Chapter Text
‘Of course, who else would it be? Now uh, can you tell me what’s going on? Please?’
Grima bit his lip, looking around the cave. No one was watching him, were they? Robin tended to get stares and odd questions when he talked to Grima, too distracted by the voice in his head to pay proper attention to the people around him. Now that Grima was the one in control he’d likely be subject to the same if he wasn’t careful.
All eyes were thankfully on Azura. She was still singing, eyes closed, left hand pressed to her sternum. Hopefully someone would ask for an encore, prolonging the amount of time Grima had to talk to Robin without his distraction becoming obvious.
‘How can you mock me for ignoring you while trapped in my thoughts if you do the same thing?’ Robin continued, desperation creeping into his voice. ‘Come on now, where are we? When are we? Anything? I know you can hear me.’
Grima flipped the hood up on Robin’s coat, taking a few steps back to lean against the cave’s cold stone wall. A protruding stone dug into his back uncomfortably. ‘We’re in Valla, talking to a pocket of survivors who apparently recognize Azura as their long-lost princess. Now calm yourself. You haven’t even been gone a day.’
An odd rumble ran across the back of Grima’s mind. A sign of Robin’s discomfort. ‘That’s good to hear… But how did this happen? The last thing I remember was jumping into the canyon, and you shouting-’
‘Anankos attacked us. I fought back.’ Grima rushed, not in the mood for Robin to recount his moment of weakness. It was a display of emotion he’d rather not recall. The thing about madness was that everything felt so strong, and even if that moment wasn’t quite madness, the intensity of the feeling had been close enough to that time in his life that he wasn’t going to dwell on it if he could avoid it. ‘Unfortunately, it seems the mental attack was strong enough to knock you out. When Corrin, Azura, and the butler woke this body up after landing in Valla, it wasn’t you that awoke with it.’
Several feet away Azura was sipping from a glass of water one of the Vallites had run to collect, putting it down a moment later to begin what would hopefully be the first of several encore songs. The next one seemed to have some sort of cultural significance, by the way the older Vallites let their shoulders sag and moved their lips as they silently sang along.
‘How many people know I’m really you?’
Grima let the edges of his lips curl up into a smile. ‘Oh? So you admit it? You’re just an extension of myself, not a self that exists independently?’
‘...’
He’d struck a nerve.
His smile fell. What was meant to be a lighthearted quip had apparently not been as spirit-raising as he’d hoped it would.
‘Apologies. Don’t worry. You’re a unique soul who has no need of me, not some vessel that has accidentally gained sentience. I’m only here because of a contract your ancestors made. You just happen to be unlucky enough to be the descendent that was alive when I was summoned to your world. You needn’t have some sort of existential crisis over a joke that fell flat.’
‘Since when have you been one to tell jokes?’ Robin replied. There was enough of a tilt to his voice that Grima could tell he was trying to be positive, but couldn’t truly bring himself to be so.
‘Given how poorly my jokes seem to come across, perhaps I shouldn’t tell them at all. You’ve more skill than I in that regard.’
‘Now you’re just saying things to get me to cheer up,’
‘Is it working?’
‘...sort of. I think giving me my body back would be much more successful though.’
‘Believe me, when I figure out how to do so it will be yours. I tire of trying to pretend to be you. In my home timeline, there was no need to pretend. It was quite clear I was no longer you from the moment I-’ he felt Robin stiffen. Chrom’s death was clearly something that made him uncomfortable, even if it had not been his Chrom that had died. ‘-took control. In the eyes of his comrades, Robin died that day and Grima took his place. Some chose to believe that Robin could be...brought back, so to speak, but it wasn’t as though they thought the menace terrorizing their lands was still the sweet tactician they had grown to love. Here I might have annoyed a few of your friends, but only a handful know the truth.’
‘That handful being?’
‘Corrin and Takumi. Azura likely suspects something is not quite as it seems, but we haven’t spoken about it directly. The others are under the impression that you have some sort of concussion.’
‘Concussion, huh? Well I suppose that’s better than possession. I still don’t know how I’m supposed to explain things to Odin, Selena, and Laslow. You heard Laslow’s speech, right? He knows, somehow. To some extent. And they of all people deserve to know you’re here.’
‘I was not the Grima who razed their homeland.’
‘But you were the Grima to raze another. Maybe they’re not the Severa, Owain, and Inigo you tried to kill, but you did try to kill a Severa, Owain, and Inigo who grew up in the exact same situation, only differing in the last year or several months before your disappearance.’
‘They do not know that.’
‘So? They deserve to. I can’t hide your presence forever. I’ve already failed at that, actually, as you’ve seen and heard.’
‘They know there’s a Grima within you. Just claim I am the one who woke up in your timeline, rather than the one who chased Lucina and her friends back in time.’
He could sense Robin’s frown. ‘No. I’m not doing that. They don’t deserve to be lied to again. Not to mention how I highly doubt we’d be able to keep that charade up forever, and the damage that would manifest when they realized my lie would be unrepairable. I’m not hiding this from them. Not forever. I’ll give you time to think Ion what explanation you would like to give, whether it’s from my lips controlled by mind or my lips controlled by yours.’ He went quiet for a moment, then dropped into a whisper. ‘I really hope it’s my lips controlled by my mind. I don’t want to be stuck like this forever. It’s...so numb. So distant. How do you deal with this?’
Grima let out a dry chuckle. Then stiffened, realizing how suspicious it might seem to be chuckling to himself at seemingly nothing. Thankfully Azura had moved on to a much louder and more fast paced song, and no one seemed to have heard him over her voice.
‘I have lived much longer than you. I have spent much longer than you in such a state. Over time the numbness grows to feel regular. It isn’t pleasant by far, but neither is it so terrible. It just is.’ He closed his eyes, allowing himself to return to the blackness that was not quite so all-consuming as the void within Robin’s mind or the void of a thousand year sleep, but a blackness all the same. ‘The last hundred or so years before the Awakening, I found myself in a similar state. Not quite awake, not quite aware, but not fully unconscious either. At the edge of something. Able to tell events were occurring around me, unable to interact or interfere with them.
‘Truth be told, I hate that feeling. But I have also grown numb to it. Numb to the numbness. Distant from the distance. If one of us must be confined to such a space, then I will allow it to be whenever we discover how to change back. I have lived many a human lifetime, and am content. Though I could do more, and have enjoyed some of the going-ons this body has been involved with, it is yours, and I should return it. Back to the blackness. One day for eternity…’
‘Grima…’ Robin whispered, empathy evident in his voice and uncomfortably strong in the reverberations through the back of Grima’s mind.
He chose not to respond.
A minute or so later Corrin walked over, leaning back onto a part of the wall a few feet away from him. “How’s it going over here?” she asked, voice light. “Azura’s amazing, isn’t she?”
“She is,” Grima agreed. He felt Robin shift. “So much so that she managed to awaken a certain someone.”
Corrin turned her head to look at him. “What does that-” her eyes widened. “Robin!?” she breathed, voice high and as loud as a whisper could go while still being considered such.
Grima shook his head. “Not quite. But he gives his regard, I imagine. Do you?”
He smiled at the rapid nods he knew Robin was trying to make. ‘Of course! Tell her I’m sorry for getting replaced with such a jerk, and that I’ll do my best to come back myself as soon as I figure out how.’
“He says yes,” Grima responded.
‘Not just yes-’ Robin began, cutting himself off when Corrin began to speak.
“I’m pretty sure he said a lot more than that, knowing him and considering how long you took to respond. Can he hear me? Or can he only hear you?” she pressed, frowning slightly. A worried expression. Not quite desperate but...something close. Someone who treasured her friend, clearly.
Grima would not admit how it tugged at his heart.
“He can hear and see all that I can. If there is anything you wish for him to know, you need only say it to me and the message will be passed along, now that the both of us are awake,” he explained.
Corrin breathed a sigh of relief, worry melting into a wide smile, eyes bright. “Oh thank goodness. Well, first things first, I’m glad to have you back, Robin. So glad I don’t know how to say it. You’re so important to the success of this army and everything we’re trying to do, and one of my closest friends. We may have only known each other a few months, but you’ve given me so much more than you could imagine, and I’m really grateful for it. Knowing you’re okay is just...it’s wonderful. Really. Fancy words really aren’t my thing so I’m definitely not getting this across as well as I want to, but I think you get the message. I hope you do.”
An internal smile. ‘Of course I do. It’s...it’s really nice to hear you say that. Especially after I…’ He trailed off. ‘Grima don’t say that last part. But do say the first two, please. And in my words. Otherwise I sweat the moment I get control of my body back I am going to tell everyone horribly embarrassing things about you and even if you do somehow get control back again, they’re going to believe my words over you and the damage to your image will not go away.’
‘Spiteful little kid, aren’t you?’ Grima shot back, frowning momentarily before addressing Corrin with a sigh.
“He says, and I quote as not to incur his ire, ‘Of course I do. It’s...it’s really nice to hear you say that.’ And though he didn’t say it, from having shared his mind so long I can tell you he has always valued your friendship, and does not know where he would be without you either. You’re dear to him, and he’s glad to be back so as not to upset you further. There are few things he dislikes more than troubling a friend.”
Corrin giggled. “Well that’s more like it!” Then she smirked. “Now second thing- what did Robin actually say the first time?”
Grima frowned. “He said yes.”
Corrin raised an eyebrow. “Not just yes.”
Grima’s frown deepened. “Yes was the important part.”
Corrin’s smirk grew sinister. “So he insulted you, then?”
The risk of permanent frown lines grew stronger. At least it technically wasn’t his face. “I didn’t say that.”
‘You go Corrin!’ Robin cheered inside Grima’s head, causing Grima to sigh.
“Fine. You two win. For the sake of getting you two to shut up and reduce my chances of a headache, he said something along the lines of an apology for having to deal with me instead of Robin, who believes himself to be a much more pleasant person,” he grumbled.
‘And rightfully so,’ Robin added. ‘But you forgot to mention the jerk part. That’s very important.’
Grima tilted his head back, looking toward the ceiling. Why did they have to act like such children ? Couldn’t they let such simple things go? What good did insults do them?
‘Oh plenty of good. They make life fun.’
‘Am I not allowed to think without deigning a response?’
Robin shrugged. ‘You do the same to me when you’re trapped in my head, so it’s only fair I do the same to you.’
“Robin would also like to let you know that his apology is specifically for having to deal with a, and know that I do not agree with this sentiment, ‘jerk’ instead of himself. Who he apparently believes to be a complete and total saint who can do no wrong.”
Corrin laughed, and Robin frowned.
‘I never said that last part!’
‘You were clearly thinking it. So I thought it only fitting to pass that information along as well, given how insistent you are that I properly convey your words and meaning.’
Corrin reached over to pat Grima on the shoulder, pushing off the wall to stand in front of him rather than next to him. “Glad to know he’s feeling well in there. We’ll get you back, Robin. I promise.”
‘Thanks.’
Grima nodded. “Thank you, he says. As do I.”
Corrin mimicked the motion, and looked over to where Azura continued to sing. She was mid song, eyes still closed, hand still to her sternum. It took another three songs before the Vallites were content enough to let her finish, an air of peace and happiness filling the cavern by the time she was done.
Azura walked over to the two of them, a tired but content look on her face.
“Well someone’s popular!” Corrin remarked, lips upturned. Azura blushed in return.
“It’s nothing, really. They haven’t seen any new people in so long. They would be happy for any outside company, especially with the promises that you have brought them. I’m more of a figurehead than anything.”
‘I don’t know about that. With the way they cheered for you, I’m not sure we’ll be able to get you back after this is all done. I wouldn’t be surprised if they stormed the castle with us just to make sure you don’t leave. They love you, Azura. For what you stand for, yes, but for what you have brought, not just Corrin. We would never have come here without you, after all.’
Grima stared at Azura, silent, until he realized she and Corrin were looking at him expectantly. Ah yes. Robin normally gave reassurances. And just did. So Grima repeated what the man had said.
“You’re too kind, Robin. It was nothing, really. But thank you. I hope to one day repay the kindness they have shown me, and to bring the peace they so desperately wish for. Even if I haven’t been here since I was a child, this is still my home, and I wish more than anything for it to be restored. For the sake of myself and my mother, yes, but for their sake most of all.”
“The sign of a true leader,” Grima commented, Robin agreeing. “To consider the wishes of her people, and do the best to fulfill them knowing what is possible and what would most benefit them. You may claim the admiration is undeserved, but as I’ve said before, you’ve earned it many a time and will surely continue to do so with your actions to come.”
Azura frowned. Robin sighed, Corrin doing the same and face-palming behind Azura so she couldn’t see.
‘Grima. Phrasing.’
Grima flinched. “That is, what I mean to say is don’t worry yourself too much. You’ve done great so far, and it’s obvious the people love them. You don’t have to do anything crazy- just keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll be good. Got it? No big deal. You’ve got this!”
He focused on Robin, hoping for his approval. He felt the man nod.
Azura’s frown faded, but the questioning look in her eye remained. “Uh, okay. Thank you for your support.”
Ilna chose that moment to walk over to them, Nadia at her side. They both bowed, Ilna first and Nadia following once she realized what was happening. “Thank you, your highness,” she said, respect evident. “It’s wonderful to see you again, having not known what happened to you when your mother fled with you and worrying for so long that both you and she had been lost. I imagine she would be very proud of you.”
Azura looked down. “I...I suppose she would. But how did you…?”
Ilna rose. “I knew Her Majesty well. Had she been able, I’ve no doubt she would have come with you to see her homeland reclaimed. I’m so sorry for your loss, but know I will be here to support you as well as I can in her stead. If you would ever like to hear stories of her in her younger days, you need only ask. I have many, most of which I have never shared due to them being...not bad , per se, but sometimes less than proper in a way that she probably wouldn’t want spread to people outside her family. She was quite the rebel in her younger days.”
A look of peace crossed Azura’s face. “Yes, I would like that very much. After we reclaim the castle and lay Anankos to rest, I would love to hear whatever you have to say about her. Mother never spoke much of her homeland, due to a...curse of sorts, that manifested in the land the two of us escaped to.” Then a look of realization replaced her previous expression. “Oh yes, I should mention that. The army we have brought with us knows little of Valla. Most didn’t even know it existed until a few days ago. So please forgive them for any missteps they make. No offenses will be intentional, and if they are they will be dealt with.”
“You needn’t worry, your highness. We are grateful for the help. Any small customary slights they make will not be an issue. If any of our people do try to raise concern about it, I will make sure they do not get out of hand.”
“Thank you.” Azura bowed in return.
They then chatted for a few dozen minutes, Ilna explaining some of what had gone on in Valla in the past decade and a half and Azura, Grima (and Robin via Grima), and Corrin asking the occasional question for clarification. The overview of the terrain they got was helpful, as was the information on the types of troops and common routes Anankos’ soldiers typically used.
They continued to speak until a Vallite soldier ran into the room from the entrance to the cave that the trio had used, confusion and concern on his face.
“Your highness, Lady Ilna,” he began with a bow, straightening as soon as could be polite. “There are several people at the entrance to the cave, armed and in foreign clothing. They heard the explosion and demand to know where her highness and her friends are. Should I let them in?”
Grima blinked. Had the sound of his spell been so loud as to reach the other side of the mountain? It had been quite powerful, and caves had a way of transferring echoes.
“I believe we should. I trust these three, and if their allies did not attempt to immediately breach the gate I am confident they will not try to harm anyone before seeing confirmation of their friends’ good health. Do you have any objections?” she asked Azura.
“No. You may let them in. Should we meet them at the entrance?”
Ilna shook her head. “No, we shouldn’t crowd it. But I will take you to a side room where we may speak without being subject to the stares of the rest of our people. Follow me.”
With that the soldier ran off, and Ilna guided them to a spacious room closer to the entrance but branching off a side path that connected to the main hall.
Xander, Ryoma, Camilla, Takumi, and Jakob entered about two minutes later. The relief on their faces when they saw the trio was unharmed was strong. Even in Xander, who from what Grima understood was normally stone-faced, and Camilla who normally only switched between a smile or an intense frown. Leo wasn’t very expressive either. Elise seemed to be the exception in that family.
“Oh thank the heavens you’re safe,” Camilla said, running over to envelop Corrin in a near spine-crushing hug. Grima actually heard her back crack at the motion. The sort of sound one’s back made when they were stretching, not when actual damage was being done, but the little armor Camilla wore did cover some impressive biceps, as evidenced by the power of her swings and her ability to wield such large axes.
“Lady Corrin!” Jakob shouted, rushing to check her for injuries as soon as Camilla put her down. Corrin assured she was fine, but Jakob continued his examination until he was content he’d found all non-existent injuries himself.
“I am glad to see you’re unharmed,” Xander said, a faint smile on his lips.
“How are you, Azura?” Ryoma asked, looking to Ilna and Nadia. The guard had left the room. “I imagine it must be overwhelming to be home again after so long. Truly home, with your people.”
“I felt at home in Hoshido as well,” Azura countered, ever polite.
Ryoma grinned. “Maybe, but the home we gave you could never replace your birthplace despite however much hospitality we tried to extend, that I know.”
“Perhaps. It is lovely to be here once again. Like a dream...but I still loved and love Hoshido. It will always be a second home, even if this one calls to me more.”
“Did you care for Azura while she was away? You seem a bit young.” Ilna asked, eyes on Ryoma.
He blinked. “Oh, no, not exactly. She was...brought to my homeland, sometime after her mother passed. We were raised as siblings, though she was old enough to know we shared no blood. I will leave the details of what occurred to her, as they aren’t all pleasant.”
“They are pleasant enough,” Azura responded, gaze firm. “Though the initial circumstances were far from ideal, life in Hoshido was better than life before.” Her gaze drifted to Xander. “Not that...that is…”
Xander shook his head. “No, you’re right. My father abandoned you when your mother died. You have every right to be upset for the way he wronged you. You have my apologies, for not protecting you as I should have.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You were kept away from me and I from you. Though we only met a few times, you were sweet in the short time we did have to talk. I know it must have been hard, seeing your father remarry to a woman he’d just met.”
Xander opened his mouth to respond, but Nadia cut him off before he could, loud and confused.
“Wait just a minute,” she practically shouted, waving her hands. “Let me get this straight. So Azura was apparently adopted by Mr. Big Hair’s family after some sort of unpleasant thing went on, and lived with them for a long time. But before that she was Mr. Blonde’s...sister or something, because Queen Arete married his dad? Who already had him? And also Queen Arete remarried right after leaving Valla, despite all of the stories about her being madly in love with the King here? So she has three sets of family, two sets of siblings, a step-father, and who knows what else?”
Grima had to laugh. Yes, that was pretty much it. What an awkward situation.
‘Yeah, it really is.’
Grima jumped.
‘Oh come on, it’s not like I’ve gone anywhere! How do you think I feel when you suddenly invade my thoughts. It’s only fair I do the same. It’s boring in here.’
‘Yes now be quiet so I can listen to the rest of what they’re saying.’
Robin laughed. ‘I didn’t know you were so into gossip.’
Grima huffed in return. ‘I’m not. I’m simply interested in the outcome of this conversation because, depending on how receptive the Vallites are to this information, it could meld how they treat our army, which will be important for when they add some of their soldiers to ours and the two of us are tasked with forming groups. I don’t want to pair Vallites with Nohrians if the Vallites come to believe Norhians treated their princess like scum and might not wish to protect them.’
‘Fair enough,’ Robin conceded. Though not fast enough for Grima to catch whatever had been said immediately following Nadia’s recount of the situation.
Azura was speaking when Grima focused back in. “-I assure you, all is fine. I trust Prince Xander and his troops with my life.”
Nadia raised an eyebrow. “Prince? Of where ?”
“The Land Beyond,” Ilna answered.
Both eyebrows shot up this time. “The Land Beyond? It actually exists!?”
“Yes,” Azura replied. “It was the only place my mother could go to escape Anankos’ wrath. But now it too is threatened by his rage, and so its people have come to aid us in our attempts to stop him. Prince Xander and his sister Princess Camilla are from the land called Nohr, as are about half of our soldiers. Their garb mostly consists of blacks and purples, and many wear heavy armor. Prince Ryoma and his brother Takumi are from the land called Hoshido, as are most of the remaining soldiers. Their garb is largely white and red, and most have no or leather armor. Some may be upset if you misidentify them, but we will assure there will be no problems if any such thing occurs. You have my word, as well as the princes’.”
“That you do,” Xander added, followed shortly by Ryoma’s “Of course.”
They were quiet for a moment. Then Camilla spoke. “So, our dear Azura is a princess?”
Azura blinked. “Oh. Did I...did I not mention that before we jumped into the canyon?”
“Nope,” Takumi answered with a shrug. “You said we were going to your homeland, but that was about it. I have to say I really would’ve appreciated knowing that beforehand, but I guess it’s fine. It wouldn’t have impacted that much.”
Ryoma leaned to whisper something to Takumi after that. Grima didn’t try to listen in, taking Ryoma’s narrowed eyes and the slight frown Takumi had after the comment as an indicator that Ryoma had probably said something about being polite.
Robin sighed. ‘Takumi and Leo could really learn a thing or two in that respect. I like them well enough, Takumi a bit more just because I know him better, but politeness is what earns you respect, which is important when being a prince.’
‘I don’t quite agree,’ Grima responded. ‘While it can be beneficial to be polite, being honest is just as important. I find no fault in his words, nor in the way he conveyed them.’
‘Maybe you don’t, but I do. So if someone mentions this to you later you will be conveying my thoughts on the matter, got it?’
‘Understood.’
The chatter continued for a little while, just clarifying some things about Azura’s background for the sake of both the Cantans and the Vallites. Focusing on different parts of her life for the different parties: her birth, first few years of life, and journey to Nohr for the sake of the former group, and her journey to Nohr and life afterwards for the latter. She’d lived a fairly fascinating life, even if it was not always pleasant.
They then began to discuss a few of the most important features of the landscape of Valla, essential for planning their journey to the castle and eventual battle with Anankos. The more they knew about the terrain, the better they could plan for potential ambushes or even open field battles.
At some point Takumi flinched, bringing a hand to his head for a moment before dropping it.
Xander was actually the one to notice it, asking if the boy was fine. Takumi said it was no big deal, probably just an aftereffect of the fall.
Grima, on the other hand, knew it wasn’t.
The second Takumi had flinched, so had he. After all, while Anankos’ connection may have been much thinner than the connection Grima had to Robin, a dragon’s aura was not something to be taken lightly, nor something another dragon could ignore when residing within their place of influence.
‘So that’s what was?’ Robin asked, voice trembling as though shuddering. ‘That felt...unpleasant.’
‘It did, yes. Anankos isn’t particularly pleased with our presence, even if we’re doing nothing other than existing at the moment and he isn’t precisely aware of our activities. We’re intruding on his territory, and he’d much rather we not.’
‘We as in the Cantans, or we as in you and I?’
‘The latter.’
Robin went quiet, and Grima turned his focus back to the happenings in front of him.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Takumi?” Corrin pressed, lips pursed and eyebrows drawn together. Concern evident, not buying the excuse that it was an aftereffect of his head wound as she knew well that that head wound had never been dealt.
“Yes, I’m sure. It was just a little blip or whatever. I’m fine, really. You don’t have to drop everything just for me.”
Corrin’s frown lessened slightly, but didn’t entirely disappear. “If you insist. Well then, back to the-”
“Actually,” Grima announced, “as long as we’re paused for the moment, I think it might be a good idea to invite the rest of the army in rather than having them wait outside. You didn’t send back any messengers reporting on your or the princesses’ status, did you? People might start to get worried if you don’t send at least some kind of message back to them soon.” he asked Xander and Ryoma.
“We did not,” Ryoma responded. “Though we probably should. Takumi, would you come with me?” he asked, motioning for his brother to follow along.
Grima took a step forward. “Is there any chance I could convince you to take Corrin or Camilla instead? I want to talk to Takumi about something, and I have a feeling he might be more receptive without his older brother standing right over him.”
Ryoma looked slightly surprised, but conceded. “If he’s fine with that. Takumi?”
Takumi bore a similarly puzzled expression. “Uh, yeah. That’s good with me. See you in a bit.”
Both Corrin and Camilla then left with Ryoma, Corrin shooting Grima a look of concern. He felt the slightest bit bad for not explaining his reasoning, but he could tell her later. For the moment, he needed to make sure Anankos didn’t learn anything that could interfere with their plans and lead to increased casualties.
Next, Grima addressed Ilna. “Is there a small room the two of us could go into? Not to say I don’t trust you, but it’s a bit personal so, you know.” He shrugged for emphasis.
She nodded, not showing any signs of offense. “Of course. Exit this room and walk further down the hall until there’s an opening on the right. That room is used for storage, so it’s nothing impressive, but it should afford you two some privacy.”
“Thanks,” Grima replied, grabbing Takumi by the wrist and practically dragging him to their destination.
“Why did you-” Takumi began, but Grima cut him off.
“He’s listening,” Grima said, voice flat.
“What?”
“Anankos. I do wish you would drop this act and stop trying to use the boy. Do you not have your own pawns to send after us? Must you truly stoop so low?”
A flash of fear entered Takumi’s eyes, and he went stiff. “What are you- Anankos is- he’s…”
Then the boy clutched his head, falling over once more. Grima caught him before he could hit the ground, lowering him onto his knees. He seemed to be in some intense pain.
A different sort of panic flashed through Robin. ‘Takumi!’ he cried, phantom heart beating fast. ‘Damnit Grima, why couldn’t you have warned him? Was there not some less-damaging way you could have dropped that on him? Or not dropped it at all and instead just kept him quiet until Anankos left?!’
“My apologies,” Grima said aloud, addressing both Robin who could hear and Takumi who may or may not have been able to. “But I couldn’t allow Anankos to hear anything especially important, and I thought it better to do this here than in front of the others where it might cause a commotion.” He cleared his throat. “And to you, Anankos, I insist you stop this game. You will gain nothing from him and nothing from us, I swear it. I don’t care what I have to do to the boy to stop you-” another flash of panic from Robin, who Grima attempted to send some sort of internal calming reassurances to, “-as you will be stopped. I don’t care if this is your territory. We are here, I am here, and we will be victorious. Now leave us. Before I try to use your connection to injure the boy in such a way that will be sent back to your true body.”
Takumi shuddered, breaths especially ragged.
Then the heavy aura left the room, left him, and it was only the three of them. One dragon and two humans. Not two and two.
‘Grima…’ Robin whispered, aghast, ‘You wouldn’t actually...you weren’t actually…’
“No,” Grima responded aloud, trying to channel his power to cast a low-grade healing spell on Takumi. He may have been more attuned to dark magic, but that didn’t mean he was incapable of using healing spells. It just took more energy, proportionally, and the curative spells he could cast weren’t nearly as strong as the destructive ones he tended to favor. “I doubt you would forgive me for such a thing. Not to mention what damage that would do to the war effort I am trying to save via convincing Anankos to abandon his feeble attempts at possession.”
Robin was clearly not convinced himself. ‘Do you really care that much about what I want?’
Grima sighed. “As I’ve said before, so long as I am stuck in this body, I must deal with the consequences of what it does. And I must deal with whatever nagging or pouting you think or say because of your and my actions both. I am not going to do anything that will make life significantly pleasant for either of us. It’s unpleasant enough as it is.”
‘Then, thank you.’
“You’re welcome.”
‘Has Anankos completely left him, or does the connection remain?’
“Anankos has left him for the moment, so there will be no more spying, but I can sense a faint thread that still binds him to the boy. So for the moment we will be fine, and I’m certain he won’t attempt any more possessions in the coming days, but he is not completely free. We will need to be vigilant.”
‘Is there anything you can do to help him?’
“No. Powerful as I once was, I am only a soul trapped in a human body. An altered one. One with far more potential than most, which has honed itself to be far more powerful than most with even the potential. And regardless of vessel, a dragon soul will always hold power. But it’s as I said before- we are in Anankos’ territory, and here he is far more powerful than any individual that may cross it. His power has seeped through the earth here. Up into Takumi as well. There is nothing I can do to sever that bond.”
‘I see…’
Grima looked back down to Takumi, whose breaths had even and slowed.
“I take it Robin is back?” he said, trying to unsteadily rise to his feet. Grima gripped his arms and helped him up.
“And you as well,” Grima responded.
“Y-yeah. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he had-”
‘You couldn’t have known,’ “You couldn’t have known,” Robin and Grima said simultaneously. Grima cringed.
“Is something wrong?”
‘...’
“...No, nothing. How are you feeling?”
“Slight headache, but it’s fading fast. But more importantly, he’s gone now right? I’m okay for the moment?”
“For the moment. Not permanently.”
Takumi let out a bitter laugh. “Of course not. Of course I couldn’t be that lucky. Or not even be lucky, but not be so lucky...why in the world did it have to be me? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I always so weak-”
‘You’re not weak!’ Robin shouted, Grima echoing the statement in agreement.
“Don’t say such things. You’re stronger than most. Emotionally, you may have some difficulties. But you are far from weak. So don’t constantly tell yourself you are, because if you do, you will bring yourself down to the level you perceive yourself to be. It is not a total solution, and it will take time, but simply attempting to stop such trains of thought before they spiral out of control can do wonders. Anankos may prey on weakness, yes, and he might have chosen you rather than any of the other dragon-blooded because he sensed an emotional imbalance he thought easiest to take advantage of. But you are not pathetic. You are not undeserving of being here. You did fight off his control the last two times, even if you could not expel him permanently. That’s a sign of strength enough.”
“...” Takumi’s frown deepened. Then, he sighed and dropped it. “Yeah. I suppose so. I’ve got this. I don’t feel like it, really. It’s hard to imagine. But I’ve got this. I just need to keep telling myself that...even if no one else believes in me, I have to believe in myself.”
“That is not true either,” Grima corrected. “You have many, many people who believe in you. Including Robin, who I’m sure would be jumping up and down to convince you of your worth were he the one controlling this body at the moment.”
‘Yes, I would!’ Robin cheered. ‘You’re amazing Takumi, and you’ve accomplished so much already, I know you’re bound for great things in the future. You’ve got this. We’ll get through it, and I know your siblings will be so proud of you when you do. Understand? I’m going to need a yes here too.’
Grima nodded in agreement.
Takumi, meanwhile, stared.
“Were you going to say something else, or…”
Grima internally facepalmed. “Ah, my apologies. I’m so used to people hearing Robin’s words and not my own I forget.” He then repeated Robin’s words, making Takumi blush.
“You don’t have to lay it on so thick!” he practically shouted, though not loud enough it would be heard outside of the room. “But thanks. I mean it.”
Robin internally smiled back. ‘You’re welcome.’
Grima relayed the message once more, then asked Takumi if he was feeling well enough to return to the others. When Takumi responded affirmatively, they walked back into the room that Ilna, Nadia, and Xander had stayed in. Xander was talking about the Opera House in Nohr, of all things, and the two women seemed engrossed in his story. Good for them.
Unfortunately the story ended when Takumi and Grima crossed the threshold, words dying at their entrance.
“Have you two figured out whatever it was you needed to speak about so urgently?” Ilna asked, a kind smile on her face.
“Yep!” Grima responded with a grin, having been instructed to do so by Robin.
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Takumi responded, earning an elbow from Grima. He needed to stop apologizing over every little thing. It couldn’t be helping his self confidence. “I mean, yes we did. It was a good talk. Hopefully we’ll be able to have our next one at a more convenient time, but sometimes these things have to happen when they happen.”
Ilna laughed, bringing a hand in front of her face. “Yes, they do,” she replied, looking at Nadia as she spoke. Nadia’s expression dropped into a pout as she looked away.
“How is your head?” Xander asked, ever polite, surprisingly non-judgmental. “If you still have a headache, or if it comes back, then feel free to come to me. I tend to get them fairly often, and keep a few herbs on hand that tend to offset the worst effects.”
“Fine,” Takumi responded, avoiding Xander’s eyes as he spoke.
Xander was polite enough not to raise an eyebrow, but Grima could sense the doubt in his silence.
“We can have one of our healers see to you, if you are still injured,” Ilna offered, kind as always.
“There’s no need,” Takumi rushed back, “really. It’s a lingering wound, but nothing that will hold me back much. Mostly it’s just that Robin here has some strong opinions and is way too suspicious of everyone, so he tends to hold basic conversations in private. Which can be nice sometimes, but you don’t have to do it all the time,” he said with his eyes on Grima. “Really, that draws way more attention than just commenting in public does.”
An attempt at an excuse to ward off the worst suspicion. It was passable.
Grima shrugged back. “Hey, I just wanted to be careful! Can’t fault a guy for considering others’ feelings.”
“Maybe consider them better next time.”
“Maybe.”
Takumi rolled his eyes, and the conversation ended there. The six kept quiet until Ryoma, Corrin, and Camilla returned, the rest of the Cantan army trailing in behind them. The hall wasn’t big enough for all of them, so Ilna had them move to the back side of the mountain where the battle had been fought, so she would have enough room to bring out her troops as well. The large room they’d celebrated in could hold just one group or the other, but it would be uncomfortably cramped with both forces.
“My word,” Jakob breathed once they hit fresh air, glued to Corrin’s side.
Scorched earth, singed plants, a round chunk out of the mountainside where it had been grazed by Grima’s spell.
“We certainly missed quite the battle,” Xander noted, Laslow glued to his side and gaze focused on Grima.
“Interesting sound we heard,” Laslow said, narrowing his eyes. “It must have been some sort of magic, but it wasn’t one I’ve heard in my time in Nohr, nor one I’ve ever heard fighting Hoshido. Apologies to our Hoshidan guests for past battles, but I’m sure you understand and have felt the same.”
“No apologies necessary,” Ryoma replied with a wave, “Just make sure the future does not match the past.”
Laslow nodded, as Odin began to speak. “Yes. It was an absolutely spectacular, mind-blowing, practically earth-shattering sound! And by the aura of darkness I feel surrounding the ferocious gash in the cliffside over there...I, Odin Dark, know that that was where it struck! Tell me, was it a spell cast by one of the invisible soldiers?” he shouted, causing everyone nearby to cringe. Then, he grew quiet. “Or,” he began, slowly turning his heels to face Grima, “was it one of our own.”
A few feet away, Selena facepalmed.
“The latter,” Grima deadpanned. “As you know, we came here unarmed. I had to borrow an old expiring Thoron tome, which produced a very interesting result when I tried to use it after it had run out of spells. Something I’m good at in particular, as you know.”
Odin lifted his chin, approving of Grima’s answer, while Laslow still looked uneasy and Selena loudly sighed.
Yes, they did know. That was not how regular tomes worked. Not even the breakable ones. What he was good at was magic. Or what Grima was good at, rather than Robin. They could interpret his words however they wished. He would clean up later.
‘You will, or I will?’ Robin asked.
‘Whoever is so unfortunate as to have control of this body when they ask.’
From there, Corrin and Azura explained the battle that had occurred and the details of their past discussion with Ilna and the others. The news that Azura was the princess of the strange land they’d come to was a shock to the soldiers, especially those who’d originally been a part of Corrin’s army as opposed to Xander and Ryoma’s troops (who were far more reserved for the most part, being older and likely instructed not to show ‘weakness’ via emotion to potential enemies. Regardless of the fact that all those there were supposed to be allies. There were some things that could not be undone overnight).
“You will contribute troops to our cause, then?” Xander asked, one eyebrow raised.
Ilna bowed. “Your goal is the same as ours. The defeat of Anankos. Though the reasons for our participation might be slightly different, yours being to protect your homeland from further destruction and our being to liberate our people, their souls are the same.” She rose. “Be warned we cannot spare many. We must protect ourselves from attack. Marco?”
A man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with short red hair and bronze skin bowed before them. “I can bring a dozen soldiers to join you. Though it might not seem like many, all have fought against Anankos’ soldiers many a time and lived to tell the tale, and their experience will more than make up for our lack of numbers, I assure you.”
Xander nodded. “That I believe. We are thankful for the aid. Prince Ryoma?”
“That we are,” Ryoma echoed, bowing to the man in return. “I will make sure your men are treated just as well as ours. Anankos will be defeated before the moon retakes its place in the sky in the next cycle, I am sure of it!”
“Quite the bold statement,” Grima said, grinning (somewhat menacingly, Robin said to him. Grima ignored the boy).
“But one I would see come to pass as well,” Azura said, holding her hand out for Marco to kiss. He did so, then backed away.
“Nadia, will you join them as well?” Ilna asked, looking to her niece.
Nadia frowned, but did not outright object. “If that’s what you wish. But are you sure you don’t need me here?”
Ilna shook her head. “Absolutely. Your strengths would best be put to use on the battlefield, reclaiming the castle you should have grown to consider a second home. I will be fine without you, my dear. I assure you.”
“...Alright,” Nadia replied after some pause, looking to Grima. “Whatever plan you come up with better work, you hear? Because I will be coming back here someday, and it will be to announce Anankos’ defeat to all of my living friends, do you understand?”
“Of course,” Grima said with his best ‘cheery Robin smile.’
Then, the group began to chat about logistics. Hearing nothing revolutionary or worth particular focus, Grima turned to the inside.
‘Now that I’ve promised she will return specifically, should I show her any favoritism in our strategies?’
He could feel Robin’s frown. ‘No. You’ll give her as much effort as we, or I really, give everyone: all of it.’
‘Your war could be won much faster if you were willing to accept more casualties. Frankly, you could probably have fewer casualties if you accepted more casualties in the short term. Especially in terms of civilian impact. The longer the war drags on, the more the people are hurt.’
‘I understand that. But that’s not my decision; it’s Corrin’s. I’ve explained it to her before, and she won’t budge. Besides...it’s not guaranteed we would have fewer long term damages by allowing more in the short term.’
‘But it’s likely.’
‘Sometimes you have to believe in chance.’
‘I find you much too optimistic at times.’
‘I don’t think I would be doing very well if I let myself wallow in self-pity all the time like you do.’
‘I do not wallow .’
‘Don’t you?’
‘Of course not. I’ve long since accepted the pains of my life, and there is nothing to be done about them. I can’t change the past. I can only live what I have now. So I acknowledge my wrongs, I acknowledge my misery, and I move on with life. Wallowing is to allow oneself be consumed. To be overcome. I live alongside it instead.’
‘You don’t need to. If you would only-’
‘Don’t. I’ve lived my life as I know is the best. You’re younger. You don’t understand. Now quiet, I believe they’re talking about something important again. We should give them at least a few minutes’ attention.’
‘...’