Chapter 16- Act 3: Past & Present; The Search part 2

Chapter 16: Act 3- Past and Present; The Search part 2

After the others had dispersed to set up camp, Inigo found Lucina sitting alone by a small fire, her fingers absently tracing the hilt of Falchion. The dancer approached with uncharacteristic hesitation, his usual flirtatious demeanor replaced by something more thoughtful.

"I never thought I'd see you look at someone the way you used to look at him," Inigo said softly, settling down beside her. "At Odyn, I mean."

Lucina's hands stilled on Falchion's hilt. "You noticed that, did you?"

"Hard not to," Inigo replied, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "The way you two move together in battle... it's different from how you fought with him in our time, but somehow just as synchronized. Maybe even more so."

"Odyn isn't trying to replace him," Lucina said quietly, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames. "Just as I'm not trying to forget. They're... different, yet similar in ways that sometimes make my heart ache."

Inigo nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Tell me about it? About Odyn, I mean. The others have filled me in on some things, but I'd like to hear it from you. How did a dark elf prince end up winning the heart of our stoic princess?"

A soft smile graced Lucina's features. "It wasn't something I expected. After losing our protector in the future... I didn't think I could ever trust someone that deeply again. But Odyn..." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "He has the same quiet strength, the same unwavering devotion to protecting those he cares about. But where our protector was shaped by tragedy and loss, Odyn carries his power with a different kind of grace."

"The dragon's blessing," Inigo mused. "I saw it during the battle - that crest on his forehead. It's not unlike Nah's power, is it?"

"No, it isn't," Lucina agreed. "But it's more than just the power. It's how he uses it. In our time, our protector fought with everything he had because he knew what we were fighting against. Odyn..." She smiled, touching the Brand of the Exalt in her eye. "Odyn fights just as fiercely, but there's hope in his strength. He doesn't just fight against something - he fights for something. For a future we can build together."

Inigo was quiet for a moment, watching her. "You know, in all our years fighting together in that ruined future, I never saw you smile quite like that. Even when..." he trailed off, both of them knowing who he meant.

"They're different loves," Lucina said softly. "What I felt for our protector was born in fire and desperation, in the need to survive and keep hope alive. What I feel for Odyn..." She looked up at the stars. "It's born of choice, of possibility, of the future we're fighting to create rather than just preserve."

"And the way your Brand resonates with his dragon crest?" Inigo asked, curiosity evident in his voice. "I noticed it during the battle."

"It's like a promise," Lucina explained, her voice warm with affection. "The blood of the Exalt and the blessing of the dragons, coming together to protect what we love. It's different from how my Brand used to resonate with our protector's power, but no less meaningful."

Inigo smiled, some of his usual charm returning. "Well, as someone who appreciates the art of romance, I have to say - you've done well for yourself, princess. Though I must admit, I never expected you to marry royalty from another realm entirely."

Lucina laughed softly. "Life has a way of surprising us, doesn't it? Just as I never expected to find a dancer of your... unique talents among the Risen-beset villages."

"Speaking of unique talents," Inigo's expression grew more serious. "Those Risen we fought... their movements weren't natural. They were almost like..."

"Like they were dancing?" Lucina finished, her own expression sobering. "Yes, I noticed that too. It seems our enemies are becoming more creative in their methods."

"All the more reason to keep dancing," Inigo said with a determined smile. "Both on and off the battlefield. After all, if you can find love in these dark times, maybe there's hope for all of us."

Lucina glanced toward where Odyn was speaking with his brother Roy, the faint glow of their dragon crests visible even at this distance. "There's always hope, Inigo. Sometimes it just takes a different form than we expected."

"Like a dark elf prince with dragon's blessing?" Inigo teased gently.

"Like family we find along the way," Lucina corrected, including him in her warm smile. "All of us, fighting for a future brighter than the one we left behind."

To be continued in Chapter 17: Act 3- The Search part 3; Inigo's Realization