January: Turmoil

Felix crossed his arms. "Alright. Let's hear it."

Cynthia explained, "You know how Sothis was really helpful telling us about Belerager? Well, there's this ritual called the Awakening that lets us communicate with Naga! Maybe she'll talk to us about what to do like Sothis did."

Gerome interrupted, "It's possible that the performer will die. There must be a way to solve this without risking a life."

Dorothea distanced herself from the group, mulling over how to tell Ferdinand what was weighing on her heart. She counted every definitive click of her shoes as if they were her heartbeat. She came across a neat desk with a quill, ink, and a letter on it. Dorothea mused, "This seems interesting." She scanned the letter's contents.

Glamis, by the time you reach this letter, we will have overtaken the Ruins of Time. Naga shall no longer be honored here. It will become a safe haven for our kind in the safety of the shadows. After we succeed, we will go to the Mila Shrine Ruins in Valm and perform the ritual there. We will slowly cut off the faithful from their holy sites, and they will have no choice but to bend their knee to Belerager. You carry on your work. We will perform ours flawlessly.

-Killion

Dorothea handed the letter to Byleth. "It looks like we just found out one of their goals."

As Byleth shared the contents with the army, Dorothea managed to snag Ferdinand. "Ferdie, there's no easy way of saying this. You know how I used to be an orphan and how I'd have to do awful things to survive?"

Ferdinand peered into his distressed girlfriend's eyes. "I understand what you had to do. I realize that most empresses wouldn't have to resort to begging, but that's hardly something to judge you for."

Dorothea couldn't gaze back into his clear hazel eyes. "No. Well yes, but that's not what I'm talking about. You know how it costs a hefty fee to get into Garreg Mach?"

Dimitri announced, "Everyone, we're marching back to Ylisstol to report what happened, then to the Mila Shrine Ruins!"

As the group journeyed to Ylisstol, Dorothea tried to get some privacy to share her painful secret, but it proved impossible. She thought, "He's bound to think differently of me once I tell him. Besides, he probably might not find out now that he's the emperor. He has much more responsibilities. But I bet someone will dig up the records to humiliate me. I better tell him before someone else does."

At camp that night, Bernadetta was getting a bit more comfortable with everyone, and didn't need any help sleeping, so Dorothea was by herself. Under the dark ominous sky, it seemed even more of a bad omen of her future happiness with Ferdinand. As she cried herself to sleep that night, her tears were the rain to the storm clouds.

Within a few days, they made it back to the Ylissean capitol and informed everyone of what took place. Lucina's eyebrows arched up. "The Grimleal never attempted anything so crafty. They were always straightforward with what they were going to do and what they wanted."

Robin exhaled. "This makes things more complicated. At the very least, we need to make sure the world's holy places are protected. We'll need to inform all the clerics and monks of the threat while you make sure the Mila Shrine Ruins are safe."

Chrom added, "Since Walhart knows Ricken, Nowi, Cynthia, Gerome, and Nah, you can explain things to him if you're arrested for snooping around. He'll understand. Hopefully."

On the boat ride, Silas went up to Siegbert. "So, it appears that you'll be my son-in-law soon."

Siegbert beamed. "I know. I'm so honored that Sophie accepted my proposal. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life together with her."

Silas flashed a dangerous smile. "Good. Glad to hear it. Because if you end up mistreating my daughter, I don't think you'll like what happens to you."

Siegbert gulped. "W-well, if I hurt Sophie, I deserve whatever punishment you see fit to give me."

Silas thumped his back. "Smart boy. I'll keep what happens my little secret and share it with a couple . . . friends in case the worst happens."

"Yes, sir."

For the rest of the trip, Siegbert made sure to avoid Silas, fearing that he would end up overboard if another encounter happened.

Once they got to the Mila Shrine Ruins, a group of unholy mages spied them. "Interlopers! Destroy them!"

Azura deflected a blow with her lance, while Soleil cut down the ruffian that dared to go after her mother. Bernadetta shot the enemies from afar with her bow, careful to avoid friendly fire.

Shiro punched a dark wizard in the face. "We already saved the Ruins of Time! We know what you're doing!"

A mage zapped him with a lightning bolt. "We have warriors all across the worlds. Stopping a few battalions won't do anything!"

Severa snarled, "I'm bored with your dumb banter!" She stabbed the rogue mage and kicked him to the ground while fending off an attack from a warlock.

Cynthia charged right into the enemy. "That's right! I sting like a nettle!"

After grueling hours of battle, the conflict came to an end. Sophie wiped the sweat off her forehead. "That was a close call. Are there any other clues in here?"

Bernadetta noticed that Dorothea hung back from everyone else. "Hey. What's going on?"

Dorothea gave her a weak smile. "Just contemplating things. How are you?"

Bernadetta touched her friend's arm. "I think we should search together."

Ricken gingerly touched one of the stone pillars. "Wow, this place really emits dark energy. Their ritual was almost completed! We got here just in time!"

Sophie went to a desk similar to the one at the Ruins of Time. She went through its contents, but nothing substantial was there.

Linhardt stretched. "I suppose we have no choice but to go back to Ylisstol and tell them that we got rid of the threat."

The boat ride back to Ylisstol was dull. Dorothea couldn't work up the courage to continue confessing to Ferdinand about her inner storm, and Siegbert constantly fled from Silas, so a haunting silence hung in the air.