"You fool!" Sothis's voice reverberated in Byleth's head. In the darkness, his blurred vision slowly focused on the green haired child, "Are you just a boulder that rolls down whatever hill it's on? No, even a boulder has more sense!"
Sothis spat at him accusingly as she slammed her fists onto her arm rests. This moronic boy- How dare he run straight into danger without a second thought. Even when Jeralt and Alythia looked over him, it was a miracle Byleth managed to live this long. For someone who had trouble expressing emotions, Byleth had no difficulty being impulsive, selfish and hasty.
Byleth looked at Sothis with a glazed over face, as if bored and unaffected by his own stupidity. Sothis looked around helplessly at the darkness. How terrifying this void was. She could continue to channel her frustration at him for roping them into this predicament, but there was no satisfaction or retribution in arguing with a wall.
"I'm sorry," said Byleth. Though his face held no hint of remorse, his words rang genuine. While the apology did little to soothe her nerves, she quietly accepted his atonement nonetheless.
She settled back in her stoney throne and sighed defeatedly, "There's no other choice."
"What choice?" Byleth asked.
"You were born a child who never cried nor laughed. I think I am the one to blame," explained Sothis, "Perhaps I was asleep, but I feel I was a part of you. I do not know how Rhea managed it, but she allowed me to exist inside you."
Byleth stood in silence, not completely taken by surprise. Somehow, he knew he harbored these hidden answers. Somehow, he knew it to be true. Sothis rested her chin in the palm of her hand and continued to observe Byleth from above.
"There is but one thing left to do to save us from this darkness of eternity. I must now use the power of a god."
Byleth balled his hands into fists, knowing what comes next. He closed his eyes, remembering the guilt that burdened him when Jeralt died. Why did one more person have to sacrifice themselves for his mistake?
"Thank you, Byleth," said Sothis with a sad smile, descending the stone steps, "I'm glad that it was you to whom my fate was bound."
"Both sides are revealed to you and you alone," Sothis continued. A stream of light circled steadily around them as a flurry of fragmented memories overwhelmed him. Emotions from his past lives cycled through his mind; grief for a dead prince, anguish for his lost soul and self-hatred at Byleth's failure to save him. But as he faced the goddess, he felt the weight of his penitence, vengeance and pity lift from his heart.
"Thank you, Sothis," whispered Byleth, accepting the progenitor god as a part of him. Sothis nodded confidently and extended her hand to link with his.
Red sparks ignited out of thin air. Gradually, then all at once, an inferno grew from a suspending slit. Byleth emerged from the red light, as if reborn into the world. His blade, the Sword of the Creator, glowed with an intense fire nobody had seen before. The Blue Lions stood in awe at Professor Byleth, seeming remarkably unscathed, after Solon sealed him into darkness.
Nearby, Alythia tightened her fists. She wanted to feel relief that her brother escaped death, but when the red light faded, her heart dropped at the sight of Byleth's hair. She feared what happened to Byleth in the void he was banished to.
Byleth turned to face his students, who cried and cheered and praised his return.
"Lend me your strength," Byleth raised his fist. In response, the Blue Lions rallied together and shouted, "Yes, Professor!"
His eyes glanced at Alythia, who shook her head but gave him a knowing smile nonetheless. Byleth shrugged in return. Like Sothis, he expected a lecture from her for running into danger without a plan.
Byleth looked at Dimitri and nodded at him before advancing towards the stairs to confront Solon. Without needing further confirmation, Dimitri flitted behind his professor to assist. While the two advanced to challenge Solon, Alythia assumed command to lead and subdue the reinforcements on the ground and sides.
"Ashe and Annette, cover for Dimitri and take out those mages."
"Mercedes, assume a central position at the bottom of the stairs. Keep an eye out for everyone's conditions."
"Ingrid and I will lure the Demonic Beast in the east. Sylvain and Felix, advance west to stop the other monster. Dedue, follow up with a heavy hit after its defenses are lowered."
As the students dispersed, Alythia glanced at the stairs and saw the top was surrounded by two soldiers. Thanks to her direction, Ashe and Annette's ranged attacks disabled the mages long enough for Byleth and Dimitri to slip past without trouble. Byleth knew to put trust in Alythia, who skillfully and quickly delegated an attack plan to cover their bases.
Dimitri lunged forward ahead of Byleth, steadying his lance and leveraging speed to land a critical hit against a brigand guarding Solon's side. The brigand stumbled back but regained his balance, and then raised his axe at Dimitri.
Byleth never faltered in his advance towards Solon. As he swung his arm, he only saw a glowing red streak from the sword and Solon's terrified expression. With one powerful blow, Solon flew violently to the ground, his head hitting the stone platform from when he haughtily looked down at Byleth from.
The old man whimpered as his eyes focused on the burning aura of the Sword of the Creator. Byleth gripped the hilt, readying another strike. Solon sneered, "I am terrified of you... But this is not the end."
Solon vanished into a dark smoke the same way he appeared. His mysterious militia faded into the darkness of the forest, much to the relief of Byleth's weary allies.
Byleth lowered his sword, suddenly feeling its hefty weight after his adrenaline leveled off. He breathed heavily as he felt the cold night air for the first time. Unfamiliar pale green strands of hair obstructed his vision as he tilted his head. All at once, he remembered his pact with Sothis. Two sides revealed. A fusion. Her sacrifice.
Before Byleth could make sense of his newfound power, he felt crushed by a heavy fatigue and fainted.
"Professor! What's wrong? Are you.." Dimitri scrambled to his teacher's side, absolutely distraught. He paused and let out a relieved sigh as he realized Byleth was asleep. He looked at his teacher's resting face; Byleth's mouth slightly ajar with his light green hair covering his eyes.
Dimitri kneeled next to him, tenderly moving Byleth's hair. He couldn't help but to feel sadness, thinking about the hardship Byleth harbored to himself. What changed the professor when Solon sealed him?
'Professor, my strength is yours alone,' Dimitri thought.
"I have no choice but to carry you back," he declared boldly and scooped Byleth into his arms. Dimitri looked at his Professor's sleeping face and pursed his lips. The prince forced himself to face forward, knowing he would fluster if he caught another glimpse of Byleth's face.
'No matter the wreckage and no matter the tide, I will stand with you.'