Work Text:
He was drowning. That’s how his dreams always went. Sinking deeper and deeper into the ocean as its crushing weight became more unbearable. To any normal person, such would be a nightmare. Some horrid conjuration of the mind they’d wish to escape. They’d thrash about, waking in a cold sweat as they gasp for air.
But Corrin was no normal person, was he?
No, these moments in his sleep were tranquil compared to the nightmare he considered his very being. When he sleeps like this, he cannot bring harm to those he loves. The water that fills his lungs feels natural, like breathing in air. And while the ocean threatens to consume him, he can feel how slow his fall is. There is time yet before he’s completely lost.
He ignores the pressure of the water around him, focusing on a light touch within his arms. Azura is held within his loose embrace, the memories of her warm touch having left the dragon with time, replaced with a cold feeling. What remains of his humanity does not blame her for leaving. Instead, he feels relief. Relief over being spared what Anankos had gone through with the king of Valla before him.
No, it’s much better this way. He’d rather not know her ultimate fate. He’d much rather that over…he’d rather not…no not by his hand.
“She’s gone.”
Corrin bolted upright in his bed as the words rang through his head. A chill ran down his spine as his hands gripped at the sheets pooled around him. He was alone in the room. The voice the words belonged to was impossible to parse. But what he did know was those words did not speak of Azura.
No, the way his spine shivered and a sharp pain pierced his head—his body knew what was happening before his mind did. Over the years, his draconic instincts had become stronger. Corrin could feel that someone used a dragon vein—someone with draconic blood left Valla. There was only one person other than himself who could’ve done so.
On instinct, he rose from his bed and quickly dressed himself for the day. He gave no mind to his appearance, throwing on his armor while otherwise failing to groom himself properly. There was a rage boiling in his blood, it above all else was to be acted upon. Such is what his draconic nature demanded. As he slammed open the doors to his quarters, he noted the soft light beginning to seep into the halls. Early morning. The servants should be starting their duties for the day.
“You two!” The guards at the door snapped to attention, they seemed to quiver slightly. Of course they would. Corrin’s voice was harsh and cold, different from the usual distant murmuring. His body didn’t seem to care as he pointed at the first guard. “Go check on my daughter.” His gaze flicked to the other guard, the malice in his body bubbling to the surface with a sneer. “And you, go fetch me Peri. Now!”
Just as quickly as Corrin shouted at the two, he brushed them off, stomping down the halls of the castle. He could hear the guards clatter like fools behind him—no he can’t think that. They’re people, doing their jobs. If only he could think clearly through this headache.
It meant nothing to his body though. As he rounded another corner, his eyes focused on a set of doors. Flora’s room. She’d been provided with a room near Kana’s own to more easily fulfill her duties. Not that Corrin seemed to care as he burst through the door, nearly throwing the thing off its hinges.
“FLORA!”
The Ice Tribe woman was still there, seemingly having been preparing for the day before she would wake the princess. She stiffened at her name, slowly standing up straight as her eyes wandered towards Corrin. He could see fear in those eyes, it was clear as day despite how well she tried to control the rest of her body.
Before she could speak—before Corrin could think—he’d lunged forward, hands tightly gripping her collar as he pulled her feet off the ground, slamming her back to the wall. A growl escaped his throat as he began shouting at the woman. “WHERE’S KANA?!”
Flora struggled against his grip, gasping for air. No, he can’t be doing this. He only wants to protect Kana. If all his instincts were to be directed toward protecting his daughter, he had to consider her. At this point, Flora was more of a parent to the girl than Corrin, even without blood ties. He couldn’t kill her. Kana would be devastated.
There was a loud thud as Flora fell to her knees, greedily sucking in whatever air her lungs could hold. All Corrin could do in that moment was stand there and stare. His very being was at odds with himself, unable to decide on what to do.
“Lord Corrin.” Flora barely managed to croak out his name, pausing a moment before trying again. “I-I’m afraid I’ve no clue what you speak of. I last saw her when preparing her for bed before promptly turning in for the night myself. Certainly, she should still—”
“Your Majesty!” A guard scrambled into the room putting a stop to the two, though their clear distress made Corrin’s blood run cold. He knew Kana was gone—he felt her leave. But the way they held onto two pieces of crumpled paper, almost unwillingly holding them out, caused the dragon some new level of concern. “The princess is missing from her quarters. I’m afraid this is all we could find.”
Corrin swiped the papers from their hands, smoothing them out to get a look at what was on them. He froze upon seeing the drawings. They were unfinished, missing key details, but they were unmistakably attempts at Azura and Shigure’s forms. The pain behind Corrin’s eyes worsened, feeling as though his head would split in two. A shout tore from his throat as he ripped the pages, letting the scraps fall to his feet.
Some part of Corrin wondered what ran deeper in that moment: his rage or Flora’s horror? It likely didn’t help her when he turned on his heel, moving to tower over her body still crumpled on the floor. It was as though he were trying to take up the entire world around her, to suffocate the woman without physical contact.
“I entrusted you with the duty of my daughter’s care. Servant, teacher, guardian. And how has my trust been repaid?” Flora seemed to bristle at his words, but she did not speak. No doubt fear held her tongue. “Kana is gone. Under your watch. If I learn this was your doing…” He trailed off a moment, throat dry as that oh-so-human part of him didn’t wish to think of consequences. Instead, he shook the thought away, finding where to continue. “You are to remain in this room under constant watch until we find Kana.”
With nothing more to say, Corrin turned and left. He walked in no particular direction, finding himself simply wandering the halls before slowing. Some part of him knew these halls were empty, but he could see and hear his comrades around him. They were quietly watching him, just as always. He’d managed to drive them from his mind while focused entirely upon Kana, but now he couldn’t ignore them.
He couldn’t let Kana join them. No, he’d put together search parties to scour Hoshido and Nohr. He had no doubt his siblings would provide aid. No, Kana won’t be gone for long. This would be no repeat of the past.