(The chapter opens on Corrin and Azura walking in the palace of Valla. The area is poorly-lit and difficult to navigate.)
Azura: I know that we must be getting closer to him now, but... The palace is huge, and I'm not sure how we're meant to navigate it without a map.
Corrin: We'll simply have to try the best we can. Until we find him, we're going to have to be careful.
Azura: That's true... At least the soldiers will be easy to spot when we do come across them.
Corrin: You're right on that. They're made of fire, so they're going to glow when we get closer.
Azura: In a way, I suppose it's good that this area is as dark as it is. It certainly makes things easier for us...
Corrin: Hold on... Did you hear that?
Azura: Hear what?
Corrin: It sounded like a door opening...
???: You did hear it.
(Corrin and Azura turn to see Arete standing nearby.)
Azura: N-No...
Corrin: It seems we've got another fight on our hands... Azura, what's wrong? You're so pale all of a sudden...
Arete: It's nice to see you again... Daughter.
Corrin: Woah... I don't know what to say...
Azura: You don't need to say anything... Our next action is clear as can be. If we want to free her from the control of Anankos, we're going to have to fight her.
Corrin: Are you sure that you're going to be alright with that?
Azura: I don't have much of an option in the matter, so... Yes.
Arete: You could avoid a fight by joining me... Anankos loves company, you know...
Corrin: That's not going to happen. Let's get right into this. We're not going to let this continue for any longer than it has to.
Azura: Yes... You're right. Let's go.
(The battle begins. The battlefield itself is a rather wide, open space. At the top of the map is a door that Arete is blocking. The objective is to rout the enemy and then seize the designated point that Arete is standing on top of. The enemies are of both Hoshidan and Nohrian classes, and the mixture of them is at random.)
(If Corrin initiates combat with Arete, the following dialogue plays out.)
Corrin: You're Azura's mother... That means that you're also the reincarnation of Yugare. That's what the Rainbow Sage said.
Arete: That matters no longer... Only the future with Anankos matters now...
Corrin: I know you don't mean that... There's no way that's it. Anankos has done nothing but manipulate others, and you must be his next victim.
Arete: Do not judge when you know nothing...
Corrin: Fine. I'll stop judging... Instead, I'll just do what I must in order to end this fight here and now!
(If Azura initiates combat with Arete, the following dialogue plays out.)
Azura: Mother... I never wanted it to come to this.
Arete: You should have expected it...
Azura: And I did. I feared this would happen, but I still held to the futile belief that perhaps things wouldn't end this way... Either way, I'm going to save you from what Anankos is doing.
Arete: Defeating me is not salvation in the slightest, Azura...
Azura: You don't know what you're saying... He's behind all of this. You saved me in the past, and I'm going to be the one to rescue you now. It's the least I can do.
(If Xander initiates combat with Arete, the following dialogue plays out.)
Xander: I recall the days where you were the queen of Nohr... We never got to know each other very well, but... Still, I know there were many people who cared for you. It's because of that fact that I'm going to do what I must to free you here today. Prepare yourself!
(If Camilla initiates combat with Arete, the following dialogue plays out.)
Camilla: We wouldn't be in this situation now if not for my mother... So allow me to apologize on her behalf. I know it means little given your current situation, but I need you to hear those words.
Arete: I never expected to hear such words... But if you're truly sorry, come with me... Serve Anankos...
Camilla: You've become a mindless soldier just like she did... Perhaps freeing you now will dispel my guilt after all these years. My mother might have caused you to slip into this state of death, but... I will save you from it.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Arete, the following dialogue plays out.)
Arete: You cannot hope to win... Surrender if you value your lives.
(When Arete is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.)
Arete: This... This shouldn't have come to pass... N-No...
(After the battle ends, Corrin and Azura stand near Arete.)
Azura: Mother...? Can you hear me?
Arete: Azura...? Is that you...?
Azura: It is... I'm here, Mother!
Arete: You need to hear the truth...
Azura: What...?
Arete: I should have told you before I died, but I didn't realize...
Azura: You didn't think you would die so soon... It's alright. You don't need to apologize.
Arete: Allow me to explain everything... As I should have done years ago... Azura, you are the princess of Valla... Your father was the king, and I was its queen...
Azura: ...
Arete: When Valla fell, he defended us as we escaped... You were too young to remember, but... I always meant to bring you back here... One day...
Azura: But then King Garon fell in love with you...
Arete: Yes... Still, you must be aware of who you are, Azura... I'm so very proud of you... I simply wish... It didn't have to end this way...
Azura: You don't need to feel bad at all! Mother, I understand, and... It's alright...
Arete: Azura... I love you...
Azura: I love you too, Mother...
(Arete disappears into the purple fire.)
Azura: ...
Corrin: Azura... Are you alright?
Azura: Y-Yes...
Corrin: Don't lie to me.
Azura: What?
Corrin: You've been holding everything in since we got to Valla. I know this is hard for you, and you don't have to deal with it alone. You've been telling me not to bottle things inside, but you've been doing just that yourself.
Azura: ...
Corrin: Tell me for real this time. Are you alright?
Azura: ...N-No. I'm not fine.
Corrin: And you know what?
Azura: What?
Corrin: That's okay. I'm here for you, and there are many others who feel just the same way. You don't need to deal with this alone anymore. There was never a need to confront this on your own.
Azura: I suppose you're right...
Corrin: I'm right here if you want to cry...
Azura: Corrin... Thank you...
(Corrin and Azura embrace as the latter cries. The screen fades to black, and when color returns, a while has passed.)
Corrin: How do you feel now?
Azura: Much better... Now that I've gotten that all out of my system, I feel much better.
Corrin: That's good to hear...
(Lilith appears.)
Lilith: I hope I'm not interrupting anything...
Corrin: Not at all. What is it?
Lilith: I wanted to give you this... It's what Lady Arete was using in the fight.
Corrin: It's a tome...
Lilith: Yes... It goes by the name of Ragnarok, and it's another legendary weapon. It belongs to Valla, but it was thought to be lost for many years due to the invasion.
Corrin: Wow... I suppose that Anankos was able to dig this up as well, and he decided to give it to Arete... What should we do with it?
Azura: The choice is yours.
Corrin: Wh-What? Don't you want it? Your mother was using it during the battle.
Azura: I know that, but... Still, I believe you should decide what to do with it next.
Corrin: Are you sure...?
Azura: I'm positive.
Corrin: Alright... Thank you, Azura.
Azura: You're welcome.
Lilith: The rest of the group is ready to press on. The door that Lady Arete was guarding seems to lead deeper into the castle. Anankos must be at the heart of the palace.
Corrin: Alright... Azura, are you ready to go?
Azura: I think so... I want to make Anankos pay for what he did to everyone now. It's the least I can do in memory of both my father and mother.
Corrin: You're right... Hey, I just realized... When we fought your father, he called your mother Arcadia, didn't he?
Azura: Yes... If I had to guess, I would say that she changed her name when we crossed over to live in Nohr. After all, it would be easy to recognize the name of a Vallite queen in the wake of the invasion.
Corrin: That's true... I guess all the pieces are starting to come together.
Azura: We won't learn more unless we press on further though... Are you ready to see what the future has in store for us?
Corrin: Of course. Let's go.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll be finished with this path a week from now. That's so crazy to think about to me. Wow.
-Digital