Prince Nayoko of Hoshido

Kass was magnificently terrifying as a dragon.

It seemed like a horrible dream to suddenly see her diving towards me, and it wasn't until Xander was on the floor that I truly understood what had happened. She was a robust beast, with enormous wings and a gigantic tail that she was holding straight out and still, like an animal waiting to pounce. It was as if I was staring into a mirror, but there was something disjointed and unreal about it.

Kass shouldn't have been able to transform.

Elise was sprawled in front of me, unharmed but frozen with shock. Camilla and Leo lowered their weapons, allowing Hinoka and Takumi the freedom to turn around and see what was happening. All of them looked equally dumbstruck.

No, I thought, staring along with them. She can't suffer like I did.

It was memory of that suffering which finally brought me to my senses. I pushed away from the wall, my arms shaking. "Azura, sing!"

She was staring at Kass, her eyes blank. "I t-thought she wasn't..."

"Azura!" Ryoma snapped. He strode across the room towards her. "Please!"

His sudden movement caught Kass' interest, and she backed away from Xander. Behind her, he sat up slowly.

Azura lifted her pendant.

You are the ocean's grey waves

Destined to seek life beyond the shore, just out of reach

Kass shrank away from her, releasing a groan that reverberated around the room.

Yet the waters ever change

Flowing like time

The path is yours to climb

Kass' knees gave way. She sank to the floor, the weight of her dragon body so great that the room shook on impact. Roaring, she struggled for a moment to get back up, then suddenly lay still and turned her head to look at Xander.

"Why isn't it working?" Takumi asked. "It worked on Nayoko."

"Not immediately," Hinoka pointed out.

Leo frowned. "I think she wants Xander to do something."

Kass moaned, quiet but imploring. She was still watching Xander. He was looking back at her, transfixed. Now that he'd got over his initial shock, he didn't seem afraid.

I approached him. "Perhaps she wants us to make up? After all, I think she transformed because she believed that you were going to kill me -- and Elise."

Xander's jaw tightened. "I was only intending to take out my frustration on you. I shouldn't have done, and I'm sorry."

Kass lowered her head to the ground, semi-satisfied. But she moaned again.

"I think you have another apology to make, Xander," Camilla said. "Didn't you two have an argument?"

"We've already apologised."

"I thought you only apologised for arguing," Leo said. "You still didn't consider what she said, did you?"

Xander's eyebrows rose. "How do you know what she told me?"

"She told me, too, because you wouldn't listen to her."

Camilla and Elise exchanged a confused look.

Xander sighed. "I did listen; I just didn't believe what she had to say. How could Father possibly be a demon?"

Ryoma stepped forwards. "Prince Xander, Kaiya has discussed her thoughts with us, too. The Hoshidan royal family believes her."

"Then why have you surrendered to us?"

Leo's eyes lit up with understanding. "They want him to sit on the Throne of Truth."

"That's right," I said. "It was Kass' idea."

"So she hadn't given up on it," Xander muttered. He looked at her again. "You truly believe he's a demon, don't you?"

"I think you need to entertain the idea that she's right," I said. "You don't have to believe it, but you do have to give her opinion some worth."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "I suppose...if you believe it so strongly that it made you transform, my heart gives me no choice but to listen. Even if I don't know what the truth really is." He looked at her. "I'm sorry, Kass."

I held my breath.

She roared and lifted her face to the ceiling, and a flash of light engulfed her. When it had faded, she was human again.

Xander had already started walking towards her, and when she swayed and her knees gave way, he caught her in his arms. "Kass?"

She leaned against his chest, deathly pale. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I couldn't control myself..."

"It's all right." He crushed her against him. "I'm just so glad that you're here with me, alive."

"Prince Xander!" someone called from the doorway.

I looked over my shoulder. A Nohrian soldier was standing there -- Belden, a member of the platoon I'd once led. To see him again here twisted my insides with a feeling that was almost regret.

He bowed. "Prince Xander, King Garon has finished overseeing the capture of the soldiers in the watchtowers. He's coming into the castle now."

"Damn it!" Xander released Kass and crossed the room to fetch his sword. "Get back into your positions, quickly! We're supposed to be holding the Hoshidan royals and their retainers at blade-point."

Kass drew her sword quicker than most veteran warriors and pointed it at me. I stared at her in surprise.

She smiled. "Relax, Norton. I'm just playing my part. Now that I've properly made up with Xander, it's only fair that I forgive you, too."

My shoulders slumped. "Thank you. Listen, about this dragon form..."

"I think it's a conversation that will have to wait until later." She swallowed hard.

Belden stayed in the doorway as my Hoshidan allies and I were walked to the front of the room again, dividing his attention between us and the corridor.

Once we were standing still, Kass glanced down the line. "Camilla, could you kick Yato over here, please?"

Camilla did as she was asked. Hinoka watched its movements like a hawk until it stopped beside Kass' feet.

My twin sister smiled at me again. "Just in case you need it. I believe we're all going to find ourselves as allies in a few moments' time."

"King Garon is coming this way!" Belden said. He looked at me before he left. "Hang in there, Captain."

"Do you see how some people's loyalty never dies?" Kass asked.

I smiled fondly as I thought of my platoon. "I could always see that. When I took you, Kass, I truly just wanted to protect you. I know you're a Nohrian girl through and through -- and that's all right."

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"As Kass said," I continued, "in a few moments' time, we may find ourselves as allies. If King Garon is not a man but a monster, we will strike as one force. Understood?"

I looked around our group. Sakura and Elise nodded. Camilla raised an eyebrow, but she shrugged her consent. Leo inclined his head. Takumi and Hinoka scowled, but they did not protest.

Xander set his jaw. "Understood."

I looked at Ryoma.

He smiled. "Understood, General Nayoko. From this moment forward, you are in command of us all."

Behind him, King Garon entered.