our scouts told us it was a Hoshidan raiding party."

"Captain Hans!" One of the loggers went over to Captain. "This was thrown at me while I was running. I grabbed it to show to you."

I saw what the logger showed to Captain. A Hoshidan throwing star.

"Looks like it's Hoshidans. Steel yourselves, men! Keep to the wall! Sergeant, take a small force and see if you can work their numbers."

"Yes, sir!" I pointed to a priest, an axman, two spear carriers and a sword bearer. "You're all with me!"

Chapter Text

This wasn't my first time outside the fortress with a group, but this would be the first time leading a group into battle. Even with our logging going on, invaders such as the Hoshidans still deal with our forests, since everything else is just mountain.

"Everyone. Search the area for a bit, and meet me up ahead where the trees start. Two minutes."

[Yes, ma'am.]

We fanned out and off in our directions, and I was able to think deeply whilst walking. Down the mountain, it was all tree stumps, dropped axes, and abandoned hauling instruments. But no blood was shed as they were running, and any damage that was done was just to the trees-all of our loggers were just running scared.

I stopped just before we reached the tree line. A brief look behind, and there was no sign of any invasion. In fact, all of the soldiers reported back with nothing out of the ordinary.

Captain would have me report back at this point, but what if the Hoshidans were planning something out there? If one logger managed to get one Hoshidan star, then where were the other stars that were left behind?

"…Ma'am?"

Promotion was on the line. We can do this.

I nodded. "Everyone. We're going deeper in the forest. Keep an eye out for our markers. Stay close and remember your training."

[Yes, ma'am!]

Both of the spear fighters would take the front.

The Priest and I would be in the middle.

The swordsman and the axman would be in the rear.

We were about to go beyond the area safe for the loggers.

。。。

We would travel at a marching pace through the woods, using the trees we marked.

With only moments to prepare for the excursion, it was just whatever we were carrying, but it wasn't cause for worry. As part of the regimen, Captain had checkpoints in the area for anyone using the forest to train, and we were nearing the first checkpoint, just
a few hundred meters into the forest.

A quick look at the supplies, one of the soldiers remembers he was on an empty stomach, so he ate some of the ration from the drop box. It would be his duty, once this whole thing calmed down, to request a restock of the same item, and go to this checkpoint's drop box with what he took from it.

So far, none of the Hoshidans had shown up.

。。。

The second checkpoint. We couldn't see the fortress from here.

"Ma'am we should loosen up a bit. Let's not bunch up."

The priest was right; I nodded and motioned everyone. We all moved a few steps away from each other.

*swish* *swish* tok

Throwing sta-ninjas. "Get behind the trees! Don't let them pass you!"

We all stayed behind trees. We were looking around, even though the stars originally came from our left.

"Thirty paces ahead! Two ninja!"

One of the lancers.

"Spotted!" shouted the swordsman, while he was pointing up at the trees.

My orders. "Lancers! Loose javelins!"

The spear fighters started throwing them at the ninja, giving the ninja the trees and our javelins to dodge.

"Augh!"

One of our lancers managed to get one of them to collide into a tree and fall down. Two Hoshidans from different trees went to assist that ninja.

"Two more of them!"

"Everyone, advance! I'll keep the priest safe!"

[Yes, ma'am!]

Both teams would make use of the trees, while I would stay back and guard the priest from any attack at the checkpoint. If he dies, then we're all forced to retreat. Sword out. "Get my back, and I'll get yours."

The priest nodded. "Okay."

With a good view of the battle in front, I could see more Hoshidans were joining the fight against our four guardsmen. But our axman's presence was scaring them off-

The priest grabbed my arm. "Behind us!"

Priest. His direction. Two of them, a swordsman and ninja, coming this way.

"Get behind me!"

Keep the blade close to you when dealing with a group. Point the blade towards them.

The swordsman quickly got out of the ninja's way. Shuriken were flying.

*zip* *zip* clank

Miss. Miss. Block.

Eugh, it feels like some part of you is missing after you block one of those things. But I could still fight.

The swordsman was too close. Step. Parry. Kick. Injure.

He could be saved. Now, the Ninja. I run into the trees. It throws more shuriken, but misses. I run at it.

"Yah!"

Right to the heart. I couldn't save this one.

"Look out!"

A third one? Spear! Too late to do-!

*clang*

The priest parried it with his stave-"Hah!"

"Augh!"

*thok*

"YAAAHHH!"

*thok* *thok* *thok* *thok*

The priest bludgeoned the spear wielder in the head multiple times. Despite that, maybe I could save this one?

I caught my breath. "Thank you. Are you alright?"

I was alright, but was the priest? He was breathing heavily, but he nodded. He grabbed the beaten-up spearfighter's lance. "I…I can fight. Ma'am, we should tie up whoever's alive before we help the others."

"Alright. I'll get the swordsman. You get the spear fighter."

"Yes, ma'am."

I checked on the swordsman I injured. He was unconscious. I bound him up and propped him near a tree, but not too close to where the priest left the spear fighter. While I was doing that, the effects of that shuriken were waning.

Back with the priest, I got our bearings based on what I could hear. The fighting was further deeper in the forest. And judging from where we were in relation to the last checkpoint, and the footsteps we didn't make, we would be nearing a clearing in the forest.

"They're near a clearing. Let's go."

The priest nodded.
。。。

"Get out of our lands, Hoshidan filth!" "Bleed like the colors you wear!"

There my team was. And the Hoshidans were forced to comply with the order as they were being attacked.

I had the priest and I stand back a bit. Those who were fighting them could manage, and while the priest could fight, he was the only one who could heal.

Looks like we were doing well against the odds that stood ground and fought us. Impressively, the axman looked like he led the charge with a stick as an offhand along with his axe.

All of the Hoshidans were on the run.
"Run, you cowards!" "Go home to Mommy!"

We've won the fight. It was safe to bring the priest up to them. The axman noticed us, and went over to us, in need of the priest's healing powers.

The two spearmen were good.

The sword bearer with them.

The axman, with the priest and myself.

We were all here. Not one soul was lost.

It was suddenly getting darker I was looking up. No clouds, but it was turning to night? We hadn't been fighting for long, why-?

"AUGH!"

The sword bearer. There was a strange darkness emanating from the ground and he was too close to get away by himself. The spearmen ran to him and started helping him back. From the darkness, a figure was pulling itself out of the ground with two hands.
It was taller than any person or creature that I encountered. It was large in stature, with a strange mask covering its face.

"WRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It only had everything above its torso!

"What is that!?"

"Hiyah!" "Rah!"

Our spearmen charged at it with their lances. One of them got its chest, and the other one managed to land a hit on its neck. Even with that attack, it did nothing to it. It also took their lances!

"Keep your distance! Don't retreat!" I shouted to the men near that monster. Now to the men with me. "Let's give them a hand!"

The three fighting that monster is now seven fighting that monster.

"Find a weapon and circle it for an opening!"

The spearmen grabbed what was left by the Hoshidans. We all moved around it for an opening. The monster, seeing our movements, started thrashing wildly to distance us.

"Yaaah!"

As soon as the axman saw an opening, he charged at the monster with his axe and stick, and then the swordsman stabbed it. They started attacking it with everything they got. The monster took damage and noticed the attack.

The rest of us-the priest, the two lancers and I-took that as an opportunity. The priest joined the two lancers in stabbing the monster as many times as they could. When their lances broke, they kept their distance and started throwing javelins, while the priest
stepped back to get weapons for them.

The monster's size allowed me to climb on it, and deliver a blow to its head.

WROOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!

It was thrashing about again! Hang on!

With the amount of weapons stuck inside it-

WROOOOAAAAARRR!

It wasn't enough!?

ROAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaa…

It was enough. Thank the Gods.

It fell down, and then it turned into that shadowy essence that it was before. All the soldiers started cheering over their victory. I raised my sword in triumph, and smiled as well.

"Spoil the dead. Bring everything you can."

Everyone got to work looking through the bodies, pulling weapons for the guard to study in case another attack happens. We also picked up the weapons that were absorbed into that strange monster. They were strangely cleaned from any form of grime.

"Sergeant! We've found some conscious bodies. We've bound them up."

The count of unconscious was now four, with the addition of the ninja and a Flame Tribeswoman, bounded and unconscious. "Good. Let's head back."

[Yes, ma'am.]

"Sergeant Weiss!"

Suddenly, some riders and Gunter were appearing into view.

"Gu-Lieutenant Gunter!" I have to use his title in front of the soldiers.

"I see you've cleaned up well, Sergeant."

"Yes, sir. We were attacked, but we took care of the invading force, and we have some prisoners."

"Well done, Sergeant. Take them to the fortress for interrogation. Iago should be there."

"Yes, sir." I looked to my group. "Get them in the fortress' stockade."

"Yes, Sergeant."

The riders that were with Gunter offered their horses to saddle the ones that we have.

And we were headed back home.

Chapter Text

Back at the fortress. All was well.

Gunter would rejoin the force at the South Wall, while I continued with the riders and the rest of my group towards the fortress to house the prisoners and get Advisor Iago for interrogation.

Here would be a good time to tell that story regarding the other way up to the fortress. Before his position in the Northern Fortress, and well before I was brought here, Iago's position in the Nohrian Court was King Garon's Royal Advisor. The amenities that come with the position are as extravagant as the stories he tells.

With all that, Iago, initially, wanted nothing to do with the Northern Fortress. But, he was assigned.

For his first few winters, he was known as "The Iron Half Face", a title he still enjoys. One of his many orders with that title, was the creation of stairs that go through the middle of the switchbacks leading to and from the fortress, and he was the only one able to use it. Unfortunately, funds aren't unlimited, even with a kingdom backing his decisions. When King Garon learned of those stairs, and the rest of his orders, he extended his stay there and added my upbringing as a part of the condition to return. According to Iago, the convenience of a lavish lifestyle, as King Garon calls it, "went straight to [his] head, and surely a few more winters up north will cool [him] down".

He's only admitted it to Captain, who was a Sergeant back then. Captain divulged it to me, out of jest; Iago eventually found out about it, but the latter admitted that being my surrogate parent was what really cooled him down. Him, Captain, and Gunter are who I have to thank for making me who I am today.

Back to the present. I thanked the riders to shouldering the prisoners on their horses; I and the rest of my team would shoulder the burden the rest of the way.

...

The stockade. The jailors were there and the guardsmen that were with me were enough.

"Have the swordsman and spear fighter in one room, and ninja and tribeswoman in the other. I need to look for Iago."

"Yes, ma'am." One of the jailors opened the cell doors and had them separated.

"Milady."

A voice from behind. "Advisor Iago." Huh. There when I needed him.

"A report from the South Wall came in a few minutes ago. Is everything okay there?"

"Yes, Advisor. There was a raid I repulsed, and I've prisoners for you to interrogate."

"Well done, Princess Weiss. Just like your father."

I hardly knew Father, but it was comforting, hearing that from his close advisor.

"How would you like a chance at holding the sword of justice?"

"…You're asking me to conduct the interrogation?"

"I am, Milady. Your combat prowess was confirmed during sparring practice, and this result of when Captain Hans had you lead a force into the forest. Before that, your leadership over yours and our walls is noted-I'll expect a pound of salted pork come the next season. But there is a certain hand that you need to learn when interrogating that of the enemy. Do you feel ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Your room is the one with the ninja and the flame tribeswoman-as my challenge to you. I'll work the other one."

I nodded to Advisor Iago. And, while he back was turned, I nodded to myself.

I entered the room. The two of them, chained to the opposite sides of the wall-a clan ninja, and a Flame Tribeswoman. They were awake.

The ninja I slew from the battle back in the forest carried a kunai. I took it from his body, and started twirling it around in front of them.

"You carry that, as if you know how to use it," the ninja commented.

We can start the conversation. "I've had a fair dealing with Hoshidan weaponry, during my time here as a guardsman." I pointed the kunai at him. "Particularly impressed at your way of forming weapons." I turned to face the tribeswoman. "What I'd like to know from either of you is what you were doing in the middle of Nohrian country. Are you spies, hoping to see the nakedness of this land?"

They were silent.

"Let me rephrase that question-I'd like to know why a handful of shinobi, samurai and a member of the Flame Tribe were doing in Nohrian territory. Your numbers are similar to a raiding party, or one of reconnaissance. Were you hoping to find a weakness in the defenses? Even though we stand a day's ride away from Hoshidan grounds, the winters here are just as harsh as the steel we bare."

They still stood silent.

"Look, I'm only here because the rest of my superiors are occupied. If I can get at least an answer from either of you, I can let you go without any warning. Give me something that I can work with, and I can assure you that."

Silence. It would be better to leave them here-

"Our forces were tasked to retrieve someone formerly of Hoshidan royalty. Our scouts had pinpointed the noble's location here."

The ninja. A simple answer.

"Soft as ever, Kaze. No wonder you weren't chosen to accept the role of Saizo."

"It was a choice, Daughter of the Flame Tribe Chieftain, Rinkah."

Ooh, a bigwig.

"Damn you! Why not keep talking-see where it gets you."

I nodded wryly. "Indeed-continue."

"Knowing of this location, we led with a diplomatic banner to retrieve the noble. We abandoned the mission when were ambushed by a strange sorcery in these lands. We were disarrayed, and looking for a way back to Hoshido."

His eyes were on mine the whole time. His overall conviction looked correct. "The giant masked creatures-you know of those things?"

"Only that dark entities spring from the ground. They had masks like nothing of Hoshido or Nohr. Our group that was tasked to travel to this fortress was overwhelmed."

So, this ninja, Kaze, knew just as much as I did when encountering those monsters. I turned to the Flame Tribe member, Rinkah. "And what about you, Flame Tribeswoman? Is there anything to add from you that I should know about those sorceries?"

"You will get nothing from me."

"Then he goes free, while you rot, Daughter of the Flame Tribe Chieftain."

Before she could burn any brighter, the shackles on her lit up.

"Nice try, but your bindings were meant to absorb and drain any form of magic you try to conjure up. Care to try that stunt again?"

The Chieftain Daughter, Rinkah, stopped her spell. She then jerked the shackles in anger, but calmed down while maintaining her demeanor. "My custom states that before I answer you, I would ask for your name. What is your name, Nohrian woman?"

Respect to customs. Very well. "I am Weiss."

Her eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed in determination. "Then, you are the former Hoshidan royalty that we were tasked to retrieve."

A soft laughter, and then I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Madness. Utter madness! As if I could be related to the Kingdom of Hoshido?"

"It is the truth, Lady Weiss," Kaze spoke up. "You are originally of Hoshidan birth, taken from our kingdom at a tender age. We ask that you come with us to Hoshido, to confirm it yourself."

I looked at both of them. "Royalty, taken from royalty-a fairy tale. Pick your next words carefully, or the very weapons you owned will be turned against you."

*zing*

"Ngh." A sudden ringing sound went through my head. I suffered a sudden headache. They didn't notice it, but it felt like something was forcing me to remember something.

*kon* *kongbong* *bongbingkon* *konbingong*

Something's wrong.

"We'll continue this later. Remember what I've said."

I left the room. Outside, everyone was waiting for me.

"Sergeant? What's going on? All the warning bells are going off."

All the warning bells were going off. It was always two if they wanted to recall troops. But this time, it was all four? I pointed to the lancers and the priest. "Stay with the Advisor. The rest of you, check your equipment and head out to the courtyard."

They had their orders. Along with the sword I carried, I went ahead with shouldering the prisoner's weapons for my use.

Chapter Text

"Captain? Sir?"

"Gene."

"All the men are accounted for. Whatever's left is back at the Fortress."

"Thank you. Go on."

Our guard would be on station, and I, Captain Hans, would be the one to defend them and the Northern Fortress. The only event so far was Princess Weiss bringing back prisoners.

It's been nearly twelve years since she decided to take up the sword and become a soldier, when she found the Royal Advisor's studies boring by itself. I'd like to think that me, the Old Man, and that Royal Advisor learned a lot from training her, and it also changed how we train the others here.

As her Captain, I'm impressed with her progress. With the prisoners she had going to the fortress, she made sure to have a guard with her while it was going on. Admittingly, she was already ready to become Lieutenant a fortnight ago, but events beyond the Northern Fortress delayed the promotion.

"Captain Hans."

Lieutenant Gunter interrupted the thought. "Old Man." I nodded in acknowledgement.

"You're smiling, Captain. Is something the matter?"

I smirked. "You taught me how to smile, Old Man. I'm only thinking of the Princess. She's grown well."

"She has," Gunter agreed. "It's sad that we have to let her go."

I nodded grimly. I was surprised at the news, but it was expected, given her "inherent nobility". "Do you think we've done enough, former Captain Gunter?"

He laughed. "She reminds me of you, in a way."

"Huh."

"When you first came here, you were bound with the other prisoners, and this Northern Fortress was a crueler image than the one that Weiss is used to. It was King Garon who spared you from the Crown Prince's blade, the idea that you could be reformed."

I smirked. "She and the advisor are what helped, but you started it."

"C-Captain! The Forest!"

Even though Old Man was a lieutenant, both our eyes turned to the forest. A soldier was pointing to it-a strange darkness started engulfing the ground. The skies around the area started turning dark, as if they were following a cue from the ground doing the same. Then, strange monsters started rising from that dark. They were demented and strangely masked.

They were far away, and walking slowly. We had the high ground on three levels. It was the advantage for what we had as a force here.

But the confidence of my men was in trouble.

"My army." I prepared my battle axe.

"Your army." Gunter had his lance readied and his reins gripped.

I raised my hand. "Soldiers! Stand firm! Archers! Ready arrows!"

"Ready arrows!" "Ready arrows!" "Ready arrows!"

Archers on our level were readying arrows. The soldiers prepared lances.

The monsters moved slowly. From where were standing, no doubt did they stand taller than all of us, even with Gunter on horseback.

"Hold!"

Some were beginning to pick up speed. There were at least a dozen, and a dozen more coming towards the castle. Once they hit the second level of high ground-"Fire All!"

"Fire!" "Fire!" "Fire!"

Lines of red and brown shot through the sky. Some would hit their targets. But the sheer force only took a handful of them down.

"Ready!"

Readied.

"On my mark!"

Aiming.

"Loose arrows!"

More arrows to the monsters. This time, more of their force was repulsed, but they were at the second level.

"Continue firing! Pikemen! Shields up! Ready javelins!"

"Shield and Spears!" "Shields and Spears Ready!" "Shields! Spears!"

A line of spears and shields came in front of us. We were few, but our strength was many.

The arrows continued firing. With a lack of basic artillery, I made sure that we were stocked for the seasons to come.

And it was working. The monsters were dying off. I raised my right hand up.

"Hold fire!"

The arrow storm stopped.

All the monsters were defeated or badly damaged by the sheer force of the arrows. Unable to continue, victory-

rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

Earthquake! "Hold fast! Take a knee!"

Everyone took a knee to stay upright. Some would stab their shields into the ground for support. The Old Man seized his horse from bucking him off.

More enemies were coming from the ground. Even more numerous than the last wave. And they were running, despite the tremors!

"Hold ground! Spears forwards!"

crack* *crack* *crack* *crack* *crack*

Roots started bursting from the ground and starting grabbing the enemy reinforcements from rising up.

"Look!"

A pair of riders-horseback and wyvern back, respectively-were charging in. The archers stopped firing. I know those two-

"It's Prince Xander! And Princess Camilla!" one of the soldiers shouted.

The soldiers started cheering. And it wasn't just them that was here-the roots from the ground were a magical force from Prince Leo. And it wasn't just them-a banner was here to assist us. We would defend the town as they attacked the monsters. It was an assured victory for all of us-

kon* *kongbong* *bongbingkon* *konbingong* *gonbong* *bikon*

Chapter Text

Out of the prison and headed to the outside-

"OOF!"

I ran into the chamberlain.

"Princess Weiss! Thank the gods your here! Why are all four of the warning bells going off?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"Princess Weiss!"

It was the head maid. "Head Maid Thora! What's going on?"

"Four bells are going off-it's to recall everyone from the town into the fortress! Everyone here is scrambling to prepare to house them from whatever's going on outside. We need to get you to safety!"

"Head Maid, I am still a soldier. Captain Hans and Lieutenant Gunter are gone-I need to muster what we have."

"It's dangerous, Princess Weiss!" the chamberlain objected.

"I know, Chamberlain Theo. So please, make sure everyone else is safe."

"Very well. Chamberlain Theo! You're with me!"

"Y-Yes, Head Maid!"

The two of them had their duties. Let's do mine.

...

Outside. The bells were still ringing.

"Let us in!" "Please!" "I don't want to die!" "It's an emergency!"

Our townspeople were at the gates, banging on them. One of the guard noticed me and ran to me. "Sergeant Weiss!"

I nodded at him.

"The townspeople are suddenly at the gates to the fortress! We've barricaded-!"

"Are you blind to what's going outside!? Let them in!" I shouted at the guards at the gate. "Let them in! That's an order!"

The guards started opening up the gates. People started pouring in.

"Help them up!" "Get them inside!" "Don't push!"

"Get them inside the fortress. They'll be safe there."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Princess Weiss! Princess Weiss!"

One of the kids that were in that crowd, he noticed me and ran to me passing the guards' grabbing hands.

"What's wrong?"

"Please rescue my Mom! She forced me to run up here without her!"

"She'll be fine. Just get inside with the others." I tapped his shoulder, and he started running with the group.

I looked at the crowd that was rushing through the gates. There was no way I could get through that. And it seemed like we had more of the townspeople that were trying to get inside.

Head up the stairs on the wall.

We'll confirm it there. Up the stairs.

...

Up the stairs.

The evacuation to the fortress was still underway. Iago's Staircase was being used, and some of the people were bypassing the switchback trying to climb the mountain slope. Beyond the town and beyond the walls, I could see the rest of out soldiers fighting whatever manner of darkness was coming from the forests. We were being attacked on three fronts.

"Sergeant!"

A guardsman.

"What do we do here? We ought to get down there and help them! My family hasn't made it back!"

I shook my head. "All of us stay here and make sure the townspeople are inside."

"But, Sergeant! Ma'am-!"

"I understand, guardsman! But it's the lives of everyone beyond who we know that are counting on us. We'll have to trust whoever's down the hill that they'll make it up."

It was an answer that need to be heard by him and the other guard that were within earshot of us.

You can't blame them. This is the first time we're all experiencing this.

"Look! Out there in the distance!"

Something was in the skies beyond. Wyvern riders, and there were a number of them! One of them was leading the flight as they swooped down to the ground and then up to maintain distance from the battle below.

"Camilla," I exhaled. "thank the Gods."

"It's Princess Camilla!" one of them shouted.

The guards cheered at the sight of reinforcements.

"LOOK OUT! ABOVE! GET CLEAR!"

Our elation was dashed when we suddenly looked up.

SMASH* *CRUMBLE* *SMASH* *SMASH* *CRUMBLE* *CRUMBLE* *SMASH* *CRUMBLE*

Rocks from above! "Everyone fall back inside!"

The guardsman spared no time wondering where and how rocks managed to get up to this fortress, but I did, and saw that there were monsters at the base of the hill, throwing rocks and other debris from the houses they destroyed. At least the last of the townsfolk that managed to get up here were close to the gate. Hope to the Gods, that whomever didn't was safe.

Camilla, please hurry.

Chapter Text

kon* *kongbong* *bongbingkon* *konbingong*

"That's all four warning bells going off! What is going on!?"

I regret that statement as the soldiers that were with me loosened their stance in confusion. But what could they do, as they watched the reinforcements-soldiers from Windmire fight those beasts, coupled with royalty practically stealing the show.

"Captain, that's to recall all the soldiers and the civilians to the fortress! We are now besieged on all walls!"

A soldier knew this knowledge, and I didn't? I turned to Gunter. "Why in the seven hells did no one ever mention this to me before, Lieutenant?"

"My age! I had never had this happen to me since the time the Hoshidan Army tried to storm!"

"Captain Hans! Captain Hans!"

A soldier was running and stumbling his way towards us. He was coming from inside the fortress.

"Monsters everywhere! The town is under attack!"

Not good-I have to-!

Gunter placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's no good! We can't fight on two fronts, even with the royalty assisting! We must protect the outer walls!"

Hope to the gods that Weiss and whoever was left inside can manage herself.

"Captain Hans!"

It was Prince Xander and Prince Leo. They and their respective retainers broke through the fighting and speedily rode to me.

"Prince Xander! Your timing couldn't be more impeccable. We are now under siege!"

"Where's Weiss?"

"Interrogating prisoners, but she's likely evacuating the civilians into the fortress, after hearing those bells."

"Good head on her. Leo!"

"Yes, Brother?"

"Your magic is strengthened through the trees and roots here. Take command over this wall and our force!"

"Yes, Brother!"

"Good. Captain Hans! Will you let allow me take over your forces?"

Commands from a crown prince that's rarely here, but here enough to know what was important, and who my soldiers will answer to. I nodded.

"Thank you, Captain." He then turned his attention to the rest of my men.

"Warriors of the Northern Fortress! We head to the East Wall to save your crops and your livelihood! My brother and sister will handle this wall and the West Wall! Move out! Double time!"

Relinquishing command to royalty was a strong worry, but I trust Prince Xander's command, and him and the rest of the royalty here to see a battle through. As we departed, I could see Prince Leo's magic at work, as roots from the grounds were springing up to attack the monsters.

…

The East Wall. Damn, they made it to the radishes and potatoes.

"Look! Reinforcements!" "It's Prince Xander!"

The presence of royalty was the motivation that they needed.

"Charge!" ordered Prince Xander. "Assist your fellow warriors!"

"For Nohr!" "For the Crown!" "For the Fortress!"

As commanders over the soldiers, the old man and I were forced to stand back, but the idea of charging all our forces here against an unknown foe was tantamount to suicide, and while our force of soldiers was charging the enemy, Prince Xander, his retainers and the rest of us made our way to the gate of the East Wall. Suddenly, the area around Prince Xander started to glow. It started to get really warm despite the harsh weather conditions.

"Captain," one of his retainers spoke, "we should stand back a bit."

"Oooh! Laslow! Laslow! He's going to 'R'!"

"Yes, Pieri. He's going to 'Ruin'."

The retainers and myself stood back as the area surrounding Prince Xander turned a harsh white, but we could still see the Crown Prince's actions as he turned his sword to the sky, and then towards the battle before us.

Roots from the ground started to spring up, in a similar fashion of how Prince Leo did with his magic. And while my soldiers were in the mix of fighting those monsters, the roots were assisting them in wrapping around the monsters, bring them down to the ground. My soldiers were making quick work of them. The enemy was effectively routed from this wall.

Of course. Royalty carrying the blood of the divines-they would have the power to rend heaven and earth if they could. Finished with his efforts, the crown prince sheathed his blade. "Your fields are safe, Captain."

"Thank you, Prince Xander."

"I apologize that I couldn't do much to save the crops that were growing."

"Not to worry-our fortress has plans for something of this nature." And I could thank the old man and the advisor for making it easy for me to understand.

"Prince Xander! Crown Prince Xander!"

One of the wyvern riders was slowly descending from the skies.

"Princess Camilla and Prince Leo have completed their operations."

"That's good news. Have the convene at the center of the town. We'll meet them there."

"Sir, that's the problem. Princess Camilla went on ahead immediately after given your orders to hold the West Wall."

The crown prince could only sigh deeply. "Weiss." He then gave a nod to the wyvern rider, who then flew back up-

whoosh*

Whoa! That rock almost got both of them!

The wyvern and her rider swooped down and landed safely on the ground.

Prince Xander's eyes narrowed. Before the rider could take off-

"Rider! Hold for a bit."

He then went to me and the old man.

"Captain. Lieutenant. Is there a way we can get to the Fortress without having to go through the gates?"

We both knew, but the old man knew better, so I had him answer.

Chapter Text

"Get everyone into the throne room! Quickly!"

Despite not know about the four warning bells, I at least knew the safest area of this fortress. But even this area wasn't enough to take on the population that lives below this Northern Fortress.

"Princess Weiss!"

Iago. He's finished interrogating his prisoners. I left to speak with him. The guards will handle the civilians.

"I see that the evacuation is going well."

I shook my head. "Whoever is here, is here. Captain, Gunter and Camilla are fighting whatever's beyond the walls of the town." I narrowed my eyes. "I don't think that this was a part of our studies about the Northern Fortress, Advisor."

"Forgive me, Princess, for not mentioning anything of it. I assumed that nothing of this sort would come to pass. But, Princess Camilla is here? Her timing couldn't be better." There was a hint of confidence in the words Iago spoke. He then went to me. "Princess Weiss. We both know that the throne room can't hold everyone in here."

I nodded.

"So, what will you do?"

I looked back at the people trying to make their way into the throne room. "The soldiers will have to fight at some point."

Iago nodded in agreeance.

"But who we have that can readily take arms I fear will not be enough. The civilians-will asking those that are able to fight be too much for them?"

"That's your decision to make, Princess. Among everything, you're their leader."

"Sergeant Weiss!"

One of the soldiers that was helping the effort, rushed to me.

"We can't fit any more people into the throne room! What should we do?"

I nodded. "Iago."

"Milady."

"Whatever magic you need to prepare, use my bedroom's balcony."

"At once."

Iago was off.

"Guardsman. Direct me to my throne."

"Sergeant?"

"You heard me. Direct me to my throne."

"Yes…Your Highness."

The guardsman took the order rather literally, as he shouted "Her Highness, Princess Weiss of Nohr!" and then the crowd proceeded to lead me to my seat in the throne room.

"A princess?" "The Sergeant's a noble?" "Kids weren't lying." "Princess Weiss?"

Murmurs became louder and louder at the news of my nobility-

"The audience will give ear to the Princess! SILENCE!"

-and then died down while their eyes turned to me.

"Soldiers! Blocks!"

The soldiers organized themselves in front of me and the crowd stepped back. Including me, there were only twenty of us against whatever was outside.

"Nohrians! My people of this Northern Fortress! I will not make light of the danger that lies beyond my castle that has destroyed our homes, and forced an evacuation here! Even now, the very blocks and stones that you use to build the walls and homes here, are being hewn against us, by forces unknown to most! But many of us here have indeed seen that force!"

They were all silent. But you could hear the sounds of debris hitting the fortress.

"I also give my heartfelt apology, that my castle's safest area cannot accommodate all of you. Which is why I must beg for your forgiveness of what I am to ask of you." I opened my arms out to them. "The soldiers that are here-they are strong but few, as the rest of our army lies without the walls fighting against that same force." I returned my arms to my sides and bowed lowly against them. "If you are willing to join the ranks of my soldiers, as a militia, to defend this fortress, to defend those here that can't defend themselves, stand with the soldiers, and we will do our best to protect you."

I raised my head and looked around. Reluctance. Then, one by one from the crowd, able-bodied men and women stood with the soldiers. Our small force of twenty was now a stronger force of at least sixty.

"Soldiers! I put off my nobility and speak to you as your Sergeant! This new militia has your trust and their lives! Take each of you three or four others from this newly-formed militia. Learn what they can do, and arm them well with the armory that we have!"

[Yes, Ma'am!]

…

Before carrying out her orders, I, Iago, made sure to get a listen of her motivational speech. Princess Weiss was already becoming more and more of her true station.

I then went to the stockades. The guards were still there, minding only two prisoners, since the ones I interrogated were too scared to even talk after seeing those…things.

"Guardsmen! Princess Weiss needs all hands to assist. Gather your weapons and meet her!"

[Yes, sir!]

They all left. Now, for the prisoners that Weiss interrogated. They were still chained to left and right walls.

"Ninja. Tribeswomen. I'm releasing you."

"Hah! And die to those things? I know what's going on outside."

"I understand, Flame Tribe Chieftain's Daughter Rinkah. Ninja. You're of the Mokushu clan, correct?"

"…I know well of them."

"Look for their symbol here. You will find a way out with little resistance."

I kicked the key to their shackles towards the Flame tribeswoman and left. She will have a fun time, compared to the ninja who seems skilled in breaking locks.

...

Now, Weiss' bedroom. There was a door behind her bed that led to the only way to the top of the fortress. As I was going up, I thought about how to convert this room to my study, but I was likely to be recalled to Castle Windmire, just like Weiss. Hopefully, at a later time-I'd rather keep warm here than boil in the middle of incessant politics!

At last, the top of the castle. Looks like Weiss and her force is making their way up the walls, and apparently bringing everything she can. It's-

"Urk!"

A strange darkness covered my eyes, and weakened me to the ground.

She will be tested. You will not interfere.

What manner of sorcery…is this…?

Chapter Text

"Rank formation! Stick with your man!"

"Blocks, everyone! Follow Princess Weiss!"

We were before the before the castle walls, the area before the heat of the battle. The experienced guards that were below me, they were taking care of the newly-formed militia as they organized themselves in front of me. I made an accurate count of who we had. We were seventy strong. Hopefully, we could hold out until Camilla arrives.

As they finished organizing themselves into a block, they all looked to me.

"These are my orders! Rush towards the walls so the stones do not get you! Get up the stairs and hide yourselves behind the parapets! Archers and Spearmen-on my command, you will rain down whatever you can throw!"

All the archers and spearmen had a full stock of their weapons.

"Aim true! Defend well! For Nohr!"

[For Nohr!]

My back turned to them. A sword overhead and pointed towards the danger. "Go! Go!"

"To the walls! To the walls!"

The safest part was closest to the base of the walls. No formations here-it was a matter of avoiding the incoming rocks. As soon as I made it to the wall, "Up the stairs!"

"Stairs!" "Up! Up! UP!"

I could also join the archers, since I had the ninja's weapons belt.

From behind the parapet, I could see rocks being throw at the fortress, and more of those monsters. They had legs, and they were making their way up the mountain!

Some of the archers were getting ready to fire.

I held my hand out. "No! Wait till they get close!"

"Hold fire!" "Do not fire!"

I would rather have the monsters take all our arrows and javelins.

Looking over the parapets. It doesn't seem that Camilla would be able to assist us soon. We would be on our own, and for how long depends on our aim.

That sentiment was enough time to breathe; the monsters, they were close enough. "Archers! Spearmen! Ready!"

Archers nocking their first arrow. Spearmen gripping their javelins.

"Aim!"

Rocks were still hitting the walls and going over our heads.

"Fire! Volley!"

"Fire!" "Fire all!"

A volley of arrows and javelins, from the fortress to the monsters below. As they came in contact with the monsters, we were preparing another volley.

"Fire!"

More arrows and javelins. We were still hitting the monsters, and some of them were dying off due to the sheer number of our volleys.

"Fire!"

We were holding them back. Our force of seventy was repulsing the enemy.

"Sergeant! They're diverting!"

A quick glance to confirm-looks like the forces attacking us are spreading out. "Then do the same! Loosen up your formations! Fire freely!"

Morale would be dampened by this, but the arrows and javelins were in good supply, per Captain's mantra of over preparedness. We can still hold out!

"Princess Weiss! Princess Weiss!"

Not from the soldiers or the militia. Trouble?

I got to safety and looked back. It was some of the older children. They were holding bundles of arrows-what were they doing here!?

"No! Get back! It's too dangerous!"

One of the kids showed an arrow from her bundle while running. "We want to help! He-!"

*slam* *crumblerumblerrumble*

A rock landed way too close to them! They all scattered!

I turned to the militia. "Keep firing!" To the kids. "Run to me! Run to the wall!"

I ran down from the stairs to rescue them. They were closest to the wall, so I moved them there.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes! We want to help!"

One of the kids showed me an arrow. It was different from the ones the army was firing. "Where did you get these arrows?"

"We made them! If you light them up, you can shoot it at those monsters!"

"Sergeant Weiss!"

As I was given an arms' worth of "fire arrows", one of the guards noticed that I was down here with the kids. He went down the stairs. "Sergeant! Are you okay?"

"Yes, guardsman. Get these kids back into the fortress!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The guardsman motioned to the kids to have them follow him, while I returned to see the battle up top.

*SMASH*

"AUGH!"

A rock must have hit the wall. One of the guards fell from the wall. Eugh.

"No! Frederick!"

"You! No looking back! Keep fighting forwards!"

Up the wall. We were doing well, but losing people was the bigger worry. The one that fell from the wall, his bow was still in use.

A bow in the hand, and one of the kids' fire arrows. There was a brazier next to me. Light the tip of the arrow.

*Fssssssss*

A bomb!? Quickly fire it!

*FWEEEEEEEEFWOOOOM* *WROOOOAOAAAAaaaaaaarRRRRrrrrrr*

Whoa. Even a blind shot could ignite the ground as much as it did a monster.

We could fight on, and fight stronger.

"Sergeant, what was that?"

"Our new teeth, guardsman! Bring a bundle to the best of our archers!"

The fire arrows will work better in the hands that know where to aim well; my commands were needed on a level that had the view of the battle below, and I could only throw ninja weapons so far.

*FWEEEEEEEEFWOOOOM* *FWEEEEEEEEFWOOOOM*

Looks like the archers are having fun. And the flames are making good work. But our arrows were starting to miss. "Hold fire! Don't shoot until they're in range!"

"Hold!" "Cease firing!"

Those kids were coming back with more arrows, and this time, they brought some of the guard with them.

"Sergeant Weiss! More arrows!"

I nodded back to them, and then had eyes back at the battle.

THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*

They were throwing smaller versions of their own! And they were getting close to the walls!

"Fire! Fire all!"

"Keep firing!" "Resume firing!"

Here was a range I could use the shuriken and kunai against these monsters. It wasn't fire, but a ninja's poison should prove effective against them.

*FWEEEEEEEEFWOOOOM* *FWEEEEEEEEFWOOOOM*

WROOROooaaarrr* *WrooaaaarrrrRRRrR* *WrooaaAAAarrrrRRRrrr*

Our new fire arrows were still effective. We were holding them off.

This was enough time for Iago to cast, knowing his bigger spells. Did something happen to him?

*CRUMBLE*

"AUGH!"

We were still losing men despite all of this. Even worse, the heat of battle was making me lose the sight of the men we had lost. We were nearing fifty strong. And now, now they were really destroying the wall that we were standing on!

"Sergeant Weiss! We're truly outnumbered!"

"Keep holding your positions! Fire at the base of the wall!"

Fire was still effective against these horrors!

"Look out!"

Something finally landed on the wall and onto the soldiers. It was…burning? But it wasn't a-!

"Sergeant-!"

I was suddenly shoved out of the way.

SMASH*

I was saved. Fire was also effective against us. The monsters were now throwing their damaged, flaming brethren at us!

There's no choice. I stood up. "Fall back! Grab everything and fall back towards the castle!"

"Get off the walls! Get off the walls!"

Our forces were under attack. The castle was under siege.

"Muster up and prepare to fight!"

We were at the front of the castle's main entrance. Everyone was scared. Only thirty of us, and damn near an endless horde before us!

No more ninja weapons. Bring out the club and sword.

The monsters broke through-gate, walls-we were beset by monsters on all three fronts.

GONG* *GONG* *GONG*

A warning bell? Was there a bell in our castle?

GONG* *GONG* *GONG*

A ray of harsh sunlight started breaking through the clouds. It was starting to get warmer without the strain of battle, but it was comforting, as if I was being revitalized.

"CHARGE!"

It also stopped the monsters, but that voi-soldiers not of our guard or militia were pouring out of the castle's main entrance being led to fight them off.

A sword towards the enemy. "Soldiers! Militia! To the Crown Prince! Charge!"

A renewed force, and strange revitalization, and our force of thirty was now renewed twice fold with Prince Xander and his forces.

This battle will be ours.

Chapter Text

When the sword was broken, I used the club.

When the club was broken, I still had the kunai and shuriken.

And the last of my weapons were broken or missing in a monster's body, but the battle was ours.

But let's start at the beginning of the retaliation.

My force of thirty soldiers was bolstered with Xander and his force of fifty. Preluding his appearance on the battlefield, a strange power invigorated all who were with him, and the monsters within the walls of the Northern Fortress felt that power thricefold-first with the new force of eighty facing them in front, second with the forces that had managed to scale the hill after defeating the rock throwers outside, and third with that strange power that, while invigorating us, was weakening them. As the last of the monsters fell, there was cheering amongst the soldiers and the townsfolk. I guess it was over. Whatever all of that was, it's a new threat to this fortress, aside from the Hoshidans.

I was on my knees. So much battling. I wonder if this is what my brothers and sisters have to deal with, whenever they get into battle. I looked around the courtyard. So many lost souls, injured, and they were being taken care of. All that time, the fountain was left untouched. I could use a drink-my eyes were covered.

"Guess who?~"

Her voice was always a music to my ears, but "Camilla, Gunter already spoiled that you would be coming here."

"Yes, but you ran out on all of us to continue working with the guard and the advisor's tasks. And you saved the townsfolk when you were the only one who was able to."

I shook my head. "A lot of families were lost today, though. It's not a sight to look forward too."

"True." Camilla uncovered my eyes and showed me the same scene. "Whatever was left after the battle will be taken care of." Her words highlighted the people that were taking care of the others that were injured, that were grieving after losses, and trying to ensure that they get better. "You served well as a leader, Weiss."

"…I guess I did."

"Indeed. You've done well for yourself here, Princess Weiss."

Another voice from behind. This time, I turned around to see who it was. "Xander!" I hugged Xander. "Thank you guys, for saving something very important to me."

I looked up at Xander. He was blushing.

"What?"

"Nothing-it's…good to see that you're okay."

"You indeed have the devil's luck, Weiss. You managed to save a town in such harsh conditions with limited resources."

I stopped embracing Xander, and saw that Leo was here. "Leo! I could've sworn I saw roots coming from the ground during that battle."

"All that battling's hopefully allowed new trees to start growing in the area-"

I hugged Leo, too. "Thank you too, Leo."

"Weiss!" Camilla pouted. "You hug Xander and Leo, but you don't even hugme?"

"Oh-!" I stopped hugging Leo and then hugged Camilla. She then hugged me back and lifted me!

"Whoa!"

"Oh, Weiss…it's been way too long!"

It's only been a season since you last saw me though.

"Remember what I said to you. You are a strong person, in spite of everything that's happened."

"Yep! My big sister is strong!"

A fourth voice, also of the royal family. I was able to move my head around and see her. "Eli-!"

"Elise!? I thought I told you to wait at the castle!"

And here comes Xander. Camilla let go of me so I could get a better look.

"I did! I waited at the castle!"

"Not this castle! Castle Krakenberg! The one castle in Windmire?"

"You weren't specific. And Father gave me orders to be at your side at all times!"

Leo smirked. "She's got you there, Crown Prince Xander. You're to keep a healer with you at all times."

"It's for her safety, Prince Leo." She then looked at Elise. "How did you get here?"

"With Adira! Turns out, she likes the snow and mountains!"

*whinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinny*

Xander groaned. Leo smirked while slightly baring his teeth. Camilla stifled a chuckle. Elise was just beaming at her answer to Xander.

They were all here-my brother and sisters. My face turned to concern.They were all here?"Wait a minute, you're all here? I've never seen you all here at the same time!"

"That's the surprise, dear Weiss." Camilla said. "We're all here to take you to Father."

Father? King Garon?

"He was very impressed with how you managed the Northern Fortress these past years," Xander added, "and has asked you to join him at his side."

I was going to see the man who 'raised' me. "When do we leave?"

"We leave by the time the skies turn to night," Leo answered.

"That's enough time to have a meal! You must come to dinner. Even with what's happened, the kitchen hasn't suffered much…hopefully." I would know because the kitchen was deeper in the fortress. "I'll make it, so feel free to rest a bit."

"Weiss?" Leo asked. "You cook?"

"A little. I had help from the chefs and the maids when I was younger-"

"Captain Hans is here!" "The Captain is here! Blocks!"

Captain Hans stopped that conversation train, but I felt that I couldn't move my legs to join the soldiers in formation. He stopped in front of them.

"Soldiers of the Northern Fortress!" He raised a hand to Prince Xander. "Crown Prince Xander, of Nohr!"

That's one way of getting out of making a debriefing speech. But Xander was okay with that.

"My people of Nohr! I am pleased by your efforts to have held yourselves strong against these unknown forces that have attacked your homes! You have all fought well, and I am proud to call you my people, despite the distance away from our Fatherland in Windmire. I understand that many of you here have lost loved ones, have lost homes, or have no true knowledge of the damage that has been done. For that, I am sorry that my efforts of protecting you were not enough."

You could hear the wind cut the air of what Xander had said.

"As those who died to ensure our safety, let us who live ensure its continuance! The soldiers I have brought here will be a part of the restoration efforts, to hopefully bring this Northern Fortress back to its former glory! Let us continue to live well, fight well, and continue well! For Nohr!"

[For Nohr!]

The sun was warming things up despite it being close to setting. The soldiers under Xander were very motivated by this, their morale rubbed off onto the people of the Northern Fortress, causing them to cheer, even though the latter group was mostly affected by the losses.

"The floor is now yours, Captain Hans."

Captain nodded. "Sergeant Weiss!"

I stepped forwards from my brothers and sisters, and stood next to Captain.

"To all of you that are of this Northern Fortress, you know her as Weiss, Sergeant of the Guard. She is the one who protected you well, when I and the Lieutenant were facing the enemy beyond the walls!"

I was given an applause.

"For many of you, this will be the last time we see her for a long time."

The audience was still surprised, even after revealing myself before this battle.

"Remember the one who has protected us here; now, she will protect us from afar, in her official station as Weiss, Princess of Nohr." He then turned to me. "Princess?"

Captain never calls me that. Well, it's going to get interesting from here on in. And what a way to defer a speechagain, Captain.

"My people of the Northern Fortress-" I raised my arms out towards them "-for the time that I have been in here, I am thankful for the many things, both within and without this castle, that have taught me to become who I am this day. Regrettably, as Captain Hans says, I go now to return to my origin of birth, to my Father the King Garon, where my station lies. Though I may be a Princess in name, I know that the knowledge and wisdom I have received from these lands will forever be with me! And I will ensure its continued endurance for the time that I still have in this kingdom!"

"Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!"

[Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!]

I bowed lowly. I could only smile. Well, there goes my chance of becoming a Lieutenant.

Chapter Text

Gunter and Captain would be over the repairs, while I did as promised to my brothers and sisters. Thank the Gods the foodstuffs wasn't affected in anyway, although I doubt the food of a human would be satisfactory in the belly of a monster.

…en…

It…it finally hit me.

I was going to be gone for who knows how long with no idea of when I would return. A royalty of Nohr, once an open secret to the Northern Fortress and a select few, was now to be revealed to all of Nohr…and of Hoshido.

"Princess Weiss! Your hand!"

One of the maids snapped me back into the now. All of that thinking almost had the knife in my right hand catch my left hand while making the dinner. I'm glad that trance slowed things down a bit.

"Sorry. Thank you."

"Princess Weiss, let us take care of the dinner."

Head Maid Thora. I shook my head. "Not on your life, Head Maid. My family is here, but you and the others are welcome to assist. I'm focused, honest."

And assist they did. Dinner tonight was from the boar hunt yesterday, and since it was made by myself, there was no need of the "taste-testing", according to Xander. That's a story of many to tell, surrounding him in particular. Another time, though.

…forgotten…

…

"*munch* *munch* munch This is great, Weiss!"

"Elise! Mind your manners."

"We're not in front of Father, Xander. No need to act dainty."

Camilla was right.

"You are meant to eat using your hands," I added, just before grabbing the boar meat and eating it.

All my brothers and sisters were sat at the table, with me seated at the head, not after serving them.

Xander sighed, and set his utensils down to follow the rest of us.

CRUNCH* *munch* *munch* munch

After the first few bites, he placed a hand over his mouth and swallowed.

"How is it, Xander?"

"It's…very delicious. It's…it's new."

While Xander removed his hand from his mouth-

snort* *cough* cough

Leo. "Leo! Are you alright?"

pat* *pat* *pat* *cough* *cough* cough "Sorry! It was…really good."

Must have caught onto something that the rest of us didn't-some of the maids also noticed, and were also trying to stifle what looked to be a laugh.

Nevertheless, it was good to be with family.

…forgotten…

…

As soon as dinner was finished, I had planned to prepare whatever items I could carry to Windmire, to Castle Krakenberg, but I was assured that this room will still be mine even after I'm gone. I ended up with a small bag of money I had saved, as well as a light meal to warm the way there. Unfortunately, all the weapons that were in the armory were badly damaged or destroyed in the battle. The only thing I had to defend me was the kunai and shuriken that were recovered from the monsters. It will have to do, but thank goodness for my brother and sisters.

Since I didn't have a mount, I was to be on Leo's horse, trotting side by side with Elise's horse. Given that her mount was a wyvern, Camilla rode out earlier to report to King Garon of my departure, and my subsequent arrival.

As we trotted towards the West Gate we were met with the townsfolk. A lot of them has stopped rebuilding to see me off. It was…rather silent.

"Princess Weiss! Princess Weiss!"

The kids, and they were up rather late.

Some of the kids ran up to me, they had a small pouch with them. I dismounted to meet with them.

"We gathered these for you!"

"They're the nuts we gathered from the trees here!"

They handed me the bag. It felt weighty. "So many…thank you."

They ended up hugging me.

"Be safe, Princess."

"I will. Thank you."

"Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!"

Someone from the sides starting chanting my name.

[Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!]

I mounted back on Leo's horse, and continued onwards.

…have forgotten…

…

Captain and Gunter met us before the West Gate.

"Prince Xander."

"Captain Hans."

"Will you permit a moment to have the Princess in front of me?"

Xander nodded. "Weiss?"

I dismounted Leo's horse and stood in front of Captain. I saluted him "Captain."

"Sergeant. At ease."

I relaxed my stance.

"Masterfully done, today, it was. It is 'just', Sergeant Weiss?"

"…Yes, sir."

"Then let me be the one to give you something to present to my liege, the King. May you bring honor to him, and to the people of the Northern Fortress, Lieutenant."

Promotion. Promotion? "Captain. But, this is a terrible time to even-"

"You will accept this. In fact, you should have been promoted to Lieutenant many seasons ago, were it not for the sentiment of the old man."

Gunter. He could only nod in aggreeance. "Not to worry. We will find another to replace these old bones of mine."

He then turned to Xander. "Prince Xander."

"Sir Gunter."

"Will you allow this humble servant to outride you?"

"You may."

"Thank you, Prince Xander. Hah!"

And Gunter was off on the path to Windmire, to doubly make sure our safe arrival.

…

Lieutenant Weiss. Lieutenant Weiss. Were it not for the departure to Castle Krakenburg, Gunter would've retired. Unless, he knew that I was to leave at this point?

*fwooosh*

Ooh, cold. We were all bundled up well, but the wind had me hugging myself to keep warm. There was no need to for light-the moon was full and the skies were clear.

"How long have we got, Leo?" Elise asked. "Can't we just rush through the forest and get there faster?"

Leo looked at us and shook his head. "We're not in immediate danger, Elise. And we have time between here and Castle Krakenberg to relax." He kept his gaze on me. "Now, Weiss. I understand that the etiquette of our recent dinner was…freeing, but do you understand the etiquette that you'll be going into whilst in the company of Father?"

"I do. I had…lessons to ensure that I correctly use the utensils laid out." I almost forgot about them.

"Do you understand that your attire now will have to be replaced with the attire of an actual noble of Nohr?"

"Really? We are at war with Hoshido, though."

"You'll be given a new set of armor and uniform, Weiss. It pays to be precise. And it's only for yours and Father's safety. That said, how do you address father in front of an audience?"

"Your Royal Highness."

"Ending with?"

"Sir."
"Good. Now, what about-?"

"*sigh* Leo. Do you know that your collar is inside-out?"

"What!?" Leo suddenly spat at my personal jab. He then felt his collar, and I could see him die a bit.

Xander didn't bother looking back. "Haha! It would appear that someone got dressed while still half-asleep."

Leo started struggling with his collar. "Would any of you care to explain why you didn't say something earlier?"

Ooh, I have a joke. "This is the nineteenth time, Prince Leo. It pays to be precise."

"Oh, Gods. You actually count that?"

Elise couldn't help but laugh at that. Leo finally got his collar correctly around his neck.

"Let's be serious now. The timing of your departure couldn't be better, Weiss," Xander said. "Father wants his best to lead the armies on Hoshido for their abundance in food and resources needed to continue living. Something that they've been withholding from us for a time."

A grim reminder that the Northern Fortress was doing a lot better than the other cities of Nohr. "They raided the Northern Fortress, just before those monsters showed up."

"A raiding party," Leo thought out loud. "Well, the Northern Fortress is a strategic point. It was once a training ground of Hoshido's shinobi."

"Long ago, though," Xander added, "thanks to Father-"

gallop* *gallop* *gallop*

In front of us. It was…Gunter's horse.

"Gunter! We have to help him!"

Xander drew his sword. "No, Weiss. It's too dangerous to just rush in. Leo could you-"

You have forgotten…

"Ngh." It was clearer now. What have I forgotten?

"At once, Brother." Leo brought his tome out and opened it. "Search."

Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet starting moving, but it wasn't enough to startle the horses. Leo exhaled deeply, and the movement started to branch out from the trail and into the trees.

"…Nothing, Brother. We should at least hasten our pace."

"Stay close. Let's increase our speed."

zip* *zip*

"Ambush!" Arrows from the back left! They almost got us!

Xander spurred his horse. "Ride! Now!"

Leo disengaged his roots and Elise tugged her reins.

We were all galloping down the trail to outrun the ambush.

clang* clang

Fighting up ahead. It must be Gunter!

There was a light up ahead. It was a fire…coming from a barricade on the road!

There was Gunter. He was fighting Hoshidans! "Gunter!"

Gunter saw us while he was fighting. "Your Highness! Don't-!"

He was addressing Xander-

FWOOOOSH*

It suddenly turned bright. A line of fire behind us, and it was spreading to the nearby trees-the trees weren't harmed in any way-?

whinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinny*

"Xander! Big Brother! The fire's getting closer!"

The flame wall from behind was getting closer. The horses were getting unsteady.

"Everyone! Regroup with Sir Gunter! We stick together!" Xander had us rush over to aid Gunter with whatever he was fighting, but it looks like he was losing. With him leading the charge, Xander broke up the fight and forced the Hoshidans off the trail.

"Your Highness! We have sprung their trap!"

"That is apparent, Knight Gunter! We have to get out of it! Everyone dismount!"

Leo and I dismounted. Elise-

"Not you, Elise! Stay on your horse! Weiss! Hold Elise and yourself!"

"Okay!" I held Elise's reins and made sure that they were stable.

The fire before us. It was too tall for the horses to jump over!

"Leo! Find a way through that fire before us! Knight Gunter! We are a shield until then!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Gunter and Xander had their weapons drawn, and created a distance between us and the Hoshidans that were in the trees.

That shinobi was right-they really wanted me to come to Hoshido. I couldn't help with what I have, but I could-"To the right! Thirty paces!"

Xander and Gunter looked at my call out. There were three of them- a ninja and two samurai.

"Stand back, Your Highness!"

Gunter stood in front with his sword. He waited, and then dropped his sword, only to pull a lance from the ground and skewer one of the samurai! But there were still two Hoshidans to deal with.

"HAH!"

clang

Xander comes in to assist Gunter with the other samurai that charged in. Xander easily overpowers the samurai!

SHING

There goes the two of them-

zip* *zip* *zip*

ding* *ding*

The ninja and his weapons. Xander and Gunter, though undamaged, were now affected by the poison that they carried.

More of them coming, and that fire was getting closer to us!

zip* *zip* *zip* *zip*

Shuriken and arrows in the mix. It's a miracle that they didn't hit Elise or I!

"Leo! Make it quick! We're about to be overwhelmed!"

"I can't do anything quick, Xander! This barricade-it's magical in nature! It's burning through my roots!"

"Make some distance! I'll take care of it."

Leo would now assist Gunter in defense, while Xander would work the barricade.

"Barrier!" Leo shouted.

The roots started shooting up from the ground and created a wall. It extended on both sides of the trail and onwards, but only for a few feet. It would be up to Gunter to use his lance and sword to deal with whatever passed it.

"Weiss! Elise! Stand back!"

Xander raised his sword to the sky and then pointed it to the fiery barricade.

ZOOOM* BOOM

That blast came from his sword! It was clearing the barrier! But it was slowly returning back!

"Weiss! Get on Elise's horse and go! You're needed the most!"

"No! I'm not leaving any of you!"

"Go now! Camilla would kill me if she didn't find you safe!"

"Look out!"

One of them broke through Leo and Gunter. I threw a shuriken at it. It hits.

"HAH!"

Xander finishes it off. "Go, Weiss! Go!"

I nodded, and mounted on Elise's horse.

As we pass through the barricade, Elise stopped her horse to look back. The flames suddenly rose back up, separating use from the men.

"Let's go Elise. We have to continue moving."

"…Okay."

…

gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop*

"Adira! Slow down!"

Looks like Elise couldn't control her horse. At least Adira was keeping to the trail, but it was scaring Elise.

I grabbed the reins from Elise, and pulled on them slightly. Adira slowed down to a trot.

Hope to the gods that Gunter, Xander and Leo survive, but now it was just Elise and I, and I've never been this far from the Northern Fortress. "Elise, do you know where we're supposed to go?"

"Umm…I think we just follow the trail down."

Eugh, leave it to Xander and Leo to not tell anything to Elise. I can't blame them-she wasn't supposed to be here, according to Xander, but her being here just saved me.

You have forgotten.

I looked around for that voice. What have I forgotten?

You have forgotten.

What have I forgotten!? "Tell me!"

"Weiss? What's wrong?"

"Don't you hear it?"

Elise looked around. "What, Weiss? What are you hearing?"

WHINNNNNYY*

Something was spooking Adira. Elise was able to seize her, but I was bucked off.
You have forgotten. You will remember.

New words to those mysterious voice. My head was hurting, and it was similar to that pain I felt while interrogating the two-! "AUGH!"

"Weiss! Are you okay?"

…

My eyes were forced shut, as if something was keeping them shut.

You have forgotten. You will remember.

It was just me and the voice that was telling me that I will remember something I forgot. But what have I forgotten?

You have forgotten. You will remember.

I can't know what I have forgotten! Tell me!

YouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillrememberYouhaveforgottenYouwillremember

What are you trying to make me remember!? Who are you!?

Remember. Remember…Remember…remember…

It suddenly stopped. The pain was fading…

What did I forget?

What am I supposed to remember?

…

"Weiss?"

Elise. I could stand up. "I'm…I'm fine. We need to keep moving-"

There was a figure in front of us. Hooded and draped in black. It removed its hood.

That half-mask. "Iago?"

It looked like Iago, but he did not respond. He survived the attack, but was he the one I forgot?

I remember! I asked him to prepare his spells to defend the castle, but he wasn't-!

"REMEMBER YOURSELF, EMPRESS."

From Iago's sides, he brought out his hands and had his palms facing the ground.

rumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumble

Darn it…the ground's shifting!

"AAAAH!"

WHINNY

"Elise!"

She was losing control of her horse! I tried to hold her horse by the reins.

"Elise! Get off! I can't hold down your horse!"

It was getting hard to control! "Advisor Iago! Stop this!"

Iago was slowly moving away, and the spell he placed on the ground did not cease.

slip*

It was me first, then Elise's horse, and then Elise.

Chapter Text

Elise was stuck on her horse, Adira.

Adira was on her right side and falling down from the trail.

I was stuck under Adira, and holding up Elise from getting grinded into the ground, while I was being grinded into the ground. At least my armor was saving most of my backside.

Remember yourself, Empress.

Empress. I hadn't heard of that word before. It was at least dulling the pain I was feeling, and deafening the noises I was hearing from Elise and her horse.

We all had no idea where we were going to end up. And it was Iago that caused all of this. Could he have also been the one behind that flaming barricade?

It was all going dark. It was all going dark…

Close your eyes…

…

*drip*

*drip*

*drip*

…destined to seek life beyond the shore just out of reach…

*drip*

*drip*

A woman's voice. She was singing. It sounded far away.

I slowly opened my eyes. I was in a cave, not even close to where I had landed. Elise and her horse were nowhere to be found.

"Elise…"
I tried to shout, but my voice came out weakly. I was still feeling the effects of that fall, but I could stand and walk. Where exactly was I?

…Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time

The path is yours to climb…

I looked back. There was no way back-only to move forwards.

…In the white light, a hand reaches through

A double-edged blade cuts your heart in two

Waking dreams fade away

Embrace the brand-new day…

This song sounded very familiar, and very warm. Where have I heard this from?

Sing me a song of birthrights and love

The light scatters to the sky above

Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone

Lost in thought all alone

There was a fork in the cave.

Close your eyes. Focus.

Alright. Clear out anything in your mind, close your eyes and focus…

You are the ocean's grey waves,

Destined to seek life beyond the shore just out of reach…

Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time

The path is yours to climb…

This was the chorus line, thanks to Iago's necessity of learning music.

My right ear heard those words louder. I went right. Step-

Darn. There goes my shoes. Take them off and walk barefoot. My feet could handle the rocky floors.

The voice was getting louder, but it still felt distant.  

Embrace the dark you call a home

Gaze upon and empty white throne

A legacy of lies

A familiar disguise

This verse did feel like home, but why did it feel…darker than what I was used to?

Sing with me a song of conquest and fate

The Black Pillar cracks beneath its weight

Night breaks through the day hard as a stone

Lost in thought all alone.

There was the voice, a songstress. She was standing in the middle of a shallow lake, lit up by crystals both above and beneath the water's surface.

…The path you walk on belongs to destiny, just let it flow

All of your joy and pain will fall like the tide, let it flow…

She was singing to a crystal floating in front of her, and it was shining brighter than the rest.

…Life is not just filled with happiness, or sorrow

Even the thorn in your heart, in time it may become a rose…

The crystal shined a harsh-white light, before dimming down. From her side, the songstress pulled a pendant from her side and laid the crystal in there.

…You are the-

"Wow…"

Uh-oh. I let out my inner-thoughts.

The songstress stopped. She noticed me and quickly made her way to me. "Who are you?"

"I…I'm Weiss, ma'am."

"Weiss…" She was surprised at my name, it was happy, but sad at the same time. "How did you get here?"

"I fell, from a ledge, and wounded up here, and heard your song. I'm trying to find someo-"

Suddenly, the crystals started to lose their lightness.

"Oh no. It's too early. Much, much too early. But maybe…"

"What's too early-ugh!"

"Y O U R    A R R I V A L."

The songstress' face turned into something even graver that that of the monsters before. She suddenly grabbed my neck and pushed me into the water. It was deeper, as she was also in the water with me.

I tried to pull her hands off my neck, but I was too weak to even struggle her off of me. While my eyes were still open, I could see her speaking to me.

"Wake up…Weiss…Wake up…Wake…up…"

Chapter Text

Cough* *Cough* *Cough*

My eyes were shut as they were when I was being drowned. But that songstress' hands weren't on my neck anymore, and I could breathe easy.

I opened my eyes. I wasn't in that cave anymore, but back near the mountain, where Elise, her horse, and I, fell.

I felt my neck. Being suffocated and drowning underwater felt all too real, but I didn't feel wet after being under the water, and my boots were still on me, unharmed.

Ugh…my head. What was that dream? Or if it wasn't, where was the cave that I came from-

Elise. She must still be here if she wasn't in that cave.

I stood up and dusted myself off. I didn't feel poisoned, so that's a good thing.

"Elise!"

Huh. My voice was back to normal.

*whinny…*

That was her horse neighing in the direction of my left ear. And there she was, along with Elise. I went over to Elise and pulled her away from her horse.

"Elise. Elise, please get up."

I shook her. She grabbed my hands to stop me, and slowly opened her eyes.

I hugged her. "Thank the gods. I thought you were dead."

"…Dead? Where are we? Where's Adira?"

I looked at her and shook her head.

"What? Where is she?"

"Elise, don't stand up too quickly-"

*whinny…*

She looked behind me, and saw Adira.

"No! Adira-AUGH!"

"I got you…I got you."

"Get me over there! Please!"

It's as I feared-even with me holding her up during the fall, the weight of her horse may have sprained Elise's leg. With me as a crutch, she hobbled over to her horse. As soon as she got close, she let go and started crawling to her horse.

"It's okay Didi." She started looking through her horse's pack and pulled out her stave. "You'll be fine. Just…hang in there."

*whinny…*

A healing light enveloped her hands and staff as she tried to heal her horse. It wasn't looking any better.

"Come on…please work-please get better!"

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Elise. It's no good."

She shrugged my hand off. "No! She's still breathing! I can still try to save her! Just let me try!" She continued trying to heal her horse, but it still wasn't doing any good.

"We have to go, Elise. It's dangerous to stay here, what with those monsters out here."

She shook her head and continued trying to heal.

No good. I went in front of her and hand both my hands on her shoulders. "We have to go. Now."

"…Okay."

Her healing magic stopped. I carried her, moved her away from the horse, and set her down to a tree.

"I'm sorry, Elise, but we can't stay here. I'll…see what I can get from the saddle, and we'll head out. Okay?"

"…Okay."

It would save her the trouble of having to get her stuff, while looking at her dying horse. In the end, I could only shoulder her bag since the healing staff would be cumbersome.

"Come on, Elise. I'll hold you."

One hand over the other one's shoulder. Elise would be on my right side to help with her sprained leg.

"Umm, Weiss? Why not give me my staff to walk with?"

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I can't heal this sprain, but I can at least use something to not burden us."

"…Alright."

I helped her over to her healing staff, back to her horse.

huff* *huff* *huff* *huff*

Elise grabbed her staff, and placed a hand on her horse.

"I'm sorry…Adira."

I was about to help her up, but she managed to stand with the support of her staff.

"Okay…you lead the way, Weiss."

How can't I? I was the only one with a weapon.

Strangely, the only way out of this forest was a path wide enough for both of us to go through. Not even the trees were blocking it. A way to get back, maybe.

…

The path we followed was clear, and the ground was hard enough for Elise to use her staff as a cane without any worry of mud. It was getting cold though as the snow was stopping, so much, that I gave Elise my cloak. I was already used to the cold.

"Are you doing alright?"

Elise nodded.

I smiled weakly. "Alright. Let's keep going."

That was the fourth hill we had to walk over-she was doing well, I hope. None of those hills was high enough to find out where we were headed. This path leading away from where we landed was the only path we were following-no forks whatsoever.

At least the clouds were thick enough to not warrant a lantern.

*hoothoothoothoot*

That's a terrible omen to follow.

I turned back to Elise. "Elise. Are you fine with me carrying you? I think we need to move quickly."

"…Yes."

I traded the bag for her staff.

She wore the bag.

I carried her on my back. She was surprisingly light.

This position would rob me of using the shuriken and kunai, but we could move a little faster.

…

And there it was. A fork in the path, but there wasn't any label or marking of where each path was leading to.

The clouds were clearing up, changing the "cloud lights" to moonlight. It was getting darker.

I got Elise off my back for a bit.

"I'll get our bearings."

Elise nodded. Hopefully, she wasn't feeling to down about losing her horse.

Now, the fork. After all the ups and downs, and the twists and turns of the path, I still remembered that we were south of the path from where we fell, this path was headed to the west, and the fork was headed northwest and southwest. If-

"Weiss? Weiss!" Elise forcefully whispered.

I looked at Elise, who was pointing to her left. Lights.

Hide.

I grabbed Elise and hid us in a nearby bush with a view of the path and forced her down. We were too close to the path, but there was no choice-the snow would give away our presence.

"Shh…"

I draped the cloak over us.

The light source was coming closer. As it drew closer, the light was just enough to see that Elise was also looking at the light.

"Fork in the road, just like the old maps. If we head left from here, it should take us back to Hoshido."

"Well done, ninja. Everyone, take a knee and we'll continue onwards."

Hoshidan ninja? Oh no…but it was strange. Why were they resting on a pathway? As shadowy and swift as they are, shouldn't they be keeping off the path?

"Gods, I'm tired. At least, we can finally relax."

"So, whose turn is it to lead, now that we lost Kaze?"

That's a third voice. Three of them.

"Doesn't matter. Why do you think we stopped following his orders when we got attacked by those things? Our own royalty was a fool in thinking he would be able to lead-do you have any more of that? I ran out."

"Sure, here." A small pause. "Why is Kaze called 'The Fool', anyways?"

"Beats me." Food in that one's mouth. "Probably some story involving his twin brother, Saizo."

"I…sort of know what happened."

There were four of them. That sounds about right for a scouting party.

"You guys know that Saizo's just a name for an ancestor-"

*snap*

I looked at Elise. She looked at me and shook her head. Okay, that wasn't us.

The banter of the soldiers stopped. There was no way of looking through the cloak, but I could see the light getting closer to us.

I had my hands over mine and Elise's mouth.

*hoothoothoothoot* *hoothoothoothoot*

The light stopped getting brighter.

"That's a terrible omen to follow," he muttered.

The light was dimming.

"What did you find?"

"I got spooked. It was just an owl."

"That's an omen. Anyone else?"

So, I'm not the only one who believes that.

"Footprints. Nohrian. But they stop here."

"We're not here for prisoners. Let's just get back to Hoshido-I'll lead."

The light was out of view, but I didn't unraveled the cloak, just yet.

…

From where we were, all four of them left on the right path. I guess that means we have to go left, retracing their footsteps.

Elise was back on my back.

Hopefully, this was the last time we would be seeing any Hoshidans, and if us going back the way they came from isn't a sign that we were headed to Windmire, then we might as well go to Hoshido and see about finding our way back there.

While on my back, Elise took the time to look through her bag and pulled out some rations and a lantern. Since my hands were busy carrying her, she held the lantern to light the way, and got the rations on my chin, nose and then into my mouth.

"Sorry," she said afterwards.

I could only smile. We were alive at least, and she was doing a lot better than before.

The path ahead of us was clearing up.

A stream. "Water," I said. "Have you had water from here, Elise?"

Elise shook her head.

"Let's try it."

The way there was rocky, but that didn't stop me from carrying Elise there. My throat was parched from those rations. The waters were safe here, so I let Elise have a drink from my waterskin after filling it with the water here. Meanwhile, I would have the water in my hands to drink. This was a relief beyond measure.

This stream is the only stream leading from the Northern Fortress. If you get lost, follow against the flow.

Captain's words. We were almost home. And with a renewed confidence.

The water was cold, so I rented part of the cloak, soaked it, and had it wrapped around Elise's sprain. But it seems like she could walk fine, even without the healing stave as a cane.

We followed the stream upwards.

…

We were at the base of a mountain. Looking up…we were back at the Northern Fortress!

"Elise, look up. We're back at the Northern Fortress. We're almost to safety."

"Thank the Gods. I thought-"

*rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

What the-?

A stone from the rock was moving nearby.

Quick. Stay close to the base of the mountain.

Elise followed me close to the mountain.

Two figures exited from the rock. It was the Ninja and the Flame Tribeswoman. They escaped?

"Well, we managed to get out. Can't believe you would decide to disarm all the traps."

"They believe in trapping their enemies as much as leading allies to an escape. If ever we do come back here, then we have a better chance of taking the tower."

"So, you're not the Fool that everyone takes you for."

"Believe what you will, Daughter of the Flame Chieftain."

*rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

The two of them looked back at the rock as it was closing the path back-

*WROOOAAAR*

One of the monsters rushing towards them, and they couldn't hear it or its roaring because of that rock.

Help them.

What? No! We have a way back.

Help. Them.

Damnit. "LOOK OUT!"

The two of them saw us. I pointed behind them. They turned to see the monster there and moved out of the way before it punched where they stood.

Elise stood back as I prepared to fight it. I still had the shuriken and kunai.

Get around it. Attack its back!

Monster was too fast. It was quick to react that I was going for a blind spot!

*crack*

Someone threw a rock at its mask. The monster started to hold its head in pain. From where the rock was thrown-Kaze.

"Look for an opening! I'll distract it!"

The ninja was joining me in this fight.

Go between his legs! Attack!

"Haaaaah!" While stunned, I slipped between the monster legs and started attacking its back!

One. Two. Three. Four. Five-fall back! It's trying to get to you!

*SMASH*

I was out of reach, but a strange mist was emanating from the monster.

"It's healing itself! You need to beat it now!"

This monster was definitely tougher than the ones that I've faced before-it mask was off, showing a human face, demented by the size and appearance of the monster. By the Gods-THAT'S what's behind those masks!?

It was running towards me.

You are ready.

What?

Block. Then, attack.

Okay. Block the incoming attack.

The monster punches and it connects with the kunai, effectively breaking it and pushing me back.

But it didn't hurt. In fact, something strange was welling up inside of me.

Attack now.

Suddenly, a dream starts to play. I was playing the role of a wounded dragon. The enemy wasn't that monster, but another dragon.

It felt like I had gone through a long battle. The feelings in my claws was very weak. The other dragon looked barely harmed and ready to take me out as it roared loudly.

But I still had the energy for a desperate attack. I charged forwards and raised both claws to slash.

It leaps back and retaliates with its left wing.

No way of falling back, I move in with my body and ram into it!

It fall down-

Take my claws numerous times to take down one last enemy, before ending the battle with one last blast of fire from my stomach!

*WROOOAaaaarr…*

The dragon, now the strangely-faced giant, was defeated and going up in flames-the battle was over.

"AHHHH!"

Elise. "Elise!"

"Don't move!"

Rinkah had her on the ground in an arm bond. Elise tried to escape, but Rinkah twisted her arm to stop.

"You move a step, and I break her arm. Kaze, bind Lady Weiss' arms."

As Kaze was about to bring the rope out. I grabbed him and brought my kunai to his neck. "You don't think I don't know that you both don't have any weapons?"

"Huh. You're back to being a Fool, Kaze. And you, Princess Weiss, will you let your dear royal sister suffer further?"

Damnit! Her hostage was higher up the rung-what was I thinking!? "Just let her go, and I won't kill him."

I could see Elise's tears.

"I am sorry, Lady Weiss, but I have a mission to uphold."

What-

zip*

Something pricked my chest. A dart.

Everything suddenly went silent. It was getting colder.

heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

I fell to my knees.

No. Get up!

heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

I was on my hands.

Please get up!

*heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

My eyes…I couldn't…I couldn't…

heartbeat* *heartbeat*

ELISE!

heartbeat*

Chapter Text

*thump*

Our mission was making finally making progress.

"Weiss-augh!"

"Quiet, you!"

"Rinkah!" I shouted. "That's enough! Now, let her go."

"You Fool. And stir the fire of her beloved sister's capture? I say we kill her."

"No! Please don't!"

"I understand being a fool, but if we kill her, we compromise the mission, and the state of Lady Weiss." I grabbed the kunai from the floor.

"Then what are we supposed to do, now?"

"Let her go. She knows the way back. And we better head out."

She was disgusted at the decision, but she let Weiss' sister go. She also grabbed her staff and broke it in two.

"Don't even think about trying to follow us, you hear!?"

"No-!"

"Rinkah! Let's go!"

"Alright! I'm going already!"

Honorable Flame Tribal Chieftain-your daughter is a handful.

I tied up Lady Weiss' arms and legs, and carried her.

…

It took a while, but we managed to make it back to where we had started our journey from, a secluded camp not far from where we had captured Lady Weiss.

Rinkah ended up carrying her since I was the only one with the weapon to fend off any beasts, or those monsters we had encountered. Admittingly, it was an excuse to distance from her complaints about the mission, and allow me a better awareness of our surroundings-a rabbit or two was never amiss for a meal, and a trained eye could forage much.

At the camp, it looked like some of the party that was with me were already there.

"Look, everyone, it's The Fool! He has returned!"

Fool. That title has been uttered to me at least twenty times during this mission, and certainly more behind my back. I showed Rinkah, carrying Lady Weiss. "We have captured Lady Weiss."

"Well done, Kaze. You've only proven yourself to be half a fool, at best."

"If I'm not mistaken, you were all here before I arrived, and none of you had managed to capture Lady Weiss."

"It would've been better to cut our losses, than to risk the lives of our finest for a simple noble."

"A simple noble whose absence has pained the Mother-our Queen-for over a decade."

"Don't you pit my words against me, Fool! Unless you've forgotten the lives that we lost? How will you bring that up?"

"Just as was done before-the men that survived are what is important." I looked past him. "Why hasn't a fire been set up in the pavilion?"

"…We just got here."

*snap*

*fwoosh*

Rinkah got a fire going in the firepit. "There."

"Thank you, Rinkah. Please have Lady Weiss set down next to the fire."

"Got it."

We would be keeping warm here before we would continue to Castle Shirasagi. Before I had Rinkah set Lady Weiss down, I briefly removed the bindings to have her arms in front of her, so she could lay down on her back. The others started huddling amongst themselves.

"Thinks he's on fire all because he finished the mission. He must have gotten lucky."

"Lucky or not, everything that's happened to him has been a wasted opportunity."

"He's still a fool for being chosen to lead the mission in the first place. Why of all the ninja, was he chosen to lead."

"It was an order from the Royal Advisor himself."

"That's only a title-in-waiting, since the last one croaked. Everything that's happened is just wrong."

Of course they'd be passive about their insults. It's become a game, all these insults-Lucky, Opportunity, Fool-the riches of a daimyo for the amount of insults like these. I've just learned to accept them, and allow my merits to speak for myself, with whatever little I can get.

I brought out the rabbits I had hunted. Two of them. These would make a great stew with the other items I had foraged on the way here. All I needed was water. There was a pot I could use for the stew, and also for the well.

Once that was done-it looks like my rabbit has been apprehended by them.

"Put my hunt down."

"These aren't your rabbits."

"They're in the clothe I tied them with; I hunted them, and now I'm going to cook them-put them down."

"Two Hoshidan hares could feed all of us here."

"Those are Nohrian-not as bountiful as ours."

Another voice chimes in, another ninja. "You're a fool in thinking that you wouldn't prepare food for everyone else? A leader should be serving his own before he serves himself."

"I am serving my own-the Chieftain's Daughter, our Queen's long lost daughter, and myself."

"That leaves one person-"

"-and one of us will likely be eating the worth of two people-once she wakes up." Added that bit at the end quickly.

"So, what does that leave the rest?"

"Whatever you picked up before you got here. And you didn't pick that up before you got here-give them back."

"Or what? You'll report us of misconduct?"

"…So annoying."

Rinkah. The ninja looked over to her. "What was that?"

"You are so annoying. Give them back."

"Or what? You'll burn me to death with whatever flames you can muster up? You're just a Fire Starter, and whatever got you roped with The Fool here must equally make you a Fool!"

*FWOOOSH*

The flames from the fire started rising. It spooked the others to the point the rabbit was dropped. In the excitement, Rinkah stood up and grabbed the ninja that started the whole ranting at his arms.

"Ow! Ow! Hot!"

pshhh*

The fire was put out on accident by my bucket.

Some of the men were about to intervene-

"Ah-ah! You get closer-I'll make sure it's hot!"

They stood down. It was just the foolhardy ninja and her.

"Listen. Very. Carefully. You've every right to call him a Fool, but any more of that at me, all because I was with him, I'll have your wrists and ankles burned to where you'll live without them! Got it!?"

"Okay! Okay!"

"Say it! Say that you'll stop poking fun at me!"

"Ow! Stop! Please!"

She went to his ear. "S A Y I T !"

"Okay! Okay! I-I-I'll stop poking fun at you!"

"Good." She let go-*PUNCH*

"OOMPF!"

Right in the jawline. He'll be out. She then turned to the others. "Pick him up. Get out of here and make your own damned fire."

They did exactly that, and made-tried to-a fire away from us.

Rinkah tossed me back the rabbits. They would be fine, but it was the cloth it was wrapped in that I was worried about. "Thank you. I am sorry about the demeanor of them."

Rinkah shrugged. "Eh, it's on them, not you." *snap*

*fwoosh*

And the fire was roaring back to life.

Since the water bucket was emptied, I went back to get another pail before carving up the rabbits. Admittingly, I actually hunted four Nohrian hares, and was ready to impart the stew to the rest of the party, but Rinkah would definitely enjoy a second portion, knowing her physique.

"Kaze. We've known each other for only a few missions, and you deal with this on a daily basis?"

Rinkah. She was seeing to the fire. I nodded as I skinned the first rabbit.

"Why are you called a 'Fool'?"

I finished skinning the rabbit, and was just left with cutting the feet and gutting it. "My family, is the direct descendant of Saizo, and as such, my twin brother and I were tested to see if we could both become Saizo. My twin brother passed, and I failed; he gets taken in as retainer to the 'High Prince of Hoshido', while I end up furthering my training to the crown far away from the crown-the story gets messed up somewhere in all of that."

"Why don't you fight it back?"

"Do you think I'm not, Chieftain's Daughter? Every opportunity I get, I try to fight it with the talent I have, and yet they shrug it off as being 'Lucky', 'Opportunity', and deride me with 'Fool'. I will offend you with this next remark-aren't you doing the same?"

She made a face, but then shrugged. "I guess we both have something to live up to, huh?"

I nodded, after finishing the last rabbit. I cleaned them both up.

"Now, I don't think you're a Fool, with that actions that you were forced to carry out."

Her way of apologizing. "That's really kind of you to say that about me, Rinkah. I believe that you being here has improved yourself, even if you are limited in your Way of The Flame."

Rinkah smiled pensively while tending the fire.

Now, the first thing to this stew was to cook the beef.

…

*pop* *pop* *crackle*

My eyes were still closed, but I woke to the sound of popping, the warmth of a fire, and the smell of smoke. I felt my arms in front of me. Trying to move them, I felt bindings on my wrists, and then felt the bindings on my ankles.

"Ah, you're finally awake, Lady Weiss."

Lady Weiss? A woman's voice, coming from a woman tending the flames and a pot over the fire-it was the Flame Tribeswoman…"You…Where am I? Where's Elise?"

"She's safe. Back with the other Nohrian royalty at that Fortress."

That's good. But I was clearly bound with no means of breaking the cords. "So, what will you do to me now? Am I to be a prisoner of war?"

"Hehe. Not quite. We're doing what I and Kaze were sent to the Northern Fortress for-bringing you back to your family."

I laid there looking at the ceiling of the pavilion. "My family? My family is from Nohr."

"Eh. I just follow orders."

*knock* *knock*

Our eyes turned to the sliding door as it opened. It was the ninja, Kaze.

"Rinkah, the stew should be ready. Feel free to partake."

He then noticed I was awake.

"Good morning, Lady Weiss. Are you…hungry?"

I nodded. There was no way of escaping from wherever I was. I might as well partake. The ninja helped me to sit while loosening the bindings just enough to allow me to hold a bowl close to my face and partake of the stew.

"I am sorry for the bindings, Lady Weiss. I assure that they are necessary."

"Why be 'sorry'? I'd rather you take me back to the Northern Fortress. That's how I can forgive you for all of this."

"I cannot do that, Lady Weiss. I'd rather carve my stomach than lose you again."

I don't think I was going to get anything from either of them. So, let it happen.

Chapter Text

For a hostage situation, the ninja and the flame tribeswoman were very calm. I half-expected the food they served me to be drugged with a sleeping agent, but I slept regardless. Of course, I was still bound on both my wrists and ankles.

*knock* *knock*

Maybe my food was drugged-I couldn't wake up to see who it was, but it had only been an hour since I ate and went to bed.

"This is Lady Weiss?"

"Yes."

"Well done, Kaze. I am here with new orders from Advisor Yukimura."

Some silence, and some movement of a papers to review the new orders.

"…I understand."

"Understood. We'll take it from here."

"Will you allow me to stay with Lady Weiss until the destination?"

"Negative. You have your orders, Suzukaze."

"I understand."

I was suddenly lifted up and transferred outside of the pavilion and into a transport like box. Once inside, the box was shut, and any means of seeing the outside were shrouded by curtains.

Aside from going to Hoshido to be returned to my "mother" and family, I was truly traveling blind.

Do not resist. Remember yourself, Empress.

Iago's voice, but it also sounded like the songstress I met not long ago.

Empress…there wasn't anyone in the Nohrian royalty that I knew of that had the title Empress.

I was too tired to think any further.

…

I ended up not getting enough sleep, not from how the people were moving the box, but where they were moving the box. The armor I wore was meant for the harsh winters of the Northern Fortress-I was making a hotbox, with no means of changing clothes.

"Advisor…"

We were meeting an Advisor?

"Lady Weiss…"

I stifled a yawn, but it prevented me from hearing the conversation fully.

"Bring her out here."

They were taking me out. The box was opened-

"Augh…"

It was too bright-something grabbed my arms, and pulled me out of the box.

"Stand tall, milady."

I stood as tall as I could, despite being cramped in a strange box for so long.

"Welcome back, Lady Weiss."

I barely opened my eyes to see who was in front of me. It was a man with small spectacles. At his sides were a pair of dog-looking puppets.

"I am Advisor Yukimura. It's an honor to be in your presence, which means that the operation was successful."

I was too tired to speak.

"Your mother will be pleased to know that you are returned home, but I cannot allow that event immediately. For the time being, before you meet her, I will have you placed in the stockades-"

I wasn't listening anymore, but I was looking in his direction. My vision was clearing up. It was mid-morning. The skies overhead were a blue I had never seen in Nohr. In front of me, behind the Advisor, the space was filled with pink-colored trees with pink petals falling from them. Everywhere I could see was filled with the colors of red, white and pink, like it was something out of a dream, coupled with the very little sleep I was able to get. How long has it been?

"…so for the moment, get comfortable with what you can do here. Do you understand, Lady Weiss?"

My wondering and awestruck was stopped by this question. I nodded nonchalantly.

"Advisor, she appears to be tired from the travel."

"Very well. Have her cleaned up and interned. I will lead."

I couldn't resist as I was ushered forwards, but I resumed being awestruck by the colors on the trees. Sure, I had seen then on the soldiers that raided the Northern Fortress, but here they were meaning life and…peace to give it two words.

And I was ushered on. Even though my boots were still on me, I could feel how soft the ground was, how it was soft to walk on and not enough to sink your feet in with every step. Imagine if the Northern Fortress had this ground-you could grow anything!

"Advisor, she's taking her time."

"Let her. This is a new environment to her, but keep her moving."

This all felt strangely familiar, as if I had been here before. The way the sun warmed the bare parts of my skin, how the wind blew calmly-I don't have any memories of being here, but-

"Hold."

I was suddenly stopped in front of a building. Still carrying the red and white motif of Hoshido, but it felt austere compared to the peace surrounding it.

I was awake with every amount of my being now. All of this is to be my prison.

...

*splash*

Cold!

*scrub* *scrub* *scrub* *scrub* *scrub*

And the cleaning was so abrasive! "Augh!"

I was being restrained on both hands, forced to have my palms to the wall while facing the wall, and was being cleaned with coarse brushes. Thanks the Gods for decency, since it was women that were cleaning my body.

"Left leg up, please."

I lifted my leg-"Ah!?"

*scrub* *scrub* *scrub*

My soles were being scrubbed, and once that was done, they would be getting my right foot.

*scrub* *scrub* *scrub*

*splash*

Ah-cold again.

*wrap*

Looks like they were done, and started drying me off. At least this part wasn't as rough.

I was still shivering, but the room was warm.

My new attire, a white cloth of a material that I had never felt in my life, was draped over me. The advisor came into the room, and checked on my cleanliness.

"She has been washed, Advisor."

"Alright. Bring in the physician."

I was sat down on a nearby chair while still restrained. A new face appeared in the room. She was someone a lot older than all of us in the room, glasses over her eyes, carrying a stave and a book in her hands, and a rather large backpack.

"…Lady Weiss…how wonderful."

She knew of me?

"Nohrian…at least 10 years…haaaaahhhh…"

*snore* *snore* *snoorre*

We were all confused.

"Ahem!"

The advisor roused her.

"Yes…Yes…I will check up on her. Please..."

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

Everyone else left the room, not before shackling me to the wall. The physician had her book opened in her left hand, and her stave in her right. She moved the stave in a circular motion, and then the book in her left hand started to float in the air, and travel in front of her. A blue aura encompassed the book, and then…letters of strange orient of the same color started coming from out of the book and swirling around me. Some of them letters started turning green or red.

The physician reviewed the book. "No traces of any known diseases, from Nohr. Hoshido might be different if you stay here without conditioning."

She then removed her backpack, and pulled out some of its contents. Herbs, a teapot-medicine.

"I'll have you drink this to ensure that you can withstand those diseases."

I was bound, and unable to harm her. I nodded.

…

It was more than one tea that she had me drink. I think her old age might have caused me to drink the same tea three times in a row. The cup she used to have me drink was from her stave-it was a small sip every time, so there was no fear of drowning in the various teas they gave me. But I couldn't help feel sick to my stomach.

"We are finished, Advisor."

"That will do. Intern her."

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

A hood was brought over my head. Now, I was to walk with this concoction in my body.

Led by the iron shackles to my internment, with only the number of steps and the directions of left and right to guide me-

*warblewarblewarblewarblewarble*

Almost everywhere we walked, it was the sounds of birds. All of these new sensations up to this point have been overwhelming my senses. They had effectively ruined my chances of going back the way I came from.

"Here is good."

*click* *creak*

A door was unlocked. I was moved forwards.

"Release her shackles. Move her to the opposite wall."

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick* *clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

The shackles were off, and I was moved forwards again. I still couldn't see, but I could feel a wall in front of me, as if the heat of the sun was barely emanating from it.

"Unhood her. Have her face the door."

I was unhooded and turned around. It was a cell, but it was very well kept, compared to the prison that we keep in the Northern Fortress. The walls were a calming white. The bedding was on the floor, but it didn't look like straw bedding, or they hid the straw really well. There was a table, meant for kneeling at.

The guard that was with the advisor had their weapons drawn at me.

"Lady Weiss, this will be your abode until the time comes to meet your mother. Until then, take comfort in what you have."

The advisor left, then the guards, and then the door was effectively sealed shut.

*warblewarblewarblewarblewarble*

So, this was to be home before being welcomed home.

*zing* *growl*

"Ngh."

I was being overloaded with new feelings.

A headache was onsetting, and the concoction had me at the point of where I wanted to throw up, but something was stopping me.

*ZING*

"Augh! No!"

*thump*

The headache was getting stronger! I collapsed!

Remember, Empress. Remember.

I could muster enough strength to at least make it to the bed. The flooring was too cold. The bedding was warmer. It was comfortable. It was...familiar?

Good. You are ready.

... 

A dream. A new dream.

I was in a room with two people, figures of a man and a woman, looking over me, but their faces were blurred. The woman draws her hand close to me and I'm only able to grab her finger. As I grab her finger, she then lifts me up, and I could see that I came from a cradle, and that I'm dreaming of when I was a child. She dances me around in her arms.

The dream suddenly shifts, and I'm seeing myself in a carriage. I was sat down in that carriage, probably older than before, and I was with the same man and woman figure from before, but there were two other people there, but I could only see their figures-everything about them was dark and hazy. I looked outside. We were traveling in a city filled with rivers and boats.

Suddenly, a blinding flash covers my eyes.

I find myself, lying on the cold floor, watching people around me. There was fighting, madness everywhere. In the midst of the fighting, a figure, not recognizable, or any of the ones that I had encountered, was drawing close to me.

Orphaned, at such a tender young age...

YOU ARE MY CHILD, NOW.

Chapter Text

But the dream ends, and I wake up in bed. The ceiling was dark, save for the beam of moonlight from the window.

*haah* *haah* *haah*

Such a simple dream, but it was so intense. I felt drenched in my own sweat. And it was so much, that the bedding was soaked!

I stood up from the bed and onto the floor. All of that dream was inside of me, and I didn't know of it?

You are simply remembering. Do not refrain.

Then, why remember this now!? What are you withholding from me?

You have returned from Dusk. And you are here with the Dawn.

And that doesn't make any sense! Even this voice, now in my head, doesn't make any sense! Who are you? What are you!?

I will reveal myself to you, in time. For now, dry yourself-you'll catch a cold.

Dry with what, exactly?

*BANG* *BANG*

Light from the door. A slot on the bottom of the door opened, and a tray of food was push in. There was also a change of clothes.

*growl*

I had skipped lunch in that nightmare of a dream. This was welcomed. But not after changing my clothes.

…

Hoshidan dinner.

Colorful and inviting.

Yet it was simple.

A mound of cooked rice, a helping of raw fish, and a salad of equally strange orient-I could've sworn that there was a fruit in there. Most of the food I was given could be grabbed with one hand, though I wasn't used to the idea of not having utensils, especially for that salad.

Maybe for your safety.

No matter. I still ate well, but my mind was still on that dream. The words of Kaze had a semblance of truth-I was clearly taken to Nohr at a tender age; the woman-figure and the man-figure throughout all of that had to have been a mother and father. But why blur the faces of everyone in that dream?

bite*

"Ah!"

I bit my fingers. There was no food left. It was all filling, but not enough to feel dull. And then I realized the plate that they gave me to serve all the food on-it was a broad leaf.

Impressive. They even had the idea of a clean disposal.

It is impressive. I then took the leaf and crumpled it.

crumple* *crumple* *crumple* *crumple*

The leaf suddenly turned into a strange dust, and the stickiness on my hands from handling the food was no longer there.

Sanitary, too. Very impressive.

It is.

It would be a while before the sheets were dry enough to sleep in. The light of the moon shone through the window above. I could take the time to find out how long it takes for the sun to rise, but what else is there to do?

Would you like another dream?

Another nightmare?

No. Rest a bit. Close your eyes.

…

This place was familiar. I was back in the Northern Fortress, in the throne room.

"PRINCE! XANDER!"

Prince Xander was there with his back towards me. He stopped, turned-

*BIFF*

Ooh, I remember this one-right in the face! That's one hit. Punch him again! Two! Three! Four!

He tries to retaliate with a punch, but I distance myself before he can.

"A disgraceful hit! A cheap shot!"

Goad him. "If that's the kind of thing that you deal with everyday back at Windmire, then why should it be different here?"

His stern demeanor loosened. I guess I was right.

"Poor Prince Xander, needing a break from that life of warring between the many wives of Father, all for the sake of a 'bloodline'. He, who is weary of the world, looking for an escape. You think I have it easy here, being ostracized by Father!? You at least have a means to meeting him-I'm stuck with his hot-headed advisor, and the only comfort I get is from the inmate that you slander! I revere him as more of a father, than whatever 'father of mine' that you're boasting about!"

"How dare you slander your own blood!"

"How will I know if I am of his blood, if only his children, his advisors, and whoever isn't him visits me? Let him come here, then, if he is truly my father!"

"Damn you!" *shing*

Xander draws his sword, the Siegfried. Both hands handling the blade, he charges.

*swish* *swish* *swish* *swish*

Dodge well. Move well.

A mantra from Captain-Sergeant at the time-when fighting at a disadvantage.

*swish* *swish* *swish* *swish*

With a sword, Xander could keep me at a distance but I could still move backwards and sideways. I mustn't let myself get cornered, though.

*swish* *swish* *swish* *swish*

This throne room-

*swish* *swish*

-though spacious, had furniture.

*CHUNK*

His sword was stuck-now! Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Shove him back! Get him away from his sword!

*WHUMP*

He was stunned from all of that and he let go of his sword-attack him even more! Seven. Eight. Nine! Ten!

"AUGH!"

He was down! Keep attacking! Thirteen! Fourteen! Fifteen! Sixteen! Seventeen!

Way to go me. Xander was down on the ground. I was satisfied. I stopped. Let that be the number that evens the amount of times that he beat me, and then one more to odd up the score.

I stood up and left him there. He would be fine, but I should get one of the maids-

*zing*

*ZOOM*

Dodge-!

*BOOM*

He recovered with sword in hand, but something was up with that sword of his.

*ZOOM*

Dodge again!

BOOM*

*ZOOM* *BOOM*

*ZOOM* *BOOM*

*ZOOM* *BOOM*

*ZOOM* *BOOM*

Rays of darkness were being casted from his sword! The magic was destroying the throne room! I went to the side and pulled a sword from a suit of armor.

*ZOOM* *BOOM*

Just made it out of the blast. Sword in hand.

ZOOM* *BOOM*

Keep him in that full armor. Keep him in that full armor.

Dodge well. Move well. Look well.

The third part of that mantra. How could've I forgotten about it?

ZOOM* *BOOM*

The rays were easy to dodge, since it took time for him to use them, but I noticed that every time he used that attack, it would knock him back slightly.

*ZOOM*

There was an opening! Rush in! Dodge!

*BOOM*

Another attack! Connect!

*ZOOM* *CLANG* *BOOM*

That dark ray was shot up into the ceiling of the throne room!

*BANG* "What's going in here!?"

The doors to the throne room. We weren't the only ones in the throne room now.

*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG*

"Big Sister! Big Brother! Please stop fighting! Someone stop them!"

*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG*

Those jet-black rays stopped, and now it was time to bang steel and show what I was truly made of!

*CLANG* *CLANG*

A bit too early on that endeavor. Xander's attacks carried force. He was counting on his strength to off balance me.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

It was working! He was forcing me on the defensive!

*CLANG* *CLANG* *SHATTER*

"Augh!"

Off balance. I was left with a "dagger".

*heartbeat* *heartbeat*

Something was welling up from inside me.

Xander raised his blade, prepare to strike me down.

*heartbeat* *heartbeat*

My entire body felt like it was burning, but it was ready to receive-

*slash* *snap*

Something…oh no…

I looked at Xander as he completed his attack. His whole face went pale; his pupils shrank.

*clatter*

He dropped his sword and ran.

There was a maid. "Get the Mender! Now!"

…

It was a clean cut through Elise's healing stave…and Elise.

The mender and his attendees arrived to stabilize Elise. She will survive, but will be taken to the hospital wing of this castle.

This throne room…I don't even know what or how I'm going to even explain this to Iago or Gunter. Then, Iago's title at the Iron Half Face wasn't just a title, and Gunter was Captain.

As soon as Elise was being tended to, I ran out to find Xander. He couldn't have gone too far, though I did give up after looking all around the training ground for him-only one location that I knew he would always be, even forced me to be there when he had the chance.

Defeated, I walked back to my bedroom, only to find that the door was opened.

creak*

My room…as I left it, save for the second door in my room that goes up the topmost part of the castle.

And there he was. He was silent, as he looked up at the moon. This place was also the best area to view the stars, but that would be the next season.

"I had a feeling I would find you here."

As if-he probably had a chance to see me looking for him from here. He didn't react to my words.

"Elise is being tended to. She'll be fine."

He sighed deeply and buried his face in his hands.

"I want to be clear about something, Prince Xander. I am here in the Northern Fortress for a reason. A reason only Father can comprehend, and maybe you can after striking you back the amount of times that you've struck me, and then some more. I may not know King Garon, my father, directly, but I speak on behalf of everyone here, and everyone here is still of Nohrian origin, regardless of history. I hope you can at least understand that." I sighed deeply. "Now that I know that you're here, you can stay here as long as you like. I have to check on Elise."

I could've said much more that time, but I just left it at that.

"Princess Weiss."

I stopped and looked back. Huh. First time he's called me by my title.

"You were right. You were right about everything that you said in that throne room."

I knew it, but I kept my face.

Xander stood up and faced me. His eyes were red, but he had managed to gain his composure. "It's true. It's all true. I actually wanted a break from all that in-fighting that goes on in Windmire. I honestly thought that this place that you call home was an escape from all the high-talk. And you of all people, were not the company that I was expecting."

"I'll…take that as a compliment."

Xander kept his stern demeanor, but it was less weighty. "Will you forgive me, for everything that I've done to this place?"

I smiled. "Come on. We both need to apologize to Elise."

Xander nodded, and followed me.

*BANG* *BANG*

Huh. That's new.

*BANG* *BANG*

Oh, that's right, I'm dream-

*BANG* *BANG*

Chapter Text

*BANG* *BANG*

Wow, way to break up a dream like that.

The only door's window was opened, and it was very dark.

"Lady Weiss," voiced the face's eyes in the window, "Please stand on the opposite wall."

After looking and hearing those words, my eyes returned to the floor. Who could it be that would want to visit a supposed 'royalty of Hoshido, taken at a tender age' at this hour?

The window was shut and the doors were opened. Three figures entered my vision, darkened by the light from the door. Not even the window's light could show their faces.

"Shackle her to the wall."

The jailors went behind me, bound my arms behind my back, and chained me to the wall behind me.

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick* *clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

"Secured."

"Secured."

"Good. Have her seated, and review her room."

Both jailors had me sit down. One of them let go of me, and looked around the room. I guess they were making sure that I wasn't hiding anything from them at this point, but what was there to hide after being here for only a day?

"She has eaten everything."

"Good."

"Her bedding…it…it is wet."

"Okay." *clap clap*

A fourth figure entered the room, carrying what looked to be new bedding. In a swift motion the old bedding was in its hands, and the new bedding was where the old bedding was. Finished, the figure exits.

"Bedding replaced."

"Good. Remove her shackles-we're done here."

The jailor reviewing my room, held his knife at the ready, while the jailor over me removed my shackles.

*clackclackclackclackclackclackclack* *clackclackclackclackclackclackclack*

Everyone left the room and locked the door as they left.

I was now too tired to continue thinking, thanks to that initial jolt. I ended up laying in the new bedding. It was warm.

Just like that nightmare, that dream I had about Xander and Elise it was horribly fragmented. What I would do to relive that dream again, before and after those events, maybe have it take me away from whatever nightmare this is.

At least I wasn't sweating from that last dream. I should be fine to dream whatever you have for me.

We're done for now. Sleep.

…

Another dream. Are you lying to me, now?

*pet* *pet* *pet* *pet*

My head was in someone's lap.

"I'm a good person...I'm a good person..."

"Camilla…"

…

*knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock*

Morning already? The light from the window seems to say so.

Food from the bottom slot of the door. It was breakfast, and I had a better look at the contents-a large leaf carrying a measure of rice, another strange vegetable salad, two slices of fish and a small bowl of soup. More eating with my hands, but I noticed this time around a pair of sticks that were in front of the rice.

Go on. Grab them.

I grabbed the pair by the thicker end and managed to grab some of the vegetable-

"Ah-"

It ended up going on the ground. Maybe I should drink the soup first, and then use it as a way to get the other foods in my mouth a lot quicker.

…

"Haah…"

That was very tasty. The rice and fish were good, but the highlight was the soup and the vegetable salad. I wonder if-

*BANG* *BANG*

Window from the door opened. "Lady Weiss. You have a visitor."

Familiar with the routine, I walked to the opposite wall.

Two guards enter the room and grabbed my arms to shackle them. One of them forced me to kneel. My eyes were also to the floor and what was in front of me on the floor.

"Secured."

"Thank you. Please wait outside."

The pairs of boots that shackled me left the room, along with what was left of my food. Replacing them were a pair of boots and a pair of rope sandals; a pegasus rider and a samurai. Following behind them was a pair of wooden sandals; a shrine maiden.

Good, you seem to know well about the Hoshidans.

"Lift your head, Lady Weiss."

I slowly lifted my head. I was right-a warden, a pegasus rider, a samurai, and a shrine maiden. The pegasus rider and samurai were covered in armor and had a familiar Hoshidan insignia. The warden looked at the shrine maiden and motioned her. "Lady Sakura?"

The shrine maiden stepped forward and looked at me. The pegasus rider and the samurai had their weapons at the ready.

"A-Are you my sis…ter?"

I tilted my head in confusion.

"Ah, I made a mistake."

Why wasn't I angry at that?

The shrine maiden took a deep breath. "I-Is your n-name…Weiss?"

I nodded. "Yes. My name is Weiss."

The shrine maiden looked back at me quickly and took a step back. She was smiling. "M-Mother will be overj-joyed to see you! You're finally back home w-where you belong."

"Mother?" All my life, I knew Camilla as mother-like, but an actual mother? "What do you mean?"

"Your birth mother. Queen Mikoto."

I shook my head. "…I'm sorry, Princess. The only mother I knew of had died when I was younger. She was my mother, and the one over me now is someone that would be pained even further than the one that you're saying is my Mother."

The shrine maiden's eyes widened, then turned away right after our eyes met.

She was silent. I guess I need to do the talking. "Was that all you wanted to ask me, Princess?"

She seemed unsure as she was trying to find the words to say to me, as she was looking around for a bit.

"Well…I'd like you…to know…that I'm your younger-"

"Milady," the advisor interrupted, "you have your answer. Let us leave her and be on our way."

"But, b-but-!"

"We have no time for this. We must return."

They were ready to leave.

"So passive in your dealings." This was infuriating. "Why are you making decisions for her?"

The pegasus rider of this group stopped. "What did you say?"

"I'm not talking to you, but to the Advisor-why are you making decisions for her?"

"She is a noble that requires guidance and protection."

Typical. My answer? "She is a noble with education, a noble with status-she would be over all of you in that respect-and she took her time to come here to see me. I want to hear from her, but I can't do that without someone else making the decisions for her. Heavens, I don't even know her name, for starters."

The pegasus rider cleared his throat. "Her name is-"

Agh! "Not from you, retainer! The girl you serve! I want to know her name from her mouth."

She stood forward and looked at me. "I…am Sakura."

Stay calm in front of her. She seems scared. "Thank you, Lady Sakura. Now, what is it that you wanted to tell me?"

Sakura smiled. "I'm…your younger sister. I heard…that I had a-another older sister, so I asked to see you."

She was clearly naïve. "Lady Sakura. I do not know you, and I believe that you are mistaken-I don't remember having a family of Hoshido, let alone a royal one. From what I can tell about you, you're very courageous, brave even, to come to a person that you know only know of by word of mouth."

"But it's the truth! …I believe it, and maybe…you will…w-when you see your Mother…"

I don't want to scare her, but she's being irritating with that 'Mother' of hers. I sighed and bowed my head. "Lady Sakura: I am Weiss, Princess of Nohr, Lieutenant of the Northern Fortress, and the daughter of King Garon. All my life, I have known only of-"

*zing*

No you are not.

That familiar headache, but it was a lot stronger! Endure…

"-my family in Nohr, and no amount of convincing will cause me to-"

*ZING*

Remember yourself…Empress.

"AUGGGGGHHHHHH!"

"Milady! Stand back!"

A headache came to me, and that vision of seeing her fighting with her family, against my family. The headache was stronger than when I was dreaming, and it mentally draining me! I saw Sakura, and three others that were with her. They were all in armor, but the white and red colors were dulled with a grey tinge, as if worn from battle. They were all closing in on me, swords and whatever they had were drawn to attack and kill me!

"Who are you? What are you!?"

shatter*

"She's free! Hiyah!"

I was suddenly slashed and stabbed.

The image disappears, and I find myself back in the prison. My left shoulder and my chest felt like fire was burning! I looked down.

"Blood…blood…"

thump*

It hurts…It hurts…

"Oh no! Weiss!"

"Get the medics over here and stabilize her!" The Advisor. "She cannot die until her audience with the Queen!"

"I-I can do it." The princess.

"No, Lady Sakura. It's unwise, and she did this to herself."

"I-I am a healer. I've trained myself to h-help those that are i-injured."

"She did this to herself, milady. Let the healers take care of-"

"N-no. I will not let her-"

"Lady Sakura, it's not a bad injury-"

"Tsubaki, it is still a wound; it must be-"

"Don't do this, Lady Sakura-!"

"Hanabi-all of you-stand aside!"

Everything stopped.

"Lady Sakura?" the advisor asked.

"S-stand…aside."

My eyes were barely opened. I saw the princess's slippers, and then she kneeled down in front of me and brought her hands close to me. A faint aura emanated from her hands. That burning sensation was now reduced to a warm sun embracing me. I looked at…Lady Sakura. She looked determined to see me recovered from the wounds her retainers delivered unto me.

"Lady Sakura, that's enough-!"

"No, Hana! Don't ruin her concentration."

"Tsubaki!"

"Hanabi," the advisor snapped, "let her be."

"…Understood, Advisor Yukimura."

Seconds later, the aura from Lady Sakura's hands faded. She looked tired from just healing me. "Are you alright?"

It felt rather drafty, but I felt better. My demeanor of her lightened up. "Are you sure about doing all of that for me, Lady Sakura?"

She looked scared, but determined. "Yes. Y-Yes, I am."

I knelt up straight. I smiled a bit and placed a hand on her shoulder. "My eldest brother always said to believe in your decisions. It might not be right in the eyes of others, but if you know that it's right, do what you can to show everyone that it is. One of them will understand. One of them must."

She smiled back, with tears in her eyes. "…Thank you."

Sakura stood up and left the room.

I returned my hands back to my sides. I looked to the advisor and Lady Sakura's retainers. "Alright. Do what you need to do to keep me bound here until my time to meeting the Queen comes."

The advisor tilted his head a bit. The samurai, Hanabi-

THWACK*

…

"Out like a light."

"You're getting pretty good at that Hanabi."

"It's painful with or without the sheathe. So-Advisor-where are we moving her?"

"Another room. Make sure the seals on the shackles there are current this time."

"Yes, sir."

And Hanabi and Tsubaki would move Lady Weiss to her new room.

Meanwhile, I, Yukimura, would be taking the time to examine the strange power that emanated from Weiss, and damaged her old room. What kind of power was that?

Chapter Text

That blow to my head forced my eyes shut in pain, but it wasn't enough to put me 'out like a light', according to that samurai.

It was nice being carried out, though. Beats having to walk.

"Tsubaki, you shoulder her…I'm going to find Lady Sakura."

"Hanabi, she's not as light as you think she is. I adjure you to endure-she may not have been within our royalty for long, but she is royalty, regardless."

"…Fine, but you're putting her in, while I bare my weapon."

"Alright."

*warblewarblewarblewarblewarblewarble*

More squeaky floors, but at least my stomach wasn't filled on just those teas I was given from last time.

…

They continued carrying me, and I was given a nice tour of the rest of the prison-more walls, warbling floors, and whatever I could see through intentionally weak eyes. In fact, the new room they stopped at looked bigger, at least from how ornate the door looked like.

"Hanabi, this is the room meant for the warden."

"He passed away a few seasons ago, and you said it yourself-'royalty regardless,' so she gets to stay where royalty is better kept. It's already been fitted to hold our political prisoners." She fished the keys from her sides and opened the door.

*click*

It had a bigger window with bars in front of it, and it had a wider table and a larger bed. It was a little dusty though.

So, she at least had a heart, if at all to not disappoint Lady Sakura.

*shing*

"You know what? I'll wake her up."

"Hanabi, no-"

*shakeshakeshakeshakeshakeshakeshake*

The samurai brought a small cube to my-

"AUGH!" *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*

It burns the lungs! What in the Gods' names was that!?

"Lift her. Get her inside."

The Pegasus Knight lifted me.

*cough* *cough* *cough* *haah* *haah* *haah*

The harshness of that cube wasn't making things better as I was moved along by the pegasus rider. Meanwhile, the samurai was checking the shackles in the room.

*cough* *cough* *cough* *haah* *cough*

I was moved towards the bed and brought down slowly.

"Shackles are good. She won't be escaping any time now." The samurai drew closer to me, and grabbed my arms.

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick* *clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

Truly no chance of escape. I wonder…now was a good time. "I'd compliment that you hold that katana well-I admit that it was a clean hit."

No response from her. She was prepared to leave.

"I also know a bit about the code that you samurai are kept underneath. Tell me-how does it feel to have broken it?"

Let's goad her. Keep going.

"It's as you and your retainer said before-I am royalty, regardless, and you chose to harm me, even lethally, were it not for the one over you to save me-"

"And how would you know about a code? Your people-you Nohrian scum-can't even follow a code to save yourselves-you're barking mad."

A smirk, and a narrowed mien. "You're right-I don't follow a code, because I don't need a scroll or tablet to guide my actions in an ever-changing environment. You of course need it, because of the bounty that you experience on a daily basis-something that we 'Nohrian scum' would desperately enjoy, given the harsh weather and living conditions we encounter. Our madness is caused by what we lack. How did it feel to experience that, first hand?"

"Whatever happened in that last room-you were…possessed by something! But it clearly wasn't any kind of 'Nohrian madness' I've ever seen! Whatever kind of thing that you're wanting to pull in Hoshido, we’re going to stop it here before it-!"

"Hanabi! That's enough!"

That was all that I needed to hear from her.

The pegasus rider was finished with checking the strength of the shackles. "Lady Weiss. Forgive my companion, but I would recommend that you not try anything further to provoke her, or do anything that you discourage your chance to visit your mother."

The pegasus rider. Level-headed. "Your intentions are well in speaking on behalf of your companion and the girl you serve, but doesn't that make you more of a doormat for both of their infirmities?"

I could feel a calm anger from this one, but you could tell he was holding it in with how he was balling up his fists.

"It is a challenge to work with these two, but it's made an understanding of how perfection can even be seen within imperfections."

He's resilient. I smiled weakly. "There's some hope, then. Let me know if it gets too much."

He looked at me funny, and then shrugged.

They left the room and it was locked.

What was all of that back there, with the burnt room and the destruction?

……………………………………………………..

Nothing, huh? Am I not ready to understand that? I at least know that it was caused after I had tried to call myself Weiss, Princess of-

*zing*

"Ah-!"

That headache again. What's so wrong about calling myself Weiss, Princess of Noh-!?

*zing*

"Eugh…"

I would rather have you with an open mind. Allow your unknown history to come to light.

What? Am I some form of bomb waiting to detonate at a prescribed time?

No. In time. Remember the truth; remember yourself.

Are you going to make me collapse and go through another nightmare?

That's for you to find out. Want another dream?

No. Please.

Then get some rest. You'll need it.

At least the bed was comfortable.

Chapter Text