Thank you so much for the feedback on Chapter 1 it means a lot. I've got tons of great ideas, and by the time the Lions embark on their first mission, I'll have a pairing for Byleth. Also let me know if this chapter length is good, I wanna make it fulfilling but not too long that your eyes get tired from reading so much. And to the one guy who asked, no I have no upload schedule but I'll try to get updates out as fast as possible. The second I finish revising a Chapter, I copy paste it into a Doc here and post it so no schedule of any sorts going on. Alright Azure Moon Spoilers blah blah blah here is Chapter Two.
" So what's your name buddy. " Claude asked behind Byleth. He paired himself with Dimitri and Edelgard off to right of them as bait while Claude would provide support through the air.
" I would normally disagree with Claude but I too am curious about your name, although I have a suspicion considering the company you keep… " Byleth humoring his former student gave a go on gesture. " Are you perhaps the Ashen Demon? The stoic mercenary that shadows the Blade Breaker, the one they say has no emotion ? " Byleth frowned at that, he did have no emotion but he learned that he didn't need a heartbeat to have a heart.
He learned that when he joined the Blue Lions. They made him family.
"Indeed I am Byleth Eisner, but I prefer you not use that horrendous nickname. I have emotion but the battlefield is not one place where you wish to lose hold of emotions. Yellow, Red is outnumbered three to one, go make it three to two. Blue you're with me." Byleth snapped to the two lords with him. He refrained from using their names, it would raise questions. However the House Leaders didn't mind as Claude broke off in a sprint to Edelgard and Dimitri nodded at him before realizing Byleth didn't know his name and called him blue, which knowing the prince's horrific sense of humor was actually funny to him. The Blue Lion indeed had a tiny smile before bowing. "Thank you. We are in your debt. It wouldn't do for us to fall in a place like this. Please, lend us your strength. Let's work together to drive out these thieves!"
Byleth smiled a little, missing the prince's charm and infectious hope that made him popular in the academy.
" Use the forest to our advantage Blue. Draw them close and then strike. " Dimitri rushed ahead Byleth not far behind, while Edelgard who was beginning to retreat pushed back with Claude showering arrows from above.
The bandits rushed forth to meet the two but activating the crest of Blayiddid, Dimitri leaped forward and swiped his lance instantly killing three bandits while Byleth disarmed one and then decapitated him, then Byleth continued his arc meeting three axes, disarming them all before a second vicious arc decapitated all three ruffians. Dimitri watched in pure disbelief before looking for any more bandits, finding none. They then looked towards Claude and Edelgard who were slowly retreating as Kostats himself charged at the two lords, being slowed by Claude's occasional arrow. Byleth and Dimitri rushed towards the bandit leader, while Edelgard suddenly stopped and swung her axe through another bandit while Claude shot one through the heart. Dimitri reached Kotas first delivering a near fatal blow before breaking his lance, startling the prince and allowing Kostas time to deliver a kick that sent Dimitri tumbling down the small hill. Byleth however shot ahead and clashed his sword against Kostas's axe. Byleth broke the lock, jumping back before feinting right with a jab then spinning on his heel and brought his sword in an arc that cut Kostas's chest and disarmed him, sending his axe careening in the forest. Byleth then kicked him down, and went to check on Dimitri, after all Kotas was unarmed now.
But Byleth didn't count on Kostas having another axe.
"You'll die for that you damned noble brat! " Byleth turned around to see Kostas rushing towards Edelgard. And once again Byleth sprinted towards her but he was too slow. Edelgard met him with a dagger.
The dagger Dimitri gave her. When they were friends. When Edelgard had brown hair and the prince chose to do his own actions.
Kostas's axe met the dagger, it's trajectory a bit to the left but still powering through, gashing Edelgards side but before he could strike again Byleth swung his sword in an arc disarming him for good before standing in front of Edelgard, sword ready.
As much pain as she caused for him, as much pain as she caused for his friends and as much pain as she caused for Fodlan.
He knew simply killing her was not the correct way. After all Hubert would most likely continue on with her plans.
Kostas growled, " What the hell are the Sword Bearers doing here. " before fleeing. Jeralt galloped towards Byleth joined by Claude and Dimitri. Byleth looked down at Edelgard knowing she wouldn't die but nonetheless offered a vulenary to her.
" Thank you… " Edelgard trailed off before Byleth interjected. " Byleth, Byleth Eisner. " Edelgards lilac eyes widened before looking at the paladin who had just arrived.
" Are you okay kid? " Jeralt looks down with the smallest hint of worry.
Byleth nodded and before he could open his mouth a loud voice cut him off.
" The Knights of Seiros are here! We'll cut you down for terrorizing our students! Hey! The thieves are running away. Go after them. Edelgard! What happened! And... who's this? " The bulky, loud and somewhat annoying Captain of the Knight of Seiros ran over to the group, although his axe was out and ready to swing. Dimitri held his hand while Jeralt who recognized the voice put his head in his hand groaning all the while.
"Peace Sir Alois. We are in these two mercenary debts. After all they are The Blade Breaker and Ashen Demon themselves. If not for them we surely would have been finished. " With that Dimitri bowed and went off to join Claude and Edelgard who had meandered off to a healer from Alois's group.
Alois, shocked at Dimitri's words, looked around spotting his father, dismounted and walking towards the duo. Alois practically jumped up and down for joy seeing his old Captain again and began talking to the former Knight of Seiros and Faerghus.
Byleth knowing Alois would eventually ask about who he was pondered on the differences so far he's encountered. There were more bandits than last time and Kostas never had a spare hand axe.
Perhaps this is the price for his chance to save Fodlan? His path, being made more difficult. If so he lamented on the cruelness of fate.
"-en Demon huh. Are you the Captain's kid?" Deciding to have fun Byleth shook his head and rebutted with a joke.
"I'm a bandit." This got two shocked looks before Alois broke out in laughter.
"Cut from the same cloth as the Captain. You and your old man have the same sense of humor. Say I'd love for you to see Garreg Mach, maybe you can convince your old man to let you see it. Would you like to accompany the Knights and I back " Byleth nodded before leaving Jeralt after he groaned again and the two began another discussion, with Jeralt arguing where his mercenaries would stay while Alois happily informed him of a battalion's guild.
He made his way to where Edelgard Dimitri and Claude were, the 2 boys helping Edelgard stand up before noticing Byleth. Edelgard spoke first.
"I appreciate your help back there. Your skill is indisputable and you're clearly an experienced mercenary. And your father, that would be Jeralt, the Blade Breaker? Former captain of the Knights of Seiros. Oft praised as the strongest knight to ever live. Have I missed anything?"
Byleth frowned, deciding concealing his knowledge that his father was indeed a Knight of Seiros would be for the best and adopted a curious tone. "I was unaware he was a knight of Seiros." Edelgard's normally calm demeanor broke her eyes widening and mouth slightly open.
"How curious. I'd wager the explanation for that is fascinating indeed" She looked at Byleth in a new light perhaps wondering if he would ever join her quest, no massacre to achieve her goals. But too many questions were left unanswered in his first time teaching the Lions. He needed to grow closer to her, perhaps choosing the Black Eagles would not harm his plans.
The next Duke took her silence as an opportunity to speak. "Hey! You are coming with us to the monastery, right? Of course you are. I'd love to bend your ear as we travel. Oh, I should mention that the three of us are students of the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. We were doing some training exercises when those bandits attacked. I definitely got the worst of it." The prince finished with a sigh smiling all the while. And as Edelgard and Claude argued with Dimitri being caught in the crossfire Byleth wondered if perhaps choosing the Golden Deer would be a better option, after all Solon did hail from House Ordelia and Lysithea bore two crests and white hair a trait only shared with Edelgard. Byleth was no fool, there had to be a connection.
His thoughts were jarred when the three future rulers turned to him, the crown prince offering a bow. " In any case, forgive our digression. I must speak with you, if you can spare a moment. The way you held your ground against the bandits' leader was captivating! You never lost control of the situation. It showed me I still have much to learn." Before he could finish however Edelgard would once interject.
"Your skill is precisely why I must ask you to consider lending your services to the Empire. I might as well tell you now. I am no mere student. I am also the Adrestian Empire's–" Edelgard's boast of being a princess was cut short by the other royal.
" Halt, Edelgard. Please allow me to finish my own proposition. The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus is in dire need of exceptional individuals such as yourself. Please, do consider returning to the Kingdom with me. " Dimitri offered a hopeful smile, one unbecoming of the King of Delusion.
Claude faked his disappointment in the two, shaking his head. " Whoa, there! You two sure are hasty. Trying to recruit someone you just met. I was personally planning to develop a deep and lasting friendship on our journey back to the monastery before begging for favors. But it seems there's no time for niceties in this world. So, Byleth was it, let's get right to it. Where does your allegiance lie?"
Byleth pondered, but the Deer and Eagle never stood a chance. The tea parties Mercedes and Annette would prepare, the feasts Dedue and Ashe cooked, Felix, Sylvain and Ingrid's antics. The memories of his Lions were too much. Edelgard he knew may never join his side but if he can get the Master Tactician on his side… Byleth had a plan but it was risky.
Byleth looked up and nodded his head toward Dimitri. "My father was a knight of Faerghus." The three looked shocked then they understood what had happened. Edelgard sighed, Claude looked no less happy while Dimitri genuinely grinned. "Understood. Faerghus is a noble and distinguished kingdom that has always valued chivalry."
"All right, enough small talk, you'll get your chance after all the Captain is coming with us to Garreg Mach. Let's get ready for our trip back." The knight puffed his chest like getting Jeralt to return was an accomplishment.
Claude shook his head, " Well looks while we have to pick this up later Byleth. "
On the road, Byleth was able to talk to the three house leaders letting them all garner attention. First it was Edelgard who came up to him. " So they say you are the Ashen Demon. But Dimitri says you despise the moniker so fearfully given to you. Have you not thought of one for yourself then ? Perhaps people would allude to that. " He bit back a smile as he did receive a name from the Empire, Alliance and Kingdom respectively, although Byleth much preferred the Alliance's. He felt unworthy to be called " The Noble Mercenary" by people he neglected. After all at first he advised Dimitri to rush towards Enbarr and end this war. The Empire's nickname was spoken in hush whispers according to Kingdom spies. Only Edelgard and Hubert dared address Byleth as " The Professor " If Byleth was mentioned, he was known as "Unavoidable Death, should you see him know your end is near." It was too similar to the Ashen Demon, it made Byleth as a ruthless killing machine. No, the Alliance's name as the "Eternal Professor" was much more becoming of who he was, someone who cared for his students and tried his hardest to help them.
Byleth shook his head that was unimportant, what's important is not acting the buffon Sothis calls him and responding to Edelgard. Shaking his head he sighs. "I have yet to find one I like but I doubt it would erase the name's existence."
Walking over Claude Von Riegan joins the two whistling all the while, while also dragging Dimitri along with him who is muttering to let him go.
"Claude please I am not a child that must be coddled" The prince grumbles shaking his head, all the while Byleth refrains a smile.
"Then when I asked you what you were doing and you said 'Quiet Claude!' All the while inching to Byleth and the imperial princess. Sounds like eavesdropping, so unbecoming of a noble prince." Claude grinning all the while Dimitri, flustered, started frantically bowing and apologizing.
"Claude, stop teasing Blue. Blue if you wanted to speak you could have easily joined in, and don't listen to anything Claude says. " Byleth frowned at the prince who looked deeply troubled that he could be so foolish. Before hastily bowing again.
" Please accept my apologies and for my disregard for the basic courtesy to introduce myself. I am Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, crown prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. My companions as you know are Edelgard von Hrsvelg, the princess of the Adrestian Empire and next in line for the throne, as well as the foolish archer Claude von Riegan. He is the grandson of Duke Riegan, the leader of the alliance and is to be the next sovereign duke. " Byleth sighed, realizing even in the future, little could be done to mend the prince's apologetic behavior. Many times he had seen Dimiti as a student lose a duel out of fear of hurting someone, and as a King he often did the same thing. But now…
"C'mon your princliness no need to be so formal and uptight. Say what's your favorite food, that goes for all of you. Personally I enjoy Pheasant Roast with Berry Sauce. So unexpected, but so flavorful, like a trap tripped to perfection." Claude slinging his arm around Dimitri, nudges the prince, a playful smile on his face that barely goes up to his eyes.
"As for me I simply find Saerghart and Cream to be wonderful. So sweet, and so wonderfully made. I don't see how anyone could not enjoy it. Dimitri? " The prince looks up at Edelgard, taking his time to think, after all the prince had lost all sense of flavor. No one else could stomach Flayn's food. If you could call it food.
"Hmm? Oh Sauteed Jerky has the perfect smell and I love the texture... with the perfect amount of salt ." Byleth frowned, the other lords not noticing the thought Dimitri had to put in remembering the flavor of Gautier cheese. The three then looked at him, waiting for an answer.
In all honesty he thought the company one had made his meal all the while better, but when he missed out on dinner, he preferred Gautier Cheese Gratin.
"Gautier Cheese Gratin. It's flavorful and I love the feeling of Gautier Cheese melting while I eat. " Now Claude swung his arm around Byleth as well, grinning after hearing Bylteth's stomach rumble thinking of Gautier Cheese.
"Say, you gotta be hungry, how about at the monastery you, me and their highnesses go to the dining hall and grab some. I've never had it but it sounds wonderful. " Claude looked toward Edelgard and Dimitri, an eyebrow raised.
Well this was new.
"I will have to decline Claude, I have other matters to attend to. Perhaps a later time." Byleth frowned, before choosing the Blue Lions, Edelgard was fervent in recruiting Byleth to the Black Eagles. What matters would she have to attend to ?
"I would be honored to join you and Byleth, Claude. Of course I must first make sure Felix and Sylvain haven't done anything and I know Dedue will be beside himself with worry." The prince smiled along with the sovereign duke and Byleth, although Byleth smiled that even though the flow of time has been altered, his Lions remain the same.
The trees parted and Byleth looked up. It's been 5 years since Byleth last saw Garreg Mach in it's pristine condition. Even now Byleth could only gaze in awe at the fortress city.
"Impressive, is it not ?" ,Byleths thoughts were broken by Dimtri, "Since it would be your first time, I would be more than happy to show you around after our meal." Byleth nodded while Claude adopted a pensive look.
"Count me in Dimitri. It really is Fodlan in a nutshell, the good, the bad and the ugly." The Almyran prince grimacing at the discrimination he sees at Garreg Mach.
"Like it or not, we'll be at the Academy soon enough." Says Edelgard chiding the Golden Deer, before adopting an unreadable mask. "Garreg Mach Monastery."
The four continue their trek all the way to the Market Place before Jeralt comes up to inform Byleth that they have an audience with the archbishop. Byleth makes his goodbyes before making his way with Jeralt through the courtyard, Jeralt looking up and recognizing the figure on the third floor balcony.
"Rhea's here."
PSST. If someone could hook me up with a Blue Lions and Male Byleth digital wallpaper I'll like love you forever and like give you a name in th efic for a OC i got ( It'll be a minute tho )