Enbarr was only a day's ride away as the army was now moving forward to their final approach. With the Imperial army's days numbered, the combined forces of the Alliance and the Faerghus military were now starting to move in and surround Enbarr. However, Enbarr was a large capital that didn't have the space for widespread fighting in the city. So Byleth, Sylvain, and Claude all agreed that they could only have a small fighting force enter the capital to reduce civilian casualties and needless destruction of Enbarr in general.

Earlier in the day, as they had a war council meeting, the trio were discussing everything from the preparedness of their offensive attack to the plan specifically to make sure that everything was taken care of. No one at this point wanted to make a mistake, especially since at this point, they were playing Edelgard's territory. Anything could happen.

On top of that there was the issue of Rhea. Ever since they had gained Byleth back, both her and Claude had been searching desperately for her along with the Knights of Seiros. They both wanted to know about Byleth's origins. Even Sylvain was curious, since learning about Byleth's past through her father's diary, he was intrigued by her mere existence and how it came to be. As they went through their plan once again, Claude decided to speak up on the topic.

"It's almost time to invade the Imperial capital. We still don't know where Rhea is, but if she's alive, she's likely in Enbarr. Hopefully we manage to find her without too much trouble." Claude said with a bit of optimism in his voice.

Byleth sighed, rubbing her temples, "I wonder if she's alive."

Claude shook his head, "If the Empire has some reason to keep Rhea alive, then she's alive."

Sylvain looked at Byleth with a curious eye, "I'm sure you must be anxious to see her again."

Byleth stared into his eyes, her face serious, "I need to see her again."

Claude spoke, "I understand. You need to see Rhea again so you can figure out who you really are."

Sylvain's head lowered, knowing the risk factor of entering Enbarr, "But we're going up against Edelgard here... It won't be so simple."

Byleth nodded at him, "You're right, I doubt Edelgard will just allow us in. Have any of your spies picked up anything?"

Claude looked defeated, "Nothing that's worth noting, if Edelgard is expecting us she's keeping her cards close."

Byleth looked to Sylvain for an answer, "How about you? Anything?"

Sylvain let out a large exhale, "They've been trying to find anything, but nothing so far. I don't think the Emperor is giving anything away at this point."

Byleth replied with a stressed tone, "She's really taking a stand against us, even though she's losing."

"Have to give it to the Emperor, she's not going to hold back on this fight." Claude said, weaving his hands behind his head.

"Perhaps the Almyran Prince could figure a way to scheme his way around her." Sylvain raised an eyebrow at Claude, obviously teasing the House Leader.

"Sylvain…" Byleth said in a warning voice.

Claude laughed, "No, it's okay Teach, I'm sure the Almyran Prince will come up with something." He winked at Sylvain as he chuckled in response.

"Still, it's not quite common knowledge yet, Sylvain, so don't be so reckless with your words." Byleth glared at her lover.

"Sorry, my love," Sylvain replied, still snickering alongside Claude. Byleth rolled her eyes, sometimes it felt like she was working with two small boys.

"Well what does our future Queen of Fodlan got? Any schemes in her head?" Claude teased with a twinkle in his eyes.

Byleth grumbled, "Claude...I'm not Queen yet, and besides if Rhea is alive, she's automatically the leader of us all."

Claude replied with a joking tone, "I mean you could just pull a coup, you know."

Byleth glared at him, "I will not be doing that."

Sylvain chuckled, "It was worth a shot. So, do we have our plan set?"

Claude nodded, "I believe so, we will probably start our approach tomorrow, the more we delay the more time Edelgard has to shore up her defenses, which there will be a lot anyways."

Byleth agreed, "Very well then, I guess we will move out at dawn."

Claude smiled, "Good, I'll see you two then. I have to get to my own lonely tent, not all of us have a lover to cling on to."

Sylvain laughed, "Oh really? Is that so? 'Cause I remembered seeing you and Petra taking a long stroll out into the woods earlier."

Claude turned to wink at his friend, "Come now, Sylvain. I don't kiss and tell."

Sylvain crossed his arms, smirking at Claude, "Uh huh, I saw more than just kissing."

For the first time since knowing Claude, Byleth watched as he flushed a deep crimson and was utterly speechless. Sylvain couldn't hold in his laughter and he fell to the ground clutching his sides. Byleth was stifling her own amusement, placing a hand on her mouth as she giggled to herself watching Claude shift uncomfortably at the entrance of the tent they were in.

Claude sheepishly grinned, "Heh, I guess my secret is out, huh?"

Byleth shook her head, smiling at Claude, "You honestly think you can keep a secret from us?"

Claude shrugged, his blush covering even his ears "I did well at it for a while."

Sylvain, who had finally recovered from his laughing fit, picked himself up off the ground, "Yeah, well, you know By is not going to be in the dark about this forever."

Claude looked to her with a blank stare. Byleth merely smiled and offered a word of support, "I'm glad you could find your own happiness, Claude. You deserve each other. Though I have to admit, it does seem politically advantageous of you to go after the Princess of Brigid."

Claude snorted, "It's not like that, that was just coincidental. I like that she's not trying to be anyone else, and that she's a hard worker. She's smart, reliable, and damn is she not the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

Byleth approached her friend giving him a warm embrace, "Well in any event, I hope you two are happy."

Claude returned her hug with his own, "We are, thanks Teach."

Byleth slowly unwrapped her arms around him, and gave him a platonic kiss on the cheek, "You should get some rest, Petra as well."

Claude winked, "Oh I definitely will."

Byleth rolled her eyes, "Okay, big shot, get out and be ready for the attack."

"Will do, Teach, I will see you both." Claude waved as he left the tent leaving Sylvain and Byleth alone.

Byleth turned to face her lover, who was still wearing a large grin on his face. She sauntered over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist rubbing her face against his chest. Sylvain returned it tenfold, cradling her petite frame close to him and dipping his head into the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. At this moment, they both were thinking the same thing: they were worried but they were anxious to finally be rid of this war. Sylvain gave a gentle kiss to her temple.

"So Enbarr, the Capital of the Empire. It's finally time. I never thought I'd live this long." Sylvain exhaled as he rocked the both of them back and forth.

"Oh?" Byleth mumbled

"Yeah, for some reason when this war started, and I decided to fight in it, I always had a feeling that I would die." Sylvain said with a lighthearted tone despite the depressing admission. "It's like any battle, really-stay calm, stay focused. Don't give in to your enemy or your own fear."

"You seem more serious than usual." Byleth said with a short laugh.

Sylvain pulled away to look her in the eyes, "Hey, I'm always serious! When I'm chasing girls or preparing for battle, I'm always serious. That's me…" He trailed off as his face fell. "Striking down the Empire is my offering to His Highness. Heh, I left the Kingdom... What am I saying?"

Byleth stroked his cheek, "And yet your people are here with you now, they love you Sylvain. As do I."

Sylvain placed his forehead on hers, closing his eyes, "You know just what to say, Byleth. No matter what kind of thing stresses me out, you're always there with something nice for me to hear. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. I love you so much, By."

Byleth smiled warmly, "I love you too, Syl." Her face contorted though as she felt her anxiety rising, "Sylvain...Do you think we will make it out of this alive?"

Sylvain sighed deeply, "I don't know, but I do know that I'm going to fight like hell to make sure I come back to you."

Byleth held onto him tighter, "I know it's selfish, but I want to be able to experience our new future so bad I almost want to elope like Ferdinand and Dorothea."

Sylvain chuckled, "I mean, I could grab Seteth really quick and a couple of witnesses and we could-"

Byleth interrupted him, poking him on the nose, "I said 'almost', Sylvain Gautier."

Sylvain smirked, "What? You don't want to go into battle tomorrow without the lovely name of Gautier attached to you? You don't want to be 'Byleth Eisner Gautier'?"

Byleth giggled, "As nice as that sounds, I don't want to rush things."

Sylvain peppered her cheeks with kisses, "Ah, Byleth, you are such a tease."

Byleth grabbed his hand and tugged him along, "We need to head to bed, Sylvain, let's go."

Sylvain chuckled darkly, "To bed or to sleep?"

Byleth peered behind her shoulder, a sultry gaze reflecting in her eyes, "To bed, love. Unless you'd rather spend all night whispering sweet nothings in my ears."

Sylvain could feel his cheeks flush, but he followed her nonetheless. After all, there was nothing like being in the arms of the woman you adore and make love all night long, rather than be worried about the coming storm.

The fighting had just begun and just like they predicted, Edelgard was ready. The streets of Enbarr were largely bare, but the civilians were kept in the walls of the capital, likely to deter the Alliance, Faerghus Loyalists, and Knights of Seiros from attacking, but it was too late now. Claude, Byleth, and Sylvain all knew that this needed to happen; they had to stop the war right here, right now. They had to face many of the horrors that they had grown accustomed to when fighting Edelgard, including the usage of Demonic Beasts and the recurrence of the Death Knight.

Sylvain stuck to his role to flank the enemy on the eastern side of the city, while Byleth and Claude took the brunt of the force of the Empire's army. However, Hubert wasn't making this easy on them. He had ensured that Byleth and Claude's forces could not join up with Sylvain's by the use of ballistas and catapults. It was almost too much, but through the grit of all three of them, their troops and the former students had broken through and were so close to the victory that they wanted to achieve.

As Byleth led the former Black Eagles through the streets of Enbarr, close to the Imperial Palace, they ran into their former classmate and second-in-command to Edelgard, Hubert von Vestra. Byleth stared him down with no remorse and no emotion on her face. She was never very close to Hubert, since he was not close to anyone. She didn't know whether to feel sorry for him or angry, but she decided to remain neutral.

"Hubert von Vestra, I was wondering when our paths would cross again. It seems you're at the end of your rope." Byleth spoke lowly, as she readied the Sword of the Creator in her hands.

"Professor Byleth Eisner, I have to say for a woman that was long considered dead, you certainly don't look like you are." Hubert chuckled darkly.

Byleth scoffed, "I got better, no thanks to you and this pointless war."

Hubert sneered at her, "You honestly think that the Church of Seiros is really looking out for your own best interests, Professor? You believe that after this war is over, and you've claimed your victory, that there will be any meaningful change?"

Byleth huffed angrily, "You wish for change, but you want to burn down the entire world in order to do it, taking thousands of lives with you."

Hubert frowned, "And you'd rather allow innocents to die slower, and live in misery under the False Goddess' heel."

Byleth gripped her sword tightly, "Enough talk, I have heard all I needed to hear."

Byleth charged forward, knowing that Hubert's defenses were very weak. However, she had to dodge everyone of his dark magic attacks, each coming faster with each step she took. He was keeping her at bay, even when Byleth retracted her sword's blade and swung it at Hubert. He evaded her attacks, warping around the battlefield. The rest of the Black Eagles were also aiming at him; Caspar bolted to him throwing short axes, Petra aiming from above with a bow, Bernadetta doing the same as Petra, and Linhardt was healing each of them as Hubert's attacks hit them. It all came to a head when Dorothea, who had made a vital strike at Hubert with a Thoron spell, was hit with one of Hubert's own attacks, injuring her greatly. Byleth rushed to her, healing her wounds with her own Faith magic. As she was helping her, Byleth noticed Hubert aiming at them. Byleth quickly put up a ward to protect them, but Ferdinand raced his horse to guard them.

Hubert smirked, his lips curling into a thin and slimy expression, "Running into you in the capital like this-I have to say, it's almost sentimental."

Ferdinand's grip on his lance tightened, his wedding band shining in the sunlight, "Hubert, she must leave."

Hubert's eyes narrowed on his rival, "You really think you can make her?"

Ferdinand's eyes clenched shut, "It does not matter what I think. Those are my orders."

Byleth took this opportunity, while Hubert was distracted to launch a blow to his side. He doubled over in pain, but he did not stay down for long, as he returned her offensive attack with his own. Byleth was too fast, her movements too precise, but Hubert couldn't keep his eyes off of her. When she finally got close enough for her final blow, Hubert disarmed her. However, this was exactly what she wanted.

"Now, Ferdinand!" Byleth shouted her command.

Hubert looked back, but was suddenly stabbed through the chest with Ferdinand's rapier, stunning Hubert in his place. Ferdinand's face was etched in anger, his eyes ablaze with furious energy. Hubert gasped his last words, "We must place our faith... in Her Majesty... Her victory is everything…". His body went limp, as Ferdinand pulled his sword out of Hubert, his blood pooling on the pavement below.

Ferdinand sheathed his blade as he rushed over to his wife, "Dorothea, are you harmed? I-I was not hasty enough to protect you, my love." He looked guilty, as if he wasn't doing his sacred duty as her husband to make sure nothing hurt her.

Dorothea caressed his cheek, "I'm okay, Ferdie. The Professor made sure of that." She showed Ferdinand her wound, which was more or less completely healed. Ferdinand embraced her tightly, kissing her lips passionately. Byleth looked away, allowing the young couple to have a moment of peace.

From above she heard the large screech of Sylvain's Wyvern, Astarte. Byleth breathed a sigh of relief as he emerged with the rest of the Blue Lions. Behind Byleth, The Golden Deer students were also shuffling in, with Claude looking calm as ever. As Astarte landed on the ground, Sylvain quickly dismounted and rushed over to Byleth, placing a hand on her cheek.

"You're alright." Sylvain smiled.

Byleth gave a short laugh, "You know me well enough to understand that I'm not easy to kill."

Sylvain chortled, "That I know all too well, By." He looked at the dead body of Hubert with a somber expression. Even though he was an enemy, Hubert was once a student at the Officer's Academy, as were the rest of them. His fate could have easily been one of theirs as well. "Who gave the final blow?" Sylvain asked.

"Ferdinand did; Hubert had injured Dorothea and he was protecting her, with my help of course." Byleth said plainly.

Sylvain nodded, "I would've done the same for you."

Byleth grinned, "You've done something similar, if I recall."

Sylvain laughed, despite himself, "And earned a badge of honor to do so."

Claude cleared his throat from behind Sylvain and Byleth. They both turned to see him with Leonie and now Petra close to his side, "We've made it this far... Somehow. Edelgard is probably looking down on us from somewhere in that castle." He pointed at the large palace, as it loomed over them like a bad omen.

"I wonder if she's panicking or just smiling smugly…" Leonie sneered, as Lorenz appeared at her side, quietly grasping her hand.

"From this point on, she'll be giving it her all too. Expect her to be tougher than the last time we fought. This battle will settle things once and for all. We'll attack as soon as everyone is ready." Claude spoke.

The rest of the students tended to the wounds of themselves and others. Sylvain was largely uninjured, except for a gash on his left arm that Byleth spotted quickly. She carefully used her Faith magic to heal him. Sylvain was often amazed by how much she had improved in her healing magic, but maybe that was due to her Goddess-like powers she was blessed with years ago. After the majority of them were done healing each other, Byleth looked to Claude to address the situation. That was until a large looming figure appeared from the shadows. His dark skin and grey hair immediately caught Sylvain's attention as he rushed to the man.

"Dedue?! You're alive!" Sylvain smiled brightly as he saw his old friend.

"I heard the Alliance's army has entered the city. I've been searching for you ever since." Deduce replied as he looked to Byleth.

"How long have you been in Enbarr?" Byleth asked, still in quite a shock.

"I arrived not long after the battle at Gronder Field. I am here to kill Edelgard." Dedue said with a strengthened resolve.

"Well, if you want to fight alongside us, we'd be more than happy to have you." Claude responded with a jovial tone.

Dedue shook his head at him, "We fight for different objectives. I swore to offer Edelgard's head to His Highness. But... Should I fail, I will have no choice but to entrust that mission to you." Dedue handed a piece of parchment to Byleth, she looked through it thoroughly, "This is the information I have gathered during my time in hiding here. It includes details about the inside of the castle."

Byleth handed it to Claude as well, he examined it with delight, "I appreciate this, but... What do you plan to do? Don't tell me you plan to do alone?" Claude asked.

Dedue's face grew stern, "I've done what I came here to do. Farewell."

It was in that moment, a woman of short blonde hair stood up, her eyes already puffy and red, "Dedue...please...don't go. We need you." Byleth looked to see that it was Mercedes. She appeared like she had been through all kinds of hell, and yet her eyes shimmered in hope.

Dedue's eyes focused on her, reflecting her own feelings. But regardless of how he felt, he turned and left the group of students he had met before. Mercedes started tearing up again as Annette rushed to her side. Byleth felt there was more there that she couldn't quite understand, but she decided to disregard it for now.

"He's gone. He's just as hard to understand as his liege was." Claude muttered, looking to both Sylvain and Byleth, "The time has finally come, my friend. Once we win this fight, the Empire will fall…"

"What will we do about Fódlan?" Byleth asked.

"The subject is heavy on my mind." Claude contemplated before continuing, "Odd as it sounds, I believe the forces responsible for destroying Fódlan are also responsible for protecting the livelihood of its citizens. Everything, even the land itself, has been harmed by the chaos of war. Restoring it will be no easy feat. To do that, the first thing we need to think about is a new ruling system for all of Fódlan."

"We could unify Fódlan as one nation, as we've always discussed." Byleth answered.

"As usual, we're on the same page. I was thinking the same thing." Claude nodded, "Even if the Alliance lords and any remaining influential nobles were to divide up dominion of all of Fódlan... They would simply pursue their own interests. Another war would be inevitable. That's why there needs to be a powerful ruler who stands above them all and unifies Fódlan as one nation."

Byleth sighed, "And that's when you're looking at me? As if I have experience."

Claude smiled at her, "Are you kidding me? You've done well leading an army, and teaching a class with no real background in it. And you've won the hearts and minds of many, why wouldn't I think of you as a leader?" Byleth rubbed the back of her neck feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sylvain grabbed her free hand and squeezed it reassuringly, grounding her down from the stress that she would inevitably face. Claude continued his speech to Byleth, with a spark in his eyes, "My dreams await in a future where Fódlan is no longer ravaged by war. There are things I want to see with you someday. I'll keep thinking about the best way to achieve that goal. Whatever we decide to do, we can't do it until we defeat the Empire. Fódlan can't welcome a new dawn until we win the war. Let's prepare as best we can."

The fighting was over in a matter of hours, and kneeling at her throne gasping for air was the Emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg. It seemed a long time coming for Sylvain; as much as he sympathized with her ideals, as much as he despised the Crest system and the nobility that used it and abused it, he could never side with her. Through her actions, many people had suffered, not just in the Alliance and Faerghus, but also in the Empire. Too many innocents died for her war. Dimitri. Lord Rodrigue. Jeralt and countless others.

Now here they were, at the end of it all. Sylvain knew Byleth and Claude wanted to ensure Edelgard's survival, that somehow she could allow herself to be taken prisoner. But Sylvain knew better, he knew the soldiers that he had killed in the past would rather die than be held captive as they begged for an execution. And so here it was, as Sylvain looked upon a familiar scene of an Empire soldier, or rather the Emperor, laying down her weapon and convincing Byleth that this was the right thing to do.

"It looks as though... my path... will end here." Edelgard mustered out as she was slowly succumbing to her injuries. "My teacher... claim your victory. Strike me down. You must! Even now... across this land, people are killing each other. If you do not act now, this conflict... will go on forever. Your path... lies across my grave. It is time for you to find the courage to walk it. If I must fall... let it be by your hand."

Byleth's face contorted from sadness, regret, and finally an emotionless resolve. Sylvain watched as she approached Edelgard with her Sword of the Creator unsheathed from her hilt. He saw her slowly lift the blade above her head as the lights from the windows above the throne shined down on her and the Emperor.

Edelgard smiled softly as she lowered her head, "I...wanted...to walk with you.." And with that Byleth brought down her blade to Edelgard's head as Sylvain clenched his eyes shut, disgusted by the sound of Edelgard's skull being crushed and the metallic scent of blood that permeated the room in a foul odor. Sylvain opened his eyes to see that Edelgard's once bright white hair was stained red, as red as his own. With one quick blow to the head, Byleth killed the woman that had started this war. It was over in an instant. It was surreal. And terrifying. It was times like this that he forgot how dangerous Byleth could be. She was a groomed killer, and yet to him she was a beautiful woman.

Byleth brushed the blood away from her blade and left the corpse of the Emperor there on the ground, dead like her ambitions for a 'better world'. Sylvain watched as she walked back to him with a somber and regretful look in her eyes. She looked as though she was looking for confirmation that she did the right thing. Sylvain sighed as he went to take her into his arms, answering her question with it. There was no way to know if it was the right thing, it was just something that needed to be done. As they broke away, they left with Claude, who was standing nearby, silent in remorse but happy that it was all over.

As they stepped outside onto the courtyard of the castle, Claude spoke up first, turning to Byleth with a soft look in his eyes, "It's over. We were only able to beat her because of you."

Byleth's expression was of heartbreak, she didn't say a word. Sylvain grabbed her shoulders and rubbed them, as he stood behind her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Byleth brought a hand up to one of his own and stroked it to wordlessly tell him that everything was okay.

Claude's eyebrows turned into a frown, "This wasn't the conclusion I had hoped for. Even though... I... Never mind. It's over now. The important thing is that we won."

Sylvain gave a small smile, "At least there's that, it's so strange, after all of these years it's finally over." He wrapped his arms around Byleth's shoulders as she gently laid her head next to his.

Just then, as if to interrupt the tender moment on purpose, Judith appeared with a letter in hand, "Here, boy. A letter. An Imperial general asked me to give it to you."

Claude's brow grew quizzical, "A letter? Let's see it." As Claude opened the envelope he read the contents of the letter, word for word.

If you are reading this letter, that means I have perished. As Her Majesty would never surrender to another, I can only assume she has fallen as well. It greatly pains me to think of this coming to pass... That said, as the survivors, I must ask you to settle certain affairs in our stead. You must destroy the threat that slithers in the dark. I am sure you must recall Monica and Tomas. Their allies yet live. They hold deep resentment against the children of the goddess and the people of the world, and they are biding their time until they can exact revenge. If left to their own devices, it is certain they will eventually bring unimaginable calamity and suffering to the world. I detected their sorcery when you took Fort Merceus. I have deduced the location of their stronghold, Shambhala. You will find its whereabouts enclosed. There is no question that they are the enemies of everyone in Fódlan. Do not allow yourselves to forget that. Lastly... While I cannot say she is in good health, the archbishop resides in a secret chamber in the Imperial palace. I have shared the location of the entrance to that secret chamber with the person to whom I have entrusted this letter. I believe that Her Majesty will be victorious... Even still, I must plan for her defeat as well. If you wish to lead this world, I challenge you to rise to the occasion and surpass my estimation of you. Such is your obligation as the victors... and the only fitting tribute to all that Lady Edelgard sacrificed.

~Hubert von Vestra

Upon hearing this, Byleth and Sylvain broke away from each other as they stared in shock at Claude, "Hubert... To leave a letter like this behind... You were a better man than I believed you to be. So, Rhea is alive. And the fight isn't over yet. Those who slither in the dark... It sounds like Fódlan will never know peace unless we defeat them." He said somberly.

"So that means we're still fighting? Dammit, I was really looking forward for all of this to end." Sylvain grumbled to himself.

"The allies of Monica and Tomas... Well, we knew about them already. I think it's safe to assume this is the same group who used Lysithea for their blood experiments. And they were also responsible for the javelins of light that destroyed the fortress. But who are these "children of the goddess," who they supposedly resent? There's just not enough information here. I don't suppose there's any chance of his idea of a prank... If so, wow. Good one. Hubert... Rather than writing a letter, you should have just told us before we fought…" Claude shook his head, angry that Hubert didn't divulge more before the fighting started.

"Let's ask Rhea about it. We know where she is, and time is paramount here." Byleth stated.

Claude agreed, "Right. We still don't know for sure if this letter is telling the truth. Let's go find out."

Rhea was alive, and mostly unharmed, or relatively just doing well for being held captive for so long. As they found her in the inner sanctum of the castle, hidden away from normal eyes, Byleth cradled the woman in her arms as she was too weak to stand. Rhea clung to her arms in pure joy, as if she had never thought this day would come.

"You... You have come to save me... Is this... Is this a dream? I have longed to see you again... all this time... Is it truly you?" Rhea spoke in disbelief.

"It's me, Lady Rhea, it's been far too long." Byleth gently raised the woman to her feet with Sylvain and Claude lingering behind her.

"Sylvain...my, you have grown...I've heard of your tales in passing from the guards...tales of your heroics…" Sylvain blushed a bit, and bit his tongue to not compliment her back, Rhea's eyes turned to Claude, "Claude... I can see you have grown into a reliable young man... Thank you for supporting the professor, and for rescuing me. Surely the protection of the goddess has-"

Claude interjected over her, "Wait, Rhea. What do you know about the children of the goddess?"

There was a silence, a deafening one as all three individuals stared at Rhea, waiting for an answer, "Children of... What is this about?" Rhea responded, a bit bewildered.

"Forgive my bluntness. Someone from the Empire filled us in on a few things. I know it must be painful for us to ask you difficult questions after such an arduous confinement. But we have no choice. We must defeat a secret enemy... Those who slither in the dark. Do you know about them?" Claude asked.

Rhea looked to the ground, "Those who slither in the dark…"

Sylvain sighed heavily, "Apparently, they resent the children of the goddess and the people of the world, and are planning something big. Something terrible."

Rhea didn't say a word, her eyes betraying her. Byleth could see it, she was hiding something.

Byleth added onto their comments, "They use blood for their wicked magic and are capable of dropping javelins of light from the sky, which are powerful enough to crush a fortress. If you can think of anything at all, please tell us now. We need to know as much as possible about these enemies in order to stop them."

Again, silence. Rhea was really in deep thought, unable to answer the questions given to her.

Claude, in a rare display of rage, let it all out, "This is the critical moment that will determine whether or not Fódlan falls! Can't you see that the time for secrets has passed?!"

Rhea lifted her head, glancing at the trio with a serious look, "It is true that there is a group of people who have slithered in the darkness and threatened the peace of Fódlan since ancient times. I am sure you have heard the stories of a man named Nemesis…"

Byleth nodded, "The wielder of the Sword of the Creator...The one before me."

Claude added on to her comments, "Nemesis, the King of Liberation. He's the hero to whom the goddess gave the Sword of the Creator."

Rhea continued on, "Nemesis was originally the leader of a group of bandits. He plundered the Holy Tomb and stole the remains of the progenitor god. When Nemesis appeared in Zanado some time later, he already wielded the Sword of the Creator."

Byleth cocked her head to the side, "How did he get the Sword of the Creator?"

Sylvain spoke up, "According to legend, the goddess gifted him the sword to fight against the evil gods."

Rhea's face grew more angry, "I do not know how Nemesis obtained the sword, or why he appeared in Zanado. But he used that sword to massacre the people there. The children of the progenitor god. From their corpses he gained even more power, and brought war to Fódlan…"

Claude clutched his chin, "That's completely different from what the legends tell us about Nemesis."

Rhea growled, "A mere bandit like Nemesis would not have been capable of anything so monstrous on his own…"

Finally the wheels started to turn in Claude's head as his eyes lit up, "Aha! So Nemesis had accomplices. And those accomplices must have been those who slither in the dark. They used Nemesis! And this time they used the Imperial army to once again bring war to Fódlan! I finally get it... And I even understand why Edelgard was associating with them. Just as they were trying to use the Empire, the Empire was trying to use them." He looked to the Archbishop with a soft look in his eyes, "Rhea, there's still a mountain of things I need to ask you. And I will. But I'll leave all of that for another day. You must be weak after living in confinement for so long. Please rest for a while." Turning back to Sylvain and Byleth, he spoke, "My friends... Let's prepare for battle. We need to strike Shambhala as soon as possible."

As they all turned to leave, Rhea grasped Byleth's hand taking her aback, "You must not allow Fódlan's bloody history... the Red Canyon Tragedy... to repeat itself…"

Byleth's eyes steeled over, her resolve coming back, "I won't, Lady Rhea, that I can promise you."

They finally moved some of their armies back to Garreg Mach, after their successes in Enbarr. While the majority of the citizens and soldiers were glad that the Empire's hold on Fodlan was now over. Many were celebrating the return of Rhea while others were happy that the Empire's efforts were in vain. That they would not control Fodlan under brute force.

However, now there was the new enemy that had to be dealt with. Those Who Slither in the Dark. What an ominous name. As if the world wasn't already dealing with too much, now Byleth and the others had to find a way to defeat an enemy that was extremely secretive. She didn't know what to expect. Even as she was laying down with Sylvain, enjoying the afterglow of their late night love-making session, all she could think about was them.

Sylvain must've noticed this, as he brushed the few strands of hair away from Byleth's face, propping himself up on his elbow, revealing his bare chest from the covers, "Hey, you okay?"

Byleth sighed, "I'm worried, we don't know what to expect from this new enemy," She got up from the bed picking up her silk robe, wrapping it around her body and tying it at her waist. She moved to stare out the window of Sylvain's room.

Sylvain followed her, wrapping a thin sheet around his waist, and standing beside her, "I know, but it's an unfortunate part of us being human."

Byleth crossed her arms, a questioning look appeared on her face, "What do you mean?"

"The War with the Empire might be over but not war in general. Human beings thrive on conflict. We can't get enough of it. I don't know when, but you know someday another war will begin." Sylvain said as he wrapped his arms around Byleth's waist.

Byleth hummed appreciatively to his contact, "Even so…"

Sylvain chuckled, "Heh heh... That's the way it is, right?" He kissed her lovingly, soft and slow, unlike before where it was passionate and hungry. He looked into her beautiful green eyes with his warm golden brown, caressing her face, "War may always come back but so will peace. And peace is what we fight for." He placed his head on hers as they breathed each other in.

Byleth rubbed their noses together, "Sylvain?"

"Hmmm?" Sylvain asked

"Do you really think I'd be a good Queen?" She spoke, her voice was vulnerable.

Sylvain looked at her in earnest, "Byleth, I know that no matter what you put your mind to, you always give it your all. And you're not dumb, you know to some extent how this world works. And besides, you'd have me there to help you."

Byleth eyes softened, "Even if you gain another title you don't want? Such as King?"

Sylvain gave a short laugh, "Even so. I don't care, all I want is to be there with you. And more than likely it would actually be Prince Consort, not King."

Byleth giggled, "Of course you had to be technical. You sure it doesn't bother you?"

Sylvain kissed her cheek, "It won't, because I'd be there with you and that's all that matters." Sylvain trailed his kisses down to her neck and collarbone, much to Byleth's delight. Even if the world was still in an uncertain state, at least she'd know Sylvain would be here to please her and love her no matter what.