The Empty King: Difference between revisions

'''The Empty King''' (Japanese: {{hl|虚ろなる王|Utsuro naru ō}} ''The Hollow King'') is the twenty-seventh chapter of the ''Conquest'' campaign in {{FE14}}. In this chapter, Corrin finally reveals the truth to his/her Nohrian siblings about what has become of their father, King [[Garon]], and they mount an attack on him, hoping that killing him will bring peace and truly end the war.

[[Corrin]] prepares to enter the throne room with [[Azura]] and his/her siblings to expose [[Garon]]'s true form and kill him in order to end the war and that this is what he/she and Azura [[The Black Pillar|discovered]], but the siblings remain skeptical of how he/she and Azura even know about Garon's state being a monster and why they didn't tell them sooner. Azura states that they cannot tell them because of the curse and can only show them Garon's true from by coming to Hoshido, so they can show them in person rather than explain it. This causes more skepticism and Corrin persists and pleads his/her case to them to know the truth about Garon and to see what's behind the door. [[Xander]] eventually places his trust in him/her, though not blindly, and warns them that despite being his/her family, if they are lying and intends to betray them, they will be executed for treason like any traitors.

Agreeing to this, he/she and Azura opens the door, where they manage to prove the truth of their words when Garon, seated upon the throne of truth, is revealed and exposed as a [[Empty Vessel|slimy monstrosity]] in actuality. The siblings are utterly horrified to see their father's monster form, as Azura explains to them that the throne can no longer hide someone's true form and reveals to them the real King Garon, a monster. Angered at being exposed, Garon curses Corrin for tricking him, stating anyone who sees his true form must die, and retaliates by swinging against [[Camilla]], [[Elise]] and [[Leo]] all at once, disheartening them. Corrin tells the siblings to stay focus and if they back down, he'll kill them all and attempts to fight back, but the [[Yato]] is unable to hurt him, and in retaliation, Garon counterattacks a strong blow at Corrin.

Azura tells the siblings to fight Garon, but they all refuse since they express how difficult it is to fight the creature they once knew as their father, despite knowing his true form, also losing their confidences to fight. Azura is angered at their refusal to fight Garon and their inability to see what he has truly become and Corrin pleads for them to put aside their disbelief and help them fight Garon and that he is not the real King Garon and that all that remains of him is a monster. Garon mocks Corrin about turning his own children against him and attempts to execute Corrin, only for Xander to defend him/her. Garon questions Xander's motives, but Xander silences Garon and warns him not to speak as if he knows him and affirms that the monster is no longer his father, referring to his real father as stern, but fair, not using his strength against his children or starting a needless conquest of another kingdom, and hoped that conquering Hoshido would bring back the father he once loved, but finally accepts that his real father is long dead, and the "Garon" he sees is just a pretender. Corrin encourages Xander to fight alongside with him/her, and that the real Garon wouldn't want the monster soiling his legacy. Xander tells Corrin that he will lend him/her his strength, and restore true peace to the world.

Upon defeating Garon, he dissipates into water. Corrin expresses regret at not being able to know Garon's true self. When he/she begins to celebrate the end of the war and attempts to free the remaining Hoshidians, [[Takumi]] appears from the entrance and shoots at him/her with [[Skadi|an otherworldly bow]]. Corrin is shocked both at Takumi's survival and his possession by an unseen force. He/She tries to tell Takumi that Garon is dead and the war is over, only for him to repeat the words "betrayal" and "death". Azura tells Corrin that Takumi cannot be reasoned with and they must kill him as he is possessed just like Garon was and that he is beyond saving. Corrin is forced to accept the responsibility for Takumi's suffering as he/she blames himself/herself for letting Takumi die and betraying him and with no other choices, despite Azura's pleads, Corrin walks towards Takumi with the intent of letting him kill him/her, hoping his hatred will go away. Takumi shoots him/her, destroying the Yato in the process and seemingly killing him/her.