She could never quite get quite used to the void they were in until they came back to the battlefield. It was a cold and barren place, where one floated in place, unable to see even its own body. No matter how hard she tried, she was not able to see her own hands touching her nose, despite feeling them. Luckily, the question came back to her, which would help her distract the mind from the gaping abyss.

It had been the blonde woman; she was certain of it. She had been taken out by other swords plenty of times, each having a feeling of its own, and this one had a very unique feeling to it, as strange as it could sound. The sword itself was unique in appearance, with a delicate and elaborated design that mixed the white and gold of her outfit with the green crystal of her chest. A wide blade with four arms in the cross guard that protected the hands of the wielder and the handle.

And her… partner? Other self…? The redhead’s sword design was just as unique, a wide blade that had one of the sides elongated to continue all the way to the pommel. It looked heavier, which was reflected in her blazing attacks, some people needing two hands to properly wield the weapon. It was not her case though, as she was able to use it with a single hand skilfully and dexterously. And where the blonde’s was white and gold, hers was red and orange, or a similar copper-like colour. Both kept the green crystal in the cross guard though, the same crystal in their chest. And now that she thought of swords, the thought came back.

“Falchion…”

It had been shattered. She didn’t want to believe it, but she knew what she had seen. The sword that had fought against the fallen dragon, that had travelled to the past to save the future, the legacy entrusted by her father; broken. Not once had it happened before, the sword immune to the most powerful blows and holding without cracking. In fact, it was easier that one of her arms was dislocated or broken than the sword’s blade to chip. And yet, here she was. What would happen when she came back to the battlefield? Would the sword be reassembled? Would she be unarmed?

“Time to find out.”

The void lit up, as a white light started to swallow her whole. She could feel herself coming back, her body reforming as she readied herself to re-join the fray. However, there was something… odd, something that felt different. She felt… powerful, being unable to put it any other way. There was a surge of energy that ran through her, spreading all over her body as it got more intense. But she also felt…lighter?

Her feet felt solid and strong, able to hold any ground she stood on regardless of the ground shaking. Her limbs felt stronger and full of energy, ready to jump back in the fight; but lighter and faster too, able to deliver devastating blows swiftly and effectively. Her torso felt lean and flexible, able to cover any side she would have to defend from enemy attacks, while her head became clear and focused. But there were other things she noticed too, although whether these were her imagination running wild or not was to be seen yet.

Her chest felt heavier, inflating and expanding as her previous modest bust grew in size and volume. She inhaled sharply, both in surprise and unexpected pleasure. She wasn’t bothered by that, but the more she thought about it, the more that pleasure extended, from the epicentre to the very limit of her body. Her bust felt heavier; her legs, graceful and light; her arms light and swift as renewed strength ran through them. Her whole body felt resistant, as if she was covered in armour, but as light as a feather, able to move around as if she was a dancer on stage.

Her mind was clear, her body was ready, and shortly after the light vanished, lowering her on a platform to the battlefield. It was small, having room for one, for her, but it didn’t matter, as she jumped off and landed with ease. It was only then when she noticed that all fighting had stopped, her father, the two swordswomen and the hylian pair looking at her; all of them with looks that shared confusion, surprise, bewilderment, amazement and… worry?

- …Lucina?

- Yes, father?

- What… happened to you?

- What happ…

She looked down at her own body, only to find two breasts blocking her view, way bigger than those she had before. But it was far from the only change, as right above her new breasts was a crystalline version of the brand of the Exalt, the same mark she had in her eye, glowing gently with a pleasant blue light. Her skin also had seemingly fused with her clothing, now being a dark shade of blue and metallic in texture, as she felt her hand in her very soul the moment she touched the crystal and the surrounding area.

She looked at her hands in disbelief, each having five fingers and human looking, if she left out the fact that they resembled more armoured gauntlets than human hands. She brought a trembling hand to her cheek, touching it and sliding the fingers slowly. A gentle metallic sound reached her ears, the woman looking at her father as her vision started to get blurry.

- A-alright girl, calm down…

She looked around wildly, first to him, then to the hylians, and finally to the two newcomers. The blonde one in white had spoken approaching her with her hands raised in an attempt to seem less threatening; while the redhead watched with her hands over her mouth, eyes wide open.

- F-father?

- Calm down Lucina, we’ll work it out. – he said, looking at the blonde woman. – Isn’t that right?

- Y-yeah, of course! Absolutely!

However, Lucina’s vision blurred fully, plunging her into darkness again. She fell limp to the ground, the last thing she registered being the forms of both Chrom and Mythra rushing to her side.

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Slowly, Lucina opened her eyes, covering them immediately with a hand. The light wasn’t too bright, but she did so out of reflexes regardless. However, doing so, she froze immediately as a faint metallic sound reached her ears, the woman remembering her last moments of conscience before fainting. But there was something else, someone was humming a song, a soothing and calm tune that put her mind at ease. And she was laying on something, while the sound of a gentle breeze blowing also made itself known.

- Oh, you are awake?

Standing up, she recognized the voice, and the face it belonged to. It was the redhead, the fire swordswoman. They were in a small hut of sorts, the woman sitting next to her. She looked at her gently and warmly, almost like a mother watches over a young child. And she wasn’t alone.

- Quite the scare you gave us! You doing alright?

It was a young man, fair skinned and with short brown hair. His golden eyes were fixed on her, looking both amicably and inquisitively. She had seen him accompany the duo although he mostly did not take part in the fight. He did jump in for some taunts and the ultimate attack of them though.

- I… I’m better, thank you.

- That’s good to hear!

- Where... where are we?

- Currently sailing on the cloud sea of Alrest. Gramps was kind enough to let us bring you aboard as you recovered.

- …gramps?

- You will meet him soon enough. – Said the redhead.

- I understand. And my father?

- Outside with Mythra. – Said the boy. – I’ll let them know you are up.

He stood up and walked outside, Lucina being able to see the blonde woman and Chrom talking outside.

“They seem rather amicable...”

She looked at her hands, metallic with the dark blue previously present in her clothes, before touching the crystal on her chest again. The sight was enough to enthral her, eyes fixed on the blue glow that came out of it.

- She didn’t want to do that.

- …Huh?

- Mythra, she did not cause this on purpose. -Said the redhead. – She’s been quite the nervous wreck since it happened.

- Since it happened? How long was I unconscious?

- Two full days. In fact, your father has had to calm her down along with Rex.

- He seems like a good person.

- He is.

- I… never quite got your name.

- Pyra.

- A pleasure to meet you.

She offered a hand, which Pyra took and shook gently. Not the best start to a friendly relation, but regardless, she meant well. She couldn’t help but be slightly amused though, how despite her strong affinity to fire and the weapon she wielded she looked much more human than her. She knew little about her, just that she was a living weapon of sorts, but it was ironic regardless.

With Pyra’s help, she stood up, walking out of the building with a firmer step than she first expected. They were immediately greeted by Chrom, Mythra and Rex; the first immediately closed the distance and embraced her daughter while the second one looked ready to start quaking in her shoes.

- How are you feeling, Lucina?

- I… confused.

- …I understand. Mythra?

The moment the man stepped aside and let the blonde woman have the spotlight, she looked absolutely mortified, unable to choose whether to face her or run off somewhere out of her sight. She did stand her ground though, even if she looked terrified.

- Uh… I’m sorry. I… didn’t know that could happen and never meant for this to-

- Do not worry Mythra – Said Lucina. – I know you didn’t mean for this to happen. How do I revert the change?

At this question both Mythra and Chrom looked away, not giving an answer or not knowing what to answer. The moment she awoke again and found herself still changed she had this sinking feeling, but their silence spoke volumes.

- …Azurda?

- Gramps, a little explanation?

To her amazement and shock, answering Pyra’s and Rex’s call, the island moved, revealing itself to be a dragon-like creature. A living being made of stone and grass, as if a deity incarnated its realm and walked the mortal world. Its eyes were fixed on her, inspecting her from head to toe in silence.

- Good to see you awake. – He spoke. – To keep long story short, you are a particular case. You possess the appearance and the abilities of a blade, but you command your own actions.

- Abilities of a blade?

- Correct. That core crystal in your chest makes you a blade, or a similar being, which grants you arts and abilities of your own. You will discover them sooner or later, through combat most likely…

- Have you heard something like this ever happening before Azurda? – Asked Mythra.

- No, I haven’t. Even with all my years, this is something unseen before for me. You might be the very first of your kind, little one.

- So there is no way to revert the change? – Asked Chrom.

- Afraid not.

A heavy silence set in, as Lucina let the information sink in. She was still herself, and yet, she was a brand-new self. Her appearance and what she was might have changed, but that did not take away the fact that her mind and her body were still her very own. She fidgeted in place, putting the weight on one leg and then on the other. Now that she thought about it, she had barely seen herself.

- Um… is there anything I can look myself in?

- I… think we have something around. – Said Mythra. – Rex?

- Yeah, give me a minute…

All eyes were on the boy, who opened a chest of sorts. It was completely made of metal, although that did not stop it from looking rather flimsy and not precisely damage resistant. Rex fumbled with some items inside, unable to see from her position, but curiosity was getting the better of her. Maybe she could close the distance and take a peek? Regardless, it was done before she could decide, as the boy finally found what he was looking for.

- Here it is! Mind lending me a hand? -Said Rex looking at Chrom.

- Of course.

As the Exalt held the chest open, the boy brought out a rather large mirror, one that didn’t seem able to fit in the container. And going by the noise of the different items, it was nothing short of divine intervention that it was in such a pristine state. It was a full body mirror, with a rather elaborate and decorated metallic frame that held it up. She stood by her previous thought, nothing short of a miracle that it was in one piece and undamaged.

- Found this in my last dive. Good enough?

- Yes, thank you.

She smiled at him, no wonder Pyra and Mythra held him so dear. Inhaling deeply, she stepped before the mirror, ready to look at herself. The image she saw, the woman that gazed back, was not what she had expected. In fact, she didn’t know what to expect at all, despite her appearance having received compliments already. She had never been someone too keen on fashion and appearance, having other… far more important priorities most of the time, but she had to admit she looked good.

Where to start? Her eyes looked at her feet, having fused with her boots to become solid pieces of metalwork. This reached all the way up to her knees, where her high-boots formerly ended, now having become part of her. She could feel the creature’s body under her own heels, under the soles of her feet. Her thighs lacked- no, were her own armour. Lean and smooth looking dark blue metal that followed naturally her more armoured lower legs, giving way to a surprisingly shapely rear, although the thought of touching it before other people was enough to make her blush. Thankfully the cape had become part of her, flowing behind her and covering her rear. And it was then when she noticed the armour in her crotch, giving thanks that it was covered.

Her hips had become a bit wider, and her body leaner while sporting noticeable curves. A lean and toned figure that shared the colour pattern with the rest of her body, giving way to a bigger set of breasts than she had before, properly armoured and protected, but leaving her way bustier than she was, all of it rendered in dark blue while two golden lines made their way from her belly button to her breasts. And above them stood her core crystal, a crystalline version of the brand inherited from her father that gentle glowed blue.

Her arms were lean and light, and yet, had more power and strength than ever before. She could easily swing any weapon now, although… none would ever replace falchion. Her shoulders were armoured with sleek and elegant pauldrons, fusing with her arms and her cape, the dark blue only breaking for the inside of her cape, where it was a dark red instead of the dark azure colour so present in her.

And finally, there was her face; A beautiful mask of smooth dark blue metal, just like the rest of her. She ran two fingers over her smooth lips, a fain metallic sound reaching her ears, while two glowing blue eyes looked back at her, one of them carrying the exact same brand she now bore in her chest. Her hair was long and blue, carrying her diadem on top while two locks framing her face while one invaded it breaking the symmetry. It was… her. Despite everything, all of the changes in her appearance, the woman, the blade that returned her gaze was Lucina herself.

“If only falchion remained whole…”

The crystal in her chest glowed brightly for a moment, and she felt something materialize in her hand. It was a familiar shape, and before her wide eyes she saw a sword form in her hand. A delicate design, having a sleek and elegant blade with a circular cross guard that preceded the handle. Falchion was back, but there was something different. It had the same dark blue as her combined with gold in the blade. The cross guard also displayed the exalt’s crest, blue surrounded by gold while the handle was the same red as the inside of her cape.

She smiled, swinging the sword once and twice before holding it before her. It felt different, like an extension of her, more light and powerful than ever before. It felt good. She felt whole.

- I… don’t think it will pose any problems. -She smiled at her father.

- That’s… good. - He sighed. – It will get some time to get used to it though.

- Yes father.

- If I may. – Interrupted the venerable titan. – Pyra, Mythra, why don’t you show her how to use her abilities. A sparring match would be quite the efficient way to do so.

- You sure about that gramps?

- I wouldn’t suggest so otherwise.

- Then let’s get to it. -Said Mythra.

As Chrom and Rex stepped aside, both Pyra and Mythra drew their weapons, Lucina mimicking their moves. She would learn, she would adapt, and she would master her abilities, just like before. She had wondered what would happen when she returned to her home, what awaited her. With this power, not only would she be able to change the course of history, but she would be able to fight better than ever before. A stalwart protector of the future past, going wherever she was needed to protect Father, her family and her home.