#{ Fateful Royal with a Silent Bloodline - Corrin }

[pupmusebox]

Tag dump 3/?

out of yips musebox musings { Yappy Pupper Note - Pup's PSA } { Neat Tunes and Beats - Music } { Crafted From Artful Paws - Kou's Art } { Man Made Weapon to Fight Against Dragons - Yuma Kisaragi } { Dual Blade Wielding Samurai and Leader of Unit 13 - Yamato } { Card Holder and Quick Witted Summoner - Mishiru } { Sly Hacker and Expert Marksman of Agent - Jet } { Dutiful Butler and Medical Skilled Martial Artist - Sakaki } { Arcane Swordsman and Mystic Knight - Yuujin } { Foreteller and Reaper of the Battlefield - Nabaru } { Destructive Force and Heavy Armored Warrior - Bastian } { Magically Attuned and Powerful Spellcaster - Rentsu } { Disciplined Master of the Blade and Samurai - Kirino } { Raven King and Wings Dancing in the Darkness - Naesala } { Hawk King and Lord of the Air - Tibarn } { Black Wolf of the Sands - Volug } { Silent Master of Winds - Soren } { Hero of the Blue Flames - Ike } { Jet-Black General - Zelgius } { Exalt's Deliverer and Trusted Tactician - Robin } { Fateful Royal with a Silent Bloodline - Corrin } { Professor and Fódlan's Star - Byleth } { Heron and White Prince - Reyson } { Friend of Nations - Ranulf } { Trusted Pals and Partners - Pokemon }

[emblemxeno]

JP vs. Localization in Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation

(Okay, for real this time lol)

Again, here’s a link to my sources post.

Fortunately, this route follows suit in terms of good localization quality after Conquest. It’s the shortest out of all the posts, since I don’t really have a lot to talk about. Mostly subtle line changes, references and a few key points of information that were cut out. I also went through Hidden Truths and Heirs of Fate to see if I could add stuff from those on here, but there were no big problems that I found.

Once again, the main part of this post will all be put under the cut. If a chapter isn’t covered, it means I didn’t think there were any differences worth talking about.

I’ll use localized names for characters and locations, unless I feel the need to do otherwise.

I’ll be using she/her when referring to Corrin in this post. (I flipped a coin to decide the gender lol)

Also, note that after Chapter 14, the translation of this route on Fateswartable ends, so I mostly relied on the English patch done by Serenes at that point forward. (I also used PegasusKnight.com as a reference to fall back on if I needed it)

Chapter 7

-A minor gripe I have with localization. The JP version compares Touma (Valla) to hell constantly. To jump ahead a bit, I believe in the JP versions of the End of All Sky/Land/Below tracks are even called The End of All Roads Heaven/Earth/Hell. The Vallites are also often called demons in the JP version, and Anankos himself is known as the ‘Invisible Demon Dragon’.

Another cool thing I just thought of too, is a connection to a popular Japanese short story. Zelda fans might be familiar with the story, “The Spider’s Thread”, which inspired the Ancient Cistern dungeon in Skyward Sword.

The beginning of the story has Buddha walking through paradise (heaven), before coming across a pond. The pond is filled with crystal clear water, and covered with water lilies/lotuses. As Buddha gazes further into the pond, he begins to see the depths of hell.

Sound familiar? “Azura is walking through Hoshido, before coming across a lake. The lake is filled with crystal clear water, and when she gazes into the lake she sees the fallen kingdom of her birth. Valla, the kingdom associated with water lilies/lotuses in the game, has been turned into hell itself.”

This association loses its meaning a bit when the comparisons to hell are a bit toned down, as well as when the Buddhist inspirations were kind of supplanted in favor of Greek renames. It’s not supremely important to the plot as a whole, but it’s something interesting I wanted to bring up.

-In the JP version, while explaining what happened in Valla, Azura eventually says “Using the art of manipulating people’s souls, he (Hydra/Anankos) made the people kill each other.” This bit of the people killing each other was cut in localization.

Chapter 12

-In the JP version, when Corrin asks Flora if she knows anything about dragons, Flora says “Sorry, I don’t know…The ancestral dragon of the Ice Clan has already perished and isn’t part of the legend. I don’t know what role it plays, sorry…” Localization makes her response “I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything... They've been gone so long that we don't even have tales of dragons in the Ice Tribe. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance...”

So, the JP version explicitly says the Ice Dragon is dead (I believe Fates’ second artbook mentioned this as well), whereas the localization only says the First Dragons have been gone for a long time.

Chapter 16

-There’s not really much of a problem that I have with what Ryoma says about Corrin “having leadership qualities at a young age” but I wanted to do comparisons regardless cuz the word choice might lead one to different conclusions. In localization, Ryoma says this:

Ryoma: Huh... So she told us the same thing... I don't think it's in Corrin's nature to lie. And there's a leadership quality about her that just attracts followers. I remember being jealous of her as a child, in fact. Even at such a young age, she displayed the characteristics of a ruler. Silly to be jealous of her, right?

In the JP version, Ryoma says this:

Ryoma: Oh... So, she told you the same thing. …Corrin isn’t one to tell lies. She’s been like that since childhood. She’s always genuine and honest... She has this mysterious appeal that draws people to her. Seeing my younger sister with the qualities of being a ruler... Honestly, it makes me feel envious. …What a ridiculous thing to say, right?

Again, I don’t necessarily have a problem with how it was localized, but some might. The localization version might have people think that Corrin somehow was a fantastic leader at such a young age, but JP is more clear that it was about the qualities she had at a young age that would be valuable as a leader.

Chapter 19

-A minor gripe. In the localization, Azura says that Anankos uses his magic to send Vallites to Nohr and Hoshido to stir up conflict. In the JP version, she says he uses magic, along with the help of a body of water. That’s why whenever you fight Vallites outside of Valla proper, there’s a body of water nearby; Hoshido’s lake (and the ponds shown in Hinoka’s CQ battle which are in the capital) for Chapter 5, the sea for BR chapter 11, the burning falls for BR chapter 21, and the city for Rev chapter 13. Similarly, the consequences of being a victim to the curse are described as “turning into sea foam” in the JP version. Localization as a whole kind of toned down how much water has an influence on the story.

Chapter 23

-Probably the pettiest gripe I have lol. As Arete is fading away from Azura’s arms, Azura has a different reaction in localization and Japanese. In localization, Azura says “Mother? Mother!” while a voice clip of her in-battle pain cries plays. In the JP, she says  “*Sob... Sob*…! Mother... Mother...!”, while a voice clip of her crying plays. Her crying voice clip I don’t recall hearing anywhere else.

This is one of the few times in the you get to see Azura express a heavy and heartfelt emotion, since her rough childhood caused her to remain guarded and stoic around everyone. The equivalents to this scene in other routes is her death scene in Birthright, and her crying with Corrin over Ryoma’s death in Conquest; a normally unflinching and aloof character breaking down is a rarity, and indicates that the cause of it is something to take note of for the character as a whole. Localization softened this aspect, and I take issue with it, despite it probably seeming trivial to most other people.

Chapter 24

-When Corrin is questioning the phantom Mikoto, an exchange happens. In localization, part of it goes like this:

Corrin: But this can't be... Are you truly my mother?

Mikoto: I am. Even as a puppet of Anankos, my spirit at least remains my own.

Corrin: I... I believe you.

In the JP version, it goes like this:

Corrin: It can’t be... …Are you really my mother?

Mikoto: Yes... I became an Invisible servant, controlled by the Invisible King... Even so, I am your mother.

Corrin:  …………

Again, a minor thing that I don’t personally have issue with, but replacing Corrin’s silence with an admittance of belief could make some believe she has “reverted” back to being too naïve.

Chapter 26

-While Gunter is relaying his past, an exchange happens. In localization, it goes like this:

Gunter: I ask myself that, every day. I cannot understand the minds of royals. To you all, we commoners are little more than pawns in your schemes... Or weeds to be killed on a whim.

Corrin: That's not true...

Xander: Is that how people view the royalty?

Ryoma: Such an impression would easily breed powerful resentment...

In the JP version, Corrin, Xander and Ryoma don’t say anything. They just remain silent.

Endgame

-Not a major problem so much as a general thing about the game, but I can think of like... at least three memes that Treehouse inserted into the localization. Now I like memes, but there is no better way to date your media nowadays. One of them was Kana’s “That’s dragon for I love you” which tbh, is kind of cute and isn’t the most well known meme so I guess I can let it slide. Another is Felicia saying “I had one job!” when she messes up in the dining hall, which isn’t that big of a deal since the dining hall is very optional.

The last one I can think of is why I put this specific grievance here, and it’s during Corrin’s speech before facing Anankos.

Corrin: We won't back down! This is my... This is our destiny! Ready your weapons! Fight for your friends! With the Seal of Flames... With the Fire Emblem on our side! We fight for our world!!

Yeah, she says “Fight for your friends” which is everyone’s favorite Ike line from Brawl. Now, this isn’t even a totally inaccurate translation either, but it kind of just... makes the moment funny for the player when it’s supposed to be commanding and serious I guess.

But yeah, not the most important issue by far, but something I’d thought to mention. Hell, it’s not even that bad compared to how they made Peri’s, Effie’s and Hisame’s quirks into exaggerated and tired jokes. And the Beruka-Saizo support. Never forget.

-When Azura and Corrin are by the lake and discuss the latter’s plans to rule, Corrin says this in localization:

Corrin: I'm going to make Valla a wonderful place! In honor of the true last king and for Queen Arete. And everyone who fought... I promise to make them all proud.

In the JP version, she says this:

Corrin: I’ll make the Invisible Kingdom (Valla) into a great land. For the previous monarch, Queen Shenmei (Arete)… And for all of my allies who fought beside me. I promise.

So, JP version only mentions Arete as the reigning monarch of Valla. Which makes sense, cuz unless there was some wild “keeping the bloodline pure” shenanigans in Valla, Arete being the Queen keeps in line with what we know about the rest of Valla’s history. Arete was royalty from birth, as was her sister Mikoto. Arete is the one who passed down Lost in Thoughts and the pendant to Azura.  

[wardencommanderrodimiss]

The best thing about all of FE Fates’ stupid shenanigans with the Hidden Truths DLC is that it allows for the optional creation of the stupidest family tree in existence.

Consider:

Marth is the ancestor of Ylisse’s Exalted bloodline which after a few thousand years produces Emmeryn, Chrom, and Lissa.

Lissa may marry Robin, and have two children with him, Morgan and Owain.

Robin is born of the Grimleal and is called Fellblood for his ability to serve as a vessel for the Fell Dragon Grima.

Owain thus carries with him both the blood and brand of the Exalted line, and Robin’s Fellblood.

Owain is then yoinked into another dimension where he may meet and marry Corrin and have two children with her, Ophelia and Kana.

Corrin is the half-dragon daughter of Vallite royalty and the Silent Dragon Anankos (who gives her the ability to turn into a dragon).

Ophelia and Kana are born of Ylisse’s Exalted line, the Grimleal’s Fellblood, the Vallite royal line, and the Silent Dragon (who gives them the ability to turn into dragons).

Ophelia and Kana are thus related to:

Marth, Hero-King of Archanea, their distant ancestor on their father’s side

Validar, Grimleal leader and King of Plegia, their paternal great-grandfather

Emmeryn, former Exalt of Ylisse, their paternal great-aunt

Chrom, Exalt of Ylisse, their paternal great-uncle

Lissa, Princess of Ylisse, their paternal grandmother

Robin, the Shepherds’ tactician, their paternal grandfather

Arete, Queen of Valla and Queen of Nohr, their maternal great-aunt

Mikoto, Princess of Valla and Queen of Hoshido, their maternal grandmother

Anankos, the Silent Dragon, their maternal grandfather

Sumeragi, King of Hoshido, their maternal step-grandfather

Garon, King of Nohr, their maternal grandfather

Morgan, royalty of Ylisse, their paternal aunt

Lucina, Princess of Ylisse, their paternal first cousin once-removed

Xander, King of Nohr, their maternal uncle

Camilla, Leo, Elise, royalty of Nohr, their maternal aunts and uncle

Siegbert and Forrest, royalty of Nohr, their maternal first cousins

Ryoma, King of Hoshido, their maternal uncle

Hinoka, Takumi, Sakura, royalty of Hoshido, their maternal aunts and uncle

Kiragi and Shiro, royalty of Hoshido, their maternal first cousins

Lilith, the astral dragon, their maternal aunt

Azura, Princess of Valla, their maternal first cousin once-removed

Shigure, royalty of Valla, their maternal second cousin

Owain/Odin, royalty of Ylisse, their father

Corrin, Queen of Valla, their mother

And! That is only taking into account the direct line of the Lissa/Robin and Owain/Corrin marriages! This family tree could expand for a while depending on the marriages of Corrin’s siblings, Lucina, Morgan, Azura, and Chrom. Hell, if Chrom married Olivia, then Inigo/Laslow gets looped in here as Owain/Odin’s cousin, and then if he were to marry Azura, Camilla, or Elise, then he also gets to be related from Corrin’s side of the family. That sounds weird as hell but there’s nothing actually wrong with it unlike many other things that Fates does.

Or for a simpler option for Owain’s cousin Inigo, “Laslow” marries “Selena”, which ties in Cordelia and whoever she married. The possibilities are almost endless! That’s why I used Corrin’s Revelation title as Queen of Valla, so that all of Corrin’s Hoshidan siblings are alive for their marriages to add even more people to this shitshow of a family line. 

I also deliberately left out the Hoshidan sibs’ mother and Xander’s mother because figuring out how to label “your mother’s siblings’ mother who is not your mother’s mother” is too much. It’s too much. I’m so tired. If I forgot anyone else no I didn’t, this is enough.

In conclusion: congrats to Ophelia and Kana, who get both the Brand of the Exalt and the ability to turn into dragons.

[good-beans]

(late at my own ask game lol) 25,26, 28, 31 and 40 for the Fates ask game!

Thank you!!! This was a lot of fun and I'll always give my two cents on themes and things!

(Also I half wrote/edited this while sick so I just hope it makes sense 😅)

25. Talk about the game’s themes!

I think I've mentioned it before but it's worth repeating, I just love the messages on kindness and trust. Despite everyone calling Corrin naive and childish, working together, trusting, showing mercy, and showing kindness is what brings success throughout the whole story. Choosing a side results in an imperfect win, while the path where you stay nonviolent and refuse to harm either family is the one with the happiest ending. Corrin is still smart and strong about trusting suspicious people, as seen with Anthony. You are rewarded for peace and trust and thats so crazy for a battle game and I love it!

Obviously family is a huge part of this game as well. I especially love the different types of familial relationships: there's traditional sibling and paternal relationships, two sets of twins, adopted siblings, step parents, cousins, as well as a few that are more important to interpretation (like Gunter being a father figure to Corrin, Corrin and Lilith having a special connection, and the Awakening kids having a special found family bond because of their past). The game addresses good and bad elements of both, showing forgiveness, abuse, grief, and love. There isn't a black-and-white message for or against blood families, it's very situational and I appreciated that, since it could have been very easy to push a "blood relatives good, found family bad" message.

26. Your favorite cool details?

Okay I'm only going to point out things that others said because theyre my favorite details I've learned. I liked @heartfeltstories 's comments on the game mechanics reflecting storyline, like how the lack of extra battles and difficulty raising supports in CQ show how lacking of resources and community the Nohr army is in the beginning. Also, @alexthedreamermiss talked about how the Hoshidans seem to be the familial type, and Nohrians focused on duty, but all the Hoshidan retainers are ninja/samurai bound by duty and bloodline. All the Nohrian retainers are misfits/criminals who were taken in by the kind royals.

28. Who did you marry the first time? (Multiple answers for each route are fine)

OKAY so both of them are really silly don't laugh at me......... I didn't marry anyone in BR because I was playing as male Corrin and I wanted him to marry Kaze but the game didn't let me so in my head they were gay married 😭

Then in CQ I was really struggling with the battles and had almost no supports with anyone, it was so tough. I really loved Niles so I constantly paired him with my female Corrin. I wanted him to live his best bi life though, so even though I married him for the stat boost, I my head they're just friends and he got gay married to someone else 😭

31. Favorite platonic relationship?

Elise and Corrin! Maybe it's just because I love Elise so much asfggh, but it's beautiful how much kindness, optimism, and strength she gives to Corrin no matter which side they're fighting on. I love that Corrin reciprocates all that as well. They are protective over her while also not treating her like a baby -- they trust in her abilities. All the other siblings have moments of doubt and feel betrayed, but Elise seems to always be on Corrin's side, always willing to listen to both sides, and always willing to act as mediator (even if it causes her death). They just have such a sweet and strong bond no matter the route :)

40. Freebie! Talk about anything Fates-related that’s on your mind🌊

I really loved the fantasy aesthetic/design in this game! Off the top of my head, the water themed, silent, ruined, floating island kingdom; the changing of the skies; dark mages with winged capes; mechanists riding puppets with strings; the water theater with boats to view the stage; the seamless combination of shapeshifters, mages, knights, and ninjas working together; a battle where poison and cures balance precariously around you... like, the visuals and worldbuilding were straight up cool the whole time! While the other fe games I've seen had very classic and lovable fantasy elements, something about Fates felt really unique to me and I was hooked :D

[anankos]

MIKOTO!!!! I mean, it’s kind of cheating since I know you have The Fuckpile, but I’m curious about the ship + whatever headcanons you have for her!!!

you know what since u already know about The Fuckpile i’ll break it down (and this is partially for my benefit so i can keep track of it too lmao)

(Big ole bullet point wall below, because i have lotsa headcanon thoughts about mikoto)

Ikona is alloaro, so her relationship with everyone is exclusively friends with benefits. She mostly connects with Mikoto, since her marriage to Sumeragi was arranged.

Sumeragi’s heart is pretty much immediately captured by Mikoto, and not long after they both talk about their reciprocated romantic feelings and work with poly negotiation, Sumeragi awakens his Inner Scalie with Anankos (who isn’t interested in him romantically, but the purely physical attraction is mutual).

Mikoto is All In. She’s a woman with a lot of love to give, and isn’t afraid to talk about it. She knows her romantic crush on Ikona isn’t reciprocated but they both are happy & comfortable with their FWB arrangement because they are mature fucking adults who talk about this stuff.

When it comes to romantic feelings? Silent dragons are pretty damn monogamous. They romantically bond with their mate and only their mate, and if said mate dies, they don’t ‘remarry’. However Anankos is happy enough to a roll in the hay with other parties, preferably if Mikoto is also involved.

And for the record Sumeragi and Anankos are absolutely on the ‘men get pegged’ side of things. Now for misc Mikoto headcanons!

-She was quite the prankster in her youth, and though the mellowed out a bit, even in the later years of her rule of Hoshido, she still pulled the wool over the daimyo’s eyes for fun and profit.

-While Nohr approaches inheritance as ‘idk whoever was born first or whoever fights for the privilege’, Valla is matriarchal and Hoshido is patriarchal. And while it was acceptable for the Hoshidan king’s concubine (and later, wife, when Ikona passed) to dabble in politics, having a sole female ruler was... different, in terms of their traditions, to say the least. After Sumeragi was assassinated there was a lot of pressure to put lil Ryoma on the throne with Mikoto as a regent, but even as a king with a dowager regent, Mikoto believed it would be far, far too much pressure for a child, especially in the wartime environment. Obviously most folks in the court weren’t happy with this, but despite not being born to the Hoshido divine lineage, the favor of the gods holds a lot of sway, and use of the dragon veins (which she could use, as a Vallite royal) solidified her right to govern. And she didn’t relinquish the throne when Ryoma was of age because she had things to do, dammit!

-Mikoto got her hair/eye color from her grandfather, who was Hoshidan. Arete looks much like their mother, with the blue hair and yellow eyes, but neither of the sisters resembled their white-haired father (gee, i wonder who DOES, though)

-When she was younger, she always felt somewhat inadequate, in the way younger children do next to their overachieving but still kind elder siblings. She was more than a bit reckless because of it.

-Mikoto had actually met Sumeragi previously in her life. The knowledge of how to get to Valla without the aid of waterporting was traditionally passed down the Hoshidan royal line, due to where their magic throne came from. Sumeragi had visited Gyges with his father some ten years prior. When Mikoto came to Hoshido holding an infant, refusing to speak of her home or her circumstances except in sign (which Sumeragi was only familiar with the very basics of), he and Ikona took her in instantly. She became a legal concubine pretty much immediately, with the explanation that Sumeragi had fathered Corrin on her and was taking them into his household for realsies because of it.

-Since I choose to ignore the whole “Mikoto is a clairvoyant” thing, I believe she fully intended to try and tell her kids about Valla, and the way for non-Vallites to get there like Sumeragi and his father had, but died before she could. She fully intended to survive, and live much longer, but her death was as much of a surprise to her as it was to her children (she thought it was worth it, though- anything was worth it for the life of any one of her children).

-Mikoto’s marriage to Sumeragi was expected for Hoshidan politics (highest ranking, or in this case only, concubine wedding a widower king was in fact the encouraged thing), and also entirely legal by Vallite law. She and Anankos never married, since he legally ddin’t exist and in all honesty Mikoto wasn’t thinking that far into the future of their relationship. Corrin is legally a bastard, but it doesn’t matter as much in his home country because they trace the bloodline matrilineally.

OK PHEW THAT’S IT. Anyways if anybody thought i forgot my roots as a shameless fates lover, u were mistaken

[crimsxnflxwerz]

Where I Belong

Rating: Not Rated [Rating May Change]

Summary: Nineteen years ago, a mage lost their child to thieves, a man found himself somewhere far from home, and a woman adopted an unusual orphan.

Today, Corrin fights to right the wrongs that have been done to their family, but they also fight the battle within themself to stay. To stay here, where they were raised, though their heart desperately longs for answers. What is this marking on the back of their neck? Why do they feel like they've never truly belonged here? Is there somewhere that they do belong?

Who is this man Chrom and what does he have to do with all this?

Pairing(s): Chrom/Robin, Other Minor Ships

Characters: Corrin, Robin, Chrom, Felicia, Lissa, Frederick, Other(s).

Tags: Nonbinary!Corrin, Trans!Robin, Trans Male Robin, Corrin & Robin & Chrom - family, Corrin is Robin & Chrom’s third child, That’s the wild headcanon.

Notes: This is meant to take place during the Fates DLC where Corrin and Felicia kill some ghosty soldiers that escape through a portal into Awakening’s world. If I mess up pronouns, please let me know. Even tho (they/them) are MY pronouns, I still get it messed up in writing sometimes! Anyways, thanks for reading!

“That's a forest.” Corrin said, peering through the small sliver of light. The area around the portal warped slightly, behaving more like a tear in fabric than the stable portals they’d seen before. Felicia clutched her skirt nervously, looking in over Corrin’s shoulder.

“It is, my Lord.” she agreed. “Not one I've ever seen before. Must be someplace far away.”

“Or,” Corrin backed away slightly. “Another world.”

The young Lord sighed, pinching the bridge of their nose. The castle behind them was silent, besides the occasional bird chirp from a critter that had accidentally flown inside. Corrin looked down the marble hallway they stood in, listened to the absence of noise, considering what they could do next. Felicia watched Corrin silently, before placing a hand on their shoulder.

“My Lord, we have enough time to spare. Those people in that realm, they might be in danger.” She said firmly. “The palace can survive a moment without you.”

Corrin took a slow breath in, their hand travelling to the back of their neck. Under their hand a mark burned ever so slightly. The brand has been with them since they were an infant, at least according to a letter from their mother. No one could ever figure out what the mark meant. They just assumed it had something to do with their transformations. No one had ever seen a person transform Into a dragon quite like that. Of course, there have been legends, and maybe it was only a matter of time with the families bloodlines.

But for Corrin it was just another thing to separate them from everyone else. They didn't belong in either kingdom, they didn't belong in this world.

Corrin looked towards the portal once more. Every time they stepped into foreign land, a weight lifted off their shoulders. As if something deep inside of them was pulling them away from their own world. Corrin wasn't hesitant about killing those beasts, they weren't cautious of entering this foreign soil.

They were afraid that they would find someplace better. Someplace where they belonged. And something inside them would just refuse to leave.

“Okay,” they said. “Let's go.”

The two of them stepped through the portal and into a forest. A few feet ahead of them the tree line broke, revealing a beautiful valley, divided down the middle by a sparkling river.

“How pretty,” Felicia idly commented. Corrin couldn't agree more. The air was heavy with the sweet smell of spring. Trees bloomed thousands of tiny, white flowers amongst their new leaves. A gorgeous assortment of plants filled the valley. Down near the river were some of the tallest cattails they’d ever seen.

Suddenly, a scream was heard to their left. They easily spotted a cleared path through the trees and hurried along it. When they emerged from the forest into a smaller clearing, they witnessed the partially visible soldiers that had escaped through the portal earlier. The creatures had cornered a maiden. She donned an elegant yellow dress, her blonde locks in high, wavy pigtails. She clutched a staff for dear life, likely confused by her faceless attackers. Corrin broke into a sprint, cutting down several soldiers in their way, Felicia following close behind.

One of the mage creatures raised a tome to strike the girl, when a large man on a horse broke through the trees and struck the mage through the chest with a lance. Corrin stopped in their tracks, watching the man with a lance carefully. He was built, riding a horse with an unrecognizable flag on it's flank, holding a long lance. The girl hopped up onto the horse, wrapping one arm around the man's waist and the other bracing the staff at her side.

Corrin was broken from their trance when Felicia knocked them back to avoid a mage attack. All four of them flew back into battle against the phantom soldiers, determined to clear the area.

Corrin stuck to using their sword for the time being. Especially considering the fact that they had no idea about the natives opinion of dragon blooded individuals. They didn't want to startle them either, throwing them off could be deadly in the heat of battle.

Then suddenly, a phantom soldier struck Felicia away with the broadside of it's axe. In an instant, Corrin was isolated, surrounded by soldiers, preparing their weapons for the kill. That's when they heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming up on them. Expecting a phantom knight, Corrin braced for the worst.

“Out of my way!”

A figure jumped over Corrin and brought his sword down heavy on the axe wielder who struck Felicia. The man's flowing white cape partially obstructed Corrin’s view, but from what they could see, he was taking out enemy after enemy in quick succession.

Corrin was shell shocked for a moment, before jumping back onto their feet and fighting back to back with the man that rescued them.

Eventually, all the soldiers were cleared out, leaving the ragtag group panting. Felicia was sitting on the ground, hand firmly grasping a wound on her arm. Upon seeing this, Corrin dashed over despite their weariness.

“Felicia! You're wounded!” They panicked. Their heart pounded in their chest. “Is it just your arm? Show me!”

Felicia shook her head. “My Lord, it's fine.”

“No, don't be like this,” Corrin clenched their teeth. They opened their mouth to say more, but was interrupted by a tap on their shoulder.

“I can help,” the blonde girl from earlier stood behind them, pigtails dancing as she bounced excitedly. “It won't be any trouble. Just let me see.”

Corrin looked to Felicia for approval. When she nodded, they backed off and let the girl do her thing.

“My name is Lissa, by the way.” She said, kneeling down to check out Felicia's wound. “Thank you for helping us.”

Corrin fell into a heavy blush as the gesture. They wanted to argue that they were the reason everyone had been in danger in the first place, but instead kept their mouth shut, unsure of what to say.

The man on the horse dismounted and approached them cautiously.

“I agree, you could have run off, but instead chose to fight, I compliment the mentality.” The man said. “My name is Frederick, by the way.”

Then the last one of the group clapped a hand down on Corrin’s shoulder and grinned.

“And I’m Chrom, Lissa’s older brother. It's a pleasure to meet the two of you.” He said. Then, awkwardly, “even though the circumstances aren't ideal.”

Corrin blushed again. They cleared their throat. “My name is Corrin, that woman with me is Felicia.”

Felicia waved at Frederick and Chrom. Corrin smiled fondly at her, before returning his gaze to Chrom.

The man felt oddly… familiar. He was a little taller than average, with royal blue hair, short and relatively kept. He had vibrant blue eyes, and a generous smile. Even though it looked as if he were trying to blend in with his somewhat tattered clothes, it was obvious by his sword that he was royalty. The sword was magnificent. A large, silver blade with gold accents and a decorated hilt.

“Your sword, it's gorgeous.” Corrin commented, waving towards it. “Are you royalty?”

Now, it was Chrom's turn to blush.

“Is it really that obvious?” He said, scratching absently behind his ear.

“Well, I've never known a common man to have such an elegant weapon.” Corrin explained. Frederick looked on warily.

“And you, your friend there called you 'Lord’. You must be royalty as well,” Frederick pointed out. “From where do you hail?”

Corrin blushed heavily again. It was very apparent on their pale skin. They glanced back at Felicia.

“Someplace far from here. I doubt you have heard of it.” They said. Frederick raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“Enough of that, would you care to join us for lunch? We were just making our rounds. I would be honored to have you.” Chrom said. “Just one meal and you may be off.”

Corrin bit their lip. Lissa just finished up with Felicia. The pink haired servant approached Corrin and placed a hand on their arm, nodding softly when they looked over to her. Corrin mentally scrambled for the proper words to display their gratitude.

“O-of course.” They stuttered. “I am quite hungry actually, and I would love to get to know you better.”

“Perfect!” Chrom said cheerily. “Onward then! We haven't got much daylight left!”

Chrom turned around to walk on, and as he did so, Corrin got a good look at his shoulder. On his exposed shoulder was a mark that resembled the mark on the back of their neck. No, not just resembled, an exact replica. Felicia felt Corrin freeze up, and she looked forward to try and recognize what had her Lord acting like this. She noticed the mark as well and raised her eyebrows, but stayed silent.

After a moment, Lissa nudged Felicia. She snapped out of her little trance and looked over to her.

“You comin?” she asked, motioning towards where Chrom was walking. Felicia nodded slightly, and pulled Corrin along as they began walking. Lissa hopped up on the back of Frederick’s horse, and the group caught up with their retreating prince.

As they passed beautiful scenery, Corrin waged an inner war with themself. Do they talk to Chrom? Do they pry into Chrom’s life? Why does he have that mark? Does Lissa bear the same one? Their head was so filled with questions, that they didn’t even hear the person trying to talk to them.

They felt a small shove that snapped them out of their own mind space. They frantically looked around and saw that Felicia stood next to them looking a little annoyed. She gestured to Corrin’s other side, and when they looked, Chrom was walking alongside Corrin looking a little awkward.

“Oh Gods,” they gaped, blushing hard at their own incompetence. “Were you trying to talk to me? I do apologize, I can get quite lost in my own head sometimes.”

Chrom simply laughed at that, and shook his head. “Oh, no worries! My older sister is actually quite like that sometimes, so I’m used to it.”

“Your older sister?” Corrin asked, taking their chance to learn more about the prince.

“Ah, yes, her name is Emmeryn. She is the Exalt of Ylisse.” he said, although then he made a soft noise and included, “ah, my apologies, you do not hail from here. Exalt is the title of the head of the royal family. Our parents passed ages ago, leaving a mess behind for us to fix. My sister, she is very strong, stronger than me I would say. She has been leading the way towards peace ever since she rose to power.”

“That’s good to hear. I come from a similar situation, actually.” Corrin said. “In my land, there are two warring families that just don’t see eye to eye. They knew peace once before, and I am striving to bring that peace back. It’s always been hard, since I empathize with both sides.”

“That must be quite a burden on your shoulders.” Chrom said. Corrin barely caught it, but there was a glimpse of a far away look in the prince’s eye. “It’s hard when you want to save everyone. That’s just not how it works in times of war, unfortunately.”

“Yes, I can agree with that.” Corrin said solemnly. Unwilling to let the conversation die, they finally mustered up the courage to ask. “I don’t wish to pry, but I was curious about the brand on your shoulder. What is it?”

“Oh, that?” Chrom asked, glancing down at his own shoulder. The mark was specifically exposed for people to witness. It must be important. “That is my--”

“Chrom! There’s someone over there in the grass,” Lissa shouted from atop Frederick’s horse, effectively interrupting what Chrom was about to say. “They’re laying down, I think they might be injured!”

“Show me.” Chrom demanded, and Lissa pointed towards a lone tree in a valley they had been traversing the cusp of. The prince started to move in that direction, waving Corrin on to come with him. “Let’s go!”

Chrom and Corrin dashed through the grass, the rest of the part following close behind. They eventually came to the tree that Lissa had pointed out, and found a sleeping figure. They looked like a young adult, probably male. In fact, they somewhat resembled Corrin, with their white hair and pale skin. It wasn’t often that Corrin saw other youths with such pure white hair. Corrin crouched down next to the sleeping man and leaned over him. He was dressed in layers, his outermost layer being a cloak that reminded them of a mage. Laying near them was a powerful looking tome.

“He doesn’t look injured, thank the Gods,” Chrom said finally. When Corrin looked back at the prince, they could see the hint of a blush on Chrom’s cheeks. That definitely wasn’t from the running. Once Lissa, Frederick, and Felicia caught up, they also cautiously observed the situation.

“Don’t get so close, my Lord,” Felicia said. She looked apprehensive, but the man looked like he was simply taking a nap. There was something in Corrin that drew them to him. They ignored Felicia’s worry and reached out, gently brushing the back of their fingers along the man’s cheek. Corrin heard someone gasp behind them, likely out of how bold the gesture had been. However, Corrin was more concerned with how the man stirred, slowly blinking his eyes open.

“He’s waking up,” Corrin said, backing off once the man was fully awake. Chrom and Lissa came forward to lean over him.

“Hello there,” Lissa said with a welcoming smile. Chrom also looked on warmly at the stranger.

“There’s better places to sleep than the ground, you know.” he said. Then he reached out his hand. “Here, take my hand.”

The man grabbed the tome lying near him almost instinctively before reaching for Chrom’s hand. When the prince pulled him up, he only stepped back slightly, so that the two nearly came nose to nose. The two blushed and looked away from each other quickly, Chrom laughing and scratching behind his ear.

“Uh- um, what’s your name?” Chrom asked, once Lissa and Felicia had stopped chuckling at the interaction. The mage rubbed his hand delicately, and Corrin noticed a strange mark there. It was kind of unsettling, three pairs of eyes watching from the man’s hand.

“My name is, uh,” he seemed to falter for a moment, before brightening up again. “R-Robin. My name is Robin. And you’re Chrom?”

“Y-You know who I am?” Chrom stuttered. “How’s that?”

“I dunno, it just came to me suddenly…” Robin flinched. “My head aches.”

Robin looked around where they were curiously. There was absolutely no recognition on his face. He looked rather lost, actually. Corrin blinked their red eyes at him. Robin turned his head and made eye contact with the young Lord.

“Do- do I know you from somewhere?” Corrin asked then, hesitantly. Robin’s eyes widened slightly, as if he were remembering something. He cleared his throat, holding his tome to his chest.

“Uh, uh, I don’t know,” he stuttered. “I don’t remember much of anything, actually. Other than my name, and even that is kind of foggy.”

“You don’t remember anything?” Chrom interrupted. The group fell silent. It was then that Frederick chimed in.

“Your robes, they resemble that of the Plegian people.” he said darkly. “Would you happen to be on their side, young mage?”

“I-I’m not sure what you mean. Who are the Plegians?” Robin asked, looking genuinely confused. Frederick was about to open his mouth to say more, when Corrin rounded on him with a fierce stare.

“Can’t you see he’s confused? We must get him some food and water, he might be famished,” Corrin said hurriedly. Everyone stared, shock apparent on their faces. “He has no memory, what of it? We aren’t helpless babes, if he is a spy we will find out soon enough. For now he is our ally.”

After Corrin’s outburst, everyone seemed to snap to attention. Chrom turned away and moved to speak with Frederick about something, and Lissa and Felicia came over to inspect Robin’s condition. Corrin stayed close to Robin. They were curious, but also wanted to help Robin out. Feeling lost and alone wasn’t fun, Corrin knew that personally.

When Corrin approached Robin, the man smiled kindly at them.

“Thank you for that, I’m feeling really disoriented.” he said softly with a chuckle. “It’s not fun to be drilled when you first wake up, especially if you have amnesia.”

“Oh yeah, amnesia, that’s what it’s called!” Lissa said. “I wonder if there’s some kind of potion or remedy to correct it…”

Robin chuckled again at the concept. “Maybe. I wouldn’t know, unfortunately.” Corrin laughed a little at that, too.

“It’s no problem, Robin. I know what it’s like to be the odd one out. In fact, my friend and I are just passing through.” they said. “Oh, we haven’t been properly introduced. My apologies, my name is Corrin, these two are Felicia and Lissa.”

Robin nodded at the information. “Just passing through? Where are you from?”

“Someplace far away, I’m afraid,” Corrin said, hesitant to reveal the location to even this man with no memories. “We found ourselves here after tracking down a few dangerous men. I felt it was my responsibility to make sure they didn’t harm anyone. That’s how we ran into Chrom.”

“Well, I’m glad that you’re here.” Robin said, almost shyly. “How much longer will you stick around?”

Corrin glanced over at Felicia, who was speaking softly with Lissa. She looked happy. Corrin turned back towards Robin and simply took him in for a moment. Something in their chest was screaming for them to stay, as if this was truly where they belonged. Maybe it was all coming together. The brand on Chrom’s shoulder, this fair-haired stranger. The rolling hills and serene fields filled with flora and fauna.

There was a darkness here, too. A darkness hovering over everything. It was like the moments before a bad thunderstorm when the hair on your arms stood straight up. In truth, Corrin knew they had to leave sooner than later, but when was sooner?

“I’m not sure yet.” They said. Robin gave them the sweetest smile, a hand gently squeezing their shoulder.

“Well, I hope that you enjoy the time you spend here, with this company,” Robin said. “And once you depart, I hope that we meet again.”

Corrin was a little speechless for a moment, before they shook themself out of it.

“Yeah.”