(Corrin and Elise stand outside the door of the throne room in Castle Krakenburg. Corrin makes to go and knock, but the door is opened before they get the chance. Xander walks out)
Corrin: Ah! Xander! Is Father in there? I was hoping he'd be able to forgive me for what happened before...
Xander: As a matter of fact, yes. He just finished his strategy meeting with Iago. He requested that I come and find you, actually. Go inside and see what he needs. It would be best to avoid keeping him waiting.
Corrin: Alright... Elise, I'm not going to make you come with me. I don't want him getting angry with you for defending me.
Elise: But I want to make sure that you're okay!
Corrin: If you're so insistent on coming... Alright. Just know that you can leave if things get too intense.
Xander: I wish to come along as well. Maybe he'll be merciful with your punishment for disobeying him.
(The three enter the throne room of Nohr, where Garon is sitting atop the throne)
Corrin: Father, I am here to--
Garon: Silence! I know why you have come. I have decided that I will grant you some leeway since you are my child. I have something in mind. If you can complete this task successfully, I will pardon your crime in full.
Corrin: What sort of mission?
Garon: There is an abandoned fortress on the border between Hoshido and Nohr. I wish to know if it is still serviceable. You are to go there and inspect the premises. No battle is required. I won't tolerate a second disappointment. Do you understand?
Corrin: Yes, Father. It shall be done.
(Shortly after, Corrin is preparing for the mission. Garon has left. The Nohrian siblings are crowded around Corrin)
Camilla: Are you sure you're going to be okay out there? I don't like this...
Corrin: Of course. Don't worry. It's just an abandoned fort.
Leo: You're acting rather casual about all this. It isn't like Father to be so forgiving.
Elise: That's enough, Leo! Don't be so worried all the time. And don't try to scare them before their first mission!
Camilla: I suppose I'll just have to come along. That way I know Corrin will be safe.
Iago: I'm afraid that's not possible.
(Iago and Garon enter)
Camilla: Why not, Iago?
Iago: King Garon intends this expedition as a test of sorts. As his top advisor, I was entrusted with coordinating this mission. He would like to know whether your sibling is worthy... They are part of the royal lineage. Your assistance would simply muddle the results.
Corrin: Understood. Camilla, I need to do this all by myself. Surely you understand.
Garon: Not all by yourself, Avatar.
Corrin: Father!
Garon: Rest assured, I don't intend to send you out there completely defenseless.
(Hans enters)
Hans: Milord.
(If Corrin is male)
Garon: This is Hans. He is a veteran warrior who will ensure no trouble befalls you. He will be going with you, Gunter, and Felicia.
(If Corrin is female)
Garon: This is Hans. He is a veteran warrior who will ensure no trouble befalls you. He will be going with you, Gunter, and Jakob.
(Both options converge here)
Corrin: Thank you, Father
(Xander approaches Corrin)
Xander: Be careful, Corrin. Be wary of that man.
Corrin: What do you mean?
Garon: Corrin! Your departure time has come!
Xander: Just be careful. Stay on your toes.
Corrin: I will, Xander. Promise.
(The scene shifts to the Bottomless Canyon between Hoshido and Nohr. There is no kingdom at the bottom of it, because that would be ridiculous)
Corrin: Is this it? The Bottomless Canyon?
Gunter: Yes. It's the natural boundary between Hoshido and Nohr. The fort that King Garon wants surveyed is over there.
Corrin: It's not so bad. The fresh air feels great. It's spectacular compared to the stuffy air of the Northern Fortress.
(The Hoshidan army appears, Saizo leading them)
Gunter: The fort isn't as abandoned as we thought. Why in Yugare's name is this place crawling with Hoshidans?
Saizo: Turn back at once, or we'll be forced to attack!
(If Corrin is male)
Felicia: What should we do?
(If Corrin is female)
Jakob: What should we do?
(Both options converge here)
Corrin: We're not here to fight. Let's turn back and report to Father.
Gunter: Wise decision.
Hans: Who asked you?
Gunter: What?
(Hans kills an enemy samurai)
Hans: Die, Hoshidan scumbags!
Saizo: You'll pay for this!
Corrin: Hans, what are you doing?! We had no reason to engage these troops! We should have tried diplomacy first! We weren't sent here to fight!
Hans: Speak for yourself.
Corrin: What's that supposed to mean?
Saizo: Do not leave a single Nohrian alive!
Gunter: There's no getting out of this now. Get ready to fight!
(Start of first player phase)
Gunter: There are two types of battle formations. You'll need to learn them both fast. You can take a defensive position by moving with an ally. Your ally will give you support but won't be able to attack. If you want to attack more, stay side by side. Allies may attack simultaneously. I'd tell you more, but you're about to receive some practical experience...
(Start of second player phase)
Gunter: I'm afraid the enemy's position across that bridge may be impenetrable. We've got to find another way across. See if you can find a Dragon Vein around here!
(Dragon Vein is used)
Saizo: I've seen Lord Ryoma use a similar power to that... Who are the people we're fighting?
(Enemy reinforcements appear. If Corrin is male)
Felicia: Look! More troops are arriving from the south!
(If Corrin is female)
Jakob: It appears they called for backup.
(Both options converge here)
Gunter: More enemy reinforcements. Take caution.
(Hans engages in combat)
Hans: You all will die today!
(Hans is defeated)
Hans: I've one enough damage for the time being. Time to lay low and see how this plays out...
(Saizo is engaged)
Saizo: You must realize what you've done here today. Hoshido won't stand for this. Revenge will be ours!
(Saizo is defeated)
Saizo: Damn you all! This isn't over...
(The battle ends)
Corrin: This isn't what I had in mind... At least I've completed Father's mission.
Saizo: You're the leader of these troops? You're nothing more than a child.
Corrin: Who are you?
Saizo: That is unimportant. Your life ends here.
(Xander appears)
Xander: I won't allow it!
Saizo: This must be their real commander...
Xander: What's going on here?
(Camilla, Leo, and Elise appear)
Camilla: Are you alright? I was so worried about you.
Leo: It appears we arrived just in time.
Elise: We're all here for you!
(Kagero appears)
Kagero: Saizo! What's our status?
Saizo: I misjudged the situation. We're outnumbered. Do we have anyone on the way.
Kagero: Affirmative. Lord Ryoma is right behind me.
Saizo: Then I think this battle is as good as won.
Xander: More Hoshidan reinforcements are on the way. The fort's condition has been evaluated, and Corrin is safe. There's no reason to engage Hoshido further. It's time for us to retreat.
Corrin: Thank you, Xander.
(Xander, Camilla, Leo, Elise, and Felicia/Jakob leave first. Hans cuts off Corrin and Gunter when they try to take up the rear)
Hans: I still haven't accomplished my mission, but not to worry. It'll all be over soon.
(Hans swipes axe and knocks Gunter to the ground. Blood begins to pool around Gunter. He appears to be dead)
Corrin: Why are you doing this?!
(Corrin's arm transforms, giving the appearance of a dragon)
Corrin: You'll pay for this!
Hans: What kind of freak are you?!
(Corrin attacks Hans)
Corrin: I want answers! Why are you doing this?! Why did you provoke the Hoshidans?! Why did you kill Gunter?! Answer me!
Hans: I was just following orders. King Garon's orders.
Corrin: You lie!
(Hans runs away)
Corrin: Come back here!
(Corrin goes to chase after Hans. In a panic, he throws his axe backwards at Corrin, striking them. Corrin collapses in pain)
Corrin: Ack!
(Liltih appears and runs to Corrin's side)
Lilith: Dragons grant me strength!
(Lilith uses a healing staff on Corrin)
Corrin: Lilith? Is that you?
Lilith: Are you alright?!
Corrin: I-I think so..
Lilith: First Dragons, I call on you. Grant us access to the astral plane!
(A gateway opens and Lilith enters it. The scene changes to the astral plane, and Lilith has changed form)
Corrin: What just happened? Where are we? And why are you a dragon?!
Lilith: This is a world parallel to Pheuyura where Nohr and Hoshido are found. This is the astral plane. It is constructed from magic left behind when the First Dragons passed on. And... I know this may come as a shock, but I am not entirely human... The full story is lengthy, and I don't have time to get into it now. Hold still.
(Lilith and Corrin are surrounded by light as Lilith continues to heal Corrin's wound)
Corrin: How were you able to get us here?
Lilith: The First Dragons have granted us the power to inhabit this dimension. We are safe here under their protection. Oh! Allow me to prepare a place for you to rest. You must be exhausted after taking that hit.
(A treehouse appears nearby)
Corrin: Did you just use a Dragon Vein?
Lilith: Yes. The power of the First Dragons flows freely here since it is made purely from their power. You can change the land in nearly any way you like.
Corrin: I have so much to learn... Is there anyone else here?
Lilith: No, we are alone. Other astral dragons haven't been around in years. Ever since the passing of the First Dragons, the race has been dying out without their energy to sustain us. I'm not even a full-blooded astral dragon, but I am the last that remains due to the test of time.
Corrin: I didn't mean to invoke any bad memories...
Lilith: It's alright. I didn't know them anyways... But that is a story for another day.
Corrin: I'll ask you that later on... For now, I want to know why you were there at all. I thought you were supposed to be back at the palace tending to the horses. Why did you come all the way to the canyon?
Lilith: I overheard your siblings talking. Lord Xander arrested him at one point. While King Garon was claiming that he had been rehabilitated, your brother was still worried. He brought along the rest of your siblings to make sure you were alright. I couldn't help being worried about you as well, so I followed them. I tried to keep quiet and watch from the sidelines so I wouldn't get into unnecessary trouble. Of course, that all was tossed to the side when Hans attacked you... I had to help you, even if it caused trouble for me.
Corrin: That was so selfless of you... Thank you, Lilith.
Lilith: Now, you should get some rest. We can talk more in the morning.
Corrin: Alright. Thanks again, Lilith. I'll see you tomorrow.
(The next day)
Lilith: How are you feeling, Corrin? I know this is a lot to take in.
Corrin: I feel much better now. I ave so many new questions about this world. I couldn't stop thinking about it before I went to sleep...
Lilith: I'll answer them all in good time. For now, some business remains in the other world.
Corrin: You're right. I can't relax until I know everyone made it safely home.
Lilith: I'm afraid I won't be able to come with you. Since I'm not a full-blooded astral dragon, I can shift between this form and my human form, but I haven't gotten the hang of it yet. Until I figure it out, you'll have to return home in your own.
Corrin: You take as long as you need. I'll be fine.
Lilith: Oh, and one more thing. When I open the gate, you'll return to the same location where we came through to here. You'll be right on the Hoshidan border. Be prepared for an ambush.
Corrin: I understand. I'll be ready.
Lilith: Very well. Until we meet again, Corrin... May the gods be on your side.
Corrin: As to you, Lilith.
(Back in the real world)
Corrin: I'm back... But where is everyone?
???: You're mine, Nohrian scum!
Corrin: Huh?!
(The screen goes dark as Corrin is knocked unconscious)
-----------------------------------------------------
Aha. An update.
I typed this one instead of doing my homework. I swear I'll get it done.
Also, you probably noticed the added world building in this chapter. A few details have changed from the game. They'll be thrown in during Hidden Truths when we get to that one day in the far off future. For now, things are going to be mystic and mysterious. Ooooooooo.
Until next time, I hope you enjoyed!
-Digital