Like a leaf caught in the tide, Corrin is drawn to the voice. She has never heard a sound so clear or so resonant; something in her heart feels like it's breaking as she slows to a stop on the lake's shore. It's warm out, yet the hair on the back of her neck is prickling and a cold feeling sweeps through her.

It's not an entirely unpleasant sensation.

Mesmerized, she resumes her walk, no longer aimless. The thoughts that had been overwhelming her just minutes ago have disappeared, replaced by the need to find the source of the song. Nothing matters, not her newly discovered mother, not her Hoshidan birthright, not even her beloved Nohrian siblings.

There is only the song, and the one who sings it.

It has always been that way.

"Milady, Lord Xander is here to see you."

"Thank you, Jakob. Send him in."

Corrin reached for her bookmark and slid it between the pages of her book. A polite knock came at her door just as she snapped the leather cover shut.

"Come in, brother," she called, and a tall man with hair the color of golden straw entered her room. Though he always gave off the impression of being stern and hard to please, Crown Prince Xander always had a kind word and a smile ready for his brothers and sisters.

"Goodness, little princess, what storm blew through here?" he asked, astounded at the pure chaos that made up Corrin's quarters. Clothes were strewn across the floor, and unpacked crates covered what little space was left. Her bed was little more than a mattress with a blanket thrown over it while the table and chairs in the center of the room were holding up a collection of books and parchment that looked like they might be half the contents of a tattered library.

Corrin looked slightly abashed.

"I haven't had much time to organize," she muttered as she cleared a chair for Xander.

"I can see that," he said, grinning. "Is Jakob on strike?"

"Uhm, not quite... Don't laugh, but he got mad at me last week. I left a bunch of old weapons lying around and he tripped on them while cleaning. He swears he almost lost an eye, so he said he won't lift a finger to clean my room until I learn a little responsibility..."

"I see. Poor Jakob. But I didn't realize you were quite so... messy, sister."

"I'm not. At least, not this messy. I kind of asked Felicia to help in secret when it started to get out of hand, and... well, this is the result," she said miserably, waving a hand over her belongings. Xander laughed.

"I think I understand now why Jakob is trying to teach you to be a bit more independent," he chuckled. "I hope this has taught you to take care of your own duties."

"No, what it's taught me is never to rely on Felicia for anything that isn't battle. But don't tell her that, she's still crying every time we bring up that last fire."

"Ah, well, that was a bit of a fiasco, wasn't it?" he coughed slightly. "But I think Jakob is right, princess. This room is an accident waiting to happen."

"I know. I'm hoping he'll feel bad for making me live in this pigsty and give up soon," Corrin sighed. "In any case, what brings you here today, Xander?"

Xander carefully shifted a few of the books on the table to make space. He pulled a roll of parchment from his pocket and spread it out for her to look at.

"We've got new deployment orders," he explained. "Father wants us to tighten our control of the outlying areas near the Hoshidan borders. There's word that groups of rebels are gathering around places like Cheve, and it's dangerous to let them go unchecked. They could provide a point of entry for the Hoshidan armies."

Corrin examined the map thoughtfully. "Are the rebels Nohrian?"

"Some probably are, but we think they might be being instigated by outside forces."

"So we'll have to put them down no matter who they are..."

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

She groaned, feeling sick to her stomach at the thought of having to fight more of her own countrymen.

"It's like the ice tribe all over again..."

"I'm sorry, little princess. But this is what it means to be at war."

"I know... How far is it from our current position to the first area?"

"Far. It will take us months to march there with the whole army."

"Then I suppose we should set off as soon as possible. If it helps Nohr win the war, we'll do what we must."

"Spoken like a true commander, and a true Princess of Nohr," Xander said, ruffling her black hair gently. "We need to prepare supplies, I'll speak to Leo and Camilla about our current weapon stocks."

"In that case, I'll find Anna. She has some plans for the castle, something about starting businesses within the astral plane. She wanted to visit a nearby town for ideas."

"Now that's a thought," Xander said, interested. "Having access to the astral plane has already made our lives easier with regards to safekeeping our base of operations. Ensuring our own market may be a safer and more efficient supply source in the long run."

"I think so too, but I think we should take it even further, Xander. We should start thinking of the castle as a town instead of just a base. It's true that most of us consider the astral plane as a convenient roof over our heads when we're not on the march, but there's so much space we haven't even begun to utilize. If we're bringing in businesses, we'll be bringing in the people to run them, so we'll need homes, fields, shops..."

"Someone has been listening to Leo's lectures, I see," Xander smiled.

"A little," she admitted. "But it was actually Anna's idea that made me realize that the astral plane has a lot of potential; it could really turn out to be an advantage for us during the war. With Lilith's help, we can create a place that always stays safe from enemy attack. And if we can make it self-sufficient..."

"Then we could potentially retreat here in an emergency and wait out the danger for as long as we need. Very astute, Corrin. You're right, it's an opportunity we shouldn't take for granted. Go with Anna today, and take Azura and Elise with you. See if you can scout out any businesses who may be interested in joining us. I'll assign you a guard to escort you."

"Y-yes, brother."

"Oh and, Corrin?"

"Yes?"

"I'm very proud of you, princess."

Corrin kept her expression calm as Xander closed the door behind him, but as soon as his footsteps faded down the hall, she let out a small cry of delight.

She wasn't sure what she was happier about: the fact that Xander had praised her, or that she was going to spend the whole day in town with Azura and their little sister.

Azura had a terrible pain in her chest.

It had started as a dull ache in the morning, but it was beginning to affect her breathing. It was getting to the point where she couldn't ignore it or pretend she was fine in front of the others.

I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt... it doesn't... hurt...!

She knocked over the glass of water on her bedside table as a sudden spasm hit her, her body trembling out of her control and knocking the breath out of her lungs.

"Ugh!" she whimpered aloud, her fingers clawing at her bodice as she desperately tried to loosen the tight garment.

"Azura?"

No, not... now...!

She gasped for air, aware of the burning pain on her neck and shoulders as the curse began to eat away at her flesh.

"Azura? Are you there?" The light knocking on her door sounded like an explosion in Azura's ears.

Go... away...! she pleaded in silence. Not now... please!

For what seemed like an eternity she lay on her bed, attempting to smother the sound of her cries in her sheets. Eventually the visitor gave up, and soon after the pain began to subside.

Azura stared up at the ceiling as she gulped in lungfuls of fresh air, her eyes red and her blood pounding in her head. Her skin still felt raw, but it was at least tangible again.

I... I'm still alive... she thought to herself weakly. I made it...

For now.

Corrin hesitated outside her sister's door.

"What's wrong, sis?" Elise asked, her large brown eyes blinking inquisitively.

"Oh... nothing," she said quickly. "Just that Azura didn't answer when I came by earlier."

"Well, try again," Elise shrugged. "She's probably back by now."

"Right." She knocked firmly. "Azura? Xander has asked us to go to town with Anna," she called.

There was no response.

I haven't seen her all day, now that I think about it, Corrin thought, but Elise didn't seem to share her concern.

"You have to knock louder," she said, pushing her sister out of the way lightly. She pounded her fist against the door. "HEY, SIS! WE'RE GOING OUT!"

"Elise!" Corrin scolded hastily, but this time there was clearly a sound behind the door and a moment later it opened.

"Oh, hello Elise. Hello, Corrin."

Corrin thought she looked a bit tired; Azura's clothes, normally so pretty and well taken care of, were rather disheveled, and her eyes looked a bit swollen.

"Azura, I'm so sorry! Did we wake you?" she asked, feeling guilty.

"It's fine," Azura replied, smiling slightly. "I'm afraid I fell asleep after breakfast, but it's good you woke me. What's this about going to town?"

"Anna-is-going-to-see-if-she-can-bribe-some-merchants-into-coming-to-work-for-us-and-Xander-wants-you-and-me-and-Corrin-to-go-with-her, probably-to-make-sure-she-doesn't-kidnap-anyone-or-whatever, but-who-cares-about-that? C'mon, sis, it's-gonna-be-so-much-fun-with-the-three-of-us, you-have-to-come!" Elise rattled off at high speed. Azura blinked blankly for a second.

"Uh, that's Elise for 'we're supposed to help Anna with her project but we're basically going to be shopping as a group,'" Corrin translated.

"O-oh," Azura said, unsure. "Well, I don't know..."

"Please! We never get to spend any quality sister time together!" Elise begged, clasping her hands together and giving Azura her best lost puppy look.

Corrin silently shared Elise's hope.

"Okay, okay, I'll come," Azura said, laughing softly at Elise's expression. "Just let me get dressed."

"Yay! We'll meet you in the courtyard, sis!" Elise said, running off before Azura could say anything else.

A slightly awkward silence fell between Azura and Corrin.

"S-sorry, I hope we're not bothering you," Corrin said, fidgeting slightly.

"No, not at all..." Azura said, but Corrin felt that she wasn't quite meeting her eyes. "I'll be down in a minute." She closed the door.

"Did Xander tell you who he was sending as an escort?" Elise asked as the four girls waited at the castle gate.

Corrin shook her head. "Not a clue." Lilith settled around her shoulders, half-asleep.

"Wake me when you're ready to go, Lady Corrin," she yawned, burying her scaly face into Corrin's neck.

"Beats me why we even need an escort," Anna grumbled. She was engrossed in a small account book and only occasionally stopped writing in order to absentmindedly scratch her head with the end of her quill. Some of her red hair was being dyed black by the ink, but Corrin got the impression that Anna didn't care. "All four of us can hold our own in a fight; Prince Xander should be more worried about whatever pathetic fool tries to get one over on us."

"It's just a precaution, Anna," Corrin explained. "We can concentrate better on our work if we don't have to be watching our backs as well."

"I can watch my own back," Anna muttered, but the rest of her sentence was drowned out by a shout.

"Good morning, ladies! My, what a vision you all are today!"

Oh no. Please tell me that isn't-

"Oh, it's Laslow!" Elise said excitedly. "Hi Laslow! What are you doing out here?"

Corrin almost groaned aloud. Gods, please please just let him be passing by... she begged.

"Why, I'm here for you beauties, of course," he replied, dashing Corrin's hopes.

Tall and well built, Laslow was one of Xander's retainers and one of the handsomest men in the army. He had a winning smile and warm brown eyes that seemed to soften when they looked at you, and it didn't hurt that he was always in a good mood. On any other man, perhaps, his charm would be well appreciated, but as far as most of the women in the army agreed, it was wasted on Laslow as soon as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Good morning, Laslow," Azura answered politely. "Will you be escorting us today?"

"Of course, my lady," he said, bowing slightly with a flourish. "Who better to watch over this garden of flowers than myself? There isn't a man who would keep a better eye on you." His smug grin was making Corrin want to punch him. She had never liked him much.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Anna said brusquely. "Hurry it up, will you? We're wasting valuable daylight standing around, and daylight is money," she frowned, slipping her book into her pack.

"Of course milady, but I must say-"

Corrin cut him off before he could launch off into another flowery compliment.

"Lilith, we're ready," she said loudly, and the astral dragon blinked her eyes open.

"All five of you?" she asked, flying up.

"Yes, please, Lilith."

"Okay. Don't forget to use your dragonstone to call me when you need to come back, milady," the little blue dragon said, and in the blink of an eye the group vanished from the astral plane.

"Did you see her?"

"Which one? The one with the parasol?"

"No, the taller one! With the spear and the veil!"

"Oh, she looks just like-"

"Shh!"

"Elise... are you sure we shouldn't be keeping a lower profile?" Azura heard Corrin ask their sister quietly.

"Eh? Why?"

"Well, it might not be a great idea to throw around the fact that we're royalty..."

"No no, keep doing what you're doing," Anna insisted. "You're getting us a fortune in contracts; that blacksmith would never have agreed to send us one of his apprentices if he hadn't known you three were King Garon's daughters."

Azura tightened her grip on her spear but said nothing. She saw Corrin make a similar motion toward her sword hilt, but neither of them made any other move to imply that they did not consider the King of Nohr their father.

"I know it's doing your work good, Anna," Corrin tried again. "But not all the attention is... positive. What if we're attacked?"

"Well, that's what I'm here for, princess," Laslow chimed in. He was completely ignored.

"You worry too much, Corrin," Anna said, inspecting some woodwork carefully. "Who would dare hurt a Nohrian princess on Nohrian lands?"

Corrin frowned but didn't continue her argument.

"It'll be fine, sis," Elise said, taking Corrin's hand cheerfully. "I have a good reputation and no one has anything bad to say about you," she said.

But Azura saw Corrin glance in her direction, and Azura knew it wasn't Elise or herself that Corrin was worried about.

"Gods bless you, princess!" someone in the market called, and Elise waved good-naturedly.

"See? Just smile and wave," she said. "Oooh, Anna, Anna! Look at those!" Her attention caught elsewhere, she ran off, Laslow hurrying just behind.

"I wish I had her optimism," Corrin said, matching her stride to Azura's.

"Or her energy," Azura said, smiling despite herself as she watched Elise try to pick up a huge pot with her bare hands.

Corrin sniggered, and Azura noticed that when she laughed and wrinkled her nose, one of her fang-like teeth protruded slightly. It would have been cute, if it wasn't such a sharp reminder that her friend could transform into a deadly beast at will.

No, not just a friend. My sister. My dear little sister, she corrected herself firmly. It had been months since she left Hoshido, but she still struggled to think of the Nohrian royal children as her siblings. In her heart, she still considered Ryoma and Takumi to be her brothers, and the thought of her sisters brought Hinoka and Sakura to mind, not Corrin, Elise, or Camilla.

But they are my sisters now. Just like Leo and Xander are my brothers. They were kind enough to accept me even though I could have been a spy, and that means more to me than they know.

"Princess!" Azura suddenly felt a tug at her dress. Startled, she turned to see a young girl holding up a white flower. "This is for you, princess," she said, shoving the flower into Azura's hand.

"Oh! Thank-" but the child ran off before she could thank her properly.

"Aw, that's so sweet!" Corrin said, pleasantly surprised. "What kind of flower is it? I don't recognize it."

"Huh? Oh, it's-" Azura paused. There was a small piece of parchment wrapped around the stem.

What?

She pulled the edge carefully, and it came free.

'You are no princess of ours. Go back where you came from, Hoshidan scum.'

"Hmm? What is it?" Corrin asked, trying to read the message. Azura hurriedly crumpled it.

"Oh, nothing, just a scrap piece of paper," she said, hoping her smile was convincing. She held out the flower for Corrin to look at. "It's a tsubaki, a camellia."

Corrin gave her a curious look but accepted the flower.

"It's lovely, I've never seen a bloom like this one," she said, examining it.

"They grow in Hoshido. We had a garden full of them," Azura explained. "In the summer, we used to pick them and put them in our hair..."

She left out the fact that while the tsubaki generally had good connotations, white blooms were considered a symbol of death in Hoshido.

Nevertheless, seeing the flower in a place like this brought Azura a measure of familiarity. As she spoke, she was swept away by memories of her childhood. She recalled playing with Sakura and Lady Mikoto, watching Hinoka practice with her naginata in the palace courtyard. She remembered Ryoma telling her stories that his father had told him as a boy, and even the thought of Takumi sulking in his room made her heart ache with nostalgia.

Corrin and I... we share so much, she thought as they met up with the others and Elise handed each of her sisters a hairpin. She watched as Corrin hugged her sister in thanks. Family members, a past, our fates... but even though we share so much, this is the only thing Corrin can never understand.

Her sister had chosen to stay in the country of her youth. She had chosen bonds over blood, but in exchange, Azura had had to learn what it felt like to yearn for home. As much as Corrin and her family had done for her, the fact was that deep down, Azura resented that choice.

The water washes over her feet, ankle deep. It's cold, and Azura can feel the sand ebbing away beneath her toes. Her voice carries far today, as if there's someone far away who needs to hear it, and Azura lets the song flow through the air, willing it to go as far as it likes.

A sound startles her.

She spins around, afraid she's been seen. And she has, but not by anyone she recognizes.

It's a woman, her hair long and black as night, not unlike Lady Mikoto's. Her clothes are foreign, but she's rather beautiful, in a strange, feral way that doesn't quite feel right. No human eyes should be that red or that piercing.

It's unnerving, but also captivating.

She looks almost... lost.

Azura stares, and something clicks into place. This is her, the one she replaced. The one who replaced her.

This is her other half.

It has always been that way.