Chapter Text
“Gods and demons within me! Let me unleash! Thoron!” Owain shouts before striking the target he had set up with thunder magic. “See!? Told you I could do it!” He exclaims as he shows off his abilities with magic to Morgan, as well as his parents, Gaius and Lissa.
“Wow, Owain! I never thought I’d see the day you could pull off magic so well. I couldn’t have done that better myself,” Morgan quickly jumps up and kisses him on the cheek.
“You could say that again. Guess you’re more like your mother than I thought, Sonny,” Gaius leans back in his chair, lollipop in hand, admiring his son’s talents. “Wish I could learn that, feel a little secluded since I don’t know the first thing about usin’ tomes.”
“You’ve got plenty of talents already, Gaius. Let us have our magic hehe,” Lissa says with a small giggle.
“You see, Father. Now that I am a true technician in the arts of swordplay and divine magic, I’d say I-” Owain says before accidently launching a fire spell towards the table Gaius was sitting at. “Eeeeek!” He mutters.
“Owain! What’s your problem!?” Gaius shouts as he quickly jumps away from the table, avoiding the flames as the table is set ablaze.
“Eeeek! Quick, we gotta put it out before it spreads!” Lissa shouts as they all disperse to gather water to put out the fire.
Once the fire is taken care of, Gaius approaches his son and swiftly smacks him in the back of the head. “Care to explain that one, Mr. Magic Man?!”
“S-Sorry Father! Y-You see ever since I came back I went back to swordplay. This is the first time I started using magic again, so I-I’m a bit rusty you know,” Owain shamefully attempts to explain.
“Hmph, rusty. You’re lucky my sweets bag didn’t get burnt or else we’d have a real problem, Owain,” Gaius said.
“Maybe you still need some more practice, honey,” Lissa added.
“Oh by the Gods! Let me find the perfect balance between swordsmanship and magic, that shall allow me to become the ultimate warrior!” Owain prays, getting applause from Morgan.
“Hmph, I knew that nonsensical yelling was coming from you,” A voice from behind them rings out. The four of them turn around only to see none other than Tharja.
“Mother!” Morgan shouts as she quickly runs toward Tharja and gives her a wide hug. “It feels like ages since I last saw you!”
“Hehe, it’s good to see you too, Morgan,” Tharja replies. “I knew once I heard Owain’s inane ramblings I’d find you here, but where’s your sister? I was hoping she’d be with you.”
“Noire’s actually in Valm with Brady right now, but you should have sent us a message beforehand! We would have both been here eagerly waiting for you!” Morgan says.
“Well…let’s just say I felt this would make a good surprise,” Tharja says.
“Wait a minute, if you’re back then…” Morgan mutters.
“H-Hey that’s right!” Owain says, realizing what Tharja was alluding to.
“You don’t mean, are you serious!?” Lissa shouts.
“There’s no way!” Gaius exclaims.
“Hehe, you should feel honored I’m sharing this moment with the rest of you and not just Morgan. Oh, Darling! You can come out now!” Tharja signals.
“Hey, everyone,” said a very familiar voice from behind some bushes. “It was Tharja’s idea for me to hide at first; I guess she wanted this to be special.” Robin says with a light laugh as he rubs the back of his head.
“Father!” Morgan screams as she runs toward Robin and jumps into his arms.
“Robin!” Owain, Lissa, & Gaius shout as they go to greet their long lost friend.
“Good to see you, Bubbles. We thought we lost you for good,” Gaius says.
“I’m so glad you’re back!” Lissa goes to hug him too.
“Okay that’s close enough,” Tharja says before pulling Lissa slightly back from Robin.
“I’m glad to be back, Ylisse hasn’t changed a bit,” Robin says.
“Father! I missed you so much,” Morgan rubs her eyes in his robes, in disbelief that he’s here despite holding her long lost father in her arms.
“I missed you too, Morgan, but it's okay now. I’m back, and I won’t be leaving your side ever again,” Robin assures his daughter.
“Oh we have to go to the castle right now! Chrom will lose his mind when he sees you’re okay!” Lissa says.
“My thoughts exactly, but we’ll have to make it quick,” Robin replies. “Looks like the three of us need to head to Valm, this reunion won’t be complete without Noire.”
“Well in that case we definitely need to head to the castle. Chrom will happily get you a boat to head that way. Let’s go!” Lissa says, hurrying everyone towards the castle.
“Well it feels good to be missed so much,” Robin says, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “So what has everyone been up to since I’ve been gone? Has anything exciting happened?” Robin asks.
“Funny you ask that,” Gaius answers. “I know someone who had a pretty crazy time while you were gone,” he smirks as he glances over to his son.
Both Morgan and Lissa smile as they turn towards Owain, who has a very wide grin on his face as he sees an opportunity to tell a story of his heroism.
Owain takes a deep breath, “Huzzah! I’m thrilled you asked Robin! For I, your local changer of fates and living winds of change has had quite the journey. Please lend me your ear, for I have quite the story for you!”
“Hmm,” Beruka muttered to herself before releasing a long sigh. She sat atop her loyal wyvern currently flying above the Vallite castle. She was taking in the view of Valla as she was lost in thought.
“Hey, Beruka! Down here!” Corrin shouted from the roof of the castle, getting his wife’s attention.
Beruka lowered her vision and noticed her husband’s calls, quickly directing her wyvern back down toward the castle and landing beside him.
“There you are, Beruka. I was looking all over for you, guess I should have figured you’d be up here,” Corrin says as Beruka climbs down from her wyvern.
“Sorry if I worried you, Corrin,” She replies.
“You know…ever since we came back here you’ve been spending a lot of time just sitting up there. Is something bothering you?” He asks.
“Nothing is wrong,” Beruka answers.
“Yeah, and that’s what you said last week, but I can tell when something is on your mind. It’s not exactly easy but I can definitely tell,” Corrin says with a small laugh.
“Hmph, you can blame all these unhealthy emotions,” Beruka mutters.
“Beruka,” Corrin says as he places a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Our life is different now; you don’t have to be so cold, to me, or to yourself. It's okay to show some feelings. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“…You seem to drag that out of me,” Beruka reluctantly mutters. She turns her head to get a good view of the Vallite horizon as the sun begins to set over their inverted land. “This is a lot to take in.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been thinking. I know what they felt, Mozu and Severa. Coming from nothing to protecting everything. I don’t get overwhelmed often, but I accepted where my life took me. I didn’t think it would ever change until the day I died, but low and behold here I am, a queen.”
“I don’t take it you want to try on a queen’s dress?”
Beruka glares coldly at Corrin with a gaze that could pierce the sturdiest mountain.
“O-Okay that was in poor taste!” Corrin exclaims as he attempts to hide the fear.
“This isn’t just some mission, it’s a lifestyle. It’s unexpected, and needless to say, it’s a challenge I can’t really get used to,” Beruka explains.
“Beruka, you aren’t thinking of leaving Valla to return to your hometown are you?” Corrin asks, feeling instant regret as he felt that joke was in even poorer taste.
“Hmph, you say that as if I have a home I could go back too,” Beruka responds.
Corrin smiles, attempting to calm the mood. He stands behind Beruka as they watch the sunset together, slowly wrapping his arms around her and hugging her from behind. “You don’t have to say it, I’m scared too. I think after the war ended, everyone ended up getting more than they bargained for. We all ended up in positions we didn’t expect, but that’s where life took us. We took charge of our own destinies, and ended up here. Our destinies didn’t bring us here to fail. That’s another thing you have in common with them, you have me, and together we can get through anything.”
Beruka couldn’t help but smile at his words. No matter how cold she was, he always found a way to warm her heart. “I don’t have to return home anyway. My home is wherever you are, Corrin,” She says as she turns her head back to look into his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll never leave your side.”
“Same goes for me, Beruka,” Corrin says as the pair share a kiss in the dimming sunlight.
“U-Um, am I interrupting?” A voice rang out along with the sound of the roof door closing.
“Who goes there!?” Corrin instinctively shouts as he and Beruka quickly turn their attention towards the voice, only to see the hooded man who originally transported the five of them to Valm. “Wha? It’s you?”
“Y-Yeah, sorry to barge in. I’ve just been waiting to get the chance to talk to you two ever since you guys came back to Valla,” The Man explains.
Corrin and Beruka look at each other with puzzled expressions on their faces, “Well, we do owe you for helping us out before,” Corrin says.
“We’re listening. What do you want?” Beruka asks.
“I just want to talk. I’m a bit nervous, but it has to do with who I am, and this has to do with you, Corrin,” The Man says.
The pair just got more confused at his strange words, “Well, alright. What do you have to say?” Corrin asks.
The Man takes a deep breath before finally lowering his hood, “Corrin, you should brace yourself for this one, because this is going to be hard to hear.”
The melody coming from the strings of Stahl and Cordelia’s harps echoed throughout their home. The sweet sounds finally caressing baby Severa to sleep for the night.
“Phew, mission accomplished,” Stahl whispers as the two of them quietly sneak into the next room. “Never fails.”
“Learning the harp must be one of the smartest things you’ve ever done, Stahl. Severa never sleeps better than when we play for her,” Cordelia praises her husband.
“You can say that again. I mean the harp helped me get us together, the harp helps calm down, Severa, I owe my life to this thing,” Stahl says with a light laugh as proudly holds up his instrument.
“I do wonder though. It never really came up before, but do you think in the future Severa loved our harp playing?” Cordelia ponders. “I’d imagine we still played it for her as a baby.”
Stahl smiled, “I’m sure she did.”
“It’s too bad. I wish we could have played for her one last time before she left. I wish I would have thought of that,” She adds, her mood growing sullen.
“Severa on your mind again, Cordelia?” Stahl asks.
“You could say that.”
“I know. I miss her every day, but she’s happy, and that’s what matters,” Stahl comforts his wife.
“I know. It’s funny, we both were rushed into this whole parenting thing. Married, next thing we know we have a daughter from the future who’s almost as old as we are. Despite that though, that parental bond was still there, and it still hurts just as much to see them move on,” Cordelia vents.
“I feel the same way. Severa is our daughter the same way Severa in that room is our daughter, and I’m always going to miss her,” Stahl says, beginning to get choked up. “You know, I think that means we do a good job, because Severa grows up to be an amazing woman.”
Cordelia rubs her eyes as she smiles at her husband’s words. “Yeah, I think so too,” Cordelia says as she looks back towards sleeping Severa. “She’s a real blessing, she’s going to grow up to be a strong capable woman, and I’m looking forward to watching her every step of the way.”
“We won’t miss a thing this time,” Stahl says as the pair embrace, only to hear the sound of Severa beginning to cry again. “Oh no, guess she knew we were talking about her.”
“Well, you know what to do honey,” Cordelia says with a smile as the two of them pick back up their harps and head towards Severa’s room.
“And move your leg here like so,” Olivia demonstrates the next dance step.
“Okay like this-AAH!” Peri said, attempting to mimic her movements before falling on the castle’s floor.
“M-Maybe that’s enough practice for today,” Inigo suggests.
“No! I have to learn these steps! You two are nice enough to try to teach me! I gotta get it right!” Peri whines.
“You don’t have to rush, Peri. Dancing takes a long time to master. I’ve still got a lot to learn, myself. It took me a very long time to even be willing to dance in front of people,” Inigo explains.
“Yeah I know, Sweetie Pie. Niles told all of us he would catch you practicing in the woods all the time,” Peri says.
“H-He did what!?” Inigo shouts, growing bright red. “Why didn’t anyone say something? I was way too unpolished for anyone to see that! I wasn’t ready to share my dancing yet! That completely violates my privacy!”
Olivia lets out a small laugh watching her son’s reaction, “I guess we had that in common then.”
“Well, if you think that’s enough, we can stop for today. Oh and Olivia, did Chrom say if he’ll let me join The Shepherds?” Peri excitedly asks.
“He hasn’t said so yet, but still he’s told you guys he doesn’t feel comfortable putting the daughter-in-law he’s barely getting to know in danger,” Olivia explains.
“But there won’t be any danger. When I’m there I’ll just tear the bad guy’s intestines out. I’ll keep everyone safe I promise,” Peri pleads.
“U-Um, Chrom might be a bit worried about your…enthusiasm,” Olivia muttered.
“Just hear us out, Mother. Once you get past Peri’s…animalistic tendencies, she’s an outstanding fighter. When the two of us were on the battlefield together we couldn’t be touched,” Inigo says.
“Absolutely! Everything will be alright if we’re together, and I can’t protect Inigo and make sure nothing bad happens to him if I’m stuck at home,” Peri insists.
Inigo just smiles before turning back towards his mother, “She’s right you know.”
Suddenly they each hear the sound of the nearest door opening, “I hope I’m not interrupting dance practice,” Chrom announces his entrance.
“Welcome home, Dear. We were just about finished,” Olivia says.
“Good to hear that, because I brought a special surprise with me,” Chrom says.
“Really, and what would that be?” Inigo asks.
“I ran into a special someone on their way to visit us just outside of Ylisstol,” Chrom says, presenting the open door to his guests, as a masked man and a woman with long blue hair enter the room.
“Lucina!” Olivia and Inigo shout in unison as they head over to greet her.
“Mother! Inigo! I’m home!” Lucina says as she hugs her mother and her brother.
“Mother?” Peri whispered to herself.
“It’s so good to see you. How's everything in Wyvern Valley? And I hope you guys made it here safely,” Olivia asks.
“The trip wasn’t too bad. Flying was pretty…” Gerome begins to explain, before getting distracted by the familiar girl behind them. “Um, is that girl with you guys?”
Peri had a perplexed look on her face as she was trying to fit all the thoughts in her head together. “Wait a minute, I know you two!” Peri said as she approached Gerome and Lucina, much to Inigo, Olivia, and Chrom’s confusion.
“Wait what?” Inigo mutters, “How could you know them, Peri?”
Lucina’s eyes begin to widen as she finally recognizes the girl with pink-tipped hair. “That’s it! That’s where I know you from. You were with that strange group that wandered into Wyvern Valley a while back,” Lucina recalls.
“Yeah that’s right. We ended up there after Beruka’s wyvern started going crazy, I knew I couldn’t forget people as silly looking as you two. She helped give us directions here,” Peri explains.
“Wait, so you guys met on your way here?” Olivia asks.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Peri answers.
“Hold on,” Lucina muttered. “Why are you here? You said you wanted to come to Ylisse to meet some friends of yours, right? Why are you here in the castle?” Lucina asks.
Inigo smiled. “Funny you should ask that, Lucina,” He says before moving beside Peri and putting his arm around her. Peri lifts her hand and points toward the ring on her finger with the widest smile she could muster.
Lucina and Gerome grow shocked expressions as they turn their heads to look at each other, “What!” They both shout.
“When did this happen!?” Lucina asks.
“But women hate you!” Gerome says.
That last comment somewhat agitating Inigo, “I-I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear that last part.”
“Wow! You’re telling me I met my sister-in-law and didn’t even know it!” Peri excitedly says as she grabs hold of Lucina’s hands.
“Mother, Father, this is true?” Lucina asks.
“Trust us. We were just as confused as you are,” Chrom explained.
“They had told us you had gone on some excursion, Inigo, but it looks like a lot more happened on it then just training,” Lucina says.
Inigo grows a wide smile as Peri looks up at him grinning ear to ear, “You could say that. I’m glad the two of you are in town, because we’ve got a whole lot of catching up to do.”
“Leo, I take it the tournaments have been going well under your watchful eye?” Xander asks as he, along with Severa, Leo, Camilla, and Elise, enjoy a nice family meal.
“I wish. It’s been mayhem ever since they started,” Leo explains. “Fighters from all over the land are trying to be the next retainers for you and Camilla. Way more people showed up than any of us expected.”
“Are there any promising prospects?” Xander asks.
“It’s still too early to say, but the strong should be separating themselves from the rest soon enough,” Leo replies.
“You might want to be looking over the tournaments too, Dearest,” Camilla suggests to Severa. “As Queen you’re going to need some retainers of your own.”
“You think so? It still seems like just yesterday I was a retainer. Just feels weird,” Severa explains as she finishes her plate.
“Oh I insist. You should know they’re a great help,” Camilla says with a light smile. “And have you been looking for one yourself, Little Brother? I’m sure Niles has been lonely without a partner to work with,” Camilla asks before taking another bite of her food.
“Ahem, I’ve been hard at work scouting retainers for the two of you; I’ll find one for myself when you two are taken care of,” Leo explains.
“Yeah, or are you too distracted from taking that border guard girl out on dates all the time?” Elise teased.
“I-I am not!” Leo muttered, instinctively smacking the table, causing the others to laugh. “Charlotte is a very strong fighter as you all know, and we’ve actually been in talks for her to become my new retainer.”
“Yeah, and taking her out to all those fancy dinners is part of her training?” Elise continued.
“W-Who’s telling you these things!?” Leo asks with a bright crimson blush on his face.
Elise sticks her tongue out at him, continuing to tease her older brother. “Oh that reminds me. In case anyone is looking for me, I’m going to be heading to Mount Garou later,” Elise says.
“Going to see Keaton again? Are you going to need an escort?” Severa asks.
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ve gone by myself tons of times now, and I’m excited because Keaton is finally going to show me his treasures! He’s always talking about them, but he says he’s got one special one just for me today!” Elise explains.
“Wait, have you not seen his treasures before? Somehow I think you might be a bit disappointed,” Leo mutters before taking a quick swig of his drink.
Xander smiles as he listens to his siblings and his wife interacting. They are all usually so busy with so many different things across the kingdom, it’s rare they all get a nice small moment where they can all enjoy each other’s company. “This is nice.”
“Hm? What is, Xander?” Severa asks.
“All five of us together like this, it’s serene. It’s not every day we can get together like this,” Xander explained. “It’s nice.”
“I agree, nothing feels better than when our family is together. All we’re missing are Corrin and Beruka, but my precious siblings are more than enough,” Camilla says with a bright smile.
“Well those two definitely have their own fair share of things going on, but they’re with us in spirit. And you’re right Xander, these little moments we spend together as family, it does feel very relaxing,” Leo adds.
“Does make me wonder, however, a bit about expansion,” Xander muttered under his breath.
“Hm? You say something, Big Brother?” Elise asks.
“I was just curious, how does the name Siegbert sound to all of you?” Xander asks.
Camilla, Leo, and Elise each look at each other in confusion. “What do you mean, Xander?” Camilla asks.
Xander lets out a light laugh. “It’s nothing,” Xander says before giving Severa a sweet smile.
Severa returns his smile with a smile of her own as she looks down and lightly rubs her stomach.