(The scene is the party's boat from Nestra. Corrin is sitting alone, staring off at the horizon in silence when Azura approaches)
Azura: How are you doing?
Corrin: I'm fine. I guess I'm just a little tired with all that's happened.
Azura: I can tell something is on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?
Corrin: Azura, I'm really okay. Don't stress it.
Azura: You don't need to hold out on me here... If you want this to stay private, I won't tell a soul. I can tell something is tearing you up though.
Corrin: Have you always been able to read people so well?
Azura: I guess you can call it a talent of mine.
Corrin: It's super effective, I can tell you that much...
Azura: So, what's on your mind?
Corrin: I can't stop thinking about all that happened in Nestra. My siblings from Nohr are on my mind too. I knew the second that I sided with Hoshido that I would have to fight against them eventually, but when it finally happened... My stomach got all twisted into knots, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hurt them.
Azura: That's understandable. You lived with them for many years.
Corrin: I know that Hoshido was the right way to go in the war. The people have suffered so much at the hands of King Garon. We saw it ourselves with what happened to Mother... But at the same time, I wish that Xander, Camilla, Leo, and Elise would listen to us.
Azura: I guess it's going to be hard for them to get over the betrayal of you leaving...
Corrin: I wasn't trying to betray them. I was trying to find the path that would lead to peace... Even if we did try to side together, the Hoshidans would take an issue with it as well. They hate each other. Hoshido's people have been dying for years because of the Faceless and King Garon. Nohr's people have been conditioned to hate them by their ruler. Getting them to work together will be a difficult feat at best.
Azura: I have faith that you can do it if anyone can. You know the Nohrians better than anyone else in our company. That means that the Hoshidans will be more likely to listen to you when you talk about them since you have more experience. Even Takumi put up less of a fight than he usually does after you talked to Elise.
Corrin: I suppose you have a point...
Azura: Elise has clearly placed her trust in you as well. She believes in you. Maybe she can persuade her siblings to follow after her when she tries to side with you. With the way she was speaking, it sounded as if that was inevitable.
Corrin: I hope you're right... I love them all so much. Even if they aren't my birth family, the Nohrians did so much for me while I was there. As for the Hoshidans here, I know how devoted they are to their family. They accepted me after so many years of being apart, and... It means the world to me. I don't want to see them hurt, or worse, killed, because of this war. All of them deserve better than a cruel fate like that.
Azura: I can't help but agree... King Garon is to blame here, not the four other siblings...
Corrin: Okay, now it seems like there's something on your mind. What's up?
Azura: I... It's been a while since I've seen Xander and Camilla.
Corrin: That's right... You said that you were once a princess of Nohr. Did you know them?
Azura: I was closer with Camilla than I was with Xander. My mother was the previous queen of Nohr and King Garon's second wife.
Corrin: I had no idea... I only ever heard of Queen Katarina, Xander's mother. Even then, I didn't hear much about her. Nobody seemed to like bringing her up.
Azura: I arrived in Nohr alongside my mother after Queen Katarina had died of illness. King Garon fell in love with her nearly immediately. She had a beautiful singing voice... I knew that much for sure. I don't think she really loved him though.
Corrin: Does that mean Camilla is your full-blooded sibling?
Azura: No, not at all... It's a long story, but Camilla and I were incredibly close as children. She's changed considerably since those days, not that I can blame her. She's been through a lot.
Corrin: Then... What happened to you? You're clearly in Hoshido now...
Azura: My mother passed away when I was ten. Everyone suspected a suicide... The royal courts of Nohr were dangerous for children. I nearly died countless times. Camilla had me run away to a villa near the border of Nohr. That was when I was taken in by a Hoshidan mercenary and taken to the palace.
Corrin: It sounds like you left a lot behind...
Azura: No... Not exactly. I was close with Camilla, but Xander was often busy as the crown prince. Camilla just wanted the best for me. As much as I missed them... I wasn't afraid to leave my room in Hoshido. I was happy there. I could live free of panic.
Corrin: I get the feeling you still wish you could reconnect with them now.
Azura: A little bit, yes... Maybe we'll have the chance to reunite on calmer terms one day.
(Corrin stares silently out into the horizon. The screen fades to black before showing the boat in front of a large mountain. Figures lined in purple flames are climbing up the trail on the side of the cliff)
Corrin: Those are the soldiers who were with Takumi when we found him!
Azura: That can't be good...
Corrin: We have to go help!
Azura: Are you sure that's a good idea? We're already behind on getting to Cheve, and we have no idea what's going on...
Corrin: If there are innocent people to save, we have to help them. I'm going to get the others!
Azura: Alright. I'll see you soon.
(The scene changes to show Corrin's army outside a building. They are currently outside the Rainbow Sage's temple atop the mountainous region of Notre Sagesse)
Sakura: I think we're in Notre Sagesse...
Corrin: Notre Sagesse?
Hinoka: It's a small independent nation built into this mountain. It's isolated from most of the world, surrounded by ruins of a fallen kingdom. Legend says that it is led by one of the greatest sages to ever live.
Takumi: If that's true, he should be able to hold off this faction of soldiers without our help...
Azura: Notre Sagesse, much like Nestra, is known for its neutrality. Since it avoids war by isolation, there aren't many fighters in the nation.
Corrin: Then we're just going to have to fight our way through these soldiers' ranks and save whoever we can!
(The battle begins. Nyx appears as a green unit near the starting area. She cannot be recruited and will stay green this entire chapter. Note: Corrin and Azura both promote at the end of this chapter (since Azura can promote in this version), so any tier one leveling should be finished at this chapter's end)
Nyx: Hmph... It appears a fight is taking place... I should get out of here.
(Corrin talks to Nyx)
Corrin: What are you doing here? A child really shouldn't be here alone...
Nyx: I am no child. I do not need your protection.
Corrin: But—
Nyx: Appearances can be deceiving. I wish only to see the Rainbow Sage before going on my way.
Corrin: Maybe we can help each other out. These soldiers are tough. You could get into a lot of trouble.
Nyx: I told you, I don't need your help!
Corrin: I won't accept you charging into danger on your own. Please?
Nyx: Fine... If only to get you to stop bothering me...
(If Nyx dies as NPC)
Nyx: I cannot die here... I'll retreat for now. I can't die without getting the answers I seek.
(The battle ends)
Corrin: That's the last of them...
Azura: I didn't expect there to be so many... I hope there weren't any fatalities...
Corrin: I wonder where that girl went off to. She was here just a moment ago.
Takumi: Girl? Do you mean that dark mage that was fighting with us?
Corrin: Yeah, her. I never caught her name.
Sakura: I wonder if we would be able to see the powerful sage ruling this land... I'm a bit worried after that attack...
Hinoka: Let's go and see about that then.
(The royals all walk to a nearby room where the Rainbow Sage and Nyx are)
Nyx: Yes, I understand...
Rainbow Sage: I'm sorry I couldn't provide you more of an answer regarding that.
Nyx: It's fine...
(Nyx leaves)
Corrin: Hey, are you oka—
Rainbow Sage: Leave her be. She needs some time to herself at the moment.
Corrin: Ah! Hello!
Hinoka: You must be the wise sage ruling over Notre Sagesse.
Rainbow Sage: I don't know if I would say I rule this land. I merely protect its few inhabitants from war.
Sakura: I-It's nice to meet you...
Rainbow Sage: You all are from Hoshido, the land of dawn...
Corrin: That we are.
Rainbow Sage: Hm... Your name is Corrin, is it not?
Corrin: How did you know?
Rainbow Sage: I have powers beyond your imagination, young noble. Ah, and you must be Azura.
Azura: If you don't mind my asking, what is your name?
Rainbow Sage: I had a name once, many centuries ago, but it has since left me. Now, I go only by the title of the Rainbow Sage.
Corrin: Are your people alright? We saw the invasion and had to make sure you all got out alive...
Rainbow Sage: We are all fine thanks to you and your army. If you don't mind my asking, could I see you and Azura for a moment?
Corrin: I think that would be okay. Azura?
Azura: It sounds good to me.
Sakura: We'll be waiting outside for you. We're going to try and load up the boat so we can take off again soon.
Takumi: Stay out of trouble, will you?
Corrin: It'll be fine. I'll see you all later.
(Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura leave)
Azura: What did you want from us?
Rainbow Sage: Come. We're going to the top of Notre Sagesse.
Corrin: Do you mean the top of the temple?
Rainbow Sage: I do. There's something I would like to give both of you.
Azura: What is it?
Rainbow Sage: You will see soon enough. While we're heading up there, tell me, what do you intend to do in this war?
Corrin: Well... We want to create peace. The path to peace is a difficult one, but we want to save both Nohr and Hoshido from the fighting. No more lives need to be lost to this unnecessary bloodshed.
Azura: King Garon is no longer what he once was. We want to dethrone him while still keeping the people of Nohr from dying.
Rainbow Sage: A noble pursuit indeed... Tell me, have you ever heard of the land of Valla?
Corrin: I heard a little bit about it earlier on our journey, but I never asked for details.
Azura: It was the land acting as the mediator between Nohr and Hoshido for many years. When the war was nothing more than limited tension, Valla tried to settle the dispute... However, in strange and unpredictable circumstances roughly twenty years ago, the kingdom crumbled, all of its people dying in an invasion force. With no living witnesses and nobody owning up to it, it has remained a mystery who felled the once-great kingdom.
Rainbow Sage: I see you have kept up to date on your history... After Valla fell, I went into the land for a few days to survey the damage. I found a few divine weapons hiding among the rubble.
Corrin: I thought that only Nohrian and Hoshidan royals had divine weapons.
Rainbow Sage: Not really... There are fifteen weapons in total. Hoshido's nobles were given the sword Raijinto, the bows Fujin Yumi and Warrior Princess, the staff Sanata, and the lance Adriashe. Adriashe has been missing for many years, and even now, I know not its location.
Azura: That aligns with what weapons the other Hoshidans have.
Rainbow Sage: Nohr was gifted the sword Siegfried, the axe Sukeyu, two tomes by the names Brynhildr and Moonlight, and the knife Spectre. Spectre was given as a gift to the duke of Nestra many years ago, but these days... It is not in Nestra where it was meant to be now however. I sense something dark has happened to it... The truth should come to you soon. It seems to be a lot closer than you realize.
Corrin: I had heard of all those divine weapons aside from Spectre.
Azura: What do you mean? 'The truth should come to you soon'...
Rainbow Sage: I have always had powers of foresight. They were gifted to me by the gods themselves in the days when Akiri and Yugare still walked this earth. They said I was to try and save this land's people using this farsight should the need ever arise.
Corrin: If you don't mind my asking... Why are you not fighting in this battle if that's the case?
Rainbow Sage: My magical abilities are not what they once were. Living for so many years drains your energy. I would only be a liability if I were to join the fray now.
Azura: We can handle it ourselves. The battle is in good hands.
Rainbow Sage: Getting back on track, there were divine weapons gifted by the dragon Anankos to the royals of Valla. He gave them the sword Yato, the spear Safaia, the dragonstone Asazhi, the tome Ragnarok, and the staff Miranew.
Corrin: I'd assume they were all lost in the invasion, yes?
Rainbow Sage: Ragnarok, Miranew, and Asazhi have been misplaced. However, while I was visiting Valla, I was able to find Yato and Safaia. For many years, I pondered what to do with them, and now, I believe they belong in your hands.
Corrin: I don't know... We couldn't possibly accept such generous gifts.
Rainbow Sage: I insist on it. To stop the war, you will need all the help you can get. These blades will serve you well. I beg of you to accept.
Azura: Alright. We'll take them.
Rainbow Sage: Good... I bestow upon you, Azura, the spear Safaia. May it bring you success in your journey.
(Azura promotes to a Diva here. The class is similar to her base class of Songstress and is the same as what can be found in Fire Emblem Warriors)
Rainbow Sage: And now, for Corrin, the Yato sword.
(Corrin promotes into a Hoshido Noble here)
Azura: I... I thank you for this. We will stop the fighting in your honor with the power you have given us.
Rainbow Sage: I have faith that the war is in good hands.
Corrin: Thank you so much. We won't let you down.
Rainbow Sage: I'm glad to hear it. Now, you had best return to your party. The next stop of your journey awaits.
Corrin: Thank you again. The war won't last for much longer.
Rainbow Sage: I know it won't.
(The scene changes to Azura and Corrin on the boat with Hinoka, Takumi, Sakura, and Kaze)
Corrin: Alright, we're back!
Takumi: You look different.
Corrin: The Rainbow Sage gave us a boost in power along with some legendary weapons to help stop the war.
Hinoka: That's incredible...
Azura: Let's pull up the anchor and get going. Ryoma is waiting for us in Cheve.
Kaze: Do you promise to tell us the full story after we start moving?
Sakura: I-I want to hear too!
Corrin: Of course, but for now, let's set out!
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World building, plot promotions, and a Nyx cameo? You bet!
This chapter was also a lot of fun to write much like the last one. I was pretty excited to throw in some personality for Corrin since they sort of lack that in the original Fates. Throwing in exposition about the legendary weapons and Azura's past with Camilla was pretty fun too.
As for Azura's past with Camilla and Xander, that will be getting more content, but not really in the base story. You see, I'm going to be making a separate story at some point solely for extra content like supports and bonus conversations not seen in the main story. That's where we learn a lot more about Camilla and Xander's relations to Azura.
Anyways, that's about it from me. I hope you enjoyed!
-Digital