Summary: Timeline Rewind - Fort Merceus
Notes: was having some trouble with this chapter- thank you everyone that was talking to me in the Dimileth discord to help me unravel my brain so I could get this out.
Chapter Text 33Rhea roared as she stared down at Enbarr. She planned on scorching this place to the ground. A bolt of magic hit her face, followed by more bolts. Then they released the demonic beasts on her. Enbarr would have to wait. She wasn't going to waste her time here. She could already feel her power fading. With the years of torture and starvation, she didn't have a lot of time in this form. She spread her wings. Perhaps Enbarr's divine punishment would be best served as something her mother and do together. She grinned at that thought. Yes Enbarr would feel their combined wrath. Rhea took off, leaving the ruined castle in her wake as she flew to where she felt her mother's magic.
Dimitri had leaned down to pick Sothis up. She was still wobbling on her feet. He had no regrets on what he had just done. He had been planning on that possibility if that was what she wanted. They caught up to Edlegard, Claude close behind. The rest of the classmates had followed and they gave orders for everyone to standby and take care of the dead and see to the wounded, but cease any more violence.
"Hey Leth why do you have his crest on your chest now." Claude asked.
"And why are you staring at my chest Claude?" Sothis asked back.
"It's kind of hard to miss. And what was that just now?" Claude asked.
"It's similar to the barrier I have over the monastery. Aeilel was created because they tried to use those javelins on the monastery. It was where my resting place for my family and I, so I had a barrier over the area to protect it. That's why Rhea built the monastery there I'm assuming. It's the most protected place in Fodlan." Sothis replied.
Edlegard looked back at her. "And what is your reason for it being the most central part of Fodlan?"
Sothis shrugged. "It's near where I fell. The impact created Zanado, and that became my home. We like mountains so it made sense to go a little more towards that way."
"You still didn't answer my other question." Claude pressed.
Sothis blushed. "He….. our souls are bound now. My crest will have marked him the same way."
Claude stopped. "Wait… so what does that mean?"
"If either of dies we can find each other in the next life, ok! Now quit pestering me about it!" Sothis snapped back.
"You or Byleth?" Claude asked.
"I merged my soul with hers, we're one and the same now, just different consciousness," Sothis said.
"I don't regret my actions either. I hope you know that." Dimitri said.
Sothis leaned her head into his neck and smiled. "You do have a way about making us feel safe, don't you? I'm glad we met you."
Edlegard huffed. "Of course your views are blinded. So goddess why have you let Fodlan fall to ruin?"
Dimitri had to readjust his hold as Sothis lashed towards her. "You impudent little child! After Nemesis tore my heart out I was unable to do anything! You act as if everything is my fault, but I had nothing to do with any of this! I didn't ask to be worshiped even when I was alive. We had peace and I gave what I could to humans. There was a city called Agartha. We helped them build a grand society and then they turned on us. My children went to war against them, I had to heal up the world in its aftermath. I went to sleep to heal and during that time they got Nemesis to their side to kill me." She lost her fire halfways through and snuggled back into him.
Claude tilted his head. "Heal the world how?"
Sothis rolled her eyes. "By using my own lifeforce to pour magic into the world to let things regrow, how else would you do it?"
"Must have been a tough job." Claude said.
"Yeah and look how I got repaid. I got my heart torn out, my family killed, and now another war created because my daughter has taken it upon herself to put me on a damned pedalstool. Not to mention the Agarathans still want my family dead and to rule Fodlan." Sothis said.
They approached the fort and there were several bowmen guarding the top range.
"Stand down! They are here to talk negotiations. Open up the gates!" Edlegard said.
"But Lady Edelgard…." The solider said.
"Did I stutter? Open up the gates now! That is an order and I will not take insubordination!" Edlegard repeated.
The gates opened and they were greeted by a group of Imperial soldiers.
"I said stand down!" Edlegard ordered.
The Death Knight came to greet them. "What is the meaning of this?"
"The entire field was attacked. We are only returning the favor for our safety and wish to talk in a more private setting." Hubert said.
"Emile!" Mercedes said running forward.
The Death Knight stared down at her. "You do not belong here. I am no longer the one you knew. Death is all that remains."
"I don't care! I never should have left you there. Please can't we just talk once more?" Mercedes asked.
Edlegard looked between them. "What is going on today?" she asked.
"Mercedes is the last of his family. They were part of the same house before Mercedes's mother took her from the Empire." Caspar said.
Edlegard glared back at the rest of the group. "All of you are traitors to the Empire." She snarled before moving forward.
The Death Knight turned around and mounted his horse and left. Leaving Mercedes standing there.
Dorthea stomped forward and whirled Edlegard around. "Is it so bad to not want to participate in the slaughter of innocents? What you have done Edlegard is wrong on so many levels!"
"You of all people know what a broken system this world has Dorthea!" Edlegard snapped back.
"Yes, but as both Byleth and Dimitri have proven you don't have to solve everything with bloodshed! That is why I left. I believe in Byleth, and you know what, Sothis is cute! Every time she has taken over Byleth's body she has been nothing but fun-loving and caring to everyone! So I believe in her too." Dorthea said.
Edlegard turned her back and scoffed. Dorthea was clenching and unclenching her hands in aggravation. Then she noticed the red on Hubert's gloves. "Hubie, you should really get that looked at."
"I will, but first all of you inside the fort. We need to take this conversation elsewhere." Hubert said.
The rest of the way was done in silence as they walked past the fortress's defenses. Dimitri tightened his grip on his lance and held her closer. He did not like being surrounded by this many enemies. They went up a few flights of stairs and she dismissed everyone out of the room. It was large and looked like it might be a banquet hall. Dorthea was healing Hubert as if she hadn't defected. The students filed in and sat at the large tables. Edlegard noticed it was no longer separated by house, nor by nobility. They mingled together, mostly staying in couples or just in groups with close friends. That had been what she had wanted in the beginning. No barrier or importance of who you were, just the bonds you could forge person to person, what she wanted now, it was hard to accomplish without sacrifice.
Then there was the fact of The Professor. Her eyes were glowing and that power she had demonstrated… she knew that the Professor was never prone to lying. She had been terrible at it actually. That outfit too it had appeared out of thin air in a divine golden glow. Dimitri had set her down, but she was still clinging to his side. Byleth had listened to her when she talked about her family, about that horror that was done to her.
"No offense Sothis, but if I could. I'd like to talk to the Professor." Edlegard said.
Sothis huffed. "Just because the messenger has changed does not mean that the information will."
"I will not listen to a parasite!" Eldegard snapped.
Sothis gaped. "Excuse you! I do not cause any harm to her!"
"A false goddess can be no less. And you've turned every one to worship at your beck and call," Edlegard said.
Sothis clenched her fists before golden light shimmered there. She flared out her hands and it encircled the room. She closed her eyes as she found the memories she wanted. She was in Zanado with the younger of her children at her feet. Some in their dragon form and others in a demi form. She was petting the one that fell asleep in her lap when a large rumble shook the world.
"Now what are they up to?' Sothis said. 'Stay here my little ones," she said before getting up.
Sothis stood and watched in horror as a javelin hit the earth near them. Her heart beat furiously. What was going on here? Another javelin was making its way towards them. She raised her arms and raised her barriers, deflecting the blast.
"That does it! I've tried to be nice. I gave you all every chance I could give you, but I will not stand by to this bloodshed any longer."
Sothis made her way to the battlefield and was sickened by what she saw. "What is the point of all this?"
The fighting continued until it was only her children left standing. The few Agarthans that had been left had fled long ago.
Rhea came up to her and bowed. "All those who have disrespected your power are gone now, mother."
Sothis gaped at her. "And how does any of this help anyone? Look as how the land has been made to weep. Look at all the ones we've lost and for what?"
Rhea stood firm. "They started this war. They spilled our blood, used our gifts against us, and they have committed hubris."
Sothis rubbed her face. "Is it not hubris to think ourselves above them?"
Rhea looked away. "They made their choice."
Sothis sighed and went forward, looking over the war torn and ravaged land. "Then I must weep for the land and hope it can start anew."
Rhea turned on her then. "What do you mean?"
Sothis ignored her, golden light once again glittering at her fingertips as she dug her fingers into the earth. "To those of you who have lost your lives in this senseless war, I apologize. I will try to make it so the land weeps no more."
"You cannot do this mother!" Rhea cried, trying to pull Sothis away.
Sothis had already started her magic and it blasted Rhea back. The golden light similar to the barrier pulsed beneath the soil as Sothis drained her power to heal the land. Afterward she was panting and spent.
Rhea caught her. "Mother!"
Sothis placed her hand on Rhea's cheek. "Keep the little ones safe. Take care of them while I sleep."
Rhea nodded. "I will."
The scene flashed to the Red Canyon, Nemesis showing up at the entrance of Zanado to Rhea's retreat. Sothis kept out the part of the carving and blood. Then moved to the Battle at Taltien Plains, cutting off after Rhea stabbed Nemesis. Then Sothis walked up to Edlegard who backed away from her. Sothis grabbed her arm and the visions around them flared to a younger Edlegard with brown hair as she was being dragged down a flight of stairs to another chamber.
"Here's another of the little royal brats." The masked mage said, throwing Edlegard down onto the stone floor.
"We are running out of blood to do this with, there won't be many more chances," Arundel said.
"Uncle! Why are you doing this?" Edlegard asked.
Arundel looked down at his niece and his form twisted to Thales."We need a vessel to become the next Nemesis and blaze a path throughout Fodlan. We have this world at its tipping point and we will bring the church to its knees. Those blasted beasts will finally breathe their last and that Fell Star will be no more. They never belonged here and we will expel them."
Edlegard cried out as someone pulled her hair.
All she heard was a voice snarling behind her. "Throw her in with the others!"
She was then tossed into a room that held her other siblings. Her heart was beating rapidly.
Edlegard threw Sothis away from her, her eyes cold. "I don't know what this is, but you will pay for whatever trick of the mind you're playing at!"
"You're their pawn El. You always have been!" Dimitri roared as he caught Sothis and helped her back on her feet.
"And how are you any better? She's probably brainwashed you too! How can you be alright with something like her taking over the Professor's body?" Edlegard roared back.
"Because Sothis has done nothing but help. She only comes when Byleth asks for her or if she's needed. Otherwise, she minds her own business," Dimitri said.
Edlegard chuckled. "Help you say? How can that thing hiding in her mind be anything but another monster?"
"It's not like you'd believe a single word I'd say. And you are correct, I never asked to be worshipped as a goddess, but it looks like I get the title anyway. False or not I am the power that can bring Fodlan into an age of light. Like Nemesis, you've believed their lies wholeheartedly. That will be the death of you and Fodlan," Sothis said.
Eldegard grit her teeth and was about to snap a response when the glow faded from Byleth's eyes and she wobbled as the outfit turned to her normal. Her breathing increased and she fell against Dimitri.
"Beloved, are you all right?" Dimitri asked as he caught her.
Edlegard's expression went from anger to confusion. And then it clicked. "You're in love with her! No wonder she's got you so twisted up around her finger. Isn't that blasphemy little prince, to put your hands on your so-called Goddess?"
Dimitri glared at Edlegard. "I at least know where my allegiance lies, and it's not with the destruction of Fodlan."
"Sothis may be the Goddess, but that doesn't mean I can't be what I wish to be. I may love who I wish. She does not control me." Byleth said.
Edlegard clenched her fists. "I will destroy this wretched system! If anything will destroy Fodlan faster it's keeping these archaic practices! You may think you're free, but just like the other lost souls you've only been blinded by their taint."
Byleth looked Edlegard in the eyes. "I cannot save someone who will not reach for the light. Hide all you want in your shadows, you will drown in them if you do not reach out for help."
"It is obvious that these talks are going nowhere. Goodbye." Eldegard said, turning towards the door.
"Wait, Edelgard. There is something I must give you.' Dimitri pulled out the dagger he had been keeping with him. Once a reminder of his vengeance, it was now a symbol of what could have been. 'This is for you. Use it to cut a path to the future you wish for. And I will rise up to meet you there...El."
Edelgard paused. Something tickling in the back of her memory, of a little boy that she taught to dance. "I...I remember now. You gave me a dagger, all those years ago. That's why you asked about my hair color in Abyss. You had seen me before their experiments."
Dimitri nodded. "I'm still sorry about that. I should have given you something that would've made you happier."
Edelgard took the dagger in her hands and twirled it. "Perhaps. At the time, I was quite flustered by such a dangerous gift. I left without giving you a proper response...and that was the last time we saw each other."
"True. It is a sweet memory with a bitter ending," Dimitri said.
Edelgard huffed. "I'm afraid it will do no good to reminisce, Dimitri. That girl you knew back then is gone. As good as dead. But...I'll tell you now what I wasn't able to tell you back then. Thank you. My dear, forgotten friend...because of you, I never lost my heart. And I will not lose it now. I cannot stray from this path I've been given, and you both are in my way."
She took the dagger and tried to aim it for Byleth, but Ferdinand grabbed her arm. She tried to throw it and Felix was before Byleth with his Aegis shield. Hubert went to Edlegard's side, pushing Ferdinand away from her. Then he warped her away. The sounds of armored footsteps started to echo from the stairway below. Everyone got to their feet, weapons ready. Dimitri would have to thank her later for not demanding they give up their weapons. He had to admit he was disappointed in the state of events, but he was not surprised. Edlegard had always been stubborn to the point of infuriating him.
Then a loud roar shook the air. Followed by the crashing of stone as Rhea smashed through the fort. Screaming and shouting below echoed up to them as Rhea blasted a beam through the front gate. The footsteps that were coming up started scrambling down into the fray instead. Dimitri led the group down the corridor, leaving Dedue in the rear to protect the group on that side. Byleth was still out of breath but she stayed close to him. They got to where they would see the outside. Rhea's tail was whipping back and forth, destroying more of the fort and sending soldiers scurrying to find shelter from the falling debris.
"Where is she? I know she's here!" Rhea roars echoed through the area.
Byleth grabbed Dimitri's cloak. "I don't know if I can bring Sothis out again so soon after that."
Dimitri looked back at her. Rhea's anger was not going to be easily appeased. He backed them up to point down the corridor to their left. "On my mark, we start heading back to Gronder. Try not to be seen."
"Your tyranny ends here Rhea! I should have killed you years ago!" Edelgard's voice echoed around them.
Rhea snarled. "You wicked girl! I will give you the divine punishment you deserve!"
Dimitri picked up Byleth and they started to take the path that ended up opening a gap of the destroyed structure. He could see the destroyed gate from where they stood, but they were also in Rhea's range of sight. Edlegard had Aymr in her hands as she battled Rhea. Hubert was peppering spells as he could. Some of the other warriors in the fort had joined the fray. Indecision racked his mind, but in the end, he knew that Gronder would be a more advantageous battlefield. Seteth knew about Rhea and he could mobilize the rest of the Serios knights to help her.
They were such a large group and would easily get noticed. Claude came over to them and surveyed the same area he did. "It's Leth that Rhea wants. We could use her as bait for the moment to get the rest of us out of here. If you'll trust me with her I'll make sure we all get out of here."
Dimitri glanced at Claude, his mouth pressed in a thin line.
Byleth reached up and kissed his jaw. "I can handle myself. I need to make sure all of us get out of here. Put me down."
He looked down at her. "I promised that I'd be beside you."
Byleth nodded. "And you shall. Get the others out. Trust Claude. He likes the idea of living too much to screw it up and get murdered by you for failing."
Dimitri put her down and they watched for an opening. Edlegard dealt a blow to Rhea that knocked her to the side and Hubert brought down a pile of rubble above her to come crashing down.
"Now!" Claude hissed.
Everyone made a bolt for the gate. Byleth did start moving with Claude near her. Dimitri did not like this, but as a few soldiers tried to get in their way he knew that he had to protect the group. They would waste too much time getting through the enemies. He was able to clear a path for them to follow. As soon as they got past the gates he caught sight of Claude and Byleth in the rear. Rhea had gotten up and noticed them. Claude then made a very loud multi-ranged whistling noise. He signaled for everyone to keep moving.
Another roar sounded and Dimitri saw Claude's white wyvern soar above them. Claude made a jump for the wyvern and came back around for her, grabbing her around the waist. He had to maneuver to avoid one of Rhea's blasts. Byleth slipped from his hold and he caught her as she scrambled back up into the saddle. The rest of the group called for their flying and ground mounts and they took a partner to make the retreat that much faster. Dimitri, Balthus, and Raphael all declined to run instead. Even a wyvern might have trouble with two riders, when one of them weighed so much, and Sylvain and Hilda had already grabbed Leonie and Annette. Caspar was riding with Lindhart and the other classes that wore heavier armor had their own units. Dedue already had Mercedes on his horse. Dimitri's horse had still been at the base camp since he didn't use it for battle.
Rhea was stumbling her way along the path, turning around as Edlegard and Hubert tried to attack again while Rhea had her back turned. Rhea swung her tail and Edlegard went flying into the stone wall. She crumbled in a heap on the ground and Hubert dove for her to warp her out of harm's way as Rhea had turned to smash Edlegard with her front claws. Claude had gotten them out of the fort while Rhea was still distracted. Dimitri had reached the trees and Claude hovered above him. He could hear Byleth protest above him.
"I'll catch you. I promise," Dimitri said putting down the lance and taking his cloak into his hands and signaled Baltus to take one side. He realized Claude was going to play decoy until everyone got to safety. Rhea would have seen Byleth with him earlier so she'd assume he still had her until Claude got too close for her to know otherwise.
Byleth lifted her leg so both of them were on one side. He could tell by her stiffness that she was scared. She didn't scream, but he knew how much this would bother her. Her eyes were shut and she had her arms crossed over her chest. She angled herself so she'd land on her back. They caught her in the cloak and he took her shaking form in is arms.
He kissed her temple. "I've got you. Everyone is safe."
Balthus kept Dimitri's cloak for the moment, wrapping it around his arm as they ran. They could hear Rhea's stomps behind them. Byleth was still shaking and he just held her close, trying not to let the run jostle her too much. The pounding stopped and he saw Claude land in the clearing for Gronder Field ahead. The knights of Serios were already charging their way towards them.
"Rhea's transformed back," Claude yelled.
"Seteth is on his way to get her!" Ingrid said, from above on her pegasus.
Dimitri breathed a sigh of relief. Human Rhea they should be able to handle. The look Byleth had on her face still worried him. "You don't need to be afraid of falling anymore my love, I'll always catch you."
She gave him a small smile before snuggling her head into his neck. "Good thing I've already fallen for you then."
He buried his nose in her hair as he hugged him to her. Whatever came next from this madness they would face it together. Her shaking had finally stopped.
"You know the view wasn't all that bad if one could get past the fear," Byleth said.
"Forgive me but I doubt you'll ever get me on a wyvern," Dimitri said.
Byleth chucked. "There's always a first time for everything, but for now I am content with your arms and the horses."
He could tell she was exhausted. He moved her hair to see where his crest was branded on her skin. "She mentioned another step, didn't she?"
Byleth nodded weakly. "Blood will finish the bond. Neither of us will be able to die while the other lives. It will bind us completely Dimitri. You won't age. It means that any friends you make will fade with time."
"It is the life you'd be bound to wouldn't it? Because of Sothis when I grow old you'll still be as beautiful as you are now," he said.
She didn't answer at first. It was like the nightmares he had when she had first told him that it was a merging instead of a simple gift. To where he would be the ghost that haunted her once he left this world. That was never a reality he wanted for her. He sat himself on the heal tile that Edlegard had taken her position on. The others flanked around them, but stayed out of earshot.
She sighed. "Right now, if you died, whenever your soul is reborn I would be able to find you. What you say is true I think. Rhea is still alive after all these centuries. I don't know because of Jeralt, but I imagine I have a long life ahead of me."
Dimitri put his hand under her chin. "Look at me Byleth." She looked up and he stroked her cheek. "I mean it when I say I'm happy to stay by your side for as long as you'll have me. I may not fully comprehend all of the consequences now, but I know that I want this. I want to be with you."
She twisted herself in his arms and kissed him deeply, as soft golden light pulsed where his crest was on her. He broke away from her as the heal tile activated underneath them to wash them in its healing light.
She chuckled at him. "And I want to stay with you, my heart. Thank you for taking my hand."
He stood, the light's healing much more powerful than usual. He set her down and was please to see that she was no longer wobbling on her feet. She stayed next to him as they walked off of it. The knights of Seiros were coming and since they were both healed and restored there was no reason to keep it for themselves. The knights of Serios made a protective shield around Rhea. Catherine carried her as they brought her back to the group. Seteth hovered overhead.
When Catherine got to Dimitri her gaze held anger. "Why did you leave Lady Rhea behind?"
Seteth landed. "They came to fetch us. Rhea was not herself when they first encountered her. Be happy that Lady Rhea is back in our hands again."
Catherine turned on him. "That is no excuse!"
Dimitri ignored her. He noticed that most of the Imperial troops had already left the battleground. Something was wrong. He didn't think it would be another attack with the javelins. How many of those things could the Agarthan's conjure?
Mercedes had already made her way to Rhea to offer to help heal. When Rhea's eyes snapped open she scrambled to get away from Catherine.
"Where is she? Where's mother?" Rhea cried out.
Seteth came to her and whispered something in her ear and Rhea calmed down.
"I want to see her," Rhea said.
Seteth nodded. "And you will. You need rest."
Rhea's exhaustion caught up with her and she and blacked out again. Catherine placed her on the healing tile and Byleth left his side to place her hands on the tile. Her hands and mark flared gold again as she activated the same light from the healing tile. Dimitri had always wondered about the properties of those tiles. They were built at points that had healing properties, but after seeing what she did to heal the world, perhaps these were just points where her magic collected in small pools to continue her magic's original work.
Rhea's eyes fluttered open as Sothis took over Byleth's body once more.
At first Rhea's face was serene. "Mother, you're here." She put her hand on Sothis's cheek.
Sothis leaned into the touch. "I am here little one, but…. There are many things that need to be said. Some of them will not be pleasant, but you will need to hear them all the same."
Rhea's face held confusion and then her hand trailed to where the Blaiddyd crest lay and the fury in her eyes was tangible. She lashed out, her nails digging into Sothis's shoulder.
Rhea's eyes met with Dimitri's as he stepped forward. "Vile wretch! How dare you touch her!"
Rhea used her hold on Sothis's shoulder to push her to the side. Rhea then grabbed Catherine's Thunderbrand and charged at Dimitri. Sothis regained her balance and drew the sword of the creator to block Rhea.
"I will not let you hurt him," Sothis said, pushing her back.
Rhea snarled. "You are divine and you let something like him touch you! You are a failure like all the rest. Give her back to me!"
Byleth's voice rose as one eye lost its glow. "We are all bonded together now. You will not be forgiven for your crimes Rhea. Her heart is my own and we have both chosen him. We will not let you continue this maddening path."
"No, she is mine!. I am the one who has gone through so much pain and sacrifice! I will not let him take you away from me!" Rhea said, charing again.
"A choice that was given freely Rhea. Sothis is the one who told us about the binding. I will not live a life without him and you will not separate us. I don't care if you are my grandmother!" Byleth said as their blades met.
Rhea attacked her mercilessly, but Byleth had the advantage of having a healthier body. Rhea was already panting. Seteth stepped in and Byleth went on the defensive. Rhea turned to him as soon as she realized he was close.
"Why did you allow such an atrocity to happen Seteth?" Rhea cried.
Seteth nodded to the two of Dimitri and Byleth. "They are capable of making their own choices Rhea. Sothis named him her Champion and I will not argue with her will."
Rhea gripped the hilt to Thunderbrand tighter. "I will not lose her again. I don't know if her body can handle a child. Siri's barely could. She shouldn't have been able to have one in the first place. When Siri told me I had thought it to be a miracle. There was a part of me happy, but as she bled out on that table and asked me to save that halfbreed…I made an oath Seteth. I will see it through."
Dimitri stepped forward. "I will protect her, even if it's from you Rhea. She chose me, and yes there are still think there are times I feel unworthy of it, but it will not affect my choice. I will not leave her side."
Rhea growled. "Foolish child!"
Byleth intertwined their hands that weren't holding their weapons. "Call it foolish all you want. Like so many other things you are blinded to the truth in front of you. If you will not stand down Rhea you will face atonement for everything you've done to this world."
Sothis's voice rose. "I never asked to be worshipped. I know why you did a lot of what you did, but this divine punishment only serves your own ideals. They are happy and I have found a home with those she calls her family in arms. I will take their kindness over your madness anyday! This was not the life I wanted for you."
"They stole everything. First the Agathans raised their hands against you. I went to war with our family to uphold your honor. Then Nemesis stole you away from me. Now you stand before me with his stain on you. That sinner still walks, she would have taken all of our families creststones to defile them into monsters! She is working with the ones that have taken everything! And yet, you say that I am the mad one! All I've done is to protect what little remains of our family!"
Then Rhea dropped the sword and went onto her knees. Clutching her head as she screamed out. Several of the other Serios knights dropped to their knees also crying out. When the sound of armor bursting apart ripped through the air, the group and remaining knights stared in horror as their allies turned into white beasts. Rhea was shifting piece by piece back into her dragon form. A sound from the direction of the Empire caught Dimitri's attention as Demonic beasts were let loose onto the field.