With her heart strumming rapidly against her chest, Fiori staggered away from the Plains of Hoshido. Their group was small but formidable even in its early stage. Fiori knew she could put her faith and trust in the allies who had sided with them. Fiori had posed as a simple woman who Orinda had taken a liking to. Fiori was grateful to be given such an easy path into the royal Hoshido family, her resolve to save them from their looming fate only strengthened as she grew closer to the siblings and retainers who resided in Castle Shirasagi. Fiori was not from Hoshido, nor Nohr and knew it would be an uphill battle to convince both that their enemy was not the other, but someone else altogether.

Raising her simple staff, she looked to her brother, Philonius who looked a bit more tired than she was. "Philonius, come, we're not done." She called out to her twin. Though their reunion had been short, she was glad to see her bother. She and Philonius had agreed to part ways in order to both infiltrate each warring kingdom and gathered support in order to meet on the Plains of Hoshido at a designated time. While she was able to rally Orinda, Naoya and Sage, Philonius had been able to get Vance, Amos, Brigh, Faye, Kaspar and Sorscha. It was likely they may pick up some other allies while moving around, but for now Fiori was pleased with who was willing and ready to raise an arm to their cause, as vague as it was at the moment.

Philonius looked to where his sister was, his eyes focused on her. "Y-yeah, understood." Raising his own staff, the two siblings created a sapphire orb which expanded, a small opening made for safe passage. He looked to the others who were catching up or catching their breath. The battle they had just escaped from had been both emotional taxing and physically taxing. "I understand you all made sacrifices to join our cause and that your families may feel betrayed right now. Answers will come soon, please step through the portal so we can better explain the situation we are in why your assistance is so vital to the world's survival." Philonius spoke calmly and directly, trying not to belittle the battle that just took place while trying to move forward.

Both Nohr and Hoshido had followed the siblings and retainers to the plains and misunderstands went flying back and forth. Each kingdom accused the other of kidnapping or some kind of brainwashing espionage. Their group was able to introduce one another before both kingdoms appeared but Fiori and Philonius were unable to fully disclose the full reasoning behind their plea to get aid from both kingdoms. Fiori caught her brother's gaze and offered him a tight lipped smile, hoping that he would be able to put on a brave face just a bit longer. The twin looked to those who belonged to Nohr, grateful for their trust and hoped they did not regret their choice. But before anyone could move through the portal to safety, he held up a hand, having one last thing to say while they were on solid ground.

"Our fight only grows harder from here. My sister and I understand if you change your mind and decide to return to your kingdom." He began to speak, this time more emboldened. "You may walk away at any moment, if you so desire." He said, his gaze traveling from Nohr to Hoshido as he spoke. "However we hope that once we truly embark on this journey, it is one we stick with together. We cannot promise you will survive or that your ties to your family and friends remain intact. What we do promise is an end to the fighting, a unity that is based on truth, without any outside interference." Philonius motioned before motioned for those to step through. Fiori's smile relaxed as she saw Orinda step forward.

"I am tired of this fighting!" Orinda called out. She glanced toward the Hohrian folks, still not sure if she could trust them but if they intended to lay down their arms and direct their anger toward the real enemy, Orinda would trust their actions and not the actions of their family and military leaders. "I do not know what awaits us but I'm ready to do something productive." She said, nodding before she jumped through the glittering blue portal, stepping out into a wide courtyard that had dozens of cherry blossom trees scattered around. There were wooden buildings and birds flying up above. It seemed so perfect, somehow protected from bloodshed and fear. Turning, Orinda looked to see who would stick with Fiori and her brother, and who would walk away.

Next, Sage raised her hand silently, though she pledged her loyalty to the Hoshido family and should bring Orinda back to her distraught siblings and mother, Sage would follow her master anywhere, at any cost. Sage stepped through, saying nothing as she clutched onto her bow, just in case more enemies awaited her on the other side. Vance hailed from Nohr and was a retainer for Prince Erik and his betrayal, seen as treason, was something he could not magically undo. When Philonius approached him about King Garon, Vance was appalled by the accusations but in time, with much consideration, Vance decided he had to investigate the claim first hand. While he was loyal to his master, he was worried and knew continuing fighting against Hoshido would just bring both kingdoms crumbling down with no victor, only great loss.

"I know some may question my loyalty, considering who I dedicated myself to but I am doing this for the good of Prince Erik's sake, not because he asked it of me. I am not here under false pretenses. I openly told him my intentions to leave and that if that meant being branded a traitor, so be it. I have known him all my life, when my father was his retainer. When he passed, I took his place and vowed to protect Prince Erik." He said. Orinda and Sage glanced behind them to the portal, able to still hear what was being said. Sage clenched her jaw, making a face that clearly showed signs of ambivalence to Vance's loyalty. As Fiori and Philonius kept their staffs raised to hold open the portal, the mercenary walked through, hoping this would be a rebirth of sorts, allowing to serve Nohr in a new but promising way.

Every Nohrian general had seemed so certain that they would prevail. No matter how many lives were lost. No matter how tragically it scarred Nohr's society. Not one of them seemed to understand that by committing all their resources and men to the destruction of Hoshido, they would be inviting the collapse of Nohr. Faye saw it, but no one seemed interested in the concerns of an much-too-young princess.

The idea someone was deceiving Hoshido and Nohr, using them like puppets in some grand scheme, filled her with rage. Were it not for Philonius, she might never have known nor would she have to opportunity to stop it. Much like Vance, she didn't mind becoming a traitor. What was the point of being a strategist, if you can't prevent the worst outcome?

"I refuse to be pawn in some else's scheme, and I won't stand by and let someone threaten my home. If we have an opportunity to stop this war and the people behind it, we must take it."

With a determined stride and eyes full of purpose, Faye marched through the shimmering portal.

Without hesitation, Amos hefted his axe and followed after her. His expression held a similar grim determination, but left a wholly different impression, one that was wild and ready for anything. "You heard the lady. Let's get moving."

Brigh stroked the wiry bristles of his beard, and looked questioningly at his liege. While he had little love for much of the Nohrian court, he had a degree of faith in a select few--Prince Kaspar and Princess Faye among them.

Sorscha too was watching Kaspar very intently. "Milord?" she whispered.