Chapter 34: Vae Victis, Part 1.

"Ingrid," Edelgard said as she turned to the disheveled knight. "I see you have met Adrasteia."

"I-" Ingrid started, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked down, unwilling to meet Edelgard's eyes. "I'm sorry that you had to trade me for-"

"I am glad that you are safe," Edelgard replied. "Rest assured, we will engage Adrasteia again."

Ingrid swallowed as she looked back to the hill leading into Gloucester territory, "He- he used some form of gateway to transport us here."

Edelgard nodded her head as she frowned, exchanging a glance with Hubert.

"I believe there may be mounts we can borrow from the camp at the south side of the bridge," Hubert confirmed. "If we are quick, we could intercept Adrasteia before he escapes."

Edelgard shook her head, "Adrasteia's threat still stands. If we were to engage him in open combat, the resulting fallout is likely to result in starvation in the camp at the Tailtean Plains. A battle within Gloucester territory will only lead to disaster."

"So we just let him go then?" Lorenz asked.

"Lorenz, I bear the same burden as you do," Edelgard reminded the other man. "I answer to all of this empire's citizens, from Fhirdiad to Gloucester. From Goneril to Enbarr. To starve my subjects for even the slimmest prospects of a capture is not a trade I am willing to accept."

"I see," Lorenz said as he turned away, his features blank. "Pardon me then."

"Hubert," Edelgard said as she turned around, her eyes boring into her attendant. "Do explain to us how Adrasteia was able to cut through an entire unit of men in minutes?"

"Mire," Hubert explained, moving to gesture at the scene of carnage. "He summoned the ash from the burning town and forest and concentrated it against the concentrated unit of soldiers. With their heavy armour and tight formation, I'm afraid they were doomed from the onset."

"To think that such a... basic spell could be used to such effect," Byleth observed, his face disgusted.

"That is true," Hubert said. "Still, this is merely a case of great misfortune. I do not believe Mire could ever be used again to such effect."

"Cold comfort," Lorenz said, his voice tight as he looked upon the dead men in the mud. "Pardon me, I must go and identify the dead for burial."

Leonie swallowed as she turned away, "I- Saurin Village lost a lot of people in this fight, and I need to bury them."

"If you desire it, we will remain at your side," Edelgard offered. "See that things are… smoothed over for your rule."

Lorenz shook his head, tears in his eyes as he turned away, "I- I wish only to grieve alone."

Edelgard closed her eyes as she waved the rest of the group back over the shattered remnants of Myrddin, their steps quiet against the ash coated cobblestones.

"Will Lady Cornelia be alright?" Yurius asked Spite as he stepped into the barn where the sorcerer stood.

Spite frowned as he pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing to the unconscious family sprawled on the ground, their hands and ankles bound.

"Sorry," Yurius whispered, turning around as he placed his hands against his back.

"There is no need to apologize," Spite replied as he stepped from the barn. "I did not wish to wake our… unwitting hosts."

"Is-" Yurius started, his sentence cut short as Spite raised a hand to stop him.

"My sister exhausted herself today," Spite said as the two men walked toward the main house. "Still, I believe she will be in good health come daybreak."

"I see," Yurius said. "I- I'm glad to see you here."

"Ah," Spite said as he reached the main house. "I never did get to inform you, did I?"

"Pardon?" Yurius asked.

"Thales has been found," Spite said. "He was the one who cast the ritual to bring my dear sister back from Zaharas."

"I- I see," Yurius said. "I want to tell you about-"

"I already know," Spite replied. "Kronya was murdered by Solon. The two hostages I exchanged you for were present when the entire mess went down."

"We- we found out from Leonie," Yurius said. "She revealed the name of Zaharas when she was drunk. That's what made us know it was true."

Spite nodded, "As with the two hostages. Still, it is old news to me."

"Where did you find the two of them anyways?" Mortis asked, her arms still crossed against her midsection as she looked at the two men.

"The two of them came to scout Conand Tower," Spite said. "They were ambushed by a defensive patrol I had set up."

"Conand?" Yurius asked.

"We had a battlegroup under Bias there," Spite explained. "Massacred by Macuil."

Yurius flinched, "How many men?"

"We found no survivors," Spite said as he sipped the tea Mortis had prepared. "Solon relieved me of my command about a day after I arrived. Sent me to find the two of you."

"Solon?" Yurius asked. "That- that Solon?"

"Correct," Spite said, taking a sip of his tea. "An unfortunate side effect of Aranea's return."

"Should I still refer to her as Lady Cornelia?" Yurius asked.

"Pittacus," Spite said. "She was raised in rank upon the death of her predecessor."

"Pittacus is dead too?" Yurius asked.

"Our attempts at killing the Four Saints were too hasty," Spite admitted. "Had both task forces arrived as a single unit, supported by Titanus machines, I see no reason they could not bring down the two Nabateans. Instead, as I understand it, they were both slaughtered by the Saints."

Yurius nodded as he turned his gaze to Mortis, "Are you alright?"

Mortis brought up her bare legs to her chin, her arms wrapped around her legs as she stared into her tea.

"Mortis," Spite said.

"Spite?" Mortis asked, jumping from her seat as she snapped out of her reverie. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking for a second."

"Put your boots on," Spite said. "There is no reason to relax until we have reached Zaharas."

"Right," Mortis said, taking a moment to slip on her boots, "Sorry, there are things on my mind."

"I see," Spite said. "I believe you may be up for a promotion into the ranks of the Septet."

Mortis paused, one leg still bare as she turned to Spite, her fingers dropping the sock in her hands as she stared at her mentor.

"With the death of Bias," Spite said. "There is indeed an opening in the Septet, and you are by far the most qualified candidate to take the role."

"Who else is in the running?" Yurius asked.

"Odesse," Spite sneered.

Yurius laughed at the comment as Mortis turned back to Spite, "Me?"

"You have the arcane talents needed," Spite offered. "You have no enemies amongst the six to oppose your nomination."

"Not even Solon?" Mortis asked.

"He does not have the political backing to deny your spot, nor does he suspect your role within the... plot," Spite said as he sat back into his seat. "Myson on the other hand, values efficiency over all else, and Odesse is simply too inexperienced to be handed the responsibility of being one of the seven."

Mortis nodded as she yawned, her tea finished, "I- I'm going to sleep now,"

Spite nodded as he turned to Yurius, "Would you like first shift at night or second?"

"I'll take first," Yurius admitted after a moment. "If that's alright with you."

Spite nodded as Yurius and Mortis left the kitchen.

"So, one of the Septet," Yurius said as he walked Mortis to the stairs at the front of the house.

Mortis grimaced as she leaned against the front door, her ankles crossed as she settled her arms around her midsection.

"You're nervous," Yurius said.

"I am," Mortis said. "I- I'd never think I would be an equal to Spite or Aranea."

"Could I ask you something?" Yurius asked.

"Monica," Mortis guessed, taking a moment to confirm the look in Yurius' eyes.

"Did you see her?" Yurius asked, turning his gaze back to the closed door that led to Spite.

"Only for a few minutes," Mortis admitted. "I spent my time at Garreg Mach under heavy guard. Never got to talk to Monica. Sorry."

"They captured you?" Yurius asked.

Mortis sighed as she closed her eyes, "I managed to slip past the initial imperial cordon at Myrddin. Helps when Maya's brother is a member of the Black Eagle Strike Force."

"And then what?"

"I broke ahead of Maya. I intended to switch horses at Garreg Mach, ride north to Arianrhod and open a portal to Zaharas before anyone was the wiser."

"But you didn't," Spite said. "I presume something happened?"

"Maurice," Mortis said after a minute of silence, her eyes closed as she admitted the truth.

Spite raised an eyebrow at the name, "My information states that Maurice frequented the forests south of Garreg Mach, where he first turned."

"One of the Crest… things killed my horse," Mortis said. "Then more of its friends showed up."

"I see," Spite said. "And in the ensuring fight-"

"I was chased through the forest," Mortis said. "Ran into the enemy fighting Maurice. Even got the killing blow off too."

Spite raised an eyebrow, "And so Maurice is finally dead?"

"He is," Mortis said. "His sword was taken by Marianne."

"I'm sorry- who?" Yurius asked.

"Marianne von Edmund," Spite said. "Adopted daughter of Marquis Edmund and the wielder of Maurice's Crest."

"Ah," Yurius said. "I'm going to head on my patrol then."

Spite nodded, "I will leave you to it then."

"Were you hurt in the engagement?" Spite asked when the door shut.

Mortis shook her head, "A few minor scratches, but I was looked after by the Black Eagles Strike Force at Garreg Mach."

"I see," Spite said. "You followed them until I intervened then."

"I did," Mortis confirmed as Spite stepped back, his hands tracing his beard. "What else was I supposed to do?"

"I am not blaming you," Spite responded. "Still, I must ask you an important question."

"What is that?" Mortis asked, her tone tense.

"Did the topic of Shambhala's location ever come up?" Spite asked.

Mortis shook her head, "Never. They asked me about Shangri-la, but I told them the truth."

"That you have no idea where it is," Spite finished. "Very good."

Mortis nodded as she yawned.

"I'll let you get to sleep," Spite said. "We should leave when my sister has awakened."

Mortis nodded as she climbed the steps to the second floor of the farmhouse.

"El," Byleth said as he joined Edelgard on the bridge, the royal couple standing in silence as Edelgard turned to Byleth.

"I suppose you couldn't sleep either," Byleth said, his gaze turned to the river rushing below.

"It's not that I can't sleep," Edelgard said. "I- I just have too much to think about."

Byleth nodded as he leaned against the stone wall of the bridge, planting a gentle kiss on Edelgard's forehead, the royal couple embracing as Edelgard sank into Byleth.

"To think that we had Mortis with us for those few days," Edelgard started.

"It wasn't your fault," Byleth reminded Edelgard.

"What if I had controlled myself?" Edelgard asked. "What secrets could we have torn from Mortis in those hours she was asleep?"

Byleth remained silent, though his grip on Edelgard tightened.

Edelgard sighed as she responded to the embrace, her arms around Byleth.

"I forgot something today," Edelgard said, her tone bitter. "Something important."

"Could I help refresh your memory?" Byleth asked.

Edelgard shook her head as she pulled her gaze away from Byleth, "I forgot what my mother looked like."

Byleth said nothing.

"After- after the experiments," Edelgard said. "I found out that Adrasteia personally destroyed every painting in Enbarr of my mother. Not even a single one remains."

Byleth swallowed as he turned his gaze to Edelgard.

"For so many years, I only had my memories," Edelgard said. "But even those have faded with time."

Byleth nodded.

"I would always remember the feeling of her hand," Edelgard said as she turned away from the bridge. "The sound of her voice. Those little cakes we had in Enbarr."

Byleth smiled at that, his mind wandering to the night festival they had attended.

"But not her face," Edelgard said. "Even now, I can't bring myself to remember her face."

Byleth paused as he brought his arms around Edelgard's shoulders, his body against Edelgard's, "I'm sorry."

"And yet," Edelgard whispered. "With Adrasteia stepping from that tempest of death, I cannot erase his face from my mind. When I close my eyes, I still cannot help but remember his face."

Byleth stood silent, his face stoic as his embrace tightened.

"Byleth-" Edelgard started, her tone hesitant. "Byleth, may I ask you for something?"

"Anything," Byleth said.

"Hold me tonight," Edelgard said. "Just this night."

"Not just tonight," Byleth chided, his voice gentle as he leaned toward Edelgard's right ear. "I'll hold you every night you want me to."

Edelgard closed her eyes as Byleth lifted her up, her face nuzzled against his as he placed an arm under her knees.

When Byleth reached their tent, Edelgard had slipped into a blissful sleep, her arm limp as he tucked her into the small bed they had been afforded.

"Why do I feel like Hubert had a hand in this?" Byleth asked as he inched next to Edelgard, planting a kiss on her nose as he closed his eyes, his arms wrapped around his beloved.

"Hubie?" Dorothea asked as Hubert turned around.

"Dorothea," Hubert said, his voice even as he sipped from a cup of tea. "I see you have awoken."

"I-" Dorothea started, falling silent as Hubert raised a hand, rising to his feet as he moved to watch the rising sun.

"The men who attacked you are dead," Hubert said after a moment of mutual silence. "Mortis struck them down."

"Mortis?" Dorothea whispered. "Is she alright?"

Hubert grimaced at the question, "We confronted Lorenz shortly after you lost consciousness, but we were interrupted."

"No," Dorothea gasped, her eyes narrowed as she stared at Hubert.

"Adrasteia came for her," Hubert said. "He presented us with an offer we simply could not refuse."

"She's- she's gone," Dorothea whispered.

"She is," Hubert said. "The same with were warped out before we could attempt to stop them."

"Warp? Dorothea asked. "Who could do that?"

Hubert grimaced, "Adrasteia mentioned Cornelia."

"We killed her," Dorothea protested. "How- how is it that she's still alive?"

"That is a question we do not know the answer to," Hubert said. "However, I do presume Mortis to be alive."

"I see," Dorothea said as Hubert sat back down. "What do we do then?"

"We will wait for Ashe and Ingrid to make their report before we move in on Conand Tower," Hubert said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Ashe and Ingrid?" Dorothea asked. "Were they-"

"Indeed," Hubert said, his eyes turned up to Dorothea. "Their freedom in return for Mortis and Yurius. Like I said before, it was an offer we could not refuse."

"How has our unwelcome guest fared?" Thales asked as he cut into a piece of bread, the staff room of Shambhala silent except the sound of forks on plates.

"Poor," Chilon said. "She spends a great deal of time moaning to my men. It has become rather tedious to even enter the room."

"Use the threat of Periander over her if you must," Thales said. "Threaten her with a painful death at his hands if she does not comply with your orders."

"Is this a true threat that will be acted upon?" Chilon asked.

"Periander is a useful agent for us," Thales said. "Her life is worth nothing in comparison. Inform her that he will return soon, and that it would be unwise for her to displease me until then."

"Should we be concerned that Lord Solon is behind schedule?" Chilon asked.

"Perhaps not," Thales said. "Periander set out with a small, inexperienced force to harvest up to three hundred dead bodies. It is very possible that the secondary expedition Periander was sent on deprived the primary group of the experience the harvesting units needed."

"I understand." Chilon said.

"Chilon," Thales said as he rose to his feet. "Under no circumstances am I to be interrupted today. Have I made myself clear?"

"I understand," Chilon said, his own food finished. "May I ask why?"

"I will be awakening our remaining Titanus units," Thales said. "With both Bias and Periander unavailable, it falls to me to bring the units online."

"Will we leave soon?" Chilon asked.

"We will," Thales said. "Once Solon or Periander returns, we will march upon Fhirdiad."

"Mercedes, was it?"

"You must be Linhardt's father," Mercedes greeted the man. "Have you come to pray?"

"I have," Count Hevring said as he stood next to Mercedes, his hands firmly clasped before him.

"Is there any particular reason you have come here today?" Mercedes asked.

Count Hevring paused at the words, his hands tight as he looked upon the ruined room around him, "No. Nothing in particular."

Mercedes nodded as she turned to the bright room around her, the two standing in silence as Count Hevring shifted from foot to foot.

"You seem distressed," Mercedes observed as she turned to Count Hevring.

"Have I disturbed your prayer?" Count Hevring asked, his tone surprised. "I do apologize."

"No," Mercedes said as she shook her head. "My prayers for this morning have been complete."

Count Hevring nodded as he turned away, "It has been many years since a prayer of mine has been answered. Many long years."

Mercedes paused as she closed her eyes, "I cannot say for sure, but I am thankful for all I have in this life. The Goddess has given us all something to be thankful for."

"I wish that was true," Count Hevring laughed, his voice bitter as he turned away from Mercedes, his hands clasped behind his back as he stepped away from the chapel.

"May I ask you about that?" Mercedes called after the older man. "If you are willing to share."

Count Hevring paused for a moment before he turned back to Mercedes.

"I'm sorry," Count Hevring said as he turned his gaze to Mercedes, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment. "She looked like you in many ways."

"I'm not sure I understand," Mercedes said as she stepped toward the older man.

"Elena," Count Hevring said. "Her name was Elena, youngest princess of the Adrestian Empire."

Mercedes said nothing as Count Hevring paced along the ground of the chapel, his hands clasped behind his back.

"It was the fall of 1174 when Adrasteia summoned me to the dungeons of the Imperial Palace," Count Hevring started, his face pained as he recounted the memory. "Princess Elena, six years old at the time, had undergone the same… experiments as the others."

Mercedes placed a hand over her mouth as she took a step back from Count Hevring.

"The process, for lack of a better term, had broken Elena. She no longer spoke or had any control of her body. Even Adrasteia himself saw no point in torturing her further."

Count Hevring stopped for a moment before he turned to Mercedes, "I cannot say how many of us prayed for a miracle, to have an innocent child return to some form of health, none more so than her father."

"But that was not to be, was it?" Mercedes asked.

"I was there when Ionius was informed that she had taken her last breath," Count Hevring said. "He had spent two days on his knees, begging the Goddess to save his child, all for naught."

"I am sorry for that," Mercedes said.

"When… when I agreed to the Insurrection, I wanted Ionius to lose the power he had taken from my ancestors," Count Hevring admitted, his head bowed in shame. "But I could never imagine him losing his children, not like that."

Mercedes said nothing as Count Hevring trailed off, his face buried in his hands as he slumped over in a pew.

"May I ask you for something?" Count Hevring asked after a moment of silence.

"Is there something I can do to ease your pain?" Mercedes asked.

"Not for me," Count Hevring said, his voice low. "I ask that you include a prayer for Elena and Ionius. That they are in a better place today."

"I can do that," Mercedes said. "But that is something you should also ask the Goddess for yourself."

Count Hevring shook his head as he rose from the pew, a look of sorrow on his face, "I am sorry, but I cannot do that. The Goddess has forsaken me."

"Are we ready to leave?" Spite asked as he stepped from the farmhouse.

"You'll never get away with this!" the old woman shouted as she staggered up. "The Count-"

"Your precious Count is dead," Spite said, gesturing for Yurius to lead the first horse out of the barn. "He will not come to save you."

"Addy, why did you let those animals out again?"

"Distraction," Spite muttered. "They will see us leave for the northern gateway-"

"But we're really heading for the gateway east of here," Aranea said. "Clever."

"If the enemy intends to hunt us, they will waste precious time hunting phantoms," Spite reasoned. "Time we will put to good use."

"The horse is ready," Yurius said.

"Mortis, take… Cornelia and wait for us two intersections to the north," Spite ordered. "Yurius and I will follow suit once our work here is done."

"Right," Aranea scoffed as she climbed on the horse after Mortis. "Let's get this over with."

"Yurius," Spite barked as Mortis rode out of sight. "Prepare the horse. I will… set a diversion."

"Boss?" Yurius asked as he watched Spite light a fireball. "What are you doing?"

"Setting a diversion," Spite replied, a ball of fire at his fingertips. "If all the neighbours are trying to put out a house fire, they won't be trying to chase after us now, will they?"

"Lady Edelgard, we have trouble," Hubert started as he approached the royal couple.

"Hubert," Edelgard said, her face a grimace. "What seems to have happened?"

"There's been a fire deep in Gloucester territory," Hubert said. "Just south of Gloucester Manor."

Edelgard grimaced as she turned to Byleth, "Take whatever water you can find. The crop yields are to not be harmed."

"I've already dispatched Yuri and Hapi to the scene, but the location of the fire is a significant distance from our position."

"Then you've done all you could," Edelgard said as she mounted a nearby horse. "Come along now. We must survey the damage."

"So, this is where you grew up," Tiana observed as she followed Holst. "Who knew that little Piggy would come to lord over so much?"

"Lady Tiana," Count Galatea warned. "I would ask for some more respect than what you have shown thus far."

"Mom-" Claude started.

"Do not lecture me about respect," Tiana said, her tone serious. "You have shown me none, and yet you expect respect in turn?"

"So what would gain your respect then, Lady Tiana?" Holst asked from the front of the convoy. "What are we to do?"

"House Daphnel has no shortage of oranges at this time of the year," Tiana said. "One orange for every sailor aboard our ship."

"Oranges?" Holst asked. "Why would you need that?"

"Scurvy," Count Galatea replied. "Is that correct?"

"Ah," Holst said. "I will send a messenger over in the morning."

Tiana scrowled as Count Galatea grimaced, gesturing for a set of guards to come forward, taking a step away from the main party as the two men nodded.

"Lady Tiana, we will provide your sailors with pine tea until the fruit can be delivered," Count Galatea said. "In turn, we request your full cooperation on the matter of the massacre at Conand Tower."

"We had nothing to do with that," Tiana snarled as Count Galatea turned to the woman, his face grim as he nodded.

"From the fact that the vast majority of your forces had yet to make landfall, I believe you," Count Galatea said. "That being said, you did indeed take a handful of these… mysterious soldiers prisoner, and our guards have noted a skirmish within the forest that has seen a surprising amount of death, perpetrated by your hand."

"I don't deny that," Tiana said. "Still, that… mass of corpses, no, we had nothing to do with it."

Count Galatea nodded as he undid the lock binding Tiana's wrists together, "Then I ask for you to help us with this case."

Tiana rubbed her sore wrists in response as Holst spoke up, "We have only a single set of messengers. Is there any place you want them?"

"Enbarr would certainly be notified," Count Galatea said, his face tight as he turned to Tiana. "Still, both Myrddin and Garreg Mach are closer and could provide more immediate support."

Holst nodded, "I believe Myrddin would be the closer option of the two, with the additional support of House Gloucester."

"Yes," Count Galatea said. "You would be correct on that. I suspect the people of Charon would be… less helpful than House Gloucester."

"Do I give the order then?" Holst asked.

"Do it," Count Galatea said. "Send the messenger."

Holst nodded as he turned away, his eyes lingering on Claude for a minute before he slipped away.

"Hello Ignatz," Dorothea said as she stepped over a sheet covered body. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah!" Ignatz exclaimed, turning around in surprise. "Dorothea, I did not see you there."

"Sorry for startling you," Dorothea said. "We're just saying our goodbyes."

"Oh," Ignatz said. "I see."

"Could I ask you a question?" Dorothea asked.

"Umm, of course," Ignatz started. "I'll help however I can."

"Did… did Mortis say anything about me when they made the exchange?" Dorothea asked.

Ignatz grimaced, "She looked at you, but I'm afraid that she never said a word."

"I- I see," Dorothea said. "It- it's just that I thought we might have had a friendship in those few days we were together."

"When she travelled with us, she was rather secretive," Ignatz said, looking down at the body of the woman next to him. "Had she told us about… certain things, perhaps this could have ended differently."

"I'm… surprised by that," Dorothea said. "She seemed really willing to talk with us."

"We spent our nights talking," Ignatz said after a minute. "But never about anything relevant. She would never reveal anything important about herself."

"She kept the topic on you then," Dorothea said, her face grim. "I- I'm a fool. I allowed myself to be distracted by silly little stories about Ingrid's father."

"Dorothea," Ignatz said, his voice comforting. "I don't believe that. Mortis… she's a dangerous enemy."

Dorothea grimaced, "I- I just feel foolish now having trusted her."

"Dorothea," Hubert said. "I see you have been… hurt by Mortis."

"I just thought that- perhaps I could have gotten to her," Dorothea explained.

"You have gotten more out of Mortis than any of us have," Hubert replied. "From my personal experience, Mortis was always someone with information, but never someone who willingly shared it."

"That hardly makes me feel better," Dorothea said. "Despite everything, she didn't even try to say goodbye?"

Hubert paused for a moment before he turned to Ignatz, "That's the body of that bandit, isn't it?"

"Huh?" Ignatz asked as he looked down. "Oh, yes! It is."

"Burn it," Hubert said. "Nobody will come for it. And that's not even counting for what the people will do when they find out she stabbed their precious Count Gloucester."

"Right," Ignatz said. "Where-"

"Imperial camp," Hubert said. "I'll summon soldiers to help you."

"Hubie, do you think that I… was part of the problem?" Dorothea asked.

"I believe your approach would have borne fruit in good time," Hubert said. "In just a single dinner with Mortis, we've already gained a clearer picture of the status of the northern lords. Had we been given more time with her, I believe this relationship could have netted us significant results."

"Hubert," Edelgard called as she crossed over the bridge. "Are we ready to leave?"

"Dorothea, are you ready to leave?" Hubert asked.

"Likely to be Adrasteia," Edelgard informed Dorothea. "Even if its not, be on your guard regardless."

"Has he-" Dorothea started.

"We cannot be certain for the time being," Hubert said. "Still, we do believe it's him."

"How bad is the fire?" Ignatz asked, his face nervous.

"We were given word of a fire, but not its extent or the damage it has caused," Hubert said. "That being said, the timing is too much of a coincidence to not be related to Adrasteia."

"May I come along?" Ignatz asked. "I- I believe I might be able to help you."

"You are familiar with the roads in Gloucester territory, correct?" Edelgard asked.

"Of course." Ignatz said. "I'm familiar with all the major roads within Alliance territory."

"Very good," Hubert said. "Be quick. We have little time to waste."

Thales smiled as the first Titanus golem roared to life, the arcane reactor within humming as the war machine marched forward, weapon and shield shifting as he turned down to the command module.

"Engineer," Thales barked. "Are you pleased with the structural integrity of this model?"

"I am," the young man said. "Our maintenance logs show no significant damage or wear from the awakening protocols."

"Very good," Thales said. "How many more do we possess?"

"Eighteen models immediately available," the engineer said. "Six more with significant damage that are unavailable at this time."

"Can they be salvaged?" Thales asked.

"Salvage?" the engineer asked. "You mean… taken apart for spare parts?"

"Let's suppose for a minute that a Titanus model is lacking a functioning shield," Thales said. "Is it possible to graft the shield of another Titanus unit onto it?"

The engineer grimaced. "We would be able to field twenty one units if we were to sacrifice the remaining three."

"Then do it," Thales said. "I want as many units as possible for this war."

"Understood," the man said, gesturing for a lackey to give the order. "I'll be going then."

"Twenty one Titanus golems," Thales said to himself as the second Titanus golem marched forward. "Twenty one reminders to this foul, blinded world that Agartha will rise once more."

So this is it then," Mortis said as she hopped from her horse, taking a moment to stretch her legs as Spite and Aranea moved toward the damaged plaza.

"A gateway to Zaharas," Spite responded as he removed a stone from a hidden pocket. "Mortis, would you like to do the honours?"

"What do we do with the horses?" Yurius asked.

"It matters not," Spite said. "If you wish to eliminate them, then that is your choice."

"I see," Yurius said, his face uncomfortable as Mortis moved to the centre of the plaza.

"Come Yurius," Spite said. "This is the closest gateway to Shambhala outside the Goneril gateway. It will be a short walk."

"Right," Yurius said as he stepped onto the plaza, taking a moment to glance behind him. "We weren't followed, right?"

"No, we were not," Spite said. "Mortis, you have my leave to commence."

"Right," Mortis muttered, taking the crystal heart in her hand, crushing the stone as dark magic enveloped her.

"Feed it your power," Spite said. "You are bringing four of us, not just two."

"I… understand," Mortis replied, her voice tense as the darkness surrounded the group, the tendrils of arcane seizing Yurius and Aranea as Mortis cried out.

"Bastard," Spite hissed as he placed a firm hand on Mortis' shoulder, channelling his own magic into the ritual as the tendrils of magic eased. "Mortis, step aside. I will take control of the rest of the ritual."

"Sorry," Mortis grimaced as she stepped away from the nexus of the ritual, the darkness enveloping Spite as the strands of arcane became thicker and more violent, the darkness swirling around the quartet as they were dragged into Zaharas.

"What's the damage report?" Edelgard asked as she hurried to Yuri, her eyes furious as she glanced at the charred remnants of the house.

Yuri grimaced as he stepped forward, "Easy there. There's been no crop damage, but from eyewitness testimony, it's Adrasteia."

Edelgard nodded as she stepped forward, still dressed in the full imperial plate, "What happened here?"

"Who're you?" an old man called from the back. "Go away! We don't like you kind here."

"You will treat your emperor with respect," Hubert warned the man as he stalked forward, his face murderous as he towered over the man. "She is Emperor to you."

"Hubert," Edelgard warned. "That's enough."

"Where is Count Gloucester?" a woman called.

"Dead," Edelgard replied after exchanging a glance with Byleth. "Your new count will be Lorenz Hellman Gloucester."

A woman crumpled to the ground as Hubert gritted his teeth, turning his gaze to Yuri. "Which one of them saw the whole thing?"

Yuri exchanged a glance with a younger man, the man taking a moment to step forward to face Hubert.

"You are the witness?" Hubert asked.

"Who's asking?" the man asked.

"Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg," Hubert shot back. "Your emperor, to be precise."

The man flinched as he took a step back, horror dawning on his face as he looked at Edelgard, "Right, my parents and I were attacked last night."

"By whom?" Hubert asked.

The young man grimaced as he glanced within the crowd behind him, "A man attacked us. He was fast and very effective."

"Describe him to me," Edelgard said as she stepped forward.

"He- he was older," the man started. "Really quite pale."

"White robes?" Edelgard asked. "Significant facial hair?"

The man nodded, "The others say he stole two horses and headed north with his companions."

"Did you get a good look at them?" Edelgard asked.

The man shook his head, "There were four of them, that's all we know."

"Adrasteia," Edelgard growled.

"I recognized one of them!" a voice cried out from the back of the group. "She was that healer, you know, the one who cured the plague?"

"Cornelia Armin?" Hubert asked.

"Yeah!" the woman exclaimed. "That pretty woman."

Hubert grimaced as he stepped back from the group, his voice low as he convened with Edelgard and Byleth, "Cornelia Armin is dead."

"Could it be a replacement?" Edelgard asked.

"Possible," Byleth said. "Hard to imagine anything else."

"Where did they go?" Hubert asked when he turned back to the woman.

"North!" the woman said, pointing a spindly finger in the direction the four had fled.

"Gloucester Manor is up there," Edelgard observed.

"As is Conand Tower," Hubert said. "With that army Sylvain mentioned."

"Where is Ingrid and Ashe?" Edelgard asked.

"Still at Myrddin I'm afraid." Hubert said. "Only the four of us came here."

"Hapi, fly back and bring the two of them with you," Edelgard ordered. "See to it that we meet up at Gloucester Manor."

"Bring along Sylvain and Felix as well," Byleth added.

"Right," Hapi said. "Chicken, Freckles, Lewd, and Stabby."

Edelgard blinked as she turned to Byleth.

"Ingrid and Ashe," Yuri translated, taking a moment to clear his throat. "Sylvain and Felix, in that order."

"Right," Edelgard said as she turned to the assembled group behind her. "We should head north, see what we can still find."

"Right," Hubert said. "Lead on, Lady Edelgard."

Yurius gasped as he opened his eyes again, the dark stone below him cold and unwelcoming as he pushed himself to his knees.

"You're awake," Spite observed. "Good. We were getting ready to move on."

"Right," Yurius said, giving Mortis a dirty look. "Where are we?"

"The Forbidden Realm of Zaharas," Spite said. "Less than an hour away from Shambhala."

"You know the way?" Yurius asked as he glanced at Mortis and Aranea.

"We have passed through these halls many times before," Aranea said. "But none of us more than my dear brother."

Spite nodded as he stepped away from the main group, his hands clasped in his lap as he sat upon a ruined bench.

"Mortis, are you ready to leave?" Aranea asked.

"Spite?" Yurius asked, his voice stunned as the older man turned to him.

"Is something wrong?" Spite asked.

"Is that-" Yurius choked, a trembling finger pointed behind Spite. "Kronya?"

Spite frowned as he turned around, his eyes taking a moment to watch his fallen sister.

"So it is," Spite said, rising to his feet, his face blank. "She's dead. She will not harm us."

"Spite-" Mortis started. "Is she- is she alright?"

"No," Spite said, his face pained as he turned back to the phantom of his sister. "Kronya has lost her memory, I'm afraid."

"It's not a pleasant story," Aranea cut in. "Suffice to say, you do not need to know."

Spite nodded as he passed the phantom of his sister, "Come along now. We've wasted enough time."

AN: Chapter 34 done. Sorry it took so long. I've been working on some other projects in the background. Might publish one in the near future.

AN 2: The poll is at a tie (1 vote for each side). Next vote wins.

Next Chapter:

Spite- Phantoms in the dark.

Edelgard- Trudging through the ashes.

Claude- An oath broken.

Seteth- Unclaimed.

Mortis- One of seven.

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