The Death Heard Around the World
Chapter One
Nearly out of air, Byleth's lungs were ready to stop as he forced himself through the thick brush. Tree branches, thorns, rocks, holes, darkness, he could not see it all through the tears welling up in his eyes. Every step he took made it that much harder to stand, every breath he swallowed made it that much harder to breathe, and every obstacle he hit made it that much harder to keep going.
What went wrong? He thought to himself. Everything should have gone to plan! This war should have never started! He stopped as his hand pierced the tree branch he attempted to shove out of his way. Then what exactly happened? Why must they fight? For their morals? Ideals? They're just a bunch of kids! He blankly stared into the void of the black woods. It seemed all hope was lost. All attempts to prevent a bloody future vanished. The only one standing was him and him alone.
Blood ran down his hand as it painted the tree branch and the ground below him red. Byleth knees finally gave out as he collapsed to the ground, his legs were finished; they didn't care if Byleth crawled with his arms, they would not move any longer. People will die, and what's worse is that…it's my entire fault. He told himself.
All Byleth could hear were the crickets making their melodic tunes in the night. Cool breezes brushed against his weaken body, his face enjoying the cool blow, enough to finally tire him out. Byleth could feel his eyes still desperately holding the tears. He promised himself that he would cry no more, yet somehow, he knew it was the only thing he could do now.
As he nestled his head into his arm, letting his tears slowly stream out, he found the cricket's music soothing, the night wind calming, his body relaxing, and his eyes growing heavy. He struggled for minutes to keep his eyes open. Now was not the time to sleep. Now is the time to act, yet his body seemed to reject him as he felt almost forced to shut his eyes. Just as he began weaving in and out of sleep, a silhouette presented itself in front of him. Something seemed familiar about the shadow, but before he could figure it out, he caved in.